Krishna Janmabhoomi Dispute: SC Stays Allahabad HC Order Appointing Commissioner To Inspect Shahi Eidgah Mosque

New Age Islam News Bureau

16 January 2024

 

The Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi and Shahi Idgah mosque, in Mathura on January 15, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI

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·         Krishna Janmabhoomi Dispute: SC Stays Allahabad HC Order Appointing Commissioner To Inspect Shahi Eidgah Mosque

·         UK To Ban Sunni Islamist Hizb ut-Tahrir for Antisemitism And Promoting Terror

·         Supreme Court Is Operating Under ‘London Plan’, Alleges Founder Of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf

·         Saudi Arabia To Establish Centre To Protect Underwater Heritage Of Red Sea, Arabian Gulf

·         Palestinian Resistance Forces The Israeli Enemy Army To Withdraw From Various Areas In Gaza

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India

·         Ram Mandir-Like Campaign To Start Soon For Construction Of Mosque In Ayodhya: Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation

·         Karnataka BJP Leader Claims Mosques Built Over Temples, Calls For Survey

·         UP ATS Raids Madrasa In Bengal, Seizes ;Computer’ & ‘SIM’ Cards

·         Muslim Teen Held For ‘Spitting On Procession’ Gets Bail As Witnesses Backtrack

·         Congress ‘Pilgrims’ Visit Ayodhya On Makar Sankranti After BJP's 'Anti-Hindu' Charge

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Europe

·         Denmark provides $6.2 million for humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

·         Situation in Gaza much worse than Berlin in 1945: Chilean president

·         UK announces biggest military deployment to NATO exercises in decades

·         Rishi Sunak says strikes on Houthi rebels are 'self defence' and a response to a 'direct threat to UK vessels'

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Pakistan

·         Coordination on Afghanistan must for region’s peace: FM Jilani

·         Military trial of most of 103 May 9 suspects almost complete

·         Border dispute strands thousands of trucks at Torkham crossing

·         Toshakhana case: AC records statements of three more prosecution witnesses

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Arab World

·         US, UK forces can no longer pass through Bab el-Mandeb Strait: Yemeni official

·         Saudi minister of state attends Brunei royal wedding celebrations

·         Saudi Arabia hosts ICESCO’s 44th session of executive council

·         Houthi missile hits ship southeast of Yemen’s Aden

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Mideast

·         UN chief calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire, says humanitarian situation 'beyond words'

·         UNRWA: In Gaza, largest displacement of Palestinians since 1948

·         International Union Of Muslim Scholars Forms Delegation For Gaza Mission

·         Iran's Revolutionary Guards attack Israel's 'espionage centres’ in Iraq: Report

·         Hamas Says Combined Retaliatory Attack By Palestinians Near Tel Aviv 'Natural' Response To Israel's Genocidal War

·         Iran president urges immediate implementation of agreements with India, including Chabahar port development

·         Linking Yemeni retaliatory strikes to Iran meant to conceal Israeli crimes in Gaza: UN envoy

·         ICJ must take urgent action to end Israel’s aggression: Palestinian PM

·         IRGC hits terrorists, Mossad espionage bases in region

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Africa

·         Cameroon Bishops Denounce Boko Haram Atrocities As Terrorist Group Wages War To Create African ‘Islamic Caliphate’

·         Fire Guts Mosque In Ilorin, Renders At Least 120 People Homeless

·         69 protesters killed, 189 journalists arrested under Buhari govt – Report

·         ICC delays verdict on Mali Islamist warlord

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South Asia

·         Wakhan Corridor Officially Connects Afghanistan To China: Taliban

·         India Supported Bangladesh's Efforts To Continue Democratic Process: Bangladesh FM

·         Earthquakes impact thousands of children in Herat: UNICEF

·         Over 25,000 Afghan migrants deported from Iran in the past ten days

·         OCHA warns of high hunger and malnutrition levels in Afghanistan

·         Shakib: We Mediate, But Not Accommodate TTP in Afghanistan

·         Afghanistan Exports Reach More than $166 Million Last Month

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Southeast Asia

·         Indonesia Supports Palestine Through Law Enforcement At ICJ

·         New Capital To Begin Construction Of Mosque, Memorial Park

·         Johor cops suspect foul play in separate fires that broke out just a day apart at BatuPahatsurau and mosque

·         Umrah package company, two directors charged with non-compliance of consumer claims tribunal award

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North America

·         Florida Republican Governor Tells Iowans He’s 'Upset' About A Mosque In 'Pigsty' Bethlehem

·         Iranian Court Orders US To Pay $2.6 Billion For 2009 Suicide Attack On Shia Worshipers

·         Yemen strikes another nail in Biden coffin for Muslim voters

·         Yemen’s Houthis threaten to hit US ships as more tankers steer clear

·         US reacts to IRGC anti-terrorist operation in region

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Australia

·         Australian Foreign Minister Calls For ‘Sustainable Ceasefire’ In Gaza

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:    https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/krishna-janmabhoomi-shahi-eidgah-mosque/d/131530

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Krishna Janmabhoomi dispute: SC stays Allahabad HC order appointing Commissioner to inspect Shahi Eidgah Mosque

 

The Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi and Shahi Idgah mosque, in Mathura on January 15, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI

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16 Jan 2024

Suchitra Kalyan Mohanty

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the implementation of the Allahabad High Court order appointing a commissioner to inspect the Shahi Eidgah Masjid in connection with Mathura’s Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi dispute.

A two-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna and also comprising Justice DipankarDatta, told senior advocate Shyam Divan, who was appearing for Hindu bodies.

The bench said there are certain legal issues which have arisen and questioned the "vague" application made before the high court for appointment of a court commissioner for the survey.

“You can’t file a vague application for appointment of court commissioner. It should be very specific on the purpose. You can’t leave everything to the court to look into it,” the top court said, as quoted by PTI.

The top court bench noted that the issue of transfer of around 18 suits related to the dispute was also coming up, and that certain legal questions also arise for consideration in the matter. It, however, permitted the proceedings to continue before the high court while maintaining that a commission cannot be implemented for now.

“Issue notice. Tag with transfer matter, list on 23rd January. Proceedings before High Court can continue but commission cannot be executed till next date,” the bench ordered, according to Bar and Bench.

"We are staying the operation of the (Allahabad HC) order to the extent of the commission being executed," Justice Khanna said.

The bench also sought a reply from the deity Bhagwan Shri Krishna Virajman, and other parties on the plea of the mosque committee, asking them to file it by January 23, 2024.

The SC was hearing the petition of the Committee of Management, Trust Shahi Masjid Eiddgah against the Allahabad HC's December 14 order. The committee was represented by advocates Tasneem Ahmadi, Mehmood Pracha and RHA Sikander.

The Allahabad High Court had on December 14 last year agreed to an application filed by Hindu deity Bhagwan Shri Krishna Virajman, and other parties seeking the appointment of an advocate-commissioner to oversee the survey of the mosque. The HC's order was then challenged by the Mosque Committee before the apex court.

The Hindu side's application was part of an original civil suit pending before the Allahabad HC where they have claimed that the mosque was constructed by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb by demolishing a temple on 13.37 acres of Lord Krishna's birthplace. This is the main suit amidst around 18 pending suits filed.

Lawyer Tasneem Ahmadi, appearing for the Mosque Committee, told the apex court that the Allahabad HC ought to have considered its pending petition seeking rejection of the plaint filed by the Hindu parties before deciding on any other miscellaneous applications in the suit.

The Mosque Committee had sought rejection of the suit under the grounds of it being barred under the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which does not allow change of character of religious places.

On May 26 last year, the Allahabad High Court had transferred to itself all the pending suits on the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah Masjid dispute from various civil courts in Mathura. The Mosque Committee had filed a petition challenging that transfer as well.

The Hindu side has been seeking a direction to declare that the disputed land including the area which the Shahi Eidgah Mosque shares with the Katra Keshav Dev Temple belongs to Lord Shree Krishna. They seek the removal of the mosque and the restoration of the 13.37 acres of land.

Source: newindianexpress.com

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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Jan/16/krishna-janmabhoomi-dispute-sc-stays-allahabad-hc-order-appointing-commissioner-to-inspect-shahi-eidgah-mosque

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UK To Ban Sunni Islamist Hizb ut-Tahrir For Antisemitism And Promoting Terror

 

Supporters of Hizb ut-Tahrir demonstrate in Ramallah, July 7, 2012 (photo credit: Issam Rimawi/Flash90)

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15 January 2024

Britain’s interior minister James Cleverly said on Monday he had begun the process of banning the Sunni Islamist political organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, saying it was antisemitic and promoted “terrorism.”

The group is already banned in Bangladesh, Egypt, Germany, Pakistan, and several Central Asian and Arab countries.

“Hizb ut-Tahrir is an anti-Semitic organization that actively promotes and encourages terrorism, including praising and celebrating the appalling 7 October attacks (on Israel),” Cleverly said, referring to the devastating massacres by Palestinian terror group Hamas.

If a draft order laid before parliament by Cleverly is approved by MPs, the ban will come into force on January 19, making it an offense to support the group punishable by up to 14 years in prison. It can also lead to an asset seizure.

“Hizb ut-Tahrir’s praise of the 7 October attacks and associated incidents, as well as describing Hamas as ‘heroes’ on their central website constitutes promoting and encouraging terrorism,” a government statement said.

“Hizb ut-Tahrir has a history of praising and celebrating attacks against Israel and attacks against Jews more widely. The UK stands strongly against antisemitism and will not tolerate the promotion of terrorism in any form,” it added.

On October 7 thousands of Hamas-led terrorists burst through the border with the Gaza Strip and invaded Israel, where they killed some 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and committed many acts of brutality and sexual violence. Until the Israel Defense Forces could mount a response, the terrorists also abducted at least 240 people and took them to Gaza as hostages, where most of them are still being held captive.

Israel responded to the attack with a military campaign aimed at destroying Hamas, removing it from power in Gaza, and releasing the hostages.

Hizb ut-Tahrir’s long-term goal is to establish a Caliphate ruled under Islamic law.

Founded in 1953, it is headquartered in Lebanon and operates in at least 32 countries including the UK, United States, Canada, and Australia, according to the UK’s Home Office.

The Islamist group has a few thousand supporters in the West Bank, where the Palestinian Authority has also sought to clamp down on its activities.

Source: timesofisrael.com

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https://www.timesofisrael.com/uk-to-ban-sunni-islamist-hizb-ut-tahrir-for-antisemitism-promoting-terror/

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Supreme Court Is Operating Under ‘London Plan’, Alleges Founder Of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf

 

PTI founder Imran Khan

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January 15, 2024

Former prime minister and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, asserted that the current developments in the country are part of what he refers to as the 'London Plan'. He claimed that this plan extends to the Supreme Court, suggesting that the court is operating under the covert agreement.

Speaking informally with the media in Adiala Jail on Monday, Khan expressed his desire for Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faez Isa, to reflect on the 8th verse of the fifth chapter of the Holy Quran. According to Khan, this verse emphasises avoiding excessive hatred towards enemies to ensure the administration of justice.

Khan contended that the recent decision by the apex court to set aside the January 10 order of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), which resulted in the PTI losing its iconic cricket bat symbol for the upcoming February 8 general elections, was a setback for the party. He said that there should have been a five-member bench to hear the party’s electoral symbol case.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had earlier invalidated the PTI’s intra-party polls on December 22, a decision contested by the party in the PHC. The PHC declared the ECP's decision illegal, prompting the ECP to approach the Supreme Court, which ultimately ruled against the PTI's symbol.

During the media interaction, Khan reiterated his claim that all unfolding events are part of the 'London Plan.' He emphasised his incarceration, the dismantling of the PTI, and the resolution of Nawaz Sharif's case as components of this alleged plan. Khan maintained that these actions aim to portray that those in power are exempt from the law.

Khan reiterated his accusations that his imprisonment is a result of exposing individuals such as Donald Lu and General Bajwa. Dismissing the possibility of an electoral alliance with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), he specifically ruled out an alliance with PPP Chairman Bilawal.

The PTI founder criticised Nawaz Sharif, stating that Sharif never played a match without biased umpires. “Two of his umpires are still active… one of whom has given a no ball,” he said using a cricketing analogy.

Khan asserted that there is documented evidence of financial irregularities by Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, citing the acquisition of luxury cars at exceptionally low prices from Toshakhana – the state's gift depository. He lamented the closure of cases against PML-N members while expressing frustration that new cases keep emerging for the PTI.

Imran Khan, who highlighted his 27 years of struggle for the party, predicted significant public discontent on February 8, the election day. He warned of a major blow to opposing parties and expressed concern that PTI candidates are being hindered from campaigning.

“They have no idea of people's anger… nothing can be hidden in the era of social media… they will see people's anger on February 8th and the condition of lotas (turncoats) will also be seen on February 8th… I am predicting that they will suffer a major blow (on election day),” he warned.

Khan concluded by emphasising that despite challenges, the PTI remains resilient due to popular support. He claimed that external forces prevented him from participating in the party's ticket allocation process, pointing out that even the register was not allowed to come to the jail for his consultation.

Source: tribune.com.pk

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https://tribune.com.pk/story/2453346/supreme-court-is-operating-under-london-plan-alleges-imran

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Saudi Arabia To Establish Centre To Protect Underwater Heritage Of Red Sea, Arabian Gulf

 

Attendees at an international scientific conference hosted in Jeddah by the Saudi Heritage Commission. (SPA)

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January 15, 2024

JEDDAH: Saudi heritage chiefs have revealed plans to establish a specialized center to coordinate the surveying and protection of key underwater cultural sites in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.

The announcement was made during an international scientific conference hosted in Jeddah on Monday by the Saudi Heritage Commission to discuss undersea archaeology projects.

Commission CEO, Jasser Al-Harbash, joined experts and interested parties from 14 countries taking part in the forum.

He noted that the preservation of underwater cultural heritage, helped to highlight the history of peoples and nations and he lauded the work of research teams that had participated in recent archaeological studies of the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.

Abdullah Al-Zahrani, general manager of the Heritage Commission, pointed out the opportunities that the initiatives presented to showcase Saudi history on the global stage.

He told Arab News that through ongoing archaeological missions and collaborations with international universities, the commission aimed to raise awareness of the Kingdom’s historical significance.

“Presenting our rich history to the world is a great opportunity. Saudi Arabia, with its deep historical roots, boasts archaeological sites dating back over 10,000 years.

“The Heritage Commission is currently overseeing 70 archaeological missions across the Kingdom, spanning from ancient history to the present day,” Al-Zahrani said.

He noted collaboration on exploring more than 8,000 critical sites, adding that the Red Sea coastal area covered in excess of 100,000 km.

Through ongoing investigations with international partners, he said more than eight sites had now been documented.

“Our current focus extends from the south to the north of the Red Sea, revealing sunken ships with cargoes from Mediterranean cities, offering valuable insights into history.

“Additionally, a project was launched last year to study islands near the Arabian Gulf, and we aim to further explore underwater archaeological sites in the Gulf,” he added.

Faisal Alsaaq, a Saudi specialist in the hydrographic survey of underwater imaging at King Abdulaziz University, told Arab News about the cutting-edge technologies used in underwater archaeology.

He highlighted state-of-the-art instruments, including remotely operated vehicles that could travel to great depths, and hydrographic equipment with multibeam, side scan, and magnetometer functionalities used for precise underwater surveys.

The conference explored global perspectives on underwater cultural heritage, with delegates discussing modern techniques in surveying and excavating submerged sites, and the importance of capacity building and sustainable management practices.

In recent years, so-called citizen science has encouraged the involvement of members of the public in archaeology.

Chris Underwood, president of the International Committee on the Underwater Cultural Heritage, pointed out the move toward citizen science and community engagement for increased public awareness. He said: “What we are trying to do is build capacity in the general public to support what we do.

“In terms of community archaeology, it is often described as being by the people for the people. I take it one step further; it is actually the community engaging archaeologists to conduct the archaeology they want on specific sites in their location that they deem important, not necessarily nationally or regionally significant but of community importance,” he added.

The forum was attended by representatives from countries including the US, Spain, the UK, Argentina, Italy, Denmark, Slovenia, Mexico, South Korea, Egypt, Algeria, Lebanon, Bulgaria, and Australia.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2442076/saudi-arabia

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Palestinian Resistance Forces The Israeli Enemy Army To Withdraw From Various Areas In Gaza

 

Photo: Yemen News Agency

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[16/January/2024]

CAPITALS Jan 16. 2024 (Saba) - At a time when the Zionist enemy entity emphasizes its aggressive nature, based on killing and destruction, and highlights this, by committing crimes and massacres against civilians in the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian resistance continues to inflict on its occupying forces heavy losses in equipment and personnel, on all fighting axes.

The Palestinian resistance continues to attack his forces wherever they try to stabilize and consolidate, putting an end to the enemy’s attempt at incursion, which forced his forces to retreat from various areas in the Gaza Strip.

Among the scenes of targeting Zionist enemy vehicles and soldiers broadcast by the Palestinian resistance, the enemy army is fully aware of the predicament and confusion it is suffering from. The combat efficiency of the Palestinian factions contributed to deterring his forces, after they demonstrated their ability to seize the military initiative on the battlefields.

With every hour the number of Palestinian martyrs rises, as does the number of Palestinian deterrence strikes, which confirms the enemy’s failure to achieve any of its goals in Gaza, after the illusion of its control over any geographical spot in the Strip exposed.

In light of the repeated talk about eliminating the missile capabilities of the Palestinian resistance factions and discovering their factories, these factions once again prove their ability to surprise the enemy and prevent him from imposing any battlefield victory equations.

Even more than that, the Palestinian resistance has proven that it is capable of achieving surprises and maintaining the initiative, while it seems that the Zionist enemy army, with its power and arrogance, is helpless and confused, and is only capable of crushing and shattering the bones of children, women, and the elderly in their homes.

Something has changed in the field, and the equations of resistance deterrence are no longer what they were before, and the Zionist enemy army is suffering greatly and is incurring heavy losses, which has increased the percentage of its losses exponentially.

The Palestinian resistance imposed its will in the border area, putting an end to the enemy’s incursion, as the media reported that the Zionist enemy army withdrew yesterday from several areas in the central Gaza Strip, leaving great destruction behind it.

The Turkish Anatolia Agency confirmed that the Zionist forces withdrew from the town of Al-Masdar, east of Deir Al-Balah, and from the entrance to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital Street in the same city, in addition to the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip.

At the same time, the Zionist enemy army radio said today: The “36th Division” has been withdrawn from the Gaza Strip, including the “Golani Brigade” and the “Armored Brigade.”

The Zionist Radio added: Three army divisions remained in the Gaza Strip: 99, 162, and 98.

While the Zionist newspaper "Israel Today" said: The 36th Division, which withdrew from Gaza, includes the Golani, 6th, 7th, 188th and Engineering Corps brigades.

Here it can be said: The Palestinian resistance has shackled the Zionist enemy army since the first day of the confrontation and was able to restrict the movement of its soldiers on the outskirts of the Gaza Strip. This is evident from the confirmation of the spokesman for the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, “Abu Ubaida,” that the resistance targeted and removed 1,000 Zionist military vehicles within 100 days of The aggression on the Gaza Strip.

Abu Ubaida revealed, during an exclusive speech broadcast on Al Jazeera on Sunday evening, that the resistance factions have inflicted and are still inflicting heavy losses on the Zionist enemy, greater than what they incurred on the seventh of last October, in reference to the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation.

He said: “Most of the ammunition and weapons we targeted the enemy with were from the military industry of the Al-Qassam Brigades,” stressing that the battle of “Al-Aqsa Flood” is the battle of the Palestinian homeland in which the people and the resistance fight in one trench.

Here, military experts agree that the appearance of “Abu Ubaida” in a video speech carries within it several messages and connotations, most notably the continuation of the resistance’s steadfastness after 100 days of aggression and war, and the refutation of the Zionist enemy army’s narratives about the seizure of weapons and ammunition depots in the Gaza Strip.

They stress that the timing of “Abu Ubaida’s” video speech was intentional, and it contains a clear message, stating that the resistance’s ability to confront the enemy and continue the battle exists and continues, and its popular incubator is present.

They believe that Abu Ubaida’s speech confirmed that the resistance has more surprises, and that it has weapons and ammunition in large quantities, and does not need smuggling and transport operations, and this is an indication that they are able to continue for a longer period.

According to experts, the continuation of the next phase of the war may include a high intensity of rocket firing deep into Tel Aviv, which will bring back the horror of returning to the shelters in the Zionist community.

As for the other most important message that Abu Ubaida wanted to show, it was represented by his denial of the ability of the enemy forces to destroy any weapons depot belonging to the Qassam Brigades in the Gaza Strip, as Abu Ubaida indicated in his speech that the Qassam was among the plans that preceded October 7th. It is emptying Gaza of weapons stores.

Experts considered this phrase to be the most dangerous thing mentioned in the speech, as this phrase opens a wide door to questions about the places where the weapons were placed, if not in the Gaza Strip.

They noted that “Abu Ubaida” may be, through his phrase, practicing military deception with the Zionist enemy to instill helplessness in their hearts, especially since they carried out hundreds of air strikes targeting the resistance and their headquarters, and a phrase like that is enough to send weakness into the hearts of the enemy’s army administration, especially after the war began on that day. The 100 confrontations between the resistance and the Zionist enemy forces.

They added: This phrase will tamper with the minds of the administration of the Zionist entity, which will begin to think about the locations where the resistance’s weapons stock may be located, especially since the resistance has announced to the world that it is capable of bombarding the Zionist depth with missiles, which indicates that the resistance’s military stock is full or perhaps It's on the rise.

Source: saba.ye

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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3296703.htm

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 Europe

 Denmark provides $6.2 million for humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

Fidel Rahmati

January 16, 2024

Denmark has donated $6.2 million (DKK 42 million) to the United Nations Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA) for humanitarian aid.

The United Nations Trust Fund for Afghanistan has publicly acknowledged Denmark’s contribution, emphasizing its goal to empower Afghan citizens, particularly women and girls.

A staggering statistic from the STFA reveals that approximately 24 million people in Afghanistan urgently require humanitarian assistance for survival in the year 2024.

Denmark’s commitment to aiding Afghanistan is commendable, with their contributions exceeding $20 million since late 2021, as reported on the STFA website.

The Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund (AHF), managed by OCHA and established in 2014, serves as a crucial resource for targeted and rapid humanitarian responses in Afghanistan.

The AHF operates under the authority of the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and allows for the efficient distribution of funds to address the most critical needs in the country.

Denmark’s recent donation underscores the importance of international support in addressing the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, with a focus on the vulnerable, including women and girls.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/denmark-provides-6-2-million-for-humanitarian-aid-to-afghanistan/

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Situation in Gaza much worse than Berlin in 1945: Chilean president

16 January 2024

Chile's president says situation in the besieged Gaza Strip, which has been under Israel's genocidal war for more than three months, is "much worse" than that of the German city of Berlin in 1945.

Gabriel Boric made the remarks on Monday, referring to the Fall of Berlin that ended World War II.

"Almost all houses have been destroyed and 1.5 million people do not have any place to sleep. They are running out of food," the Chilean president said.

The Israeli regime has been waging its brutal military aggression against the Palestinian territory since October 7, 2023, when Gaza's resistance groups staged Operation al-Aqsa Storm against the occupied territories.

The Israeli genocide has so far claimed the lives of more than 24,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, leaving thousands of others wounded.

A Geneva-based rights group says about 100,000 Palestinians have been killed, reported missing or wounded since the Israeli occupation regime launched its genocidal war in the besieged Gaza Strip early October.

"Nearly 200 Palestinians lose their lives every day in Gaza. This massacre has to be stopped now,” the Chilean president said.

Millions of Gazans have been also rendered homeless as a result of the Israeli onslaught that, according to the United Nations, has displaced roughly 85 percent of the Palestinian territory's population.

The Israeli regime has also enforced an all-out siege against Gaza that has prevented the flow of food, water, fuel, and medicine into the territory.

The UN chief urges implementation of "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza, which has endured more than three months of a genocidal Israeli war.

The Chilean president's remarks came after in November last year the country recalled its ambassador from Israel for consultations due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza

Accommodating around half a million Palestinians, Chile hosts the largest Palestinian community outside Arab countries.

The Latin American country recognized Palestine as a "free, independent, and sovereign state" in 2011.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/01/16/718308/Palestine-Israel-Chile-president-Berlin-World-War-II-Gaza

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UK announces biggest military deployment to NATO exercises in decades

2024-01-16

LONDON: Britain will send 20,000 armed forces personnel to one of NATO’s largest exercises since the Cold War, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps announced on Monday, warning of increasing threats to the Western-led alliance.

The deployment, which Shapps characterised as the UK’s biggest to NATO in four decades, is aimed at “providing vital reassurance” over the “menace” posed by Russian President Vladimir Putin following his invasion of Ukraine, Shapps said.

The British personnel — from the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Army — will deploy across Europe and beyond for the military alliance’s latest “Exercise Steadfast Defender”, alongside personnel from 31 other member countries and Sweden, which is a candidate to join the transatlantic alliance.

“Today’s NATO is bigger than ever but the challenges are bigger too,” Shapps said in a wide-ranging speech in London, in which he warned “the international rules-based order” was facing rising dangers. “And that’s why the UK has committed... the totality of our air, land and maritime assets to NATO”, he went on.

“In 2024 I am determined to do even more and that’s why I can announce today the UK will send in some 20,000 personnel to lead one of NATO’s largest deployments since the end of the Cold War.” The UK contingent will include fighter jets and surveillance aircraft, the navy’s most advanced warships and submarines, and a full range of army capabilities, including special operations forces.

London will send a so-called Carrier Strike Group — which features its flagship aircraft carrier and F-35B fighter jets and helicopters — to the exercises in the North Atlantic, Norwegian Sea and Baltic Sea.

Meanwhile some 16,000 soldiers will be deployed across eastern Europe from next month to June, taking with them tanks, artillery, helicopters and parachutes.

Shapps used his most high-profile speech since being appointed to the post in August to argue that the post-Cold War “peace dividend” has ended and Western allies must face down foes including China, Iran, North Korea and Russia.

“It’s been replaced by a period of hard-headed realism,” he said, adding that NATO’s adversaries “are more connected with each other” than ever and Western allies “stand at a crossroads”.

“Our adversaries are busily rebuilding their barriers, old enemies are reanimated, battle lines are being redrawn, the tanks are literally on Ukraine’s lawn and the foundations of the world order are being shaken to their core.”

Shapps also addressed the joint UK-US strikes against Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen last week. The Huthis have repeatedly attacked shipping in the Red Sea in recent months, in protest at the war in Gaza.

The UK minister said the strikes were intended “as a single action”.

But asked if further military action was planned, he replied: “I can’t predict the future for you.”

“We will not put up with a major waterway... being closed on a permanent basis” to international shipping, Shapps added.

Source: brecorder.com

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https://www.brecorder.com/news/40283889/uk-announces-biggest-military-deployment-to-nato-exercises-in-decades

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Rishi Sunak says strikes on Houthi rebels are 'self defence' and a response to a 'direct threat to UK vessels'

15 January 2024

Will Taylor

The prime minister denied the airstrikes - carried out on Friday with the US - represented as escalation of the Israel-Hamas war.

Speaking to the House of Commons for the first time since ordering the military action, he repeated his explanation that the UK needed to respond to Houthi threats to commercial shipping with force.

"I do not take decisions on the use of force lightly. That's why I stress this action was taken in self defence. It was necessary and not escalatory," he told MPs.

He said it followed almost 30 attacks from the Yemeni rebel group - including one against British and US warships on January 9.

"They fired on our ships and our sailors, it was the biggest attack on our navy for decades, and so we acted," he said.

"We did so in self defence... and to uphold freedom of navigation as Britain has always done."

Mr Sunak added that all targets in Friday's attack appear to have been destroyed in the "limited strikes" and there was no evidence of any civilian casualties.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer condemned the Houthi attacks and warned if they were not kept in check, "they could lead to a devastating rise in the cost of food in some of the poorest countries".

It comes shortly after a US-owned ship travelling south of Yemen was hit by a missile.

The M/V Gibraltar Eagle, which was south east of Aden, was hit on its port side from above. It is reported to be carrying steel.

It "has reported no injuries or significant damage and is continuing its journey", the US's Central Command, which controls its Middle East forces, said.

Ambrey, a British maritime security group, said the strike "targeted US interests in response to US military strikes on Houthi military positions in Yemen" and reported that a fire broke out on board but nobody was injured and the vessel is seaworthy.

Vessel owner Eagle Bulk said: "As a result of the impact, the vessel suffered limited damage to a cargo hold but is stable and is heading out of the area.

"All seafarers onboard the vessel are confirmed to be uninjured. The vessel is carrying a cargo of steel products."

It was hit by one of three missiles fired by the Houthis. The other two didn't make it to the sea.

The ship is not connected to Israel, the group said.

The UK's Maritime Trade Operations agency warned other ships in the area to "transit with caution".

It is the latest attack in the escalating Red Sea crisis, in which Houthi rebels, claiming to be supporting Hamas in Gaza, have targeted international shipping despite US and British calls for them to stop.

That instruction to end their attacks was backed up by THE military strikes last week - but it was considered unlikely it would immediately deter the Houthi rebels, which control western Yemen, from continuing to threaten vessels.

Earlier on Monday, the US military said it had shot down an anti-ship missile fired at one of its destroyers, the USS Laboon.

It was shot down by fighter jets on Sunday afternoon after being launched from a part of Yemen controlled by the Houthis.

A number of targets were struck by British and American strikes on Friday after repeated warnings to the rebels.

They intervened to protect innocent sailors aboard the ships transiting the Red Sea and prevent marine traffic having to use the longer route around Africa - instead of going through the Suez Canal - which would have a knock-on effect on prices just as Western nations recover from soaring inflation.

The US also bombed a Houthi radar on Saturday. Washington and London have both insisted they are prepared to launch more attacks.

The Houthis have vowed retaliation. Their claims to be supporting Gaza have managed to impress some in the West, with chants in support of their attacks on civilian vessels heard among demonstrators in London on Saturday.

Previously, they claimed they were targeting ships linked to Israel, but in reality their attacks have been much less discriminate.

Houthis seized control of the western portion of Yemen after years of civil war in the state and are backed by Iran.

They have launched dozens of attacks on shipping since mid-November.

Source: lbc.co.uk

Please click the following URL to read the full text of

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/rishi-sunak-houthi-strikes/

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India

 

Ram Mandir-Like Campaign To Start Soon For Construction Of Mosque In Ayodhya: Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation

Jan 16, 2024

Abhishek Mishra

Amid the large-scale preparations for the 'Pran Pratishtha' (consecration) of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF), tasked with building a proposed mosque in Dhannipur village, has said it will now adopt a different path for the construction.

In the landmark Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case in 2019, the Supreme Court, while giving orders for the construction of Ram Temple, ordered five acres of land to be allocated for building a mosque in Dhannipur.

But due to a lack of funds and administrative delays, the work on building a mosque in Dhannipur has not yet started. In such a situation, IICF has said that it will now start a campaign like Ram Temple for the construction of the mosque.

Haji Arafat Shaikh, the new head of the mosque development committee appointed in November last year, came forward to steer the development of the new mosque. Shaikh is a BJP leader from Maharashtra.

Zafar Ahmed Farooq, the president of IICF, said a trust was formed to take forward the construction work of the mosque in Ayodhya. But Shaikh objected to a proposal to name the mosque Masjid-e-Ayodhya and changed it to Mohammad Bin Abdullah mosque.

The plan, made for an area of 4,500 square metres, included space for a hospital, a community kitchen, a library and a research centre along with the mosque. It is believed that the foundation intends to build India's largest mosque "which will be even better than the Taj Mahal".

Apart from this, "the world's largest Quran will be kept in the mosque, which will be about 21 feet". The mosque will also be India's first mosque with five minarets. Arrangements are also being made to organise a water and light show at the time of 'azaan'.

The lighting arrangements in the mosque will be made in such a way that the lights will be switched on automatically in the evening and go off in the morning. A huge aquarium will be installed in the mosque for the people, which will be like Dubai's aquarium.

The mosque premises will also have amenities for locals, including a medical college, a cancer hospital and a community centre.

In February 2020, five acres of land were given to build a mosque in Dhannipur, 25 kilometres from the centre of Ayodhya. In its order in November 2019, the Supreme Court cleared the way for building the Ram Temple on the site of the 16th-century Babri Masjid.

Due to the non-approval of the map and changes in the mosque design, the work could not be started. However, it is expected that the committee could begin the construction from May onwards.

The trust formed by the IICF will create a website (which will be launched in February or March this year) where people can donate money through a QR code for the construction of the mosque. It is expected that the fund-raising campaign will further push the mosque construction project in Dhannipur.

'RISE IN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES'

On the other hand, there is hope among the people of Dhannipur that new employment opportunities will arise after the construction of the mosque.

Speaking to India Today TV, local expert ShorabSonawal said that before building the mosque, the map was first approved for which the committee could not pay the fee.

"After that, the map was changed and people were demanding that the shape of this mosque should also be changed. Now, with the new design, it is expected that the work will start within a few months after the consecration of the Ram Temple," he said.

A sweet shopkeeper said there was a lack of good employment opportunities but expressed hope that jobs will increase after the mosque is constructed and opened to the public. He said Dhannipur village has the possibility of becoming a huge tourist hub after the Ayodhya Ram Temple.

A local said Hindus and Muslims have been peacefully living together in Dhannipur and there was no tension after the Supreme Court verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case.

"There is a need to take forward the progress of Dhannipur and the mosque. Ayodhya has been an important issue for India and the tensions between the communities have already ended. We will ensure that Ayodhya becomes the best example of India's Ganga-Jamuni culture," he said.

On the other hand, property rates in Dhannipur and adjoining areas have gone up by six to eight times. A resident said the prices earlier were Rs 100-500 square feet, which has gone up to Rs 3,500-4,000 square feet.

Source: indiatoday.in

Please click the following URL to read the full text of

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ayodhya-ram-mandir-campaign-mosque-construction-delay-fund-raising-dhannipur-2489124-2024-01-16

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Karnataka BJP Leader Claims Mosques Built Over Temples, Calls For Survey

Jan 15, 2024

Karnataka BJP MLA BasanagoudaYatnal on Sunday called for a survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) claiming that mosques in Vijayapura district are built over Hindu temples.

Yatnal made the remarks days after BJP MP Anant Kumar Hegde sparked a row by saying that the Bhatkal Mosque in the Uttara Kannada district would meet the same fate as the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.

Yatnal said that he had written a letter to the ASI to conduct a survey in Vijayapura mosques similar to that of Qutub Minar in Delhi. He said, "There was a Jain temple, a Narasimha temple and a Shiva temple. There were a good number of Hindu architectures there (Vijayapura district). We are not exaggerating. There was Nandi, pictures of Hindus, and lotus flowers, all integral to the Hindu culture."

The BJP leader asserted that he would approach court if the ASI gives a positive response.

Earlier, on Sunday, a case was registered against Anant Kumar Hegde under Section 153(A) (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence).

"The destruction of Bhatkal Mosque is guaranteed like Babri Masjid. This is not the decision of Anantkumar Hegde, but the decision of Hindu society," Hegde said.

Source: indiatoday.in

Please click the following URL to read the full text of

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/karnataka-bjp-leader-calls-to-conduct-surveys-in-mosques-in-vijayapura-district-2488879-2024-01-15

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UP ATS Raids Madrasa In Bengal, Seizes ;Computer’ & ‘SIM’ Cards

15.01.24

The anti-terrorist squad (ATS) of the UP Police has recovered a computer and two SIM cards from a madrasa of West Bengal being operated by Abu Saleh, a member of the human trafficking and terror funding syndicate.

Abu Saleh, accused of receiving foreign funds to the tune of Rs 58 crore in the name of two trusts and misusing them to carry out anti-national activities, was arrested from Lucknow’s Manak Nagar area on January 8.

ATS officials said a team headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police took Abu Saleh to West Bengal.

“We have, so far, recovered a computer, SIM cards and several documents, containing details of infiltrators, from the madrasa. The seized material would now be sent for a forensic audit,” the officials said.

The ATS is likely to bring Abu Saleh back to Uttar Pradesh on Monday and produce him in a court to seek extension of his remand.

Abu Saleh reportedly had claimed to be a director of various trusts, including Kabir Bagh Millat Academy and Haroa-al Jamiatul Islamia Darul Uloom Madrasa.

“The FCRA accounts (through which foreign funding can be received) of these trusts showed that they received Rs 58 crore from UK-based Ummah Welfare Trust between 2018 and 2022,” the ATS sources added.

An ATS officer said Ummah Welfare Trust had its accounts with Barclays and HSBC, but were closed due to its activities in the UK. The trust had worked with Interpal, a Palestinian organisation, designated as a terrorist entity by the US. He said a large part of the funding was obtained in the form of cash through false billings.

Source: muslimmirror.com

Please click the following URL to read the full text of

https://muslimmirror.com/eng/up-ats-raids-madrasa-in-bengal-seizes-computer-sim-cards/

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Muslim teen held for ‘spitting on procession’ gets bail as witnesses backtrack

15th January 2024

The Muslim teenager, whose house was demolished after his arrest on charges of ‘spitting’ on a Hindu religious procession, was granted bail by Madhya Pradesh High Court 151 days after his arrest on Monday, December 15.

The court granted bail to Adnan Mansoori, 18, after no evidence of his involvement in the spitting case was found. The court, while granting bail, stated that the witnesses had denied supporting the prosecution and the claims of the police.

Three people, including two minors, both aged 15 years, were arrested by the MP police on July 17, 2023, for allegedly spitting water on Mahakal kiSawari, a Hindu religious procession, that passed by their house.

A day after the arrest, the house of Ashraf Hussain Mansoori, father of two of the accused, was demolished by the MP police terming it a “dangerous structure”.

The minors were granted bail only in September 2023 by the Madhya Pradesh High Court after the juvenile court denied them bail on two occasions. The HC while granting the two minors bail found fault on the part of the justice board. It held that the board “committed jurisdictional error and illegality” in passing the orders.

FIR over alleged spitting on Hindu procession

An FIR was registered and the arrests were made based on the complaint of Sawan Lot, 28, from Indore who had joined the procession alongside his friends. The statement of Lot’s friend, Ajay Khatri, was also recorded.

Lot had accused Adnan and the two other minors of spitting on the religious procession. “This incident has offended my religious sentiments and those of the entire community,” Lot was quoted as saying in the FIR, adding that he had submitted two videos of the incident to back his claim.

However, the MP police only spoke about one video in the chargesheet, where a minor was seen spitting on the procession from the rooftop of a three-storey building. Advocate Devendra Sengar, who appeared for Adnan Mansoori, told Article 14 that the MP police failed to present the video in court.

Five months later, during a deposition at the court, Lot and Khatri denied witnessing the incident.

In a written statement to the judicial magistrate, Lot claimed that he was misquoted by the police who asked him to sign some papers and did so without telling why.

Lok stated that they learned of the spitting incident after the MP police picked them up and took them to the police station alongside a few others who took part in the procession. “I don’t know what was written in the FIR,” said Lot in his statement, adding that he was misquoted on several instances by the police in the FIR.

Lot also denied being acquainted with MausamJaiswal, the person who shot the video of the alleged incident.

The other witness, Ajay Khatri, stated that he was taken to the police station alongside 40-50 others and was called to the first floor of the police station after an hour where he was asked to sign some papers, which he did without the knowledge of what was written on them.

He also added that he did not witness the incident and neither could he identify the accused and that the police had misquoted him.

House of accused demolished

Following their arrest, a three-storey building, belonging to Ashraf Hussain Mansoori, the father of the two accused, was demolished by the MP authorities in Ujjain amidst the beating of drums and loud cheers by a group of people who had arrived to witness the demolition.

However, a backdated notice was pasted on the ground floor of the building half an hour before the police and administration arrived with a bulldozer to demolish the “dangerous building”.

The Mansooris, and a dozen other men, women and children, who had been residing in the building for years, were rendered homeless.

The small shop on the ground floor of the building, the only means of livelihood for the family was also demolished. The family, who has been living in a rented house for the last five months, recently restarted the business with minimal repairs.

Source: siasat.com

Please click the following URL to read the full text of

https://www.siasat.com/muslim-teen-held-for-spitting-on-procession-gets-bail-as-witness-backtracks-2956983/

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Congress ‘pilgrims’ visit Ayodhya on Makar Sankranti after BJP's 'anti-Hindu' charge

16.01.24

Piyush Srivastava

Over 50 Congress leaders took the holy dip in the Saryu in Ayodhya on Makar Sankranti and worshipped at the Ram temple and the Hanuman Garhi shrine, suggesting they were with Lord Ram while being against the BJP-led January 22 consecration.

Monday’s development comes days after members of the Congress high command declined invitations to the temple consecration, calling the event a political one, and the BJP hit back by painting the main Opposition party as "anti-Hindu".

The Congress team to Ayodhya included Rajya Sabha member Deepender Singh Hooda, national spokesperson SupriyaShirnate, general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh Avinash Pandey, and state unit president Ajay Rai. They also had khhichri at the ashram of Mahant Satyendra Das, chief priest of the Ram temple.

Later, the Congress leaders portrayed their visit as a matter of personal faith and pilgrimage, emphasising that Lord Ram belonged to all Hindus.

"The Congress members took the holy dip in the Saryu on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and then offered prayers at the Hanuman Garhi and Ram Lala temples because the god wanted us to do so. It’s a pilgrimage for us and nothing else,” Pandey said.

"Those trying to create a controversy over our visit believe that the god belongs to them alone and not to all Hindus around the world." Hooda said he had visited the Ram temple in Ayodhya several times in the past too.

Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister and BJP leader Keshav Prasad Maurya accused the Congress of duplicity. "On the one hand they have refused to attend the consecration programme on January 22, and on the other they are visiting the temple on Makar Sankranti. They are doing politics in the name of God," he told reporters.

Satyendra Das said: "I am a priest and my doors are open to all. We had organised a khhichri distribution programme on the occasion of Makar Sankranti and welcomed all those who came."

Champat Rai, general secretary of the temple trust, said the old Ram Lala idol that is currently in the makeshift temple would be shifted to the new temple on January 22.

Source: telegraphindia.com

Please click the following URL to read the full text of

https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/congress-pilgrims-visit-ayodhya-on-makar-sankranti-after-bjps-anti-hindu-charge/cid/1994033

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Pakistan

 

Coordination on Afghanistan must for region’s peace: FM Jilani

 January 16, 2024

Baqir Sajjad Syed

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday emphasised the need for coordination among regional countries on Afghanistan for regional stability.

Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani, while talking to Iran’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Affairs Hassan Kazmi Qomi, said Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries have a key role to play in the region’s peace and stability.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, FM Jilani “emphasised the need for enhanced coordination for regional stability”.

The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) pose significant threats emanating from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Al Qaeda’s presence in Afghanistan has also been noted.

The TTP with historical ties to the Afghan Taliban has utilised Afghanistan as a sanctuary, launching attacks against Pakistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

A recent bombing in Kerman (Iran) on the occasion of IRGC Commander Qasim Soleimani’s death anniversary was carried out by ISKP.

While the Taliban and ISKP have ideological differences, the situation in Afghanistan has provided conditions for ISKP to exploit and conduct transnational terrorist activities, impacting regional stability.

Addressing these threats requires coordinated efforts among regional countries, intelligence sharing, and diplomatic measures to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorist groups targeting neighboring countries.

At the fifth Moscow Format Consultations on Afghanistan hosted by Russia last September, regional countries had called on the Taliban administration to take effective measures to dismantle terrorist groups within the country. The meeting in Kazan emphasised the importance of ensuring Afghanistan’s territory no longer serves as a “terrorism hotspot”.

Mr Jilani, in his meeting with Iranian official, underscored Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

Earlier, Ambassador Qomi held extensive talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Special Representative on Afghanistan Asif Durrani, on the situation in Afghanistan and the regional processes for peace and dialogue.

Source: dawn.com

Please click the following URL to read the full text of

https://www.dawn.com/news/1806174/coordination-on-afghanistan-must-for-regions-peace-fm-jilani

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Military trial of most of 103 May 9 suspects almost complete

January 16, 2024

Ansar Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: The military trials of most of 103 civilians, allegedly involved in May 9 attacks, have almost been completed, it is learnt.

An informed government source confided to The News that in around 90 percent such cases, the suspects have been found involved in the May 9 attacks on military installations. However, the verdicts in these cases are not being announced because of the Supreme Court’s order.

The SC, while suspending its prior decision to invalidate the military trials of 103 civilians, had conditionally allowed these trials. The SC had observed that the military courts would not issue verdict against the suspects till the Supreme Court’s final ruling in the matter. The SC, in mid-December last year, had adjourned the hearing of the case till third week of January 2024.

The majority 5-1 verdict, reached by a six-member bench, was the consequence of a series of intra-court appeals (ICAs), contesting the previous unanimous ruling nullifying the military trials. These appeals were filed by the caretaker federal government and the provincial governments of Balochistan, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The bench was led by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and comprised Justice Aminuddin Khan, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan.

Earlier in Oct 2023, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court had declared the trial of civilians in military courts as null and void and had ordered that the 103 accused in cases relating to the violence on May 9 and 10, 2023 be tried under the ordinary criminal laws.

The court through the 4-1 majority had also declared certain clauses of the Army Act as ultra vires the Constitution and of no legal effect. The bench, which had given this verdict, was led by Justice Ijazul Ahsan and including Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Mazahir Naqvi, and Justice Ayesha Malik.

The petitions, questioning the legitimacy of trying civilians in military courts, were filed by former chief justice Jawwad S Khawaja, senior lawyer Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan and others.

The verdict by the Ijazul Ahsan-led bench had not only upset the government for nullifying the military trial of 103 May 9 suspects but more so because of striking down certain Army Act provisions, which were part of the statute for the last over five decades.

The striking down of the Army Act provisions had even stopped the military courts from trial of foreign spies and terrorists like Kulbhushan Yadhav. Under the Army Act, innumerable civilians have been tried during the past five decades. Those found guilty by military courts not only have the option of challenging their convictions within the military setup but they can also appeal in high courts and later in the Supreme Court.

During Imran Khan’s government nearly two dozen civilians were convicted by the military courts. Against their convictions, these civilians had filed petitions in high courts.

Source: thenews.com.pk

Please click the following URL to read the full text of

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1148296-military-trial-of-most-of-103-may-9-suspects-almost-complete

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Border dispute strands thousands of trucks at Torkham crossing

January 15, 2024

Thousands of trucks were stranded at the busiest frontier crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Monday, Afghan officials said, days after border points were closed to trade in the latest row over document rules for commercial vehicle drivers.

The Torkham crossing was closed to trade vehicles on Friday night, border officials said, with around 3,000 trucks stranded on both sides of the border as of Monday, the co-chairman of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Khan Jan Alakozai, told AFP.

This "has not only inflicted losses on traders from both countries but has also resulted in an increase in market prices, as most of the cargo consists of food items that will perish if the crossing remains closed", he said.

Read more: Torkham remains closed for second day

Both sides blamed the other for the latest shutdown at the Torkham crossing, which was extended to other border points since Friday.

The dispute centred on demands for drivers from either side to have visas and passports, a document many Afghans do not have.

A long line of trucks piled high with goods snaked down the road from Torkham on Monday afternoon, an AFP photographer saw.

A Pakistan customs official said on Monday that some 450 trucks were stranded on the Pakistani side of the Torkham crossing, with 600 more forced to stop along the road to the border.

Talks were underway between Islamabad and Kabul to resolve the issue, according to officials on both sides.

There was no breakthrough as of Monday night, Abdul Salam Jawad, spokesman for the Afghanistan Ministry of Industry and Commerce, told AFP.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have had increasingly fraught relations in recent months, with Islamabad accusing the Taliban government of failing to root out terrorists staging attacks on Pakistan from Afghan soil.

The Torkham and Spin Boldak-Chaman crossings were frequently shut last year, with tensions sometimes spilling over into armed clashes between border guards across the frontier.

Source: tribune.com.pk

Please click the following URL to read the full text of

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2453353/border-dispute-strands-thousands-of-trucks-at-torkham-crossing

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Toshakhana case: AC records statements of three more prosecution witnesses

2024-01-16

RAWALPINDI: The Accountability Court on Monday recorded statements of three more prosecution witnesses in the Toshakhana case against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.

Accountability Court judge Muhammad Bashir while hearing at Adiala jail, recorded statements of the three more prosecution witnesses including Rahim Ullah, Mohsin Habib as well as Irfan Rafaqat and summoned more witnesses to testify before the court during the next hearing to be held on January 16.

PTI founder Khan attended the hearing. The PTI founder and his wife’s lead counsel Latif Khosa, Naeem Haider Panjotha, Ejaz Bhatter, and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Deputy Prosecutor General, Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi, and prosecutor Amjad Pervez appeared before the court.

The PTI founder while talking to reporters informally said that it is sad that the Supreme Court is also acting as per “London plan”. He said this when he was asked about the Supreme Court’s verdict in which the apex court declared the Peshawar High Court (PHC)’s January 10 order “null and void” depriving the PTI of the electoral symbol of “bat”.

Khan said that a five-member bench should have been constituted for the hearing of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP)’s petition challenging the PHC’s decision to restore the PTI’s “bat” election symbol. “Everything is happening as per the London plan,” he said, adding that his imprisonment, abolishment of PTI, and acquittal of Nawaz Sharif in all cases is the part of London plan.

He said that as per the record of Toshakhana Nawaz Sharif had retained a Mercedes after paying only Rs600,000 and his daughter Maryam Nawaz obtained a BMW from Toshakhana.

Source: brecorder.com

Please click the following URL to read the full text of

https://www.brecorder.com/news/40283914/toshakhana-case-ac-records-statements-of-three-more-prosecution-witnesses

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Arab World

 

US, UK forces can no longer pass through Bab el-Mandeb Strait: Yemeni official

16 January 2024

A Yemeni official has warned that American and British forces can no longer pass through the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait as tensions grow in the region following illegal US-led military strikes on the Arab country.

Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the political bureau of the Ansarullah resistance movement, issued the warning on Monday after the United States and its allies bombed Yemen amid frustration with anti-Israel naval operations in the Red Sea.

He said that the Yemeni armed forces are developing their missile capabilities to bring new surprises soon.

“The US and UK forces can no longer pass through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait,” a sea route chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and by extension the Indian Ocean, he added.

“The Axis of Resistance has regained control over the region. The Americans will regret their acts of aggression against Yemen and they will be a loser.”

The US and Britain, backed by Bahrain, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands, struck more than 60 targets at almost 30 locations in Yemen on Friday, killing five people and injuring six others.

On Saturday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that a “follow-on action” was conducted against a Yemeni radar facility by the Navy destroyer USS Carney using Tomahawk land attack missiles.

Bukhaiti said that the Yemeni forces are capable of confronting the Americans and that they will block the passage of US and Israeli ships through the Red Sea.

Earlier on Monday, the Yemeni forces hit a US-owned container ship with a ballistic missile off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden.

A US-owned cargo ship has been targeted by a missile off the coast of Yemen.

CENTCOM said that the attack on the Gibraltar Eagle caused “no injuries or significant damage” and that the vessel “is continuing its journey.”

The operation occurred two hours after another ballistic missile was fired toward the southern Red Sea.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, said all American and British ships and warships participating in the aggression are “hostile targets.”

Israel waged its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7 following a historic operation by the Palestinian Hamas resistance group against the occupying entity.

The US has offered untrammeled support for Israel during the onslaught that has so far killed more than 24,100 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured more than 60,834 others.

In solidarity with the Palestinians in besieged Gaza, the Yemeni armed forces have targeted ships in the Red Sea with owners linked to Israel or those going to and from ports in the occupied territories.

In response, the US has formed a military coalition against Yemeni forces in the Red Sea and endangered maritime navigation in the strategic waterway.

Source: presstv.ir

Please click the following URL to read the full text of

https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/01/16/718317/US-UK-forces-can-no-longer-pass-Bab-el-Mandeb-Strait-Yemen

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Saudi minister of state attends Brunei royal wedding celebrations

January 15, 2024

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of State Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd has attended the official wedding reception and dinner of Brunei’s Prince Abdul Mateen in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.

He attended on behalf of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The prince, who is the son of Sultan HassanalBolkiah, tied the knot with AnishaRosnah Isa-Kalebic last Thursday as part of a 10-day celebration.

Wedding events included a ceremony on Sunday attended by government leaders and officials.

Prince Turki conveyed to the sultan the greetings and congratulations of the king and crown prince, and their wishes of further progress and prosperity for Brunei.

Source: arabnews.com

Please click the following URL to read the full text of

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2442226/saudi-arabia

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Saudi Arabia hosts ICESCO’s 44th session of executive council

January 15, 2024

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia, represented by its National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, is hosting the 44th session of the executive council of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in Jeddah from Jan. 16 to Jan. 18.

ICESCO media department told Arab News: “The proceedings of the executive council of the 44th Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization will kick off in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (Jan. 16, 2024) with the participation of 54 member states. The event will run until Thursday.”

As the representative of the Kingdom, the NCECS said that hosting the event comes as part of the support provided to the education, culture and science sectors. It is also indicated the Kingdom’s role in driving forward educational, cultural and scientific development, both regionally and globally, it said.

Among the items on the executive council agenda are future strategies and action plans. The organization’s budget will also be discussed.

The council’s final recommendations will be handed over and included in a report to be endorsed by the ICESCO’s biannual general conference, the organization’s policy governing body event.

Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, minister of culture and chairman of the NCECS, said: “The event will cement the Kingdom’s efforts aiming at creating spheres of cultural communication and exchange as well as scientific and social development. These sectors are considered to be cornerstones for developed human societies.”

As a prominent member of ICESCO, it is the strategy of the Kingdom to pursue all avenues supporting the organization’s goals in the best interests of the Muslim world.

Operating under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, ICESCO is an intergovernmental organization specializing in the development of education, science and culture. Established in 1982 with its headquarters in Rabat, Morocco, ISESCO acts in line with the OIC’s general strategy aimed at achieving sustainable development in these sectors across all Muslim states.

Source: arabnews.com

Please click the following URL to read the full text of

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2441901/saudi-arabia

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Houthi missile hits ship southeast of Yemen’s Aden

January 15, 2024

AL-MUKALLA: The UK Maritime Trade Operations organization said it received reports of a missile hitting a ship southeast of Yemen’s southern city of Aden, shortly after residents in the central province of Al-Bayda and neighboringAbyan province reported seeing a missile fired from a Houthi-controlled area.

UKMTO “has received a report of an incident 95NM South East of Aden, Yemen. Master reports port side of vessel hit from above by a missile,” the agency said.

The warning came roughly an hour after locals in Abyan’sLawdar district — which is close to the missile’s supposed launch site — reported seeing a missile launched from Houthi-controlled territory in Al-Bayda’sMukayras fly over their neighborhoods.

“The missile was launched at around 3:55 p.m. from a hilly position held by the Houthis in Mukayras, and residents heard an explosion and observed missile smoke in the sky,” Mohsen Al-Markhi, a journalist from Lawder, told Arab News by telephone.

Another missile launched by the Houthis exploded near a village in the southern province of Al-Dhale on Monday, only hours after the US shot down a Houthi missile aimed at a US Navy ship in the Red Sea.

Residents in the Jahaf district reported a massive explosion on Monday after a ballistic missile fell in a hilly part of the district.

Locals sent Arab News a video of a large ball of dust and smoke rising from the site after the missile blasts.

Residents say the missile was not targeting their neighborhoods and landed before it reached its intended target.

Yemen’s Defense Ministry news site reported that the ballistic missile was fired from the Houthi-controlled Al-Jaefri village in Al-Dhale and detonated in an area between two minor villages in Jahaf.

Since the start of the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea in November, residents across Yemen, primarily those living in or near Houthi-controlled territory, have reported seeing Houthi missiles and drones flying over their areas, while others exploded near their farms after failing to reach their targets.

This comes as the US Central Command said that an anti-ship missile launched by the Houthis was shot down by a US fighter aircraft near Yemen’s coastal city of Hodeidah before reaching its target, the USS Laboon naval destroyer.

The Houthis pledged retaliation for the US and UK raids on regions under their control on Friday, adding they would not back down from assaults on any Israel-bound ships in the Red Sea.

According to the Houthis, their efforts are intended to push Israel to lift its siege of Gaza.

In Sanaa, the Houthis said that Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi called the leader of the militia’s Supreme Political Council, Mahdi Al-Mashat, to denounce the UK and US strikes on Yemen and to urge them to continue their attacks on ships en route to Israel via the Red Sea.

“Raisi emphasized that Yemen’s move to safeguard international navigation and prohibit Israeli ships or those traveling to occupied Palestine from passing was courageous and prudent,” the official Houthi news agency quoted Raisi as saying to Al-Mashat.

Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, head of the militia’s Supreme Revolutionary Committee, said many ships had reported their destinations to them and alerted them that they had no ties with Israel while sailing through the Red Sea to avoid attacks following Houthi instructions to do so last week. He called on all such ships to follow suit.

In a post on X, Al-Houthi said: “We greet ships sailing through the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandab, and the Arabian Sea that announce ‘We have no relationship with Israel.’”

Source: arabnews.com

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Mideast

 

UN chief calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire, says humanitarian situation 'beyond words'

15 January 2024

The United Nations secretary general has called for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip, which has been under Israel's genocidal war for more than three months.

Antonio Guterres made the remarks at a press briefing in New York on Monday, which marked the 101st day of the regime's brutal onslaught.

Israel's ferocious military aggression began on October 7, 2023, after Gaza's resistance groups staged Operation al-Aqsa Storm against the occupied territories.

The Israeli genocide has so far claimed the lives of more than 24,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, leaving thousands of others wounded and millions homeless. According to the world body, the war has displaced roughly 85 percent of the territory's population, forcing them into crowded shelters.

The regime has been also enforcing an all-out siege against Gaza that has prevented the flow of food, water, fuel, and medicine into the territory.

A Geneva-based rights group says about 100,000 Palestinians have been killed, reported missing or wounded since the Israeli occupation regime launched its genocidal war in the besieged Gaza Strip early October.

"We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to ensure sufficient aid gets to where it is needed," Guterres said, describing the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip as "beyond words."

With aid deliveries struggling to get through to a "traumatized people," Gaza now faces "the long shadow of starvation," he said.

The "vast majority" of the UN's Palestinian staff have fled their homes and 152 staff members have been killed, Guterres said, calling the death toll from the Israeli onslaught "the largest single loss of life in the history of our organization."

"Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people," the UN chief stressed.

He said the ceasefire was also required "to tamp down the flames of wider war because the longer the conflict in Gaza continues, the greater the risk of escalation and miscalculation."

From murdering children, bombing hospitals, rendering people homeless to using starvation as a weapon of war, looking back at 100 days of Israeli war on Gaza.

The Israeli regime has also carried out sporadic attacks against southern Lebanon during the course of its aggression on Gaza, which have sparked a firefight with Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement.

Ever since the beginning of the war in Gaza, Iraqi and Yemeni forces have carried out many operations against targets across the occupied Palestinian territories in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

Guterres warned about what he said was escalating spillover of the conflict, saying, "This risks triggering a broader escalation...and profoundly affecting regional stability."

He added that a ceasefire is also needed in order to "facilitate" the release of Israeli captives in Gaza.

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has frequently ruled out any talks on releasing the regime's captives as long as the brutal onslaught on Gaza has not come to a full stop.

Source: presstv.ir

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UNRWA: In Gaza, largest displacement of Palestinians since 1948

 15 January 2024

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) says Israel has forcibly displaced a considerably large number of Palestinians during its continuing genocidal campaign in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The UN agency on Monday provided some updates about the Israeli bombardment in 100 days and the ensuing displacement of masses.

In a statement posted on X, UNRWA said, “An entire generation of children is traumatized, thousands have been killed, maimed, and orphaned. People live through the unliveable.”

The UN agencies and aid groups say almost two million people, nearly 90 percent of the population, have been displaced since October 7, 2023, when Israel launched its aggression against the besieged territory.

UNRWA also posted a video that went through 100 days of hostilities in Gaza in 100 seconds.

Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA chief, recently labeled Israel’s onslaught on the besieged Palestinian territory a stain for humanity.

“The massive death, destruction, displacement, hunger, loss, and grief of the last 100 days are staining our shared humanity.”

In a statement released on Sunday, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said 100 days have passed “and the Israeli occupation has turned Gaza into an uninhabitable place, committed horrific crimes, and forcibly displaced approximately 2 million people.”

On May 15, 1948, some 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly evicted from their land by Israeli forces and took refuge mainly in the occupied Wes Bank, the Gaza Strip and Palestine’s neighboring states. Today, around 5 million Palestinians are still displaced and are denied the right to return to their homeland.

The Israeli regime is trying to ‘deport the majority of the civilian population en masse’ as part of its plan to ‘permanently alter’ the composition of Gaza’s population, a UN expert has warned.

Israel has killed nearly 24,000 people in Gaza since early October.

The civilian infrastructure there has sustained extensive damage as a result of the relentless Israeli bombing.

Latest figures show nearly 100 schools and universities and more than 140 mosques in the Gaza Strip have been completely destroyed. More than 80 hospitals and health centers are already out of service.

Source: presstv.ir

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International Union of Muslim Scholars forms delegation for Gaza mission

NecvaTastan

15.01.2024

The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) announced Sunday that it has assembled a delegation which will enter the Gaza Strip through Egypt as Israel continues its military onslaught on the enclave.

Ali Muhyiddin al-Qaradaghi, the Secretary-General of the Qatar-based IUMS, said in a statement on X that the delegation will enter Gaza through Egypt's Rafah border crossing.

He said IUMS has asked for support from Egypt and Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar University, to facilitate their journey.

Al-Qaradaghi said he conveyed the request to Egypt to travel to Gaza a month ago, expressing his eagerness to be the first to register for the trip, emphasizing not just to Rafah but directly to Gaza.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas on Oct. 7, which Tel Aviv claims killed 1,200 people in Israel.

At least 23,968 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and 60,582 injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

According to the UN, 85% of the population of Gaza is already internally displaced amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure is damaged or destroyed.

Source: aa.com.tr

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https://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/international-union-of-muslim-scholars-forms-delegation-for-gaza-mission/3108846

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Iran's Revolutionary Guards attack Israel's 'espionage centers' in Iraq: Report

16.01.24

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they attacked the "espionage headquarters" of Israel in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, state media reported late on Monday, while the elite force said they also struck in Syria against the Islamic State.

"Ballistic missiles were used to destroy espionage centers and gatherings of anti-Iranian terrorist groups in the region late tonight," Iran's Guards said in a statement, naming Israel's Mossad spy agency.

In addition to those strikes near Kurdistan's capital Erbil, the Guards said they launched attacks against the "perpetrators of terrorist operations" in Iran, including the Islamic State.

Explosions were heard in an area some 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Erbil in the Kurdistan region, three security sources said, in a neighborhood near the U.S. consulate as well as civilian residences.

No U.S. facilities were impacted by the missiles strikes, two U.S. officials told Reuters.

At least four civilians were killed and six injured in the strikes on Erbil, the Kurdistan government's security council said in a statement, describing the attack as a "crime."

Multimillionaire Kurdish businessman PeshrawDizayee and several members of his family were among the dead, killed when at least one rocket crashed into their home, Iraqi security and medical sources said.

Dizayee, who was close to the ruling Barzani clan, owned businesses that led major real estate projects in Kurdistan.

Additionally, one rocket had fallen on the house of a senior Kurdish intelligence official and another on a Kurdish intelligence center, the security sources said.

Reuters could not independently verify any of the reports. Israeli government officials were not reachable for immediate comment.

Air traffic at Erbil airport was halted, the security sources said.

Iran has in the past sometimes carried out strikes in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region, saying the area is used as a staging ground for Iranian separatist groups as well as agents of its arch-foe Israel.

Baghdad has tried to address Iranian concerns over separatist groups in the mountainous border region, moving to relocate some members as part of a security agreement reached with Tehran in 2023.

Earlier this month, Islamic State claimed responsibility for two explosions in Iran's southeastern Kerman city that killed nearly 100 people and wounded scores at a memorial for top commander Qassem Soleimani.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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Hamas says combined retaliatory attack by Palestinians near Tel Aviv 'natural' response to Israel's genocidal war

15 January 2024

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has praised a retaliatory operation near Tel Aviv as a “natural” response to the Israeli regime’s ongoing genocidal war against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Hamas made the statement on Monday after two Israeli settlers were killed and 20 others injured in a combined car ramming and stabbing attack in the central city of Ra'anana near Tel Aviv.

“We confirm that the 'Ra'anana' operation, carried out by the heroes of our steadfast Palestinian people, is a natural response to the massacres of the Nazi occupation and its continuous aggression against our Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza,” Hamas said.

The popular resistance movement stressed that the retaliatory attacks would continue against the “Nazi” Israeli regime until the occupation was ended.

“The heroes of our people and ... fighters from Rafah to Jenin will continue to defend our people, our land, and our holy sites against the criminal Nazi enemy. The blood of children and unarmed civilians shed by the Zionist war machine in the West Bank and Gaza will be a curse upon the occupation and its ... settlers, who will find no safety or security on our occupied land,” Hamas said.

“We mobilize our revolutionary youth throughout the West Bank and al-Quds, calling on them to escalate the struggle and revolution until the Nazi occupation is defeated, our land and holy sites are liberated, and our Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital is established, God willing,” it added.

A Geneva-based rights group says about 100,000 Palestinians have been killed, reported missing or wounded since the Israeli occupation regime launched its genocidal war in the besieged Gaza Strip early October.

The Islamic Jihad movement also hailed the “heroic operation” by the Palestinians and called it a natural response to “the crimes of the occupation against our steadfast people.”

“The Zionist enemy's insistence on pursuing policies of oppression, terrorism, and brutal killing in the cities of the West Bank and Gaza, and targeting all its components in full view of the entire world, is a losing bet that will not undermine the steadfastness of our people, wherever they are,” it said in a statement.

Israeli media claimed that two Palestinians carried out the combined operation after gaining control of several vehicles and using them in three different areas of ofRa'anana, before they were arrested by the occupation forces.

The two Palestinians were identified as Mahmoud Zaidat, 44, and Ahmad Zaidat, 24, hailing from the occupied West Bank city of al-Khalil.

The Israeli regime waged the war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas-led Palestinian resistance groups carried out the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime’s atrocities against Palestinians.

Since the start of the aggression, Israel has reportedly dropped 29,000 bombs, munitions and shells on Gaza, with Palestinian resistance groups launching some 14,000 rockets towards the occupied territories.

The Tel Aviv regime has also imposed a “complete siege” on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/01/15/718288/Palestinian-resistance-movement-Hamas-retaliatory-operation-Israeli-regime-Tel-Aviv-

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Iran president urges immediate implementation of agreements with India, including Chabahar port development

15 January 2024

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi says Iran and India should accelerate the implementation of bilateral agreements, including a strategic project to develop Chabahar port.

In a meeting with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Tehran on Monday, Raeisi said the two countries should adopt strategies to compensate a delay in the implementation of the agreements.

India has been developing a part of Chabahar on the Iranian southeastern coast along the Gulf of Oman in order to expand trade with Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asian nations.

Iran says a revised contract with India on development of Chabahar port could be finalized in a month.

Pointing to deep-rooted ties between Tehran and New Delhi, Raeisi called on the two sides to boost the level of relations in various sectors, including politics, economy, science and technology, transportation and energy.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian president said Israel's atrocities against the Palestinian people in Gaza are a clear example of "war crimes and crimes against humanity."

"An end to [Israel's] attacks on Gaza, punishment of the Zionist regime and fulfillment of the Palestinian people's rights are the only way to restore stability and security to the region," Raeisi emphasized.

He added that India can play an important role in putting an end to Israel's bombings in Gaza, lifting the blockade against the Strip and restoring the rights of the Palestinian people.

For his part, Jaishankar said India is keen to conclude comprehensive and long-term cooperation agreements with Iran.

India is fully committed to all its obligations regarding the development of Chabahar port and promotion of cooperation with Iran, he added.

Raeisi and Jaishankar also exchanged views about the two countries' common stance on the fight against terrorism and organized crimes, cooperation to establish stability and security in Afghanistan, promotion of mutual trade, especially through national currencies and maintenance of shipping security in international waters.

Iran warns the United States and the United Kingdom to stop the military aggression against Yemen.

Jaishankar arrived in Tehran earlier on Monday at the head of a delegation to hold talks with senior Iranian officials. Earlier in the day, he sat down with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and attended a joint press conference with him.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/01/15/718295/Iran-India-Raeisi-Subrahmanyam-Jaishankar-agreements-Chabahar-port-Israel-war-crimes-Gaza

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Linking Yemeni retaliatory strikes to Iran meant to conceal Israeli crimes in Gaza: UN envoy

16 January 2024

Iran’s permanent ambassador to the United Nations has roundly dismissed Western allegations about the Islamic Republic’s involvement in attacks by Yemeni forces in the Red Sea, stating that such claims are meant to deviate the world public opinion from Israeli atrocities in the Gaza Strip.

In two identical letters addressed to UN Security Council António Guterres and rotating President of the UN Security Council Nicolas de Rivière on Monday, Amir SaeidIravani underlined that the ongoing Israeli genocide and barbaric massacres, which the Israeli regime is committing with the full support of the United States, is the root cause of the current situation in the Red Sea.

“The United States cannot deny or cover up the incontestable reality that recent incidents in the Red Sea are directly related to Israel’s continued atrocities against the Palestinian people in Gaza,” he said.

The Iranian diplomat noted that any attempt to attribute Yemeni retaliatory strikes to his country is a mere diversion from the reality on the ground in Yemen, as well as a distraction from the brutalities being perpetrated by Israel in Gaza.

“I wish to emphasize that the caretaker government in Sana’a maintains independent sovereignty, making decisions and taking actions in its own interest,” Iravani emphasized.

He also unequivocally condemned and categorically rejected the unfounded allegations made by the representative of the United States to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, against Tehran in the recent Security Council sessions, stressing that she has misappropriated the platform to disseminate falsehoods and exercise deliberate disinformation.

“Iran has never taken any activities in violation of Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015), including any engagement in the sale or transfer of arms or weaponry systems that would contravene this resolution. Furthermore, Iran has always advocated for resolving the Yemen crisis through political means,” Iravani said.

The Iranian UN ambassador also sharply criticized the United States, the United Kingdom, and their allies for their recent acts of aggression against Yemen, saying these countries bear full responsibility for the violation of international law.

Iravani finally urged the international community to unequivocally condemn the US and UK military aggression against Yemen, stating that the attacks amount to a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter.

Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine’s struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory’s Palestinian resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity.

The relentless Israeli military campaign against Gaza has killed at least 24,100 people, most of them women and children. Another 60,800 individuals have been wounded.

Reports revealed that Israeli shipping companies have already decided to reroute their vessels in fear of attacks by Yemeni forces.

Yemeni forces have also launched missile and drone attacks on targets in the Israeli-occupied territories after the regime’s aggression on Gaza.

Source: presstv.ir

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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/01/16/718316/UN-envoy-Linking-Yemeni-strikes-Iran-meant-obscure-Israeli-crimes

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ICJ must take urgent action to end Israel’s aggression: Palestinian PM

15 January 2024

The Palestinian Authority’s Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh says the International Court of Justice needs to take urgent action to stop Israel’s genocidal campaign in the besieged Gaza Strip.

During a cabinet session in the city of Ramallah on Monday, Shtayyeh said, “We will demand that Israel in international courts bear the full costs of everything it destroyed in the Gaza Strip, and bear full responsibility for the lives of our people it has committed crimes against.”

The prime minister said Gaza has been subject to ethnic cleansing, starvation, abuse, torture, and daily killing.

He said 101 days have passed and Gaza remains without electricity, water and medicine.

Israel shut off electricity to Gaza on October 11 and has not resumed the supply. People living in the Gaza Strip have been enduring a near-complete communications blackout.

The Palestinian official said he hoped international media would be allowed into Gaza, so that the Israeli crimes would be documented.

The Palestinian prime minister also called on the Red Cross to work for reaching the detainees held by Israel in unknown places.

Since Oct. 7, when the Israeli regime launched its fresh aggression on Gaza, the regime and its media have weaponized lies and propaganda against Palestinians.

On January 11, the International Court of Justice in The Hague began hearings over a charge that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

South Africa, in an 84-page suit filed against Israel at the top UN court on December 29, asked the top court to urgently declare that the regime has breached its responsibilities under international law since October 7, 2023, when it launched hostilities in the besieged territory.

Israel has killed over 24,000 people, mainly women and children, in Gaza since that October day.

It’s estimated that virtually 7,000 people remain unaccounted for.

UN rapporteurs say half of the population in Gaza is starving. Schools, mosques, churches, hospitals and ambulances have been a frequent target of strikes.

Despite all this, Israel has failed to achieve any of its declared objectives in removing the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas or releasing its captives.

Source: presstv.ir

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IRGC hits terrorists, Mossad espionage bases in region

Jan 16, 2024

TEHRAN, Jan. 16 (MNA) – The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has fired barrages of ballistic missiles at Syrian bases of terrorists who were involved in recent attacks in Iran, as well as an Israeli espionage center in Iraq's Kurdistan region.

The IRGC said the first missile strike targeted gathering places of commanders and main elements of recent terrorist attacks in the Iranian cities of Kerman and Rask.

It added that the strike came after gathering points of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group were identified in the occupied territories of Syria and destroyed with a number of ballistic missiles.

The Takfiri group claimed responsibility for two explosions that killed nearly 100 people and wounded scores of others at a memorial for Iran's top anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman on January 3.

Later the same month, another terrorist attack hit a police station in the southeastern Iranian city of Rask, killing 11 police officers and injuring at least six others.

The IRGC said in a later statement that another missile strike had been launched at a main espionage center of the Israeli regime’s Mossad spy agency in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

It said the strike was a sign of the IRGC’s full intelligence superiority over the Zionist regime's bases and activities in the region.

The IRGC added that its missile strike on the Iraqi Kurdistan Region has totally destroyed the Mossad center there.

It noted that the Mossad center was used "to develop espionage operations and plan acts of terrorism" across the region, especially in Iran.

The missile strike against the Mossad center, the statement said, was in retaliation for the recent assassinations of the Resistance Front’s commanders, especially those of the IRGC, by the Zionist regime.

The IRGC also assured “the great nation of Iran” that it will find "the malicious terrorist groups" that are active against the Iranian nation “wherever they are and will punish them for their shameful deeds.”

Source: mehrnews.com

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https://en.mehrnews.com/news/210851/IRGC-hits-terrorists-Mossad-espionage-bases-in-region

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Africa

 

Cameroon bishops denounce Boko Haram atrocities as terrorist group wages war to create African ‘Islamic caliphate’

January 15, 2024

YAOUNDÈ – Catholic bishops in the west African nation of Cameroon, which has been gripped by civil conflict for the past seven years, have denounced rising poverty in the country as well as violence associated not only with a separatist movement in English-speaking regions but also atrocities committed by Boko Haram insurgents.

In a release at the end of their Jan. 6-13 annual assembly in Maroua, in the country’s far north region, the bishops expressed concern that the country is under siege from both terrorists and belligerents, a situation they said is worsening the poverty in Cameroon.

“The bishops denounce the horrendous acts perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect in the far north region and they express deep compassion for the victims,” they said in a statement signed by the Secretary General of the Cameroon Bishops’ Conference, Father Jervis KebeiKewi.

There are an estimated ten million Catholics in Cameroon, representing roughly 40 percent of the overall nation population, and the Church has long had enormous influence in the country. Among other things, the country’s President-for-life, Paul Biya, is a former Catholic seminarian.

The northern parts of Cameroon have been a flash point of Boko Haram attacks since 2014, when the terrorists, whose origins are in Nigeria, began expanding their terrifying campaign to Nigeria’s neighbours of Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. Its stated aim is to create an Islamic caliphate across the Sahel region of Africa.

According to the United Nations, at least 350,000 people had been killed by the terrorist group. In 2019, the group killed at least 275 Cameroonians, according to Amnesty International.

Bishop Bruno Ateba Edo of Maroua-Mokolo said that more than 320,000 people have fled the region as a result of the Boko Haram attacks. The UN has warned that if the conflict continues, more than 1.1 million people may die by 2030.

Beyond the Boko Haram insurgency, the bishops deplored all violence, particularly atrocities committed by both separatist fighters and government soldiers in Cameroon’s troubled English-speaking regions of the northwest and southwest.

For seven years the two regions have been embroiled in a separatist war that had killed at least 6,000 people as of January 2023 (which is considered a conservative estimate) and displaced at least 700,000 people.

The crisis broke out in 2016 when Anglophone teachers and lawyers took to the streets to protest the use of French in Anglophone schools and courts. The government took a hardline stance, and what was initially a peaceful protest degenerated into political violence.

A separatist group grew and started fighting for the independence of Cameroon’s Anglophone population, which represents 20 per cent of the country’s 27 million inhabitants, and the formation of a new nation to be called Ambazonia.

“Destruction and displacement have set back development in the region by decades, and continued conflict will only further scar the region,” the United Nations Development Program said.

“We think that all Cameroonians should be open to love peace, to work for peace, and to ensure that Cameroon is in peace,” said the President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, Archbishop Andrew FuanyaNkea of Bamenda.

“We have a right to live in peace, and that is why we are calling on all the stakeholders to put their hands on deck to ensure that this 2024 be a year of real peace in the whole of Cameroon,” Nkea said.

“We all understand that there is insecurity in the northwest and the southwest regions and in the far north region. We have come here to pray for peace and to join the people of the far north region to pray for peace,” Nkea said.

He said the calls for a return to peace are imbued with greater significance in the month of January “when Christians as a whole and men of goodwill pray for peace in their hearts and in the world”.

“This is the same peace that the Lord Jesus Christ wished for his apostles on the morning of the resurrection, when he said to them, ‘Peace be with you’,” Nkea said.

The bishops expressed “constant paternal solicitude and continual prayer” for all victims of violence.

The church leaders further expressed concern over the “growing and yawning poverty among the population”.

According to the World Bank, Cameroon was ranked 150 out of 189 in the 2019 Human Development Index, with 39 per cent of Cameroonians living below the poverty line. The index reports that between 2007-2014, the overall number of poor in Cameroon increased by 12 percent to 8.1 million, with much of the poverty concentrated in the country’s northern regions that hosts 56 percent of the country’s poor.

The bishops appealed “for greater justice, solidarity, hard work and continuous trust in God”.

The assembly was organized under the theme “A Synodal Church on Mission”. Bishop Michael Bibi of Buea told Crux that it was an opportunity for the prelates to “reflect on how they can continue to work together for the good of the people of God in Cameroon”.

He said this year’s theme grew naturally from the October synod that took place at the Vatican on Synodality, which means “people working together as members of one family for the good of the Church”.

Photo: Horsemen guard the perimeter of Meme village in the remote northern region of Cameroon, as Cameroonian goatherds gather their herds for a veterinary vaccination campaign, long delayed because of the insecurity caused by Boko Haram attacks, 13 June 2018. (Photo by Reinnier KAZE / AFP) (Photo credit should read REINNIER KAZE/AFP via Getty Images.)

Source: catholicherald.co.uk

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https://catholicherald.co.uk/cameroon-bishops-denounce-boko-haram-atrocities-as-it-wages-war-to-create-african-islamic-caliphate/

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Fire Guts Mosque In Ilorin, Renders At Least 120 People Homeless

16 January 2024

 Richard Ogunsile

No fewer than one hundred and twenty persons have been rendered homeless after a fire incident at MegidaOnikanhun Compound, EdunIsale, Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State.

A statement issued late Monday night by the Head of Department of Media and Publicity of the fire department, Hassan Adekunle, revealed that the inferno affected a mosque in the area and also resulted in the displacement of 120 individuals, as 44 rooms of a building was completely destroyed.

Naija News learnt that the Kwara State Fire Service responded to the emergency on January 15, 2024, at approximately 11:08 hours, but damages had already been recorded before their arrival at the scene of the incident.

“Fire fighters, upon arrival, found the entire compound and Edun Market engulfed in flames due to a late call.

“To enhance firefighting efforts, part of the fence was dismantled for better access.

“At 11:22 am, an SMS message was sent to the Brigade Headquarters for additional manpower, and the proficient firefighters successfully brought the situation under control within an hour before completely extinguishing the fire.

“Investigations revealed that an unknown person set some refuse on fire but this unfortunately spread to the nearby compound,” the statement from Adekunle said.

Adekunle extended his sympathies to Kuranga Adebayo, the representative of MagajiMegidaOnikanhun.

He praised the efforts of the fire service but mentioned that the incident resulted in more than 120 individuals being displaced, impacting 44 rooms and a mosque. Fortunately, there were no casualties in the 75-room compound.

Reacting, the Director of Kwara State Fire Service, FaladeOlumuyiwa, emphasized the importance of public safety, particularly during this period.

He urged the general public to promptly contact the fire brigade in case of any fire emergencies in their respective areas. This proactive action would not only save lives but also protect the properties of people in the state.

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2024/01/16/fire-guts-mosque-in-ilorin-renders-at-least-120-people-homeless/

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69 protesters killed, 189 journalists arrested under Buhari govt – Report

16th January 2024

Solomon Odeniyi

An international human rights organisation,  Global Rights, has said the administration of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, was characterised by threats or intimidation of journalists and protesters.

The organisation added that Buhari made frantic efforts to suppress access to information, curtail freedom of expression, and monitor how and for what purposes citizens assembled.

Global Rights stated this in its report titled,  “Shege!  A scorecard on the Buhari administration’s impact on Nigeria’s civic space,” which was published on January 13, 2024.

The organisation said in the report,  “In the eight-year term of President Buhari’s administration, Nigeria witnessed a notable decline on all frontiers of the civic space and basic freedoms. The administration was characterised by a suspicious relationship with the media, a frosty relationship with civil society organisations, and a clear desire to control access to information, curtail freedom of expression, and monitor how and for what purposes citizens assembled.

“There were also several legislative attempts made by the administration with regard to the civic space. If all these attempts made it into law, it is safe to say Nigeria would have emerged as one of the most repressive democracies globally.”

The report added that no fewer than 69 protesters were killed during the Buhari-led administration.

The organisation also said that an estimated 250 protesters and 189 journalists were arrested, detained, or harassed under the former president.

“The number of peaceful protesters killed: at least 69. Number of arrests made during peaceful protests: 250 (estimated based on available data)

“Instances of government interference in the activities of CSOs: At least four. Number of journalists arrested, detained, or harassed: more than 189,” it said.

When contacted,  the spokesperson for the former President,  Garba Shehu, declined comment on the issue, saying former Minister of Information,  Lai Mohammed, was the appropriate person to speak.

Efforts to reach the ex-minister were unsuccessful as calls to his mobile line did not connect.

Commenting on the report, the Executive Director,  Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Rafsanjani,  said,  “Under Buhari, there were a lot of unlawful arrests and detentions of journalists and civil society activists.  Do not let us forget the atrocities committed against the Shiite,  that alone is enough to send him packing.  Buhari also came up with legal frameworks to gag the civil society.”

He urged President Bola Tinubu not to toe that path.

Source: punchng.com

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https://punchng.com/69-protesters-killed-189-journalists-arrested-under-buhari-govt-report/

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ICC delays verdict on Mali Islamist warlord

16.01.2024

The International Criminal Court said Monday it was delaying its verdict in the war crimes trial of a Malian Islamist leader, as the head judge is unavailable for health reasons.

The ICC gave no new date for the ruling in the case of Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud, accused of torture, rape and sexual slavery through forced marriages, as well as destroying mausoleums in Timbuktu.

"In light of the current health situation of Judge Antoine Kesia-MbeMindua, Presiding Judge of the Chamber, who is temporarily unavailable, the Chamber has no option but to vacate the hearing previously scheduled," said the ICC.

"The Chamber will convey updated information at the earliest opportunity," added the ICC in its statement.

The trial of the 46-year-old father of five opened in 2020, with the ruling originally slated to be handed down on Thursday.

The prosecution called 52 witnesses, while the defence called 22. Lawyers representing 2,196 alleged victims called a further two witnesses.

Prosecutors said Al Hassan committed "unimaginable crimes" as a key figure in the police system set up by Islamic militants for almost a year from 2012.

He is accused of personally overseeing floggings and amputations while arranging for women and girls to be forced to marry militants.

The ancient city of Timbuktu, once known as the "city of 333 saints" for the Muslim holy men buried there, was subject to major destruction while under the control of jihadists in 2012 and 2013.

Al Hassan is the second Malian jihadist tried by the ICC for destroying religious sanctuaries in Timbuktu, which is inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list.

The court sentenced Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi in 2016 to nine years in prison, which was reduced by two years on appeal in 2021.

Source: today.rtl.lu

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https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/a/2158009.html

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South Asia

 

Wakhan Corridor officially connects Afghanistan to China: Taliban

Fidel Rahmati

January 16, 2024

A report from Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province confirms that Afghanistan is now officially linked to China via the Badakhshan province.

Moizuddin Ahmadi, the head of Information and Culture in Badakhshan, reported on Monday, January 15th, that the construction of the Pamir Highway has been completed up to the Chinese border. Now, the project’s plan and budget for the road’s development will begin.”

Last week, Michael McCaul, Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed worry about China’s influence in Afghanistan. He suggested that China might gain control of Bagram airport shortly.

US officials have frequently expressed concerns about China’s investments in Afghanistan, especially in valuable resources like lithium. They see this as conflicting with their national interests.

earlier in September 2023, Taliban officials reported that the construction of a 50-kilometre stretch of the Silk Road, which extends from Wakhan district to the Chinese border and has a width of 5 meters, has been inaugurated by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development.

The head of Rural Rehabilitation and Development in Badakhshan said in September 2023 that the reconstruction work on nearly 50 kilometres of the Silk Road, connecting Badakhshan to China, officially commenced with the presence of Malamohammad Yunus Akhonzada, the acting head of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development of the Taliban, and some local officials.

The total cost of this project amounts to over 369,579,000 Afghanis, which is funded by the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development’s road construction budget and is supervised by development councils.

According to local officials in the Taliban, the construction of the Silk Port, with the shortest distance and the lowest cost, will facilitate the import and export of commercial goods to Afghanistan. It will also enable local traders with limited capital to engage in trade, establish hotels, and guesthouses along the route, and provide the groundwork to boost 50% of Badakhshan and Afghanistan’s economy.

Afghanistan shares a border with China in the Wakhan Corridor, which spans 90 kilometres.

Meanwhile, in September 2023, Mohammad Sadiq, the Taliban government’s ambassador to China, mentioned having detailed discussions with Chinese authorities regarding the commencement of traffic through the Wakhan Corridor.

The Wakhan Corridor is a narrow strip of land in northeastern Afghanistan, stretching towards China, and acting as a buffer between Tajikistan and Pakistan. It spans approximately 350 kilometres (220 miles) in length and varies in width from 13 to 65 kilometres (8.1 to 40.4 miles). The corridor is home to around 12,000 inhabitants residing in roughly 110 villages.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/badakhshan-province-officially-connects-afghanistan-to-china-via-wakhan-corridor-official/

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India Supported Bangladesh's Efforts To Continue Democratic Process: Bangladesh FM

 Jan 15, 2024

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today said India stood with Bangladesh when the latter undertook efforts to continue the democratic process.

"Conspiracies existed to tamper with the 2014 elections. In 2018, there were efforts to make the elections controversial and questionable. However, India was on our side," he told journalists after his first meeting with Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma today.

"You all know India's position in the elections this year too," he added.

He said there were many foreign observers, including from India, who all said the elections were free, fair and festive.

Hasan Mahmud also said that he would be visiting India as his first bilateral visit, though the schedule was yet to be finalised.

Delhi has already invited Hasan Mahmud for a meeting with Indian counterpart S Jaishankar.

Meanwhile, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma said Bangladesh and India will be achieving greater momentum in its bilateral relations building on the existing friendly ties.

He said the two countries will continue to work together to build peaceful, stable, and prosperous societies.

The high commissioner said the two countries would explore further areas of cooperation contributing to the growing development.

Yesterday, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar congratulated Hasan Mahmud on his appointment as the newly appointed foreign minister of Bangladesh.

"Look forward to working to further deepen the India-Bangladesh Maitri (friendship)," he said in a message shared on X, formerly Twitter.

Source: thedailystar.net

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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/india-supported-bangladeshs-efforts-continue-democratic-process-hasan-mahmud-3519826

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Earthquakes impact thousands of children in Herat: UNICEF

Fidel Rahmati

January 15, 2024

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced that the recent earthquakes in Herat, Afghanistan, have severely affected at least 96,000 children. If they do not receive proper support and services, the harsh winter will pose a serious threat to their lives.

UNICEF, in a statement released on Monday, January 15th, highlighted that many families are still living in tents or open spaces despite the severe cold weather.

According to the organization’s statistics, over 1,000 people, the majority of whom were women and children, lost their lives in the earthquakes that occurred last October in Herat. In addition, 21,000 homes were destroyed, and countless families lost their livelihoods, livestock, and agricultural products.

Furthermore, Fran Equiza, UNICEF’s representative for Afghanistan, emphasized that “even 100 days after the earthquake in western Afghanistan, where families have lost everything, these villages are filled with pain and suffering. Children are still trying to cope with loss and psychological trauma.”

She added that the health centers that children depend on have been damaged or destroyed. In the current winter, children and families are living in dangerous conditions and have no means to heat their temporary shelters.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, they have established 61 temporary educational spaces and 61 recreational areas for children in earthquake-affected areas, providing access to primary education for nearly 3,400 children, more than half of whom are girls.

The organization’s statistics show that between October 7th and 15th, several strong earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.3 Richter scale struck Herat Province and its neighboring regions, resulting in 1,500 casualties and over 11,000 injuries.

Previously, several United Nations agencies and human rights organizations had warned about the difficult situation of earthquake victims and returning migrants in Afghanistan.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/earthquakes-impact-thousands-of-children-in-herat-unicef/

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Over 25,000 Afghan migrants deported from Iran in the past ten days

Fidel Rahmati

January 15, 2024

Iranian authorities have announced that 25,521 “illegal migrants” have been deported from the country in the past ten days.

Majid Shuja, the commander of the border guards in Khorasan Razavi, stated that 13,852 “illegal migrants” from Afghanistan have been handed over to Afghan representatives after expulsion via the Dogharun border.

JavadRafiei, the deputy commander of the border guards in Sistan and Baluchestan province, also reported the deportation of 11,669 Afghan migrants over the past week.

He attributed the expulsion of these migrants to their “lack of legal residence documents,” emphasizing that they were deported after going through the legal procedures via the “Milak” border terminal.

According to Iranian government statistics, more than 520,000 Afghan migrants have been expelled and returned to their country through the DogharunTaybad border in the past nine months.

Iranian authorities had previously stated their commitment to identifying, detaining, and deporting “illegal migrants.”

It is worth noting that in recent days, the deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey has increased.

The situation reflects the ongoing challenges and concerns related to migration in the country.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/over-25000-afghan-migrants-deported-from-iran-in-the-past-ten-days/

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OCHA warns of high hunger and malnutrition levels in Afghanistan

Fidel Rahmati

January 15, 2024

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has issued a warning about the increasing levels of hunger and malnutrition in Afghanistan.

On Monday, January 15th, this agency stated on its official platform that Afghanistan has reported its highest levels of hunger and malnutrition for the year 2024.

OCHA further added that approximately 15.8 million people in Afghanistan will face food shortages.

Previously, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had announced that after the return of the Taliban administration to power, 85% of the Afghan population is living on less than one dollar a day.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has previously stated that 23.7 million people in Afghanistan will require humanitarian assistance in 2024.

OCHA has issued this warning about the increasing levels of hunger and malnutrition in Afghanistan at a time when the return of Afghan migrants from Pakistan and recent earthquakes in the Herat province have exacerbated the needs of the country’s citizens, coinciding with the arrival of winter.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/ocha-warns-of-high-hunger-and-malnutrition-levels-in-afghanistan/

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Shakib: We Mediate, But Not Accommodate TTP in Afghanistan

MitraMajeedy

January 15, 2024

The charge d'affaires of Afghanistan's embassy in Islamabad, Sardar Ahmad Shakib, in a special interview with TOLOnews said that the Islamic Emirate’s mediation between Pakistan and the TTP does not mean it is accommodating the TTP in Afghanistan.

Sardar Ahmad Shakib also said that no armed groups are allowed to use Afghan soil.

Sardar Ahmad Shakib said that the Islamic Emirate has taken steps to address the concerns of Pakistan.

“Everyone can mediate -- between the US and the Islamic Emirate, Qatar mediated. Mediation is good work and everyone can. It does not mean that we oppose anyone or we interfere in someone's affairs or we support anyone,” he said.

Referring to the migration of a large number of people from across the Durand Line to Afghanistan due to military operations by Pakistani army in 2014 in tribal areas of Waziristan, Shakib said: "If anyone stays here, he/she could be as a migrant and maybe they come to Afghanistan due to the operations against them there [Pakistan], and the Islamic Emirate does not allow armed people to operate against anyone.”

The Charge d'Affaires of the Islamic Emirate also said that the Islamic Emirate wants good relations with all neighboring countries.

“The problems that have been created are because of complaints that Pakistan has and it affected the trade and people’s commuting,” Sardar Ahmad Shakib added.

The chargé d'affaires of the Islamic Emirate in Pakistan, regarding the deportation of Afghan refugees, stated that the process is ongoing normally and most of the refugees return to the country from Pakistan voluntarily.\

Source: tolonews.com

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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-186980

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Afghanistan Exports Reach More than $166 Million Last Month

 2024-01-15

KABUL (BNA): The National Statistical and Information Authority (NSIA) states that the total value of the country’s exports in the current solar year’s month of Qaws (December 2023) was $166.5 million.

According to a statement issued by NSIA, the overall value of exports was $166.5 million, while the total value of imports was $791 million, based on the figures linked to the country’s exports and imports last month.

According to the statement, comparing the value of the country’s exports and imports in Qaws of this year to the same month last year shows an increase in exports.

In the same period last year, the export value was $154 million and the import value was $735.8 million, representing an increase of $12.5 million in export value and $55.2 million in import value.

The statement says that the highest exports in the last month of this year were to Pakistan, India, and the United Arab Emirates, while most of the imports came from Iran, Pakistan, and China.

Source: bakhtarnews.af

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Southeast Asia

 

Indonesia supports Palestine through law enforcement at ICJ

 January 16, 2024

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia will continue to take workable measures for supporting Palestine amid the Israeli occupation, including by pushing for law enforcement through the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister RetnoMarsudi affirmed.

The minister made the statement during an expert discussion titled "Advisory Opinion at the ICJ: Efforts to Support Palestinian Independence through International Law Enforcement" in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Marsudi confirmed that Indonesia would deliver legal opinions to the ICJ following the United Nations General Assembly's request that the international court provide an advisory opinion on the legal status and consequences arising from Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.

"Indonesia supports the UN General Assembly's initiative to request an advisory opinion from the ICJ, as international law must be enforced," she remarked, adding that Indonesia has delivered written statements to the court in July 2023 and will deliver oral statements later in February 2024.

The minister highlighted the importance of all parties respecting the Palestinian nation's right of self-determination while noting that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory in the last seven decades will not erode the Palestinians' right to independence.

"In the eyes of international law, various policies of Israel -- including the annexation of Palestinian territory, establishment of settlements in the West Bank, and alteration of the status of Jerusalem -- are illegal," she pointed out.

Bearing that in mind, the minister underscored the need to put an immediate end to Israel's unlawful acts and ensure accountability to investigate all violations committed by the occupier.

She then called on all countries to support Palestine by pushing the international community and the United Nations to reject Israel's justification for its illegal acts.

Marsudi further noted that the discussion involving experts on international law is crucial to formulate comprehensive legal opinions that can prove blatant violations of international law committed by Israel in its acts against Palestine.

"Indonesia's presence before the ICJ will serve as yet another diplomatic measure for supporting the Palestinian nation's struggle for independence," she concluded.

Source: antaranews.com

Please click the following URL to read the full text of

https://en.antaranews.com/news/303114/indonesia-supports-palestine-through-law-enforcement-at-icj

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New Capital to Begin Construction of Mosque, Memorial Park

Jayanty Nada Shofa

 January 16, 2024

Jakarta. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is set to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for a series of projects, including a mosque and a memorial park, in Indonesia’s new capital Nusantara on Wednesday.

According to AgungWicaksono, the deputy for investment at the Nusantara capital authority body, the Public Works Ministry will begin the construction of a mosque tomorrow. The ministry will also start building a memorial park.

“We will break ground on the State Mosque tomorrow. We will also have a memorial park, something similar to Washington DC’s National Mall that boasts an Abraham Lincoln statue,” Agung told a virtual press briefing on Tuesday.

Work on the capital authority body’s office will commence. The Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (IDIC) will also hold its groundbreaking ceremony at the country’s new capital that lies in East Kalimantan.

Jokowi will also launch some projects run by the state-owned enterprises, namely an RRI radio broadcast studio and a logistics hub by the postal office Pos Indonesia.

“If everything goes well, Mr. Jokowi will speak to Indonesians for the first time over a radio broadcast from the Nusantara capital,” Agung said, commenting on the RRI studio.

There are also four private-owned projects that Jokowi will launch during his visit to Nusantara.

For instance, a Sun Hub warehouse and a five-star hotel by the hospitality firm Jambuluwuk Resort. Katadata Green, BenihBaik, and Jejakin will team up for a so-called “green boarding school”. Last but not least is a Nusantara Warehouse Park by real estate developer WulandariBangunLaksana.

This will mark the fourth-phase groundbreaking ceremonies in Nusantara. The government will likely announce more details about the projects, including the value of each project, tomorrow. Non-state funding for the projects in Nusantara totaled approximately Rp 41 trillion ($2.6 billion) throughout last year.

Source: jakartaglobe.id

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https://jakartaglobe.id/news/new-capital-to-begin-construction-of-mosque-memorial-park

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Johor cops suspect foul play in separate fires that broke out just a day apart at BatuPahatsurau and mosque

16 Jan 2024

BATU PAHAT, Jan 16 — Police in Johor are looking into the causes of two fires at a mosque and a surau in Sri Medan here that happened just one day apart.

A 10.46pm fire at the KampungParitSimis mosque, completed in November 2022, last Sunday caused over RM150,000 in damages.

Barely 24 hours later, the Ar-Raudahsurau nearby was wrecked in another fire.

“This is the second fire in a row involving a Muslim place of worship in Sri Medan.

“The police have taken an interest and are investigating both incidents under Section 436 of the Penal Code for committing mischief by fire,” BatuPahat police chief Assistant Commissioner Ismail Dollah told reporters here today.

He related that a passer-by spotted the fire at the surau and called for help.

He added that several residents took about 15 minutes to put out the flames, but the damage had been done with the fire taking out the premises’ wiring system, furniture, carpets and air conditioners.

KampungParitSimis mosque committee chairman Mat SunariPaiman was cited in several local news outlets saying Fire and Rescue Department personnel had found traces of petrol under the carpet, in addition to broom sticks believed to be used to ignite the fire.

Yong Peng fire station chief and operations commander Assistant Fire Superintendent Asyraf Nur MohdYusoff said a distress call about a fire at the surau came in at 11.38pm yesterday.

He said 18 firemen from the Yong Peng and Penggaram fire stations, two Fire Rescue Tenders, and two Emergency Medical Rescue Service support units were despatched to the surau immediately.

He added that 40 per cent of the surau was destroyed but no one was reported injured.

The Fire and Rescue Department is still investigating the cause of the surau fire.

Johor Islamic Religious Affairs Committee (MAINJ) chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said he was grateful there were no injuries reported in both fires.

He called for a full investigation if both fires involved an act of mischief.

“If it involves the issue of electrical wiring, I will make sure that all surau and mosques in Johor are inspected so that any unfortunate incidents due to electrical wiring will be immediately repaired," he wrote in the latest post on his official Facebook today.

Mohd Fared, who is also the Semerah assemblyman, said that MAINJ will assist to financially cover the cost of repairs.

He hopes that donations will also help to speed up the repairs to the affected surau and mosque.

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/01/16/johor-cops-suspect-foul-play-in-separate-fires-that-broke-out-just-a-day-apart-at-batu-pahat-surau-and-mosque/112683

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Umrah package company, two directors charged with non-compliance of consumer claims tribunal award

15-01- 2024

PUTRAJAYA: A company offering umrah packages and two of its directors were charged at the Magistrate’s Court here today with failing to comply with the Tribunal of Consumer Claims’ award to repay RM589,031 to 21 victims last year.

Syarikat Emraz Travel & Tours SdnBhd, represented by its directors, Datuk Dr ZulkarnainEndut, 43, and his wife, Mazuin Mustafa, 43, as defendants plead not guilty to the charges read in front of Magistrate IrzaZulaikhaRohanuddin.

Under the first to 63rd charge in accordance with Section 117(1) of the Consumer Protection Act 1999, the company and both directors are charged with 63 counts of not complying with the tribunal’s award dated June 8 and Aug 25, 2023 instructing the company to repay RM589,031 to 21 victims, who are the plaintiffs.

The prosecution was led by deputy public prosecutor MohdSophian Zakaria, who sought RM2,000 bail for each charge and for the accused to surrender their passports and report in to the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry office every month.

Lawyer Datuk Hanif Hassan, who represented the defendants, objected and stressed that RM2,000 bail for each charge would burden his clients.

IrzaZulaikha then set bail at RM6,300 for each of the accused, with the additional conditions suggested by the prosecution, and set Feb 26 for case mention.

The license of the company in question, Emraz Travel & Tours SdnBhd was reported to have been suspended for six months, effective July 10, 2023 to Jan 9, 2024 after the police announced receiving 399 reports about fraudulent umrah packages offered by the company on Nov 29, with losses estimated at RM14.2 million since January 2023. –Bernama

Source: thesun.my

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https://thesun.my/local_news/umrah-package-company-two-directors-charged-with-non-compliance-of-consumer-claims-tribunal-award-DB11989039

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North America

 

Florida Republican GovernorTells Iowans He’s 'Upset' About A Mosque In 'Pigsty' Bethlehem

January 15, 2024

Speaking to supporters ahead of Monday’s “First in the Nation” Iowa caucuses about the importance of Israel to religious freedom, Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis expressed outrage that there is a mosque in Bethlehem.

“That Holy Land is something that’s really meaningful to not just the United States, but all of Western civilization, because that was the foundation of everything that’s happened since then,” DeSantis claimed Sunday.

“So in that sense, I think it’s something that, that it is a special relationship between us and Israel.”

“And if you ever go and look at some of the holy sites, if Israel was not in control of those sites, you would not be able to exercise religious freedom and probably see – and in fact, you know, Bethlehem is actually in one of the Palestinian-Arab controlled areas,” continued the Florida governor, now in third-place after Donald Trump and Nikki Haley.

“So if you go to Bethlehem, I mean, it’s honestly, I was really upset. It’s a pigsty. Trash everywhere. It was nasty,” DeSantis said. “They have a church, to you know where, I mean, I think it’s where they think Christ was born, they built this beautiful church. So they have it there and everything and you go and then you walk out, and they build this like massive mosque towering over it, because that’s just kind of what they do.

“So all these key sites, if Israel was not a sovereign over them, you know, I don’t know that they would even last, if not. So I think they play an important role as a democracy in the Middle East but also caretaker of some of the most important history known to man.”

Florida Politics adds that DeSantis “has made Bethlehem bashing

central to his campaign in the more than three months since Hamas attacked Israelis on Oct. 7.”

Source: rawstory.com

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https://www.rawstory.com/desantis-tells-iowans-hes-upset-about-a-mosque-in-pigsty-bethlehem-2666959285/

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Iranian court orders US to pay $2.6 billion for 2009 suicide attack on Shia worshipers

January 15, 2024

Tehran, Jan 15 (EFE).- An Iranian court ruled on Monday that the United States must compensate $2.6 billion for a 2009 suicide attack in the Chabahar port city, allegedly carried out by a US-backed Sunni Muslim militant group.

The court in Tehran condemned the US government for its alleged support of Jundollah, which claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming 39 lives, according to the judiciary’s Mizan news agency.

The trial began after a lawsuit filed by the injured, relatives of the deceased, and survivors of the attack.

The court specified that the US should pay $290 million to the 58 injured, $140 million to the families of the deceased, and an additional $744 million in moral damages to 93 people.

Punitive compensation, amounting to double the moral damage, was set at $1.4 billion, along with the payment of damages and attorneys’ fees.

Jundollah, considered a terrorist organization by Iran, is an opposition group representing the Sunni minority. Iran accuses the US of supporting the group.

The attack occurred during a gathering of Shia worshipers at a mosque commemorating the killing of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in the battle of Karbala (now in Iraq) over 1,400 years ago.

While Iranian courts often order compensation from the US for alleged terror crimes, such rulings are more of a propagandistic nature and do not result in actual payments.

In December, an Iranian court ordered the US government, along with 41 other entities, to pay $49.7 billion for the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani in Iraq in 2020.

The assassination led to a significant crisis between Tehran and Washington.

Two months ago, another Tehran court condemned the US government, demanding $420 million in compensation for 14 Iranians attacked by US forces during a failed operation to free American hostages in 1980. EFE

Source: laprensalatina.com

Please click the following URL to read the full text of

https://www.laprensalatina.com/iranian-court-orders-us-to-pay-2-6-billion-for-2009-suicide-attack-on-shia-worshipers/

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Yemen strikes another nail in Biden coffin for Muslim voters

Jan 15, 2024

TEHRAN, Jan. 15 (MNA) – US President Joe Biden risked losing support from Muslim voters during the November 2024 elections after he ordered strikes on Yemen in support of Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza,

Biden ordered airstrikes on several provinces across Yemen, including the capital Sana’a and Hudaydah, early Friday in response to the Yemeni pro-Palestine strikes on vessels linked to the Israeli regime. The US military carried out the strikes with Britain.

Citing its interviews with activists and community members, Newsweek said “airstrikes in Yemen launched on the orders of President Joe Biden appear to be another nail in his coffin for Arab and Muslim voters.”

Edward Ahmed Mitchell, deputy executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), told Newsweek on Friday that the civil rights group is “deeply disturbed” by the “illegal” airstrikes in Yemen, slamming the US administration for failing to address the root causes of the tensions in the Red Sea.

“We’re deeply disturbed to see the Biden administration escalating this crisis by bombing Yemen without congressional approval, instead of simply addressing the root of the crisis, which is the ongoing genocide in Gaza. If the genocide comes to an end, the temperature in the region will come down,” Mitchell said.

“From our perspective, this strike done without Congressional approval is illegal, it’s dangerous and ultimately it’s not going to bring peace, it’s just going to escalate the risk of war,” he added.

Mitchell believes that “many people are disturbed that our government is quick to protect commercial shipping, but not quick to protect the thousands of children who are being murdered in Gaza it’d be great to see us caring about both.”

Mitchell’s criticisms of the Biden administration’s failure to seek Congress’s approval echoed remarks made by Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat and the only Palestinian American member of Congress.

Biden “is violating Article I of the Constitution by carrying out airstrikes in Yemen without congressional approval. The American people are tired of endless war,” Tlaib’s said on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday.

According to Newsweek, a coalition of Muslim Americans have gone as far as to launch a #AbandonBiden campaign, calling on voters to not reelect the president this year over his stance on the war in Gaza.

“I think Biden’s standing [with Arab and Muslim voters] has already suffered tremendously because of his Israel-Palestine policy and his unconditional support for [Benjamin] Bibi Netanyahu. Despite mounting evidence of war crimes and possibly genocide,” Newsweek cited Wa’elAlzayat, the CEO of Emgage as saying.

“We are hearing from Muslim, Arab voters that they’re extremely unhappy, disappointed, and many are saying as of right now, based on what they have seen, they will not be voting for Biden,” Alzayat added.

Polls also showed a decline in Biden’s popularity among Muslim voters.

According to a survey released by Emgage in early November 2023, only 5.2 percent of Muslim Americans it sampled said they would vote for Biden in the upcoming election.

This marks a steep decline from the 86 percent of Muslim Americans who voted for Biden in 2020, according to a survey conducted by polling firm Change Research on behalf of Emgage and the Muslim American nonprofit, Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC).

The strikes on Yemen were also slammed by Jill Stein, a candidate for the Green Party’s nomination in the 2024 presidential election, who said the US is now “risking serious escalation.”

“It’s not only Muslim Americans who are horrified by this. So too are youth and many in our communities of color. A landslide majority of US voters want a ceasefire and an end to this genocidal war—much of it paid for with our tax dollars. Congress and the White House, however, are listening to AIPAC [American Israel Public Affairs Committee] and the war profiteers instead of the people,” Stein explained.

“There is a growing movement to use the power of democracy to demand our elected officials listen to us, not the lobbyists, super PACs, and big campaign donors. Specifically, people are pledging not to support pro-genocide candidates in the upcoming election, and to give their support to candidates working for a cease-fire and an end to occupation, apartheid, and genocide.”

Stein said that Biden’s response to the conflict in West Asia “further undermined the confidence and support of the American people, contributing to the continuing downward slide of his poll numbers and prospects for November.”

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7. Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 24,100 Palestinians and injured 60,834 others.

Source: mehrnews.com

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https://en.mehrnews.com/news/210836/Yemen-strikes-another-nail-in-Biden-coffin-for-Muslim-voters

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Yemen’s Houthis threaten to hit US ships as more tankers steer clear

January 16, 2024

WASHINGTON: Yemen’s Houthi movement will expand its targets in the Red Sea region to include US ships, an official from the Iran-allied group said on Monday, as it vowed to keep up attacks after US and British strikes on its sites in Yemen.

Attacks by the Houthis on ships in area since November have impacted companies and alarmed major powers in an escalation of Israel’s more than three-month war with Hamas militants in Gaza. The group says it is acting in solidarity with Palestinians.

British and American ships had become “legitimate targets” due to the strikes launched by the two countries on Yemen last week, NasruldeenAmer, a spokesperson for the Houthis, told Al Jazeera.

“The ship doesn’t necessarily have to be heading to Israel for us to target it. It is enough for it to be American,” Amer said. “The United States is on the verge of losing its maritime security.”

The Houthis previously said they would only target Israeli ships or those en route to Israel.

In the latest apparent attack, the USCentral Command said Houthi forces in Yemen struck the US-owned and operated dry bulk ship Gibraltar Eagle with an anti-ship ballistic missile on Monday, although there were no reports of injuries or significant damage.

The vessel’s US-based operator Eagle Bulk Shipping said it was hit by an “unidentified projectile” while sailing 100 miles (160 km) off the Gulf of Aden. The attack caused a fire in a hold of the vessel, which was carrying steel products, but no injuries, and the ship was continuing on its way, it said.

Earlier in the day, British Maritime Security firm Ambrey said a Marshall Islands-flagged, US-owned bulk carrier was reportedly struck by a missile while transiting near Yemen’s port of Aden.

The vessel was assessed not to be Israel-affiliated, according to Ambrey, which also assessed the attack to have targeted US interests in response to the recent strikes on Houthi military positions.

The latest attack suggests that despite the US strikes, the Houthis appear undeterred.

Later on Monday an explosion was heard near Yemen’s Hodeidah airport, residents reported. Hodeidah is some distance from Aden, however, and it was not immediately clear what had caused the blast.

Container vessels have been pausing or diverting from the Red Sea that leads to the Suez Canal, the fastest freight route from Asia to Europe. Many ships have been forced to take the longer route via the Cape of Good Hope instead.

Ship-tracking data on Monday showed at least 15 tankers altering course in response to the escalating conflict.

LNG TANKERS

QatarEnergy, the world’s second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, has joined those avoiding the Red Sea, a senior source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Qatar’s Al Ghariya, Al Huwaila and Al Nuaman LNG tankers loaded at RasLaffan and were heading to the Suez Canal but stopped in Oman on Jan. 14, LSEG ship-tracking data showed. The Al Rekayyat, which was sailing back to Qatar, stopped in the Red Sea on Jan. 13.

“It is a pause to get security advice, if passing (through the) Red Sea remains unsafe we will go via the Cape,” the source told Reuters regarding QatarEnergy.

The Qatari government and QatarEnergy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

About 12 percent of world shipping traffic transits the Suez Canal via the Red Sea.

The longer route round Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, which various shipping firms have opted for, can add about nine days to the normally 18-day trip from Qatar to northwest Europe.

The Houthis have been at war with a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen for years, but have turned their sights on the sea to show support for Palestinian group Hamas.

On Sunday, the United States said its fighter aircraft had shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired by the militants toward a US destroyer. No injuries or damage were reported, it said on X.

US ally Britain said it had no desire to be involved in Red Sea conflict but was committed to protecting free navigation.

“Let’s wait and see what happens,” Defense Secretary Grant Shapps told Sky News on Monday regarding potential further strikes on Houthi sites.

China also called for an end to attacks on civilian vessels in the Red Sea that have placed Beijing’s commercial interests at risk.

SUPPLIES AFFECTED

With vessels pausing or diverting, some supply lines are being affected.

Carmaker Suzuki on Monday said it was halting production at its Esztergom plant in Hungary until Jan. 21 as the Red Sea attacks had delayed the arrival of Japanese-made engines.

In energy markets, however, the impact was limited. European benchmark gas prices were lower in afternoon trade on Monday, LSEG data showed, while oil prices lost roughly 1 percent as the conflict’s limited impact on crude output prompted profit taking after oil benchmarks gained 2 percent last week.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2442311/middle-east

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US reacts to IRGC anti-terrorist operation in region

Jan 16, 2024

TEHRAN, Jan. 16 (MNA) – The US State Department has reacted to the IRGC's overnight operations against a Mossad espionage center in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, as well as the terrorists' bases in Syria.

The US officials said no US facilities were targeted and there were no US casualties.

"No US personnel or facilities were targeted," Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, said in a statement.

"We will continue to assess the situation," Reuters quoted her as saying.

Early Tuesday, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) fired barrages of ballistic missiles at Syrian bases of terrorists who were involved in recent attacks in Iran, as well as an Israeli espionage center in Iraq's Kurdistan region.

The IRGC said the first missile strike targeted gathering places of commanders and main elements of recent terrorist attacks in the Iranian cities of Kerman and Rask.

It added that the strike came after gathering points of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group were identified in the occupied territories of Syria and destroyed with a number of ballistic missiles.

The Takfiri group claimed responsibility for two explosions that killed nearly 100 people and wounded scores of others at a memorial for Iran's top anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman on January 3.

Later the same month, another terrorist attack hit a police station in the southeastern Iranian city of Rask, killing 11 police officers and injuring at least six others.

The IRGC said in a later statement that another missile strike had been launched at a main espionage center of the Israeli regime’s Mossad spy agency in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

It said the strike was a sign of the IRGC’s full intelligence superiority over the Zionist regime's bases and activities in the region.

The IRGC added that its missile strike on the Iraqi Kurdistan Region has totally destroyed the Mossad center there.

It noted that the Mossad center was used "to develop espionage operations and plan acts of terrorism" across the region, especially in Iran.

The missile strike against the Mossad center, the statement said, was in retaliation for the recent assassinations of the Resistance Front’s commanders, especially those of the IRGC, by the Zionist regime.

Source: mehrnews.com

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https://en.mehrnews.com/news/210853/US-reacts-to-IRGC-anti-terrorist-operation-in-region

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Australia

 

Australian foreign minister calls for ‘sustainable ceasefire’ in Gaza

January 15, 2024

SYDNEY: Australia’s foreign minister on Monday called for a “sustainable ceasefire” in Gaza as she left for a Middle East tour that includes a visit to the occupied West Bank and meetings with the families of Israeli hostages.

Penny Wong said she would use the visits to Jordan, Israel, the West Bank and the UAE to advocate for a pathway out of the current conflict and a lasting peace in the form of a two-state solution.

Australia would also use its voice to push for more humanitarian assistance, greater protection of civilians and a de-escalation of regional tensions, she added.

“Our position is that we want to see a sustainable ceasefire and that we see an international humanitarian, immediate humanitarian ceasefire as a step toward that,” Wong said at a news conference ahead of her departure.

“No ceasefire can be one sided and no ceasefire can be unconditional.”

Australia backed a UN resolution for a Gaza ceasefire in December in a rare split with its ally, the US.

During her first stop in Israel, Wong will meet with government officials and families of hostages and survivors of the Oct. 7 attack, which Israel said killed more than 1,200 people.

Australia supported Israel’s right to defend itself in response to “terrorism” but “the way it does so, matters,” Wong said in a statement that also called for the unconditional release of all hostages.

Wong will then travel to Jordan before visiting the West Bank, where she will meet representatives of communities affected by violence from Israeli settlers. Australia considers settlements illegal under international law.

“I will make clear Australia’s support for Palestinians’ right to self-determination and commitment to meeting humanitarian needs in Gaza and the West Bank,” she said.

“I will also emphasize Australia’s opposition to the forcible displacement of Palestinians and our view that Gaza must no longer be used as a platform for terrorism.”

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2442171/world

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