A Russian aid convoy has been seen moving towards the Ukrainian border. On Wednesday the 260 lorries had stopped some 500 kilome...
A Russian aid convoy has been seen moving towards the Ukrainian border. On Wednesday the 260 lorries had stopped some 500 kilometres short of the border in the southwestern town of Voronezh. The lorries parked up behind the high fences of an air base in the town and according to eye witnesses remained there all day on Wednesday. Kyiv was adamant the convoy would not be allowed to pass but there has been a softening in its approach and has looked to the red cross to provide a compromise. The Ukrainian president’s press secretary said that the cargo would be scanned at the border and that when it arrived in Luhansk, the Red Cross would distribute it among civilians. The International Red Cross says it is still waiting for a more accurate list of all goods the trucks contain it can organise any distribution. Ukraine and western leaders have accused Russia of planning a covert military incursion. Less
Iraq says its forces and Kurdish fighters have retaken Mosul dam, the country’s biggest, dislodging Islamic State militants who had seized...
Iraq says its forces and Kurdish fighters have retaken Mosul dam, the country’s biggest, dislodging Islamic State militants who had seized it. The jihadists deny this but US air strikes against them have helped the Kurdish Peshmerga recapture some of the ground lost in the Islamists’ rampage through northern Iraq since June. Iraqi forces now hope to win back Mosul itself. It comes as Iraqi officials try to stem the exodus of tens of thousands of minority Yazidis and Christians who have been forced from their homes by the militants. “I call upon minorities in northern Iraq not to leave the country,” Iraq’s acting Foreign Minister Hussain al-Shahristani told reporters in Baghdad. “You are an essential part of Iraq. If you leave the country, Iraq will be insufficient. You are an essential component of the Iraqi people.” As relief supplies are sent to the region, the UK’s Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said Britain’s role had moved beyond providing aid and that expanded operations could last for months. But Prime Minister David Cameron insists that Britain will not send ground forces to Iraq Less
US military leaders have said the strength and sophistication of Islamic State militants pose a imminent threat to the United States. Thei...
US military leaders have said the strength and sophistication of Islamic State militants pose a imminent threat to the United States. Their violent tactics including the beheading of American journalist James Foley have been met with horror. US officials are worried about the possibility that European and US nationals would return to their home countries after being radicalised fighting for IS in Iraq and Syria. “They’re beyond just a terrorist group, they marry ideology, a sophistication of strategic and tactical military prowess, they are tremendously well-funded, this is beyond anything that we’ve seen, so we must prepare for everything, and the only way you do that is you take a cold, steely hard look at it and get ready,” said Chuck Hagel, US Defence Secretary. Washington has not ruled out escalating cross-border military action in order to defeat IS, which has taken control of large swathes of Syria and Iraq this summer. Less
Afghanistan’s deadlocked presidential election has run into more trouble after both candidates withdrew their observers from a UN-supervis...
Afghanistan’s deadlocked presidential election has run into more trouble after both candidates withdrew their observers from a UN-supervised audit of votes. Former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah was the first to do so, after calling for more rigorous fraud checks. His opponent Ashraf Ghani followed suit. His team said it was at the UN’s request in the interests of fairness. The former finance minister won the run-off by more than a million votes but Abdullah complained of rigging and demanded a recount. Ghani is a member of Afghanistan’s biggest ethnic group, the Pashtuns, who make up of most the population in the south and east. Abdullah has strong support from minority Tajiks. US Secretary of State John Kerry has played a key role in trying to reconcile the pair, both of whom claim victory. Now US officials have intervened again to try to resolve the disputed election that was hoped would bring about Afghanistan’s first democratic transfer of power. The crisis has raised the spectre of more turmoil in a country already fighting a Taliban insurgency. Less
NATO is ready to rise to every challenge, its Secretary General said ahead of the alliance’s summit in Wales on Thursday and Friday (Septe...
NATO is ready to rise to every challenge, its Secretary General said ahead of the alliance’s summit in Wales on Thursday and Friday (September 4-5). Anders Fogh Rasmussen said an action plan would be agreed to make NATO more responsive to what he called Russia’s ‘aggressive behaviour’ in Ukraine, and all other security challenges. “We will now significantly enhance the responsiveness of our NATO response force,” he said. “We will develop what I would call a spearhead within our response force, a very high readiness force able to deploy at very short notice.” He said he will meet with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko at the summit to express NATO’s support for the nation and take concrete steps to help. Ukraine’s political leaders, Rasmussen said, expected the Ukrainian parliament to abandon the country’s non-aligned status after the planned October 26 election. This is a possible precursor for an application to join NATO: “I understand that the current political leadership in Kyiv envisages that the new parliament after the parliamentary election in Ukraine will change the legislation on non-alliance status,” the Secretary General told a Brussels news conference. Rasmussen added that, at the Wales summit, he ‘expects a commitment to increase defence investments’ as economies recover, pointing out that member states would then share the responsibility as well as the benefits of collective defence. Less
“The group that calls itself the Islamic State (IS) has carried out ethnic cleansing on a historic scale in northern Iraq.” So says Am...
“The group that calls itself the Islamic State (IS) has carried out ethnic cleansing on a historic scale in northern Iraq.” So says Amnesty International which has published a new report detailing what it calls “gruesome evidence” of “moves to wipe out minorities” such as Yazidis. With a view to holding perpetrators to account, the United Nations has already agreed to send investigators to Iraq to examine what it calls “acts of inhumanity on an unimaginable scale”. “These terrorist activities by ISIL are totally unacceptable by international human rights and international humanitarian law,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, speaking on a visit to New Zealand. Amnesty International says IS is waging a “brutal campaign to obliterate all trace of non-Arabs and non-Sunni Muslims” in northern Iraq, which is “leading thousands to flee in fear for their lives”. Convert to Islam or die demands, accounts of mass killings and abductions and reports of rape and sexual abuse fill a report full of harrowing human suffering that makes grim reading indeed. Less
Despite a UN-led audit of votes from June’s disputed presidential election, the threat of further turmoil in Afghanistan hangs over this w...
Despite a UN-led audit of votes from June’s disputed presidential election, the threat of further turmoil in Afghanistan hangs over this week’s NATO summit. It follows the collapse of talks on a power-sharing deal, with former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah’s campaign threatening to withdraw from the political process. It is “at a stalemate” said Mohammad Mohaqeq, one of Abdullah’s vice presidential running mates. “If it continues like this, we don’t see any way out.” Abdullah and his rival, ex finance minister Ashraf Ghani, had agreed to the deal brokered by US Secretary of State John Kerry but it was left to the two campaigns to work out the specifics of power sharing. NATO has faced criticism over civilians killed in air strikes or night raids. Kabul residents nonetheless worry that the departure of foreign forces could lead to worse violence or the return of the Taliban, ousted from power by a US-led invasion in 2001. Less
Turkey was always going to be a contentious venue for this year’s internet governance forum which aims to encourage use of the web. Duri...
Turkey was always going to be a contentious venue for this year’s internet governance forum which aims to encourage use of the web. During the past 12 months, the country’s record on internet freedoms has been judged as ‘abysmal’ by Human Rights Watch. But as the UN-backed forum opened, participants held back from criticising the Turkish government directly. Assistant Secretary-General of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Thomas Gass, said: “The human rights apply the same way, you know, online and offline. And so that of course leaves scope for states to legislate. But the basic values, the values of freedom of expression, but that is balanced with the respect of the others and integrity of the others, this balance also has to be ensured on the Internet.” However Human Rights Watch has decried Turkey’s record on protecting free expression online, saying that tens of thousands of websites have been blocked under recent legislation. And new legislation passed only in April has expanded the surveillance powers of Turkey’s National Intelligence Agency (MIT), giving it sweeping powers to amass private data. Last year Turkey temporarily shut down Twitter and blocked YouTube in the wake of anti-government protests. The government has also described both sites as threats to national security. Less
In a show of solidarity Ukraine President Petro Porshenko shared a platform with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen as the militar...
In a show of solidarity Ukraine President Petro Porshenko shared a platform with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen as the military alliance pledged closer union with Ukraine. President Poroshenko expressed his gratitude: “I have never felt such strong enormous support, from all the leaders of the countries, heads of government and the representatives of the people of NATO member states as was demonstrated today.” NATO called on Russia to move toward peace and indicated the alliance would react if Moscow intensified actions in Ukraine. “The international community must respond with determination if Russia were to intervene further in Ukraine. The Response would be deeper, broader, tougher economic sanctions that would definitely hurt Russia further,” said secretary general Rasmussen. Both Poroshenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed the hope that a peace plan could be implemented during Friday’s negotiations in Belarus. Less
It was billed as one of the most important NATO summits in recent years and on the second and final day the delegates in Wales presented a u...
It was billed as one of the most important NATO summits in recent years and on the second and final day the delegates in Wales presented a united front in the face of what they see as Russian aggression. But it was also a day on which a ceasefire was brokered between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian rebels. “I would welcome of course if the new announcement of a ceasefire represents a sincere attempt to stop the violence and initiate a constructive political process,” said NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. President Obama also welcomed the ceasefire agreement but stressed that in his view, Russia was forced into it. “The only reason that we are seeing the ceasefire at this moment is because of both the sanctions that have already been applied, and the threat of further sanctions which are having a real impact on the Russian economy and have isolated Russia in a way that we have not seen in a very long time.” Our correspondent at the summit says that NATO sees itself has having been given a new reason for existing in the face of the perceived aggression of Russia in Ukraine, and the recent rise of Islamic State Less
Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists are blaming each other for violations to an increasingly shaky ceasefire. Although...
Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists are blaming each other for violations to an increasingly shaky ceasefire. Although over night there were no reports of fighting, shelling earlier on Sunday had left one woman dead and several injured. Rebels also opened up a new coastal front near Mariupol. In Donetsk locals could have been forgiven for asking “what ceasefire ?” as they woke to the sound of fighting on the outskirts of the city. The streets remained deserted as residents kept below ground not confident enough to trust the truce deal brokered on Friday in the Belarusian capital of Minsk. Meanwhile on a visit to Kyiv, the secretary general of the Human rights group Amnesty International said Russia can no longer deny its active involvement in the five month long conflict. Salil Shetty also went on to accuse both Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists of war crimes. “We are getting reports of different types of violations and also indiscriminate shelling which is happening – and all of these need to be investigated and that’s what we are calling on, because in a war situation, in a conflict situation unless you go into the details you can’t be absolutely certain. But from everything we’ve seen we can be quite sure that both sides can be accused of war crimes at this point,” said Amnesty chief Salil Shetty. In theory if the ceasefire holds, work is supposed to start on an exchange of prisoners of war and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor for refugees and aid. However that prospect looks at the moment a long way off. Less
The new Iraqi government has wasted no time in getting down to work following the appointment of new Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Parl...
The new Iraqi government has wasted no time in getting down to work following the appointment of new Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Parliament has approved all of his ministerial choices bar the key defence and interior ministries, for which al-Abadi has requested another week. Former PM and Shi’ite Muslim Nouri al-Maliki becomes one of two ceremonial vice-Presidents, but al-Abadi has chosen a Kurd and a secular Sunni Muslim as his deputies. “Overcoming the obstacle of ethnic and sectarian divides, the Iraqi parliament approved a new and inclusive government, one that has the potential to unite all of Iraq’s diverse communities, for a strong Iraq, a united Iraq and to give those communities the chance to build the future that all Iraqis desire and deserve,” said US Secretary of State John Kerry. The Americans will be hoping this new deal in Baghdad is more effective at knitting together the country. They will also be hoping it can mobilise the army to help the Kurdish Peshmurga forces do more than just hold off the IS militants, and go onto the offensive to recapture the north and west of the country. Less
The World Meteorological Organisation has added its weight to the rising chorus of voices expressing alarm at the slow pace of tackling g...
The World Meteorological Organisation has added its weight to the rising chorus of voices expressing alarm at the slow pace of tackling global warming. Carbon dioxide levels rose last year at their fastest rate since 1984, and are now at an absolute record level in the atmosphere. “So we have to really take urgent action. The more that we wait, the more challenging it will be, the more expensive it will be, and at some point the goal to decrease will no longer be achievable if we don’t take action now . It’s still possible but it requires urgent action,” said WMO Secretary Michel Jarraud. More greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is no surprise, but it was recently found that one of them – CFC – which destroy atmospheric ozone and let through too much dangerous ultraviolet radiation, are still in the air despite being banned 20 years ago. Less
The US Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Iraq to build support against Islamic State militants. It is the start of a tour of th...
The US Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Iraq to build support against Islamic State militants. It is the start of a tour of the Middle East to garner both financial and military backing to defeat the militants that have seized control of parts of Iraq and Syria. His visit comes hours before a speech in which US President Barack Obama will try to rally Americans behind another war in a region he has long sought to leave. But it will be hard to placate all the forces in Iraq. Three car bombs exploded on Wednesday in a Shi’ite neighbourhood, killing nine people and injuring 29 others. Sectarian tensions appea as entrenched as ever, possibly worsened by a month of US air strikes on Sunni jihadists. The fallout risks increasing grievances that helped Islamic State fighters find support amongst Iraq’s Sunnis and may make it more difficult to convince them to combat the militants. Less
The United States has drummed up support from Arab allies to help destroy militant group Islamic State (ISIL). After talks in Saudi Arabia...
The United States has drummed up support from Arab allies to help destroy militant group Islamic State (ISIL). After talks in Saudi Arabia, US Secretary of State John Kerry won backing from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and six Gulf states including Saudi and Qatar. Saudi Arabia supports some Sunni groups in Syria, but considers ISIL a terrorist group. The Saudis have also promised to provide training camps for moderate Syrian Sunni fighters. The coalition is a big step in building support in the region for US President Barack Obama’s plan to strike both sides of the Syria-Iraq border, a frontier not recognised by ISIL. The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reports the Sunni militant group has between 20,000 and 31,500 fighters. Less
French President Francois Hollande flew to Iraq on Friday (September 12) to hold talks about fighting the advance of Islamic State militants...
French President Francois Hollande flew to Iraq on Friday (September 12) to hold talks about fighting the advance of Islamic State militants. He met with the new Iraqi President Fuad Masoum in Baghdad and later flew to Irbil to meet with the leader of the Kurdish controlled region in the north. France has offered military support against Islamic State jihadists, as part of a coalition being formed by Washington. Hollande told reporters: “The goal is to co-ordinate aid, support and action for the unity of Iraq and against this terrorist group,” On Monday Paris will host an international conference to coordinate support in fighting them. Meanwhile US Secretary of State John Kerry was in Ankara, urging Turkish officials to support more military action against ISIL in Syria and Iraq Turkey has refused to allow its air bases to be used to launch attacks on the jihadist group, which is currently holding 49 Turkish citizens hostage. Ten Arab nations have agreed to help the US in its fight – the CIA says it may send more than 30,000 fighters. Less
As United States military forces continued their attack against militant group Islamic State, or ISIL, officials said more than 150 airstrik...
As United States military forces continued their attack against militant group Islamic State, or ISIL, officials said more than 150 airstrikes have been conducted across Iraq since last month. What US President Barack Obama called a “counter-terrorism strategy” on Wednesday was referred to by White House press secretary Josh Earnest as a “war” on Friday. “In the same way that we are at war with Al-Qaeda and its affiliates around the globe, we are at war with ISIL,” said Earnest. “But make no mistake when I say we, I’m not talking just about the United States. I’m talking about this broader international coalition that includes Sunni-led governments in the region and our allies around the world,” Earnest continued. There has been no firm commitment to the military coalition yet from Turkey, even though it shares long borders with both Syria and Iraq, and is one of Washington’s main allies in the region. Also missing from the list of countries backing the military campaign is Iran. John Kerry, US Secretary of State explained: “No one has called me and asked me with respect to the presence of Iran, but I think under the circumstances, at this moment in time, it would not be right for any number of reasons.” One Arab county that is in the coalition, Saudi Arabia, has promised to provide training camps for moderate Sunni fighters from Syria. Less
US Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Paris ahead of Monday’s international conference on battling militant group Islamic State ...
US Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Paris ahead of Monday’s international conference on battling militant group Islamic State (ISIL). Nearly 40 nations have so far agreed to contribute to what Kerry said would be a worldwide fight to defeat the militants. Kerry flew to Paris from Cairo where he met the Egyptian president and foreign minister. Egypt’s strong public support for Kerry’s campaign contrasts with a mixed response from elsewhere in the region. ISIL militants have carried out mass killings of Sunnis, Shi’ites, Christians, Yazidis and Kurds. Governments fear their own citizens who fight for the militants could return and threaten national security. The US-led coalition will carry out a potentially complex military campaign to defeat the jihadists. Less
US Secretary of State John Kerry is among forty or so foreign ministers meeting in Paris today at a specially convened conference to discuss...
US Secretary of State John Kerry is among forty or so foreign ministers meeting in Paris today at a specially convened conference to discuss battling the militant group Islamic State, or ISIL. In the run up Kerry has been trying to build up as broad a coalition as possible to take on the extremists. The UK’s Prime Minister David Cameron has already discussed Britain’s role: “We will work with the Iraqi government to ensure it represents all of its people and is able to tackle this threat effectively. We will support the Kurdish regional government while holding the frontline against ISIL. (…) British tornadoes and surveillance aircraft have been helping with intelligence gathering and logistics. This is not about British combat troops on the ground, it is about working with others to extinguish this terrorist threat.” Footage of the murder of the latest hostage to be killed by Islamic State – British aid worker David Haines – has put Cameron under pressure to get much tougher with ISIL. Mike Haines has given his reaction to his brother’s brutal death: “The Muslim faith is not to blame for ISIL, nor is it the fault of people of Middle Eastern descent. ISIL are extremely dangerous, and pose a threat to every nation, every religion, every politics and every person. Radicalisation remains the biggest threat to the wholesale safety of every person in the world.” David Haines was taken hostage in Syria last year while working for a French aid agency. Militants have have killed two US hostages in recent weeks and threatened to murder another British hostage currently held. Less
French President Francois Hollande says the threat from Islamic State militants in Iraq & Syria is global and that the response must be glob...
French President Francois Hollande says the threat from Islamic State militants in Iraq & Syria is global and that the response must be global. Speaking at the start of a conference in Paris to tackle the insurgency, he called for a co-ordinated response, which is likely to see an intensification of airstrikes. “This conference has a single goal: to provide the political support needed to fight against a major threat called Islamic State which threatens Iraq, the Middle East and is a major risk for the whole world,” said Hollande. He also said the murder of British aid worker David Haines was a frightening illustration of the threat. Iraqi President Fuad Masum also appealed to the 30 countries attending for help in reunifying his country. The talks are being held as the French military joins their British colleagues in launching surveillance flights over Iraq. Several countries have offered to take part in air strikes on IS positions, a move welcomed by US Secretary of State John Kerry. Less
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