Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility
A Taliban attack on a Pakistani military base on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Peshawar killed 33 people on Friday, including 16 worshippers who were gunned down when the militants stormed a mosque inside the compound during prayers. The attack triggered an hour-long firefight at the base. Pakistani forces said they killed 13 of the attackers, though it was unclear how many were involved in the assault. The attack was a major blow for Pakistan’s military, which stepped up operations against the militants following a horrific Taliban attack last December on a Peshawar school that killed 150 people, mostly children.
Croatia shuts most Serbia border crossings
Croatia closed all but one of its border crossings with Serbia after straining to cope with more than 13,000 refugees who have entered the country after Hungary closed its border. Many of the migrants are Syrians and Iraqis fleeing war, who are seeking safety in Western Europe. Serbian officials, fearing the closure in Croatia would block thousands of migrants inside the country, protested Zagreb’s move. Aleksandar Vulin, Serbia’s Social Affairs Minister, said Serbia will take Croatia to international courts if the international border crossings remain closed, arguing that it should have been prepared for the influx.
Refugees crossings of Mediterranean rise to 473,887
A record 473,887 refugees and migrants have crossed the Mediterranean to Europe so far in 2015, the International Organisation for Migration said on Friday, including at least 182,000 Syrians ‒ almost 40% of the total. On Tuesday, the organisation said the number of crossings had jumped by more than 32,000 since the previous Friday.
Toll in Iraq bombing rises to 21
At least 21 people were killed after two suicide bombers targeted Iraqi police checkpoints in central Baghdad. Both attacks were carried out by bombers on foot, wearing explosives-laden vests, according to police. One bomber struck in Baghdad's Bab al-Sharji area, killing nine civilians and three police officers. Forty five people were injured. The second bomber struck at al-Wathba Square, killing nine people, including four policemen, and wounding 31. The Islamic State now holds about a third of Iraq and neighbouring Syria in its self-declared caliphate. Since the emergence of IS extremists, Baghdad has seen near-daily attacks, with roadside bombs, suicide blasts and assassinations targeting Iraqi forces and government officials, with significant civilian casualties.
Burkina Faso junta frees interim president
Burkina Faso’s military released the country’s interim president after he was detained during a coup that dissolved his government on Friday. The junta released a statement saying that Michel Kafando was freed from military custody. The move comes after international condemnation and demands for his release. Kafando, a former U.N. ambassador, had been chosen as an interim civilian leader after longtime President Blaise Compaore was ousted in a popular uprising last October. His government had organized national elections for Oct. 11 but members of the military loyal to Compaore took power and arrested Kafando on Wednesday.
A Taliban attack on a Pakistani military base on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Peshawar killed 33 people on Friday, including 16 worshippers who were gunned down when the militants stormed a mosque inside the compound during prayers. The attack triggered an hour-long firefight at the base. Pakistani forces said they killed 13 of the attackers, though it was unclear how many were involved in the assault. The attack was a major blow for Pakistan’s military, which stepped up operations against the militants following a horrific Taliban attack last December on a Peshawar school that killed 150 people, mostly children.
Croatia shuts most Serbia border crossings
Croatia closed all but one of its border crossings with Serbia after straining to cope with more than 13,000 refugees who have entered the country after Hungary closed its border. Many of the migrants are Syrians and Iraqis fleeing war, who are seeking safety in Western Europe. Serbian officials, fearing the closure in Croatia would block thousands of migrants inside the country, protested Zagreb’s move. Aleksandar Vulin, Serbia’s Social Affairs Minister, said Serbia will take Croatia to international courts if the international border crossings remain closed, arguing that it should have been prepared for the influx.
Refugees crossings of Mediterranean rise to 473,887
A record 473,887 refugees and migrants have crossed the Mediterranean to Europe so far in 2015, the International Organisation for Migration said on Friday, including at least 182,000 Syrians ‒ almost 40% of the total. On Tuesday, the organisation said the number of crossings had jumped by more than 32,000 since the previous Friday.
Toll in Iraq bombing rises to 21
At least 21 people were killed after two suicide bombers targeted Iraqi police checkpoints in central Baghdad. Both attacks were carried out by bombers on foot, wearing explosives-laden vests, according to police. One bomber struck in Baghdad's Bab al-Sharji area, killing nine civilians and three police officers. Forty five people were injured. The second bomber struck at al-Wathba Square, killing nine people, including four policemen, and wounding 31. The Islamic State now holds about a third of Iraq and neighbouring Syria in its self-declared caliphate. Since the emergence of IS extremists, Baghdad has seen near-daily attacks, with roadside bombs, suicide blasts and assassinations targeting Iraqi forces and government officials, with significant civilian casualties.
Burkina Faso junta frees interim president
Burkina Faso’s military released the country’s interim president after he was detained during a coup that dissolved his government on Friday. The junta released a statement saying that Michel Kafando was freed from military custody. The move comes after international condemnation and demands for his release. Kafando, a former U.N. ambassador, had been chosen as an interim civilian leader after longtime President Blaise Compaore was ousted in a popular uprising last October. His government had organized national elections for Oct. 11 but members of the military loyal to Compaore took power and arrested Kafando on Wednesday.
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