North Korea
North Korea said it was ready to launch its long-range rocket. The US and South Korea said the launch would be regarded as provocative. Russia criticized the planned launch. China called for calm.
Monthly Archives: April 2012
Syria
Syria ignored the UN deadline for a pullback of troops from urban areas. Syrian officials said some troops were pulled back, but France called this a “blatant lie” and the US saw no evidence of a pullback. Turkey agreed. Rebels reported shelling in Homs, Hama, and Aleppo.
Yemen
Fifty-six al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters, four soldiers, and three tribesmen were killed during the second day of fighting in Lawder in Abyan province. Eight soldiers and five AQAP fighters were killed in a clash in Marib province.
Indonesia
Indonesia: Attack on commercial plane prompts more security
AQAP, Yemeni forces battle in south
Heavy fighting has been reported as AQAP attacked bases in Lawdar and Marib.
North Korea
China, between a rocket and a hard place on North Korea
Somalia
Three people were killed during fighting between Shabaab and Kenyan forces in Gedo. Somali troops in Mogadishu fought amongst themselves, killing two people. Shabaab abandoned Mahas.
Egypt
Egypt court blocks creation of constitutional assembly
United States
Yemeni officials offer guarantees for repatriation of detainees
Malaysia
Malaysia introduces law to end indefinite detention without trial
Al Qaeda
Osama bin Laden’s widows and children ‘shown in video’
Afghanistan
Afghan Carpet Exports Decrease 95% in Five Years
Taliban suicide bombers kill 17 in attacks in south, west
The Taliban continue to target Afghan security forces, while ISAF’s spokesman said the Coalition hasn’t seen evidence of “cohesive action” by the Taliban.
United Kingdom
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Britain can extradite notorious jihadist preacher Abu Hamza and four other suspected terrorists to the US for trial. Hamza has been charged with supporting al Qaeda and involvement in a fatal kidnapping. He and the other suspects – Babar Ahmad, Syed Tahla Ahsan, Adel Abdul Bary, and […]
Afghanistan
No sign of spring offensive by Taliban, NATO says
Afghanistan
Afghan security forces worry over fratricidal brothers-in-arms
Al Qaeda
Saudi activists fight through their fear
Afghanistan
US Transfers Control of Special Operations to Afghans
Al Qaeda
France takes new look at radicalization in prisons
Afghanistan
ISAF killed the IMU’s top leader in Afghanistan in Faryab and a Taliban leader in Badakhshan. Security forces killed 16 Taliban fighters. A British soldier wounded in February died from complications.
North Korea
In a further escalation of tensions, South Korea intelligence officials said North Korea was preparing to conduct another nuclear bomb test. The report followed an announcement by North Korea that it would launch a long-range rocket later this month.
Iran
Iran and Western nations agreed to a new round of nuclear talks in Istanbul starting April 14. US and Europe called on Iran to end uranium enrichment. Iran indicated a compromise may be possible.
Syria
Prospects for the latest UN-sponsored peace plan faded as violence spread. Government forces shelled the city of Homs, killing 30. Turkey protested after Syrian government forces fired at a refugee camp across the border.
Afghanistan
Qatar to Establish Embassy in Kabul
Iraq
US policy on Iraq questioned as influence wanes, Maliki consolidates power
Lebanon
Gunfire from Syria crosses 2 borders as conflict deepens; at least 1 killed
Egypt
Omar Suleiman accuses Islamists of sending him death threats
Yemen
Twenty-three al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula fighters, nine Yemeni soldiers, and a tribesman were killed in a clash in Lauder in Abyan province. AQAP killed two soldiers in Aden. Yemeni troops loyal to the former Air Force commander looted the Al Dailami airbase.
Mali
Sahara states at odds over Mali rebels
Somalia
Shabaab killed 12 civilians and two soldiers in an IED attack that targeted a military patrol in Baidoa. AMISOM said it is establishing four bases in central and southern Somalia.