Tag Archives: Militants

13 June 2014

US pledges military support to Iraq, Iran considers cooperating with US

On 12 June, the United States President Barack Obama pledged military support to Iraq, possibly including air strikes, in order to halt militants from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), who want to set up their own state in Iraq and Syria. Nevertheless, Washington said that the primary responsibility for security in Iraq rests with the Iraqi government and criticised Baghdad for the failure to secure national assistance with more inclusive policies. (more…)

Source: Reuters | Exclusive: Alarmed by Iraq, Iran open to shared role with U.S. - Iran official
Source: The Guardian | Obama pledges US support to Iraq as Isis militants approach Baghdad
Source: The New York Times | Russia Sees American ‘Adventurism’ in Iraq Behind Current Conflict
Source: The Guardian | Security collapse in Iraqi city of Mosul is not solely Maliki's responsibility

18 February 2013

Plans for French counterterrorism operation in Mali, next to UN peace keeping force

The New York Times reports that there is a likely role for French counterterrorism forces in tracking down militants in Mali, also after the French troops will be replaced by a United Nations peacekeeping force. A State Department official of the United States stated that ‘there’s going to be an ongoing need for a counterterrorism operation in northern Mali, and that probably will always reside in the hands of the French and not in the hands of the United Nations.’

Source: The New York Times | Official Details French Role in Mali

17 January 2013

AU Troops Killed 7 Civilians in Somalia

The New York Times reports that African Union (AU) troops mistakenly opened fire on a religious school while pursuing militants, killing five children and two adults. The troops are part of the African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM). The Acting Force Commander states that it was investigated whether rules pertaining to AMISOM’s responsibility to minimize civilian casualties during its operations had been breached.

Source: The New York Times | Somali Official: AU Troops Killed 7 Civilians

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