Stories about War & Conflict from May, 2013
What's Going on in Michoacán, Mexico?
Is Michoacán a failed state? The state is besieged by organized crime and has lawlessness problems, with self-defence groups and in some regions with religious fanaticism. Governor Fausto Vallejo, meanwhile, is on sick leave. The Army and the Navy have arrived at the state in another attempt by the government to restore order.
Rebels in Thailand's Troubled South Make Public Debut on YouTube
In Thailand's southern borderlands where various Muslim rebel groups have led a deadly nine-year insurgency, the majority of the violence has remained anonymous, committed without any one group coming forward to claim responsibility, make demands, or put a face to the conflict. That is until one of the insurgent groups released a rare video introducing their movement.
Syria Untold: Raqqa Lessons, From Freedom to Creativity in State Building
After the withdrawal of the Syrian army from Raqqa in March 2013, the city suffered a tremendous power vacuum, especially in public services. Syria Untold speaks to activists on the ground who describe a number of campaigns and initiatives led by young people to build the Syria millions dream of.
British Actor Russell Brand on Woolwich
That bloke is a nut. A nut who happens to be Muslim. Blaming Muslims for this is like blaming Hitler’s moustache for the Holocaust.
Yemen Marks Unification Anniversary as South Marches for Independence
A day before Yemen marked the 23rd anniversary of the unification of north and south to form today's Republic of Yemen, thousands gathered in South Yemen in support of independence for the region once more.
Twin Suicide Car Bombings in Niger Kill 23
Benjamin Roger for Jeune Afrique reports [fr] that 18 soldiers, one civilian and four terrorists were killed early morning in an suicide car bombing in Agadez, Niger on May 23....
Update on Colombia Peace Process
WOLA (Washington Office on Latin America) has published an update on the talks between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The report concludes: As they...
14-year-old Citizen Journalist Killed Covering Clashes in Syria
Omar Qatifaan, a 14-year-old media activist, was killed while covering clashes between pro- and anti-government forces in the southern Daraa al-Ballad area of Syria near the border with Jordan.
69th Anniversary of Crimean Tatar Deportations: Memory and Politics in Crimea
On May 18, some 30,000 people gathered at a rally in Crimea's capital Simferopol to honor the memory of the victims of the 1944 Crimean Tatar deportations and to demand the immediate resignation of Anatoly Mogilev, the chairman of Crimea's Council of Ministers.
Turkey: Syrian Refugees Targeted after Reyhanlı Blasts
On May 11th, Reyhanlı [en] small Turkish town on Turkey-Syria border, was under terrorist attacks. This was the biggest terrorist attack [en] in country's 90 year-old republican history. Netizens react to the blast, a government imposed media ban on the tragedy and the targeting of Syrian refugees which followed.
INFOGRAPHIC: The Forced Exile of Palestinians
In commemoration of Nakba Day, the ‘Visualizing Palestine’ graphic team have released their latest infographic entitled “An ongoing displacement” which “quantitatively catalogues the multiple dimensions of Palestinian displacement and loss of land.”
Mothers of Missing Mexicans Go On Hunger Strike
Mothers and other family members of the missing in Mexico have been holding a hunger strike since May 9 to demand that the government keep its promise to search for their loved ones.
‘Syria Untold': The Storytelling of the Syrian Revolution
Syria Untold is a new independent digital media project exploring the storytelling of the Syrian struggle and the country's diverse forms of resistance. The project will be partnering with Global Voices Online.
Anonymous Hacks North Korea Again
Hacker collective Anonymous appears to have launched another round of attacks on major North Korean websites over the weekend. A guideline on targets and tools of ‘Operation North Korea Second...
Kyrgyzstan Celebrates, Debates Victory Day
Victory Day on May 9, marking the end of World War II, is a national holiday celebrated vibrantly in many former Soviet countries, including Kyrgyzstan. This year, Kyrgyzstani Internet users expressed their frustration that the country's "true heroes" are remembered only once a year, and that the holiday has now turned into an excuse to get drunk.
Pakistanis Vote in Huge Numbers Despite Threats, Alleged Poll Rigging
Amid threats of terrorism and reports of rigging, determined voters in Pakistan turned out in high numbers and braved chaotic polling stations and long lines on May 11, 2013 to have their say in the country's first ever democratic transition of power.
Interfaith Groups: Stop Religious Violence in Myanmar
Interfaith groups in Myanmar are actively working for peace, understanding and harmony amid rising cases of violence against the minority Muslims in the country
PHOTOS: Vietnam War-Era Posters
Hello Saigon uploads some posters during the Vietnam War era. One poster features a quote from Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh: For the interest in ten years, [we] have to...
Efraín Ríos Montt Found Guilty of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity
Guatemalan de facto dictator Efraín Ríos Montt was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. The 86-year-old former General was sentenced to 80 years in prison. This landmark verdict sets a precedent for current conflicts around the world.
Rios Montt Testifies in Genocide Trial
On the 26th day of the historic Genocide trial against former de facto head of state Efrain Rios Montt and his Head of Intelligence Jose Mauricio Rodriguez Sanchez, the prosecution...
Yemen: Open Letter to Obama
Yemeni blogger Noon Arabia writes an open letter to US President Barak Obama in which she says: All Yemenis are against terrorism and condemn Al-Qaeda, yet are also against the...
