· May, 2013

Stories about War & Conflict from May, 2013

What's Going on in Michoacán, Mexico?

  31 May 2013

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

  29 May 2013

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.

Twin Suicide Car Bombings in Niger Kill 23

  23 May 2013

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. He adds that military school students are currently being held hostages by another attacker following the bombing. Simultaneously, another car...

Update on Colombia Peace Process

  22 May 2013

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 pass their six-month anniversary, the talks are proceeding in an atmosphere of increased, though still moderate, optimism. This will grow...

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.

Anonymous Hacks North Korea Again

  13 May 2013

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 Project’ was shared via Pastebin, North Korea tech explains in detail.

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.

PHOTOS: Vietnam War-Era Posters

  11 May 2013

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 plant trees. For the interest in 100 years [we] have to plant man.

Rios Montt Testifies in Genocide Trial

  10 May 2013

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 and defense gave their closing statements and the main accused, Rios Montt, finally declared. James Rodriguez shares a photo essay...

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 violent and unethical use of predator drones in combating them. We are against the death of civilians, whom you refer...