Stories about War & Conflict from March, 2012
Turkey: Riot Police Continue to Clash with Kurds Celebrating Newroz
Kurdish people are the largest ethnic group in Turkey. They have been subject to state-sanctioned discrimination and human rights violations. Today, in Yuksekova, which is a district in the Hakkari province of Turkey, Kurdish people were attacked for gathering to celebrate Newroz - the Kurdish new year.
Macedonia: March for Peace as “First Step.” What Now?
Thousands of people turned out to express their willingness to live together in peace by walking the streets and bridges of Skopje during the March for Peace on March 17. Filip Stojanovski reports.
Ethiopia/Eritrea: Netizens Denounce Winds of War as Ethio-Eritrea War 2.0 Looms
Ethiopia and Eritrea fought one of the most gruesome war in the world between May 1998 and June 2000. Following the attack on Eritrea by Ethiopian troops on 17 March, Ethiopians are voicing their opinions online denouncing the winds of war in the renewed conflict between the two countries.
Bahrain: When is a Molotov Cocktail Acceptable?
Marc Owen Jones collects videos allegedly showing Bahrain police forces throwing molotov cocktail (petrol bombs) at protesters and property in this post. Meanwhile, Bahrain has just charged 28 civilians with “attempted murder” for throwing molotov cocktails at policemen.
Turkey: Police Attack Kurds Celebrating Newroz
Thousands of Kurds took to the streets in celebration of Newroz across Turkey today but were dispersed with water cannons and tear gas. The celebration marks the first day of Spring. Kurds in the past were not allowed to exert their Kurdish identity in public, but since the 1980s, Newroz has become a symbolic event in highlighting Kurdish culture, and identity.
Syria: When Assad Falls
Like all Arabs protesting against their dictators, Syrians have many hopes and aspirations for life after the toppling of their dictator Bashar Al Assad. On Twitter, Syrians are sharing their dreams under the hash tag #WhenAssadFalls
Yemen: Remembering the Friday of Dignity
A year ago, around 52 protesters were killed and close to 100 were reportedly injured in Sanaa. Netizens remember the day, March 18 - a turning point in Yemen's revolution, which made many people, statesmen, diplomats, and soldiers defect and join the ranks of the protesters.
A Love Letter From Israel to Iran
A message of love from Israelis to Iranians sounds stranger than fiction in these tense years where Iranian and Israeli governments threaten each other constantly. But we see examples of just this in a new Facebook campaign.
Macedonia: Peace March – Enthusiasm, Controversy
The upcoming March for Peace in Skopje has overwhelming support, evident through the positive uproar in social media. Lone voices, however, warn the initiative is used as a PR opportunity by celebrities, and even as a hypocritical alibi for known hatemongers.
South Korea: Twitter Photos of One-Person Relay Protest against Jeju Naval Base Construction
South Korean Tweeters have joined rallies against the Jeju naval base construction that has been blamed for disrupting residents’ livelihood and destroying a rare ecosystem. Each Twitter user has volunteered to take turns to one-person protest against the construction and to tweet the photos, such as user @okeeffe00, @sirdy10 and @yds5921 did in...
Sri Lanka: War On Twitter Between Celebrities
DBS Jeyaraj informs that the Channel 4 Film “Killing Fields” based on Sri Lankan civil war caused an war of tweets between celebrity Sri Lankan born singer MIA and journalist Anderson Cooper.
Syria: Friday's Demonstrations on Video
Saudi blogger Ahmed Al Omran complies a Storify collection of videos allegedly leaked from Syria today. Many show protests which happened this Friday. [Warning: Some of the videos contain graphic material)
DR of Congo: Videos Helped Convict Thomas Lubanga of War Crimes
On March 14, 2012 the International Criminal Court found Thomas Lubanga, a former rebel leader in the eastern Congo, guilty of using children in armed conflict. The judge said video interviews with child soldiers formed part of the evidence that helped persuade the court.
Uganda: Yes We Kony!
A social media campaign to raise support for the arrest Ugandan guerrilla leader and wanted war criminal Joseph Kony has taken a humorous twist. Parody videos about the campaign are currently circulating online.
Syria: “The Day We Knew What It Meant to Be Syrian”
Today marks the first anniversary of the uprising in Syria. On Twitter, Syrians and their allies utilized the #Syria and #March15 hashtags to commemorate the day, remember the country's martyrs, and reflect on the year behind them.
Syria: Crackdown Against Journalists Continues
With thousands killed, tortured, arrested and disappeared, the Syrian struggle continues amid unprecedented brutality. In its attempt to silence activists, the regime has stepped up its crackdown against journalists, bloggers and video activists. Salma Yafi, a student of Journalism and member for the National Development Party, is one of the regime's latest victims.
Macedonia: “Who Wants War in Macedonia?”
At civil4tolerance (tolerance-mk) blog, Xhabir Deralla explains why the Macedonian government is responsible for the current rise of interethnic violence.
Macedonia: March for Peace Scheduled for Saturday, March 17
The people of multi-ethnic Macedonia are organizing a March for Peace this Saturday as an expression of concern that the recent hate crimes are a harbinger of civil war. Filip Stojanovski reports.
After Kony 2012, “What I Love About Africa” Reclaims Narrative
An online campaign about Ugandan war criminal Joseph Kony has caused enormous controversy in Africa. A counter initiative to highlight positive aspects of the African continent #WhatILoveAboutAfrica is now trending on Twitter.
Afghanistan: Sunday’s massacre
Joshua Foust reviews media reactions and provides his own comments regarding the massacre on Sunday of 16 innocent Afghans — 9 of them children.
Azerbaijan: Pyrrhic victory
Again writing on Facebook, journalist Khadija Ismayil, recently under pressure with an alleged threat of blackmail, provides five reasons why the Eurovision Song Contest to be staged this May in Baku might prove to be a Pyrrhic victory for Azerbaijan.
