Stories about War & Conflict from January, 2013
Gabon to Mali: History of French Military Interventions in Africa
The French military intervention in Mali, known as Operation Serval started on January 11 following the advance of terrorists groups towards Bamako. Lauded by a substantial part of the Malian population and many outside observers, the military intervention diverts, however, from the non-interventionist line professed by French President Hollande in Africa.
More than 80 Killed at Aleppo University in Syria
War in Syria reached the heart of Aleppo University when two blasts killed over 80 people and injured over 160 on January 15, 2013.
PHOTOS: Pakistan's Countrywide Shia Solidarity Protests End Peacefully
After the bombings in Quetta killed more than 100 people of the Hazara Shia community, protests spread like fire across Pakistan. People from all sects and tribes joined hands together to show solidarity with the Hazaras chanting #WeAreAllHazara. Sit-ins were registered in more than 100 cities and towns.
Reconciliation Day in Southern Yemen
Thousands of people from all six southern provinces in southern Yemen flocked to the city of Aden over the past few days in order to participate in the carnival of "reconciliation and forgiveness". The carnival commemorates the civil war in former South Yemen which took place in 1986.
Kony's LRA Kills Villagers in Yalinga, Central African Republic
While the Central African Republic awaits a new prime minister [fr] after the peace talks in Libreville, the army reports that Joseph Kony and the Lord Resistance Army LRA have killed...
Tuareg Families Regroup to Avoid Airstrikes in Northern Mali
We must regroup so that airplanes can tell us apart from the targeted ismalists fighters who will be on the move. Tuareg refugees in Borj and Timeaouine in Northern Mali...
Graffiti War on Syrian Walls
Graffiti is an art that can be labelled under civil disobedience and peaceful expression. Although the Syrian Revolution has intrinsic humanitarian values; it is a revolution with artistic aspects. Painting is one of the most important methods a human being uses to express ideas; it is the fastest way to illustrate an idea or to make people interact with this idea. See how Syrians are using their creativeness on Syria's walls
“We Are All Hazara” Protests Across Pakistan
Thousands across Pakistan and worldwide are showing solidarity with the Shia Hazara minority, as their sit-in protest enters its second day in the country's southwestern city, Quetta.
2012: A Year of Revolt and Social Change in Francophone Countries: Part 1 of 2
The year 2012 was marked by armed conflicts in Mali, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic. There were elections in Senegal, Quebec and France, while demonstrations for change took place in Chad, Madagascar and Togo. Debates raged on issues such as immigration, the economic crisis and equality in marriage laws. This is the first part of a review of the year 2012 in Francophone countries.
Social Media Buzz: The Fallout of Assad's Speech
President Bashar Al Assad gave a rare speech on Sunday, his first since June, igniting Facebook and Twitter discussions that provided a jolt to both his supporters and opponents. The online discussion followed a predictable flow. Assad opponents dismissed the speech, pointing out that nothing new was said, while Assad supporters were invigorated, gleeful at the defiance of their embattled president.
An Alawite Nurse in a Sunni Hospital in Syria
Traveling through rebel-held parts of Latakia province, in the Jebel Turkman region, we met 34-year-old Umyara, an Alawite nurse working in a field hospital. In Latakia, a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad, Sunnis and Alawites have lived side by side for centuries. Now, with intense fighting in the Alawite-led regime and the mostly Sunni-led Free Syrian Army, many fear the animosity could spread to civilians across the religious divide.
The Last Survivors of Aleppo’s Infantry School
Adel and Ahmad, two 24-year-old college graduates from Idlib, are survivors of a showdown between the rebels and the regime. When the battle began for a military school near Aleppo, they were inside, serving time in the Syrian Army. They had been on both sides of the revolution, joining in peaceful protests against the Assad regime, but they had refused to join in the armed conflict against the government.
Zambian Ex-President Banda on his 2011 Election Defeat
Former Zambian President Rupiah Banda has stated in a YouTube video interview that he did not contest the 2011 elections results because he did not want the country to go to war which his opponents were seemingly ready for.
Assad's Delusional #DonkeySpeech Scorned
Bashar Al Assad's latest speech, 21 months into Syria's uprising, drew scorn from netizens around the world. Many are also dismayed that not much is being done to alleviate the suffering of Syrians. Around 60,000 people have reportedly been killed, food and fuel are scarce and millions are homeless, either internally displaced by the crisis or living in refugee camps in neighbouring countries.
“We Cannot Do it Alone”, A Mayor's Plea for US Intervention in Mali
Lawless and godless men — who hide behind Shariah and demands for Tuareg independence — are now beating and raping women and conscripting children to fight their “holy” war. And the...
Yesterday, I Defected from Assad's Army
As part of our collaboration with Syria Deeply; we are cross-posting a series of articles that capture civilian voices caught in the crossfire, along with perspectives on the conflict from writers around...
“Some Hope for a Solution in Syria” – Michel Kilo
Michel Kilo is one of Syria’s famous dissidents, a political opponent of President Bashar al Assad. He rose to prominence inthe Damascus Spring, a brief flourishing of political freedom and expression in 2000. Kilo left Syria eight months into the revolution and now lives in Paris with his family. He answered questions from Syria Deeply via Skype.
A New Year of Syria’s Turmoil
As the world celebrated the dawn of 2013, in Syria, the regime and the rebels were fighting for the suburbs of Damascus. On Twitter, netizens spell out their anxiousness and hopes for the year ahead.
Taliban Commander Maulvi Nazir Killed As US Drone Strikes
Maulvi Nazir, a leading militant of the Taliban, has been killed by an American drone strike. Pakistanis are apprehensive on social media sites about how ordinary citizens and military forces may react to this news.
Social Media Buzz: Rebels Lose a Charismatic Commander in Syria
Millions of Syrians are using social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Skype to disseminate and discuss the conflict. Each week our Mohammed Sergie monitors the online conversation in English and Arabic, pulling out the highlights in a feature called the Social Media Buzz.
