Latest news with #armedconflict
News24
a day ago
- News24
Soldiers killed in bandit attacks on Nigerian Army bases
At least 17 soldiers were killed when armed gangs attacked three of the army's forward operating bases in central and northwestern Nigeria. In what appeared to be a coordinated assault, the gangs, commonly referred to locally as bandits, attacked bases on Tuesday in the states of Niger and Kaduna. The attackers engaged troops in prolonged firefights lasting several hours. 'Sadly, some gallant warriors paid the supreme price in the day-long battles while four troops wounded in action are currently receiving treatment for their gunshot wounds,' the army said in a statement on Wednesday. One officer told the AFP news agency, 'bandits attacked the camp while others laid ambush on soldiers outside.' Nigerian Army launched counteroffensive The Nigerian Army confirmed the attacks and said it had launched counteroffensives in coordination with the Nigerian Air Force, which resulted in 'significant enemy losses'. Armed groups operating in the northwest are known for mass kidnappings for ransom and frequent attacks on security personnel. They maintain camps in a vast forest that spans parts of Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna states in the northwest, as well as Niger state in the central region. In addition to fighting armed gangs, the Nigerian military continues to face persistent threats from Boko Haram and 'Islamic State'-affiliated groups operating in the region. Earlier in June, gunmen killed scores of people in Benue state. Amnesty International Nigeria said that at least 100 people were killed, and police later reported that 26 suspects were arrested in connection with the attack.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Security Council hears of record violations against kids in conflicts, as UN report sparks outcry over Gaza
NEW YORK CITY: The UN Security Council convened on Wednesday to address what officials described as an unprecedented surge in grave violations against children during armed conflicts around the world. It followed the publication of a devastating annual report by the secretary-general's special representative for children and armed conflict, Virginia Gamba. It documented 41,370 grave violations during 2024, a 25 percent increase compared with the previous year, and the highest number since the UN's Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism was established in 2005. Verified abuses of children spanned 25 countries and included killings, maiming, recruitment, abductions, sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, and denial of access to humanitarian assistance. 'This year marked a devastating new record,' Gamba told council members. 'Behind these numbers are the shattered stories, dreams and futures of over 22,000 children.' She cited a sharp increase in 'compounded violations,' in which children were abducted, recruited and sexually abused, often simultaneously, in the context of deteriorating humanitarian crises. Israel was responsible for the highest number of violations by a single country against children in 2024, the report found. Gamba's office was able to verify more than 2,000 children killed or maimed; more than 500 attacks on schools and 148 on hospitals; and over 5,000 incidents in which humanitarian access was denied, including 2,263 in Gaza alone. Algeria's ambassador to the UN, Amar Bendjama, delivered a pointed rebuke of what he described as 'insufficient public engagement' by the special representative's office, noting that Gamba had made only two public statements on Gaza during 2024, despite the staggering toll of the conflict there on children. 'How can we ignore the 7,188 verified grave violations attributed to Israeli forces?' Bendjama asked. 'This is a man-made crisis … The children of Gaza deserve immediate, effective protection and accountability for those perpetrating these abhorrent violations.' He also underscored the fact that the statistics in the report reflected only verified violations and added: 'For sure, the reality is far worse. 'The (special representative's) statements fall critically short of the decisive and sustained condemnation warranted by the immense scale of the crisis. This limited public engagement starkly contrasts with the rapidly deteriorating reality on the ground, where children's right to life is denied every single moment in Gaza.' He then presented to council members the numbers of incidents reported by international humanitarian organizations, including UNICEF, which is operating on the ground in Gaza and has reported more than 50,000 children killed or injured since the war between Israel and Hamas began in late 2023. As of May this year, 5,000 children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old had been diagnosed with acute malnutrition, he said, nearly double the total number reported the previous month. About half of the 1.9 million people internally displaced within Gaza are children, who are living amid the widespread destruction of water, sanitation and healthcare infrastructure. 'How can we ignore these figures? How can we ignore these children?' Bendjama asked. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that Guterres fully supports Gamba's work, adding: 'The report is done under a very specific methodology of verification, and we are very clear in the report that this is the tip of the iceberg. '(Gamba's) report is done according to a methodology which is given to her through her mandate by the Security Council, which is extremely specific. And I think the report itself is extremely clear in saying these are only the cases they have been able to verify in what is an ongoing conflict, and also being very clear by the fact that this only represents, very likely, a fraction of the children who've been killed or maimed.' Asked by Arab News about the value of a report when the monitoring system on which it is based is admittedly very flawed, and whether it might be time to update the mechanisms, Dujarric said: 'I will leave it to the wisdom of the Security Council members to decide whether or not to change the mandate they have given the secretary-general in creating that office many years ago. 'I think we've all said that the system could be perfected. At minimum, it ensures that the plight of children who are suffering on the front lines of armed conflict is not forgotten.' Dorothy Shea, the US charge d'affaires to the UN, defended Israel over its military operations in Gaza and placed the blame for the ongoing conflict squarely on Hamas. She emphasized Israel's right to self-defense, and told fellow council members that the country had 'taken numerous measures to limit harm to civilians and address humanitarian needs.' She added: 'The loss of civilian life in Gaza is tragic. But the responsibility for this conflict rests with Hamas, which could stop the fighting today by freeing the hostages and agreeing to the ceasefire terms already accepted by Israel.' Shea cited the attacks by Hamas against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 people, including 40 children, and in particular highlighted the deaths of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, Israeli siblings who were 4 years old and 9 months old, respectively. 'Hamas murdered the Bibas children and then paraded their coffins through the streets,' she said. 'This terrorist organization continues to use civilians, including children, as human shields and refuses to accept a ceasefire that would bring calm to Gaza.' Shea also accused Hamas of obstructing deliveries of aid and targeting humanitarian workers. 'On June 11, Hamas murdered eight innocent Palestinians working on behalf of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,' she told the council. The US envoy expressed disappointment that the latest report did not sufficiently highlight what she described as the 'full scale' of abuses by Hamas and added: 'We strongly condemn Hamas' actions.' UNICEF's director of child protection, Sheema Sen Gupta, told council members that 'the world is failing to protect children from the horrors of war.' In 2024, more than 11,900 children were killed or maimed worldwide, she said, with explosive weapons in populated areas cited as the leading cause of deaths and injuries. She described this as a 'systemic failure,' and the use of such weapons as 'a death sentence waiting to be triggered.' Sen Gupta also highlighted a 35 percent increase in sexual violence against children, a form of abuse that remains severely underreported because of stigma and fear. 'These are not just grave violations in technical terms,' she said. 'These are acts of brutality that destroy lives.' Conflict zones such as Somalia, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Haiti were highlighted as major hot spots for violations of children's rights. In Congo alone, nearly 10,000 rapes were reported in the first two months of 2025, 40 percent of which involved children. In Haiti, where gangs control vast areas, there has been a dramatic surge in gang rapes and child abductions. Both Gamba and Sen Gupta emphasized the fact that many of the violations stem from the deliberate targeting of civilians, disregard for ceasefire agreements, and the systematic undermining of humanitarian access. The secretary-general's report also underscored the continuing sense of impunity that perpetrators enjoy. However, the officials pointed to some progress. In 2024, for example, more than 16,000 children formerly associated with military forces and other armed groups were released and received reintegration support. Agreements were also reached with armed forces in Syria, Colombia, the Central African Republic and Haiti, with commitments made to end the recruitment of children and protect civilian infrastructure. 'These examples remind us that where there is political will, progress is possible,' said Sen Gupta. The UN officials called for urgent measures to address the problems, including: an end to the use of explosive weapons in populated areas; protection of aid workers and humanitarian access; engagement with nonstate armed groups to implement action plans; funding for reintegration and mental health services to help affected children; and the enforcement of international humanitarian law and accountability for violators. Gamba urged all states to ensure that any political, financial or military support provided to parties involved in conflicts comes with explicit conditions regarding the protection of children. 'Children are not soldiers, they are not collateral damage, they are not bargaining chips,' Sen Gupta said. 'They are children and they deserve justice, safety and a future.'
Reuters
19-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Israel-Iran crisis climbs ladder of financial risk: podcast
Follow on Apple or Spotify. Listen on the Reuters app. Read the episode transcript. The outbreak of armed conflict between the two nations is a perilous new front in the ongoing Middle East hostilities. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss the dissonance between a mild market response and the manifold paths to further escalation. Follow Jonathan Guilford on X and LinkedIn (The hosts are Reuters Breakingviews columnist. The opinions expressed are their own.) FURTHER READING Gulf risk goes beyond a blocked Strait of Hormuz Iran attack shunts Gulf into more volatile realm Beijing has more at stake in Iran besides just oil Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit to opt-out of targeted advertising.
CBS News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
State Department elevates travel advisory for Israel to "do not travel," highest level
Washington — The State Department on Monday raised its travel advisory for Israel to Level 4, the highest level, and warned U.S. citizens not to travel to the country due to "armed conflict, terrorism and civil unrest." The escalated warning from the State Department comes on the fourth day of attacks exchanged between Israel and Iran, which has launched retaliatory strikes against Israel after its sweeping attacks targeting military and nuclear infrastructure late last week. Tehran said at least 224 people have been killed in the assault since last Friday. At least 24 people in Israel have died in Iranian ballistic missile launches that have managed to make it through Israeli air defenses, its military said. "The security situation in Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is unpredictable, and U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire and armed UAV intrusions and missiles, can take place without warning," the State Department said in its travel advisory. The department also warned Americans against traveling "for any reason" to the West Bank due to "terrorism and civil unrest" and to Gaza because of "terrorism and armed conflict." It told those who decide to go to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip to take certain precautions, including drafting a will and securing food, supplies and medicine for an "extended or indefinite period" because of closed border crossings with Israel and Egypt. "The U.S. government is unable to provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Gaza as U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling there," the advisory states. "The security environment within Gaza and on its borders is extremely dangerous and volatile." The State Department said that the security environment in the region is "complex and can change quickly," and warned that violence can take place in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza without warning. Additionally, it said "terrorist groups, lone-actor terrorists and other violent extremists continue plotting possible attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza," and may target tourist locations and transportation hubs, as well as areas popular with civilians like markets and shopping malls. The elevated travel advisory comes after the Department of State on Saturday allowed family members of government employees and some non-emergency government workers to leave the region "due to the volatile and unpredictable security situation." The U.S. Embassy had directed all U.S. government employees and their families to shelter-in-place. The U.S. Embassy in Israel was closed Monday because of the continued shelter-in-place, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee said. He wrote on social media that the American consulate in Tel Aviv sustained "minor damage from concussions" of an Iranian missile that hit nearby, but no U.S. personnel were injured.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Thousands of children recruited by armed groups in Colombia
When Colombian senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot in the head on 7 June, it shocked the international community. After years of growing peace, the attack was a callback to Colombia's most violent years, when cartel-ordered assassinations were a common the identity of the alleged shooter proved even more shocking - a 15-year-old child. A video, shared widely online, shows police arresting a young man with a boyish face and hair over his shoulders, wearing blue jeans and a green has reported that after he was swiftly arrested, he cried out: "I did it for money for my family." He subsequently pleaded not guilty, the prosecutor's office said. Turbay has remained in critical condition at a clinic in Bogotá since last Saturday. Authorities are now searching for the people behind this crime, who allegedly used the boy to carry out the if it proves to be true, the boy's story is all too common. According to the Colombian Ombudsman's Office, 409 children and teenagers were recruited by armed groups in 2024, an increase from the 342 cases reported in acknowledge that the data is of armed conflict and organised crime have left thousands of children victims of violence in the years, many have been recruited by now-extinct drug organizations like the Medellin cartel led by Pablo Escobar and left-wing guerrillas, paramilitary forces and new armed and criminal groups."Minors were even used by public forces in undercover missions. Every single actor of the conflict has recruited minors," Max Yuri, director of the Institute of Political Studies at Antioquia University, told BBC Mundo. The child hitmen hired by Escobar In the 1980s, many youngsters and minors were picked up by Escobar to carry out hits."It was known as the practice of 'Los suizos'. Many youngsters and minors joined suicidal missions," Jorge Mantilla, a criminologist and security consultant and security coordinator for the Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development, told BBC of the most infamous was John Jairo Arias Tascón, known as 'Pinina,' considered to be one of the hitmen closest to is linked to several high-profile crimes, such as the assassination of the minister of justice Rodrigo Lara Bonilla in 1984; the attack on Avianca Flight 203, in which 110 people died in 1989; as well as several murders of politicians, journalists, civilians, and criminal died aged 29 in a shoot-out with police in 1990 in Medellin. It is believed he started as a hitman as young as 22 March 1990, another 14-year-old boy named Andrés Arturo Gutiérrez Maya shot and killed presidential candidate Bernardo Jaramillo Ossa at Bogotá's El Dorado there was Gerardo Gutierrez, "Yerry", another young man who ended up being the main suspect in the killing of presidential candidate Carlos Pizarro Leongomez in was initially blamed for the crime, but he denied any to the Historical Memory Center in Colombia, "Yerry" was shot dead by a bodyguard. Years later, the leader of the paramilitary group United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, Carlos Castaño, admitted that he trained the hitman and planned the crime along with corrupted Colombian this day, the murder of Pizarro has not been fully solved. Minors as war weapon Recruited children usually share a common come from low-income urban areas or isolated rural territories where the Colombian state has a limited is a difference, however, between rural and urban minors in urban areas often seek to improve their economic and social status, many rural youths are forcibly recruited by armed groups, who also harass and threaten their families."It is a cheap labour force, easy to replace. Because of their malleability, they are often assigned acts of terror such as dismemberment," Mr Yuri said."It is common for them in cities to also be involved in the transportation of weapons, drugs, drug dealing, extortion collection, hitmen work, and murders," he Special Jurisdiction for Peace estimates that more than 18,000 children were recruited by Farc guerrilla between 1996 and 2016, when this left-wing group signed a peace deal with the continued clashes between Colombian forces and other guerrilla groups mean that the demand for child hitmen has not gone the recruitment methods have become more June 2024, the BBC reported how armed groups are using tools such as TikTok to reach youngsters in isolated areas in Colombia. Rising numbers A report by the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo states that 1,953 minors were reported missing in 2024, more than half of whom are still unaccounted information is based on data provided by the National Institute of Legal Medicine, and one of the theories behind the disappearances is that the children may have been forcibly who live in impoverished regions are especially vulnerable. Of the 409 minors the Ombudsman's Office identified as having been recruited, about 300 were detected in Cauca, a troubled part of Colombia where coca is grown to make cocaine, that has become a frequent site of military hotspots for recruitment were Putumayo and Cauca Valley, where the conditions of violence are Mantilla said that some recent data indicated forced recruitment may have skyrocketed by 1,200% in the last few years since the pandemic. The rise is attributed to economic decline in vulnerable areas post-pandemic, and the territorial expansion of armed groups, Mr Yuri said. He also said public institutions are better at tracking these youths than they once were, leading to a rise in the overall official numbers. "Child recruitment has been possible because of the existence of unprotected, abandoned and marginalised children, and legal loopholes in the Colombian justice system," Mr Mantilla said.
