Yearly Archives: 2016

France to end military operations in Central African Republic

French President Francois Hollande announced on Wednesday that France would end its military mission in the Central African Republic in October. “Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will go to the Central African Republic in October to officially declare the end of Operation Sangaris,” said Hollande.

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Libya: 240 unity government fighters die in battle for Sirte

The two-month battle for the Islamic State group’s Libyan stronghold of Sirte has killed more than 240 unity government fighters and wounded over 1 400, a medic said on Tuesday. Forces loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord began an operation in May to recapture the coastal city which …

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UN: Juba death toll probably higher

The United Nations peacekeeping chief says the official government death toll of 272, including 33 civilians, in the recent fighting in the capital is likely “only the tip of the iceberg”. Herve Ladsous told the Security Council on Wednesday that while a ceasefire in Juba, the capital, appears to be …

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Libya's new defence minister survives assassination attempt

ZLibya’s new defence minister is said to have survived a car bomb assassination attempt, One of his guards was wounded by shrapnel. The media office of Mahdi al-Barghathi said on Thursday that the minister came under attack while leaving an army barrack in the eastern city of Benghazi, when a …

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2 UN peacekeepers killed in Mali

Two Dutch UN peacekeepers were accidently killed and one seriously wounded Wednesday in an explosion in northwest Mali during a training exercise, the Dutch defence ministry said. “During the accident, two of our men lost their lives,” said The Netherlands’ Vice Chief of Defence, Vice Admiral Rob Bauer. “Another 23-year-old …

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Libyan army secures Ajdabiya

General Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army has taken control of the city of Ajdabiya east of Sirte, Colonel Fawzi el Mansouri told broadcaster Libya’s Channel on Monday. “The security situation in Ajdabiya is under control,” said Col. El Mansouri, adding that militants of the Defend Benghazi Brigades (DBB) were prevented …

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China, Algeria discuss cooperation against terrorism

China and Algeria on Monday expressed their will to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism, visiting Special Representative of Chinese Foreign Minister Wu Sike said. He said his visit aims at exchanging views on ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in political and economic fields and security, including the …

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Ban calls for arms embargo, sanctions against South Sudan

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Monday for an immediate arms embargo against South Sudan in response to an outbreak of heavy fighting that has left hundreds dead. Ban also appealed to the UN Security Council for targeted sanctions against South Sudanese leaders and commanders blocking implementation of a …

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