The Assam Police have sounded an alert over possible terror strikes by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and terror outfit al-Qaeda over alleged persecution of Muslims in the northeastern Indian state.

A circular issued by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) on Saturday said the alert has been issued following reports received from the Special Branch of the state police.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/11-civilians-killed-in-october-alone-in-terrorist-attacks-in-jk-421659">11 civilians killed in October alone in terrorist attacks in J&amp;K</a>

The circular said the ISI is planning to target individuals including the cadres from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)—India's Hindu nationalist organisation—and army areas in Assam and other places in India.

"There is also a threat from global terror outfits to indulge in spectacular action by resorting to explosion of bombs/ IEDs in places of mass gathering/ mass transport/ religious places, etc," the circular stated.

Another input quoted in the circular said the al-Qaeda has called for jihad in Assam and Kashmir.

The circular further said the general secretariat of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has released a statement regarding the Dhalpur eviction drive in Assam's Darrang district, which had claimed the lives of two persons.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-attacks-on-civilians-continue-terrorists-kill-two-labourers-in-kulgam-421608">J&amp;K: Attacks on civilians continue, terrorists kill two labourers in Kulgam</a>

Over 20 people were injured, including policemen, in the anti-encroachment drive against illegal settlers? at Dhalpur in September.

In the statement released through Twitter, the OIC has condemned the systematic persecution and violence ramped up against the Muslim community in Assam'.

Given the inputs, the state's entire police machinery has been asked to take preventive and precautionary measures to thwart any evil design by global terror outfits and fundamental/ radical elements.

All ground sources and intelligence gathering machinery have been asked to be geared up in the districts.&nbsp;

The Assam Police have sounded an alert over possible terror strikes by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and terror outfit al-Qaeda over alleged persecution of Muslims in the northeastern Indian state.

The Assam Police have sounded an alert over possible terror strikes by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and terror outfit al-Qaeda over alleged persecution of Muslims in the northeastern Indian state. A circular issued by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) on Saturday said the alert has been issued following reports received from the Special Branch of the state police. Also Read | 11 civilians killed in October alone in terrorist attacks in J&K The circular said the ISI is planning to target individuals including the cadres from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)—India's Hindu nationalist organisation—and army areas in Assam and other places in India. "There is also a threat from global terror outfits to indulge in spectacular action by resorting to explosion of bombs/ IEDs in places of mass gathering/ mass transport/ religious places, etc," the circular stated. Another input quoted in the circular said the al-Qaeda has called for jihad in Assam and Kashmir. The circular further said the general secretariat of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has released a statement regarding the Dhalpur eviction drive in Assam's Darrang district, which had claimed the lives of two persons. Also Read | J&K: Attacks on civilians continue, terrorists kill two labourers in Kulgam Over 20 people were injured, including policemen, in the anti-encroachment drive against illegal settlers? at Dhalpur in September. In the statement released through Twitter, the OIC has condemned the systematic persecution and violence ramped up against the Muslim community in Assam'. Given the inputs, the state's entire police machinery has been asked to take preventive and precautionary measures to thwart any evil design by global terror outfits and fundamental/ radical elements. All ground sources and intelligence gathering machinery have been asked to be geared up in the districts.

Alert in India's northeastern Assam state over threats from ISI, Al-Qaeda

A Columbian nun who was captured by al-Qaeda-linked Mali jihadists in 2017 has finally been released after four years. Sister Gloria Cecilia Narvaez was taken hostage on 7 February 2017 in southern Mali near the border with Burkina Faso where she had been working as a missionary.

Colombian nun kidnapped in 2017 freed

The US military on Friday named the senior al Qaeda commander killed in an airstrike in the Idlib region of northwest Syria on September 20 as Salim Abu-Ahmad.

The drone strike targeted a vehicle on the road from Idlib city to Binnish, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which said two jihadist commanders died.

US Central Command acknowledged killing an al Qaeda official at the time, but did not name him.

In a statement on Friday, Centcom spokesman John Rigsbee said Salim Abu-Ahmad "was responsible for planning, funding, and approving trans-regional Al-Qaeda attacks."

"There are no indications of civilian casualties as a result of the strike," the statement added.

The Idlib region is dominated by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, but rebels and other jihadists are also present.

Jihadist factions have been the target of Syrian, Russian, US and international coalition strikes in the past. 
&nbsp;

The US military on Friday named the senior al Qaeda commander killed in an airstrike in the Idlib region of northwest Syria on September 20 as Salim Abu-Ahmad. The drone strike targeted a vehicle on the road from Idlib city to Binnish, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which said two jihadist commanders died.

The US military on Friday named the senior al Qaeda commander killed in an airstrike in the Idlib region of northwest Syria on September 20 as Salim Abu-Ahmad. The drone strike targeted a vehicle on the road from Idlib city to Binnish, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which said two jihadist commanders died. US Central Command acknowledged killing an al Qaeda official at the time, but did not name him. In a statement on Friday, Centcom spokesman John Rigsbee said Salim Abu-Ahmad "was responsible for planning, funding, and approving trans-regional Al-Qaeda attacks." "There are no indications of civilian casualties as a result of the strike," the statement added. The Idlib region is dominated by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, but rebels and other jihadists are also present. Jihadist factions have been the target of Syrian, Russian, US and international coalition strikes in the past.

US names al Qaeda commander killed in Syria

America's top military leaders were grilled by US senators on the disastrous Afghan pull-out. The Pentagon leadership said the Taliban was and is a terror group, and admitted the possibility of a reconstituted Al-Qaeda. Molly Gambhir gets you the key takeaways.

Gravitas: Pentagon leaders say Taliban was & is a terror group

The Pentagon has said that a drone strike has hit a vehicle in northwestern Syria resulting in the killing of a senior Al-Qaeda leader. this is what the Americans are claiming and this has happened in the northwestern region of Syria that is largely rebel controlled.

United States air-strike targets Al-Qaeda in Syria

Even as Taliban promises to be different this time, there are signs of terrorist organisations aligning themselves with the new de facto rulers of Afghanistan, with al Qaeda setting its sights on India's Kashmir in a 'congratulatory letter'.

Al&nbsp;Qaeda, &nbsp;the terror group at the heart of the 20-year US war in Afghanistan, "congratulated" the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/we-expect-us-to-reopen-embassy-in-kabul-have-trade-relations-taliban-409822">Taliban</a> for "defeating the Americans". It was the 9/11 terror attacks of 2001 orchestrated by Osama bin Laden that led to the invasion of Afghanistan by the US, and the killing of the al Qaeda chief&nbsp;in 2011 in Pakistan.

In a letter made available on social media, the group said it is the "third time that the Afghan nation within a span of less than two centuries has successfully expelled an invading force."

Significantly, it also mentioned Kashmir.

"Liberate the Levant, Somalia, Yemen, Kashmir and the rest of the Islamic lands" from the "clutches of the enemy", it exhorted the Taliban.

It asked the new de facto rulers of Afghanistan to "prepare for the next stage of struggle" as it called for the "liberation" of Palestine land from Israel, asserting that the "victory" of the Taliban in Afghanistan was a "prelude" to the liberation of Palestine.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/biden-leaving-afghanistan-a-wise-decision-dont-want-to-send-another-generation-to-war-409874/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"America and NATO's Afghan debacle marks the end of the dark era in Western hegemony," it said in the letter, while calling up the Afghan nation to abide by the "Sharia-based policies".

The letter addressed to the Taliban specifically mentions Taliban leader&nbsp;Hibbatullah Akhundzada while praising its late founder&nbsp;Mullah Muhammad Umar who it said&nbsp;"stood firm".

The letter also mentions former president George W Bush who "promised us defeat". Al-Qaida also mentioned Mullah Akhtar Mansour as a "defiant, uncompromising leader" while addressing Jalal ud Din Haqqani as a "mentor of Mujahideen" and "father of martyrs".

"Events proved the way of jihad is the only way that leads victory and empowerment," al Qaeda claimed in the letter.

The terror group made scathing remarks against America claiming that its global reputation was "tarnished" and it was "disgraced and humiliated".

The Taliban fighters had entered Kabul on August 15 as the US escalated its pullout effort. A suicide bomb attack had taken place amid the evacuation at Kabul airport which was claimed by ISIS-K. The attack had claimed the lives of 13 US service members including several Afghans.

The US on Monday night completed its military evacuation as the last C-17 cargo plane left Afghanistan&nbsp;at the stroke of midnight.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Even as Taliban promises to be different this time, there are signs of terrorist organisations aligning themselves with the new de facto rulers of Afghanistan, with al Qaeda setting its sights on India's Kashmir in a 'congratulatory letter'.

Even as Taliban promises to be different this time, there are signs of terrorist organisations aligning themselves with the new de facto rulers of Afghanistan, with al Qaeda setting its sights on India's Kashmir in a 'congratulatory letter'. Al Qaeda, the terror group at the heart of the 20-year US war in Afghanistan, "congratulated" the Taliban for "defeating the Americans". It was the 9/11 terror attacks of 2001 orchestrated by Osama bin Laden that led to the invasion of Afghanistan by the US, and the killing of the al Qaeda chief in 2011 in Pakistan. In a letter made available on social media, the group said it is the "third time that the Afghan nation within a span of less than two centuries has successfully expelled an invading force." Significantly, it also mentioned Kashmir. "Liberate the Levant, Somalia, Yemen, Kashmir and the rest of the Islamic lands" from the "clutches of the enemy", it exhorted the Taliban. It asked the new de facto rulers of Afghanistan to "prepare for the next stage of struggle" as it called for the "liberation" of Palestine land from Israel, asserting that the "victory" of the Taliban in Afghanistan was a "prelude" to the liberation of Palestine. Watch: "America and NATO's Afghan debacle marks the end of the dark era in Western hegemony," it said in the letter, while calling up the Afghan nation to abide by the "Sharia-based policies". The letter addressed to the Taliban specifically mentions Taliban leader Hibbatullah Akhundzada while praising its late founder Mullah Muhammad Umar who it said "stood firm". The letter also mentions former president George W Bush who "promised us defeat". Al-Qaida also mentioned Mullah Akhtar Mansour as a "defiant, uncompromising leader" while addressing Jalal ud Din Haqqani as a "mentor of Mujahideen" and "father of martyrs". "Events proved the way of jihad is the only way that leads victory and empowerment," al Qaeda claimed in the letter. The terror group made scathing remarks against America claiming that its global reputation was "tarnished" and it was "disgraced and humiliated". The Taliban fighters had entered Kabul on August 15 as the US escalated its pullout effort. A suicide bomb attack had taken place amid the evacuation at Kabul airport which was claimed by ISIS-K. The attack had claimed the lives of 13 US service members including several Afghans. The US on Monday night completed its military evacuation as the last C-17 cargo plane left Afghanistan at the stroke of midnight. (With inputs from Agencies)

Al Qaeda 'congratulates' Taliban; mentions Kashmir, Palestine in letter

Foreign jihadists based in Syria's last major rebel bastion killed at least six regime fighters in an attack Friday in the northwest of the country, a war monitor said.&nbsp;

Four Uzbek fighters were also killed after they sneaked up on regime forces on the southern edge of the jihadist-dominated stronghold, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-army-bombards-rebel-bastion-killing-seven-civilians-399757">Syrian army bombards rebel bastion killing seven civilians</a>

The Idlib region, which is home to nearly three million people, is dominated by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate but other rebels and jihadist groups are also present.

An international ceasefire deal has since March 2020 stemmed a Russia-backed regime assault to retake the bastion, though some small jihadist groups have refused the agreement and continued to attack pro-Damascus fighters on its edges.

Friday's attack occurred on the outskirts of the town of Maaret al-Numan, retaken by regime forces in their latest military campaign early last year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-says-thousands-fled-fighting-in-syrias-daraa-403264">UN says thousands fled fighting in Syria's Daraa</a>

The war in Syria, which began in 2011 with a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, has left more than half a million people dead and several million displaced.

Foreign jihadists based in Syria's last major rebel bastion killed at least six regime fighters in an attack Friday in the northwest of the country, a war monitor said.

Foreign jihadists based in Syria's last major rebel bastion killed at least six regime fighters in an attack Friday in the northwest of the country, a war monitor said. Four Uzbek fighters were also killed after they sneaked up on regime forces on the southern edge of the jihadist-dominated stronghold, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Also read | Syrian army bombards rebel bastion killing seven civilians The Idlib region, which is home to nearly three million people, is dominated by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate but other rebels and jihadist groups are also present. An international ceasefire deal has since March 2020 stemmed a Russia-backed regime assault to retake the bastion, though some small jihadist groups have refused the agreement and continued to attack pro-Damascus fighters on its edges. Friday's attack occurred on the outskirts of the town of Maaret al-Numan, retaken by regime forces in their latest military campaign early last year. Also read | UN says thousands fled fighting in Syria's Daraa The war in Syria, which began in 2011 with a crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, has left more than half a million people dead and several million displaced.

Foreign jihadists kill six pro-regime fighters in Syria

Taliban fighters are advancing across Afghanistan, an offensive that has accelerated as US and NATO troops withdraw from the country after a 20-year-long war.

In the past week, the Taliban have overrun areas bordering five countries: Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, China, and Pakistan.

Never has the militant movement appeared so strong since being toppled by US forces two decades ago.

It has executed a string of offensives across Afghanistan, capturing fully or partially about 100 out of more than 400 districts at a dizzying rate since early May.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-troops-in-afghanistan-the-20-year-war-377951/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

How bad is the situation, really?

Afghanistan can possibly be on a path to civil war, according to the head of Britain's armed forces.

Nick Carter, Britain's Chief of the Defence Staff, said it was "plausible" that the country's state would collapse without international forces there. He was speaking after it was announced that most British soldiers have left Afghanistan.

Afghanistan could see a situation like 1990s civil war "where you would see a culture of warlordism and you might see some of the important institutions like security forces fracturing along ethnic, or for that matter, tribal lines," Carter said.

<img alt="Afghanistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="62f64000-a417-41ad-8b1f-7d46987c5c22" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2814%29_29.jpg" />

AFP MAP: Showing parts of Afghanistan currently under government control and territories under the influence of the Taliban

How did Afghanistan get here?

Started as a US-led offensive in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, the war has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Afghans. Around 2,400 US soldiers also died.&nbsp;

Trillions of dollars were squandered in what has largely been deemed a failed nation-building project.

Also see|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-the-return-of-taliban-in-afghanistan-and-the-us-retreat-396932">In Pics | The return of Taliban in Afghanistan, and the US retreat</a>

What began as a mission to dismantle Al-Qaeda's training camps in Afghanistan evolved over the years into a full-scale war against their Taliban hosts, triggering an insurgency that the US military's enormous firepower was unable to quell.

The killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011 by US special forces renewed debate about the purpose of continuing the fight and eventually led to a failed effort to spur talks with the Taliban.

President Donald Trump's election spelled the beginning of the end for the American involvement in Afghanistan.

It culminated in a landmark withdrawal deal hammered out between Washington and the Taliban's leadership in February 2020 in Qatar.

The beginning of the end of US presence in the country came in April with Trump's successor Joe Biden announcing that remaining US troops would be pulled from the country ahead of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, prompting America's NATO allies to follow suit.

Is Afghanistan going back to square one?

The US departure leaves Afghanistan facing an uncertain future, with an increasingly confident Taliban appearing to set the stage for a military takeover, and another round of internecine civil war.

The international community blames the Taliban for stalling landmark peace talks with the Afghan government in Doha as they focused on positioning their troops for a military takeover instead of a political statement.

<img alt="Taliban" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5e065e11-4477-49a9-a780-cbe3bbf86c44" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2816%29_26.jpg" />

In picture: Members of Taliban political office Abdul Latif Mansoor (L), Shahabuddin Delawar (C) and Suhail Shaheen attend a news conference in Moscow, Russia/Reuters

&nbsp;Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, known for his academic disposition and infamous temper, is said to be increasingly isolated at a moment when he is in desperate need of allies.

&nbsp;He has remained defiant despite mounting pressure on his government in the face of territorial losses.

A bleak future

&nbsp;Afghanistan's warlords may be waiting to make a comeback as the country's security forces increasingly look to militia groups to bolster their depleted ranks.

As the Taliban battered their way through the north in June, a call for national mobilisation was sounded, with thousands taking up arms in scenes reminiscent of the 1990s civil war.

New strongmen among Afghanistan's ethnic minorities have also begun arming and training recruits, which may further inflame the country's deep ethnic and sectarian divisions.

Pakistan has backed the Taliban for decades and may finally be able to cash its chips in a future government the insurgents either participate in or lead. 
Islamabad's major goal will focus on preventing arch-rival India from establishing any influence and posing a threat to its western border. Iran is also hedging its bets. 
After nearly going to war with the Taliban in the 1990s, Tehran has engineered considerable clout over at least one major faction within the group.

It also retains links with warlords who fought the Taliban during the country's civil war.

The coming days will see these various permutations and combinations play out on the ground.

Biden and Trump claim to have stopped a never-ending war. That may be true for the US troops.

But for Afghanistan, a new war may just be starting.&nbsp;

This time, between brothers.

Taliban fighters are advancing across Afghanistan, an offensive that has accelerated as US and NATO troops withdraw from the country after a 20-year-long war. In the past week, the Taliban have overrun areas bordering five countries: Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, China, and Pakistan.

Taliban fighters are advancing across Afghanistan, an offensive that has accelerated as US and NATO troops withdraw from the country after a 20-year-long war. In the past week, the Taliban have overrun areas bordering five countries: Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, China, and Pakistan. Never has the militant movement appeared so strong since being toppled by US forces two decades ago. It has executed a string of offensives across Afghanistan, capturing fully or partially about 100 out of more than 400 districts at a dizzying rate since early May. How bad is the situation, really? Afghanistan can possibly be on a path to civil war, according to the head of Britain's armed forces. Nick Carter, Britain's Chief of the Defence Staff, said it was "plausible" that the country's state would collapse without international forces there. He was speaking after it was announced that most British soldiers have left Afghanistan. Afghanistan could see a situation like 1990s civil war "where you would see a culture of warlordism and you might see some of the important institutions like security forces fracturing along ethnic, or for that matter, tribal lines," Carter said. AFP MAP: Showing parts of Afghanistan currently under government control and territories under the influence of the Taliban How did Afghanistan get here? Started as a US-led offensive in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, the war has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Afghans. Around 2,400 US soldiers also died. Trillions of dollars were squandered in what has largely been deemed a failed nation-building project. Also see| In Pics | The return of Taliban in Afghanistan, and the US retreat What began as a mission to dismantle Al-Qaeda's training camps in Afghanistan evolved over the years into a full-scale war against their Taliban hosts, triggering an insurgency that the US military's enormous firepower was unable to quell. The killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011 by US special forces renewed debate about the purpose of continuing the fight and eventually led to a failed effort to spur talks with the Taliban. President Donald Trump's election spelled the beginning of the end for the American involvement in Afghanistan. It culminated in a landmark withdrawal deal hammered out between Washington and the Taliban's leadership in February 2020 in Qatar. The beginning of the end of US presence in the country came in April with Trump's successor Joe Biden announcing that remaining US troops would be pulled from the country ahead of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, prompting America's NATO allies to follow suit. Is Afghanistan going back to square one? The US departure leaves Afghanistan facing an uncertain future, with an increasingly confident Taliban appearing to set the stage for a military takeover, and another round of internecine civil war. The international community blames the Taliban for stalling landmark peace talks with the Afghan government in Doha as they focused on positioning their troops for a military takeover instead of a political statement. In picture: Members of Taliban political office Abdul Latif Mansoor (L), Shahabuddin Delawar (C) and Suhail Shaheen attend a news conference in Moscow, Russia/Reuters Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, known for his academic disposition and infamous temper, is said to be increasingly isolated at a moment when he is in desperate need of allies. He has remained defiant despite mounting pressure on his government in the face of territorial losses. A bleak future Afghanistan's warlords may be waiting to make a comeback as the country's security forces increasingly look to militia groups to bolster their depleted ranks. As the Taliban battered their way through the north in June, a call for national mobilisation was sounded, with thousands taking up arms in scenes reminiscent of the 1990s civil war. New strongmen among Afghanistan's ethnic minorities have also begun arming and training recruits, which may further inflame the country's deep ethnic and sectarian divisions. Pakistan has backed the Taliban for decades and may finally be able to cash its chips in a future government the insurgents either participate in or lead. Islamabad's major goal will focus on preventing arch-rival India from establishing any influence and posing a threat to its western border. Iran is also hedging its bets. After nearly going to war with the Taliban in the 1990s, Tehran has engineered considerable clout over at least one major faction within the group. It also retains links with warlords who fought the Taliban during the country's civil war. The coming days will see these various permutations and combinations play out on the ground. Biden and Trump claim to have stopped a never-ending war. That may be true for the US troops. But for Afghanistan, a new war may just be starting. This time, between brothers.

Staring at civil war: How bad is the situation in Afghanistan?

Sri Lanka has banned 11 hardline Islamist organisations, including the Islamic State (ISIS) and al-Qaeda, for their links to extremist activities in the country and warned that any person who conspires with them would be sentenced to prison terms between 20 and 10 years, according to an official announcement.&nbsp;

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a special gazette notification issued on Tuesday proscribed the radical groups under the Prevention of Terrorism (temporary) Provisions Act.&nbsp;

The notification specifies that any person, who acts in contravention or conspires to act, would be sentenced to prison terms between 10 to 20 years.&nbsp;

The Government of Sri Lanka proscribed the 11 extremist organisations "in good faith for the purpose of ensuring the continuance of peace within the country and in the interest of national security, public order, and the rule of law," the notification stated.&nbsp;

Obtaining membership, dealing with their members, promoting such organisations, providing refuge for members, donating money or material, or engaging in any transaction are prohibited. Anyone violating these regulations could face up to 10 to 20 years in prison, Colombo Page said in a report.&nbsp;

Among the banned organisations are local Muslim groups, including the Sri Lanka Islamic Students Movement.&nbsp;

In the immediate aftermath of the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks, Sri Lanka had banned the local Jihadi group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) and two other outfits.&nbsp;

The NTJ suicide bomb attacks on churches and luxury hotels here had killed 270 people while injuring 500 others.&nbsp;

A special probe panel appointed in 2019 by former President Maithripala Sirisena had recommended the banning of Muslim extremist organisations, who advocate radicalism in the Buddhist-majority country.&nbsp;

The report also asked for the banning of an extremist Buddhist group, BBS or the Forces of Buddhist Power. The panel said that the BBS' actions had contributed to the radicalisation of Muslims.&nbsp;

The gazette, however, has excluded the Buddhist group.&nbsp;

The panel report was rejected by all political parties despite the head of the local Catholic church Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith urging the implementation of its recommendations which he said would give some justice to the victims of the bombings.&nbsp;

The panel had found Sirisena and the then top security police brass culpable for failure to prevent the bombings despite the availability of prior intelligence on the impending attack.&nbsp;

Sri Lanka has banned 11 hardline Islamist organisations, including the Islamic State (ISIS) and al-Qaeda, for their links to extremist activities in the country and warned that any person who conspires with them would be sentenced to prison terms between 20 and 10 years, according to an official announcement.

Sri Lanka has banned 11 hardline Islamist organisations, including the Islamic State (ISIS) and al-Qaeda, for their links to extremist activities in the country and warned that any person who conspires with them would be sentenced to prison terms between 20 and 10 years, according to an official announcement. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a special gazette notification issued on Tuesday proscribed the radical groups under the Prevention of Terrorism (temporary) Provisions Act. The notification specifies that any person, who acts in contravention or conspires to act, would be sentenced to prison terms between 10 to 20 years. The Government of Sri Lanka proscribed the 11 extremist organisations "in good faith for the purpose of ensuring the continuance of peace within the country and in the interest of national security, public order, and the rule of law," the notification stated. Obtaining membership, dealing with their members, promoting such organisations, providing refuge for members, donating money or material, or engaging in any transaction are prohibited. Anyone violating these regulations could face up to 10 to 20 years in prison, Colombo Page said in a report. Among the banned organisations are local Muslim groups, including the Sri Lanka Islamic Students Movement. In the immediate aftermath of the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks, Sri Lanka had banned the local Jihadi group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) and two other outfits. The NTJ suicide bomb attacks on churches and luxury hotels here had killed 270 people while injuring 500 others. A special probe panel appointed in 2019 by former President Maithripala Sirisena had recommended the banning of Muslim extremist organisations, who advocate radicalism in the Buddhist-majority country. The report also asked for the banning of an extremist Buddhist group, BBS or the Forces of Buddhist Power. The panel said that the BBS' actions had contributed to the radicalisation of Muslims. The gazette, however, has excluded the Buddhist group. The panel report was rejected by all political parties despite the head of the local Catholic church Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith urging the implementation of its recommendations which he said would give some justice to the victims of the bombings. The panel had found Sirisena and the then top security police brass culpable for failure to prevent the bombings despite the availability of prior intelligence on the impending attack.

Sri Lanka bans ISIS, al-Qaeda and 9 other terror groups 

India reportedly called out Pakistan's links with terror groups, which is the Al-Qaeda, during the United States Security Council meeting. Indian envoy to the UN said Pak is providing safe heaven to terror organizations.

India at UN Security Council: Pakistan provides safe heaven to Al-Qaeda

The leader of Al-Qaeda's Yemeni affiliate has been under arrest for several months, according to a United Nations report released on Thursday, in what will be seen as a huge breakthrough in the fight against the global jihadist threat.

The document said Khalid Batarfi, the leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) for just under a year, was arrested and his deputy, Saad Atef al-Awlaqi, died during an "operation in Ghayda City, Al-Mahrah Governorate, in October."

The report&nbsp;filed to the Security Council from a UN monitoring team specializing in extremist groups -- is the first official confirmation of Batarfi's arrest following unverified reports.

The wide-ranging UN assessment, summarizing global potential jihadist threats, did not disclose the terrorist's whereabouts or reveal any further details of the October operation.&nbsp;

But the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors the online activity of jihadist organisations, noted "unconfirmed reports" in October that Batarfi had been arrested by Yemeni security forces and then handed to Saudi Arabia.

AQAP revealed it had appointed Batarfi, believed to be in his early 40s, as its leader in February 2020 following the death of his predecessor Qassim al-Rimi in a US airstrike in Yemen.

Batarfi, who was designated a global terrorist by the US State Department in 2018, has appeared in numerous AQAP videos over recent years, according to SITE, and appeared to have been Rimi's deputy and group spokesman.

Washington considers AQAP to be the worldwide jihadist network's most dangerous branch, and has waged a long-running drone war against the leaders of the group.

AQAP claimed responsibility for the 2019 mass shooting at a US naval base in Florida, in which a Saudi air force officer killed three American sailors.

It also said it was behind the 2009 'pants bomb' plot, in which an explosive device failed to detonate on a Northwest Airlines flight as it approached the US city of Detroit on Christmas Day.

where a Nigerian man trained in Yemen tried to detonate an explosive device on a plane as it approached the US city of Detroit.

The Sunni extremist group thrived in the chaos of years of civil war between Yemen's Saudi-backed government and Shiite Huthi rebels.

Rimi had himself succeeded Nasir al-Wuhayshi, who was killed in a US drone strike in Yemen in June 2015.

- 'Dissentions and desertions' - 
AQAP has carried out operations against both the Huthis and government forces as well as sporadic attacks abroad, including on the offices of the French satirical publication Charlie Hebdo in 2015.

But analysts say its abilities on the ground have dwindled, although it still inspires attacks carried out by "lone wolf" jihadists or former operatives.

Yemen has been wracked by conflict since 2015, when a Saudi-led coalition intervened after the Iran-backed Huthis seized control of the capital Sanaa.

The conflict has since killed tens of thousands of people, relief agencies say, with 80 percent of the population surviving on aid in what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

President Joe Biden earlier Thursday ended US backing for the war in his first major speech on foreign affairs since entering the White House last month.

He said the United States would end all support including connected arms sales for Riyadh and vowed support for UN efforts to reach a ceasefire and revive peace talks between the government and Huthi rebels.

AQAP, which has not acknowledged Batarfi's arrest, extols the virtues of "martyrdom" and the rare capture of one of its senior operatives alive will be seen as an embarrassing setback.&nbsp;

"In addition to leadership losses, AQAP is suffering an erosion of its ranks caused by dissentions and desertions, led primarily by one of Batarfi's ex-lieutenants, Abu Omar al-Nahdi," the UN report states.&nbsp;

The document covers numerous potential security threats around the world and, in one passage, says that no UN member state has been able to confirm reports of the death from natural causes of al Qaeda's leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in October.&nbsp;

It also warns that "a rash of pre-planned (jihadist) attacks may occur" around the world once restrictions put in place to stem the coronavirus pandemic are lifted.

The leader of Al-Qaeda's Yemeni affiliate has been under arrest for several months, according to a United Nations report released on Thursday, in what will be seen as a huge breakthrough in the fight against the global jihadist threat.

The leader of Al-Qaeda's Yemeni affiliate has been under arrest for several months, according to a United Nations report released on Thursday, in what will be seen as a huge breakthrough in the fight against the global jihadist threat. The document said Khalid Batarfi, the leader of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) for just under a year, was arrested and his deputy, Saad Atef al-Awlaqi, died during an "operation in Ghayda City, Al-Mahrah Governorate, in October." The report filed to the Security Council from a UN monitoring team specializing in extremist groups -- is the first official confirmation of Batarfi's arrest following unverified reports. The wide-ranging UN assessment, summarizing global potential jihadist threats, did not disclose the terrorist's whereabouts or reveal any further details of the October operation. But the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors the online activity of jihadist organisations, noted "unconfirmed reports" in October that Batarfi had been arrested by Yemeni security forces and then handed to Saudi Arabia. AQAP revealed it had appointed Batarfi, believed to be in his early 40s, as its leader in February 2020 following the death of his predecessor Qassim al-Rimi in a US airstrike in Yemen. Batarfi, who was designated a global terrorist by the US State Department in 2018, has appeared in numerous AQAP videos over recent years, according to SITE, and appeared to have been Rimi's deputy and group spokesman. Washington considers AQAP to be the worldwide jihadist network's most dangerous branch, and has waged a long-running drone war against the leaders of the group. AQAP claimed responsibility for the 2019 mass shooting at a US naval base in Florida, in which a Saudi air force officer killed three American sailors. It also said it was behind the 2009 'pants bomb' plot, in which an explosive device failed to detonate on a Northwest Airlines flight as it approached the US city of Detroit on Christmas Day. where a Nigerian man trained in Yemen tried to detonate an explosive device on a plane as it approached the US city of Detroit. The Sunni extremist group thrived in the chaos of years of civil war between Yemen's Saudi-backed government and Shiite Huthi rebels. Rimi had himself succeeded Nasir al-Wuhayshi, who was killed in a US drone strike in Yemen in June 2015. - 'Dissentions and desertions' - AQAP has carried out operations against both the Huthis and government forces as well as sporadic attacks abroad, including on the offices of the French satirical publication Charlie Hebdo in 2015. But analysts say its abilities on the ground have dwindled, although it still inspires attacks carried out by "lone wolf" jihadists or former operatives. Yemen has been wracked by conflict since 2015, when a Saudi-led coalition intervened after the Iran-backed Huthis seized control of the capital Sanaa. The conflict has since killed tens of thousands of people, relief agencies say, with 80 percent of the population surviving on aid in what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. President Joe Biden earlier Thursday ended US backing for the war in his first major speech on foreign affairs since entering the White House last month. He said the United States would end all support including connected arms sales for Riyadh and vowed support for UN efforts to reach a ceasefire and revive peace talks between the government and Huthi rebels. AQAP, which has not acknowledged Batarfi's arrest, extols the virtues of "martyrdom" and the rare capture of one of its senior operatives alive will be seen as an embarrassing setback. "In addition to leadership losses, AQAP is suffering an erosion of its ranks caused by dissentions and desertions, led primarily by one of Batarfi's ex-lieutenants, Abu Omar al-Nahdi," the UN report states. The document covers numerous potential security threats around the world and, in one passage, says that no UN member state has been able to confirm reports of the death from natural causes of al Qaeda's leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in October. It also warns that "a rash of pre-planned (jihadist) attacks may occur" around the world once restrictions put in place to stem the coronavirus pandemic are lifted.

Al-Qaeda's leader in Yemen Khalid Batarfi under arrest: UN report

The&nbsp;Pentagon&nbsp;said Saturday it was putting on hold a plan to give Covid vaccines to terror detainees at Guantanamo, following an outcry as the United States struggles to deliver jabs to frontline workers and vulnerable elderly Americans.

"No Guantanamo detainees have been vaccinated,"&nbsp;Pentagon&nbsp;spokesman John Kirby tweeted. "We're pausing the plan to move forward, as we review force protection protocols. We remain committed to our obligations to keep our troops safe."

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The Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba houses detainees in the US "war on terror," including top Al-Qaeda figure and alleged 9/11 attack planner Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

The reversal comes days after the Defense Department said it would offer coronavirus vaccines "on a voluntary basis" to detainees at Guantanamo Bay, the prison in Cuba, with the rollout possibly coming as soon as next week.

The plan had been met with fierce pushback, particularly by Republican lawmakers, before it was paused, especially in light of vaccine shortages across the country.

"It is inexcusable and un-American that President Biden is choosing to prioritize vaccinations for convicted terrorists in Gitmo over vulnerable American seniors or veterans," Representative Elise Stefanik tweeted prior to Kirby's Saturday announcement.

"Nothing says #unity like letting the 9/11 mastermind and&nbsp;Gitmo detainees skip in front of millions of Americans for the COVID #vaccine," added Representative Dan Bishop, citing Biden's repeated calls for unity.
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The United States has been the world's hardest-hit country by the coronavirus pandemic, in absolute terms, with 436,000 deaths and nearly 26 million cases.

President Joe Biden has pledged to vaccine 100 million Americans in his first 100 days in office, but so far the country's mass inoculation drive has been beset by stumbles, including a shortfall in vaccines and widespread technical difficulties for eligible Americans trying to make appointments.

According to health officials, the US has so far administered just under 30 million of the nearly 50 million doses distributed in the country.

The Pentagon said Saturday it was putting on hold a plan to give Covid vaccines to terror detainees at Guantanamo, following an outcry as the United States struggles to deliver jabs to frontline workers and vulnerable elderly Americans.

The Pentagon said Saturday it was putting on hold a plan to give Covid vaccines to terror detainees at Guantanamo, following an outcry as the United States struggles to deliver jabs to frontline workers and vulnerable elderly Americans. "No Guantanamo detainees have been vaccinated," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby tweeted. "We're pausing the plan to move forward, as we review force protection protocols. We remain committed to our obligations to keep our troops safe." No Guantanamo detainees have been vaccinated. We’re pausing the plan to move forward, as we review force protection protocols. We remain committed to our obligations to keep our troops safe. — John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) January 30, 2021 × The Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba houses detainees in the US "war on terror," including top Al-Qaeda figure and alleged 9/11 attack planner Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. The reversal comes days after the Defense Department said it would offer coronavirus vaccines "on a voluntary basis" to detainees at Guantanamo Bay, the prison in Cuba, with the rollout possibly coming as soon as next week. The plan had been met with fierce pushback, particularly by Republican lawmakers, before it was paused, especially in light of vaccine shortages across the country. "It is inexcusable and un-American that President Biden is choosing to prioritize vaccinations for convicted terrorists in Gitmo over vulnerable American seniors or veterans," Representative Elise Stefanik tweeted prior to Kirby's Saturday announcement. "Nothing says #unity like letting the 9/11 mastermind and Gitmo detainees skip in front of millions of Americans for the COVID #vaccine," added Representative Dan Bishop, citing Biden's repeated calls for unity. The United States has been the world's hardest-hit country by the coronavirus pandemic, in absolute terms, with 436,000 deaths and nearly 26 million cases. President Joe Biden has pledged to vaccine 100 million Americans in his first 100 days in office, but so far the country's mass inoculation drive has been beset by stumbles, including a shortfall in vaccines and widespread technical difficulties for eligible Americans trying to make appointments. According to health officials, the US has so far administered just under 30 million of the nearly 50 million doses distributed in the country.

Pentagon pauses plan to give COVID-19 vaccine to prisoners at Guantanamo Bay

Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani urged the new US administration Friday to step up pressure on the Taliban and not rush to withdraw more troops.

Ghani said the Taliban have failed to live up to conditions agreed in their February 2020 deal with the United States to reduce attacks in Afghanistan and sever longstanding ties to Al-Qaeda.

"The United States and NATO must take a very strong stand on the conditions-based approach," Ghani said in an online address to the Aspen Security Forum.

"They signed an agreement; that agreement now needs to be implemented."

Even though Taliban and Afghan government negotiators opened peace talks in Doha last year, violence in Afghanistan has soared.&nbsp;

Ghani said the Taliban must admit to attacking government forces and conducting a string of assassinations of public figures.&nbsp;

The Taliban exploited former president Donald Trump's rush to pull US forces from Afghanistan to continue attacking government forces, Ghani suggested.

After the US-Taliban deal last year, US officials assured Kabul "there will be a ceasefire or a very substantial reduction of violence," Ghani said.

"Instead, violence has peaked," he said.&nbsp;

And rather than pursuing peace talks in good faith, "the Taliban are finding one excuse after another not to meet."

&nbsp;'They will not let go'&nbsp;

Ghani said he spoke with new US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday and was assured that President Joe Biden's administration would review matters by sending a new team to Afghanistan, and would consult more closely with Kabul.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the early focused, systematic attention and a dialogue between two partners that have mutually sacrificed and have a mutual interest," he said.

The Taliban believe they defeated the US and that NATO forces in Afghanistan are "on the run", Ghani said.

"Now, robust diplomacy and a stand on conditions-based approaches will enable us all hopefully to resume meaningful discussion," he added.

The United States has about 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, down from close to 13,000 a year ago.

In the Trump administration's withdrawal deal with the Taliban, the US was supposed to pull all troops out by May 2021 in return for security pledges from the insurgents.

Ghani said US forces need to remain, without specifying how many. He said he expected Biden to make "the right decision."

"NATO without US enablers cannot continue its mission," he said.

If the "Taliban realise that they can prevail through violence, they will not let go," he added.&nbsp;

"A combination of presence, plus diplomacy, bringing US tools of power in a concentrated manner.... would be extremely crucial to our success."

In separate comments, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the Biden administration supports the framework for an Afghanistan peace deal established in the US-Taliban agreement.

He said the administration is "taking a hard look" at how much the Taliban is meeting the conditions it agreed to -- on reducing violence, cutting ties with Al-Qaeda, and genuinely negotiating with the Kabul government.

"In that context we will make decisions about our force posture, and our diplomatic strategy going forward," he said at the US Institute for Peace.

Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani urged the new US administration Friday to step up pressure on the Taliban and not rush to withdraw more troops. Ghani said the Taliban have failed to live up to conditions agreed in their February 2020 deal with the United States to reduce attacks in Afghanistan and sever longstanding ties to Al-Qaeda.

Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani urged the new US administration Friday to step up pressure on the Taliban and not rush to withdraw more troops. Ghani said the Taliban have failed to live up to conditions agreed in their February 2020 deal with the United States to reduce attacks in Afghanistan and sever longstanding ties to Al-Qaeda. "The United States and NATO must take a very strong stand on the conditions-based approach," Ghani said in an online address to the Aspen Security Forum. "They signed an agreement; that agreement now needs to be implemented." Even though Taliban and Afghan government negotiators opened peace talks in Doha last year, violence in Afghanistan has soared. Ghani said the Taliban must admit to attacking government forces and conducting a string of assassinations of public figures. The Taliban exploited former president Donald Trump's rush to pull US forces from Afghanistan to continue attacking government forces, Ghani suggested. After the US-Taliban deal last year, US officials assured Kabul "there will be a ceasefire or a very substantial reduction of violence," Ghani said. "Instead, violence has peaked," he said. And rather than pursuing peace talks in good faith, "the Taliban are finding one excuse after another not to meet." 'They will not let go' Ghani said he spoke with new US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday and was assured that President Joe Biden's administration would review matters by sending a new team to Afghanistan, and would consult more closely with Kabul. "We couldn't be more pleased with the early focused, systematic attention and a dialogue between two partners that have mutually sacrificed and have a mutual interest," he said. The Taliban believe they defeated the US and that NATO forces in Afghanistan are "on the run", Ghani said. "Now, robust diplomacy and a stand on conditions-based approaches will enable us all hopefully to resume meaningful discussion," he added. The United States has about 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, down from close to 13,000 a year ago. In the Trump administration's withdrawal deal with the Taliban, the US was supposed to pull all troops out by May 2021 in return for security pledges from the insurgents. Ghani said US forces need to remain, without specifying how many. He said he expected Biden to make "the right decision." "NATO without US enablers cannot continue its mission," he said. If the "Taliban realise that they can prevail through violence, they will not let go," he added. "A combination of presence, plus diplomacy, bringing US tools of power in a concentrated manner.... would be extremely crucial to our success." In separate comments, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the Biden administration supports the framework for an Afghanistan peace deal established in the US-Taliban agreement. He said the administration is "taking a hard look" at how much the Taliban is meeting the conditions it agreed to -- on reducing violence, cutting ties with Al-Qaeda, and genuinely negotiating with the Kabul government. "In that context we will make decisions about our force posture, and our diplomatic strategy going forward," he said at the US Institute for Peace.

Afghanistan's Ghani urges Biden to up pressure on Taliban

The United States on Tuesday welcomed the arrest of UN-designated terrorist Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and urged Pakistan to hold him accountable for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Lakhvi was arrested on Saturday by Pakistan`s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) during a raid conducted in Lahore.

The department`s spokesperson said that Lakhvi was arrested during a raid for allegedly financing terrorists.

"We welcome Pakistan`s arrest of terrorist leader Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi as an important step in holding him responsible for his role in supporting terrorism and its financing," the United States Department of State Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs wrote on Twitter.

"We will follow his prosecution and sentencing closely and urge that he be held accountable for his involvement in the Mumbai attacks," it added.

The terrorist was behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 wherein 166 people were killed and 300 were left injured. Lakhvi was designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations under the United Nations Security Council Resolution in 2008 after the Mumbai attacks.

In April last year, Pakistan, which has long been accused of aiding and abetting terrorism, had removed about 1,800 names from its terrorist watchlist including that of 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, according to data collected by castellum.aI, a New York-based regulatory technology company.

Lakhvi is accused of abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.&nbsp;

The United States on Tuesday welcomed the arrest of UN-designated terrorist Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and urged Pakistan to hold him accountable for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

The United States on Tuesday welcomed the arrest of UN-designated terrorist Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi and urged Pakistan to hold him accountable for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Lakhvi was arrested on Saturday by Pakistan`s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) during a raid conducted in Lahore. The department`s spokesperson said that Lakhvi was arrested during a raid for allegedly financing terrorists. "We welcome Pakistan`s arrest of terrorist leader Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi as an important step in holding him responsible for his role in supporting terrorism and its financing," the United States Department of State Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs wrote on Twitter. "We will follow his prosecution and sentencing closely and urge that he be held accountable for his involvement in the Mumbai attacks," it added. The terrorist was behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 wherein 166 people were killed and 300 were left injured. Lakhvi was designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations under the United Nations Security Council Resolution in 2008 after the Mumbai attacks. In April last year, Pakistan, which has long been accused of aiding and abetting terrorism, had removed about 1,800 names from its terrorist watchlist including that of 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, according to data collected by castellum.aI, a New York-based regulatory technology company. Lakhvi is accused of abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

US urges Pak to hold designated terrorist LeT commander Lakhvi accountable for 26/11 Mumbai attacks

According to Newton's third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

It is a law which applies outside physics too, that is when you create trouble, you invite it home. When you back terror, terror strikes back.

Saudi Arabia should finally realise it. It has sponsored terror for years and backed terrorists, the country has been absolutely unapologetic about it.

Now, the chickens have finally come home to roost with the Saudi embassy being attacked. For years, it was Saudi Arabia that was using its diplomatic missions to spread terror but now the tables have turned.

In 2008, an ex-felon and former al-Qaeda operative named Ali Ahmad Ali Hamad revealed something appalling, he said the Saudi High Commission for aid in Bosnia had hired him and other al-Qaeda members.

They were supplied with vehicles and money during the Bosnian conflict to spread terror and to carry out attacks. It was not a one-off instance. Just two years back Riyadh had turned its embassy in Turkey into a murder chamber. Journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the embassy building and his body was dismembered.

Saudi Arabia has also fuelled terror through charities from the early 90s till the first half of 2006, a Saudi Arabia-based charity called the Muslim World League was supporting terror organisations.

Documents later revealed the charity was largely run by members of the Saudi Royal family. The United States has now branded it a terror entity. In 2003, a senior US treasury official declared Saudi Arabia "epicentre" of al-Qaeda financing.

According to one report submitted to the United Nations, al-Qaeda received between $300 to $500 million in ten years from 1992 to 2002.

The report said al-Qaeda got the money by "abusing this pillar of Islam and taking advantage of the Saudi regulatory vacuum". Riyadh has also supported the Taliban. In 1998, former Saudi intelligence chief Turki al Faisal sent a man to hand over a cheque for a billion riyals to a top Taliban official.

Saudi donors and unregulated charities have been financing terrorist groups for 38 years now. The Saudi terror nexus is well documented and now the world is being told every day how Saudi money funded radical Islam in Europe.

Saudi Arabia is home to Islam's holiest sites - Mecca and Madina. For years, Saudi Arabia has enjoyed enormous influence over the world's Muslim community. Saudi Arabia has abused its position and given shelter to terrorists. Riyadh was told to drive them out. In 2017, US. President Donald Trump reiterated this during his visit to the Kingdom.

In the run-up to Indonesia's elections in 2019, local media reported about the troubling expansion of Saudi-backed radicalism which was degrading the country's pluralism.

After the Easter attacks in Sri Lanka, there was a lot of discussion on how radicalism has created a breeding ground for extremism in Sri Lanka. Riyadh-sponsored terror has also struck the Philippines, Chechnya, Nigeria, Kosovo and the West Bank.

Riyadh also funded hate in Europe. However, today, it's embassy there is under attack. Saudi Wahabism shaped the Islamic State's worldview. Now, the Islamic State is striking Saudi cities.

Late last month, a Saudi man was arrested after attacking and wounding a security guard at the French consulate in Jeddah. Two days ago, a cemetary in the city was attacked. The terrorist was targeting the French consul general. He ended up injuring at least one Saudi citizen.

Terror knows no borders but Saudi Arabia sympathised with terror, financed terror and thought it was immune to terror.

According to Newton's third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. It is a law which applies outside physics too, that is when you create trouble, you invite it home.

According to Newton's third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. It is a law which applies outside physics too, that is when you create trouble, you invite it home. When you back terror, terror strikes back. Saudi Arabia should finally realise it. It has sponsored terror for years and backed terrorists, the country has been absolutely unapologetic about it. Now, the chickens have finally come home to roost with the Saudi embassy being attacked. For years, it was Saudi Arabia that was using its diplomatic missions to spread terror but now the tables have turned. In 2008, an ex-felon and former al-Qaeda operative named Ali Ahmad Ali Hamad revealed something appalling, he said the Saudi High Commission for aid in Bosnia had hired him and other al-Qaeda members. They were supplied with vehicles and money during the Bosnian conflict to spread terror and to carry out attacks. It was not a one-off instance. Just two years back Riyadh had turned its embassy in Turkey into a murder chamber. Journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside the embassy building and his body was dismembered. Saudi Arabia has also fuelled terror through charities from the early 90s till the first half of 2006, a Saudi Arabia-based charity called the Muslim World League was supporting terror organisations. Documents later revealed the charity was largely run by members of the Saudi Royal family. The United States has now branded it a terror entity. In 2003, a senior US treasury official declared Saudi Arabia "epicentre" of al-Qaeda financing. According to one report submitted to the United Nations, al-Qaeda received between $300 to $500 million in ten years from 1992 to 2002. The report said al-Qaeda got the money by "abusing this pillar of Islam and taking advantage of the Saudi regulatory vacuum". Riyadh has also supported the Taliban. In 1998, former Saudi intelligence chief Turki al Faisal sent a man to hand over a cheque for a billion riyals to a top Taliban official. Saudi donors and unregulated charities have been financing terrorist groups for 38 years now. The Saudi terror nexus is well documented and now the world is being told every day how Saudi money funded radical Islam in Europe. Saudi Arabia is home to Islam's holiest sites - Mecca and Madina. For years, Saudi Arabia has enjoyed enormous influence over the world's Muslim community. Saudi Arabia has abused its position and given shelter to terrorists. Riyadh was told to drive them out. In 2017, US. President Donald Trump reiterated this during his visit to the Kingdom. In the run-up to Indonesia's elections in 2019, local media reported about the troubling expansion of Saudi-backed radicalism which was degrading the country's pluralism. After the Easter attacks in Sri Lanka, there was a lot of discussion on how radicalism has created a breeding ground for extremism in Sri Lanka. Riyadh-sponsored terror has also struck the Philippines, Chechnya, Nigeria, Kosovo and the West Bank. Riyadh also funded hate in Europe. However, today, it's embassy there is under attack. Saudi Wahabism shaped the Islamic State's worldview. Now, the Islamic State is striking Saudi cities. Late last month, a Saudi man was arrested after attacking and wounding a security guard at the French consulate in Jeddah. Two days ago, a cemetary in the city was attacked. The terrorist was targeting the French consul general. He ended up injuring at least one Saudi citizen. Terror knows no borders but Saudi Arabia sympathised with terror, financed terror and thought it was immune to terror.

'Epicenter' of al-Qaeda financing: How Saudi Arabia's terror policy backfired

Switzerland has arrested four people on suspicions of links with the Jihadist organisations&nbsp;Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) group.

The four suspects, three men and one woman, were arrested while the authorities were conducting sear operations in the&nbsp;canton of Fribourg in western Switzerland.

Out of the four, three are from Kosovo and one is from&nbsp;Macedonia. None of them have been identified in the public by the authorities yet.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nia-arrests-10th-suspected-al-qaeda-terrorist-from-bengals-murshidabad-330587">Also read:&nbsp;NIA arrests 10th suspected Al-Qaeda terrorist from Bengal’s Murshidabad</a>

The attorney general's office, or MPC, said that due to the high risk of collusion, "the house searches and arrests were all carried out simultaneously."

The four suspects were arrested on the charges of defying the law which prohibits locals from establishing any ties with&nbsp;both Al-Qaeda and IS and related organisations, as well as supporting or being members of a criminal organisation.

The news broke out after the four suspects had already been questions, and two of them — the 28-year-old Kosovar woman and the 29-year-old Macedonian man — had been released. However,&nbsp;a 26-year-old Kosovar man and a 29-year old Swiss-Kosovar dual national are still in custody of the authorities.

Switzerland has arrested four people on suspicions of links with the Jihadist organisations Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) group. The four suspects, three men and one woman, were arrested while the authorities were conducting sear operations in the canton of Fribourg in western Switzerland.

Switzerland has arrested four people on suspicions of links with the Jihadist organisations Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) group. The four suspects, three men and one woman, were arrested while the authorities were conducting sear operations in the canton of Fribourg in western Switzerland. Out of the four, three are from Kosovo and one is from Macedonia. None of them have been identified in the public by the authorities yet. Also read: NIA arrests 10th suspected Al-Qaeda terrorist from Bengal’s Murshidabad The attorney general's office, or MPC, said that due to the high risk of collusion, "the house searches and arrests were all carried out simultaneously." The four suspects were arrested on the charges of defying the law which prohibits locals from establishing any ties with both Al-Qaeda and IS and related organisations, as well as supporting or being members of a criminal organisation. The news broke out after the four suspects had already been questions, and two of them — the 28-year-old Kosovar woman and the 29-year-old Macedonian man — had been released. However, a 26-year-old Kosovar man and a 29-year old Swiss-Kosovar dual national are still in custody of the authorities.

Switzerland questions four with suspected links to Al-Qaeda, IS; two released

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested suspected Al-Qaeda terrorist Shamim Ansari from Jalangi in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Saturday.

This is the tenth such arrest within a week in connection with the ongoing investigation to uncover the Al-Qaeda network existing in West Bengal and other states.

On September 19, NIA arrested nine suspected Al-Qaeda terrorists - six from Bengal’s Murshidabad district and three from Kerala’s Ernakulam district.

The statement released by NIA revealed that the operatives were planning to attack vital installations in India and aiming to kill innocent people. “The group was planning to undertake terrorist attacks at vital installations in India with an aim to kill innocent people and strike terror in their minds. Accordingly, NIA registered a case No. RC-31/2020/NIA/DLI on 11.09.2020, and initiated investigation,” read the statement.

Large quantity of incriminating materials including digital devices, documents, jihadi literature, sharp weapons, country-made firearms, a locally fabricated body armour, articles and literature used for making home-made explosive devices have been seized from their possession according to the officials of NIA.

According to the preliminary investigation conducted by NIA, these individuals were radicalised by Pakistan-based Al-Qaeda terrorists on social media and were motivated to undertake attacks at multiple places including the National Capital Region.

Those arrested from Kerala have been identified as - Murshid Hasan, Iyakub Biswas and Mosaraf Hossen.

The six arrested from Bengal have been identified as - Najmus Sakib, Abu Sufiyan, Mainul Mondal, Leu Yean Ahmed, Al Mamun Kamal, Atitur Rehman.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested suspected Al-Qaeda terrorist Shamim Ansari from Jalangi in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Saturday. This is the tenth such arrest within a week in connection with the ongoing investigation to uncover the Al-Qaeda network existing in West Bengal and other states.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested suspected Al-Qaeda terrorist Shamim Ansari from Jalangi in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Saturday. This is the tenth such arrest within a week in connection with the ongoing investigation to uncover the Al-Qaeda network existing in West Bengal and other states. On September 19, NIA arrested nine suspected Al-Qaeda terrorists - six from Bengal’s Murshidabad district and three from Kerala’s Ernakulam district. The statement released by NIA revealed that the operatives were planning to attack vital installations in India and aiming to kill innocent people. “The group was planning to undertake terrorist attacks at vital installations in India with an aim to kill innocent people and strike terror in their minds. Accordingly, NIA registered a case No. RC-31/2020/NIA/DLI on 11.09.2020, and initiated investigation,” read the statement. Large quantity of incriminating materials including digital devices, documents, jihadi literature, sharp weapons, country-made firearms, a locally fabricated body armour, articles and literature used for making home-made explosive devices have been seized from their possession according to the officials of NIA. According to the preliminary investigation conducted by NIA, these individuals were radicalised by Pakistan-based Al-Qaeda terrorists on social media and were motivated to undertake attacks at multiple places including the National Capital Region. Those arrested from Kerala have been identified as - Murshid Hasan, Iyakub Biswas and Mosaraf Hossen. The six arrested from Bengal have been identified as - Najmus Sakib, Abu Sufiyan, Mainul Mondal, Leu Yean Ahmed, Al Mamun Kamal, Atitur Rehman.

NIA arrests 10th suspected Al-Qaeda terrorist from Bengal’s Murshidabad

A secret chamber was found on Sunday by sleuths of the NIA at the residence of suspected al-Qaeda terrorist Abu Sufiyan, one of the six arrested from Murshidabad district in West Bengal, officials said.

The chamber, measuring 10x7 feet, was found during a raid at the house in the Raninagar area of the district, a senior district police officer said.

Several electronic gadgets and a board of bulb were also found during the hour-long raid at the single-storied house, he said.

Sufiyan's wife later told reporters that the chamber was dug for a septic tank for an attached toilet.

"We have told the cops about this," she claimed.

During the interrogation, Sufiyan told the investigators about the chamber, the officer said.

Interrogation of the six continued in Kolkata during the day, officials said.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested nine suspected al-Qaeda terrorists from West Bengal and Kerala.

While six of them were arrested from Murshidabad district, three others were nabbed from Ernakulam in Kerala.

Special NIA court judge Prasenjit Biswas remanded the six persons, arrested from Murshidabad, in NIA custody.

They have been charged under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Those arrested from Murshidabad were identified as Najmus Sakib, Abu Sufiyan, Mainul Mondal, Leu Yean Ahmed, Al Mamun Kamal and Atitur Rehman, according to an NIA spokesperson.

It said that the group was planning terrorist attacks at vital installations in India with an aim to kill innocent people and strike terror in their minds.

Digital devices, documents, jihadi literature, sharp weapons, country-made firearms, a locally fabricated body armour, articles and literature used for making home-made explosive devices have been seized from them, the NIA statement said.

A secret chamber was found on Sunday by sleuths of the NIA at the residence of suspected al-Qaeda terrorist Abu Sufiyan, one of the six arrested from Murshidabad district in West Bengal, officials said.

A secret chamber was found on Sunday by sleuths of the NIA at the residence of suspected al-Qaeda terrorist Abu Sufiyan, one of the six arrested from Murshidabad district in West Bengal, officials said. The chamber, measuring 10x7 feet, was found during a raid at the house in the Raninagar area of the district, a senior district police officer said. Several electronic gadgets and a board of bulb were also found during the hour-long raid at the single-storied house, he said. Sufiyan's wife later told reporters that the chamber was dug for a septic tank for an attached toilet. "We have told the cops about this," she claimed. During the interrogation, Sufiyan told the investigators about the chamber, the officer said. Interrogation of the six continued in Kolkata during the day, officials said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday arrested nine suspected al-Qaeda terrorists from West Bengal and Kerala. While six of them were arrested from Murshidabad district, three others were nabbed from Ernakulam in Kerala. Special NIA court judge Prasenjit Biswas remanded the six persons, arrested from Murshidabad, in NIA custody. They have been charged under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Those arrested from Murshidabad were identified as Najmus Sakib, Abu Sufiyan, Mainul Mondal, Leu Yean Ahmed, Al Mamun Kamal and Atitur Rehman, according to an NIA spokesperson. It said that the group was planning terrorist attacks at vital installations in India with an aim to kill innocent people and strike terror in their minds. Digital devices, documents, jihadi literature, sharp weapons, country-made firearms, a locally fabricated body armour, articles and literature used for making home-made explosive devices have been seized from them, the NIA statement said.

Secret chamber found at house of suspected al-Qaeda terrorist in Murshidabad: Police

National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested 9 Al-Qaeda terrorists in India during multiple raids which were carried out in Kerala and Bengal.

India: NIA arrested 9 al-qaeda terrorists from Kerala & West Bengal

The United States on Friday marks the 19th anniversary of the shocking 9/11 attack&nbsp;that was orchestrated by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

On September 11, 2001,&nbsp;19 men hijacked 4 fuel-loaded US commercial airplanes bound for west coast destinations. The operation was planned by&nbsp;Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-rebels-non-state-actors-have-enhanced-strike-capabilities-after-911-attack-250029">In pics- How militants, terrorists have enhanced strike capabilities post 9/11</a>

American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. 2,753 died after the two American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 planes slammed into the twin towers.&nbsp;

US Navy Seals killed Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan in 2011. FBI, CIA, and Pakistani intelligence worked together and&nbsp;captured Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in 2003 from a house outside Islamabad.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-confirms-death-of-al-qaeda-heir-hamza-bin-laden-249686">US President Donald Trump confirms death of al-Qaeda heir Hamza bin Laden</a>

The present chief of&nbsp;al Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri hasn't achieved the household notoriety that&nbsp;bin Laden had.

Al-Qaeda is pursuing a strategy of silently rebuilding and forging alliances with regional groups that&nbsp;maintains affiliations across Africa, West Asia, and South Asia.

According to the Center&nbsp;of International Security and Cooperation, the group's leadership is based in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

As of 2018,&nbsp;it had anywhere between 32 thousand to 44 thousand members.&nbsp;Most fighters are believed to be in Africa.

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There could be 5,000 fighters in Libya, 4000 in Yemen,&nbsp;and at least 7000 in Somalia.&nbsp;At least 10 thousand fighters could be operating out of Syria.

The Council of Foreign Relations claims that the&nbsp;al Qaeda&nbsp;and its affiliates are active in Russia and the Indian subcontinent too.

Ayman al-Zawahiri has been able to prevent defections of senior leaders.&nbsp;This includes names like Saif al-Adel.&nbsp;A former Egyptian military colonel and explosives expert.

And Abu Mohammed al-Masri&nbsp;who masterminded the 1998 twin truck bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

As per the US,&nbsp;al-Zawahiri&nbsp;has a threat.&nbsp;America has placed a 25 million dollar bounty for his head but he has been absent for months leading many to speculate that he might be dead or incapacitated.&nbsp;

He has made only one appearance this year in a year to refute atheism.&nbsp;

The al-Qaeda has even tried to exploit the pandemic&nbsp;as well as the race protests in the United States. But the efforts failed to gain traction.

Last year, the US&nbsp;had claimed that the son of Osama bin laden, hamza, died in an operation.&nbsp;

Without a clear line of leadership,&nbsp;the future of al-Qaeda looks uncertain.

The United States on Friday marks the 19th anniversary of the shocking 9/11 attack that was orchestrated by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. On September 11, 2001, 19 men hijacked 4 fuel-loaded US commercial airplanes bound for west coast destinations.

The United States on Friday marks the 19th anniversary of the shocking 9/11 attack that was orchestrated by al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. On September 11, 2001, 19 men hijacked 4 fuel-loaded US commercial airplanes bound for west coast destinations. The operation was planned by Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Also see: In pics- How militants, terrorists have enhanced strike capabilities post 9/11 American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. 2,753 died after the two American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 planes slammed into the twin towers. US Navy Seals killed Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad, Pakistan in 2011. FBI, CIA, and Pakistani intelligence worked together and captured Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in 2003 from a house outside Islamabad. Also read: US President Donald Trump confirms death of al-Qaeda heir Hamza bin Laden The present chief of al Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri hasn't achieved the household notoriety that bin Laden had. Al-Qaeda is pursuing a strategy of silently rebuilding and forging alliances with regional groups that maintains affiliations across Africa, West Asia, and South Asia. According to the Center of International Security and Cooperation, the group's leadership is based in Afghanistan and Pakistan. As of 2018, it had anywhere between 32 thousand to 44 thousand members. Most fighters are believed to be in Africa. × There could be 5,000 fighters in Libya, 4000 in Yemen, and at least 7000 in Somalia. At least 10 thousand fighters could be operating out of Syria. The Council of Foreign Relations claims that the al Qaeda and its affiliates are active in Russia and the Indian subcontinent too. Ayman al-Zawahiri has been able to prevent defections of senior leaders. This includes names like Saif al-Adel. A former Egyptian military colonel and explosives expert. And Abu Mohammed al-Masri who masterminded the 1998 twin truck bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. As per the US, al-Zawahiri has a threat. America has placed a 25 million dollar bounty for his head but he has been absent for months leading many to speculate that he might be dead or incapacitated. He has made only one appearance this year in a year to refute atheism. The al-Qaeda has even tried to exploit the pandemic as well as the race protests in the United States. But the efforts failed to gain traction. Last year, the US had claimed that the son of Osama bin laden, hamza, died in an operation. Without a clear line of leadership, the future of al-Qaeda looks uncertain.

Al-Qaeda confronting an uncertain future 19 years after 9/11 attack

On September 11, 2001, two planes were flown into the famous twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. 19 terrorists associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. The third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, DC, and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Over 3,000 people were killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The 9/11 attack triggered major US initiatives to combat terrorism.

What happened on September 11, 2001? | 9/11 attacks

France said on Friday that its military has killed al-Qaeda's North Africa chief Abdelmalek Droukdel, a key fighter who its forces had been hunting for more than seven years, during an operation in Mali.

"On June 3, French army forces, with the support of their local partners, killed the emir of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Abdelmalek Droukdel, and several of his closest collaborators, during an operation in northern Mali," French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly wrote on Twitter.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/countries-that-are-now-pumping-more-money-into-their-militaries-than-ever-before-294947">Countries that are now pumping more money into their militaries than ever before!</a>

"Many close associates" of the Algerian, who commanded several affiliate jihadist groups across the lawless region -- were also "neutralised", she added.

<img alt="Abdelmalek Droukdal " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="51772742-8df6-4b49-b8ab-9bb93e3c7a20" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/EZ0pTZZX0AAZwhc.png" /> 
Abdelmalek Droukdal&nbsp;

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) emerged from a group started in the late 1990s by radical Algerian Islamists, who in 2007 pledged allegiance to Osama Bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network.

The group has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on troops and civilians across the Sahel, including a 2016 attack on an upmarket hotel and restaurant in Burkina Faso, which killed 30 people, mainly Westerners.

Droukdel's reported death comes almost six months after French President Emmanuel Macron and the leaders of the G5 Sahel group - Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad - launched a new plan combining their military forces under one command structure to fight armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and the ISIL (ISIS) group.

France, a former colonial power in the region, deployed 600 additional soldiers to its Barkhane force, raising the number of troops there to 5,100.

France said on Friday that its military has killed al-Qaeda's North Africa chief Abdelmalek Droukdel, a key fighter who its forces had been hunting for more than seven years, during an operation in Mali.

France said on Friday that its military has killed al-Qaeda's North Africa chief Abdelmalek Droukdel, a key fighter who its forces had been hunting for more than seven years, during an operation in Mali. "On June 3, French army forces, with the support of their local partners, killed the emir of al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Abdelmalek Droukdel, and several of his closest collaborators, during an operation in northern Mali," French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly wrote on Twitter. Also see: Countries that are now pumping more money into their militaries than ever before! "Many close associates" of the Algerian, who commanded several affiliate jihadist groups across the lawless region -- were also "neutralised", she added. Abdelmalek Droukdal Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) emerged from a group started in the late 1990s by radical Algerian Islamists, who in 2007 pledged allegiance to Osama Bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network. The group has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks on troops and civilians across the Sahel, including a 2016 attack on an upmarket hotel and restaurant in Burkina Faso, which killed 30 people, mainly Westerners. Droukdel's reported death comes almost six months after French President Emmanuel Macron and the leaders of the G5 Sahel group - Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad - launched a new plan combining their military forces under one command structure to fight armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and the ISIL (ISIS) group. France, a former colonial power in the region, deployed 600 additional soldiers to its Barkhane force, raising the number of troops there to 5,100.

French forces kill al-Qaeda's North Africa chief Abdelmalek Droukdel

International war crimes judges will rule on Thursday whether a probe into wartime abuses in Afghanistan will go ahead, including possible atrocities committed by US forces.

The International Criminal Court last year rejected a demand by its chief prosecutor to look into crimes committed in the war-torn nation an investigation also bitterly opposed by Washington.

The court's judges in The Hague are now set to decide on an appeal by prosecutors against the initial decision.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-victims-ask-icc-to-open-afghan-war-crimes-investigation-on-appeal-266243">Afghan victims ask ICC to open Afghan war crimes investigation on appeal</a>

In 2006, the ICC's prosecutors opened a preliminary probe into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in the central Asian nation since 2003.

In 2017, chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda asked judges to allow a full-blown probe, not only into Taliban and Afghan government personnel but also international forces, US troops and members of the Central Intelligence Agency.

But pre-trial judges said it "would not serve the interests of justice" and that the court should focus on cases with a better chance of success.

While US officials hailed the decision, human rights groups said it was a blow to thousands of the victims and ICC prosecutors appealed.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/icc-judges-turn-down-request-for-afghanistan-war-crimes-probe-209863">ICC judges turn down request for Afghanistan war crimes probe</a>

Should Bensouda lose, she is allowed to ask again for an investigation if "new facts or evidence regarding the same situation" emerge, according to the ICC's statute.

Bensouda's move also unleashed a backlash from Washington, which in April last year revoked the Gambian-born chief prosecutor's visa as part of broader restrictions on ICC staff probing American or allied personnel.

Former national security advisor John Bolton warned in 2018 that the US would arrest ICC judges if the court pursued an Afghan probe.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-taliban-peace-deal-what-does-it-mean-for-afghanistan-and-other-stakeholders-283743">US-Taliban peace deal: What does it mean for Afghanistan and other stakeholders</a>

The US has never joined the ICC and does not recognise its authority over American citizens, saying it poses a threat to national sovereignty.

Washington argues that it has its own procedures in place to deal with US troops who engage in misconduct.

Afghanistan also opposes the inquiry, saying the country itself had "responsibility to bring justice for our nation and for our people".

The ICC's ruling comes days after Taliban militants killed at least 20 Afghan soldiers and policemen in a string of overnight attacks, throwing the country's nascent peace process into grave doubt.

Under the terms of a recent US-Taliban agreement, foreign forces will quit Afghanistan within 14 months, subject to Taliban security guarantees and a pledge by the insurgents to hold talks with Kabul.

A US-led force invaded Afghanistan in 2001 following the 9/11 terror attacks in the US, targeting Al-Qaeda in the sanctuaries provided by the Taliban government.

Fighting has continued ever since last year more than 3,400 civilians were killed and almost 7,000 injured, according to data provided by UN agencies.

International war crimes judges will rule on Thursday whether a probe into wartime abuses in Afghanistan will go ahead, including possible atrocities committed by US forces.

International war crimes judges will rule on Thursday whether a probe into wartime abuses in Afghanistan will go ahead, including possible atrocities committed by US forces. The International Criminal Court last year rejected a demand by its chief prosecutor to look into crimes committed in the war-torn nation an investigation also bitterly opposed by Washington. The court's judges in The Hague are now set to decide on an appeal by prosecutors against the initial decision. Also read: Afghan victims ask ICC to open Afghan war crimes investigation on appeal In 2006, the ICC's prosecutors opened a preliminary probe into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in the central Asian nation since 2003. In 2017, chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda asked judges to allow a full-blown probe, not only into Taliban and Afghan government personnel but also international forces, US troops and members of the Central Intelligence Agency. But pre-trial judges said it "would not serve the interests of justice" and that the court should focus on cases with a better chance of success. While US officials hailed the decision, human rights groups said it was a blow to thousands of the victims and ICC prosecutors appealed. Also read: ICC judges turn down request for Afghanistan war crimes probe Should Bensouda lose, she is allowed to ask again for an investigation if "new facts or evidence regarding the same situation" emerge, according to the ICC's statute. Bensouda's move also unleashed a backlash from Washington, which in April last year revoked the Gambian-born chief prosecutor's visa as part of broader restrictions on ICC staff probing American or allied personnel. Former national security advisor John Bolton warned in 2018 that the US would arrest ICC judges if the court pursued an Afghan probe. Also read: US-Taliban peace deal: What does it mean for Afghanistan and other stakeholders The US has never joined the ICC and does not recognise its authority over American citizens, saying it poses a threat to national sovereignty. Washington argues that it has its own procedures in place to deal with US troops who engage in misconduct. Afghanistan also opposes the inquiry, saying the country itself had "responsibility to bring justice for our nation and for our people". The ICC's ruling comes days after Taliban militants killed at least 20 Afghan soldiers and policemen in a string of overnight attacks, throwing the country's nascent peace process into grave doubt. Under the terms of a recent US-Taliban agreement, foreign forces will quit Afghanistan within 14 months, subject to Taliban security guarantees and a pledge by the insurgents to hold talks with Kabul. A US-led force invaded Afghanistan in 2001 following the 9/11 terror attacks in the US, targeting Al-Qaeda in the sanctuaries provided by the Taliban government. Fighting has continued ever since last year more than 3,400 civilians were killed and almost 7,000 injured, according to data provided by UN agencies.

War crimes judges to rule on International Criminal Court probe in Afghanistan

An Israeli aircraft have flown through Sudanese airspace for the first time, in what Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-frees-detained-migrants-set-for-rwanda-after-relocation-deal-collapses-128448/amp">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> called another example of warming ties with formally hostile states.

Israel remains technically at war with Sudan, which supported hardline Islamists including, for a period, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/how-sudans-economic-crisis-had-a-role-in-protests-that-toppled-al-bashir-216685">Al-Qaeda</a> during the rule of President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/how-sudans-economic-crisis-had-a-role-in-protests-that-toppled-al-bashir-216685">Omar al-Bashir</a>.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/how-sudans-economic-crisis-had-a-role-in-protests-that-toppled-al-bashir-216685">How Sudan’s economic crisis had a role in protests that toppled al-Bashir</a>

Bashir was ousted by the army last April following months of mass anti-government demonstrations.

"The first Israeli aeroplane passed yesterday over the skies of Sudan. This is quite a change," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-frees-detained-migrants-set-for-rwanda-after-relocation-deal-collapses-128448/amp">Netanyahu </a>told American Jewish leaders in Jerusalem on Sunday evening, without offering further details.

Israeli daily Haaretz quoted an Israeli government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, saying that the plane was "a private Israeli executive jet".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/donald-trumps-peace-plan-puts-israel-on-the-cutting-edge-278513">Donald Trump's peace plan puts Israel on the cutting edge</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/donald-trumps-peace-plan-puts-israel-on-the-cutting-edge-278513">Netanyahu </a>met Sudan's leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-frees-detained-migrants-set-for-rwanda-after-relocation-deal-collapses-128448/amp">Abdel Fattah</a> al-Burhan two weeks ago for what the Israeli premier's office described talks aimed at normalising ties.

A Sudanese government spokesman said later that Burhan "did not give a promise of normalising or having diplomatic relations".

Sudan has been part of a&nbsp;decades-old Arab boycott of Israel over its treatment of the Palestinians and its occupation of Arab lands.

In the wake of the Six-Day War of 1967 in which Israel occupied the Palestinian territories and seized the Golan Heights from Syria, Arab leaders gathered in Khartoum to announce what became known as the "three nos": no peace, no recognition and no negotiations with Israel.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-frees-detained-migrants-set-for-rwanda-after-relocation-deal-collapses-128448/amp">Israel frees detained migrants set for Rwanda after relocation deal collapses</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-frees-detained-migrants-set-for-rwanda-after-relocation-deal-collapses-128448/amp">Netanyahu </a>said Sunday that visible signs of a thaw in relations with Sudan and other Muslim-majority countries were only the tip of the diplomatic iceberg.

"How much is above the surface in an iceberg? It's about 10 per cent, he said. "What you're seeing is about 10 per cent. Vast changes are coming."&nbsp;

Gulf Arab countries have made a number of recent moves hinting at warmer ties with the Jewish state, prompted largely by a shared enmity towards Iran.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/how-sudans-economic-crisis-had-a-role-in-protests-that-toppled-al-bashir-216685">Netanyahu </a>visited Oman in 2018 and he frequently says the boycott of his country is ending, despite the absence of a peace deal with the Palestinians.

Egypt and Jordan are so far the only Arab states to have full diplomatic relations with Israel.

Netanyahu was speaking two weeks ahead of a March general election, the third in 12 months. He has twice failed to form a government after inconclusive polls.

An Israeli aircraft have flown through Sudanese airspace for the first time, in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called another example of warming ties with formally hostile states.

An Israeli aircraft have flown through Sudanese airspace for the first time, in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called another example of warming ties with formally hostile states. Israel remains technically at war with Sudan, which supported hardline Islamists including, for a period, Al-Qaeda during the rule of President Omar al-Bashir. Also read: How Sudan’s economic crisis had a role in protests that toppled al-Bashir Bashir was ousted by the army last April following months of mass anti-government demonstrations. "The first Israeli aeroplane passed yesterday over the skies of Sudan. This is quite a change," Netanyahu told American Jewish leaders in Jerusalem on Sunday evening, without offering further details. Israeli daily Haaretz quoted an Israeli government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, saying that the plane was "a private Israeli executive jet". Also read: Donald Trump's peace plan puts Israel on the cutting edge Netanyahu met Sudan's leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan two weeks ago for what the Israeli premier's office described talks aimed at normalising ties. A Sudanese government spokesman said later that Burhan "did not give a promise of normalising or having diplomatic relations". Sudan has been part of a decades-old Arab boycott of Israel over its treatment of the Palestinians and its occupation of Arab lands. In the wake of the Six-Day War of 1967 in which Israel occupied the Palestinian territories and seized the Golan Heights from Syria, Arab leaders gathered in Khartoum to announce what became known as the "three nos": no peace, no recognition and no negotiations with Israel. Also read: Israel frees detained migrants set for Rwanda after relocation deal collapses Netanyahu said Sunday that visible signs of a thaw in relations with Sudan and other Muslim-majority countries were only the tip of the diplomatic iceberg. "How much is above the surface in an iceberg? It's about 10 per cent, he said. "What you're seeing is about 10 per cent. Vast changes are coming." Gulf Arab countries have made a number of recent moves hinting at warmer ties with the Jewish state, prompted largely by a shared enmity towards Iran. Netanyahu visited Oman in 2018 and he frequently says the boycott of his country is ending, despite the absence of a peace deal with the Palestinians. Egypt and Jordan are so far the only Arab states to have full diplomatic relations with Israel. Netanyahu was speaking two weeks ahead of a March general election, the third in 12 months. He has twice failed to form a government after inconclusive polls.

Israeli aircraft flew over Sudan for first time: Benjamin Netanyahu

Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-coronavirus-death-toll-rises-over-635-president-xi-says-china-starting-peoples-war-279156">As coronavirus death toll rises over 635, President Xi says China starting 'people's war'</a>

<img alt="coronavirus" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b33696b8-bc26-4c81-9452-db4cd0ac207b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_48.jpg" /> 
The death toll in&nbsp;China's&nbsp;coronavirus continued to rise on Friday with authorities reporting at least 636 deaths with infections rising past 31,000. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-coronavirus-death-toll-rises-over-635-president-xi-says-china-starting-peoples-war-279156">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-killed-chief-of-al-qaeda-in-arabian-peninsula-in-yemen-trump-279162">US killed chief of Al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula in Yemen: Trump</a>

<img alt="Military chief of Al-Qaeda network in Yemen Qassim al-Rimi " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="23caa27f-945e-46d6-acc4-759cf9c13807" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/127729-qassim1main.jpg" />

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that US forces had killed its founder and leader Qassim al-Rimi. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-killed-chief-of-al-qaeda-in-arabian-peninsula-in-yemen-trump-279162">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-two-palestinians-killed-16-israelis-hurt-in-violence-over-trump-plan-279166">At&nbsp;least&nbsp;two&nbsp;Palestinians&nbsp;killed,&nbsp;16&nbsp;Israelis&nbsp;hurt&nbsp;in&nbsp;violence&nbsp;over&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;plan</a>

<img alt="A Palestinian hurls stones at Israeli troops" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="108cbef5-458a-485f-8775-9cf9ed5112a9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%287%29_23.jpg" />

At&nbsp;least&nbsp;two&nbsp;Palestinians&nbsp;were&nbsp;killed&nbsp;in the occupied West Bank and&nbsp;16&nbsp;Israelis&nbsp;were&nbsp;hurt&nbsp;on Thursday in a surge of&nbsp;violence&nbsp;that erupted amid Palestinian anger at a&nbsp;US&nbsp;peace&nbsp;plan. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-two-palestinians-killed-16-israelis-hurt-in-violence-over-trump-plan-279166">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/basque-double-dumps-barcelona-and-real-madrid-out-of-copa-del-rey-279158">Basque double dumps Barcelona and Real Madrid out of Copa del Rey</a>

<img alt="Real Madrid and Barcelona" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eb818dda-eb2b-4f94-a576-45acac5327fd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/127726-113918-untitled-design-60.jpg" /> 
Barcelona&nbsp;and&nbsp;Real Madrid&nbsp;both crashed out of the Copa del Rey on Thursday night as Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad pulled off a shock Basque double to reach the semi-finals. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/basque-double-dumps-barcelona-and-real-madrid-out-of-copa-del-rey-279158">Read more</a>&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-jet-skids-off-runway-in-istanbul-279154">Gravitas: Jet skids off runway in Istanbul</a>

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Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief. As coronavirus death toll rises over 635, President Xi says China starting 'people's war' The death toll in China's coronavirus continued to rise on Friday with authorities reporting at least 636 deaths with infections rising past 31,000.

Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief. As coronavirus death toll rises over 635, President Xi says China starting 'people's war' The death toll in China's coronavirus continued to rise on Friday with authorities reporting at least 636 deaths with infections rising past 31,000. Read more US killed chief of Al-Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula in Yemen: Trump US President Donald Trump has confirmed that US forces had killed its founder and leader Qassim al-Rimi. Read more At least two Palestinians killed, 16 Israelis hurt in violence over Trump plan At least two Palestinians were killed in the occupied West Bank and 16 Israelis were hurt on Thursday in a surge of violence that erupted amid Palestinian anger at a US peace plan. Read more Basque double dumps Barcelona and Real Madrid out of Copa del Rey Barcelona and Real Madrid both crashed out of the Copa del Rey on Thursday night as Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad pulled off a shock Basque double to reach the semi-finals. Read more Gravitas: Jet skids off runway in Istanbul

Morning News Brief: Coronavirus death toll rises, US kills Al-Qaeda chief in Arabian Peninsula and more

Two American soldiers were killed and two others injured in a roadside bomb attack on a US Army vehicle in southern Afghanistan on Saturday, the NATO mission there said.

Two American soldiers were killed and two others injured in a roadside bomb attack on a US Army vehicle in southern Afghanistan on Saturday, the NATO mission there said. "In accordance with US Department of Defense policy, the names of the service members killed in action will be withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete," the NATO Resolute Support mission said in a statement. The incident took place in Dand district of southern Kandahar province, where a bomb hit a US armoured vehicle, provincial police spokesman Jamal Nasir Barkzai told reporters. "Foreign forces were patrolling near the Kandahar airport when they were hit by a blast," officials said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, with spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid saying on Twitter that the blast destroyed the vehicle, killing all on board. Violence in Afghanistan usually recedes as the cold winter sets in but this year the Taliban have pushed forward with their operations despite heavy snowfall in the mountains and despite their negotiations with the US for a deal that would see American troops leave the country. (With inputs from agencies)

Two US soldiers killed in Afghanistan bomb attack, says NATO mission

A Taliban roadside bomb ripped through a US army vehicle in southern <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-15-dead-in-pakistan-mosque-suicide-bombing-273482">Afghanistan</a> on Saturday, officials said, with no immediate details of casualties.

The incident took place in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/roadside-mine-blast-in-northern-afghanistan-kills-eight-259889">Dand</a> district of southern Kandahar province, where a bomb hit a US armoured vehicle, provincial police spokesman Jamal Nasir Barkzai told reporters.

"Foreign forces were patrolling near the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/ic-814-bees-saal-baad-hijack-vs-hijacked-270028">Kandahar airport</a> when they were hit by a blast. We don't have the details of the casualties because they have cordoned off the area," he said.

A NATO Resolute Support spokesman in southern Afghanistan confirmed the incident and said the situation was being assessed.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AlFath?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AlFath</a> 
Powerful IED shred American APC to pieces in Kro Shela area close to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kandahar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kandahar</a> airbase this morning resulting in all invaders aboard killed - Ahmadi
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33/status/1215936721646424069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, with spokesman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/10-afghan-soldiers-killed-in-taliban-attack-270736">Zabihullah Mujahid</a> saying on Twitter that the blast destroyed the vehicle, killing all on board.

Violence in Afghanistan usually recedes as the cold winter sets in but this year the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-8-policemen-killed-in-taliban-attack-271470">Taliban</a> have pushed forward with their operations despite heavy snowfall in the mountains and despite their negotiations with the US for a deal that would see American troops leave the country.

According to parts of the deal made public so far, the Pentagon would pull about 5,000 of its 13,000 or so troops from five bases across Afghanistan, provided the Taliban sticks to its security pledges.

The insurgents have said they will renounce <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-releases-spying-convict-as-part-of-prisoners-swap-deal-with-syria-273434">Al-Qaeda</a>, fight the Islamic State group and stop jihadists using Afghanistan as a safe haven.

Last year was the deadliest for US forces in Afghanistan since combat operations officially finished at the end of 2014, highlighting the challenging security situation that persists.

More than 2,400 US troops have been killed in combat in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion in October 2001.

A Taliban roadside bomb ripped through a US army vehicle in southern Afghanistan on Saturday, officials said, with no immediate details of casualties. The incident took place in Dand district of southern Kandahar province, where a bomb hit a US armoured vehicle, provincial police spokesman Jamal Nasir Barkzai told reporters.

A Taliban roadside bomb ripped through a US army vehicle in southern Afghanistan on Saturday, officials said, with no immediate details of casualties. The incident took place in Dand district of southern Kandahar province, where a bomb hit a US armoured vehicle, provincial police spokesman Jamal Nasir Barkzai told reporters. "Foreign forces were patrolling near the Kandahar airport when they were hit by a blast. We don't have the details of the casualties because they have cordoned off the area," he said. A NATO Resolute Support spokesman in southern Afghanistan confirmed the incident and said the situation was being assessed. #AlFath Powerful IED shred American APC to pieces in Kro Shela area close to #Kandahar airbase this morning resulting in all invaders aboard killed - Ahmadi — Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) January 11, 2020 × The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, with spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid saying on Twitter that the blast destroyed the vehicle, killing all on board. Violence in Afghanistan usually recedes as the cold winter sets in but this year the Taliban have pushed forward with their operations despite heavy snowfall in the mountains and despite their negotiations with the US for a deal that would see American troops leave the country. According to parts of the deal made public so far, the Pentagon would pull about 5,000 of its 13,000 or so troops from five bases across Afghanistan, provided the Taliban sticks to its security pledges. The insurgents have said they will renounce Al-Qaeda, fight the Islamic State group and stop jihadists using Afghanistan as a safe haven. Last year was the deadliest for US forces in Afghanistan since combat operations officially finished at the end of 2014, highlighting the challenging security situation that persists. More than 2,400 US troops have been killed in combat in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion in October 2001.

Afghanistan: Blast hits US army vehicle in Dand, Taliban claims responsibility

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At least 14 servicemen were killed in Afghanistan's northern province of Jowzjan after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/seven-taliban-terrorists-killed-eight-arrested-in-eastern-afghanistan-256286">Taliban terrorists</a> carried out an attack on a security checkpoint, media reported, citing a local official.

According to the 1TV broadcaster, at least five other people received injuries as a result of the attack.

The Afghan army retaliated and killed seven militants and injured three, the broadcaster said.

The Afghan government has been engaged in a struggle with the Taliban movement for almost two decades.

The conflict-stricken country continues to serve as a breeding ground for various insurgent and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-carries-out-airstrikes-against-militant-groups-in-iraq-syria-270892">militant groups</a> affiliated with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/al-qaeda-is-stronger-today-than-it-was-on-911-232726">al-Qaeda</a> and the Islamic State terrorist organization.

At least 14 servicemen were killed in Afghanistan's northern province of Jowzjan after Taliban terrorists carried out an attack on a security checkpoint, media reported, citing a local official.

At least 14 servicemen were killed in Afghanistan's northern province of Jowzjan after Taliban terrorists carried out an attack on a security checkpoint, media reported, citing a local official. According to the 1TV broadcaster, at least five other people received injuries as a result of the attack. The Afghan army retaliated and killed seven militants and injured three, the broadcaster said. The Afghan government has been engaged in a struggle with the Taliban movement for almost two decades. The conflict-stricken country continues to serve as a breeding ground for various insurgent and militant groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State terrorist organization.

14 servicemen killed in Afghanistan in Taliban assault

More than 235,000 people have fled the Idlib region over the past two weeks, the UN said Friday, amid heightened regime and Russian attacks on Syria's last major opposition bastion.&nbsp;

The mass displacement between 12 and 25 December has left the violence-plagued <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syria-regime-widens-control-over-idlib-fuelling-exodus-monitor-269591">Maaret al-Numan</a> region in southern Idlib "almost empty," the UN said in a statement.

Since mid-December, Russian-backed regime forces have pressed with an assault on jihadists in southern Idlib, despite an August ceasefire deal and calls for a deescalation from Turkey, France and the United Nations.&nbsp;

The increased air strikes came as Russian-backed regime forces advance on the ground.

They have since December 19&nbsp;seized dozens of towns and villages from the jihadist amid clashes that have killed hundreds on both sides.&nbsp;

The bombardment and clashes have amplified displacement from Maaret al-Numan and the nearby town Saraqeb in the southern Idlib region, the UN said.

"People from Saraqab and its eastern countryside are now fleeing in anticipation of fighting directly affecting their communities next," a statement said.

Idlib is dominated by the country's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-syria-regimes-toughest-foe-in-idlib-162853">Hayat Tahrir al-Sham</a>, whose chief this week urged jihadists and allied rebels to head to the frontlines and battle "the Russian occupiers" and the regime.

The region hosts some three million people, including many displaced by years of violence in other parts of Syria.

The Damascus regime, which now controls 70 percent of Syria, has repeatedly vowed to take back the area.

Backed by Moscow, Damascus launched a blistering offensive against Idlib in April, killing around 1,000 civilians and displacing more than 400,000 people.

Despite a ceasefire announced in August, the bombardment has continued, prompting Turkey this week to press for a fresh ceasefire deal during talks in Moscow.

France on Tuesday called for an "an immediate de-escalation," warning of deteriorating humanitarian conditions.&nbsp;

The war in Syria has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it began with anti-government demonstrations brutally crushed by security forces.

More than 235,000 people have fled the Idlib region over the past two weeks, the UN said Friday, amid heightened regime and Russian attacks on Syria's last major opposition bastion.

More than 235,000 people have fled the Idlib region over the past two weeks, the UN said Friday, amid heightened regime and Russian attacks on Syria's last major opposition bastion. The mass displacement between 12 and 25 December has left the violence-plagued Maaret al-Numan region in southern Idlib "almost empty," the UN said in a statement. Since mid-December, Russian-backed regime forces have pressed with an assault on jihadists in southern Idlib, despite an August ceasefire deal and calls for a deescalation from Turkey, France and the United Nations. The increased air strikes came as Russian-backed regime forces advance on the ground. They have since December 19 seized dozens of towns and villages from the jihadist amid clashes that have killed hundreds on both sides. The bombardment and clashes have amplified displacement from Maaret al-Numan and the nearby town Saraqeb in the southern Idlib region, the UN said. "People from Saraqab and its eastern countryside are now fleeing in anticipation of fighting directly affecting their communities next," a statement said. Idlib is dominated by the country's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, whose chief this week urged jihadists and allied rebels to head to the frontlines and battle "the Russian occupiers" and the regime. The region hosts some three million people, including many displaced by years of violence in other parts of Syria. The Damascus regime, which now controls 70 percent of Syria, has repeatedly vowed to take back the area. Backed by Moscow, Damascus launched a blistering offensive against Idlib in April, killing around 1,000 civilians and displacing more than 400,000 people. Despite a ceasefire announced in August, the bombardment has continued, prompting Turkey this week to press for a fresh ceasefire deal during talks in Moscow. France on Tuesday called for an "an immediate de-escalation," warning of deteriorating humanitarian conditions. The war in Syria has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since it began with anti-government demonstrations brutally crushed by security forces.

More than 235,000 flee northwest Syria flare-up: United Nation

Global collaboration is the key to conducting counter-terrorism in the Middle East following the reported death of the leader of the Islamic State (IS) group, while finding a coordinated international approach to combating terrorism which avoids the errors made in previous policy decisions of Western countries is crucial to addressing the issue, according to a China Media Group (CMG) commentary published on Tuesday.

Collaboration is the key to counter-terrorism work in the Middle East

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