Regime shelling killed seven civilians in<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syria-at-least-six-killed-seven-wounded-in-rocket-fire-launched-by-jihadists-210420"> Syria's jihadist-controlled Idlib</a> region on Thursday, in the latest violence to threaten a seven-month-old truce, a war monitor said.

Rocket fire targeted a village and an adjacent camp for the internally displaced in Idlib's southeastern countryside, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Two women and three children were among the seven civilians killed, the monitor said.

Another 30 people were wounded, it said.

Regime ally Russia and rebel-backer Turkey in September inked a buffer zone deal to prevent a massive regime offensive on the Idlib region, near the Turkish border.

But the region of some three million people has come under increasing bombardment since former Al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took full control of it in January.

The UN has expressed concern over escalating violence, warning that the flare-up is threatening aid deliveries to some 2.7 million people in need.

More than 86,500 people fled their homes in February and March as a result of the surge in violence, it said.

Iran, Russia and Turkey are set to discuss the Idlib deal during a fresh round of talks on April 25-26 in Kazakhstan.

Delegations from the Syrian regime and armed opposition groups are also expected to participate, according to the Kazakh foreign ministry.

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif this week visited Damascus and met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

The trio of foreign brokers have taken the diplomatic lead through the so-called "Astana process" that has largely sidelined UN diplomacy since its launch in January 2017.

Syria's war has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since the conflict began with the repression of anti-government protests in 2011.

Regime shelling killed seven civilians in Syria's jihadist-controlled Idlib region on Thursday, in the latest violence to threaten a seven-month-old truce, a war monitor said.

Regime shelling killed seven civilians in Syria's jihadist-controlled Idlib region on Thursday, in the latest violence to threaten a seven-month-old truce, a war monitor said. Rocket fire targeted a village and an adjacent camp for the internally displaced in Idlib's southeastern countryside, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Two women and three children were among the seven civilians killed, the monitor said. Another 30 people were wounded, it said. Regime ally Russia and rebel-backer Turkey in September inked a buffer zone deal to prevent a massive regime offensive on the Idlib region, near the Turkish border. But the region of some three million people has come under increasing bombardment since former Al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took full control of it in January. The UN has expressed concern over escalating violence, warning that the flare-up is threatening aid deliveries to some 2.7 million people in need. More than 86,500 people fled their homes in February and March as a result of the surge in violence, it said. Iran, Russia and Turkey are set to discuss the Idlib deal during a fresh round of talks on April 25-26 in Kazakhstan. Delegations from the Syrian regime and armed opposition groups are also expected to participate, according to the Kazakh foreign ministry. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif this week visited Damascus and met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. The trio of foreign brokers have taken the diplomatic lead through the so-called "Astana process" that has largely sidelined UN diplomacy since its launch in January 2017. Syria's war has killed more than 370,000 people and displaced millions since the conflict began with the repression of anti-government protests in 2011.

Army shelling kills seven in Syria's Idlib: Monitor

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday accused Iran of ties to Al-Qaeda and declined to say whether the Trump administration had legal authority to invade the country.

Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Pompeo hedged on whether the authorization of force by the US Congress days after the September 11, 2001 attacks would allow the United States to strike Iran.

"I would prefer just to leave that to lawyers," Pompeo told Senator Rand Paul, a Republican who is critical of US foreign interventions.

"The factual question with respect to Iran's connections to Al-Qaeda is very real. They have hosted Al-Qaeda, they have permitted Al-Qaeda to transit their country," he said.

"There is no doubt there is a connection between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Al-Qaeda. Period, full stop," he said.

But Pompeo denied Paul's suggestion that President Donald Trump's designation Monday of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards was aimed at making a legal case for war.

"It was not part of the decision-making process. The designation was a simple recognition of reality," Pompeo said, citing US figures that Iran was behind more than 600 deaths of US troops in Iraq after the 2003 invasion when Tehran backed Shiite forces.

Trump has piled pressure on Iran after last year withdrawing from a nuclear accord negotiated under previous president Barack Obama, slapping sweeping sanctions as Washington seeks to roll back the clerical regime's regional influence.

Paul voiced concern that Pompeo had not rejected war with Iran under the 2001 authorization, which has been used to back the war in Afghanistan as well as attacks on Al-Qaeda in countries as diverse as Yemen and the Philippines.

"I am troubled that the administration can't unequivocally say that you haven't been given power or authority by Congress to have war with Iran," Paul said.

"In any kind of semblance of a sane world, you would have to come back and ask us before you go into Iran," Paul said. The US Constitution gives the power to declare war to Congress.

Paul also rejected the idea that Iran, a Shiite clerical regime, would ally with Al-Qaeda, Sunnis whose ranks have denounced Shiites as heretics.

"I don't think that dog hunts very well," Paul said of Pompeo's statement. "They actually would just as soon eradicate Sunni extremists."

Iran is believed to have been the longtime base of Hamza bin Laden, the son of late Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden.

But some experts say Tehran kept him under house arrest as a way to maintain pressure on rival Saudi Arabia and dissuade Al-Qaeda attacks inside Iran.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday accused Iran of ties to Al-Qaeda and declined to say whether the Trump administration had legal authority to invade the country.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday accused Iran of ties to Al-Qaeda and declined to say whether the Trump administration had legal authority to invade the country. Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Pompeo hedged on whether the authorization of force by the US Congress days after the September 11, 2001 attacks would allow the United States to strike Iran. "I would prefer just to leave that to lawyers," Pompeo told Senator Rand Paul, a Republican who is critical of US foreign interventions. "The factual question with respect to Iran's connections to Al-Qaeda is very real. They have hosted Al-Qaeda, they have permitted Al-Qaeda to transit their country," he said. "There is no doubt there is a connection between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Al-Qaeda. Period, full stop," he said. But Pompeo denied Paul's suggestion that President Donald Trump's designation Monday of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards was aimed at making a legal case for war. "It was not part of the decision-making process. The designation was a simple recognition of reality," Pompeo said, citing US figures that Iran was behind more than 600 deaths of US troops in Iraq after the 2003 invasion when Tehran backed Shiite forces. Trump has piled pressure on Iran after last year withdrawing from a nuclear accord negotiated under previous president Barack Obama, slapping sweeping sanctions as Washington seeks to roll back the clerical regime's regional influence. Paul voiced concern that Pompeo had not rejected war with Iran under the 2001 authorization, which has been used to back the war in Afghanistan as well as attacks on Al-Qaeda in countries as diverse as Yemen and the Philippines. "I am troubled that the administration can't unequivocally say that you haven't been given power or authority by Congress to have war with Iran," Paul said. "In any kind of semblance of a sane world, you would have to come back and ask us before you go into Iran," Paul said. The US Constitution gives the power to declare war to Congress. Paul also rejected the idea that Iran, a Shiite clerical regime, would ally with Al-Qaeda, Sunnis whose ranks have denounced Shiites as heretics. "I don't think that dog hunts very well," Paul said of Pompeo's statement. "They actually would just as soon eradicate Sunni extremists." Iran is believed to have been the longtime base of Hamza bin Laden, the son of late Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden. But some experts say Tehran kept him under house arrest as a way to maintain pressure on rival Saudi Arabia and dissuade Al-Qaeda attacks inside Iran.

Pompeo says Iran tied to Al-Qaeda, declines to say if war legal

Thirty-one militants, many of them believed to have been Al-Qaeda fighters, have been killed in airstrikes in south-eastern Afghanistan, officials said Thursday.

The strikes were carried out in Ghazni province late Wednesday, where the defence ministry said they targeted a "base" belonging to the militants.&nbsp;

"Qari Aref, one of the facilitators (for Al-Qaeda) was transferring these 31 terrorists, including nine suicide bombers, in several cars when targeted by airstrikes and eliminated," the ministry said.

It described the fighters as all belonging to the Middle Eastern jihadist group, although a spokesman for the Ghazni governor said fighters from the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network were also present.&nbsp;

The defence ministry did not specify who carried out the airstrikes. Only Afghan and US forces in Afghanistan conduct airstrikes.

The Ghazni governor's spokesman, Mohammed Aref Noori, said the strikes had been carried out by US forces, but there was no immediate confirmation of his claim.&nbsp;

Al-Qaeda is still believed to be active in parts Afghanistan and Pakistan, where some of its surviving leadership such as Ayman al-Zawahiri are thought to be hiding.

While still regarded as a threat by Afghan and US officials, the group has not been able to conduct major attacks in Afghanistan or repeat the spectacular success of the September 11, 2001 attacks by hijacked airliners on New York and Washington.

Thirty-one militants, many of them believed to have been Al-Qaeda fighters, have been killed in airstrikes in south-eastern Afghanistan, officials said Thursday.

Thirty-one militants, many of them believed to have been Al-Qaeda fighters, have been killed in airstrikes in south-eastern Afghanistan, officials said Thursday. The strikes were carried out in Ghazni province late Wednesday, where the defence ministry said they targeted a "base" belonging to the militants. "Qari Aref, one of the facilitators (for Al-Qaeda) was transferring these 31 terrorists, including nine suicide bombers, in several cars when targeted by airstrikes and eliminated," the ministry said. It described the fighters as all belonging to the Middle Eastern jihadist group, although a spokesman for the Ghazni governor said fighters from the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network were also present. The defence ministry did not specify who carried out the airstrikes. Only Afghan and US forces in Afghanistan conduct airstrikes. The Ghazni governor's spokesman, Mohammed Aref Noori, said the strikes had been carried out by US forces, but there was no immediate confirmation of his claim. Al-Qaeda is still believed to be active in parts Afghanistan and Pakistan, where some of its surviving leadership such as Ayman al-Zawahiri are thought to be hiding. While still regarded as a threat by Afghan and US officials, the group has not been able to conduct major attacks in Afghanistan or repeat the spectacular success of the September 11, 2001 attacks by hijacked airliners on New York and Washington.

Afghan airstrikes kill 31 militants: Officials

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-says-it-is-seeking-information-on-whether-pakistan-used-f-16s-to-shoot-down-indian-jet-200891">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-says-it-is-seeking-information-on-whether-pakistan-used-f-16s-to-shoot-down-indian-jet-200891"> says it is 'seeking information' on whether Pakistan used F-16s to shoot down Indian jet</a>

The United States is "seeking information" on whether Pakistan used US-built F-16 jets to down an Indian warplane, the US Embassy in Islamabad said on Sunday, which may violate the F-16 sale agreements between Washington and Pakistan.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/iaf-pilot-sustained-injuries-in-one-of-his-ribs-after-assault-from-pakistani-mob-sources-200899">Wing Commander Abhinandan's lower spine, rib hurt: Sources</a>

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was held captive by the Pakistanis for two days after his jet was shot down in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, has suffered injuries to his lower spine and rib.&nbsp;

The news agency ANI quoted sources as saying Abhinandan might have hurt his spine while ejecting from his MiG-21.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-it-will-prevent-us-military-intervention-in-venezuela-tass-200896">Russia says it will prevent US military intervention in Venezuela: TASS</a>

Russia will do all possible to prevent a US military intervention in Venezuela, the TASS news agency quoted the speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament as saying on Sunday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-dragon-capsule-successfully-docks-on-international-space-station-nasa-200895">SpaceX capsule docks successfully at International Space Station: NASA</a>

SpaceX's new Dragon capsule successfully docked on the International Space Station on Sunday, NASA and SpaceX confirmed during a live broadcast of the mission.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/al-qaeda-linked-syria-group-kills-21-regime-forces-monitor-200898">Al-Qaeda-linked Syria group kills 21 regime forces: Monitor</a>

A Syrian jihadist group linked to Al-Qaeda killed 21 regime and allied forces Sunday near Idlib province, in one of the deadliest breaches of a six-month-old truce deal, a monitor said.

US says it is 'seeking information' on whether Pakistan used F-16s to shoot down Indian jet The United States is "seeking information" on whether Pakistan used US-built F-16 jets to down an Indian warplane, the US Embassy in Islamabad said on Sunday, which may violate the F-16 sale agreements between Washington and Pakistan.

US says it is 'seeking information' on whether Pakistan used F-16s to shoot down Indian jet The United States is "seeking information" on whether Pakistan used US-built F-16 jets to down an Indian warplane, the US Embassy in Islamabad said on Sunday, which may violate the F-16 sale agreements between Washington and Pakistan. Wing Commander Abhinandan's lower spine, rib hurt: Sources Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was held captive by the Pakistanis for two days after his jet was shot down in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, has suffered injuries to his lower spine and rib. The news agency ANI quoted sources as saying Abhinandan might have hurt his spine while ejecting from his MiG-21. Russia says it will prevent US military intervention in Venezuela: TASS Russia will do all possible to prevent a US military intervention in Venezuela, the TASS news agency quoted the speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament as saying on Sunday. SpaceX capsule docks successfully at International Space Station: NASA SpaceX's new Dragon capsule successfully docked on the International Space Station on Sunday, NASA and SpaceX confirmed during a live broadcast of the mission. Al-Qaeda-linked Syria group kills 21 regime forces: Monitor A Syrian jihadist group linked to Al-Qaeda killed 21 regime and allied forces Sunday near Idlib province, in one of the deadliest breaches of a six-month-old truce deal, a monitor said.

News brief: Big stories of the day

A Syrian jihadist group linked to Al-Qaeda killed 21 regime and allied forces Sunday near Idlib province, in one of the deadliest breaches of a six-month-old truce deal, a monitor said.

"At dawn, 21 fighters from the regime forces or allied militia were killed in an attack by Ansar al-Tawhid jihadists," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"Five jihadists were also killed," Rami Abdel Rahman, the director of the Britain-based monitoring group, said.

Ansar al-Tawhid has ties to the larger Hurras al-Deen group, which is also active in the area. Both are considered semi-officials franchises of Al-Qaeda in Syria.

The area of Idlib and small parts of the adjacent provinces of Hama and Aleppo are mostly controlled by the rival Hayat Tahrir al-Sham organisation. HTS is led by fighters who formerly belonged to Al-Qaeda's ex-affiliate in Syria.

Sunday's deadly attack was carried out against regime positions in the village of Masasna, in the north of Hama province, the Observatory said.

"It was one of the highest casualty figures among regime ranks since the Putin-Erdogan deal," Abdel Rahman said.

He was referring to an agreement reached in the Russian resort of Sochi between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Under the September 17 deal, Turkey was supposed to exert its influence over anti-regime groups in the Idlib region to get them to pull back their fighters and heavy weapons from a demilitarised zone.

The agreement was meant to stave off a planned offensive by the regime and its Russian backers that aid groups feared could spark the eight-year-old Syrian conflict's worst humanitarian crisis yet.

The government assault on the last major bastion of forces opposed to President Bashar al-Assad's rule has indeed been held off but the deal's provisions have not been implemented and the de facto truce looks shakier than ever.

Since the Sochi agreement, HTS has consolidated its grip on the Idlib province and Turkey appears to be in no position to deliver on its commitment.

Breaches of the demilitarised zone have spiked in recent days. Another 20 regime and allied forces were killed in three days of clashes about a week ago.&nbsp;

A Syrian jihadist group linked to Al-Qaeda killed 21 regime and allied forces Sunday near Idlib province, in one of the deadliest breaches of a six-month-old truce deal, a monitor said.

A Syrian jihadist group linked to Al-Qaeda killed 21 regime and allied forces Sunday near Idlib province, in one of the deadliest breaches of a six-month-old truce deal, a monitor said. "At dawn, 21 fighters from the regime forces or allied militia were killed in an attack by Ansar al-Tawhid jihadists," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. "Five jihadists were also killed," Rami Abdel Rahman, the director of the Britain-based monitoring group, said. Ansar al-Tawhid has ties to the larger Hurras al-Deen group, which is also active in the area. Both are considered semi-officials franchises of Al-Qaeda in Syria. The area of Idlib and small parts of the adjacent provinces of Hama and Aleppo are mostly controlled by the rival Hayat Tahrir al-Sham organisation. HTS is led by fighters who formerly belonged to Al-Qaeda's ex-affiliate in Syria. Sunday's deadly attack was carried out against regime positions in the village of Masasna, in the north of Hama province, the Observatory said. "It was one of the highest casualty figures among regime ranks since the Putin-Erdogan deal," Abdel Rahman said. He was referring to an agreement reached in the Russian resort of Sochi between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Under the September 17 deal, Turkey was supposed to exert its influence over anti-regime groups in the Idlib region to get them to pull back their fighters and heavy weapons from a demilitarised zone. The agreement was meant to stave off a planned offensive by the regime and its Russian backers that aid groups feared could spark the eight-year-old Syrian conflict's worst humanitarian crisis yet. The government assault on the last major bastion of forces opposed to President Bashar al-Assad's rule has indeed been held off but the deal's provisions have not been implemented and the de facto truce looks shakier than ever. Since the Sochi agreement, HTS has consolidated its grip on the Idlib province and Turkey appears to be in no position to deliver on its commitment. Breaches of the demilitarised zone have spiked in recent days. Another 20 regime and allied forces were killed in three days of clashes about a week ago.

Al-Qaeda-linked Syria group kills 21 regime forces: Monitor

French forces have killed a top jihadist leader, Yahya Abou El Hamame, in an operation in Mali, Defence Minister Florence Parly said Friday.

The Algerian, a commander in Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), was reputedly responsible for kidnapping a number of Westerners in North and West Africa.

A ministry statement issued in Paris said he was "the mastermind and financier of several attacks".

El Hamame was killed Thursday when French land and air forces ambushed a column of vehicles he was travelling with north of Timbuktu, Parly said.

He reportedly served as AQIM's "governor" in Timbuktu when the city was held by Islamist rebels from April 2012 to January 2013.

A number of other "terrorists" were "neutralised", Parly added.

El Hamame was believed to be second in command of the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM), also known as Nusrat al-Islam, led by Iyad Ag Ghali.

The group was formed by the merger of Ansar Dine, the Macina Liberation Front, Al-Mourabitoun and El Hamame's Saharan branch of AQIM.

The operation was announced as Parly, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian were due to visit Mali, where some 4,500 French troops have been deployed since 2014 to reconquer the north of the country after it fell to jihadist fighters.

French forces have killed a top jihadist leader, Yahya Abou El Hamame, in an operation in Mali, Defence Minister Florence Parly said Friday. The Algerian, a commander in Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), was reputedly responsible for kidnapping a number of Westerners in North and West Africa.

French forces have killed a top jihadist leader, Yahya Abou El Hamame, in an operation in Mali, Defence Minister Florence Parly said Friday. The Algerian, a commander in Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), was reputedly responsible for kidnapping a number of Westerners in North and West Africa. A ministry statement issued in Paris said he was "the mastermind and financier of several attacks". El Hamame was killed Thursday when French land and air forces ambushed a column of vehicles he was travelling with north of Timbuktu, Parly said. He reportedly served as AQIM's "governor" in Timbuktu when the city was held by Islamist rebels from April 2012 to January 2013. A number of other "terrorists" were "neutralised", Parly added. El Hamame was believed to be second in command of the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM), also known as Nusrat al-Islam, led by Iyad Ag Ghali. The group was formed by the merger of Ansar Dine, the Macina Liberation Front, Al-Mourabitoun and El Hamame's Saharan branch of AQIM. The operation was announced as Parly, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian were due to visit Mali, where some 4,500 French troops have been deployed since 2014 to reconquer the north of the country after it fell to jihadist fighters.

France says kills top Al-Qaeda commander in Africa's Sahel region

The US carried out an air strike against <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-increases-bounty-to-10-million-for-information-on-al-qaeda-leader-172217">Islamist group Al-Qaeda in southern Libya </a>on Wednesday night, Tripoli's UN-backed government of national accord said.

The strike near the town of Ubari, some 900 kilometres (550 miles) south of the capital, was coordinated with the GNA, said President Fayez al-Sarraj's spokesman.&nbsp;

It targeted "a number of members of terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda", Mohamad al-Sallak said in a statement, giving no further details.

Libya has been wracked by violence and torn between rival administrations since the NATO-backed overthrow and killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

The GNA was formed following a UN-backed deal in December 2015, but it has struggled to impose its power across the country.

The US military regularly carries out air strikes in Libya against Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

Last year in August it said it had killed an IS member described by a source as a former local leader of the jihadists.

In June the US said it had killed four members of an IS affiliate near the northern town of Bani Walid, while in March the Pentagon confirmed a senior Al-Qaeda operative and another jihadist died in a US air strike. 
&nbsp;

The US carried out an air strike against Islamist group Al-Qaeda in southern Libya on Wednesday night, Tripoli's UN-backed government of national accord said. The strike near the town of Ubari, some 900 kilometres (550 miles) south of the capital, was coordinated with the GNA, said President Fayez al-Sarraj's spokesman.

The US carried out an air strike against Islamist group Al-Qaeda in southern Libya on Wednesday night, Tripoli's UN-backed government of national accord said. The strike near the town of Ubari, some 900 kilometres (550 miles) south of the capital, was coordinated with the GNA, said President Fayez al-Sarraj's spokesman. It targeted "a number of members of terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda", Mohamad al-Sallak said in a statement, giving no further details. Libya has been wracked by violence and torn between rival administrations since the NATO-backed overthrow and killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. The GNA was formed following a UN-backed deal in December 2015, but it has struggled to impose its power across the country. The US military regularly carries out air strikes in Libya against Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group. Last year in August it said it had killed an IS member described by a source as a former local leader of the jihadists. In June the US said it had killed four members of an IS affiliate near the northern town of Bani Walid, while in March the Pentagon confirmed a senior Al-Qaeda operative and another jihadist died in a US air strike.

US targeted al-Qaeda in air strikes over Libya: UN-backed govt

Al-Shabaab: How Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked terror outfit terrorises Africa

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Wednesday that Islamists who stormed an upmarket hotel complex, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cctv-gunmen-enter-nairobi-hotel-at-least-15-killed-in-attack-190625">killing 14 people</a>, had been "eliminated" after an almost 20-hour siege in which hundreds of civilians were rescued.

At least one suicide bomber blew himself up and gunmen engaged security forces in numerous shootouts during the assault on the DusitD2 compound, which includes a 101-room hotel, spa, restaurant and office buildings.

The attack was claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked Somali group Al-Shabaab, which has repeatedly targeted Kenya since it sent its army into Somalia in October 2011 to fight the jihadist group.

The sight of armed Islamists and terrified civilians fleeing reminded Kenyans of a 2013 Shabaab attack on the Westgate mall left 67 dead in a siege that stretched out over four days and led to sharp criticism of the security response.

In a televised address, Kenyatta said some 700 civilians had been evacuated throughout the attack at DusitD2, with the swift and effective work from security forces drawing widespread praise in local media.

"I can confirm that... The security operation at Dusit complex is over and all the terrorists eliminated," Kenyatta said in a televised address to the nation.

"As of this moment, we have confirmation that 14 innocent lives were lost to the... Terrorists, with others injured." Police sources and a mortuary official had previously reported 15 dead.

It was not immediately clear how many attackers there were in total. 
CCTV footage broadcast on local media showed four black-clad, heavily armed men entering the complex on Tuesday afternoon.

At least one of them blew himself up at the start of the attack. A police source said two attackers had been shot dead Wednesday morning after a prolonged shootout.

"The two have red bandanas tied around their forehead and bullets strapped around their chest with several magazines each," the senior police officer said.

"Each had an AK47 which has been secured." - Briton, American among dead.

The attack began at about 3 pm&nbsp;on Tuesday afternoon, with a loud blast followed by gunfire and rapid calls for help spreading on Twitter.

Kenyan police chief Joseph Boinnet said the attack began with an explosion targeting three cars in the parking lot and a suicide bombing in the foyer of the Dusit hotel.

Among the dead was an American citizen, a State Department official said.

A mortuary official said there were also 11 Kenyan victims, a British victim, one with no papers as well as an unidentified torso of a male adult.

It was a tormented night for families of those trapped as they waited outside the hotel, with sporadic gunfire ringing out, and the rescue of dozens of people at about 3:30 am.

Explosions and gunfire intensified from dawn until police managed to secure the complex mid-morning.

As the first explosion and gunfire rang out in the leafy Westlands suburb, hundreds of terrified office workers barricaded themselves in the complex while others fled.

Distraught family members arrived at a nearby mortuary on Wednesday,&nbsp;where they said they had not been permitted to view the bodies.

"My sister is not in any of the hospitals and the last time we spoke she was a bit calm but suddenly she started crying and shouting and I could hear gunshots and her phone remained on but she wasn't speaking," said a woman who gave her name as Njoki.

"We have no doubt her body is here. Let them allow us in", she said, weeping.

A number of heavily-armed foreign forces, who appeared to be from embassies based in Nairobi, were at the scene alongside Kenyan security officers.

One survivor rescued from the building told a local television station the attackers were "very confident; they were people who knew what they were doing".

John Maingi said there had been "a flash of lights and a loud bang" at the Secret Garden restaurant where he works.

"When I peeped outside I saw a human leg which has been cut off. We hid in the room and then some police officers rescued us," he said.

Reuben Kimani, a barista who was rescued after several hours trapped inside the hotel, said he recognised one of the attackers as a client.

"I knew one of them because he had a big scar on one of his hands," he said. "I saw them. They shot six of my friends, four didn't die but two succumbed."&nbsp;

An editorial in the Daily Nation newspaper said the attack was a stark reminder that Kenya's security challenges were far from over.

The last major attack in the country took place in 2015, when Shabaab killed 148 people at the university in Garissa, eastern Kenya.

Since then sporadic attacks have targeted security forces mostly in the remote northeastern parts of the country.

"Just when we thought that things were calm, the gangs unleashed mayhem. For Kenyans, the chilling reality is that the attacks are not ceasing," read the editorial.

In its statement, Shabaab noted the attack came exactly three years after its fighters overran a Kenyan military base in Somalia, killing some 200 soldiers.

The government has refused to give a toll or disclose details about the attack.&nbsp;

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Wednesday that Islamists who stormed an upmarket hotel complex, killing 14 people, had been "eliminated" after an almost 20-hour siege in which hundreds of civilians were rescued.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Wednesday that Islamists who stormed an upmarket hotel complex, killing 14 people, had been "eliminated" after an almost 20-hour siege in which hundreds of civilians were rescued. At least one suicide bomber blew himself up and gunmen engaged security forces in numerous shootouts during the assault on the DusitD2 compound, which includes a 101-room hotel, spa, restaurant and office buildings. The attack was claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked Somali group Al-Shabaab, which has repeatedly targeted Kenya since it sent its army into Somalia in October 2011 to fight the jihadist group. The sight of armed Islamists and terrified civilians fleeing reminded Kenyans of a 2013 Shabaab attack on the Westgate mall left 67 dead in a siege that stretched out over four days and led to sharp criticism of the security response. In a televised address, Kenyatta said some 700 civilians had been evacuated throughout the attack at DusitD2, with the swift and effective work from security forces drawing widespread praise in local media. "I can confirm that... The security operation at Dusit complex is over and all the terrorists eliminated," Kenyatta said in a televised address to the nation. "As of this moment, we have confirmation that 14 innocent lives were lost to the... Terrorists, with others injured." Police sources and a mortuary official had previously reported 15 dead. It was not immediately clear how many attackers there were in total. CCTV footage broadcast on local media showed four black-clad, heavily armed men entering the complex on Tuesday afternoon. At least one of them blew himself up at the start of the attack. A police source said two attackers had been shot dead Wednesday morning after a prolonged shootout. "The two have red bandanas tied around their forehead and bullets strapped around their chest with several magazines each," the senior police officer said. "Each had an AK47 which has been secured." - Briton, American among dead. The attack began at about 3 pm on Tuesday afternoon, with a loud blast followed by gunfire and rapid calls for help spreading on Twitter. Kenyan police chief Joseph Boinnet said the attack began with an explosion targeting three cars in the parking lot and a suicide bombing in the foyer of the Dusit hotel. Among the dead was an American citizen, a State Department official said. A mortuary official said there were also 11 Kenyan victims, a British victim, one with no papers as well as an unidentified torso of a male adult. It was a tormented night for families of those trapped as they waited outside the hotel, with sporadic gunfire ringing out, and the rescue of dozens of people at about 3:30 am. Explosions and gunfire intensified from dawn until police managed to secure the complex mid-morning. As the first explosion and gunfire rang out in the leafy Westlands suburb, hundreds of terrified office workers barricaded themselves in the complex while others fled. Distraught family members arrived at a nearby mortuary on Wednesday, where they said they had not been permitted to view the bodies. "My sister is not in any of the hospitals and the last time we spoke she was a bit calm but suddenly she started crying and shouting and I could hear gunshots and her phone remained on but she wasn't speaking," said a woman who gave her name as Njoki. "We have no doubt her body is here. Let them allow us in", she said, weeping. A number of heavily-armed foreign forces, who appeared to be from embassies based in Nairobi, were at the scene alongside Kenyan security officers. One survivor rescued from the building told a local television station the attackers were "very confident; they were people who knew what they were doing". John Maingi said there had been "a flash of lights and a loud bang" at the Secret Garden restaurant where he works. "When I peeped outside I saw a human leg which has been cut off. We hid in the room and then some police officers rescued us," he said. Reuben Kimani, a barista who was rescued after several hours trapped inside the hotel, said he recognised one of the attackers as a client. "I knew one of them because he had a big scar on one of his hands," he said. "I saw them. They shot six of my friends, four didn't die but two succumbed." An editorial in the Daily Nation newspaper said the attack was a stark reminder that Kenya's security challenges were far from over. The last major attack in the country took place in 2015, when Shabaab killed 148 people at the university in Garissa, eastern Kenya. Since then sporadic attacks have targeted security forces mostly in the remote northeastern parts of the country. "Just when we thought that things were calm, the gangs unleashed mayhem. For Kenyans, the chilling reality is that the attacks are not ceasing," read the editorial. In its statement, Shabaab noted the attack came exactly three years after its fighters overran a Kenyan military base in Somalia, killing some 200 soldiers. The government has refused to give a toll or disclose details about the attack.

Nairobi hotel attack over after 20-hour siege, 14 dead: President Kenyatta

Pakistan certainly needs to do more in its fight against terrorism and the Trump administration expects Islamabad to act against terror groups like the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba in same way as it did against al-Qaeda after the 9/11 attacks, a top American official has said.

State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism Nathan Alexander Sales said during a Congressional hearing that the US was "very concerned" over the support for terrorism in any region of the world.

"And I can tell you we have communicated to the Pakistani government at the highest levels that we expect them to do more just like we expected them to act with us after 9/11," Sales said on Wednesday.

"Pakistan has in the past been a very effective counterpart in taking the fight to al-Qaeda. We need them to do the same thing with respect to the Haqqanis, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and the other terrorist groups that are active in the region," he said.

Sales said Pakistan "certainly needs to do more" in the fight against terrorism.

His remarks came after several Congressmen expressed concern over the continued resistance by Pakistan to take satisfactory action against terror groups operating from its soil.

The lawmakers alleged that Pakistan was not doing enough against the terror groups.

"I think they're not doing the job, despite terrorism, because the terrorists come in from Pakistan into Afghanistan, do their mischief, and run back across the border. I think they've been doing that for years," said Congressman Ted Poe, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.

"They take our money, Million of dollars we give Pakistan every year. It befuddles me why we do that when they don't... And they allow a safe haven for terrorists in their own country that invade another country, namely Afghanistan," Poe alleged.

He, however, praised the State Department for not giving Pakistan funds for counterterrorism.

The State Department's Inspector General filed a report last year that found much of the antiterrorism assistance US had given to Pakistan was not being used, including dozens of courses not implemented.

"I am pleased to hear the Bureau has since repurposed many of the resources that had been sent to Pakistan to other more worthwhile programs. We cannot afford to throw good money after bad. Effective monitoring and evaluation programs are crucial to spotting what is not working and making changes that do," he said.

In his first tweet of the year, US President Donald Trump had expressed his dissatisfaction over Pakistan's reluctance in taking strong action against terrorists.

"The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" Trump tweeted.

He had ordered to stop all security financial assistance to Pakistan.

Pakistan certainly needs to do more in its fight against terrorism and the Trump administration expects Islamabad to act against terror groups like the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba in same way as it did against al-Qaeda after the 9/11 attacks, a top American official has said.

Pakistan certainly needs to do more in its fight against terrorism and the Trump administration expects Islamabad to act against terror groups like the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba in same way as it did against al-Qaeda after the 9/11 attacks, a top American official has said. State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism Nathan Alexander Sales said during a Congressional hearing that the US was "very concerned" over the support for terrorism in any region of the world. "And I can tell you we have communicated to the Pakistani government at the highest levels that we expect them to do more just like we expected them to act with us after 9/11," Sales said on Wednesday. "Pakistan has in the past been a very effective counterpart in taking the fight to al-Qaeda. We need them to do the same thing with respect to the Haqqanis, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and the other terrorist groups that are active in the region," he said. Sales said Pakistan "certainly needs to do more" in the fight against terrorism. His remarks came after several Congressmen expressed concern over the continued resistance by Pakistan to take satisfactory action against terror groups operating from its soil. The lawmakers alleged that Pakistan was not doing enough against the terror groups. "I think they're not doing the job, despite terrorism, because the terrorists come in from Pakistan into Afghanistan, do their mischief, and run back across the border. I think they've been doing that for years," said Congressman Ted Poe, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade. "They take our money, Million of dollars we give Pakistan every year. It befuddles me why we do that when they don't... And they allow a safe haven for terrorists in their own country that invade another country, namely Afghanistan," Poe alleged. He, however, praised the State Department for not giving Pakistan funds for counterterrorism. The State Department's Inspector General filed a report last year that found much of the antiterrorism assistance US had given to Pakistan was not being used, including dozens of courses not implemented. "I am pleased to hear the Bureau has since repurposed many of the resources that had been sent to Pakistan to other more worthwhile programs. We cannot afford to throw good money after bad. Effective monitoring and evaluation programs are crucial to spotting what is not working and making changes that do," he said. In his first tweet of the year, US President Donald Trump had expressed his dissatisfaction over Pakistan's reluctance in taking strong action against terrorists. "The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies and deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!" Trump tweeted. He had ordered to stop all security financial assistance to Pakistan.

Pakistan certainly needs to do more in its fight terrorism : US

The use of YouTube as a medium for broadcasting terrorist propaganda and conspiracy videos is gradually declining, according to reports by an intelligence group that keeps a check on online terrorism.

An analysis conducted by Site Intelligence Group, Islamic State and al-Qaeda have moved to file-sharing portals like Dropbox Inc., Google Drive, and Google Photos.

These file-hosting services became the top-used services to share countless historical documentaries, battle footage, video speeches etc.

Once uploaded, links to this content are typically disseminated on social media platforms like Facebook Inc., Twitter Inc., and Telegram Messenger to reach as wide an audience as possible.

The report by Site, which analyzed more than 27,000 web links between April 1 and August 31 this year, comes as the European Union pushes for new legislation to force internet companies to wipe terror content from their services within an hour of being notified of it. They may face fines if they fail to do so.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/youtube-under-scanner-for-showing-ads-on-extremist-channels-report-132347">YouTube under </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/youtube-under-scanner-for-showing-ads-on-extremist-channels-report-132347">scanner</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/youtube-under-scanner-for-showing-ads-on-extremist-channels-report-132347"> for showing ads on extremist channels</a>

It was earlier reported that YouTube users were being recommended videos from extremist sources broadcasting conspiracy videos.&nbsp;

YouTube came under scrutiny after ads from over 300 companies were shown on channels which promoted and included content about white nationalists, Nazis pedophilia, conspiracy theories and North Korean propaganda.

Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg Sheryl Sandberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey had been called to testify before Congress in high-profile hearings that questioned their products, politics, and allegiances.

With nearly 2 billion unique users a month, the platform is used by 94 per cent of 18-24-year-olds regularly, and one in five members of this group go to YouTube first to get their news, according to the Pew Research Center.&nbsp;

With such a large audience and little oversight, many political extremists have turned to YouTube to spread their views and make money doing it.

The use of YouTube as a medium for broadcasting terrorist propaganda and conspiracy videos is gradually declining, according to reports by an intelligence group that keeps a check on online terrorism.

The use of YouTube as a medium for broadcasting terrorist propaganda and conspiracy videos is gradually declining, according to reports by an intelligence group that keeps a check on online terrorism. An analysis conducted by Site Intelligence Group, Islamic State and al-Qaeda have moved to file-sharing portals like Dropbox Inc., Google Drive, and Google Photos. These file-hosting services became the top-used services to share countless historical documentaries, battle footage, video speeches etc. Once uploaded, links to this content are typically disseminated on social media platforms like Facebook Inc., Twitter Inc., and Telegram Messenger to reach as wide an audience as possible. The report by Site, which analyzed more than 27,000 web links between April 1 and August 31 this year, comes as the European Union pushes for new legislation to force internet companies to wipe terror content from their services within an hour of being notified of it. They may face fines if they fail to do so. Also read: YouTube under scanner for showing ads on extremist channels It was earlier reported that YouTube users were being recommended videos from extremist sources broadcasting conspiracy videos. YouTube came under scrutiny after ads from over 300 companies were shown on channels which promoted and included content about white nationalists, Nazis pedophilia, conspiracy theories and North Korean propaganda. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg Sheryl Sandberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey had been called to testify before Congress in high-profile hearings that questioned their products, politics, and allegiances. With nearly 2 billion unique users a month, the platform is used by 94 per cent of 18-24-year-olds regularly, and one in five members of this group go to YouTube first to get their news, according to the Pew Research Center. With such a large audience and little oversight, many political extremists have turned to YouTube to spread their views and make money doing it.

Extremists drop use of YouTube to spread terrorist propaganda, move to Google drive, Google Photos

Deadly clashes erupted overnight as jihadist fighters attacked two besieged regime-controlled villages in northwestern Syria, a monitor said on Sunday.

The villages of Fuaa and Kafraya represent a tiny pocket of regime-held territory in Syria's northwest Idlib province, which is otherwise almost entirely controlled by various jihadist and hardline rebels.

Occasional skirmishes erupt there but the frontline has been quiet in recent months.&nbsp

Late Saturday, fighters from Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate attacked Fuaa and Kafraya, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.&nbsp

"Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) began heavily shelling the two villages, and broke into Fuaa to attack local fighters," said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.&nbsp

"This is the fiercest attack in around three years," he told AFP.

The fighting, which was continuing Sunday, had killed six Syrian pro-regime fighters and at least three from HTS.

Syrian state news agency SANA also reported the attack, and said local fighters had been able to push HTS back.

Around 10,000 people, most of them Shiite Muslims, are estimated to live in the two villages. Syrian troops also hold some territory in Idlib's east, including the key Abu Duhur airbase.&nbsp

In apparent retaliation for the attack, Syrian warplanes pounded several towns around Fuaa and Kafraya on Sunday, AFP's correspondent and a monitor said.&nbsp

Fuaa and Kafraya are the only two places in Syria currently designated as besieged by the United Nations.

Siege tactics have been used throughout Syria's seven-year conflict, mostly by the government.&nbsp

Troops have employed the tactic alongside heavy bombing to cut off food and medicine to rebel-held areas, then coerce people to agree to leave in population transfer deals. After such agreements, the United Nations no longer considers those areas as besieged. &nbsp

The fate of Fuaa and Kafraya has been heavily impacted by such deals.&nbsp

They made up part of the Four Towns Agreement, a complex deal that saw tit-for-tat evacuations and aid deliveries between Fuaa and Kafraya on one hand, and the government-besieged towns of Zabadani and Madaya.&nbsp

Idlib, which lies on the border with Turkey, has seen its population balloon in recent years as fighters and civilians evacuated from other opposition areas are dumped there.&nbsp

Rebels overran most of Idlib in 2015, but the mainstream opposition's influence has dwindled as jihadists like HTS have solidified their grip on the province.

In recent months, regime forces have recaptured a sliver of the province and the Islamic State group is conducting hit-and-run attacks there against its HTS rival.&nbsp

Last week, clashes in Idlib between HTS and an IS sleeper cell made up of Iraqi jihadists left more than two dozen fighters dead, mostly from IS.&nbsp

In retaliation, the IS cell executed five HTS fighters it had abducted in Idlib, the Britain-based Observatory said Sunday.&nbsp

HTS also killed six IS members it had captured in the clashes.

The villages of Fuaa and Kafraya represent a tiny pocket of regime-held territory in Syria's northwest Idlib province, which is otherwise almost entirely controlled by various jihadist and hardline rebels

Deadly clashes erupted overnight as jihadist fighters attacked two besieged regime-controlled villages in northwestern Syria, a monitor said on Sunday. The villages of Fuaa and Kafraya represent a tiny pocket of regime-held territory in Syria's northwest Idlib province, which is otherwise almost entirely controlled by various jihadist and hardline rebels. Occasional skirmishes erupt there but the frontline has been quiet in recent months. Late Saturday, fighters from Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate attacked Fuaa and Kafraya, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) began heavily shelling the two villages, and broke into Fuaa to attack local fighters," said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman. "This is the fiercest attack in around three years," he told AFP. The fighting, which was continuing Sunday, had killed six Syrian pro-regime fighters and at least three from HTS. Syrian state news agency SANA also reported the attack, and said local fighters had been able to push HTS back. Around 10,000 people, most of them Shiite Muslims, are estimated to live in the two villages. Syrian troops also hold some territory in Idlib's east, including the key Abu Duhur airbase. In apparent retaliation for the attack, Syrian warplanes pounded several towns around Fuaa and Kafraya on Sunday, AFP's correspondent and a monitor said. Fuaa and Kafraya are the only two places in Syria currently designated as besieged by the United Nations. Siege tactics have been used throughout Syria's seven-year conflict, mostly by the government. Troops have employed the tactic alongside heavy bombing to cut off food and medicine to rebel-held areas, then coerce people to agree to leave in population transfer deals. After such agreements, the United Nations no longer considers those areas as besieged. The fate of Fuaa and Kafraya has been heavily impacted by such deals. They made up part of the Four Towns Agreement, a complex deal that saw tit-for-tat evacuations and aid deliveries between Fuaa and Kafraya on one hand, and the government-besieged towns of Zabadani and Madaya. Idlib, which lies on the border with Turkey, has seen its population balloon in recent years as fighters and civilians evacuated from other opposition areas are dumped there. Rebels overran most of Idlib in 2015, but the mainstream opposition's influence has dwindled as jihadists like HTS have solidified their grip on the province. In recent months, regime forces have recaptured a sliver of the province and the Islamic State group is conducting hit-and-run attacks there against its HTS rival. Last week, clashes in Idlib between HTS and an IS sleeper cell made up of Iraqi jihadists left more than two dozen fighters dead, mostly from IS. In retaliation, the IS cell executed five HTS fighters it had abducted in Idlib, the Britain-based Observatory said Sunday. HTS also killed six IS members it had captured in the clashes.

Deadly clashes as jihadists attack two besieged Syria regime villages

An unprecedented ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban has sparked hopes the move may open the door for a new push for peace talks in the bloody, nearly 17-year conflict.

The Taliban have long insisted on the complete withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan as a precondition for peace talks -- a major sticking point to kick-starting any potential negotiations. &nbsp

Here's a rundown of the fits and starts with past peace initiatives during the country's long insurgency:

The fall&nbsp

The US military invade Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, in the wake of the September 11 attacks by Al-Qaeda, and force the Taliban from power within weeks. But by 2003 US attention is diverted to Iraq. &nbsp

The Taliban and other Islamist groups retreat to their strongholds in the south and east of Afghanistan, from where they can easily travel to and from Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal belt. Slowly they begin to regroup.

The resurgence 

In February 2007 the Taliban's growing reach is brought home when insurgents attack a US base in Afghanistan as vice president Dick Cheney visits, killing 24 people.

US President Barack Obama orders a "surge" of 30,000 troops into Afghanistan in December 2009, but says withdrawals will begin in July 2011. The number of NATO-led forces rises to a peak of 150,000 in the summer of 2010.

In May of 2011 Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is finally killed by US special forces in Pakistan. The killing prompts calls for the war to end. Shortly after, Obama announces that 33,000 US troops will be withdrawn by the middle of 2012.&nbsp

But hopes for talks are dampened when Burhanuddin Rabbani -- a former president and then-president Hamid Karzai's peace envoy -- becomes the most senior politician to be killed in the conflict, in a September 2011 assassination blamed by Afghan officials on the Taliban.

The talks

The Taliban open an office in Qatar in June 2013 following secret back-channel negotiations with US officials in a first move towards a possible peace deal.&nbsp

However, the initiative collapses a month later after they enrage Karzai by styling themselves as the unofficial embassy for a government-in-exile.

In December 2014, NATO formally ends its combat mission in Afghanistan, handing over security to beleaguered Afghan forces struggling with soaring casualties and desertion.

But hopes are raised when direct peace talks between Kabul and the Afghan Taliban -- the first of the conflict -- begin in Pakistan in July 2015.

The shock revelation that Mullah Omar, the Taliban's founder, had died two years earlier, with the group covering up his death, quickly derails the talks.

The ceasefire

In the following years security deteriorates in Afghanistan, particularly Kabul, with the nascent Islamic State group adding to the challenges faced by struggling security forces.&nbsp

The capital becomes the deadliest place in the country for civilians as casualties surge.

In February this year Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani unveils a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognising them as a political party. He floats a ceasefire as part of the plan.&nbsp

It is the most comprehensive offer by Kabul, but it is snubbed by the Taliban, who view Ghani's government as illegitimate, and instead step up attacks.

On May 31 the Pentagon says that senior Afghan officials are negotiating with the Taliban over a ceasefire.&nbsp

Days later, on June 7, Ghani announces what appears to be a unilateral ceasefire with the Taliban for Eid, the holiday that caps off Ramadan, though he says operations against other groups including IS will continue.&nbsp

The Taliban do not immediately respond, and analysts are sceptical, as social media is flooded with Afghans calling on the insurgents to agree. NATO and US officials say they hope the move can lead to a breakthrough.

By Saturday the Taliban announce their own unprecedented ceasefire for the first three days of Eid. The statement does not respond directly to Ghani, but the dates overlap.

The moves are greeted with caution by many, but also relief by war-weary civilians and Afghan officials. A Western analyst in Kabul tells AFP they are a "confidence-building measure".

Whether they lead to something bigger remains to be seen.

An unprecedented ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban has sparked hopes the move may open the door for a new push for peace talks in the bloody, nearly 17-year conflict

An unprecedented ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban has sparked hopes the move may open the door for a new push for peace talks in the bloody, nearly 17-year conflict. The Taliban have long insisted on the complete withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan as a precondition for peace talks -- a major sticking point to kick-starting any potential negotiations. Here's a rundown of the fits and starts with past peace initiatives during the country's long insurgency: The fall The US military invade Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, in the wake of the September 11 attacks by Al-Qaeda, and force the Taliban from power within weeks. But by 2003 US attention is diverted to Iraq. The Taliban and other Islamist groups retreat to their strongholds in the south and east of Afghanistan, from where they can easily travel to and from Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal belt. Slowly they begin to regroup. The resurgence In February 2007 the Taliban's growing reach is brought home when insurgents attack a US base in Afghanistan as vice president Dick Cheney visits, killing 24 people. US President Barack Obama orders a "surge" of 30,000 troops into Afghanistan in December 2009, but says withdrawals will begin in July 2011. The number of NATO-led forces rises to a peak of 150,000 in the summer of 2010. In May of 2011 Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is finally killed by US special forces in Pakistan. The killing prompts calls for the war to end. Shortly after, Obama announces that 33,000 US troops will be withdrawn by the middle of 2012. But hopes for talks are dampened when Burhanuddin Rabbani -- a former president and then-president Hamid Karzai's peace envoy -- becomes the most senior politician to be killed in the conflict, in a September 2011 assassination blamed by Afghan officials on the Taliban. The talks The Taliban open an office in Qatar in June 2013 following secret back-channel negotiations with US officials in a first move towards a possible peace deal. However, the initiative collapses a month later after they enrage Karzai by styling themselves as the unofficial embassy for a government-in-exile. In December 2014, NATO formally ends its combat mission in Afghanistan, handing over security to beleaguered Afghan forces struggling with soaring casualties and desertion. But hopes are raised when direct peace talks between Kabul and the Afghan Taliban -- the first of the conflict -- begin in Pakistan in July 2015. The shock revelation that Mullah Omar, the Taliban's founder, had died two years earlier, with the group covering up his death, quickly derails the talks. The ceasefire In the following years security deteriorates in Afghanistan, particularly Kabul, with the nascent Islamic State group adding to the challenges faced by struggling security forces. The capital becomes the deadliest place in the country for civilians as casualties surge. In February this year Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani unveils a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognising them as a political party. He floats a ceasefire as part of the plan. It is the most comprehensive offer by Kabul, but it is snubbed by the Taliban, who view Ghani's government as illegitimate, and instead step up attacks. On May 31 the Pentagon says that senior Afghan officials are negotiating with the Taliban over a ceasefire. Days later, on June 7, Ghani announces what appears to be a unilateral ceasefire with the Taliban for Eid, the holiday that caps off Ramadan, though he says operations against other groups including IS will continue. The Taliban do not immediately respond, and analysts are sceptical, as social media is flooded with Afghans calling on the insurgents to agree. NATO and US officials say they hope the move can lead to a breakthrough. By Saturday the Taliban announce their own unprecedented ceasefire for the first three days of Eid. The statement does not respond directly to Ghani, but the dates overlap. The moves are greeted with caution by many, but also relief by war-weary civilians and Afghan officials. A Western analyst in Kabul tells AFP they are a "confidence-building measure". Whether they lead to something bigger remains to be seen.

Afghanistan's chequered history with Taliban peace talks

The ceasefire will last "from the 27th of Ramadan until the fifth day of Eid-al-Fitr," President Ashraf Ghani tweeted from an official account, indicating it could run from June 12-19.

It was not immediately clear if the Taliban had agreed to the ceasefire, which would be the first for Eid since the US invasion in 2001.&nbsp;

"We are checking with our officials regarding the ceasefire announcement," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP.

The surprise move comes days after a gathering of Afghanistan's top clerics in the capital Kabul called for a ceasefire and issued a fatwa against suicide bombings and attacks.

An hour after the fatwa was issued, a suicide bomber detonated outside the gathering, killing seven people.

Ghani said his government supported the clerics' call.

"The government of Afghanistan not only supports the unanimous fatwa announcement by the ulemas (scholars) but also backs the recommended ceasefire," he said in a statement released by his office.

"(At) the same time, the Afghan government directs all the security and defence forces of the country... to stop all the attacks on the Taliban, but the operation will continue against Daesh (Islamic State), Al-Qaeda and other international terrorist networks."&nbsp;

In February Ghani unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognising them as a political party. At the time he also called for a ceasefire.

The insurgents did not officially respond but announced the launch of their annual spring offensive in an apparent rejection of the plan, one of the most comprehensive ever offered by the Afghan government.

Last month, the Pentagon said that senior Taliban officials have been secretly negotiating with Afghan officials on a possible ceasefire.

"A lot of the diplomatic activity and dialogue is occurring off the stage, and it's occurring at multiple levels," General John Nicholson said in a teleconference with reporters at the Pentagon.

He would not identify the figures involved in the negotiations, except to say that they included mid- and senior-level Taliban officials.

A ceasefire would bring welcome relief to civilians in the war-torn country, nearly 17 years after the Taliban regime was toppled.

In recent years the resurgent militant group, along with the Islamic State group, have stepped up their attacks on Kabul in particular, making it the deadliest place in the country for civilians.

Fearful residents have limited their movements and Eid celebrations in the capital are set to be muted, unlike in other parts of the Muslim world.&nbsp;

The 27th day of Ramadan is set for Monday, June 11 while the fifth day of Eid should fall on June 15

The ceasefire will last "from the 27th of Ramadan until the fifth day of Eid-al-Fitr," President Ashraf Ghani tweeted from an official account, indicating it could run from June 12-19. It was not immediately clear if the Taliban had agreed to the ceasefire, which would be the first for Eid since the US invasion in 2001. "We are checking with our officials regarding the ceasefire announcement," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP. The surprise move comes days after a gathering of Afghanistan's top clerics in the capital Kabul called for a ceasefire and issued a fatwa against suicide bombings and attacks. An hour after the fatwa was issued, a suicide bomber detonated outside the gathering, killing seven people. Ghani said his government supported the clerics' call. "The government of Afghanistan not only supports the unanimous fatwa announcement by the ulemas (scholars) but also backs the recommended ceasefire," he said in a statement released by his office. "(At) the same time, the Afghan government directs all the security and defence forces of the country... to stop all the attacks on the Taliban, but the operation will continue against Daesh (Islamic State), Al-Qaeda and other international terrorist networks." In February Ghani unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognising them as a political party. At the time he also called for a ceasefire. The insurgents did not officially respond but announced the launch of their annual spring offensive in an apparent rejection of the plan, one of the most comprehensive ever offered by the Afghan government. Last month, the Pentagon said that senior Taliban officials have been secretly negotiating with Afghan officials on a possible ceasefire. "A lot of the diplomatic activity and dialogue is occurring off the stage, and it's occurring at multiple levels," General John Nicholson said in a teleconference with reporters at the Pentagon. He would not identify the figures involved in the negotiations, except to say that they included mid- and senior-level Taliban officials. A ceasefire would bring welcome relief to civilians in the war-torn country, nearly 17 years after the Taliban regime was toppled. In recent years the resurgent militant group, along with the Islamic State group, have stepped up their attacks on Kabul in particular, making it the deadliest place in the country for civilians. Fearful residents have limited their movements and Eid celebrations in the capital are set to be muted, unlike in other parts of the Muslim world.

Afghanistan President Ghani announces ceasefire with Taliban for Eid

A clash between Pashtun activists and local militants today killed two people and wounded 25 others in a restive Pakistani tribal region near the Afghan border, officials said.

The incident occurred in the Rustam Bazar of Wana, the main town of South Waziristan where the military has in the past conducted a string of punishing offensives to hunt down Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants.

Supporters of the Pashtun Protection Movement (PTM), which is led by young activist Manzoor Pashteen, wanted to hold a rally to protest against growing corruption in the tribal regions.

"The clash erupted after supporters of Manzoor Pashteen were stopped from holding a protest rally by local militants belonging to Maulvi Nazir group " a senior local administration official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The Pashtun activists torched two offices of the militants, which led to an exchange of fire, killing two people and wounding 25 others, the offical said. Authorities were not immediately able to ascertain the identities of those killed and injured.

Maulvi Nazir Wazir was a pro-government militant commander who carried out attacks on US troops deployed in Afghanistan. He was killed in a drone strike in 2013.&nbsp

The incident occurred in the Rustam Bazar of Wana, the main town of South Waziristan where the military has in the past conducted a string of punishing offensives to hunt down Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants

A clash between Pashtun activists and local militants today killed two people and wounded 25 others in a restive Pakistani tribal region near the Afghan border, officials said. The incident occurred in the Rustam Bazar of Wana, the main town of South Waziristan where the military has in the past conducted a string of punishing offensives to hunt down Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked militants. Supporters of the Pashtun Protection Movement (PTM), which is led by young activist Manzoor Pashteen, wanted to hold a rally to protest against growing corruption in the tribal regions. "The clash erupted after supporters of Manzoor Pashteen were stopped from holding a protest rally by local militants belonging to Maulvi Nazir group " a senior local administration official told AFP on condition of anonymity. The Pashtun activists torched two offices of the militants, which led to an exchange of fire, killing two people and wounding 25 others, the offical said. Authorities were not immediately able to ascertain the identities of those killed and injured. Maulvi Nazir Wazir was a pro-government militant commander who carried out attacks on US troops deployed in Afghanistan. He was killed in a drone strike in 2013.

Two killed as activists clash with militants in Pakistan tribal area

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has warned Saudi Arabia's reformist Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over his "sinful projects", in a bulletin released Friday.

Prince Mohammed has spearheaded a string of policy changes in ultraconservative Saudi Arabia, including reinstating cinemas and allowing women to drive.&nbsp;

"The new era of Bin Salman replaced mosques with movie theatres," the Yemen-based jihadist group said in its Madad news bulletin, picked up by the SITE Intelligence Group.&nbsp;

He "substituted books that belonged to the imams... with absurdities of the atheists and secularists from the east and the west and opened the door wide for corruption and moral degradation," it said.

The Sunni jihadist group AQAP has flourished amid a complex war in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia heads a military alliance battling Shiite Huthi rebels.

In its statement, AQAP slammed April's WWE Royal Rumble event in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah, near the Islam's most holy sites in Mecca.

"(Foreign) disbelieving wrestlers exposed their privates and on most of them was the sign of the cross, in front of a mixed gathering of young Muslim men and women," it said.&nbsp;

"The corruptors did not stop at that, for every night musical concerts are being announced, as well as movies and circus shows," SITE quoted it as saying.

AQAP in southern Yemen is the target of a long-running drone campaign by the United States, which regards it as the most dangerous branch of the extremist group.

Yemen's conflict has left nearly 10,000 people dead, tens of thousands wounded, and millions on the brink of famine.&nbsp;

The United Nations has called Yemen world's worst humanitarian crisis.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in the war between Yemen's Huthi rebels and the government of now-exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi in 2015.

They have landed on a United Nations blacklist over the killing and maiming of children.&nbsp;

The Huthi rebels, linked to Iran, have also come under fire for neglecting to protect civilians and targeting the press and minorities.&nbsp;

The rebels have controlled the capital Sanaa since 2014.

Prince Mohammed has spearheaded a string of policy changes in ultraconservative Saudi Arabia, including reinstating cinemas and allowing women to drive

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has warned Saudi Arabia's reformist Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over his "sinful projects", in a bulletin released Friday. Prince Mohammed has spearheaded a string of policy changes in ultraconservative Saudi Arabia, including reinstating cinemas and allowing women to drive. "The new era of Bin Salman replaced mosques with movie theatres," the Yemen-based jihadist group said in its Madad news bulletin, picked up by the SITE Intelligence Group. He "substituted books that belonged to the imams... with absurdities of the atheists and secularists from the east and the west and opened the door wide for corruption and moral degradation," it said. The Sunni jihadist group AQAP has flourished amid a complex war in Yemen, where Saudi Arabia heads a military alliance battling Shiite Huthi rebels. In its statement, AQAP slammed April's WWE Royal Rumble event in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah, near the Islam's most holy sites in Mecca. "(Foreign) disbelieving wrestlers exposed their privates and on most of them was the sign of the cross, in front of a mixed gathering of young Muslim men and women," it said. "The corruptors did not stop at that, for every night musical concerts are being announced, as well as movies and circus shows," SITE quoted it as saying. AQAP in southern Yemen is the target of a long-running drone campaign by the United States, which regards it as the most dangerous branch of the extremist group. Yemen's conflict has left nearly 10,000 people dead, tens of thousands wounded, and millions on the brink of famine. The United Nations has called Yemen world's worst humanitarian crisis. Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in the war between Yemen's Huthi rebels and the government of now-exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi in 2015. They have landed on a United Nations blacklist over the killing and maiming of children. The Huthi rebels, linked to Iran, have also come under fire for neglecting to protect civilians and targeting the press and minorities. The rebels have controlled the capital Sanaa since 2014.

Al-Qaeda warns Saudi crown prince over 'sin'

Security forces in Burkina Faso have carried out extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests and other abuses in their campaign against terrorism, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Monday.

A 60-page report by the US-based watchdog said Sahel villagers found themselves caught between jihadists, who threatened to kill those who collaborated with the government, and the security forces, who expected local people to give them information about the insurgents.

HRW said it had documented the execution-style killing by Islamists of 19 men from 12 villages who had been accused of providing tips to the security forces.

On the government's side, witnesses implicated the security forces in "at least" 14 alleged summary executions and said four other men died in custody from mistreatment.

"Many witnesses described seeing bodies -– often blindfolded and with their hands bound -– along local roads and footpaths in northern Burkina Faso," the report said.

"The majority of victims were last seen in the custody of government security forces."&nbsp

Northern Burkina Faso has been in the grip of a jihadist insurgency since 2016.

Armed groups including Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) have attacked army bases, police and gendarme posts and carried out a campaign of intimidation against officials and teachers.

The violence has killed scores of people and driven over 12,000 from their homes, HRW said.

The fatalities include 47 civilians murdered by jihadists in two attacks in the capital Ouagadougou in 2016 and 2017.

"The growing insecurity in Burkina Faso has led to terrible crimes by both armed Islamists and state security forces,” said Corinne Dufka, HRW's Sahel director.&nbsp

"The government should follow through on its important commitment to investigate alleged abuses by state forces, and the armed Islamists should stop attacking and threatening civilians."

Responding to the accusations, Defence Minister Jean-Claude Bouda said that he was already "aware of certain allegations of abuses" against civilians in counter-terrorism operations.

"The government undertakes to carry out inquiries into all the cases of abuse referred to (in the report) which had not already been brought to its attention," Bouda said.

Northern Burkina Faso has been in the grip of a jihadist insurgency since 2016

Security forces in Burkina Faso have carried out extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests and other abuses in their campaign against terrorism, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Monday. A 60-page report by the US-based watchdog said Sahel villagers found themselves caught between jihadists, who threatened to kill those who collaborated with the government, and the security forces, who expected local people to give them information about the insurgents. HRW said it had documented the execution-style killing by Islamists of 19 men from 12 villages who had been accused of providing tips to the security forces. On the government's side, witnesses implicated the security forces in "at least" 14 alleged summary executions and said four other men died in custody from mistreatment. "Many witnesses described seeing bodies -– often blindfolded and with their hands bound -– along local roads and footpaths in northern Burkina Faso," the report said. "The majority of victims were last seen in the custody of government security forces." Northern Burkina Faso has been in the grip of a jihadist insurgency since 2016. Armed groups including Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) have attacked army bases, police and gendarme posts and carried out a campaign of intimidation against officials and teachers. The violence has killed scores of people and driven over 12,000 from their homes, HRW said. The fatalities include 47 civilians murdered by jihadists in two attacks in the capital Ouagadougou in 2016 and 2017. "The growing insecurity in Burkina Faso has led to terrible crimes by both armed Islamists and state security forces,” said Corinne Dufka, HRW's Sahel director. "The government should follow through on its important commitment to investigate alleged abuses by state forces, and the armed Islamists should stop attacking and threatening civilians." Responding to the accusations, Defence Minister Jean-Claude Bouda said that he was already "aware of certain allegations of abuses" against civilians in counter-terrorism operations. "The government undertakes to carry out inquiries into all the cases of abuse referred to (in the report) which had not already been brought to its attention," Bouda said.

Rights watchdog lashes Burkina over army 'abuses'

Can you imagine a "more tolerable"&nbsp;jihadist group, one that is "less extreme"? &nbsp;Apparently there is one, it's called Al-Qaeda!

The description of Al Qaeda as less extreme would be offensive to many, especially those whose family members died in the 9/11 attacks, the 2002 Bali bombings, the 2003 bombings in Saudi Arabia, the 2004 Madrid bombings and so on. Not to forget the atrocities of Abu Ausab al-Zarqawi in Iraq, killing, maiming and videotaped beheadings. That was also Al-Qaeda.&nbsp;

According to a commentary in the online journal War on the Rocks by Tore Refslund Hamming, a European academic and specialist in Sunni jihad, Al-Qaeda has today become more digestible largely because Islamic State has eclipsed it in terms of cruelty.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="row">
<div class="article-blockquote">
<div class="col-sm-10 col-sm-offset-1 blockquote-content quoteshare">
<blockquote>
<h5>Bin Laden was killed on May 2, 2011 in a US Navy Seals raid on his hideout in Abbotabad, Pakistan</h5>
</blockquote>
</div>

<div class="col-sm-1 blockquote-content">
<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Bin Laden was killed on May 2, 2011 in a US Navy Seals raid on his hideout in Abbotabad, Pakistan

" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqquoteclosemark">×</a></div>
</div>
</div>

Islamic State today struggles to survive in a corner of the Syrian desert its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi a fugitive with an American bounty of $25 million on his head. &nbsp;

But Al-Qaeda is growing under the Egyptian doctor Ayman al-Zawahiri despite losing senior operatives in US air strikes and clandestine special forces operations. It partly explains why the last attack linked to Al-Qaeda dates back to 2015, to the Kouachi brothers' hit on Charlie Hedbo in Paris.&nbsp;

Al-Qaeda's lower profile, according to Hamming, could also be due to the fact that focus has shifted from attacks on the West to attacks in the Arab Muslim world.&nbsp;

But the Al-Qaeda chief seems to want to change that narrative. &nbsp;

In a March 20 address, Zawahiri repeated Osama's discourse that the West remained the primary enemy of jihadists as it had agents in the Arab world through whom it sought control and dominance. Adding his voice to the call for attacks on the West is Osama's son Hamza bin Laden. Al-Aaeda affiliates have joined the chorus.

Hamming believes that this may not suggest that an attack on the West is imminent. Al-Qaeda knows that it cannot constantly brand itself as the leader of global jihad without delivering anything. At the same time, it does not want to be perceived as similar to Islamic State. &nbsp;

As the group's leadership wrestles with these problems, the Al-Aaeda banner continues to expand. In Syria, its affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is thought to be the most powerful jihadist group currently. Based in Idlib province, it has some 30,000 fighters. &nbsp;

In Yemen, it has taken advantage of the civil war to strengthen AQAP or Al-Qaeda in the Arabian peninsula. Last year, the US State Department estimated it had 4,000 fighters on its rolls.

In Somalia, the Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Shabaab has exploited clan politics and broader grievances with the corrupt and weak central government. &nbsp;Al-Qaeda is also regrouping in Afghanistan. There's speculation Zawahiri and Hamza are there or in neighbouring Pakistan.

Clearly, Al-Qaeda has grown by avoiding the limelight. &nbsp;

But this calculus could change if the group's leadership believes the time to strike has come.&nbsp;

The last attack linked to Al-Qaeda dates back to 2015, to the Kouachi brothers' hit on Charlie Hedbo in Paris

Can you imagine a "more tolerable" jihadist group, one that is "less extreme"? Apparently there is one, it's called Al-Qaeda! The description of Al Qaeda as less extreme would be offensive to many, especially those whose family members died in the 9/11 attacks, the 2002 Bali bombings, the 2003 bombings in Saudi Arabia, the 2004 Madrid bombings and so on. Not to forget the atrocities of Abu Ausab al-Zarqawi in Iraq, killing, maiming and videotaped beheadings. That was also Al-Qaeda. According to a commentary in the online journal War on the Rocks by Tore Refslund Hamming, a European academic and specialist in Sunni jihad, Al-Qaeda has today become more digestible largely because Islamic State has eclipsed it in terms of cruelty. Bin Laden was killed on May 2, 2011 in a US Navy Seals raid on his hideout in Abbotabad, Pakistan × Islamic State today struggles to survive in a corner of the Syrian desert its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi a fugitive with an American bounty of $25 million on his head. But Al-Qaeda is growing under the Egyptian doctor Ayman al-Zawahiri despite losing senior operatives in US air strikes and clandestine special forces operations. It partly explains why the last attack linked to Al-Qaeda dates back to 2015, to the Kouachi brothers' hit on Charlie Hedbo in Paris. Al-Qaeda's lower profile, according to Hamming, could also be due to the fact that focus has shifted from attacks on the West to attacks in the Arab Muslim world. But the Al-Qaeda chief seems to want to change that narrative. In a March 20 address, Zawahiri repeated Osama's discourse that the West remained the primary enemy of jihadists as it had agents in the Arab world through whom it sought control and dominance. Adding his voice to the call for attacks on the West is Osama's son Hamza bin Laden. Al-Aaeda affiliates have joined the chorus. Hamming believes that this may not suggest that an attack on the West is imminent. Al-Qaeda knows that it cannot constantly brand itself as the leader of global jihad without delivering anything. At the same time, it does not want to be perceived as similar to Islamic State. As the group's leadership wrestles with these problems, the Al-Aaeda banner continues to expand. In Syria, its affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is thought to be the most powerful jihadist group currently. Based in Idlib province, it has some 30,000 fighters. In Yemen, it has taken advantage of the civil war to strengthen AQAP or Al-Qaeda in the Arabian peninsula. Last year, the US State Department estimated it had 4,000 fighters on its rolls. In Somalia, the Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Shabaab has exploited clan politics and broader grievances with the corrupt and weak central government. Al-Qaeda is also regrouping in Afghanistan. There's speculation Zawahiri and Hamza are there or in neighbouring Pakistan. Clearly, Al-Qaeda has grown by avoiding the limelight. But this calculus could change if the group's leadership believes the time to strike has come.

Seven years after Osama bin Laden's killing, Al-Qaeda has grown by avoiding the limelight

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-sacks-veterans-affairs-secretary-nominates-white-house-doctor-to-replace-him-126893">Donald Trump sacks Veterans Affairs </a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-sacks-veterans-affairs-secretary-nominates-white-house-doctor-to-replace-him-126893">Secretary,</a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-sacks-veterans-affairs-secretary-nominates-white-house-doctor-to-replace-him-126893"> nominates White House doctor to replace him</a>

US President Donald Trump announced another change to his cabinet on Wednesday by sacking embattled Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin and nominating White House doctor Ronny Jackson as his successor.

"I am pleased to announce that I intend to nominate highly respected Admiral Ronny L. Jackson, MD, as the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs," said Trump, who has also replaced his secretary of state and national security advisor in the last month.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/facebook-overhauls-privacy-settings-to-try-and-give-users-more-control-over-their-info-126892">Facebook overhauls privacy settings to try and give users more control over their info</a>

Facebook on Wednesday launched a fresh effort to quell the firestorm over the hijacking of personal data, unveiling new privacy tools and settings to give users more control over how their information is shared.

The new features follow fierce criticism of the social network giant after it was revealed that the personal data of tens of millions of users was harvested by a British firm linked to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/south-asia/itinerary-kept-secret-but-malala-returns-to-pakistan-six-years-after-she-was-shot-by-taliban-126885">Itinerary 'kept secret' but Malala returns to Pakistan six years after she was shot by Taliban</a>

Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai returned to Pakistan on Thursday, officials said, in her first visit to her native country since she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman for advocating education for girls in 2012.

Precise details of her itinerary have been "kept secret in view of the sensitivity surrounding the visit," a government official said of the trip, which is expected to last four days and include a meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/south-asia/al-qaeda-has-been-dismantled-claims-pakistan-military-126898">Al-Qaeda has been 'dismantled', claims Pakistan military</a>

Pakistan's military on Wednesday claimed that the terrorist organisation, the Al-Qaeda has been "dismantled".

Pakistan military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said the Al-Qaeda threat would have reached India had Pakistan not dismantled the terrorist organisation.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/sports/ball-tampering-cricket-australia-loses-major-sponsor-126896">Ball tampering: Cricket Australia loses </a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/sports/ball-tampering-cricket-australia-loses-major-sponsor-126896">major</a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/sports/ball-tampering-cricket-australia-loses-major-sponsor-126896"> sponsor</a>

Wealth-management company Magellan has terminated its three-year sponsorship agreement with Cricket Australia in response to the ball-tampering scandal.

Magellan's co-founder and chief executive Hamish Douglass said the ball-tampering in South Africa was "so inconsistent with our values that we are left with no option but to terminate our ongoing partnership with Cricket Australia".

Donald Trump sacks Veterans Affairs Secretary, nominates White House doctor to replace him US President Donald Trump announced another change to his cabinet on Wednesday by sacking embattled Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin and nominating White House doctor Ronny Jackson as his successor. "I am pleased to announce that I intend to nominate highly respected Admiral Ronny L. Jackson, MD, as the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs," said Trump, who has also replaced his secretary of state and national security advisor in the last month. Facebook overhauls privacy settings to try and give users more control over their info Facebook on Wednesday launched a fresh effort to quell the firestorm over the hijacking of personal data, unveiling new privacy tools and settings to give users more control over how their information is shared. The new features follow fierce criticism of the social network giant after it was revealed that the personal data of tens of millions of users was harvested by a British firm linked to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Itinerary 'kept secret' but Malala returns to Pakistan six years after she was shot by Taliban Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai returned to Pakistan on Thursday, officials said, in her first visit to her native country since she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman for advocating education for girls in 2012. Precise details of her itinerary have been "kept secret in view of the sensitivity surrounding the visit," a government official said of the trip, which is expected to last four days and include a meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Al-Qaeda has been 'dismantled', claims Pakistan military Pakistan's military on Wednesday claimed that the terrorist organisation, the Al-Qaeda has been "dismantled". Pakistan military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said the Al-Qaeda threat would have reached India had Pakistan not dismantled the terrorist organisation. Ball tampering: Cricket Australia loses major sponsor Wealth-management company Magellan has terminated its three-year sponsorship agreement with Cricket Australia in response to the ball-tampering scandal. Magellan's co-founder and chief executive Hamish Douglass said the ball-tampering in South Africa was "so inconsistent with our values that we are left with no option but to terminate our ongoing partnership with Cricket Australia".

Pakistan's military on Wednesday claimed that the terrorist organisation, the Al-Qaeda has been "dismantled".

Pakistan military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said the Al-Qaeda threat would have reached India had Pakistan not dismantled the terrorist organisation.

"If Pakistan had not dismantled Al Qaeda, this (terror) threat would have reached India," Major General Asif Ghafoor said.

Major General Ghafoor also claimed that the border cooperation between India and Pakistan had improved.

"Pakistan-India border cooperation has improved ever since Army chief's visit to Tehran," he said.

He expressed pride over the nation's Intelligence agencies to help bust seven major terror networks.

"Intelligence agencies in Pakistan are first in a line of defence. They have identified the threats. Seven major terror networks have been busted" Major General Ghafoor said.

The terrorist groups named by him were TTS Lahore, TTP Swabi chapter, TTS Dir Chapter, Ansur Ur Sharia Karachi , JuA Kurram Chapter and Inteqam E while. Major General Ghafoor said he would interact with the members of these groups post their detention.

Stating that Pakistan was a part of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), the Pakistan army spokesperson said that the country will not be a part of any terror activity.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Pakistan military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said the Al-Qaeda threat would have reached India had Pakistan not 'dismantled' the terrorist organisation

Pakistan's military on Wednesday claimed that the terrorist organisation, the Al-Qaeda has been "dismantled". Pakistan military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said the Al-Qaeda threat would have reached India had Pakistan not dismantled the terrorist organisation. "If Pakistan had not dismantled Al Qaeda, this (terror) threat would have reached India," Major General Asif Ghafoor said. Major General Ghafoor also claimed that the border cooperation between India and Pakistan had improved. "Pakistan-India border cooperation has improved ever since Army chief's visit to Tehran," he said. He expressed pride over the nation's Intelligence agencies to help bust seven major terror networks. "Intelligence agencies in Pakistan are first in a line of defence. They have identified the threats. Seven major terror networks have been busted" Major General Ghafoor said. The terrorist groups named by him were TTS Lahore, TTP Swabi chapter, TTS Dir Chapter, Ansur Ur Sharia Karachi , JuA Kurram Chapter and Inteqam E while. Major General Ghafoor said he would interact with the members of these groups post their detention. Stating that Pakistan was a part of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), the Pakistan army spokesperson said that the country will not be a part of any terror activity.

Al-Qaeda has been 'dismantled', claims Pakistan military

A suicide car bomb&nbsp;detonated near the parliament of Somalia and the interior ministry in Mogadishu on Sunday.

Reports say three have been killed in the incident and one is injured.

Reuters quoted a police officer of Mogadishu, Nur Mohamed, as saying that &quot;the bomb went off at the heavily guarded Sayidka checkpoint.&quot;

The incident reportedly left scooters overturned and ruined cars.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

However, news reports suspect al-Qaeda linked Al Shabaab militant group.

The Al Shabaab group often targets Mogadishu with such attacks.

On Thursday as well, 14 people were killed and 10 were wounded in car bomb blast outside a Mogadishu hotel.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Reports say three have been killed in the incident and one is injured

A suicide car bomb detonated near the parliament of Somalia and the interior ministry in Mogadishu on Sunday. Reports say three have been killed in the incident and one is injured. Reuters quoted a police officer of Mogadishu, Nur Mohamed, as saying that "the bomb went off at the heavily guarded Sayidka checkpoint." The incident reportedly left scooters overturned and ruined cars. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. However, news reports suspect al-Qaeda linked Al Shabaab militant group. The Al Shabaab group often targets Mogadishu with such attacks. On Thursday as well, 14 people were killed and 10 were wounded in car bomb blast outside a Mogadishu hotel. (With inputs from Reuters)

Suicide car bomb kills three near Somali parliament

Canada will send peacekeepers backed by helicopters to the troubled west African nation of Mali before autumn, a government source said on Friday.

Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan is to provide details of the number of troops on Monday, said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity about what will be Canada&#39;s first mission to Africa since Rwanda in 1994.

Jihadists have ramped up their activities in central Mali in recent months, targeting domestic and foreign forces in violence once confined to the country&#39;s north.

Four UN peacekeepers were killed and four were wounded in late February when a mine exploded under their vehicle in central Mali.

Islamic extremists linked to Al-Qaeda took control of Mali&#39;s desert north in early 2012, but were largely driven out in a French-led military operation launched in January 2013.&nbsp;

In June 2015, Mali&#39;s government signed a peace agreement with some armed groups, but the jihadists remain active, and large tracts of the country are lawless.

In November, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada would boost its support for UN peacekeeping missions by mobilizing a rapid response force of 200 soldiers,

The Canadian &quot;quick reaction force&quot; would include 200 troops backed by tactical helicopters and Hercules transport aircraft.

Canada has told the United Nations it is willing to join the peacekeeping mission in Mali, and will send peacekeepers backed by helicopters

Canada will send peacekeepers backed by helicopters to the troubled west African nation of Mali before autumn, a government source said on Friday. Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan is to provide details of the number of troops on Monday, said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity about what will be Canada's first mission to Africa since Rwanda in 1994. Jihadists have ramped up their activities in central Mali in recent months, targeting domestic and foreign forces in violence once confined to the country's north. Four UN peacekeepers were killed and four were wounded in late February when a mine exploded under their vehicle in central Mali. Islamic extremists linked to Al-Qaeda took control of Mali's desert north in early 2012, but were largely driven out in a French-led military operation launched in January 2013. In June 2015, Mali's government signed a peace agreement with some armed groups, but the jihadists remain active, and large tracts of the country are lawless. In November, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada would boost its support for UN peacekeeping missions by mobilizing a rapid response force of 200 soldiers, The Canadian "quick reaction force" would include 200 troops backed by tactical helicopters and Hercules transport aircraft.

Canada to send peacekeepers to Mali: Official

Warplanes pounded Syria&#39;s Eastern Ghouta on Friday as Islamist groups tried to resist an advance by Russian-backed regime forces and civilians looked for cracks through which to flee the five-year-old siege.

At least 57 civilians were killed as the toll for the month-old assault near Damascus continued to mount and world powers remained unable to stop one of the seven-year conflict&#39;s worst crises.

The war entered its eighth year with another deadly assault unfolding in the north, where Turkish-led forces pressed an operation to seize the Kurdish-majority region of Afrin, sending thousands more civilians on to the roads.

Turkish artillery fire killed 18 civilians on Friday in the city of Afrin, where remaining residents were stocking up on food in preparation for a fully-fledged siege.

On the edge of Ghouta, a sprawling semi-rural area within mortar range of central Damascus, hundreds of civilians were still streaming out of destroyed towns, carrying scant belongings in bags and bundles.

Exhausted and distraught, the estimated 12,000 people who poured out of Ghouta on Thursday had harrowing tales of life in fear and deprivation, trapped for weeks in their cellars as regime and Russian jets rained bombs.

&quot;We were around 66 families in the basement, with seven people per family,&quot; Hussein Samid said, pausing on the roadside to smoke a cigarette.

&quot;Those of us who were in the cellar got together and decided to leave, whatever the cost,&quot; the 40-year-old said.

Exodus

Hundreds of them were crammed in a centre on the edge of Eastern Ghouta on Friday, unsure what the next step would be after walking straight into the arms of the forces that have relentlessly pounded their homes for weeks.

They were sitting on the ground and had little access to sanitation as the sudden exodus appeared to have caught the government flat-footed.

Despite mild temperatures, most of them were wearing several layers of heavy winter clothes, the same they had kept on for weeks in their freezing basements.

The ground offensive pressed by Syrian troops and allied militia has splintered Eastern Ghouta into three pockets.

Most of the civilians fleeing since Thursday have left from the town of Hammuriyeh, in the south of Eastern Ghouta.

The Islamist and jihadist groups which have dominated this area of the enclave over the past few years retook much of the town they had almost lost a day earlier, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

&quot;Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Faylaq al-Rahman have almost completely retaken the town but fighting continues on the outskirts,&quot; the Britain-based monitoring group said.

Few residents remain in Hammuriyeh itself but tens of thousands of others were still scattered across the southwestern pocket, the largest of three still in rebel hands.

President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Peter Maurer, who was inside rebel-held Ghouta on Thursday when food aid was brought in, voiced his exasperation with the continued bloodshed.

&quot;I am myself with many humanitarian workers on the ground both exhausted and fed up with the blind justification of gross violations against civilians,&quot; he said in a statement.

Afrin encircled 

The Observatory said at least 57 civilians were killed in Russian air strikes on Kfar Batna and Saqba, in the southwestern Ghouta pocket on Friday.

The latest deaths brought to more than 1,300 the number of civilians killed since the start of the ground and air offensive on the enclave on February 18, around a fifth of them children.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has in recent months recovered swathes of territory lost at the beginning of the conflict and Ghouta was one of his key remaining targets.

No deal has been reached with the rebel fighters inside Ghouta, some of whom are jihadists and ex-members of a former Al-Qaeda affiliate.

An exodus of similar proportions was under way hundreds of kilometres (miles) to the north near the border with Turkey, as civilians tried to escape a looming siege of the city of Afrin.

The Observatory said on Thursday that more than 30,000 people had fled the city of Afrin in 24 hours and civilians were still trying to slip out on Friday before Turkish-led forces cut the last exit road.

&quot;Since midnight (2200 GMT Thursday), 18 civilians, including five children, were killed by Turkish artillery fire on the city of Afrin,&quot; it said.

On January 20, Turkey and Syrian Arab rebel proxies launched an air and ground offensive on the Afrin region, which is controlled by the US-backed Kurdish People&#39;s Protection Units (YPG).

Ankara has consistently denied targeting civilian infrastructure but the Observatory said at least 245 civilians, including 41 children, have been killed in less than two months.

In seven years, more than half of Syria&#39;s pre-war population of 20 million has been displaced.

At least 57 civilians were killed as the toll for the month-old assault near Damascus continued to mount and world powers remained unable to stop one of the seven-year conflict's worst crises

Warplanes pounded Syria's Eastern Ghouta on Friday as Islamist groups tried to resist an advance by Russian-backed regime forces and civilians looked for cracks through which to flee the five-year-old siege. At least 57 civilians were killed as the toll for the month-old assault near Damascus continued to mount and world powers remained unable to stop one of the seven-year conflict's worst crises. The war entered its eighth year with another deadly assault unfolding in the north, where Turkish-led forces pressed an operation to seize the Kurdish-majority region of Afrin, sending thousands more civilians on to the roads. Turkish artillery fire killed 18 civilians on Friday in the city of Afrin, where remaining residents were stocking up on food in preparation for a fully-fledged siege. On the edge of Ghouta, a sprawling semi-rural area within mortar range of central Damascus, hundreds of civilians were still streaming out of destroyed towns, carrying scant belongings in bags and bundles. Exhausted and distraught, the estimated 12,000 people who poured out of Ghouta on Thursday had harrowing tales of life in fear and deprivation, trapped for weeks in their cellars as regime and Russian jets rained bombs. "We were around 66 families in the basement, with seven people per family," Hussein Samid said, pausing on the roadside to smoke a cigarette. "Those of us who were in the cellar got together and decided to leave, whatever the cost," the 40-year-old said. Exodus Hundreds of them were crammed in a centre on the edge of Eastern Ghouta on Friday, unsure what the next step would be after walking straight into the arms of the forces that have relentlessly pounded their homes for weeks. They were sitting on the ground and had little access to sanitation as the sudden exodus appeared to have caught the government flat-footed. Despite mild temperatures, most of them were wearing several layers of heavy winter clothes, the same they had kept on for weeks in their freezing basements. The ground offensive pressed by Syrian troops and allied militia has splintered Eastern Ghouta into three pockets. Most of the civilians fleeing since Thursday have left from the town of Hammuriyeh, in the south of Eastern Ghouta. The Islamist and jihadist groups which have dominated this area of the enclave over the past few years retook much of the town they had almost lost a day earlier, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Faylaq al-Rahman have almost completely retaken the town but fighting continues on the outskirts," the Britain-based monitoring group said. Few residents remain in Hammuriyeh itself but tens of thousands of others were still scattered across the southwestern pocket, the largest of three still in rebel hands. President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Peter Maurer, who was inside rebel-held Ghouta on Thursday when food aid was brought in, voiced his exasperation with the continued bloodshed. "I am myself with many humanitarian workers on the ground both exhausted and fed up with the blind justification of gross violations against civilians," he said in a statement. Afrin encircled The Observatory said at least 57 civilians were killed in Russian air strikes on Kfar Batna and Saqba, in the southwestern Ghouta pocket on Friday. The latest deaths brought to more than 1,300 the number of civilians killed since the start of the ground and air offensive on the enclave on February 18, around a fifth of them children. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has in recent months recovered swathes of territory lost at the beginning of the conflict and Ghouta was one of his key remaining targets. No deal has been reached with the rebel fighters inside Ghouta, some of whom are jihadists and ex-members of a former Al-Qaeda affiliate. An exodus of similar proportions was under way hundreds of kilometres (miles) to the north near the border with Turkey, as civilians tried to escape a looming siege of the city of Afrin. The Observatory said on Thursday that more than 30,000 people had fled the city of Afrin in 24 hours and civilians were still trying to slip out on Friday before Turkish-led forces cut the last exit road. "Since midnight (2200 GMT Thursday), 18 civilians, including five children, were killed by Turkish artillery fire on the city of Afrin," it said. On January 20, Turkey and Syrian Arab rebel proxies launched an air and ground offensive on the Afrin region, which is controlled by the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). Ankara has consistently denied targeting civilian infrastructure but the Observatory said at least 245 civilians, including 41 children, have been killed in less than two months. In seven years, more than half of Syria's pre-war population of 20 million has been displaced.

Death and exodus as two Syria assaults escalate

A suspected key figure in the deadly Burkina Faso attacks has been arrested, a government source said Sunday.

Saying the person held could be &quot;one of the brains&quot; behind Friday&#39;s attacks, the source said that there were &quot;very strong suspicions&quot; that &quot;army infiltrators&quot; had passed information to the assailants for the coordinated attacks in the capital claimed by GSIM, a jihadist group allied to al-Qaeda.

Sunday saw further unrest when one person was shot dead after three people attempted to storm a roadblock in the early hours near the presidential compound, a government source told AFP.

Two of the trio managed to flee the scene but the third was arrested and gunned down after attempting to seize the weapon of a guard, the source said.

The suspect in custody was arrested several hours after Friday&#39;s twin attacks on the French embassy and the country&#39;s military Head Quarter in the capital Ouagadougou saw seven soldiers killed, the source.

That was a new toll after eight had been declared dead.

The source added that nine assailants were killed, one more than previously reported. At least 80 people were injured.

The government has said the attack on the military HQ was a suicide car bombing and that a regional anti-terrorism meeting may have been the intended target.

Visiting the Head Quarter on Saturday, Prime minister Paul Kaba Thieba said he saw &quot;apocalyptic scenes&quot; and condemned &quot;with the utmost severity this terrorist attack, cowardly, which attacks our country, once again, which sows death, unnecessary destruction&quot;.

GSIM, which has admitted responsibility for previous attacks in the troubled Sahel region, claimed to have carried out the twin attacks, in a message cited by Mauritania`s Al-Akhbar news agency.

The group said the Ouagadougou attacks were a response to the deaths of some of its leaders &quot;in a French army raid in northern Mali two weeks ago,&quot; the agency reported.

According to French military sources, some 20 jihadists were &quot;killed or captured&quot; on that occasion.

Source say that there were 'very strong suspicions' that 'army infiltrators' had passed information to the assailants for the coordinated attacks

A suspected key figure in the deadly Burkina Faso attacks has been arrested, a government source said Sunday. Saying the person held could be "one of the brains" behind Friday's attacks, the source said that there were "very strong suspicions" that "army infiltrators" had passed information to the assailants for the coordinated attacks in the capital claimed by GSIM, a jihadist group allied to al-Qaeda. Sunday saw further unrest when one person was shot dead after three people attempted to storm a roadblock in the early hours near the presidential compound, a government source told AFP. Two of the trio managed to flee the scene but the third was arrested and gunned down after attempting to seize the weapon of a guard, the source said. The suspect in custody was arrested several hours after Friday's twin attacks on the French embassy and the country's military Head Quarter in the capital Ouagadougou saw seven soldiers killed, the source. That was a new toll after eight had been declared dead. The source added that nine assailants were killed, one more than previously reported. At least 80 people were injured. The government has said the attack on the military HQ was a suicide car bombing and that a regional anti-terrorism meeting may have been the intended target. Visiting the Head Quarter on Saturday, Prime minister Paul Kaba Thieba said he saw "apocalyptic scenes" and condemned "with the utmost severity this terrorist attack, cowardly, which attacks our country, once again, which sows death, unnecessary destruction". GSIM, which has admitted responsibility for previous attacks in the troubled Sahel region, claimed to have carried out the twin attacks, in a message cited by Mauritania`s Al-Akhbar news agency. The group said the Ouagadougou attacks were a response to the deaths of some of its leaders "in a French army raid in northern Mali two weeks ago," the agency reported. According to French military sources, some 20 jihadists were "killed or captured" on that occasion.

Burkina Faso arrests likely key attack suspect: Government source

A German national has been <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-ghani-offers-peace-talks-with-taliban-without-condition-34324">arrested with the Taliban in Afghanistan&#39;s insurgency</a>-racked Helmand province, Afghan officials said, one of the only Europeans found among the militants throughout the 16-year war.

The man, who calls himself Abdul Wadood and was pictured wearing a black turban with a long, reddish beard, identified himself as a German resident of Frankfurt and spoke German, provincial officials and the Afghan army have said.

He was serving as an adviser to Maulavi Nasir, the commander of the Taliban&#39;s elite &quot;Red Unit&quot; in Helmand, said Abdul Qadeer Bahadurzai, a spokesman for the 215th Army Corps -- a claim that was also made by a local police chief.

The Taliban&#39;s Red Units serve as the insurgents&#39; special forces and have carried out many fatal attacks on the Afghan army and police.

Bahadurzai told AFP Thursday the man has no identity card or passport. There was no immediate statement from German officials in Kabul or Berlin.

Afghan commandos aided by the air force arrested the man during a raid on a Taliban mine-making centre in Gereshk district on Monday, officials said, adding that he was taken first to Camp Bastion and then on to Kandahar.

&quot;This is the first time a European national has been arrested in Helmand,&quot; Omar Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor, told AFP.&nbsp;It is also believed to be one of the first times any European has been detained with the Taliban in Afghanistan since the US invasion in late 2001.

International forces fighting in the country have spoken in the past of hearing European accents on intercepted Taliban radio transmissions, and in 2009 NATO forces reportedly killed an unidentified insurgent with a tattoo of English football team Aston Villa.

But - unlike with international jihadist groups such as the Islamic State group or Al-Qaeda -- citizens of Western nations are almost unknown among the Taliban ranks, with most foreigners hailing from Pakistan, Central Asia or Arab nations.

Perhaps the most famous Western fighter was John Walker Lindh, the so-called &quot;American Taliban&quot;, who was captured in Afghanistan and was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2002.

In the photographs shared by the Afghan military the man, who appears to be in his 40s, is flanked by two members of the Afghan special forces dressed in combat gear and with night vision goggles pulled up onto their helmets.

He is dressed in a traditional Afghan long shirt and wide trousers worn under a khaki military jacket.

Bahadurzai said three suspects were detained in total during the raid. &quot;Three Kalashnikovs, one machine gun, four walkie-talkies and dozens of landmines were confiscated from them,&quot; he added.

The German man, he said, spent four years in the city of Quetta in neighbouring Pakistan, long believed to be a refuge for Taliban militants.

The man also spent one year in Afghanistan&#39;s Paktia province near the Pakistani border, and one year with the Red Unit in the Taliban stronghold of Helmand, Bahadurzai said.

It was not clear if the information had been confirmed by Afghan officials.

German newspaper Die Welt reported Thursday that the man was a convert to Islam called &quot;Thomas K&quot; from Rhineland-Palatinate, near Frankfurt.

It said he had been known to authorities since 2009, and had travelled to Afghanistan in 2013 to join the Taliban, adding that German police had warned Kabul in 2014 that he could carry out a suicide attack targeting foreign interests.

The man&#39;s arrest came as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognising them as a political party, days after the militants called for direct negotiations with the US.

The apparent openness by both sides to some form of negotiations came as civilian casualties have soared in recent months in the conflict that has been described by US officials as a &quot;stalemate&quot;.

 
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ThVE-5f_acc" width="560"></iframe> 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In the photographs shared by the Afghan military the man, who appears to be in his 40s, is flanked by two members of the Afghan special forces

A German national has been arrested with the Taliban in Afghanistan's insurgency-racked Helmand province, Afghan officials said, one of the only Europeans found among the militants throughout the 16-year war. The man, who calls himself Abdul Wadood and was pictured wearing a black turban with a long, reddish beard, identified himself as a German resident of Frankfurt and spoke German, provincial officials and the Afghan army have said. He was serving as an adviser to Maulavi Nasir, the commander of the Taliban's elite "Red Unit" in Helmand, said Abdul Qadeer Bahadurzai, a spokesman for the 215th Army Corps -- a claim that was also made by a local police chief. The Taliban's Red Units serve as the insurgents' special forces and have carried out many fatal attacks on the Afghan army and police. Bahadurzai told AFP Thursday the man has no identity card or passport. There was no immediate statement from German officials in Kabul or Berlin. Afghan commandos aided by the air force arrested the man during a raid on a Taliban mine-making centre in Gereshk district on Monday, officials said, adding that he was taken first to Camp Bastion and then on to Kandahar. "This is the first time a European national has been arrested in Helmand," Omar Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor, told AFP. It is also believed to be one of the first times any European has been detained with the Taliban in Afghanistan since the US invasion in late 2001. International forces fighting in the country have spoken in the past of hearing European accents on intercepted Taliban radio transmissions, and in 2009 NATO forces reportedly killed an unidentified insurgent with a tattoo of English football team Aston Villa. But - unlike with international jihadist groups such as the Islamic State group or Al-Qaeda -- citizens of Western nations are almost unknown among the Taliban ranks, with most foreigners hailing from Pakistan, Central Asia or Arab nations. Perhaps the most famous Western fighter was John Walker Lindh, the so-called "American Taliban", who was captured in Afghanistan and was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2002. In the photographs shared by the Afghan military the man, who appears to be in his 40s, is flanked by two members of the Afghan special forces dressed in combat gear and with night vision goggles pulled up onto their helmets. He is dressed in a traditional Afghan long shirt and wide trousers worn under a khaki military jacket. Bahadurzai said three suspects were detained in total during the raid. "Three Kalashnikovs, one machine gun, four walkie-talkies and dozens of landmines were confiscated from them," he added. The German man, he said, spent four years in the city of Quetta in neighbouring Pakistan, long believed to be a refuge for Taliban militants. The man also spent one year in Afghanistan's Paktia province near the Pakistani border, and one year with the Red Unit in the Taliban stronghold of Helmand, Bahadurzai said. It was not clear if the information had been confirmed by Afghan officials. German newspaper Die Welt reported Thursday that the man was a convert to Islam called "Thomas K" from Rhineland-Palatinate, near Frankfurt. It said he had been known to authorities since 2009, and had travelled to Afghanistan in 2013 to join the Taliban, adding that German police had warned Kabul in 2014 that he could carry out a suicide attack targeting foreign interests. The man's arrest came as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the Taliban, including eventually recognising them as a political party, days after the militants called for direct negotiations with the US. The apparent openness by both sides to some form of negotiations came as civilian casualties have soared in recent months in the conflict that has been described by US officials as a "stalemate".

Watch: German national with Taliban links arrested in Afghanistan's Helmand province

As many as eight soldiers and 19 suspected members of Al-Qaeda were killed in Yemen today in an offensive launched by the army against key extremist outposts.

United Arab Emirates-trained special forces along with Yemen&#39;s government launched an offensive &quot;Al-Faisal&quot; against Al-Qaeda cells over the weekend.&nbsp;

The army had captured Mesini Valley west of Mukalla city -- a central site for Al-Qaeda in Yemen from 2015 to 2016. The army and regional military allies seized control of the port city later on.&nbsp;

Close to ten thousand people have been killed in Yemen since 2015.

The Saudi-led coalition along with the government have been in fights with Iran-backed Huthi rebels.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, radical groups like the Islamic State flourished in the chaos, regularly launching attacks on the government and military targets.&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

Close to ten thousand people have been killed in Yemen since 2015

As many as eight soldiers and 19 suspected members of Al-Qaeda were killed in Yemen today in an offensive launched by the army against key extremist outposts. United Arab Emirates-trained special forces along with Yemen's government launched an offensive "Al-Faisal" against Al-Qaeda cells over the weekend. The army had captured Mesini Valley west of Mukalla city -- a central site for Al-Qaeda in Yemen from 2015 to 2016. The army and regional military allies seized control of the port city later on. Close to ten thousand people have been killed in Yemen since 2015. The Saudi-led coalition along with the government have been in fights with Iran-backed Huthi rebels. Meanwhile, radical groups like the Islamic State flourished in the chaos, regularly launching attacks on the government and military targets. (With inputs from AFP)

Yemen: 27 die in clashes as troops target Al-Qaeda

In a recent report published by United Nations showed&nbsp;disturbing data revealing Afghanistan war&#39;s impact on people living in the area.

According to the report&nbsp;a total of 10,453 civilian were victims of war in 2017 of which 3,438 were killed and 7,015 were injured.

The report was released on Thursday by the UN Assitance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

However, the report also states that the number has been decreased by nine per cent in comparison to the figures of 2016.

The report further says suicide bombings and other attacks using Improvised explosive device were the reason for the highest number of casualties.

The report also says that engagements between anti-government elements and pro-government forces caused 11%&nbsp;of civilian casualties.

People who were heavily affected by the violence were woman and children.

359 women were killed and 865 were injured; in child casualties, 861 were killed and 2,318 injured.

Though the number of woman casualties has been increased by five per cent compared to 2016 data. The child casualty number was decreased by 10% compared to 2016.

Afghanistan is in the war since 2001 after American invasion in order to dismantle Al-Qaeda and removing Taliban from power.

The report was released on Thursday by the UN Assitance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

In a recent report published by United Nations showed disturbing data revealing Afghanistan war's impact on people living in the area. According to the report a total of 10,453 civilian were victims of war in 2017 of which 3,438 were killed and 7,015 were injured. The report was released on Thursday by the UN Assitance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. However, the report also states that the number has been decreased by nine per cent in comparison to the figures of 2016. The report further says suicide bombings and other attacks using Improvised explosive device were the reason for the highest number of casualties. The report also says that engagements between anti-government elements and pro-government forces caused 11% of civilian casualties. People who were heavily affected by the violence were woman and children. 359 women were killed and 865 were injured; in child casualties, 861 were killed and 2,318 injured. Though the number of woman casualties has been increased by five per cent compared to 2016 data. The child casualty number was decreased by 10% compared to 2016. Afghanistan is in the war since 2001 after American invasion in order to dismantle Al-Qaeda and removing Taliban from power.

More than 10,000 civilians killed or injured in Afghanistan conflict in 2017: UN

Air strikes have hit a hospital in Syria&#39;s last province beyond government control, in the seventh such raid on a medical facility there by the regime or its ally Russia in two weeks, a monitor said Thursday.

The strikes, thought to be Russian, hit the hospital in the northwestern province of Idlib late Wednesday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said.

The Observatory, which relies on sources inside Syria for its information, says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used.

Inside the hospital in the village of Hass on Thursday, boxes of medicine lay scattered on the floor while part of a wall had collapsed onto a bed and medical equipment, an AFP correspondent said.

The strikes come after the regime in December last year launched an offensive on Idlib, which is dominated by an alliance led by Al-Qaeda&#39;s former Syrian affiliate.

&quot;The hospital was the last functional one in all of southeast Idlib,&quot; Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said.

&quot;In two weeks, seven hospitals and medical clinics have been hit in Idlib in strikes by the regime or its Russian ally,&quot; he said, adding that a blood bank was also hit.

After another strike on a hospital in Idlib last week, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) expressed alarm at the repeated targeting of healthcare centres.

&quot;Civilian areas -&ndash; specifically healthcare facilities &ndash;- are being hit in northwestern Syria,&quot; said Omar Ahmed Abenza, MSF head of mission for northwestern Syria, after the strike on the area of Mishmishan.

&quot;The strikes, despite their regularity during the seven years long conflict, are currently at an intensity that should be a landmark, another wake-up call,&quot; he said.

The bombardment of medical facilities has a &quot;terrible knock-on effect&quot;, he said, with fearful staff at other facilities reducing their services after each strike.

&quot;The result is more people in greater need, with fewer health services open and available.&quot;

Jihadists and rebels overran Idlib in 2015, but since then hardliners have expanded their control and the influence of mainstream rebels has shrunk drastically.

Some 2.5 million people, including more than one million displaced Syrians, live in the province.

More than 340,000 people have been killed since Syria&#39;s conflict started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

The strikes come after the regime in December last year launched an offensive on Idlib, which is dominated by an alliance led by Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate.

Air strikes have hit a hospital in Syria's last province beyond government control, in the seventh such raid on a medical facility there by the regime or its ally Russia in two weeks, a monitor said Thursday. The strikes, thought to be Russian, hit the hospital in the northwestern province of Idlib late Wednesday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said. The Observatory, which relies on sources inside Syria for its information, says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used. Inside the hospital in the village of Hass on Thursday, boxes of medicine lay scattered on the floor while part of a wall had collapsed onto a bed and medical equipment, an AFP correspondent said. The strikes come after the regime in December last year launched an offensive on Idlib, which is dominated by an alliance led by Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate. "The hospital was the last functional one in all of southeast Idlib," Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said. "In two weeks, seven hospitals and medical clinics have been hit in Idlib in strikes by the regime or its Russian ally," he said, adding that a blood bank was also hit. After another strike on a hospital in Idlib last week, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) expressed alarm at the repeated targeting of healthcare centres. "Civilian areas -– specifically healthcare facilities –- are being hit in northwestern Syria," said Omar Ahmed Abenza, MSF head of mission for northwestern Syria, after the strike on the area of Mishmishan. "The strikes, despite their regularity during the seven years long conflict, are currently at an intensity that should be a landmark, another wake-up call," he said. The bombardment of medical facilities has a "terrible knock-on effect", he said, with fearful staff at other facilities reducing their services after each strike. "The result is more people in greater need, with fewer health services open and available." Jihadists and rebels overran Idlib in 2015, but since then hardliners have expanded their control and the influence of mainstream rebels has shrunk drastically. Some 2.5 million people, including more than one million displaced Syrians, live in the province. More than 340,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Strikes hit yet another hospital in Syria's Idlib

At least five senior members of Al-Qaeda have been killed in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan in an operation of the security forces on Thursday.&nbsp;

The operation was carried out by the special forces of the Afghan intelligence directorate on Thursday in night Toato locality.&nbsp;

The five senior leaders including one from Afghanistan, one from Pakistan, and three from Chechnya, had been assigned to prepare militants for suicide and other terrorist attacks in the country.

According to an official statement by the provincial government said, &quot;Five senior&nbsp;Al-Qaeda&nbsp;network leaders, hailing from&nbsp;Afghanistan,&nbsp;Pakistan, and Chechnya, were actively involved in planning and coordinating suicide attacks in the country&quot;.

As per reports, the Afghan member has been identified as&nbsp;Mulla Sondai, known as Seraj, who was in-charge of the propaganda campaign.

The Afghan security forces found four Ak-47 rifles, a PKM machine gun, a pistol and some ammunition after the operations.

No casualties were reported so far.

The Taliban and Al-Qaeda affiliates have not yet given an official statement regarding the development.

The operation was carried out by the special forces of the Afghan intelligence directorate on Thursday night at the Toato locality in Nangarhar province

At least five senior members of Al-Qaeda have been killed in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan in an operation of the security forces on Thursday. The operation was carried out by the special forces of the Afghan intelligence directorate on Thursday in night Toato locality. The five senior leaders including one from Afghanistan, one from Pakistan, and three from Chechnya, had been assigned to prepare militants for suicide and other terrorist attacks in the country. According to an official statement by the provincial government said, "Five senior Al-Qaeda network leaders, hailing from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Chechnya, were actively involved in planning and coordinating suicide attacks in the country". As per reports, the Afghan member has been identified as Mulla Sondai, known as Seraj, who was in-charge of the propaganda campaign. The Afghan security forces found four Ak-47 rifles, a PKM machine gun, a pistol and some ammunition after the operations. No casualties were reported so far. The Taliban and Al-Qaeda affiliates have not yet given an official statement regarding the development.

At least 5 Al-Qaeda members killed in Afghanistan

Al-Qaeda&#39;s global network remains &quot;remarkably resilient,&quot; posing more of a threat in some regions than the Islamic State group, UN sanctions monitors said in a report today.

The report sent to the Security Council said that Al- Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), based in Yemen, served as a communications hub for the UN-designated terror group as a whole.

&quot;Al-Qaeda affiliates remain the dominant terror threat in some regions, such as Somalia and Yemen, a fact demonstrated by a continuous stream of attacks and foiled operations,&quot; said the report.

In West Africa and South Asia, Al-Qaeda-linked groups pose as serious a threat as IS affiliates who &quot;currently remain unable to reach a dominant position,&quot; it said.

UN member-states, however, see a potential for linkups between Al-Qaeda and IS groups to support each other, warning that in some regions this could be a new threat, the report said.

The Islamic State lost its self-declared caliphate in Syria and Iraq last year but Al-Qaeda &quot;remained remarkably resilient,&quot; said the UN monitors.

In Syria, the Al-Nusrah Front &quot;remains one of the strongest and largest Al-Qaeda affiliates globally,&quot; with its fighters &quot;using threats, violence and material incentives&quot; to absorb smaller armed groups.

Al-Nusrah commands between 7,000 and 11,000 fighters, including several thousand foreigners, and has its main power base in Syria&#39;s Idlib province.

In Libya, IS remains intent on regaining a foothold following the loss of Sirte and has reinforced its presence with fighters returning from Iraq and Syria, the report said.

Fighters from Boko Haram, which has expanded its reach from northern Nigeria, are maintaining small cells in Libya who could then move on to other regional countries.

&quot;Member-states assessed that there is a potential for the transfer of leaders from ISIL in Libya to other conflict zones in West Africa and the Sahel region, including Mali,&quot; said the report.

The Islamic State lost its self-declared caliphate in Syria and Iraq last year but Al-Qaeda "remained remarkably resilient," said the UN monitors

Al-Qaeda's global network remains "remarkably resilient," posing more of a threat in some regions than the Islamic State group, UN sanctions monitors said in a report today. The report sent to the Security Council said that Al- Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), based in Yemen, served as a communications hub for the UN-designated terror group as a whole. "Al-Qaeda affiliates remain the dominant terror threat in some regions, such as Somalia and Yemen, a fact demonstrated by a continuous stream of attacks and foiled operations," said the report. In West Africa and South Asia, Al-Qaeda-linked groups pose as serious a threat as IS affiliates who "currently remain unable to reach a dominant position," it said. UN member-states, however, see a potential for linkups between Al-Qaeda and IS groups to support each other, warning that in some regions this could be a new threat, the report said. The Islamic State lost its self-declared caliphate in Syria and Iraq last year but Al-Qaeda "remained remarkably resilient," said the UN monitors. In Syria, the Al-Nusrah Front "remains one of the strongest and largest Al-Qaeda affiliates globally," with its fighters "using threats, violence and material incentives" to absorb smaller armed groups. Al-Nusrah commands between 7,000 and 11,000 fighters, including several thousand foreigners, and has its main power base in Syria's Idlib province. In Libya, IS remains intent on regaining a foothold following the loss of Sirte and has reinforced its presence with fighters returning from Iraq and Syria, the report said. Fighters from Boko Haram, which has expanded its reach from northern Nigeria, are maintaining small cells in Libya who could then move on to other regional countries. "Member-states assessed that there is a potential for the transfer of leaders from ISIL in Libya to other conflict zones in West Africa and the Sahel region, including Mali," said the report.

Al-Qaeda still going strong as Islamic State crumbles: UN report

Fourteen soldiers were killed on Tuesday in a suicide attack by suspected Islamist extremists in southern Yemen, a senior military official said.

The bombing struck a checkpoint manned by UAE-trained special operations forces in Ataq, capital of the oil-rich province of Shabwa, a high-ranking source in the Yemeni army said.

The source, who requested anonymity as he was not authorised to brief the press, said the attack was likely the work of Islamist extremists, but declined to give further details.

Another military source in Shabwa said at least 10 people had been killed.

Shabwa is controlled by Yemen&#39;s Saudi-backed government, which has been locked in a fight against the country&#39;s Shiite Huthi rebels since 2014, and is also now battling separatists in the southern port city of Aden.

Islamist networks, including Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Islamic State group, have exploited the war to expand their presence in southern Yemen.

The UAE is a key member of a military alliance, led by Saudi Arabia, that for three years has provided crucial support for the government&#39;s fight for territorial control.

In August, Yemen&#39;s Emirati-trained special forces launched a US-backed operation against AQAP, also the target of a long-running US drone campaign.

The Yemen war has claimed more than 9,200 lives since Saudi Arabia and its military allies joined the conflict in March 2015, triggering what the United Nations has called the world&#39;s worst humanitarian crisis.

Fourteen soldiers were killed on Tuesday in a suicide attack by suspected Islamist extremists in southern Yemen, a senior military official said

Fourteen soldiers were killed on Tuesday in a suicide attack by suspected Islamist extremists in southern Yemen, a senior military official said. The bombing struck a checkpoint manned by UAE-trained special operations forces in Ataq, capital of the oil-rich province of Shabwa, a high-ranking source in the Yemeni army said. The source, who requested anonymity as he was not authorised to brief the press, said the attack was likely the work of Islamist extremists, but declined to give further details. Another military source in Shabwa said at least 10 people had been killed. Shabwa is controlled by Yemen's Saudi-backed government, which has been locked in a fight against the country's Shiite Huthi rebels since 2014, and is also now battling separatists in the southern port city of Aden. Islamist networks, including Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Islamic State group, have exploited the war to expand their presence in southern Yemen. The UAE is a key member of a military alliance, led by Saudi Arabia, that for three years has provided crucial support for the government's fight for territorial control. In August, Yemen's Emirati-trained special forces launched a US-backed operation against AQAP, also the target of a long-running US drone campaign. The Yemen war has claimed more than 9,200 lives since Saudi Arabia and its military allies joined the conflict in March 2015, triggering what the United Nations has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

14 soldiers killed in Yemen suicide attack

al-qaeda

Al Qaeda, News on Al Qaeda, stories on Al Qaeda, articles on Al Qaeda, Al Qaeda stories at Wion, Al Qaeda news, Al Qaeda latest news

al qaeda

Army shelling kills seven in Syria's Idlib: Monitor

Pompeo says Iran tied to Al-Qaeda, declines to say if war legal

Afghan airstrikes kill 31 militants: Officials

News brief: Big stories of the day

Al-Qaeda-linked Syria group kills 21 regime forces: Monitor

France says kills top Al-Qaeda commander in Africa's Sahel region

US targeted al-Qaeda in air strikes over Libya: UN-backed govt

Al-Shabaab: How Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked terror outfit terrorises Africa

Nairobi hotel attack over after 20-hour siege, 14 dead: President Kenyatta

Pakistan certainly needs to do more in its fight terrorism : US

Extremists drop use of YouTube to spread terrorist propaganda, move to Google drive, Google Photos

Deadly clashes as jihadists attack two besieged Syria regime villages

Afghanistan's chequered history with Taliban peace talks

Afghanistan President Ghani announces ceasefire with Taliban for Eid

Two killed as activists clash with militants in Pakistan tribal area

Al-Qaeda warns Saudi crown prince over 'sin'

Rights watchdog lashes Burkina over army 'abuses'

Seven years after Osama bin Laden's killing, Al-Qaeda has grown by avoiding the limelight

News brief: Big stories of the day

Al-Qaeda has been 'dismantled', claims Pakistan military

Suicide car bomb kills three near Somali parliament

Canada to send peacekeepers to Mali: Official

Death and exodus as two Syria assaults escalate

Burkina Faso arrests likely key attack suspect: Government source

Watch: German national with Taliban links arrested in Afghanistan's Helmand province

Yemen: 27 die in clashes as troops target Al-Qaeda