Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has called for a meeting with the head of the armed forces and the police to curb a surge in gang killings.&nbsp;

"We will hunt the gangs down and we will defeat them," Kristersson promised during a televised address on Thursday evening. The meeting is to be held on Friday.

The statement comes after bloody 12 hours that saw two men being shot dead in Stockholm&nbsp;and a 25-year-old woman losing her life in a home blast in a village north of the capital.

So far this month, 12 people have been killed in gang violence - the highest number since December 2019, stated Dagens Nyheter newspaper.

Micael Byden, the head of the armed forces, told the Swedish newspaper that he was ready to support police efforts.

It is unclear exactly how the military would get involved, but prior discussions suggest soldiers may take over some enforcement duties to free up officers' time to focus on combatting crime.

According to some critics, the proposed measures are superficial and only address the symptoms of violence rather than its underlying causes.

The recent surge in gang wars has been attributed to a conflict&nbsp;involving the Foxtrot network gang, which split into two rival factions after infighting.

The PM said Sweden had not seen anything like it before and that "no other country in Europe" was experiencing this kind of situation. He stressed that children and innocent bystanders were increasingly being caught up in violence across the country.

More than 60 people died in shootings in Sweden last year - the highest on record - and this year is set to be the same or worse.

A report published by the government&nbsp;in 2021 stated that four in every million inhabitants were dying in shootings each year in Sweden —compared with 1.6 people per million across Europe.

The prime minister said on Thursday he would push ahead with more surveillance, harsher penalties for breaking gun laws, stronger deportation powers and stop and search zones - adding he had been learning from the mayor of New York after a visit to the city last week.

"Everything is on the table,"&nbsp;Kristersson said.

But one community organiser told the BBC he was "deeply disappointed" in the plans, saying they failed to address underlying social issues.

Sakariya Hirsi, head of Kollektiv Sorg, a group linked to Amnesty International, called for more action on child poverty and increased resources for youth clubs, community services and sports centres.

He said there was a lack of "concrete measures" in Mr Kristersson's speech "for those suffering from trauma and loss - especially children - whose grief and pain we as a society must bear and address".

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has called for a meeting with the head of the armed forces and the police to curb a surge in gang killings. "We will hunt the gangs down and we will defeat them," Kristersson promised during a televised address on Thursday evening.

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has called for a meeting with the head of the armed forces and the police to curb a surge in gang killings. "We will hunt the gangs down and we will defeat them," Kristersson promised during a televised address on Thursday evening. The meeting is to be held on Friday. The statement comes after bloody 12 hours that saw two men being shot dead in Stockholm and a 25-year-old woman losing her life in a home blast in a village north of the capital. So far this month, 12 people have been killed in gang violence - the highest number since December 2019, stated Dagens Nyheter newspaper. Micael Byden, the head of the armed forces, told the Swedish newspaper that he was ready to support police efforts. It is unclear exactly how the military would get involved, but prior discussions suggest soldiers may take over some enforcement duties to free up officers' time to focus on combatting crime. According to some critics, the proposed measures are superficial and only address the symptoms of violence rather than its underlying causes. The recent surge in gang wars has been attributed to a conflict involving the Foxtrot network gang, which split into two rival factions after infighting. The PM said Sweden had not seen anything like it before and that "no other country in Europe" was experiencing this kind of situation. He stressed that children and innocent bystanders were increasingly being caught up in violence across the country. More than 60 people died in shootings in Sweden last year - the highest on record - and this year is set to be the same or worse. A report published by the government in 2021 stated that four in every million inhabitants were dying in shootings each year in Sweden —compared with 1.6 people per million across Europe. The prime minister said on Thursday he would push ahead with more surveillance, harsher penalties for breaking gun laws, stronger deportation powers and stop and search zones - adding he had been learning from the mayor of New York after a visit to the city last week. "Everything is on the table," Kristersson said. But one community organiser told the BBC he was "deeply disappointed" in the plans, saying they failed to address underlying social issues. Sakariya Hirsi, head of Kollektiv Sorg, a group linked to Amnesty International, called for more action on child poverty and increased resources for youth clubs, community services and sports centres. He said there was a lack of "concrete measures" in Mr Kristersson's speech "for those suffering from trauma and loss - especially children - whose grief and pain we as a society must bear and address".

Sweden PM Kristersson summons army, police chiefs after surge in gang killings

El&nbsp;Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has urged lawmakers to declare a state of emergency after authorities arrested top gang leaders over a wave of bloodshed that has left dozens dead in just two days.

Gang violence has soared in&nbsp;El&nbsp;Salvador, with police reporting that 62 people were killed on Saturday alone.

"We will not back down in this war against gangs, we will not rest until the criminals responsible for these acts are captured and brought to justice," the country's National Civil Police posted on Twitter.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/el-salvador-orders-arrest-of-former-president-over-killing-of-six-jesuits-in-civil-war-461506">&nbsp;El Salvador orders arrest of former president over killing of six Jesuits in civil war</a>

According to the official figures, 12 of the killings took place in the central department of La Libertad, with the capital San&nbsp;Salvador&nbsp;and the western department of Ahuachapan recording nine each. The rest were distributed across the country's remaining departments.

Hours earlier, police and the military arrested several leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang over the spate of killings.&nbsp;

In response to the surge in violence, Bukele asked the legislature -- controlled by his ruling party -- to meet to declare a state of emergency, under which certain freedoms are curtailed.

The Salvadoran constitution says that a state of emergency can be put into place "in cases of war, invasion of territory, rebellion, sedition, catastrophe, epidemic or other general calamity, or serious disturbances of public order."

In its plenary session Sunday morning, lawmakers will also pay tribute to those killed by gangs.

Bukele urgently gathered top security officials, along with the attorney general, to address the issue, the National Civil Police reported Saturday afternoon.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/el-salvadors-bukele-tells-bitcoin-wary-us-senators-to-stay-out-of-internal-affairs-453960">Bukele warns bitcoin-wary 'boomer' US senators to stay out of El Salvador's internal affairs</a>

'Let the agents do their job'&nbsp;

"Since yesterday, we have had a new spike in homicides, something that we had worked so hard to reduce," Bukele said in a statement posted on Twitter by Congress president Ernesto Castro.

"While we fight criminals in the streets, we must try to figure out what is happening and who is financing this."

Bukele said the country "must let the agents and soldiers do their job and must defend them from the accusations of those who protect the gang members."

He also asked the prosecutor's office "to be effective with all" gang member cases it processes, warning he would keep an eye on "judges who favor criminals."

Top government human rights lawyer Ricardo Martinez asked the population to "remain calm" and contribute to the promotion of "a culture of peace" in the country.

Last November,&nbsp;El&nbsp;Salvador&nbsp;suffered another spike in homicides that claimed the lives of some 45 people in three days.

The Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio-18 gangs, among others, have about 70,000 members in&nbsp;El&nbsp;Salvador, according to authorities, and their operations involve homicides, extortion and drug trafficking.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-women-convicted-of-abortion-finally-freed-in-el-salvador-440011">Three women convicted of abortion finally freed in El Salvador</a>

The country registered 1,140 murders in 2021 -- an average of 18 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants -- less than the 1,341 registered the previous year and the lowest figure since the end of the civil war in 1992, according to official data.&nbsp;

Elected in 2019, Bukele enjoys broad support in&nbsp;El&nbsp;Salvador&nbsp;over his promises to fight organized crime and improve security in the violence-wracked country.&nbsp;&nbsp;

His allies also hold a large majority in the country's Congress -- a situation not seen since a peace deal in 1992 put an end to 12 years of bloody civil war.&nbsp;

But he has also long been accused of authoritarian tendencies.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele Plans World's First Bitcoin City

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/el-salvadors-president-nayib-bukele-plans-worlds-first-bitcoin-city-431120/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has urged lawmakers to declare a state of emergency after authorities arrested top gang leaders over a wave of bloodshed that has left dozens dead in just two days.

El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has urged lawmakers to declare a state of emergency after authorities arrested top gang leaders over a wave of bloodshed that has left dozens dead in just two days. Gang violence has soared in El Salvador, with police reporting that 62 people were killed on Saturday alone. "We will not back down in this war against gangs, we will not rest until the criminals responsible for these acts are captured and brought to justice," the country's National Civil Police posted on Twitter. Also read | El Salvador orders arrest of former president over killing of six Jesuits in civil war According to the official figures, 12 of the killings took place in the central department of La Libertad, with the capital San Salvador and the western department of Ahuachapan recording nine each. The rest were distributed across the country's remaining departments. Hours earlier, police and the military arrested several leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang over the spate of killings. In response to the surge in violence, Bukele asked the legislature -- controlled by his ruling party -- to meet to declare a state of emergency, under which certain freedoms are curtailed. The Salvadoran constitution says that a state of emergency can be put into place "in cases of war, invasion of territory, rebellion, sedition, catastrophe, epidemic or other general calamity, or serious disturbances of public order." In its plenary session Sunday morning, lawmakers will also pay tribute to those killed by gangs. Bukele urgently gathered top security officials, along with the attorney general, to address the issue, the National Civil Police reported Saturday afternoon. Also read | Bukele warns bitcoin-wary 'boomer' US senators to stay out of El Salvador's internal affairs 'Let the agents do their job' "Since yesterday, we have had a new spike in homicides, something that we had worked so hard to reduce," Bukele said in a statement posted on Twitter by Congress president Ernesto Castro. "While we fight criminals in the streets, we must try to figure out what is happening and who is financing this." Bukele said the country "must let the agents and soldiers do their job and must defend them from the accusations of those who protect the gang members." He also asked the prosecutor's office "to be effective with all" gang member cases it processes, warning he would keep an eye on "judges who favor criminals." Top government human rights lawyer Ricardo Martinez asked the population to "remain calm" and contribute to the promotion of "a culture of peace" in the country. Last November, El Salvador suffered another spike in homicides that claimed the lives of some 45 people in three days. The Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio-18 gangs, among others, have about 70,000 members in El Salvador, according to authorities, and their operations involve homicides, extortion and drug trafficking. Also read | Three women convicted of abortion finally freed in El Salvador The country registered 1,140 murders in 2021 -- an average of 18 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants -- less than the 1,341 registered the previous year and the lowest figure since the end of the civil war in 1992, according to official data. Elected in 2019, Bukele enjoys broad support in El Salvador over his promises to fight organized crime and improve security in the violence-wracked country. His allies also hold a large majority in the country's Congress -- a situation not seen since a peace deal in 1992 put an end to 12 years of bloody civil war. But he has also long been accused of authoritarian tendencies. Watch | El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele Plans World's First Bitcoin City

El Salvador's Bukele seeks emergency powers over spike in gang killings

gang-killings

Gang Killings, News on Gang Killings, stories on Gang Killings, articles on Gang Killings, Gang Killings stories at Wion, Gang Killings news, Gang Killings latest news