Iraq

Iraq: army, Peshmerga in stand-off at Kirkuk

An ongoing stand-off between an elite force of Iraq's national army and Kurdish Peshmerga forces around the contested northern city of Kirkuk led to skirmishes that left two dead.

North Africa

Mali: Europe prepares intervention

Military experts from Africa, the United Nations and Europe have drafted plans to retake control of northern Mali, as West African nations prepare a request for armed intervention.

Palestine

Gaza truce announced; bombing continues

Israel launched new air-strikes across the Gaza Strip, even as Egypt’s foreign minister Mohamed Kamel Amr announced a ceasefire to end eight days of violence. 

Africa

Pressure on Rwanda over role in Congo war

Anti-Rwanda protests were held across the Democratic Republic of Congo after Rwanda-backed rebels took the eastern city of Goma. UN “peacekeepers” failed to defend the city.

Iraq

Iraq exports Islamist militants to Syria?

Arabic-language news services report that 15 accused al-Qaeda members who recently escaped from a prison in Tikrit, Iraq, are now leading insurgent groups in Syria. 

North America

‘Occupy the Farm’ evicted in East Bay

A UC Berkeley research field in Albany that had been planted with winter greens by Occupy activists was ploughed under at the order of university authorities.

Afghanistan

US in Afghanistan beyond 2014: Gen. Dunford

The next commander of US forces in Afghanistan is prepared to testify that he wants to see a significant US military presence in Afghanistan after the end of 2014.