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Middle East – Africa - page 32

Nigeria-Libya: one-way trip

Middle East - Africa di

The Multi National Joint Task Force announced deployment of nearly 9000 units against Boko Haram, after 200 victims in the last two weeks. The same Boko is ready to support Daesh in Sirte.

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8700 soldiers deployed against Boko Haram. It is what was announced on 26 August by coalition Multi National Joint Task Force, composed of Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin. Especially the first three countries, are increasingly involved in fights with Islamist organization affiliated ISIS.

A measure that could be late. Borno State is epicenter of clashes between Islamist troops and army, which caused at least 200 civilian casualties in the last two weeks. An answer to many people freed by Nigerian army in the same time.

But there is another feature. In addition to refugees on the run from these continuous massacres and headed for Libya, there is another route towards Sirte. As reported by many international media, the Libyan sources have estimated that “200 Boko Haram militants would be ready to join the ranks of the Isis.”

State of Borno, Lake Chad, Cameroon and now Sirte. The Caliphate network is enlarging. And the methods of terror, already witnessed in the villages Nigerians, Chadians and Cameroonians, is the same in Sirte. Just a few days ago, spiritual leader of Islamic State Hassan Karami announced in the mosque in Rabat: “We’ll behead rebels of the opposition after the Friday prayers, people of Sirte deliver their daughters fighters that get married. ”

Harsh words which show how Islamic State has taken root in Sirte from June to today. Mosques, institutions and media are in their hands. And victims, deriving from Libya Fajr, Brigades of Misrata and other Libyan groups, is the evidence that the lack of national unity is a Daesh advantage.
Giacomo Pratali

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Egypt: bomb attacks, at least 30 injured

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At least 30 injured, 6 of which were policemen, after that Egyptian security building and a courthouse were hit by three car bombs in Cairo at 2:00: “A man suddenly stopped his car in front of the state security building, jumped out of it and fled on a motorbike that followed the car,” Ministry of Internal Affairs explained.

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But responsability could not be jihadist. In fact, Black Bloc group claim attempt: “We announce our full and complete responsibility for the explosions which occurred a few hours ago, “ they said on Facebook. They also explained that this action is the answer to several imprisonment people because of their political crimes.

After anti-terrorism laws wanted by al Sisi three days ago, this attempt is an obvious reply to Egyptian government. Especially because it should the first violent attack anti-islamist in this country if claim of responsability were proved.
Giacomo Pratali

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Syria: water use as a weapon

Middle East - Africa di

Years of fierce war and a lack of investment and maintenance have taken a serious toll on water infrastructure across Syria. Years of conflict and lack of maintenance had a negative impact on the entire water supply in Syria.

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It was inevitable that water became intermittently available or simply unavailable because of the conflict in many areas.
The Syrians have had to adapt by resorting to old wells, bottled water or tapping rivers whose water is not clean and sanitary. Humanitarian organizations attempt to solve the problem by trying to provide drinking water but much of the population has very limited access to the municipal pipes. Not surprisingly diseases spread in such a place where people are more and more exposed to water-borne pathogens.
In Syria even water can become an instrument of war, though rarely decisive. As a matter of fact, the resources of water accumulation are used to block access roads to the battlefields or are retained in dams to isolate entire areas even though this use has indiscriminate effects.
For this very reason, there have been numerous local agreements between rebel and government forces to maintain current water infrastructure to support the civilian population. For example, both loyalists and rebels have long maintained arrangements in and around the city of Aleppo and Damascus, so the water will continue to flow, often in exchange for promises of a ceasefire.

The Islamic state, on the contrary, has voluntarily breached dams and bodies of water in overflow in militarily strategic regions. Fact that is more evident in Iraq. But the Islamic state has largely tried to maintain water flows to support its efforts to play the role of a government.

There are three main areas of weakness in Syria that could be easily exploited; Any interference carried out on pumping stations of Aleppo, the Tabqa dam along the Euphrates River, and the water flow from the mountains to Damascus Qalamoun – especially from the source of Wadi Barada, north and west- could drastically alter water supply in Syria.

Fuel shortages hamper the effectiveness and productivity of existing pumping stations, reducing their outflow. The Tabqa dam generates electricity and ensures that the Lake Assad remains at sustainable levels. Electricity supply is a priority that is ensured by the preservation of water but the exploitation of this resource can cause an unsustainable drop in the water level of Lake Assad, threatening its long-term ability to provide water.

Finally, Wadi Barada is in a disputed area between the rebels and loyalist forces, and could be easily exploited and used as an instrument of future conflicts.

 

Monia Savioli

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The Kurdish wars

Middle East - Africa/Politics di

Against Isis, against Erdogan’s threats, against Barzani that wants to be the president of KRG forever.

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While on the turkish border, President Erdogan is exploiting international aid to face Isis and, at the same time, try to hit the Kurds of PKK, the president of the KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government), Barzani, is organizing military parades in order to retain his mandate, beyond the two-year extension already granted. KRG is the only form of government able to represent Kurdish people, divided between Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Iran.

The Kurdistan Regional Government was established in Iraq after the collapse of the regime of Saddam Hussein and is now subjected to the same power struggles that caused the instability of the Middle East. During the years Kurdish people were, and still are, discriminated against. Saddam Hussein has made the Kurds the target of his chemical weapons causing real massacres as in Halabja in 1988. The persecution took the traits of the genocide through the “Anfal Campaign”.

In Turkey , as well as in Syria, over the years, the persecution never stopped and Kurdish people did not get more favors. Their conditions has come to international attention since the irregular army of KRG, the Peshmarga, took their weapons to face the advancing of Isis. The pages of history books written now, will describe the heroic resistance of these mixed troops made of men and women, who fought to protect cities like Kobanî. But this is not enough for Turkey that is ready to exploit the Isis justification to attack the Kurdish army.

If the elections on June 7 in Turkey seemed to be a turning point with the entrance in Parliament of HDP; recent events like the connection of the Democratic party of the Kurdish people to PKK after exceeding the threshold of 10% of the preferences set by Erdogan, seem to record a sharp setback.In recent years, the bombings inflicted by the Turkish on the Kurds of northern Iraq never stopped and have caused the reaction of the Kurdish militants. On August 10th, the escalation of violence caused 9 victims, killed in four separate attacks. Near the US Consulate and a police station in Istanbul and near a convoy and a military helicopter in the south-east of the country, Sirkin, in Kurdish territory.

Episodes that are triggering the danger of a real civil war. The DHKP-C claimed the shots against the US consulate that brings the terrorists of the Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of the People, and PKK, the Kurdistan Workers Party of Ocalan, was responsible for the two attacks in the south-east . The reasons that led Erdogan to attack the Kurds, causing their reaction, is to be found in the victory of the Kurdish minority in the last election.

The entry of HDP into Parliament has removed the AKP, the Party for Justice and Development which belongs to Erdogan, that had held absolute majority for 13 years. After the attacks of August 10, Erdogan is supporting the need to go to early elections and get back to the majority denied last June. The attacks claimed by DHKP-C and PKK will cause a loss of votes in the Kurdish party of Hdp at they will be used at his advantage. If it is not possible now to talk about a probable alliance between the guerrillas of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), and the terrorists of the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Front (DHKP-C), however, it is certain that the Kurds are increasingly unwilling to accept the requests of the leader of the PKK, Abdullah Ocalan, in 2006.

From the prison of Imral he asked his fighters to seek dialogue with the Turkish government to reach a cease-fire. If the risk, in Turkey, is to come to a war against the Kurds, the chances that serious internal unrest will happen in the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan are just as real . Days ago, the President of the KRG, Massoud Barzani organized a military parade in Erbil. A clear message designed to get to what he has been asking for a long time, that Is a new confirmation of his role. According to the internal laws to KRG, the presidential term of four years is extendable just for only one renewal. Then, the President decades automatically. Barzani has already achieved a two-year extension that will run out on the next August 19. However, he does not intend to give up his role. The first elections in the KRG took place in 1992. Neither political parties PUK and PKK, represented by Jalal Talabani and Masoud Barzani reached a majority and an agreement. Those conditions caused the dreadful civil war that has killed more than 3,000 civilians. When the civil war ended in 2005, Talabani became the Iraqi President and Barzani the KRG’s President.

The power of the Kurdistan Regional Presidency was stronger than the one of the Parliament and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), to counterbalance the Iraqi presidency. For the KRG, the presidency was a new institution with unlimited powers. The result is that corruption has grown exponentially, national resources have been squandered, private militias and intelligence services are increasingly loyal to their parties as opposed to the country, and there is ever-growing social inequality. The country is bankrupt and most people are struggling to make ends meet, while 10,000 millionaires and 15 billionaires have emerged in a short period of time. Society is polarized between lackeys who live on political parties’ handouts and good honest citizens who have to wait for wages that are three months behind. In fact the system is almost near a dictatorial regime than a Presidential one. It’s true that is a well-established Middle-Eastern-Fact that the presidential system only breeds dictators and corrupt leaders.

In 2013, when Barzani’s term was extended, the political system became an absolute presidency according to legistlation and the chances required by Barzani, to get the president’s powers greater than those of any other president in the region. Just to have an idea, here’s a few of the KR President’s powers: highest executive power in KR, chief of General Staff, power to dissolve Parliament, can announce a State of Emergency [without parliament’s consent], power to appoint KR’s Constitutional Court members and members of the Judges Assembly, power to control KR’s Security Council and KR’s Intelligence services and most importantly of all, the power to approve or reject legislation passed by parliament.

The oppositions tried to make alliance to oppose Barzani but every attempt has been unconclusive. When the war against IS began, only the attack to Shingal and the following capture of a 1,000 women and children made Barzani act. Before that violences Barzani was refusing to engage in the conflict. Nowadays even the war hasn’t motivated Barzani to get his act together with Yazidis and unite the Peshmerga into a strong national army. There can only be two explanations for the multidimensional crisis Barzani has dragged the nation into: either he is too weak to accept responsibility and tackle these matters head on or else he is directly involved in the wrongdoing and exploitation of national resources.

What could happen is Barzani left? The response is not easy at the moment. Now, KRG is governed from the two-party coalition of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (Kurdistan List). At the opposition we found four parties, PUK, Gorran, KIU and KIG that might accept another KDP candidate o tolerate another term for Barzani only if KDP accepts constitutional amendments to establish a full parliamentary system and limit the powers of the president.
But at the moment KDP has not an influential leader who can be accepted by both of the main wings of their party. The PUK seems to have given up on the position since they already have Iraq’s presidency. Gorran also hasn’t declared any interest in the presidency. Just one thing is certain. If the parties do not reach a consensus in the next few months, KR will face a political crisis which could potentially lead to civil unrest.
Monia Savioli

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Egypt, anti-terrorism laws: new “Arab Winter”?

Middle East - Africa di

Death penalty for those who take part in the Jihadist groups. Journalists mustn’t contradict official accounts. Al Sisi mandate marks return to nationalism and repression against opponents. But this policy is counterproductive: attacks in the country has exponentially increased since 2013.

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Yes to anti-terrorism legislation. The hard line of the Egyptian president to Sisi has gone on. Within the 54 measures passed, the most crucial are death penalty for those who founds or finances a terrorist group. And fines from 23,000 to 58,000 Euros to journalists who write wrong informations or different knowledge from government statements.

If Egypt wants to be back first partner in the political and trade relations with International Community, like about Suez Canal expansion, on the other hand al Sisi wants to show internal stability and capability to fight internal Jihadists group. This mood is bringing a hard repression not only against Islamists, but also against also political opponents and Egyptian press.

A crackdown began in June 2014, when current president al Sisi started his political mandate, and continued with Arab Springs protagonist repression. Many political opponents, not considered terrorists during Mubarak regime, are now considered criminals. As the death sentence to former President Morsi, to supreme leader Badie and leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, of which the legal office filed an appeal on August 16.

This attempt to stabilize the country, with an eye to the West in view of a possible intervention of the United Nations and Italy in Libya, brings a regression in terms of fundamental rights. An attitude branded by some observers as illiberal and even more militaristic than the Mubarak regime. This political behaviour wants to give West the eye, especially if United Nations and Italy will intervene in Libya. However, many international observers have talked about a harder repression than during Mubarak regime.

But it’s not enough. This fight against terrorism is counterproductive. As reported by the Brookings Institution, data published in August by Egypt Center for Economic and Social Rights tell us that the terrorist attacks in Egypt have increased exponentially: from 2011 to June 2013 were 78; from July 2013 until May 2014, 1223 . And with tens of thousands of arrests for political reasons, at least 300 disappeared, murders of institutional positions and deterioration in Sinai, the issue is clear.

An ineffective and counterproductive policy which, as underlined by the Brookings Institute, could be a gift, from political and public points of view, Islamic State.
Giacomo Pratali

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Libya: action plan is ready

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The governments of Italy, Germany, Britain, France, Spain and the United States have appealed against Isis attacks in Sirte. Waiting for Tripoli choice, new action plan, led by Italy and under the aegis of Un aegis, has come to light: infrastructure protection and building, UN peacekeepers, training of army.

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Over 200 dead and at least 500 injured as a result of the clashes last week in Sirte. ISIS militants have left behind a trail of blood and horror. Crimes, like the crucifixion of 12 Salafist militants or 22 hospital patients died as a result of a fire set by jihadists, which branded as “genocide” by Tobruk government.

“We are deeply concerned by reports that speak of indiscriminate shelling of densely populated districts of the city and acts of violence in order to terrorize the people – governments of Italy, Germany, Britain, France, Spain and the United States in a unique statement said – . We appeal to all factions Libyan who want a unified country in peace and to join forces to combat the threat posed by transnational terrorist groups that exploit Libya for their own purposes, “.

The need for national unity government, called by the International Community, is extremely topical. The United Nations eagerly awaiting the decision of Tripoli, after agreement between the other factions. There is a plan to be implemented to halt the advance of the Isis in Libya.

There are rumors of a military intervention led by Italy and under the aegis of United Nations since a few months. An action plan already drawn up by Italian Foreign Ministry Paolo Gentiloni, to which ambassador Bernardino Leon is working hard, especially after the capture of Sirte, the massacres and the migration emergency.

As revealed in the last hour, this action plan concerns next stage after national unity government constitution. First, the executive should make an official request for international aid. So, it could lead to the financial and military support to stabilize Libya and fight the Islamic State.

As well as subsidies for infrastructures like roads and airports, and security of oil and gas installations, the topic would be Un peacekeepers intervention and the training of Libyan army.

Institutional, political and economical stabilization of Libya are necessary for immigration drop to Italy and Greece and defeat of Isis, as explained by Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gentiloni: “Agreement for a national government Libya, with International Community support, remains the only possibility to fight extremist violence and the deterioration of the humanitarian and economical situation in the country. “Tripoli must hurry. Time goes faster.

Giacomo Pratali

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Libya: among possible agreement and endless immigration emergency

Europe/Middle East - Africa di

As agreed in Switzerland, factions will seek a political solution to national unity by September. Continue the migration emergency: for IOM, the Sicilian Channel is the most dangerous route in the Mediterranean Sea.

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Rapprochement in Geneva between different Libyan factions, including Tripoli government. In negotiations chaired by UN delegate Bernardino Leon, parties has unanimously declared to search a political solution of national unity within late August and early September. There is still no formal agreement, then. But, after July agreement reached in Algeria, now the Libyan National Congress could do its role. Although the greatest obstacle will be finding a meeting point between Misurata troops and General Haftar army.

Meanwhile, just two days ago, Prime Minister Abdullah al Thinni had announced his resignation at a Libyan TV. But, a few hours later, a spokesperson has denied the report.

There is, however, no time to lose in negotiations. In addition to the internal fight against Daesh, migration route to the Italian coast is hot. Over 2000 arrivals between Sicily and Calabria in the last three days. On 10 August, vessel Fiorillo of Italian Coast Guard was able to save at least 400 people. As well as more than 150 from Fenice of Italian Navy . Or the 450 migrants arrived at Augusta. And just as there have been many arrests of smugglers from the Italian authorities. The inhuman conditions and deaths at sea are a constant.

Number of deaths which is increasing compared to over 2,000 in early August, certified by the IOM. Compared to the Greek route, “the majority of migrants have lost their lives in the Sicilian Channel, along the central route of the Mediterranean linking Libya to Italy, “says the International Organization for Migration.

Strait of Sicily route is “disproportionately more dangerous than the other. Although Italy and Greece are both hit by migration flows very significant (approximately 97,000 and 90,500 respectively), mortality rates are very different: they were about 1,930 migrants died trying to reach Italy, as were about 60 migrants died en route to Greece. ”

“Despite these tragedies, the IOM recognizes the extraordinary efforts of the naval forces in the Mediterranean, which continue to save lives every day. The number of deaths has decreased significantly in recent months and this is largely due to the strengthening of the operation Triton: the Mediterranean is now patrolled by a larger number of vessels that can push up to where there are requests for help ” .

“They are almost 188,000 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean so far and IOM strongly supports the continuation of these activities. The organization believes that the number of migrants arriving in the coming months and that will increase the threshold of 200,000 will be reached very soon, ” the IOM statement ended.
Giacomo Pratali

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Sexual jihad: Isis’ s new weapon

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19 women executed days ago in Iraq for refusing the “jihade marriage”. Isis militants, with no shame, kidnap and rape to satisfy their needs in the name of Allah.
“Sexual jihad” is the term that describes forms of sexual violence and human trafficking justified by political and religious ideology used by Isis militants to terrorize women. All women, all over the Middle East, No matter  what their religion or conditions are.  They could be married or unmarried, believe in other religions than the Islamic one, agree with  the “sexual jihad” ideology or refuse it. Days ago, in the iraqi city of Mosul, Isis executed 19 women because they refused to take part to the cruel practice of the so-called sexual jihad. The distribution of women and money often generates internal conflicts inside Isis militants, creating a long series of cruelty. “As Iraq descends into war, women are not only on the frontlines: they are the battlefield. But – the Iraqi Woman’s Freedom Organisation said – here is the part that too many media reports have missed: they are not just victims; they are critical first responders”. The beginning of those effects dates back when the Usa occupied Iraq.
The Usa Government imposed new rules, instead of the secular Iraqi government bureaucracy and destroyed the balance of powers Who might have been wrong but were effective for the Iraqi society. The new system allocates political power according to religious sect, turning a theological difference into a dangerous political divide. Slowly, sectarian militias made their way and launched campaign of terror in which women were involved as victims. Violence at home and in the streets was frequent and continuous. Now, the iraqi women are living in another, similar, nightmare. “Iraq’s prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, is fanning those flames by rejecting calls for unity – says The Womens’ Freedom Organisation – and resurrecting the militias that only a few years ago turned public hospitals into torture chambers and raped women who stepped out of line”.
Isis kidnaps women from their homes and uses them to satisfy the needs of the militants. The “sexual jihad” is another kind of weapon to control communities. Some women, after being kidnapped, committed suicide. In Syria and Egypt the situation seems to be different. The concept of sexual jihad has surfaced in those countries during their political turmoil. It says that during the crisis, women have offered sexual comforts to fighters to boost their morale. Those women come also from Britain, Australia and Malaysia. They flew to Syria, Egypt, Iraq to serve as ‘comfort women’ for Isis militants. In Iraq, women have no chance to choose. The most at risk are displaced families without husbands or fathers to lead the women. What really happens is that reports of forced “jihad marriage” are rampant across ISIS occupied territory.

Syria, while discussing for a post-Saddam clashes continue

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While Iran, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Russia and the United States discuss what are the prospects of the ongoing conflict and particularly what could be the new Syria in a possible post-Assad on the battlefield things change quickly.

Some of these developments are very important to monitor and some of the rebel factions of some importance not yet spoken to the various discussion boards for a power-sharing agreement.

Meanwhile on August 8 air forces of Assad bombed some positions in the countryside near the capital of the province of al-Hasaka, near Idlib and in the northern province of Latakia as reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Unconfirmed reports also indicate that the planes of the coalition led by the United States have carried out attacks near Raqqa killing two fighters of the so-called Islamic state.

Clashes between loyalist troops and rebels of the Islamist forces were reported around the province of Tabliseh and Homs. Government troops were able to repel an attempt of the SI to take control of the area around the oil field in the province of Homs Jazal.

Clashes have also occurred in the province of Rif Dimashq where government troops backed by Hezbollah fought Islamic rebels in the area of ​​Daraya and Zabdani.

Egypt: Suez Canal “nationalistic” expansion

Middle East - Africa di

Suez Canal expansion inaugurated yestarday. A great ceremony to demonstrate al Sisi eminence. It’s clear that he wants to follow Nasser’s footsteps.

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A great ceremony, held on August 6 in Ismailia, has ratified Suez Canal expansion. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi has been protagonist of this parade, to which have contributed several world leaders, including the guest of honor the French President Francoise Hollande. Highlight has been simultaneous passage of two ships in the opposite directions.

Suez Canal, opened in 1869, now stretches 72 kilometers, accessible in both directions. Unlike the work infrastructure built by the French company Compagnie Universelle du Canal Maritime de Suez, for which it took ten years, this time realization has been only two: “We will continue to fight terrorism, and we will win. There is no doubt. Egyptians needed to feel, in a year’s time, that they have gained more confidence and security, “al Sisi shooted.

About this infrastructural work carried out, many analysts of international politics have raised doubts. Excluding the $ 8.2 billion spent, the Egyptian government estimate of obtaining $ 13.2 billion by 2023. And, always by the same date, the ships able to transit through the canal will be 97 per day, compared of 49 today.

Numbers which confirm the importance of this maritime route built in the 19th century. But gain difference is not so clear. Egyptian media campaign, as during opening ceremony, it is clearly pro al Sisi. He’s working on two sides.

Geopolitical, where Egypt, Saudi Arabia’s main ally in the Sunni world, definitely wants to become the main partner of the West against Isis in Libya, where it’s supporting Tobruk government. Not only. On the economical and business points of view, Suez Canal expansion will especially benefit China, which made several long term investiments in Africa and in South-Eastern port of Athens.

Internally, al Sisi moves are following Nasser, the second president of Egypt. In 1956, in fact, he nationalized Suez Canal, while in 1970 it was completed the massive Aswan High Dam. The major infrastructure projects and the common rivalry with the Muslim Brotherhood are bringing al Sisi at the same Nasser political line: through propaganda, he wants to become the undisputed leader of Egypt, redacting serious problems of stability in Sinai.
Giacomo Pratali

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