Geopolitical Hot Spots
The main news from the world between January and the beginning of February.
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Somalia
Strike and counterstrike between government forces (supported by United Nations) and the al Shabaab militants. Saturday, February 6 jihadists conquered the city of Merca, one of the largest ports in the country, 70 kilometers from Mogadishu. But the reply was not long in coming. The next day, army reconquered the town.
Pakistan
At least 10 people and about 40 injured in an explosive attack in Quetta, where the Frontier Corps convoy was hit. The action was claimed by TTP.
Mali
2 terrorists killed as response to an attack by a jihadist group against a UN base in Timbuktu. The action was not still claimed.
Egitto
The body of Giulio Regeni, 28, PhD student, returned to Italy, after its corpse was found dead in Egypt on February 3. Local police told about an incident, but Italian investigators didn’t believe this it. Indeed, body had several signs of violence. Suspects are now concentrated on local police, which should have kidnap and torture Regeni because of his contacts with rebel organizations.
Army killed two suspected Islamic rebels during clashes in the center of Cairo on February 3.
Yemen
It does not stop the violence in Yemen. They would be at least 30 killed following clashes between army, primarily supported by Saudi Arabia, and Houtii Shiite rebels about 60 kilometers from Sanaa, one of the epicenters of the war involving the Arab country in recent months. According to the latest UN data, about 6,000 people were killed by the Saudi bombings since March 2015.
Afghanistan
Had Taliban origin terrorist action took place in the center of Kabul at the beginning of February. A suicide bomber exploded near a police station, killing 20 people and injuring at least 30. The victims were both civilian and police.
Lebanon
Payback between two opposing Islamic factions, protagonists of the Syrian civil war. On Monday 1 February, ISIS and the Nusra Front militants fought near Arsal, in the North-East of the country. About 20 killed.
Nigeria
Boko Haram still continues its actions and crimes. As the killing of 4 civilians following an attack on two villages in Borno State. But, above all, the raid on January 30, where jihadists set on fire the village of Dalori. 85 killed, inclunding women and children found charred.
Giacomo Pratali
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