27 August 2014
The number of people killed in Syria is double the number documented a year ago, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay announced, criticising the international community for its failure to stop the ‘killers, destroyers and torturers’ that have torn the country apart. (more…)
Source: UN News Centre | More than 191,000 people killed in Syria with ‘no end in sight’ – UN
Source: UN Human Rights | Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights | Pillay castigates “paralysis” on Syria, as new UN study indicates over 191,000 people killed | 22 August 2014
27 August 2014
The New York Times reports that according to senior U.S. officials, in a regional power struggle set off by Arab Spring revolts, Egypt and The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) have launched two series of airstrikes against Islamist-allied militias in a bid for control over Tripoli, Libya. The first strikes took place on the 18th of August before dawn, with the second being launched on Saturday the 25th . (more…)
Source: The New York Times | Arab Nations Strike in Libya, Surprising U.S.
Source: The Washington Post | Egypt and UAE strike Islamist militias in Libya
26 August 2014
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, condemned the appalling and horrific crimes against humanity being committed daily in Iraq by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and associated armed groups. (more…)
Source: UN News Centre | Iraqi civilians suffering ‘horrific’ persecution, ethnic cleansing – UN rights chief
26 August 2014
Voicing grave concern over the reported access to and seizure of oilfields and pipelines in Syria and Iraq by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and Jabhat Al-Nusra, the Security Council underscored that there should be no trade in oil with these terrorist groups. (more…)
Source: UN News Centre | Security Council concerned about illicit oil trade as revenue for terrorists in Iraq, Syria
Source: UN Security Council | SC/11495 | 7226th Meeting (AM) | Security Council Voices Grave Concern over Reported Seizure of Oilfields by Terrorist Groups Operating in Syria, Iraq | 28 July 2014
25 August 2014
According to Rudaw, in an interview with German ZDF radio last week, German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier said that Berlin had a shared responsibility to support the Kurdish forces in their war against ISIS, adding that Europe cannot be indifferent to the IS advance.
The Kurdish Peshmerga remain the only reliable military force in Iraq after the Iraqi army, faced with the IS advance that began in June 2014, collapsed. European military support for the Kurds continued to swell on Wednesday 20 August, with Germany, Albania and Italy announcing arms supplies to Peshmerga forces fighting the ISIS armies. They join Britain and France in arms supplies to the Kurds, who are also being backed with US air strikes against the militants and logistical help from Canada.
According to Reuters, Steinmeier said that, besides humanitarian aid and military equipment such as body armor and helmets, “we can also imagine providing further equipment, including weapons” but went on to state that this would take place “in close agreement with our European and international partners (…) in such a way that it boosts the Peshmerga’s ability to defend themselves.”
Source: Rudaw | European Nations Boost Arms Supplies, Military Support to Kurds
Source: Reuters | Germany, Italy say prepared to send weapons to Iraq's Kurds
Source: Rudaw | Germany Joins Countries Arming Kurdish Peshmerga Forces