War Crimes

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) – Since the beginning of the Saudi air campaign against the Houthi movement in Yemen on March 26 until April 22, these are the UN statistics on its human cost: 500 civilians killed since March 26 150 children killed 1,185 non-combatant civilians injured 150,000 have fled their homes 23 […]

Apartheid

Why Gaza Casualties were so High: Israel relaxed rules re: high-explosives in populated areas

contributors

By: Charlie Hoyle – BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — The unprecedented number of Palestinians killed in the 2014 war in Gaza was linked to changes in the military rules of engagement regarding civilian protection measures by Israel’s army, a London-based NGO said this week. In a new report entitled ‘Under Fire,’ Action on Armed Violence found that […]

Displaced and Refugees

Blood Money? After Bombing Yemen, Saudis offer $274 mn. in Humanitarian Aid

contributors

By Thalif Deen | – UNITED NATIONS (IPS) – Saudi Arabia’s right hand does not know what its left foot is up to, belittles an Asian diplomat, mixing his metaphors to describe the political paradox in the ongoing military conflict in Yemen. The Saudis, who are leading a coalition of Arab states, have been accused […]

Armenia

Controversy as the “Forgotten Genocide” of the Armenians turns 100

contributors

AJ+ | – “April 24 marks the 100th anniversary of what’s been called “The Forgotten Genocide” and the “Armenian massacres,” when hundreds of thousands – if not millions – of Armenians were killed at the hands of the Ottoman Empire’s Young Turks at the start of World War I. Here’s a breakdown of what happened. […]

Displaced and Refugees

With 311 Civilians dead in Yemen Strikes, Saudis & US must Investigate War Crimes

contributors

Human Rights Watch | – (Washington, DC) – Saudi Arabia, other coalition members, and the United States should ensure that coalition forces take necessary steps to minimize harm to civilians during military operations in Yemen, Human Rights Watch said today, releasing letters to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Sa`ud of Saudi Arabia and US Secretary of Defense […]

Apartheid

Homeless in Gaza: UN only has funds to rebuild 200 of 9K homes Destroyed by Israelis

contributors

By IMEMC | – UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA has only received funding to reconstruct 200 of the 9,061 houses destroyed in Gaza, said a report released on Thursday. While some 60,000 Palestine refugee families have been able to complete the repair of their damaged homes with assistance provided through UNRWA, the majority of […]

Displaced and Refugees

Iraq: Tikrit Civilians caught between Shiite Militias, ISIL Terrorism

contributors

VICE News | — “Days before the US launched airstrikes on Tikrit in late March, VICE News traveled to the front lines of the northern Iraqi city, where Iraqi government forces and volunteer militiamen are continuing to battle the so-called Islamic State militant group. The presence of the volunteer militiamen Hashd al Shaabi, also known […]

Bashar al-Assad

Situation in Besieged Yarmouk Camp ‘One of the Most Severe Ever’

contributors

By Josh Butler | UNITED NATIONS (IPS) – The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees has described the situation inside the Syrian refugee camp of Yarmouk, under attack by Islamic State (IS) militants, as “one of the most severe ever” for the already spartan camp. Fighters allegedly from the IS, and al-Qaeda […]

Apartheid

Palestinian Lives in Gaza at Risk if Israeli Blockade Continues: Ministry of Health

contributors

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) — As millions around the world mark April 7th as World Health Day, the health situation in Gaza continues to worsen as the joint Israeli-Egyptian siege of Gaza continues in its eight year. Gaza Strip Ministry of Health spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra told Ma’an that there are hundreds of patients in the besieged […]