COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh: Nearly 400 people have died in fighting that has rocked Myanmar’s northwest for a week, new official data show, making it probably the deadliest bout of violence to engulf the country’s Rohingya Muslim minority in decades.
Around 27,400 Rohingya have crossed into Bangladesh from Myanmar, United Nations sources said, a week after Rohingya insurgents attacked police posts and an army base in Rakhine state, prompting clashes and a military counteroffensive.
The army says it is conducting clearance operations against “extremist terrorists” and security forces have been told to protect civilians. But Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh say a campaign of arson and killings aims to force them out.
The treatment of Myanmar’s roughly 1.1 million Rohingya is the biggest challenge facing national leader Aung San Suu Kyi, accused by some Western critics of not speaking out for a minority that has long complained of persecution.
The clashes and ensuing army crackdown have killed about 370 Rohingya insurgents, but also 13 security forces, two government officials and 14 civilians, the Myanmar military said on Thursday.
By comparison, communal violence in 2012 in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine, led to the killing of nearly 200 people and the displacement of about 140,000, most of them Rohingya.
The fighting is a dramatic escalation of a conflict that has simmered since October, when similar but much smaller Rohingya attacks on security posts prompted a brutal military response dogged by allegations of rights abuses.
Myanmar evacuated more than 11,700 “ethnic residents” from the area affected by fighting, the army said, referring to the non-Muslim population of northern Rakhine.
More than 150 Rohingya insurgents staged fresh attacks on security forces on Thursday near villages occupied by Hindus, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar said, adding that about 700 members of such families had been evacuated.
“Four of the terrorists were arrested, including one 13-year-old boy,” it said, adding that security forces had arrested two more men near a Maungdaw police outpost on suspicion of involvement in the attacks.
About 20,000 more Rohingya trying to flee are stuck in no man’s land at the border, the UN sources said, as aid workers in Bangladesh struggle to alleviate the sufferings of a sudden influx of thousands of hungry and traumatized people.
While some Rohingya try to cross by land, others attempt a perilous boat journey across the Naf River separating the two countries.
Bangladesh border guards found the bodies of 15 Rohingya Muslims, 11 children among them, floating in the river on Friday, area commander Lt. Col. Ariful Islam told Reuters.
That takes to about 40 the total of Rohingya known to have died by drowning.
Nearly 400 die as Myanmar army steps up crackdown on Rohingya militants
Nearly 400 die as Myanmar army steps up crackdown on Rohingya militants
Pakistan Petroleum, Finland’s Metso sign mineral development agreement
- Pakistan has world’s largest copper-gold mineral zones and is also rich in lithium which is used to make batteries
- Pakistanis trying to tap underutilized natural reserves’ potential and last week hosted international minerals summit
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and Finland’s globally renowned Metso Corporation have signed a memorandum of agreement to promote the exploration and processing of mineral resources in Pakistan, state media reported on Tuesday.
Pakistan is endowed with various mineral resources, including salt, coal, copper, gold, chromite, bauxite, and gemstones. It is also rich in lithium used to make batteries, as well as other minerals. The government estimates natural reserves in the country are worth $6 trillion but despite the rich deposits, the mineral sector contributes only 3.2 percent to GDP and 0.1 percent to global exports.
The country is now aiming to tap this underutilized potential and last week organized a minerals summit attended by top government officials and heads of companies from various countries including the US, UK, Europe, China and the Middle East.
“The two sides signed an MOU for the development of mineral sector,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
“This key partnership is aimed at promoting the exploration and processing of mineral resources in Pakistan.”
As a major supplier of natural gas, PPL contributes around 20 percent of Pakistan’s total natural gas supplies as well as produces crude oil, natural gas liquid and liquefied petroleum gas, according to the company’s website.
Metso is a frontrunner in sustainable technologies, end-to-end solutions and services for the aggregates, minerals processing and metals refining industries globally. The company’s website says it helps to improve customers’ energy and water efficiency, increase productivity, and reduce environmental risks with its product and service expertise.
US flies long-range bomber for drill with South Korea, as Pyongyang marks key anniversary
- North Korea often reacts to the US deployment of B-1B bombers and other powerful military assets
- Tuesday’s flyover of the US bombers could draw an angrier response
SEOUL: The United States flew long-range B-1B bombers in a show of force against North Korea on Tuesday, days after the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to resist a US-led push to eliminate the North’s nuclear program.
North Korea often reacts to the US deployment of B-1B bombers and other powerful military assets with missile tests and fiery rhetoric. Tuesday’s flyover of the US bombers could draw an angrier response because it happened when North Korea was marking a key anniversary – the 113th birthday of state founder Kim Il Sung, the late grandfather of the current leader.
South Korea’s Defense Ministry said the US bombers participated in a South Korea-US aerial drill over the Korean Peninsula to strengthen the allies’ combined operational capability and demonstrate their deterrence capability against North Korea’s advancing nuclear program.
A ministry statement said South Korean F-35 and F-16 fighter jets and American F-16 fighter jets also took part in the training. It said South Korea and the US will continue to expand their joint military exercises to respond to North Korean nuclear threats.
It was the second time a US B-1B’s had participated in a drill with South Korea since President Donald Trump began his second term in January.
In February, North Korea’s Defense Ministry slammed the B-1B’s earlier flyover as proof of intensifying US-led provocations since Trump’s inauguration. It pledged to counter the strategic threat of the US with strategic means. Days later, North Korea test-fired cruise missiles in what it called an attempt to show its nuclear counterattack capability.
Trump has repeatedly said he will reach out to Kim Jong Un to revive diplomacy. North Korea hasn’t directly responded to Trump’s outreach.
Last Wednesday, Kim Yo Jong – Kim’s sister and a senior official – derided the US and its Asian allies over what she called their “daydream” of denuclearizing the North, insisting that the country will never give up its nuclear weapons program. Her statement came as a response to a recent meeting among the top diplomats of the United States, South Korea and Japan where they reaffirmed their commitment to push for the North’s denuclearization.
The Kim Il Sung birthday, called “the Day of Sun,” is one of the most important holidays in North Korea, where a state-sponsored cult of personality treats key members of the ruling Kim family like gods. On Tuesday, the country’s main Rodong Sinmun newspaper issued an editorial urging the public to rally behind Kim Jong Un to achieve a national prosperity. In recent days, North Korea has held seminars, performances and other events commemorating the founder’s achievements.
Singapore dissolves parliament ahead of imminent election
- The vote will be the first electoral test for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong
- The election will take place amid a gloomy economic outlook
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s parliament was dissolved on Tuesday ahead of a general election to be held within three months, a government gazette said.
The vote will be the first electoral test for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who took over from long-time premier Lee Hsien Loong as leader of the People’s Action Party in May 2024.
The PAP is almost certain to dominate and win most seats, as it has in every vote since independence in 1965, although its share of the popular vote will be closely watched after one of its worst electoral performances in the last contest in 2020.
The election will take place amid a gloomy economic outlook as US President Donald Trump’s tariffs threaten to hit activity in the trade-reliant nation, which on Monday downgraded its growth forecast for 2025 to 0 percent to 2 percent, from 1 percent to 3 percent.
The ruling party’s popularity has dimmed in recent elections as the opposition steadily gained more ground in parliament, winning an unprecedented 6 seats in 2011 and 2015, and 10 in 2020.
The upcoming election will have four more seats compared to the last vote in 2020, with 97 lawmakers elected from 15 single-member electoral divisions and 18 divisions with 4 or 5 members each.
In February, Wong delivered what analysts called “a full-blown election budget” with goodies for all Singaporeans ahead of the polls.
Pakistan condemns Israeli attack on Baptist Hospital in Gaza
- Israeli military says took steps to reduce harm to civilians before it struck compound, saying it was used by Hamas to plan attacks
- Health officials at hospital evacuated patients after call from someone who identified himself as Israeli security shortly before attack
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday condemned the bombing of the Baptist Hospital in Gaza by Israeli forces on Palm Sunday, calling it part of a pattern of targeting medical facilities, which constituted a “flagrant violation” of international humanitarian law.
The Israeli military said in a statement it had taken steps to reduce harm to civilians before it struck the compound, which it said was being used by Hamas fighters to plan attacks. Hamas rejected the accusation and called for an international investigation. Health officials at the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital evacuated patients after a phone call from someone who identified himself as Israeli security shortly before the attack.
The hospital - an institution run by the Anglican Church in Jerusalem - was no longer operational, according to Gaza's health ministry. No casualties were reported in the strike.
“That it occurred on Palm Sunday, a sacred occasion for Christians, underscores Israel’s blatant disregard for religious sanctity and civilian lives,” the Pakistani foreign office said.
“Israel’s relentless assaults have crippled Gaza’s healthcare system, depriving critically ill patients of vital medical care. Coupled with the blockade on humanitarian aid, these actions reflect a deliberate strategy to prolong suffering and entrench conflict.”
Pakistan demanded an immediate end to Israel’s “ongoing atrocities,” saying they had resulted in the indiscriminate killing of innocent and unarmed Palestinians, including women and children, and the “systematic destruction” of civilian infrastructure.
“Pakistan calls for an immediate halt to the hostilities by Israeli occupying forces and reiterates its support for the two-State solution, with a viable, independent and sovereign State of Palestine on pre-June 1967 borders with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital,” the statement added.
“Pakistan urges the international community to take decisive action to hold Israel accountable and protect Palestinian civilians from further violence.”
Sunday's strikes came as Hamas leaders began a fresh round of talks in Cairo in a bid to salvage a stalled ceasefire agreement with Israel, as Egypt, Qatar, and the United States attempted to bridge gaps between the sides.
Media footage widely showed significant destruction in and outside the hospital compound's church, and patients who could not leave.
The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem said the warning to evacuate the hospital came 20 minutes before the strike that destroyed the two-storey genetic laboratory, and damaged the pharmacy and emergency department buildings and other surrounding structures.
"We call upon all governments and people of goodwill to intervene to stop all kinds of attacks on medical and humanitarian institutions," the church said in a statement.
The Palestinian foreign ministry and Hamas condemned the attack, saying Israel was destroying Gaza's healthcare system. Israel says Hamas systematically exploits civilian structures, including hospitals, which the group denies. Israeli forces have carried out numerous raids on medical facilities in Gaza.
With inputs from Reuters
Police register case after dozen suspects attack KFC in Rawalpindi over Gaza war
- Last week, KFC and Domino’s Pizza outlets were attacked in cities of Karachi and Lahore also
- Police have described the assaults as being motivated by anger over Israel’s latest war in Gaza
ISLAMABAD: Police said on Tuesday a case for “rioting and abusive behavior” had been filed after around a dozen people attacked a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant with sticks, abusing staff and customers while referring to the war in Gaza.
Last week, KFC and Domino’s Pizza outlets were attacked in the cities of Karachi and Lahore also, causing some damage but no injuries, with police describing the assaults as being motivated by anger over Israel’s war in Gaza.
Boycott campaigns have hit Western brands in many Muslim countries since the start of the war in October 2023, spearheaded by the BDS Movement, a global, Palestinian-led campaign advocating for non-violent pressure on Israel to respect Palestinian rights under international law. The movement calls for the boycott of certain companies and organizations that it says have invested in Israel or donate to its military and are directly profiting from its economy.
While not officially on the BDS boycott list, KFC has faced backlash from pro-Palestinian advocates in many countries who believe the brand’s operations in Israel contribute to the conflict, but the company maintains it is non-political and denies supporting the Israeli military or government.
“A case of rioting and abusive behavior at a branch of a fast-food chain in the Cantt area has been registered,” Rawalpindi police said in a statement.
“The case was filed under the complaint of the branch manager at the Cantt police station. The involved suspects have been identified after the case was registered.”
The statement said 10-12 individuals armed with sticks entered the branch and started using abusive language toward staff members and customers.
In videos of the episode widely shared on social media, the ransackers can be heard referring to the killings of “innocent women and children” in Gaza as they beat the main counter of the fast-food chain as well as chairs and tables with sticks and shout at people to leave.
“The suspects will be arrested and brought to justice. Police personnel have been deployed at branches of international food chains,” the police statement added.
“Lawlessness, rioting, and misconduct with citizens will not be tolerated under any circumstances. A clear message has been sent that anyone violating the law and engaging in rioting will be dealt with firmly.”
The previous attacks in Karachi and Lahore were widely blamed on the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) religious-political party, known to lead violent protests in the country, most prominently in support of blasphemy laws and to call on the government to cut diplomatic ties with Western nations where Qur’an desecrations have taken place and caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) made.
However, TLP spokesperson Rehan Mohsin Khan distanced the party from the attacks and told Arab News last week that while TLP’s stance on the Palestine issue was “clear,” violent protests were “not part of our policy.”
“If one or two members of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan were present among the protesters out of their love for Gaza, it does not mean that it was the policy of the party or we support violence,” he said.
“We are in favor of peaceful protests, and we are trying to pressure the Pakistani government to officially boycott all these products.”
