May 12, 2022
2 mins read

IS TARGETS AFRICA

Africa has become the main target of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group by suffering 41 percent of all its attacks worldwide…reports Asian Lite News

Africa has become the main target of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group by suffering 41 percent of all its attacks worldwide, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita told a ministerial conference of the Global Coalition against the IS.

The number of terrorist attacks in Africa surged compared to the pre-pandemic period, with an average of 40 percent to 60 percent rise in terms of fatalities and attacks, he said.

“Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 48 percent of global terrorism deaths — with 3,461 casualties, bringing the death toll to 30,000 people during the last 15 years,” said Bourita, adding 27 terrorist entities based in Africa are registered on the UN Security Council sanction list.

Sahel has become home to the world’s fastest growing and most deadly terrorist groups, accounting for 35 percent of global terrorism deaths in 2021, compared with just 1 percent in 2007, according to Bourita.

“African economy lost during the last years more than 171 billion U.S. dollars because of the terror threat which now reached the Atlantic coasts and its shipping routes,” he noted.

According to Morocco’s national radio, the ministerial conference was attended by more than 40 ministers, including 38 foreign ministers, who discussed regional security and stability, international cooperation, and measures to cut the financial support of terrorism.

Attack on Al-Shabab

Somali security forces killed 17 al-Shabab terrorists and wounded several others during security operations in the southern region on Wednesday, officials said.

The Somalia National Army (SNA) told Radio Mogadishu that the security operation which was carried out by its special forces, Danab, also saw nine of al-Shabab hideouts destroyed in southern and southwestern states.

“Seventeen al-Shabab terrorists were killed and nine of their hideouts destroyed in special security operations carried out by SNA commanders in Somalia’s Jubaland and Southwest states in the past 24 hours,” the radio reported.

The government forces have stepped up operation against al-Shabab blamed for staging sporadic attacks targeting African Union and government key bases including public places in Mogadishu and elsewhere across the country.

The intensified operation also comes ahead of the long-delayed presidential elections to be held in the capital, Mogadishu, on Sunday.

Al-Shabab militants who have opposed the ongoing electoral process have staged a series of attacks, targeting delegates in bid to disrupt the electoral process.

In another development, Iraqi soldiers killed nine militants of the Islamic State on Wednesday during an operation in the northern province of Kirkuk, the Iraqi military said.

Iraqi soldiers surrounded nine militants holed up in a tunnel in Kraw Mountain there, some 250 km north of Baghdad, bombed the tunnel and killed all the militants inside, the media office of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said in a statement.

Over the past few months, Iraqi security forces have carried out operations against the extremist militants to crack down on their intensified activities.

The security situation in Iraq has been improving since 2017. However, Islamic State remnants have melted into urban centers, deserts and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians.

ALSO READ: Emirates, South African Tourism Board ink tourism pact

Previous Story

Ranil Wickremesinghe returns as Lankan PM

Next Story

Casualties from Covid crosses 1 mn in US

Latest from -Top News

Industry Hails India-UK FTA

£34 billion boost, sweeping tariff cuts and market access mark UK’s most ambitious post-Brexit trade pact; Indian sectors set for exports surge…reports Asian Lite News Business leaders from both India and the

India, UK Sign Landmark FTA

The pact is set to make imported goods like Scotch whisky, gin, luxury cars, cosmetics, and medical devices more affordable for Indian consumers….reports Asian Lite News In a landmark moment for India-UK

Farmers Win Big in India-UK FTA

There is a massive gain for rural India and exporters with zero duty on processed foods compared with up to 70 per cent earlier….reports Asian Lite News The India-UK Free Trade Agreement

Modi-Starmer Meet Ahead of FTA Signing

During the discussions, the two sides will also review the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)…reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called on Keir Starmer at the

Hindu Temple Vandalised in Melbourne

Confirming the incident, Victoria Police mentioned they are investigating “four linked incidents in Boronia,” including the temple and two restaurants….reports Asian Lite News In a deeply disturbing incident of racial violence, a
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Tunisian President dissolves Superior Council of Judiciary over suspected corruption

Tunisian President Kais Saied has decided to dissolve the country’s

India, Rwanda hold second Foreign Office Consultations

The second India-Rwanda FOC provided an opportunity to review the