and other news from the Arab uprisings:
Bahrain
Bahrain braced for new wave of repression
Arrests and troop movements signal another government crackdown on protests in the tiny Gulf state.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/16/bahrain-arrests-repression
Bahrain: Attack on Rights Defender’s Home
(Manama) – Unknown assailants lobbed teargas grenades at the home of a leading Bahraini human rights defender in the early hours of April 18, 2011, Human Rights Watch said today. The attack, which took place at 3:30 a.m. in the village of Bani Jamra, targeted the home of Nabeel Rajab, head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights and a member of the Human Rights Watch Middle East Advisory Committee.
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/04/18/bahrain-attack-rights-defender-s-home
Bahraini forces demolish two mosques
Saudi-backed Bahraini forces have reportedly destroyed two more mosques in line with the country’s policy of demolishing Muslim religious sites.
http://presstv.com/detail/175441.html
‘Bahraini forces arrest teachers, pupils’
Bahraini police and soldiers enter the western village of Malkiya., Bahraini security forces have reportedly arrested several teachers and students in the town of Hamad in a new wave of crackdown on anti-regime protesters.
http://presstv.com/detail/175410.html
Kuwaitis defy orders to invade Bahrain
A number of Kuwaiti naval officers have disobeyed orders to reinforce the violent Saudi-backed crackdown on the popular revolution in Bahrain.
http://presstv.com/detail/175145.html
Bahraini Activist Defies Threats
President of Bahraini group says he will continue to campaign against torture and unfair imprisonment, despite intimidation by the security forces.
http://iwpr.net/report-news/bahraini-activist-defies-threats?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+iwprstories+%28IWPR+Stories%29
Bahrain escapes censure by West as crackdown on protesters intensifies
Bahraini government forces backed by Saudi Arabian troops are destroying mosques and places of worship of the Shia majority in the island kingdom in a move likely to exacerbate religious hatred across the Muslim world. “So far they have destroyed seven Shia mosques and about 50 religious meeting houses,” said Ali al-Aswad, an MP in the Bahraini parliament.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/bahrain-escapes-censure-by-west-as-crackdown-on-protesters-intensifies-2269638.html
Saudi Arabia buying more Pakistanis for Bahrain crackdown
The Fauji Security Services (Pvt) Limited, which is run by the Fauji Foundation, a subsidiary of the Pakistan Army, is currently recruiting on war footing basis thousands of retired military personnel from the Pakistan Army, Navy and the Air Force who will be getting jobs in the Gulf region, especially in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. But sources in the Fauji Foundation say over 90 per cent of the fresh recruitments, which started in the backdrop of the recent political upheaval in the Arab world, are being sent to Bahrain to perform services in the Bahrain National Guard (BNG), and that too at exorbitant salaries. Thousands of ex-servicemen of the Pakistani origin are already serving in Bahrain and the fresh recruitments are aimed at boosting up the strength of the BNG to deal with the country’s majority Shia population, which is calling for replacement of the Sunni monarchy. Bahrain’s ruling elite is Sunni, although about 70% of the population is Shia… Pakistan in fact turned its gaze towards West Asia following the visits of, first, Saudi prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz and then, Bahrain’s foreign minister, Khalid bin Ahmed al Khalifa, in March. Though pro-democracy sentiments haven’t gathered a critical mass in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is worried that the popular upsurge in Bahrain, a mainly Shia country over which Sunni kings rule, could well, with time, permeate across the border. The Americans seem to have endorsed Riyadh’s decision to seek Islamabad’s assistance. In return, the Saudi prince has offered support to resuscitate the Pakistan economy and meets its energy demands. But the khaki circles in Rawalpindi believe that Pakistan won’t commit its regular forces to a country other than Saudi Arabia.
http://friday-lunch-club.blogspot.com/2011/04/saudi-arabia-buying-more-pakistanis-for.html
Exposing The Bahraini Regime
Saudi Arabia has sent forces to Bahrain. What does the intervention of Gulf forces mean to the region? Will it provoke Iran? And could Bahrain be the next state to fall?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=l5EeapnlzBw
Egypt
Suleiman questioned by Egyptian prosecutors
Former vice-president questioned in connection with violence against protesters during uprising that toppled Mubarak.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/04/2011419135452796989.html
Egypt: Mubarak Family’s Wealth Doesn’t Add Up
CAIRO — Egypt’s financial oversight body says the former president of Egypt and his family have amassed wealth beyond their means in the form of properties and bank accounts. The state news agency said Monday the agency found that the 82-year old former president and his two sons and wife own several properties around Egypt, including luxury apartments, and palaces, as well as empty land plots and valuable farm land.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/18/egypt-mubarak-wealth_n_850613.html
Iraq
Anti-American protests grip Iraq
Supporters of anti-Occupation cleric Moqtada Sadr suggested there could be a rebel uprising if U.S. forces stay beyond December and tribal leaders in the northern province of Ninawa called recently for the departure of American forces.
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2011/04/18/Anti-American-protests-grip-Iraq/UPI-80951303141339/
Health Directorate: 98 wounded in Sulaimaniya protests
Sulaimaniya hospitals in Iraq received 98 wounded including 65 members of the security forces injured in Monday’s protests, Sulaimaniya Health Directorate reported on Tuesday.
http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1-63184-Health-Directorate%3A-98-wounded-in-Sulaimaniya-protests.html
Libya
Libya death toll ‘touches 10,000’
Opposition claim comes as UN gets humanitarian access to Misurata and efforts are on to evacuate those stranded.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/04/2011419114217768868.html
10,000 Libyans flee to Tunisia
Some 10,000 Libyans have fled in the last 10 days from the besieged Western Mountains region to Tunisia, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said Tuesday.
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/04/19/145992.html
Libyan rebels claim control over Ajdabiya
A Libyan ship carrying mostly Ghanian migrants and some injured residents from Misurata has arrived in the opposition-held city of Benghazi. The vessel was carrying almost 1,000 people. The UK has pledged almost $2.5m to help move those stranded in the besieged city. Meanwhile, fighters loyal to Muammar Gaddafi surrendered to pro-democracy forces near the town of Ajdabiya on Monday. The area is now under full rebel control. The rebels are hoping more NATO airstrikes will push back Gaddafi loyalists. Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna spent the day in Ajdabiya with opposition forces.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7jtJ_15O4E&feature=youtube_gdata
Fighting continues in Misurata
Britain is due to hold urgent talks on Libya’s humanitarian crisis at the United Nations later on Monday. The besieged city of Misurata is one of the main places of concern. An opposition spokesperson says shelling by Gaddafi’s forces on Sunday alone killed at least 17 people. Al Jazeera has gained access to the city. Cameraman Craig Pennington and corrrespondent Jonah Hull boarded a trawler carrying supplies from Malta, and made the 24 hour voyage to Misurata.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY6UDJI577o&feature=youtube_gdata
Snipers, cluster bombs panic Libya’s Misrata
MISRATA, Libya (AFP) – Snipers, cluster bombs and intense shelling are spreading panic in Misrata, an AFP reporter said on Monday, as a doctor reported 1,000 people killed in six weeks of fighting in the besieged city. With fears growing that refugees will attempt a chaotic mass escape by sea from the city of 400,000, UN chief Ban Ki-moon called for a ceasefire and a political solution to the two-month-old conflict in Libya.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/04/18/snipers-cluster-bombs-panic-libyas-misrata/
Libyan forces pound Misrata, 1,000 evacuated by sea
Evacuees say conditions in Misrata are becoming increasingly desperate and hundreds of civilians are believed to have been killed.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/libyan-forces-pound-misrata-1000-evacuated-by-sea
Misrata, Libya Rebel City, Pounded By Gaddafi Forces
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – A chartered ship evacuated nearly 1,000 foreign workers and wounded Libyans from Misrata on Monday as rebels said they had gained ground in fighting with government forces in the besieged city. “We wanted to be able to take more people out but it was not possible,” said Jeremy Haslam, who led the International Organization for Migration (IOM) rescue mission.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/18/misrata-libya-gaddafi-bombing_n_850712.html
Gaddafi Forces Firing On Civilians In Misrata, Says Head Of NATO Military Operations In Libya
OTTAWA (Reuters) – The head of NATO’s military operations in Libya Monday accused forces loyal to leader Muammar Gaddafi of hiding in hospitals and firing on civilians from the roofs of mosques in the rebel-held city of Misrata.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/18/gaddafi-forces-firing-on-civilians-libya-says-nato_n_850796.html
Video: AJA exclusive video of skirmish in Misrata
April 18, 2011: Al Jazeera has obtained exclusive video that portrays revolutionaries clashing with Gaddafi Forces and foreign mercenaries in a school yard in the Karzaz district of Misrata.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf3-1ZOd2to&feature=player_embedded
Civilians stranded in Libya’s stalemate
Hundreds of thousands of civilians are caught in the middle of Libya’s military stalemate. More than half a million have already fled and 5.000 a day are crossing into Tunisia and Egypt. But many more remain stranded. In Misurata, they have been under siege for nearly two months but now Gaddafi’s government has promised UN officials safe passage into the city. Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull reports.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6v4tUK69z4&feature=youtube_gdata
Thousands of Libyans flee remote western area-report
TUNIS, April 18 (Reuters) – Some 11,000 Libyans have fled a remote and mountainous western region, where government forces are fighting rebels, and crossed into Tunisia over the last week, Tunisia’s state TAP news agency reported on Monday. It said 3,000 people, including women and children, had arrived in the last two days alone at the southern Tunisian border town of Dehiba, fleeing “intense bombing” that had destroyed many houses.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/thousands-of-libyans-flee-remote-western-area-report
Humanitarian coordination in Libya
As humanitarian aid arrives in Libya, shipments are prioritised for those areas, such as the besieged city of Misurata, which need it most. But the rest of the country also requires help, and UN under-secretary general Baroness Amos has arrived in Libya to help coordinate the relief effort. Al Jazeera’s Sue Turton, reporting from benghazi, tells us of the efforts underway to get help to the most desperate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI-zj3AXe9s&feature=youtube_gdata
UN envoy secures lifeline for Misurata
UN deal with Libya allows humanitarian access to besieged port as UK pledges to fund rescue of 5,000 stranded migrants.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/africa/2011/04/201141821324392205.html
Libya: International community must urgently increase aid to Misratah
Much of Misratah remains without communications, power or water as civilians are caught up in a worsening humanitarian crisis.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/libya-international-community-must-urgently-increase-aid-misratah-2011-04-19
Britain to send military advisers to Libya
Foreign minister says team will be sent to help support Libya’s opposition council, but will not train or arm rebels.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/europe/2011/04/201141912396271515.html
Gaddafi envoy holds talks in Morocco
RABAT, April 19 (Reuters) – Morocco hosted a visit by a Libyan deputy foreign minister on Monday, a rare diplomatic link between Muammar Gaddafi’s government and one of the staunch allies of the Western coaltion determined to overthrow him. Morocco has been one of the small number of Arab countries and the only North African state openly involved in talks with Western powers over the Libyan crisis.
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/gaddafi-envoy-holds-talks-in-morocco
All quiet in west Ajdabiya
A sandstorm on Sunday prevented NATO aircraft from targeting troops loyal to long time Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi as they advanced on Ajdabiya. Just 24 hours later, the weather conditions have changed, and anti-Gaddafi fighters advanced some 40km west of the city. Al Jazeera’s Mike Hanna reports from the western edge of Ajdabiya with more details.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG8FvLpVewo&feature=youtube_gdata
Saif admits Qaddafis are Brutal Foreign Occupiers, Juan Cole
Saif al-Islam Qaddafi, son of the dictator, gave an interview yesterday to the Washington Post. In it he justified the Libyan army’s horrific attacks on the besieged city of Misrata:‘ “You know what happened in Misurata? It’s exactly what happened in the Cold River [Nahr al-Bared], in Tripoli, Lebanon. The Lebanese army went and attacked three or four civilian districts in Tripoli to fight Jund al-Sham, the soldiers of Islam, you know that terrorist group in Lebanon. They destroyed maybe half the city, they didn’t kill civilians there, but they fought the terrorists because they were inside the buildings. The Americans, the West, they supplied the Lebanese army, and it is a legitimate mission to fight terrorists inside Tripoli of Lebanon. You remember? And I remember they sent an airlift with the Hummer vehicles, arms and munitions. The same thing in Grozny in Chechnya, when the Russian army fought the terrorists, because the terrorists went inside the buildings in Grozny. The same thing happened with the Americans in Fallujah. You know Fallujah? It’s exactly the same. You are not fighting or killing innocent people or civilians, because it is not in the interests of anybody to kill civilians, but the terrorists are there, the terrorists are there. ‘
http://www.juancole.com/2011/04/saif-admits-qaddafis-are-brutal-foreign-occupiers.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+juancole%2Fymbn+%28Informed+Comment%29
Syria
Syria lifts emergency law
Government approves bill lifting emergency law, in place for 48 years, following demands by pro-democracy protesters.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/04/2011419135036463804.html
Gunfire in locked-down Syrian city
Reports of shooting as thousands protest in Homs while Syrian government claims country is facing “armed insurrection”.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/04/201141817736498882.html
Protesters destroy government symbols in Syria’s Douma
Protesters took to the streets in the streets in the Damascus suburb of Douma on Sunday. They removed pictures of President Bashar al-Assad and his father, former president Hafez al-Assad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY9AsDCEFjc&feature=youtube_gdata
Inside Story: Syria’s emergency laws
Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s president, says the country’s state of emergency should be lifted by next week. Inside Story, with presenter Darren Jordon, discusses with guests: Walid Saffour, president of the Syrian Human Rights Committee; Ivan Eland, a senior fellow and Director of the Centre of Peace and Liberty, at the Independent Institute. This episode of Inside Story aired on Sunday, April 17, 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPzAj7Wrldg&feature=youtube_gdata
Tunisia
Essential Viewing: Five Tunisian Films from a Postrevolutionary Perspective
It is impossible to watch Tunisian film today from an exclusively prerevolutionary perspective. The present historical juncture will stealthily thrust itself to center stage. Besides, the value of film does not reside solely in its appropriateness to its own historical moment of production, but equally in its relevance to other, yet to come, historical moments. It becomes highly productive, not to say inevitable, that we rethink postcolonial Tunisian film through the lenses of the revolutionary and now postrevolutionary moment. When we do, it will have become clear that several Tunisian filmmakers had creatively evaded censorship and charted a counterintuitive genealogy of rebelliousness that cannot possibly be overlooked in our effort, scholarly or otherwise, to understand the provenance, scope, and significance of what happened on January 14, 2011.
http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/1282/essential-viewing_five-tunisian-films-from-a-postr
Yemen
Security forces fire on Yemeni protesters
Firing in Taiz comes as UN says that 26 children have been killed in violent protests over the last two months.
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/04/201141910531861200.html
As Yemenis run low on gas and food, revolution could take off
Since protests began earlier this year, Yemen’s currency has plummeted, oil production has dropped, and food prices have risen by as much as 45 percent.
http://rss.csmonitor.com/%7Er/feeds/world/%7E3/jDOaUTuvdQ8/As-Yemenis-run-low-on-gas-and-food-revolution-could-take-off
Other
“Warning shot to the Saudis: People in Washington are getting sick of you!”
“… Riyadh, alarmed by the Obama administration’s failure to prop up its ally of three decades Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, is sending signs of its displeasure and its move toward exploring alternative security arrangements. Last month, former Saudi intelligence chief Prince Bandar reportedly went to Pakistan, ostensibly to discuss the possibility of importing Pakistani troops to help the Saudi regime suppress internal unrest should the need arise….. as a signal of possible Saudi interest in acquiring Pakistani nuclear weapons if Washington doesn’t protect Riyadh from Iran’s nuclear program.
http://friday-lunch-club.blogspot.com/2011/04/warning-shot-to-saudis-people-in.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+friday-lunch-club+%28%22friday-lunch-club%22%29
Buy a T-shirt, donate to the Red Crescent
Get a T-shirt with the awesome Arab revolution logo on the right from here and the proceeds go to the Red Crescent, which has been doing incredible work tending to the injured in the Arab uprisings and particularly in Libya where its volunteers face great danger to help others. The Red Crescent is the regional equivalent of the Red Cross, with which it partners to provide emergency relief across the world.
http://www.arabist.net/blog/2011/4/19/buy-a-t-shirt-donate-to-the-red-crescent.html
