Italian soldiers car firebombed

A car belonging to a Commander at La Cove Siniscola Barracks in Sardinia has been firebombed.

The Ford Galaxy was parked outside the barracks when unknown individuals carried out an arson attack which completely destroyed the vehicle.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Insurgents step up attacks in Iraq

Seven Iraqi soldiers and a policeman were killed in seperate attacks in Iraq as rebel groups step up their campaign.

In Mosul, seven soldiers were ambushed and killed by gunmen as they left their base in a minibus. It is understood that two cars pulled up in front of the vehicle, blocking it's path. Four armed gunmen then jumped out and fired into the bus with automatic weapons killing seven soldiers and seriously wounding the driver.

Later in the day, on the outskirts of Mosul, a police officer was killed by a sticky-bomb which was attached to his personal car. He was off-duty at the time.

Chechen Rebels claim responsibility for Moscow blasts

Chechen Separatist rebels have claimed responsibility for three bomb attacks in Moscow over the last three days.

On Wednesday a nailbomb exploded outside the Academy of the Federal Security Service (FSB) damaging a number of vehicles and buildings in the area. And yesterday two crude devices exploded at the rear of a set of apartment blocks in Moscow knocking out windows up as far as the ninth floor. There were no injuries in any of the attacks.

Today a rebel run news site has stated that it's members were responsible for the attacks which it described as a carefully planned "sabotage operation". It went on to say that the apartment blocks were targeted because they are used to house members of the FSB.

In claimimng responsibility the Riyadus Salikhin Martyrs Brigade (RSMB) said:

"We intend to continue striking facilities and places where the [FSB] criminals gather"

Unionist candidates home bombed

 
The home of a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) candidate in the upcoming Northern Ireland elections has been bombed.

An explosive device, believed to have been a pipe-bomb was thrown through John Smyth's bedroom window early this morning. It exploded on his bed causing moderate damage. Mr. Smyth was downstairs on his computer when the attack was carried out. He believes that had he been in his bed he would almost certainly have died.

A motive for the attack is unclear but the Antrim area is one of the most staunchly loyalist parts of Northern Ireland and there is a strong possibility that loyalist paramilitaries or drugs gangs may have been responsible.

So far no group has claimed responsibility.

Suspected ETA Military Chief arrested in France

French authorities have detained a man who they believe is one of the top commanders in the Basque separatist organisation ETA.

Alejandro Zobaran Arriola was among four people arrested on the Dutch-French border by French police. All four are suspected memebrs of ETA while Arriola is believed to be the current Military Commander of the armed organisation. According to local media, a number of firearms along with ETA documents were found in a building that was raided.

ETA called a permanent ceasefire in January and has called for negotiations with the Spanish government. This has been refused and has lead to fears that the group may call off it's cessation and launch further attacks on Spanish targets.

The majority of the Basque Country is located in Spain with a smaller part in southern France. ETA usually targets members of the Spanish security forces along with infrastructure and commerical targets.

India kills top separatist

The Indian Military has calimed that it's forces have killed a top Kashmiri rebel.

According to police Commander Sajjad Afghani and one of his bodyguards were killed in a gun battle with Indian police on the banks of the river Dal Lake outside the capital Srinagar.


Afghani is believed to have been the mastermind behind the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament which left 6 police officers, five rebels and a civilian dead.

Police Officer killed in Dagestan

A police officer has been shot dead by rebels in Dagestan, it has been claimed.

While Russian security forces have so far failed to comment on the incident, A news agency linked to rebel groups has claimed that a Russian police officer who also worked in provinces tax and revenue offices, named as Zalkipri Sheykovnear, was killed in a drive-by shooting today.

Rebel sources claimed that he died instantly after being shot multiple times with automatic weapons outside the Muslim Spiritual Administration's building in the capital.