Guerrillas kill contractor in Kashmir

Kashmiri rebels have shot dead a military contractor in the town Kreeri today in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The police have identified the dead man as Nazir Ahmed Lone and said he was shot several times in the abdomen and head by a number of gunmen.

In a separate attack, two police officers and two civilians were wounded in a grenade attack in the Batmallo area of Srinagar city. All of the injured were taken to a local hospital. One of the injured, an assistant engineer in the Roads Department, was said to be in a critical condition.

Kashmir is a disputed territory with India, Pakistan and China all laying claim to the mountainous region. Kashmiri rebels wish to see the province become an independent state.

PKK announces end of unilateral ceasefire

 
The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has announced that it's unilateral ceasefire with Turkey will expire tonight.

The PKK had initially agreed to a ceasefire until June, when Turkey's General Elctions will be held. But in a statement issued to the Firat News Agency the guerrilla organisation said that it's units would now move to a position of defence and retaliation, however they would not carry out offensive military actions. It also stated that it would attack Turkish military units which it believed were preparing to carry out an attack.

The ceasefire, which was declared in August, was formulated to give Turkey's ruling AKP party space to address Kurdish grievances in relation to autonomy and language. Today the PKK said that it had attempted to build peaceful dialogue with the Turkish state but that they had not responded. It also claimed that the Turkish military had killed 40 PKK fighters during the period of the ceasefire.

The group appealed to the international community to put pressure on the Turkish government to enter into dialogue.

Communist Rebels kill 3 soldiers

 
Three Filipino soldiers have been killed and four others injured in an ambush by Maoist Rebels in the remote Ifugao region of the northern Philippines.

According to a military spokesperson the soldiers were on their way to the remote village of Caoayan to help in the reconstruction of buildings damaged by a typhoon when they were attacked by New People's Army (NPA) gunmen. Following a five minute gun battle the rebels withdrew. The spokesman said he was unable to confirm whether or not there were any casualties on the side of the insurgents. The spokesman also identified the Commander of the rebel unit as a man named Casimiro Binayan.

The encounter is the first clash between the government and the guerrillas since the ending of a one week ceasefire on the 21st of February following a week of peace negotiations in Norway.

Suspicous device causes security alert in Cornwall

A security alert is underway after a suspected incendiary device was found on a beach in Newquay, Cornwall.

A number of buildings, including a restaurant owned by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, have been evacuated.

The police bomb squad is currently on the scene.

In 2007 a Cornish separatist group calling itself the Cornish National Liberation Army threatened to bomb restaurants owned by Jamie Oliver and another English celebrity chefs. Cornish nationalists have been responsible for a number of arson attacks on English owned holiday homes and frequently remove or destory English or British flags which are flown in the region.

Republicans triple represenation in Irish Parliament

Irish Republicans have more than tripled their representation in the south of Ireland's Parliament following a groundbreaking general election.

Sinn Féin, which for many years was seen as the political wing of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (I.R.A.), increased it's representation from four to thirteen seats. Recounts in two other areas could see it gain as many as 15 in the 166 seater southern Parliament. The party gained 10.05% of the vote with a number of first time candidates elected as well as well known veterans such as ex-I.R.A Hungerstriker Dessie Ellis (pictured).

Sinn Féin, which is the largest party in Northern Ireland, has until now failed to gain a significant foothold in the south. Support for the centrist government party Fianna Fáil almost completely collapsed with conservative Fine Gael becoming the largest party, although failing to gain an overall majority. They are expected to form a coalition government with the centre-Left Labour Party who also made significant gains. Smaller leftist parties and independents also increased their representation.

The results (so far with 13 seats still to be confirmed due to recounts) are:

Fine Gael - 70 seats
Labour  Party - 36 seats
Fianna Fáil - 18 seats
Sinn Féin - 13 seats
Socialist Party - 2 seats
People Before Profit - 2 seats
Workers Action Group - 1 seat
Independnets - 11 seats

Senegalese soldier killed by rebels amid calls for referendum

A Senegalese soldier has been killed and two others wounded following a clash with separatist rebels in Casamance.

According to the military, an army patrol was attacked by members of the Casamance Movement of Democratic Forces (MFDC) in a remote region of the disputed territory. A subsequent gun battle lasted nearly five hours before the rebels withdrew. A Senegalese Army Officer said he believed that the MFDC also suffered casualties. The fighting took place near the Gambian border and north of the regional capital Ziguinchor.

The attack brings to 16 the number of Senegalese soldiers killed in rebel attacks since the beginning of the year. Earlier this month, the Senegalese government rejected calls from separatists for a referendum on independence. The slow pace of progress since the 2004 ceasefires has resulted in MFDC units carrying out sporadic attacks on government forces.

Gun battle in Chechnya - 2 Rebels killed, claims Russia

The Russian security forces claim to have killed two rebel fighters in a gun battle in Chechnya.

According to media sources, the battle took place in the town of Yandi in the Nockchicho province of the republic. The battle is reported to have lasted around two hours. Pro-Russian Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov has said that the rebels were ambushed by elite anti-terrorist units.

Russian security forces and the local police have not disclosed any information as to whether their forces suffered any casualties.

Bomb explodes in Kizilyurt

A bomb has exploded at the home of a member of the pro-Russian Dagestani government in the town of Kizilyurt. There have been no reports of injuries, separatist rebels are suspected.

Meanwhile also in Kizilyurt, a man, named locally as Ruslan Atayev, was shot dead by Russian Security forces at a checkpoint in the town. Police claimed that the man was an armed rebel and had opened fire at the checkpoint however this has been denied by separatists who said that he was not known to them. No further details have been released

Rebels launch assault on city - 12 Russian Troops wounded

 
A large contingent of rebel fighters have launched a raid on the city of Nalchik in Kabardino-Balkaria in the northern Caucusus.

According to Russian media, at least 10 groups of rebels, each consisting of about 5 fighters, hit Russian Army and Polcie targets across the city within the space of two hours.

Police and military installations across the city were raked with machine gun fire while others were hit with anti-tank rockets. The interior ministry has announced that 12 members of the security forces were wounded. Rebels have claimed that they killed a number of police officers and soldiers although Russian Security Forces have denied this. It is believed that the rebels used a number of hijacked vehciles to launch the attacks.

On the same night, two police installations in outlying towns, one located in the neighbouring province of Ingushetia, were bombed.

The head of security for the city, Arsen Kanakov, has described the incident as a "co-ordinated attack on the city intended to cause destabilization".

Rebel sources have said that the raid was carried out by 5 teams of fighters with a further 5 units providing backup. They also claimed that all of their fighters escaped without injury.

Bomb attack targets house in Saint-Florent, Corsica

A bomb has exploded at a holiday home belonging to a French couple in the town of Saint-Florent in northern Corsicsa.

According to investigators, the explosive device was placed inside the building. It exploded in the early hours of the morning causing moderate damage. The villa was unoccupied at the time of the blast. There has been no claim of responsibility but Corsican separatist groups are suspected.

Corsica has seen a surge in bomb attacks since late November. Earlier this week a large blast seriously damaged a hotel in the nearby town of San Nicolao.

The security forces have said that this is the 20th bomb attack on the island since January 1st.

Russia admit soldier killed and others wounded in Kabardino-Balkaria

The Russian Military has admitted that one of it's soldiers has been killed and seven injured following a prolonged gun battle with separatists in the Elbrus region of Kabardino-Balkaria.

The popular skiing resort had been the scene of fierce clashes between rebels and security forces over the last week. Earlier Russian news agency's reported that five rebels had been killed in an ambush by members of Russia's Elite Anti-Terrorist Unit, this was later reduced to three before the statement was retracted.

Reports emerging from the area indicate that an attempt to ambush a rebel "mobile commando unit" failed. Rebels have stated that their forces managed to break through an attempted encirclement and safely return to base without suffering any fatalities. The rebels did not confirm whether any of their fighters had been injured.

A resident in the nearby village of Mardzhanoy said:
"We're in shock. Helicopters were flying, armored vehicles moved in . Strikes and shooting were heard. What kind of strikes they were, we can't tell, it is impossible to say for sure if you are present on the battle site. In the afternoon, a lot of military vehicles drove up into a valley". 

It has been reported that Russian forces used jets, helicopters, heavy artillery and mortars to bombard nearby rebel positions.

Nearby towns and villages are currently under military curfew and the movement of people and vehciles in surrounding areas has been heavily restricted.

Large Battle underway between rebels and Russian forces in Kabardino-Balkaria

There are reports of fierce fighting between insurgents and Russian security forces, including elite anti-terrorist units, in Kabardino-Balkaria in the northern Caucasus.

Rebel forces have confirmed that one of their "mobile units" is currently engaging Russian forces in the Elbrus district of the province. It is understood that the engagement began sometime yesterday. Information on what is taking place has been sketchy, Russian Forces say they have no stable communications due to adverse weather conditions - Elbrus is located high in the Caucusus Mountains and is a popular ski resort. Local residents have reported the use of fighter aircraft to bombard suspected rebel positions as well as heavy artillery and mortars.

Russian Forces initially claimed that they had ambushed and eliminated a squad of rebel fighters, this was quickly retracted and security forces have now claimed to have killed three fighters. They have also stated that three members of the elite anti-terrorist unit have been seriously wounded. Rebel forces have not confirmed any casualties. A local police officer has said that one Russian soldier was killed and six wounded.

Both rebel and Russian security forces frequently over-exaggerate each others losses while playing down their own. Media is banned from Chechnya and surrounding areas making independent verifications of casualties almost impossible.

Hotel bombed in northern Corsica

 Corsican separatists have been blamed for a bomb attack in the municipality of San-Nicolao, Corsica.

The Moriani-Plage is one of the oldest hotels on the island. It had been abandoned for many years but reopened last summer. It was undergoing extensive renovations recently and was empty at the time of the explosion, which occurred in the early hours of the morning.

The blast caused significant damage but no injuries. It has also emerged that a second unexploded device was found in the hotel by the ordinance disposal team. Investigators have not released any information about what kind of explosive device was used. So far no group has claimed responsibility but the Corsican National Liberation Front (FLNC) is suspected.

The head of the Criminal Investigation Bureau based in Ghisonaccia said that there had been a "significant" increase in bomb attacks in recent weeks and accused separatists of attempting to start a war on the island.

This is the 18th bomb attack on the island this year.

Quebec separatists to disrupt British royal visit

Québécois separatists have vowed to make the visit of British Royals Prince William and Kate Middleton to the province "as unpleasant as possible".

The Québécois Network of Resistance (RRQ) has vowed to disrupt the planned visit by the royal couple this summer. The small militant group, which is believed to have a national membership of around 500 people, supports independence for the French-speaking Quebec province from Canada. It has organised a number of direct action protests against the British monarchy including a protest and blockade of an armory in Montreal during the visit of Prince Charles. Scuffles subsequently broke out with police and security forces. The group also draws inspiration from the Quebec National Liberation Front (FLQ), a paramilitary group which engaged in gun and bomb attacks against what it described as "Anglo-Saxon Imperialism".

The RRQ said that it was in the process of setting up a "welcoming committee" to oppose the visit which is anticipated to take place in late June or early July to coincide with the Canada Day national holiday.

Opinion polls carried out by a local newspaper in the province found that 80% of people believed that the British Monarchy should be abolished while 60% opposed any royal visit.

Israel target Palestinian Militants

The Israeli Air Force has launched a missile attack against a unit of Palestinian fighters in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.

It is understood that a number of rockets were fired at the group who managed to escape uninjured. Hamas fighters have ceased firing rockets into Israel however, smaller groups such as Islamic-Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine continue to carry out rocket and mortar attacks.

Israel claims it only fires into Gaza in response to attacks on it's territory.

Dissident Republican group claims Arson attack

 A dissident Irish republican splinter group has claimed responsibility for an arson attack against taxi deport in the city of Belfast, it has emerged.

The splinter group, known as Óglaigh na hÉireann (Warriors of Ireland) claimed responsibility for the attack, which occured on February 7th. Two people were lightly injured when two masked men entered the depot and started a fire. In a written statement which was distributed throughout the area, the group claims, that a number of the taxi depot's employees were involved in drug dealing and that the owner had turned a blind eye to their activities. The owner, who is currently on holidays, has been threatened and told not to return to Ireland.

However, mainstream republican sources, including Gerry Kelly - an elected Sinn Féin MLA and ex-IRA prisoner, has said that the action was simply an attempt to extort money from the business owners. He has also called on the Republican Network for Unity (RNU) - which is considered to be the political wing of ONH - to publically explain the reasoning behind this attack.

Other sources have claimed that the larger Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) had been involved in the incident.

Galician nationalists to be charged over attempted car-bomb attack

Two Galician nationalists are to stand trial after they were arrested late last month on conspiracy charges, it has emerged.

The two men were stopped by a police patrol at a checkpoint near Pontevedra in the early hours of the morning. When the car was inspected it was found to contain a homemade explosive device. The car-bomb was made up of a five-litre can of petrol, six gas canisters and a number of fireworks attached to a detonator.

The names of those arrested have still not been released but it is understood that one of the men is under 18. They are both linked to the Galician nationalist movement and are believed to be members of Galician Resistance (REGA).

Since the beginning of the year REGA have been blamed for a bomb attack in Betanzos, four petrol bomb attacks on rival poltiicians offices and a failed bomb attack in Vigo.

FARC rebels free prisoners as gesture of good faith

 
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - Army of the People (FARC - EP) rebels have freed six prisoners of war as a gesture of good faith. The prisoners were freed in separate handovers since February 9th.

Those released included soldiers, policemen and public figures, some of whom had been held for over 10 years. The Brazilian government acted as an intermediary and said that the releases indicated FARC's willingness to take part in dialogue with the Colombian government so as to negotiate a peaceful political settlement to the 47 year-old conflict. This was rejected by the government who said that they would not consider talking to the guerrilla's until they released the remaining 16 hostages they still hold (mainly soldiers and police), renounce violence and declare a ceasefire.

One of the freed hostages, politician Armando Acuna, has called for dialogue between the government and the rebels: "Humanitarian exchange is the first step toward a friendly understanding, which permits the return of our brothers deprived of their liberty." he said


However Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos dismissed the releases as a media exercise to garner sympathy for the rebels. He also said that on the same night that the two police officers were released, rebels had kidnapped two workers from the south of the country.

Independence referednum proposed amid continuing violence in Casamance

Casamance separatists in Senegal have demanded that a referendum on independence be held by the end of the year. The call comes following increasing acts of violence attributed to separatist rebels in the region.

Casamance is a peninsula in southern Senegal which is almost completely separated from the rest of the country by The Gambia. It is home to the Jola people.

The Senegalese government has expressed concern over recent rebel attacks which have resulted in a number of deaths among the Senegal national army. Security Forces have said that the rebels have secured heavy weaponry including assault rifles, mortars and rocket launchers. On December 28th a Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) assault on the town of Bignona left seven soldiers dead. A number of rebels are said to have been injured. A military source confirmed to local papers that the army was taken by surprise and that questions are being asked as to how the guerrilla's have obtained heavy artillery. A caché of weapons destined for Casamance en-route from Iran were seized in Legos, Nigeria.


A leader of the MFDC has written to the African Union to ask for them to help organize an independence referendum for the region. This has been flatly rejected by the Senegalese government who have said that the situation in Casamance is not comparible with southern Sudan, which voted for independence earlier this month.

Renewed violence in Casamance has left 15 Senegalese soldiers dead since the start of the year.

Russia sends extra troops to Kabardino-Balkaria

After a series of attacks and sabotage operations in Kabardino-Balkaria, the Russian Defence Ministry has announced that it is sending more troops, including members of the Federal Security Service (FSB formerley KGB), to the province.

In recent weeks separatist rebels have carried out a number of attacks on troops and police. One police officer was killed in a gun attack in Nalchik yesterday while a senior civil servant was also killed. A bomb also exploded outside a liquor store and a car bomb was defused at a hotel in the city. On Friday, five people from Moscow were gunned down in the Baksan district. Russian authorities have stated that the five were tourists while rebels have claimed that they were in fact undercover members of the security forces.

The insurgency, which originally flared up in Chechnya, has spread to neighbouring republics over the past two years.

Kabardino-Balkaria is a popular skiing resort for Russian tourists

Attacks continue in Kabardino-Balkaria

Attacks against Russian security forces have continued in Kabardino-Balkaria with a number of incidents in the last two days.

Separatist rebels have claimed responsibility for a gun attack on a police checkpoint in Nalchik which left one police man dead and another injured. According to the rebels, a team of their fighters approached the checkpoint and opened fire with a machine gun hitting two police officers, the rebels then made their getaway. The incident is said to have occurred on Lenin Avenue at around 7.30pm.

At around 9pm on the same day a squad of separatist gunmen entered a gym in the Khasanya suburb of the city and shot a man to death. Rebels claim the dead man worked as a member of the local government although this has not been confirmed.

Acts of sabotage are also widespread.

Spain's Attorney General to ask judges to ban pro-Independence Party

Spain's attorney general is going to ask the courts to ban the new political party "Sortu", claiming that it is nothing more than a re-packaged version of Batasuna - the political wing of the Basque separatist group ETA.

The Supreme Court will rule next week on whether they party should be legalized. Sortu claims it rejects all forms of violence however Spanish police have said that there is ample evidence to prove that it is the political wing of the banned Basque militant group. Batasuna was banned in 2003 after it was accused of acting as the political arm of ETA.

Basque local elections take place this coming May. ETA declared a ceasefire in September and in January confirmed that the ceasefire is intended to be permanent.

US soldier back in custody over murder charge

US Marine Sgt. Lawrence Hutchins has been returned to the brig to serve the last five years of his eleven year sentence for murder.

Hutchins was released eight months ago after his murder conviction was overturned by a military court who ruled that his 2007 trial was unfair. The US Armed Forces court of appeal ,however, overruled that decision last month.

Sgt. Hutchins was charged with commanding an eight-man unit which abducted a 52-year old Iraqi man from his home in Hamdania, Al Anbar province, before binding his hands together and shooting him to death in a ditch. While most of the soldiers shot him, another fired a confiscated AK-47 assault rifle into the air before throwing the weapon into the ditch with the body, so as to give the impression that the dead man had attempted to ambush them. The identity of the deceased is unknown but he is not thought to have any connection with insurgent forces.

The other soldiers involved all served less than 18 months despite some receiving sentences of up to 14 years.

Hutchins' lawyer said that he will appeal for early release.

Police injured in Dagestan bomb attack

A number of police officers have been injured in a double bomb attack in the city of Kizlyar, Dagestan.

The first bomb exploded inside a liquor store in the early hours of yesterday morning, there were no injuries. Premises which sell alcohol are frequently targeted by Islamic militants in the area. Following the blast a number of police units arrived on the scene.

About 20 minutes later a second bomb, which was concealed nearby, exploded. It is reported that a number of police officers suffered shrapnel wounds although an exact number is not known.

Dagestani militants have issued warnings to other premises in the town which sell alcohol to cease their operations.

Explosion rocks southern Isolella, Corsica

A huge explosion ripped through a holiday home on the southern Corsican peninsula of Isolella at around 9pm last night.

The firefighters who reached the scene of the blast quickly were not able to approach the building until a bomb disposal team could confirm that there were no more devices in the area. At the time of writing the fire is still raging. The owner of the property has been identified as a radiologist from Paris. He was not in Corsica at the time of the attack. So far no group has claimed responsibility for the attack although Corsican separatist groups are suspected.

This is the 17th bomb attack on the island since the beginning of the year.