RAMADI – Six months after Ramadi fell to DAESH, Iraqi forces are close to recovering the lost city. The operation to retake Ramadi began in November. Iraq’s army supported by Shia forces has already reclaimed Tikrit. Analysts say progress was slower this time because Iraq’s army backed by US air power did not use Shia forces.
ABOVEΒ – This is the first picture of Uday, 22, who was killed during protests over Israel’s occupation and settlement programme in Palestine. His sister Dania was killed by Israel on her way back from school a month earlier. Gaza remains surrounded by Israel’s military. At least 120 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since October 1.
JERUSALEM – Israel has released the body of schoolgirl Hadeel Awaad, 14, who was shot dead by an Israeli policeman on November 22. Her cousin Norhan, 16, who was wounded has been charged with attempted murder. They lived in Qalandia Refugee camp in Ramallah.Β Hadeel’s brother was killed by Israel during protests two years earlier. Israel says they were attacking a man they thought was an Israeli with scissors. Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza is illegal under international law. Israel’s military and armed settlers continue to operate without any international condemnation, whilst Palestinians continue to suffer under the daily humiliation of occupation.
LONDON – Cameron said the Muslim Brotherhood was secretive and supported Hamas terrorism. He said it’s activities would be monitored in the UK. A lawyer for the Muslim Brotherhood says they will be challenging Cameron’s findings. Britain was under pressure from Egypt, UAE and Saudi Arabia to designate the group a terrorist organisation and to ban them. Egypt’s military overthrew the democratically elected Muslim Brotherhood government in 2013 killing thousands and have since held show trials of thousands more handing out mass death sentences – one of whom was to deposed President,Β Mohamed Morsi.
TAEZ – Deaths come as warring sides are meeting at a secret location in Switzerland. UN says 637 children have been killed since Saudi Arabia launched operations eight months ago.
HEBRON – Uday, 24, was killed six weeks after Israel murdered his sister DANIA,17.Β She was shot dead on her way back from school. Her story was covered by CNN.Β 117 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since October 1. Tel Aviv says they were attackers.
KUNDUZ – Death toll from attack on Doctor without Frontiers hospital in Afghanistan on October 3 has risen. US says it made a mistake. MSF says this was a war crime and has called for an independent investigation. At the time of the attack, the Taliban had taken over KUNDUZ.
KABUL – The Taliban claim responsibility for a car bomb attack that kills two Spanish police officers and four Afghan guards. Earlier this week, Taliban gunmen raided KANDAHAR Airport in an attack that lasted 24 hours.