Top stories from DAWNS Digest.
14 Killed in Afghan Suicide Attack Motivated by YouTube Video
Foreigners were targeted in the attack. “A suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a minivan near Kabul’s airport killing at least 12 people, including eight South Africans, in an attack claimed as revenge for an anti-Islam movie that has triggered violent protests across the Muslim world. General Mohammad Zahir, the head of Kabul police’s crime investigation department, confirmed that the bus carrying foreigners had been the target of today’s attack, while Afghans had also died. Those killed were employed by an aviation company at the international airport, the Associated Press reported. French nationals and Russians may also be among the dead, according to Ayub Salangi, Kabul’s police chief. The Hizb-e-Islami, a guerrilla group led by warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and allied to the Taliban, carried out the attack in retaliation for the American-made video responsible for clashes across the Muslim world, Zubair Siddiqi, a spokesman for Hizb-e-Islami, said by phone. He said the bombing was carried out by a 22-year-old woman named Fatema.” (Bloomberg http://buswk.co/OAu6Sw)
ECOWAS Ministers Consider Sending Troops to Mali
With Northern Mali under the control of a Islamist rebel groups, regional powerhouses are considering whether and how to intervene. “West African defense and foreign ministers met Monday on when and how to deploy troops to quell the unrest in Mali, where Islamist militants control the northern part of the country. The Economic Community of West African States is trying to end political crises in both Mali and Guinea Bissau, where a coup occurred in April. The leaders met in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan, to consider the request by Mali’s interim president, Dioncounda Traore, for military assistance to combat the Islamists and retake the north. Mali has asked for logistical and air support, but not combat troops. Before the meeting, an ECOWAS spokesman Sonny Ugoh said the regional group is awaiting a U.N. Security Council meeting on Mali before deciding on a date for troop deployment. But he said that valuable time has been lost in attempting to resolve the crisis, and that Islamist groups believed to be linked to al-Qaida now control two-thirds of Mali.” (VOA http://bit.ly/QxcloX)