Group items tagged

After the ousting of the Gaddafi regime the country pivoted into civil chaos. Because of the deficiency of structure and state autonomy, armed militias have become the dominant force in determining Libya's future governmental system. While the UN has internationally recognized the NTC as the interim government to ultimately turn the country into a democratic one, militias have taken things into their own hands tipping the country towards the brink of civil war. General Khalifa Haftar launched his Operation Dignity campaign accusing congress of allowing terrorists flourish in Libya and vowed to wipe them out, gaining much support from the regular armed forces and nationalist militias. The opposition to Haftar insist that his attacks are aiming for a military coup. This article was helpful in highlighting the armed groups and dividing them by Pro-Haftar and Pro-Congress sections. 

This article illuminates the aftermath of Gaddafi's reign from a first person perspective of a citizen fleeing the country due to its devastating chaos. He offers a short version of the conflict and the rise in militant groups. The root of the issue is the fact that when the GNC took power, the factions funded the militant groups for their own insurance rather than working towards their disbandment. The Islamist coalition dominated parliament, and as chaos deepened when they realized they would loose the election so they just delayed having one. This is where General Khalifa Haftar chimed in, launching his offense against islamic insurgency by storming the capitol in Tripoli leading the country to slip into civil war. The Author says "We are like a class of kids where the bad teacher is suddenly dead," he said. "Now we all fight each other." When the light finally comes to a country that was for so long in the dark, its blinding. 

This article captures Syria's geography, history, and all events leading up to the state Syria is in today.

Overview of revolts in Syria and where it stands as of December 2013

Yemen's ousted ruler flees house the arrest that was forced upon him by the Houthi Rebels that took power in Yemen's capitol. The unrest in Yemen leaves the opportunity for terrorist groups to gain power.

The US had been partnered with the Yemeni government in implementing drone attacks against AQAP members, but now with the decentralization of Yemen's government, the future of US drone operations is uncertain. The political upheaval has caused the US to close their embassy in Yemen, and the departure of US special forces.

Nusra Front as another triumphant day seizing nearly the entire major city of Idlib. Fighting against the regime lasted nearly four days but regime was eventually driven away. This was a good victory for the opposition to take another city, but is the strengthening of Nusra Front a good thing as well?

This is a complicated war. This site explains in more detail than others and with more emotions put into it as well. It offers first hand accounts of men and women involved in the civil war. Also it discusses the refugee camps that are not mentioned in other sites. The site states that this is a messy, cruel war where neither side has much regard for civilian casualties.

The Nusra Front has been broadenings its borders but also beginning to lose trust/likings of the public. Kidnappings and public killings have been seen more although Nusra does not publicize its acts the way ISIS does

Involvement in the region by the the Turkish military will bolster the rebels' forces, but tensions with the Russians may culminate dangerously.

This article provides evidence that the Houthis, a group of Shiite Muslims who have recently staged a rebellion, have close ties with Iran. The country has provided military and political support to the rebels.

As the Syrian army pushes toward the Turkish border in the north, the government is also achieving major gains in strategic southern Syria near the Jordanian frontier. Aided by Russian airstrikes. Syrian officials have vowed to close off the Turkish and Jordanian borders, long crucial conduits

The first aid convoys have reached the besieged city of Muadhamiya. The convoys will hopefully defuse the hostility and resume the peace talks.

Cities in Syria that have been taken over by rebels are in desperate need of resources. This article explains and details what is being brought in.

Aid trucks have arrived in beseiged towns throughout Syria, in a hope by the world powers and the UN that will lead to a "cessation of hostilities". Almost 500,000 people live in beseiged areas, according to the UN.

Millions of Yemenis are in need of aid. Civilians are being targeted by both the Houthi rebels and Saudi forces.

I fear that this article might hold some truth. Aleppo has been a fighting zone in the past couple of weeks, and with the regime retaking control, the fear has been that the city will fall under siege. Aleppo is my hometown, and I am interested to compare what I read to what I hear from people back there.

looks Russia and the regime of Bashar al-Assad does not take the issue of cease-fire seriously after the air strike on a school today.