Drug cartels strike in Mexico,

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 04:39:54 +0000

Militants threw two grenades into crowds of revelers in the Mexican town of Morelia yesterday, during celebrations meant to mark Mexico's independence day. Authorities were quick to accuse operatives of the country's numerous drug cartels, against whom President Felipe Calderon has waged an escalating offensive. Morelia - Calderon's home town - sits in the state of Michoacan, which continues to witness deadly clashes between gangs and the army.

Torch passed from Petraeus to Odierno

Gen. David Petraeus stepped down this week as commander of US troops in Iraq to take a higher regional command. Petraeus has been credited for improving the situation in the country since last year's controversial "surge". His principal achievement was tactfully creating the "awakening councils" in Anbar province, where formerly hostile Sunni militants were co-opted to fight against foreign and extremist fighters in the restive region. Keep up to date with the latest developments and sharpest perspectives in a world of strife and struggle.

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But as Petraeus has admitted himself, all gains are reversible. The Shia-led government in Baghdad has taken an increasingly strident line against factions of the Sunni "awakening". Petraeus' replacement, Gen. Ray Odierno, is not held in as high esteem by many Iraqis; while in charge of the 4^th Infantry Division, Odierno was known for his aggressive and blunt approach, using tanks, heavy artillery and mass arrests. If the alleged successes of last year spring from Petraeus' subtlety, then Odierno's record is far from encouraging.

Christian factions spar in Lebanon

As Lebanese politicians attempt to cobble together a unity government, rival Christian factions Marada and Lebanese Forces fought in north Lebanon in violence that left at least two people dead. Marada is tied to the pro-Syrian Hizbollah, while Lebanese Forces back the anti-Syrian alliance led by Saad al-Hariri.

Soldiers vanish in Mauritania

Mauritanian officials suspect al-Qaida's north African outfit - Al-Qaida in the Maghreb (AQIM) - of kidnapping twelve soldiers near the mining town of Zouerat. AQIM has mostly confined its activities to Algeria, and analysts fear that the ambush is a sign of the group's growing influence. Opposition figures in Mauritania were quick to seize upon the attack as evidence of the failure of the military junta to secure the country's borders since coming to power in an August coup d'etat.

Hamas move against crime clan

In its ongoing bid to bring order to the Gaza Strip, Hamas raided the compound of the Dagmush clan, a large family with deep ties to criminal and militant activity in the strip. Fighting on Monday and Tuesday left at least twelve people dead, including a one year-old child. The Dagmush were responsible for the abduction of BBC journalist Alan Johnston.

Turmoil in the Niger Delta

For the fifth consecutive day, militants in the oil-rich south of Nigeria targeted oil installations. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta claims to have blown up a Shell pipeline in Rivers state. An ongoing insurgency in the region continues to threaten the flow of oil from west Africa.

Security forces targeted in Swat

A suicide bomber attacked a compound housing soldiers and paramilitaries in the Swat valley in north Pakistan. Soon after the initial blast, militants bombarded the compound with rocket and mortar fire. At least ten people have been killed. The attack comes as top US military officials visit Islamabad to discuss greater coordination in addressing the insurgency that continues to destabilise both Pakistan and neighbouring Afghanistan. The Swat valley was formerly home to the pro-Taliban leader Maulana Fazlullah who fought bitterly against government forces in the region last year.

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Drug cartels strike in Mexico,