In Iraq, militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS) have taken the city of Tal Afar. At least some of a grisly series of photos that appear to document ISIS brutally executing men detained in Tikrit, and which seem to have been released by ISIS themselves, have been verified by the Associated Press. The photos could be part of a larger social media campaign ISIS has been waging during its invasion of Iraq, which the militants use to inflate their image and intimidate opponents.
To crush Boko Haram insurgents, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters last week declared it would employ the “Sri Lankan method.” It’s hard to imagine a worse idea.
Hunger striking Al-Jazeera correspondent Abdullah Elshamy, detained in Egypt, will be released on medical grounds. Thirteen others will be released for similar reasons. He, along with other journalists, were arrested while covering the violent break-up of protests by supporters of former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsy.
Keeping with Egypt, in recent days, and repeatedly for the past few years, mobs of men have sexually assaulted women and girls taking part in demonstrations in Tahrir Square. While President Sisi recently said he would end rampant sexual harassment and assault, it will take more than words.
People around the world are still hoping the Nigerian girls kidnapped by Boko Haram will be returned. Many of the girls were forced to marry militants. Sadly, in this they are not alone. Every day, approximately 39,000 girls are married worldwide.
Two militants who cut the fingers off Afghan elders who voted have been killed by Afghan security forces.
