A total of 88 cases have been filed in incidents related to minorities from August 5 to October 22
88 incidents of assaults on minorities, mainly Hindus, following Sheikh Hasina's removal, confirms Bangladesh
On Tuesday, December 10, the provisional government of Bangladesh admitted that there have been 88 occurrences of communal discord targeting minorities, chiefly Hindus, subsequent to the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The ex-premier escaped from Dhaka to India as protesters moved toward her residence amid a prolonged uprising in August 2024.
The press secretary for interim government leader Muhammad Yunus, Shafiqul Alam, mentioned that 70 individuals have been detained in connection with these incidents. This acknowledgment emerged a day after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri expressed concerns regarding the recent assaults on minorities, labeling them as unfortunate occurrences.
Vikram Misri further underscored India’s worries about the safety and security of minority groups during talks with Bangladeshi officials.
Israel conducts 480 airstrikes in Syria and captures land as Netanyahu vows to transform the face of the Middle East
The disintegration of the Assad administration has triggered a severe military reaction from Israel, which has executed air assaults on military sites throughout Syria and dispatched ground forces into and beyond a demilitarized buffer zone for the first occasion in 50 years.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military reported that it had executed approximately 480 attacks nationwide over the preceding two days, targeting most of Syria’s key weaponry stockpiles, while Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the Israeli navy had obliterated the Syrian fleet overnight, celebrating the operation as “a significant triumph.”
Just one day prior, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the dissolution of Bashar al-Assad’s administration as “a new and dramatic chapter.”
“The collapse of the Syrian authority is a straightforward outcome of the heavy blows we have delivered to Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran,” he stated during an uncommon press briefing on Monday. “The axis hasn't yet vanished, but as I committed – we are altering the face of the Middle East.”
Israeli officials have taken pleasure in the downfall of Assad, a loyal ally of Iran who permitted his nation to serve as a resupply corridor for Hezbollah in Lebanon. Nevertheless, they also harbor concerns about the potential consequences of radical Islamists controlling Syria, which borders Israel in the occupied Golan Heights.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar informed reporters on Monday that Israel was targeting Syrian military establishments housing chemical weapon stockpiles and long-range missiles to avert them from ending up “in the hands of extremists.” A CNN team stationed in Damascus reported loud detonations during the early hours on Tuesday, marking a continuation of the strikes that commenced over the weekend. Voice of the Capital, a Syrian activist organization, declared that the overnight bombardment was “the most intense in Damascus in the past 15 years.”
Out of the 480 airstrikes executed by the Israeli Air Force, around 350 were attributed to manned aircraft targeting airstrips, anti-aircraft installations, missiles, drones, fighter jets, tanks, and arms production facilities in Damascus, Homs, Tartus, Latakia, and Palmyra, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The remainder of the strikes provided support for ground operations that concentrated on weapon depots, military structures, launchers, and firing positions.
The IDF also reported that its vessels struck two Syrian naval positions, where 15 ships were docked. Numerous sea-to-sea missiles were reportedly annihilated.
Photographs taken by AFP photographers displayed extensive devastation of military vessels at the Syrian naval harbor in Latakia and destroyed Syrian military helicopters at the Mezzeh Air Base located southwest of Damascus.
75 Indians rescued from Syria amid chaos following the downfall of Bashar al Assad
The evacuation action was carried out by the Indian embassies situated in Damascus and Beirut after evaluating the situation regarding security.
In the wake of a governance crisis in Syria, on Tuesday, India successfully facilitated the escape of 75 Indian citizens from the war-affected nation. This operation took place two days subsequent to the rebel factions deposing President Bashar Assad's oppressive regime.
The MEA also reported that all individuals evacuated safely made their way to Lebanon and would be returning to India via the next available commercial flights.
Who are the individuals evacuated?
"The individuals evacuated comprised 44 'zaireen' from Jammu and Kashmir who had found themselves trapped at Saida Zainab. All Indian citizens have safely navigated to Lebanon and will be traveling back to India on the next available commercial flights," the MEA announcement indicated.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that the government places utmost importance on the welfare and protection of Indian citizens overseas.
Submit report on arson and unlawful occupation of assets: SC to Manipur
The court also mandated that the state delineate the measures implemented to reclaim fees from individuals who have illegally utilized or occupied these assets. On Monday, the Supreme Court instructed the government of Manipur to present a detailed report that outlines the actions undertaken to tackle the rampant arson and unauthorized occupation of properties amid the ethnic conflicts that have affected the northeastern region since May 2023.
A panel consisting of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar requested that the state supply particulars concerning the properties that were set ablaze, plundered, or unlawfully occupied, along with information about their original proprietors. The court also mandated the state to describe the actions taken to recuperate fees from those who have improperly utilized or inhabited these properties.
“The report that the state government is to submit should likewise outline the measures undertaken by the state against illicit occupation and illegal usage of properties, in addition to the recovery of suitable fees for such unauthorized use,” the bench stated in an order and scheduled the matter for a hearing in January.
In reviewing a collection of petitions that draw attention to the persistent violence and administrative failures, the bench stressed that the state administration ought to document its actions. Speaking to solicitor general (SG) Tushar Mehta, who advocates for the N Biren Singh administration, the bench remarked: “You will need to reach a conclusion about how you wish to proceed and communicate that to us. We can then issue directives accordingly.”
Taiwan military establishes emergency response as 90 Chinese vessels approach region
On Monday, Taiwan's armed forces initiated an emergency response facility and raised their state of readiness, indicating that China currently possesses nearly 90 naval and coast guard vessels in the waters adjacent to Taiwan, the southern Japanese archipelago, and the East and South China Seas.
Moreover, six Chinese military aircraft breached the median line of the Taiwan Strait, encroaching upon Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). According to the most recent update from Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on X, the People's Liberation Army has also designated 7 reserved airspace regions to the east of Zhejiang and Fujian.
PLA reserved 7 airspace zones to the east of Zhejiang and Fujian. The ROCArmedForces have recognized PLA naval formations from the Eastern, Northern, and Southern Theater Commands, along with coast guard ships, operating within territories surrounding the Taiwan Strait and the Western Pacific,” reported Taiwan MND.
PLA reserved 7 airspace zones to the east of Zhejiang and Fujian. ROCArmedForces have acknowledged the presence of PLA naval formations from the Eastern, Northern, and Southern Theater Commands, in addition to coast guard vessels, entering zones surrounding the Taiwan Strait and the Western Pacific.
