Conflict Weekly 85

Photo Source: Reuters
   NIAS Course on Global Politics
National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)
Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bangalore
For any further information or to subscribe to GP alerts send an email to subachandran@nias.res.in

CWA # 540, 25 August 2021
Conflict Weekly 85
Chaotic evacuation in Kabul, Crimea Summit on seven years of Russian occupation, anti-lockdown protests in Australia, and continuing kidnappings in Africa

  IPRI Team

Conflict Weekly #85, 25 August 2021, Vol.2, No.21
An initiative by NIAS-IPRI & KAS-India Office

Abigail Miriam Fernandez, Sourina Bej, Avishka Ashok and Apoorva Sudhakar


Afghanistan: Chaos continues in Kabul airport over evacuation, with threats of terror attacks
In the news
On 23 August, the US Defence officials stated that the US military evacuated about 11,000 people from the Kabul airport in 24 hours, bringing the total to 37,000 since 14 August. On 24 August, a spokesperson for the European Commission stated: "All the staff who needed to be evacuated have been evacuated." Similarly, other countries, including the UK, Canada, Japan, India, Turkey, Australia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Poland, and Switzerland have evacuated their nationals and Afghans who worked with them.
 
On 22 August, Biden stated that his administration might extend the 31 August deadline for removing all American troops from Afghanistan, promising that all evacuated Afghan allies will be given a home in the United States after they are screened and vetted at bases in other countries. On 24 August, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas stated: "Even if [the evacuation] goes on until 31 August or even a few days longer, it will not be enough to allow those who we, or the United States, want to fly out." Similarly, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said: "We are concerned about the deadline set by the United States on 31 August. Additional time is needed to complete ongoing operations."
 
On 23 August, Taliban spokespersons warned that the US troops staying beyond the agreed deadline of 31 August would be "extending occupation" and this would "provoke a reaction." They said: "It's a red line. President Biden announced that on 31 August, they would withdraw all their military forces. So, if they extend it, that means they are extending occupation while there is no need for that," adding, "If the US or UK were to seek additional time to continue evacuations - the answer is no. Or there would be consequences."
 
Issues at large
First, the chaotic evacuation scenes at the Kabul Airport. Since the Taliban's takeover, foreign governments have tried to get their citizens and affiliated Afghan nationals out of Afghanistan while thousands of Afghans have gathered at Kabul airport in hopes of an evacuation. . The chaotic scenes outside the Kabul Airport have produced images of panic and desperation showing massive crowds of Afghans pressed up against a barbed-wire fence with children and women at the front crying for help. Additionally, there have been horrific scenes of people hanging onto departing planes. According to media reports, several people have been killed while others have been injured at the Kabul airport in stampedes.
 
Second, not all foreign governments are evacuating. While the US and most European countries have begun evacuating from Afghanistan, several other countries, including Pakistan, China and Russia, have not done the same. Additionally, the people being evacuated include foreign government staff and aid agency workers along with Afghan residents who have worked with these governments or their agencies.
 
Third, the withdrawal deadline. With the evacuation process far from being completed, the question of whether the withdrawal deadline of 31 August will be extended has been raised. In this light, several counties have called for the extension of the deadline, particularly the G7 countries that were scheduled to deliberate on the matter. However, the extension is a dilemma given that the Taliban has already issued a warning on the same.
 
In perspective 
First, the evacuation process was bound to be disorderly. With the deadline for withdrawal soon emerging and the Taliban's offensive and subsequent takeover, the evacuation process is likely to get complicated. With the evacuations still far from completion, countries are bound to facing more challenges.
 
Second, the focus has shifted from the Taliban's takeover to the situation at Kabul Airport. Over the last week, the horrid scenes at the Kabul Airport have preceded the issue over the Taliban's takeover. Additionally, the situation at the Kabul Airport has reinforced fears that the withdrawal would aggravate the already deteriorated security situation.
 
Third, rehabilitation of affiliated Afghan nationals post evacuation. Several countries have pledged to provide sanctuary for Afghans. However, with no logistics, it remains uncertain where they will be rehabilitated initially and their lives post-evacuation.


Crimea Summit: Seven years on, Ukraine calls for the peaceful return of Crimea by Russia
In the news 
On 23 August, Ukraine held an international summit focusing on the Russian occupation of Crimea. The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy created the Crimean Platform and, in his inaugural speech, said: "Ukrainian Crimea was a guarantee of regional stability. Now it is a powder keg." The event drew leaders from more than 40 countries, and they adopted a joint resolution on "peacefully ending the Russian Federation's temporary occupation" of Crimea. The European Council President Charles Michel said: "Brussels would never recognize Crimea as part of Russia." "This flagrant violation of international law is still on the international agenda," said Latvian President Egils Levits in support of Ukraine's call for the peaceful return of Crimea by Russia.  The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the summit "extremely unfriendly" towards Russia and added, "the attitude is absolutely unambiguous. We treat it as an anti-Russian event."
 
Issues at large
First, seven years of Russian annexation of Crimea. Since the March 2014 annexation of Crimea, the region has undergone systemic integration by Russia. The residents have been issued Russian passports, and the Kremlin has spent around Euro 2.6 billion to construct a bridge connecting Crimea to the Russian mainland. Local residents and advocacy groups have reported harsh discrimination against the Crimean Tatar community, but the majority Crimean population remains ethno-linguistically closer to Russia. The presence of the Russian military in Crimea serves as a geo-peripheral base with a strategic depth for Kremlin.
 
Second, Russia's claims in Crimea. Putin clarified that he views the annexation of Crimea as non-negotiable. Crimea's historic, linguistic and cultural ties served as a justification for the annexation in 2014. The referendum results claimed more than 80 per cent of Ethnic Russian voted to be a part of Russia. 15 per cent of Crimean Tatars who opposed the annexation suffered systemic exclusion. The referendum was deemed illegitimate by most of the world's governments owing to the Russian military presence. Russia's claim over Crimea stems from its historicity, now, bolstered by Putin's article titled, 'On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians,' published on 12 July 2021. Putin conceptualized the geographical belonging of Crimea and Ukraine within the larger Russian nation-building process, drawing on Russians, Ukrainians, and Belarusians being descendants of Ancient Rus. The Malorussian cultural identity within the greater Russian nation forms one of the many identity constructs that have formalized Russia's stronghold in Crimea, along with the geopolitical moorings.
 
Third, Ukraine's response. On the domestic front, Zelenskiy's government has worked to demonstrate support for Crimea, which was designated as an autonomous zone under the Ukrainian Constitution. In March, the Ukrainian government had adopted a Strategy of Deoccupation and Reintegration of Crimea. It also passed a law granting Crimean Tatars special status as an indigenous community. The parliament repealed a law creating a "free economic zone" that critics said was used as a mechanism to bypass sanctions. Ukraine's support for the Tatars was also visible when the summit was not hosted in Russian, which is the native tongue of a majority of residents in the region. Language has become deeply politicized in the seven years of conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The conflict in the Donbas has also reached an impasse. Earlier in 2021, Putin had authorized a military build-up at the border, further pushing Ukraine's domestic policies concerning Crimea.
 
Fourth, response by international actors. Post-2014, sanctions and international condemnation followed Russia's annexation. Yet little was done to formalize a peace process, for instance, the Normandy Format. The summit lacked West European leaders, Macron and Merkel. Moreover, the countries sent their second-tier ministers as representatives. Merkel, who is nearing the end of her fourth and final term as the Bundeskanzlerin, visited Putin in Moscow last week. Germany clarified that its top priority is securing an agreement to guarantee Ukraine five more years of natural gas transit revenues from Russia.
 
In perspective
The summit and the lukewarm response from the West highlight the deep-rooted divide within Europe over the conflicts in the Balkans. The Black Sea peninsula remains a region of resource interest. The political/geopolitical divide between the Eastern and Western periphery leads to little Balkan interest. Looking through the Russian lens at the Balkans, the ethnolinguistic conflict remains subsumed in the larger geostrategic milieu. What the summit fails to ponder is the need for charting a Balkan dialogue/diplomacy independent of either the Russian tilt or support from Western Europe.  


Australia: Anti-lockdown protests amidst rising delta variant cases
In the news
On 21 August, more than 4000 Australians gathered in Melbourne city to protest against the coronavirus lockdown, which has been deemed necessary by the state. Multiple protests were held across different states like New South Wales and Victoria and in Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra. However, the most violent protest took place in Melbourne, where protestors carelessly burst firecrackers, blasted loud music and wreaked havoc in the city. The authorities have arrested more than 250 people for breaching lockdown guidelines and issued fines to more than 200 citizens. On the same day, the police used rubber bullets, tear gas and pepper spray to diffuse the angry crowds from causing further cluster cases.
 
On 20 August, the government in New Zealand also extended the lockdown in the country after observing a steady increase in the number of cases. While announcing the extension in lockdown, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said: "We have seen what happens elsewhere if we fail to get on top of it. We only get one chance."
 
Issues at large
First, the lockdown. Australia has been dealing with the highly infectious delta variant of the coronavirus since June 2021. With the gradual increase in the number of cases in multiple cities, the government has placed strict restrictions on the movement of the people. The delta variant threatens to spread at a much faster pace and is spreading quickly amongst the indigenous communities who were otherwise unaffected in the previous waves of the pandemic. On 24 August, New South Wales registered more than 753 cases, whereas Victoria acquired another 50 cases due to local transmission of the virus.
 
Second, the protests. The protesters in Australia believe that the lockdown must be lifted despite the rise in cases. The restrictions were imposed with the intention of lifting them within two weeks. However, neither the upsurge in cases nor the restrictions have been eased. Most of the attendees of the protests seemed agitated by the idea of another lockdown which may portray the frustration of the public as a whole.
 
Third, poor vaccination drive. Australia has managed to completely vaccinate only 15 per cent of its population while 50 per cent have only taken one dose. The numbers are much lesser for the indigenous communities, where only eight per cent have been completely vaccinated, and 26 per cent have been vaccinated once. Although the country managed to protect its population in the initial waves sufficiently, the inoculation drive has been extremely delayed due to supply shortages and institutional mismanagement. Other than the government's inefficiencies, certain sections of the society also refused to vaccinate due to mistrust and incorrect information.
 
Fourth, premature celebration. Australia and New Zealand were lauded for their handling of the pandemic, after which most cities and towns proceeded to lift Covid related restrictions and enabled the public to move in public without masks and proper and regular sanitization. These actions may have been hasty for a pandemic that is still in the process of being discovered as countries inspect its origin and continuous mutation.
 
Fifth, anti-lockdown protests across the world. Contrary to the belief that most developed countries would have an informed population that would value the vaccines and prevent the overburdening of the healthcare systems, there has been an apparent pattern that suggests the opposite. Anti-lockdown protests have been observed in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, the UK, Finland, Romania, Switzerland and many more.
 
In perspective
Regardless of the frustrations faced by the public, it is imperative for the people to understand the reality of the ongoing pandemic. With the constant mutations of the virus and the current status of vaccine efficiency, it is hard to think of a day when one can assume victory over the virus, at least in the near future. As long as the origin of the virus is not certain, countries cannot prevent future outbreaks. Nonetheless, most anti-lockdown protests have been witnessed in the developed first world countries, raising questions on the conduct and sensibility of these countries.


West Africa: Over 100 killed in series of attacks by bandits across countries 
In the news
On 20 August, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned an armed assault in Burkina Faso's Arbinda region, which left at least 80 people dead on 18 August. The casualties from the attack, suspected to be carried out by jihadists, included 59 civilians, 15 military police personnel and six pro-government militiamen. Guterres's statement conveyed that the UN would stand in solidarity with the Burkinabe government and other Sahel countries "in their efforts to counter and prevent terrorism and violent extremism, promote social cohesion and achieve sustainable development."
 
On 20 August, unidentified gunmen killed 16 people in the Tillaberi region within Niger, four days after 37 people were massacred in a different village in the same region on 16 August. On the same day, several parliamentarians reportedly called for enhanced security measures in the region.
 
On 21 August, 12 people were killed and six injured by gunmen in Nigeria's Katsina State. In two separate attacks, two people were killed each on 19 and 20 August.  On the same day, Chad announced that it would withdraw 600 troops from G5 Sahel forces from the border between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, and termed it a "strategic redeployment to better adapt to the organization of the terrorists" in the country.
 
Issues at large
First, the continuation of violence and large-scale massacres. The attack in Burkina Faso took place two months after gunmen, including child soldiers aged between 12 to 14, massacred over 130 people. Similarly, in Niger, in the Tillaberi region, 137 and 66 people were massacred in two different instances in March. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, apart from massacres like that of 88 people in a coordinated attack across seven villages in June, bandits also frequently abduct students and villagers in regular raids.
 
Second, different regions, different actors, same issues. Insecurity and instability are common among these countries, despite the perpetrators being different. Regional governments refer to perpetrators with no particular allegiance to any group as bandits, who are involved in cattle-rustling, resource conflicts, inter-communal conflicts. Lately, several attacks have also been linked to an "Islamist insurgency" on grounds that groups like the Islamic State and the al Qaeda, have shifted base to Africa from the Middle East. Following the latest massacre in Burkina Faso, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office said that the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara had spread across the African continent, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Meanwhile, Nigeria has already been facing the brunt of terrorism since 2009 when Boko Haram marked its presence and later paved the way for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
 
Third, collective regional failure and external intervention. France intervened in the fight against this insurgency in 2013 in Mali; since then, it has deployed 5,000 troops. However, observing that there was no indication of violence abating, in July 2021, it announced that it would withdraw over 2,000 troops. Similarly, Chad's decision to withdraw 600 of its 1,200-strong troops from the G5 forces will also affect the fight against the above threats as the country had been one of the strongest contributors to the task force.  
 
In perspective 
Some regions in West Africa have been witnessing a slow burn for over a decade since Boko Haram established its base in Nigeria. The latest series of attacks indicate that despite regular and similar tactics used by the perpetrators, the regional governments have not served their promises of security and stability of neither their respective countries, nor the affected region. Therefore, it is likely that the gaps in governance are being exploited by terrorist groups in the region, therefore, leading to the expansion of the IS and al Qaeda bases in the continent. Some media reports also suggest that these terrorist groups are gradually bringing bandits into their fold. In light of this, the protection of civilians is at stake.


Also from around the world
By Apoorva Sudhakar and Abigail Miriam Fernandez
 
Peace and Conflict from East and Southeast Asia
China: Two cities in Henan issue highest flood warning 
On 22 August, the Henan province's Xingyang and Changyuan cities issued the highest flood alert and warned of possible dam collapses. The issuance of the alert came after over 300 people were killed by heavy rains in Henan province in July. Meanwhile, at the provincial level, port and wharf production were suspended, schools, businesses and factories remained closed until 23 August.
 
Hong Kong: China postpones vote on anti-sanctions law
On 20 August, Reuters referred to a South China Morning Post news report which said that China's National People's Congress Standing Committee had deferred a vote on the extension of anti-sanction laws on Hong Kong. The law was previously introduced in China; under this, individuals involved in discriminatory measures against Chinese citizens or entities can be denied entry into the country or expelled. Beijing was expected to vote on the law in Hong Kong on 20 August and financial entities have been anticipating how and when it would be implemented in the city when approved.
 
South Korea: US and Russian dignitaries arrive to discuss nuclear diplomacy programme
On 21 August, the US Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov arrived in Seoul for a four-day and six-day visit respectively, focusing on the nuclear diplomacy programme with North Korea, which has been on halt. On 24 August, the Unification Minister Lee In-young met with Kim; the former expressed the necessity of a stable management of the Korean Peninsula situation and the latter maintained that the US had no hostility towards North Korea. Both officials agreed to continue cooperation to improve inter-Korean and US-North Korea relations. Meanwhile, no trilateral meeting has been scheduled between South Korea, Russia and the US.
 
Indonesia: 53 arrested for allegedly plotting an attack on Independence Day
On 20 August, police said that 53 militants had been arrested on suspicion of plotting attacks for 17 August, which marks the country's Independence Day. The arrested persons reportedly belong to the Jemaah Islamiah who are linked to the Sulawesi bombings of March in 2021 and the 2002 Bali bombing. A national police spokesperson said that the 53 had been arrested in a week-long operation across 11 provinces and also mentioned that weapons, ammunition and donation boxes had been recovered in operation.
 
Myanmar: Rohingya camps and villages in Rakhine State face food shortage
On 23 August, The Irrawaddy reported that the Rohingya communities in displacement camps in two townships of Rakhine State have been starving due to food shortage. A camp manager in Sittwe township said that they had not received relief aid since June. Similarly, Rohingya villages in the Buthidaung township have also not received relief aid for three months. The camp managers and residents said that several people have no money left and have sold off belongings to buy rice; some also said that people were committing petty crimes due to starvation. The news report quoted a person from the camp who said that the World Food Programme had told them the aid was not being released due to orders from their managers.
 
Myanmar: Suu Kyi's trial postponed until September
On 23 August, The Irrawaddy referred to Aung San Suu Kyi's legal defense team who said that the leader and the former President's trial have been postponed to September. The defense team has not met the two for six weeks and will apply for permission this week. Meanwhile, U Sithu Aung Myint, a political columnist and critic of the junta, who has been in detention since 15 August, is facing life in prison on sedition charges for reportedly supporting the government in exile. In a separate development, ousted parliamentarians criticized the ASEAN for inviting the junta representatives as an observer at the 42nd summit on 21 August in Brunei. In yet another development, on 21 August, the military forces shot down a couple for allegedly refusing to stop at a military checkpoint; a 72-year-old civilian succumbed to his injuries inflicted on him as the military reportedly tortured him during a raid on 19 August. Meanwhile, 30 troops were killed in an ambush by civilian resistance fighters on the Gangaw-Kale Highway. Simultaneously, military crackdown in the Sagaing and Magwe regions against civilian resistance fighters, has forced thousands to flee their homes; a member of the People's Defense Force (PDF) also alleged that the troops were using villagers as human shields during the raids.
 
Peace and Conflict from South Asia
Pakistan: Two children killed in a suicide attack targeting Chinese nationals
On 20 August, a suicide bombing targeting a vehicle carrying Chinese nationals at the East Bay Road in the port of Gwadar killed two children and wounded two other children and one Chinese national. Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack. Following the attack, the Interior Ministry released a statement terming it a cowardly act. Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Pakistan urged Pakistan to ensure such incidents will not happen again and called for a thorough investigation and severe punishment of the attackers.
 
Afghanistan: We do not want a war to break out, says Ahmad Massoud
On 22 August, Ahmad Massoud, leader of Afghanistan's last major outpost of anti-Taliban resistance stated "We want to make the Taliban realize that the only way forward is through negotiation," adding, "We do not want a war to break out." However, he said that his supporters were ready to fight if Taliban forces tried to invade the valley, adding, "They want to defend, they want to fight, they want to resist against any totalitarian regime." Massoud, who has a stronghold in the mountainous Panjshir valley northwest of Kabul issued an appeal for assistance from western countries and called on all 'free Afghans' and those opposed to 'servitude' to join him in Panjshir to fight the Taliban. Meanwhile, on 23 August, the resistance forces received the first support from Tajikistan airdropped military equipment, guns, full ammunition, and food supplies for Massoud's army.
 
Afghanistan: Kazari and Abdulla meet with Taliban
On 21 August, Hamid Karzai, former Afghan president and Abdullah Abdullah, the chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, met with Taliban political office members. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on the current security and political developments as well as an inclusive political settlement for the future of Afghanistan. Additionally, the two also met with Abdul Rahman Mansour, the Taliban's acting governor for Kabul during which they discussed the security of the citizens of Kabul, reiterated that protecting the life, property and dignity of Afghan's in the capital should be prioritized.
 
India: NHRC issues notice to Centre, Assam, Mizoram over the border clash
On 22 August, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notices to the Centre, Assam and Mizoram governments over the violent border clash between the two North-eastern states in July 2021. According to the Commission, a "grave violation of human rights" took place in the Assam-Mizoram border. It said, "the Commission has considered the matter. Facts of the case are disturbing. The allegations made in the complaint are serious in nature involving deaths and injuries to public servants," adding, "the case, therefore, involves a grave violation of human rights of the deceased and injured. Such types of cases are viewed very seriously by the Commission. In these circumstances, let a notice be sent."
 
Peace and Conflict from Central Asia, Middle East and Africa
Syria-Iraq: Millions at risk of losing access to basic necessities, warn aid groups 
On 23 August, 13 aid groups jointly published a report warning that over 12 million people are at the risk of losing access to food, water and electricity in Syria, which is facing its worst drought in 70 years, and Iraq. The reasons behind the risk have been attributed to rising temperatures and dangerously low levels of rainfall. Al Jazeera quoted the regional director for the Norwegian Refugee Council: "The total collapse of water and food production for millions of Syrians and Iraqis is imminent," and added, "With hundreds of thousands of Iraqis still displaced and many more still fleeing for their lives in Syria, the unfolding water crisis will soon become an unprecedented catastrophe pushing more into displacement."
 
Israel-Palestine: Teenager killed in cross-border fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas
On 24 August, Arab News referred to officials in the occupied West Bank who reported that a 15-year-old was killed in overnight cross-border fighting between Israel and Palestine; Israeli warplanes targeted Gaza and Hamas retaliated with machine-gun fire. According to the Israeli military, their soldiers were attacked during an arrest raid in Balata refugee camp. On 24 August, Al Jazeera quoted the Defense for Children International-Palestine (DCIP) which said that several evidence suggest that Israeli forces have used lethal forces against Palestinian children, several of which may come under extrajudicial or wilful killings; this is forbidden under international law, unless under circumstances which pose a direct threat to life. Statistics from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) record that 12 boys were killed in the occupied West Bank and 67 children in May in Gaza.
 
Lebanon: Hezbollah claims to secure fuel from Iran; the US to help in electricity crisis, says Presidency
On 19 August, the Presidency announced that the US would help Lebanon with electricity provision amid the fuel shortages. The proposed plan reportedly provides for Egyptian natural gas to be provided to Jordan for a generation which will, in turn, be transmitted to Lebanon through Syria; it will also assist in the transfer of natural gas to the country. Earlier on the same day, the Hezbollah Secretary-General claimed to have secured fuel supply from Iran. The Hezbollah leader snubbed the US embassy saying: "The US embassy in Lebanon is not a diplomatic representation, but rather an embassy of complicity against the Lebanese people."
 
Yemen: Outgoing UN envoy highlights the severity of the famine-like crisis 
On 23 August, the outgoing UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths outlined several crises in the country and said that around 20 million people, roughly two-thirds of the Yemeni population, are dependent on humanitarian aid. He stressed on the food crisis in the country and said that close to five million people are a "step away from succumbing to famine and the diseases that go with it," adding, "Famine isn't just a food problem. It's a symptom of a much deeper collapse. In many ways, it is all of Yemen's problems rolled into one, and it demands a comprehensive response."
 
Mozambique: 100 hostages rescued by Mozambican and Rwandan forces
On 23 August, BBC reported that Mozambican and Rwandan troops had jointly rescued people who had been held hostage by militants linked to the Islamic State in the country's north. Radio Mozambique said that several of the rescued were women, children, and the elderly. The operation against the militants took place in Mbau, a location believed to be a key base of the militants.  
 
Nigeria: Two army officers killed by gunmen as spate of kidnappings sees no respite 
On 24 August, the Nigerian Army confirmed that two officers had been killed and one senior officer of the Nigerian Defence Academy abducted by unknown gunmen in Kaduna State. Meanwhile, 15 students have been freed in Kaduna, after they were abducted on 5 July, along with an unspecified number of students from a high school; 65 are yet to be released. In separate developments, on 20 August, the Zamfara State Commissioner of Information announced that at least 60 people had been abducted by bandits on 19 August. On 23 August, four people were killed and 50 abducted by bandits, again in the Zamfara State.
 
Ethiopia-Eritrea: US imposes sanctions on Eritrean Chief of Staff 
On 23 August, the US Department of Treasury, citing rights abuses in Ethiopia's Tigray region, imposed sanctions on the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) Chief of Staff. The allegations against the EDF include rape, massacre, looting, indiscriminate killings. The Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control said: "Today's action demonstrates the United States' commitment to imposing costs on those responsible for these despicable acts…" The Director called on "Eritrea to immediately and permanently withdraw its forces from Ethiopia" and urged all sides "to begin ceasefire negotiations and end human rights abuses." Meanwhile, on 22 August, Al Jazeera reported that following the spill over of the Tigray conflict into Amhara. An ethnic minority of the Amhara region has fled to Sudan. A member of the Qemant ethnic group said that the Amhara fighters wanted them out of their land. However, the Amhara spokesperson denied the claims.
 
Peace and Conflict from Europe and the Americas
Poland: Polish government plans to build a new fence along the Belarusian border
On 23 August, Poland's defence ministry announced that a fence along its border with Belarus would be built and double the number of troops to be deployed to curb the influx of migrants. The Deputy Foreign Minister stated that allowing the migrants to enter Polish territory would encourage further illegal migration and would also play into Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's hands, arguing, "these are not refugees, they are economic migrants brought in by the Belarusian government." The European Union has stated that Lukashenko is waging "hybrid warfare" with migrants to exert pressure on the bloc.
 
The UK: Over 800 migrants cross the English Channel, a new daily record
On 21 August, the UK's Home Office stated that a record of 828 migrants were intercepted by authorities while trying to cross the English Channel. According to the Home office, the UK authorities intercepted 828 people in 30 small boats, while French officials prevented 193 people in 10 different boats from reaching Britain. The previous record for a single day was 592 on 12 August. Overall, more than 12,000 migrants have attempted to cross the Channel to the UK since the start of 2021.
 
Greece: Wildfires broke out on the second-largest island, Evia
On 23 August, two wildfires broke out in Greece's, which is already devasted by major wildfires. The first fire broke out in the southern part of Evia, Greece's second-largest island, previously devastated earlier by a blaze that burned for more than 10 days in the north. The second fire broke out in Kaza, in the Vilia area northwest of Athens where a major blaze was brought under control on 20 August after burning for five days. The fires have forced thousands of people to move out of their homes, and are turning into one of the country's most destructive fire seasons.
 
Brazil: Bolsonaro asks Senate to impeach a Supreme Court judge
On 20 August, President Jair Bolsonaro requested the Senate to impeach one of the Supreme Court justices, Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has begun two investigations into Bolsonaro. According to the 18-page impeachment, Bolsonaro alleges that Moraes has launched the probes with partisan and anti-democratic bias without the involvement of state prosecutors. Additionally, it accuses Moraes of acting as both investigator and judge while also censoring free speech. Previously, the investigations were ordered after Bolsonaro's repeated attacks on the integrity of the nation's electronic voting system.
 
The US: Tropical Storm Henri makes landfall
On 22 August, Tropical Storm Henri made landfall in southwestern Rhode Island and moved slowly northwest across the region bringing heavy rain and 40-mile-an-hour winds. The slow-moving storm is expected to continue across southern Vermont, New Hampshire and Southern Maine before heading out to sea again. On the same day, President Joe Biden said he had approved emergency declarations for Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York and added that the Federal Emergency Management Agency was already in position in the region and prepared to help with recovery efforts.


About the authors
Sourina Bej is a doctoral candidate at the University of Bonn, Germany. Avishka Ashok is a Research Assistant; Apoorva Sudhakar and Abigail Miriam Fernandez are Research Associates at the School of Conflict and Security Studies in NIAS.

Print Bookmark

PREVIOUS COMMENTS

NIAS Global Politics Database
March 2024 | CWA # 1251

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
NIAS Global Politics Database
February 2024 | CWA # 1226

NIAS Africa Team

Africa This Week
The World This Year
December 2023 | CWA # 1189

Hoimi Mukherjee | Hoimi Mukherjee is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science in Bankura Zilla Saradamani Mahila Mahavidyapith.

Chile in 2023: Crises of Constitutionality
The World This Year
December 2023 | CWA # 1187

Aprajita Kashyap | Aprajita Kashyap is a faculty of Latin American Studies, School of International Studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University New Delhi.

Haiti in 2023: The Humanitarian Crisis
The World This Year
December 2023 | CWA # 1185

Binod Khanal | Binod Khanal is a Doctoral candidate at the Centre for European Studies, School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi.

The Baltic: Energy, Russia, NATO and China
The World This Year
December 2023 | CWA # 1183

Padmashree Anandhan | Padmashree Anandhan is a Research Associate at the School of Conflict and Security Studies, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangaluru.

Germany in 2023: Defence, Economy and Energy Triangle
The World This Year
December 2023 | CWA # 1178

​​​​​​​Ashok Alex Luke | Ashok Alex Luke is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Political Science at CMS College, Kottayam.

China and South Asia in 2023: Advantage Beijing?
The World This Year
December 2023 | CWA # 1177

Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri | Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri is a postgraduate student at the Department of Defence and Strategic Studies at the University of Madras, Chennai.

China and East Asia
The War in Ukraine
October 2023 | CWA # 1091

Annem Naga Bindhu Madhuri

Issues for Europe
IPRI Quarterly Forecasts I Triggers, Trends, and Trajectories
July 2023 | CWA # 1012

Bibhu Prasad Routray

Myanmar continues to burn
2022: The World This Year
December 2022 | CWA # 879

Padmashree Anandhan

The Ukraine War
Europe: Heatwaves, Wildfires, Droughts, and Ice Melt in Alps
November 2022 | CWA # 838

Rishma Banerjee

Tracing Europe's droughts
NIAS Africa Weekly
March 2022 | CWA # 705

NIAS Africa Team

In Focus: Libya
The World This Week: 150th Issue
December 2021 | CWA # 630

GP Team

Europe in 2021
Pakistan Reader
October 2021 | CWA # 588

Abigail Miriam Fernandez

TLP is back again
NIAS Fortnightly on Science, Technology & International Relations
August 2021 | CWA # 528

STIR Team

Space Tourism
Science, Technology and International Relations
September 2019 | CWA # 162

Lakshman Chakravarthy N

5G: A Primer
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 71

Mahesh Bhatta | Centre for South Asian Studies, Kathmandu

Nepal
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 70

Nasima Khatoon | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS

The Maldives
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 69

Harini Madhusudan | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS

India
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 68

Sourina Bej | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS

Bangladesh
South Asia Monthly Brief (Nov 2018)
December 2018 | CWA # 67

Seetha Lakshmi Dinesh Iyer | Research Associate, ISSSP, NIAS

Afghanistan