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US Africa intervention

Thursday, 05 January 2017 5:22 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 05 January 2017 5:22 AM ]

These are some of the headlines we are tracking for you in this episode of On the News Line:

US Africa intervention

The US military has had a busy year in the Middle East: Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and Yemen are just some of the countries where US military personnel are actively deployed. But it’s now emerged that Africa has turned into one of the hot spots for the US military and the figures are there to prove it. In 2006, just 1% of US commandos sent overseas were deployed in Africa. But in 2017, nearly 18% of all US Special Operation Forces were sent to Africa. The number of US troops deployed to Africa at any given moment has surged dramatically. In 2014, there were about 700 US military personnel that were deployed in Africa on any given day. In 2016, there were approximately 1700 Special Operation Forces deployed.

Myanmar govt. video of brutality against Rohingya

Another evidence against the Mynamarese govt. has emerged confirming the ongoing systematic persecution of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. This time, it is not extremist Buddhists, who have already been accused of committing horrific crimes against the minority group. The appalling footage depicts Myanmar’s police officers beating, slapping and kicking Rohingya villagers. After the gruesome footage went viral on the social media networks, Myanmar’s authorities announced the arrest of three police officers. They have promised to investigate the incident.

Gambia crisis

The crisis which began after the recent presidential election in Gambia is called coming to a head with the opposition warning that longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh could be considered a rebel leader if he takes up arms and doesn't step down later this month. Official results show Jammeh lost the December vote to opposition leader and candidate Adama Barrow. The firm warning from the opposition came after the president recently pledged that any presence of foreign troops in the tiny West African nation would be considered an act of war.

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