A British-run dog shelter located in Erbil, Iraq, is under severe threat as it faces a government order to relocate, which could result in the euthanisation of around 700 dogs. War Paws, the shelter in question, currently houses approximately 130 stray dogs within its facilities while caring for an additional 700 animals outside its premises. The urgent situation is exacerbated by ongoing military activities in the region, with reports of drone interceptions above the shelter. Louise Hastie, the CEO of War Paws, expressed deep concern over the shelter's predicament, stating, "We have had nine of 10 explosions above us just... [Continue Reading]
The Somali National Army (SNA), with active deployment from the Gorgor unit of the 203rd Battalion, carried out extensive military operations across multiple locations in the Lower Shabelle region including Ay-buuteey, Jowhara, Awdheegle, and Aseenda Buube. These operations focused on clearing suspected militant hideouts and conducting intelligence-led searches of residential areas known for harboring Al-Shabaab militants. During the assault, several sites used by Al-Shabaab as bases and shelters were destroyed, significantly weakening the insurgents' capacity. This campaign aims to improve security and disrupt terrorist activities that have long destabilized the region, directly impacting the safety of thousands of civilians living... [Continue Reading]
The North Caucasus region of Russia is currently grappling with devastating flooding that has resulted in significant evacuations and extensive property damage. Reports indicate that thousands of residents have been forced to flee their homes as rising waters inundated communities across the area. This situation has escalated quickly, leading to urgent responses from emergency services and government authorities aiming to mitigate the disaster's impact. As of the latest updates, local officials have confirmed that over 10,000 people have been evacuated from their homes across various regions affected by flooding. The threat level remains high, with authorities monitoring river levels and... [Continue Reading]
Over one million people have been displaced in Lebanon amid escalating violence connected to the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Iran. The situation has worsened significantly following Israel's directive to evacuate large portions of southern Lebanon. These evacuation orders coincide with an intensified military campaign against the Iran-aligned group Hezbollah, which has launched repeated rocket attacks into northern Israel this month. The tension between these nations has further complicated the humanitarian crisis unfolding within Lebanese borders. Reports confirm that numerous families have been forced to abandon their homes in predominantly Hezbollah-supported areas, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, known as... [Continue Reading]
Recent flooding in Kenya has resulted in at least 88 confirmed deaths and over 34,000 displaced individuals, primarily affecting the capital city of Nairobi and at least 21 counties across the nation. The catastrophic situation follows the overflow of rivers, which have inundated neighborhoods and disrupted transportation, particularly through key routes like the Kericho-Awasi-Kisumu road. The flooding crisis began in early March and has created an urgent humanitarian need. In Nairobi, residents express growing frustration over inadequate infrastructure that has led to increased susceptibility to flooding. The Nairobi governor has responded to these concerns by launching operations to clear blocked... [Continue Reading]
It might be early to assess the impact of war on Dubai, the self-declared crisis proof planet, but some lessons can be drawn from its magic well, right now. First and foremost, I remember a saying about fairness: No, not the boomerang, and that what goes around comes around (the dark tales related to Lebanon and Gaza), but about a simple rule of thumb. If you expect the world to be fair with you because you are fair, you’re fooling yourself: that’s like expecting the lion not to eat you because you didn’t eat it. It applies to humans and... [Continue Reading]
In a highly polarized world and a highly volatile situation, many wars are perturbing the lives of many, forcing governments to take real measures to protect their citizens. Away from the geopolitical analysis and speculation, I would like to highlight one of many important aspects related to war preparation, which is the protocol of living in community shelters, historically comparable to the use of air raid shelters during major conflicts. During the war in Lebanon in the mid-eighties, I published an article about this protocol, and it seems very relevant to these days. 1- This is not your house: A... [Continue Reading]