Friday

March 4, 2016

Armed conflicts and attacks

Second Libyan Civil War

A Libyan spokesperson says two Italian hostages are freed by local fighters from Islamic State custody in Sabratha, Libya. He also confirms that two other Italian hostages were recently killed during local forces clashes with IS militants. (AP via ABC News)

Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)

Gunmen storm a retirement home in Yemen, run by a charity established by Mother Teresa, killing 16 people, including four Catholic nuns. (The New York Times)

Dissident Irish Republican campaign (1998–present)

A bomb explodes under a vehicle in Belfast injuring a prison officer; Dissident republicans have claimed responsibility. (Belfast Telegraph)

PKK rebellion (2015–present)

Two Turkish police officers are killed and at least 14 others including several civilians are injured by a car bomb attack on a police station in the town of Nusaybin, near the Syria–Turkey border. The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) are blamed for the attack. (BBC)

Syrian Civil War

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Syrian rebels have seized control of the al-Tanf border crossing on the Iraq–Syria border from ISIL militants. The rebel fighters who took the crossing reportedly entered Syria through Jordan. (Reuters)

Arts and culture

An app called “Click to pray” is launched, which allows users to pray daily for Pope Francis and his monthly intentions through a mobile network. (Catholic News Agency)