Islamists Hold Nuns Hostage In Syria

A group of Islamists have captured the ancient quarter of the Christian town of Maaloula and are holding nuns hostage inside a monastery.

Reports say terrorists linked to the al-Qaeda affiliated al-Nursa Front stormed the Greek Orthodox monastery of Mar Thecla and are keeping the nuns hostage. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the Islamists captured the town after four days of intense fighting.

The capture of the town reportedly was part of a rebel surge to obtain control of a central Syrian Highway between Damascus and Homs.

The government capturing the highway is seen as a key objective for the al-Assad government as it would allow the country’s cache of chemical weapons to be transported for removal and destruction.

“Security remains a key challenge for all. The destruction of a chemical weapons program has never taken place under such challenging and dangerous conditions,” Sigrid Kaag, head of the joint mission of the U.N. and Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons told OPCW delegates.

Islamists Cause Clashes In Bangladesh Over Court Sentence

Islamists across Bangladesh are rioting and protesting over the death sentence handed down to one of the leaders of the group Jamaat-e-Islami.

Abdul Kader Mullah was sentenced to be hanged for crimes against humanity committed during the nation’s 1971 war of independence. Jamaat-e-Islami called for a two day nationwide strike against the government which has resulted in violent protests. Continue reading

Egyptian Military Chief Asks Public To Give “Mandate” To Act Against Violence

In a not so subtle message to the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, Egypt’s military chief has asked the public to give troops a mandate to stop “violence and terrorism.”

The move is seen both as a warning and an attempt to gain public backing for a removal of protest camps set up by the Muslim Brotherhood and Morsi supporters outside military complexes and government buildings. Continue reading