Nigerian troops killed hundreds of Shiite Muslims: activistsDecember 15, 2015 - 15:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Activists say Nigeria's military has killed hundreds of, perhaps as many as 1,000, Shiite Muslims in what the country's top human rights protector is calling "a massacre," the Associated Press reports. Chidi Odinkalu of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission posted photos on social media showing a bulldozer tearing apart a shrine of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and said detained leader Ibraheem Zakzaky's home also was destroyed. Odinkalu says Zakzaky suffered four bullet wounds and one of his wives was killed in raids that began Saturday and ended Monday morning. "Citizens must ask who ordered this carnage?" Odinkalu tweeted. Nigerian troops said the raids came after 500 Shiites blocked the convoy of Nigeria's army chief, and tried to kill him. Iran, seen as the guardian of the Shiite Muslim faith, condemned the killings. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |