UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations on Thursday condemned what it called a “particularly troubling” wave of attacks in Ukraine against first responders who rush to the scene of air strikes, only to be attacked themselves.
In these second wave strikes, those wounded in the first strike are killed and first responders are killed or injured, UN official Edem Wosornu told the Security Council, speaking on behalf of humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths.
“This clearly compounds the suffering of the wounded and incapacitates first responders,” she said.
“Attacks directed against the wounded and those helping them are prohibited by international humanitarian law. They are cruel, unconscionable, and must stop.”
In recent weeks, Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of carrying out such attacks — bombing a location, and then hitting it again once emergency personnel are on site.
“Ukraine is currently enduring some of the worst attacks since the start of this war,” Wosornu said.
“Not a day passes without air strikes shattering the lives of yet more families across the country.”
For Miroslaw Jenca, UN assistant secretary-general for Europe, “the current trajectory of escalation of this war is a direct threat to regional stability and international security.”
“Most of all, it is an existential threat to the people of Ukraine,” Jenca said, making specific reference to attacks on Ukraine’s energy installations.
UN slams ‘cruel’ second-wave attacks in Ukraine
https://arab.news/63cqh
UN slams ‘cruel’ second-wave attacks in Ukraine
- In these second wave strikes, those wounded in the first strike are killed and first responders are killed or injured, UN official Edem Wosornu told the Security Council
- “Ukraine is currently enduring some of the worst attacks since the start of this war“
Nigeria seeks French help to combat insecurity, says Macron
- African country has witnessed violence and mass kidnappings from schools
LAGOS: Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has sought more help from France to fight widespread violence in the north of the country, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday, weeks after the United States threatened to intervene to protect Nigeria’s Christians.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has witnessed an upsurge in attacks in volatile northern areas in the past month, including mass kidnappings
from schools and a church.
US President Donald Trump has raised the prospect of possible military action in Nigeria, accusing it of mistreating Christians. The government says the allegations misrepresent a complex security situation in which armed groups target both faith groups.
FASTFACTS
• US President Donald Trump has raised the prospect of possible military action in Nigeria, accusing it of mistreating Christians.
• The government says the allegations misrepresent a complex security situation in which armed groups target both faith groups.
Macron said he had a phone call with Tinubu on Sunday, where he conveyed France’s support to Nigeria as it grapples with several security challenges, “particularly the terrorist threat in the North.”
“At his request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations. We call on all our partners to step up their engagement,” Macron said in a post on X.
Macron did not say what help would be offered by France, which has withdrawn its troops from West and Central Africa and plans to focus on training, intelligence sharing and responding to requests from countries for assistance.
Nigeria is grappling with a long-running insurgency in the northeast, armed kidnapping gangs in the northwest and deadly clashes between largely Muslim cattle herders and mostly Christian farmers in the central parts of the country, stretching its security forces.
Washington said last month that it was considering actions such as sanctions and Pentagon engagement on counterterrorism as part of a plan to compel Nigeria to better protect its Christian communities.
The Nigerian government has said it welcomes help to fight insecurity as long as its sovereignty is respected. France has previously supported efforts to curtail the actions of armed groups, the US has shared intelligence and sold arms, including fighter jets, and Britain has trained Nigerian troops.
