Surging violence in Sahel rings alarm bells

This undated photograph provided by the French Army shows three Russian mercenaries in northern Mali. (AP)
This undated photograph provided by the French Army shows three Russian mercenaries in northern Mali. (AP)
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Updated 06 June 2025
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Surging violence in Sahel rings alarm bells

This undated photograph provided by the French Army shows three Russian mercenaries in northern Mali. (AP)
  • “Extremist leaders declared in March their intent to intensify attacks against national armies to prevent a genocide against the Fulani community”

ABIDJAN: Terrorists have intensified their offensives in the Sahel region in recent weeks, carrying out bloody raids in Mali, incursions into major cities in Burkina Faso and inflicting heavy army losses in Niger.
The three Sahel states’ military juntas, who had pledged during the coups that brought them to power to make security a priority, are struggling to contain the advance of extremists, who are threatening more than ever neighboring countries on the west African coast.
The last few weeks have been particularly deadly in the Sahel.
Several hundred soldiers have been killed in various attacks.
“The global vision of regional terrorism is changing. There is an ideological aspect, but also an ethnic one,” said Lassina Diarra of the International Counter-Terrorism Academy in Jacqueville, Ivory Coast.
“Extremist leaders declared in March their intent to intensify attacks against national armies to prevent a genocide against the Fulani community.”
Military violence targeting civilians — particularly the Fulani, often singled out in the Sahel region and accused of feeding the extremists’ ranks — “has exacerbated grievances and played into extremists’ narratives,” said the Soufan Center think tank in a brief.
It also highlighted “a broader strategy to degrade public confidence in state forces, boost recruitment.”
“There is also a question of competition for territory,” Diarra added.
The capitals of Mali and Burkina Faso “are surrounded,” said Diarra.
For Gilles Yabi, founder of the West African think tank Wathi, it is important to remain cautious of “catastrophic” predictions.
The extremists’ “main advantage is their mobility and ability to move and blend with populations,” he said.
“In Burkina Faso, we cannot rule out a Somalia-like scenario, with a capital that resists while the rest of the country is out of control,” said a Western military source.
The juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger came to power through coups between 2020 and 2023 and are now united in a confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States.

 


Skydiver Felix Baumgartner, who jumped from the edge of space, dies in Italy crash

Skydiver Felix Baumgartner, who jumped from the edge of space, dies in Italy crash
Updated 8 sec ago
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Skydiver Felix Baumgartner, who jumped from the edge of space, dies in Italy crash

Skydiver Felix Baumgartner, who jumped from the edge of space, dies in Italy crash
MILAN: Extreme athlete Felix Baumgartner, the first skydiver to fall faster than the speed of sound during a 24-mile leap through the stratosphere more than a decade ago, died in a crash Thursday along the eastern coast of Italy. He was 56.
Italian firefighters who responded said a paraglider crashed into the side of a swimming pool in the city of Porto Sant Elpidio.
The city’s mayor confirmed Baumgartner’s death in a social media post.
“Our community is deeply affected by the tragic disappearance of Felix Baumgartner, a figure of global prominence, a symbol of courage and passion for extreme flight,” Mayor Massimiliano Ciarpella said.
Baumgartner, known as “Fearless Felix,” stunned the world in 2012 when he became the first human to break the sound barrier with only his body. He wore a pressurized suit and jumped from a capsule hoisted more than 24 miles (39 kilometers) above Earth by a giant helium balloon over New Mexico.
The Austrian, who was part of the Red Bull Stratos team, topped out at 843.6 mph — the equivalent of 1.25 times the speed of sound — during a nine-minute descent. At one point, he went into a potentially dangerous flat spin while still supersonic, spinning for 13 seconds, his crew later said.
“When I was standing there on top of the world, you become so humble, you do not think about of breaking records anymore, you do not think of about gaining scientific data. The only thing you want is to come back alive,” he said after landing in the eastern New Mexico desert.
The altitude he jumped from also was the highest-ever for a skydiver, shattering the previous record set in 1960 by Joe Kittinger, who served as an adviser to Baumgartner during his feat.
Baumgartner’s altitude record stood for two years until Google executive Alan Eustace set new marks for the highest free-fall jump and greatest free-fall distance​.
In 2012, millions watched YouTube’s livestream as Baumgartner coolly flashed a thumbs-up when he came out of the capsule high above Earth and then activated his parachute as he neared the ground, lifting his arms in victory after he landed.
Baumgartner, a former Austrian military parachutist, made thousands of jumps from planes, bridges, skyscrapers and famed landmarks, including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil.
In 2003, he flew across the English Channel in a carbon fiber wing after being dropped from a plane.
In recent years, he performed with The Flying Bulls as a helicopter stunt pilot in shows across Europe.
Baumgartner said after his record-breaking jump in 2012 that traveling faster than sound is “hard to describe because you don’t feel it.”
“Sometimes we have to get really high to see how small we are,” he said.

India eyes closer cooperation in pharmaceuticals, ceramics with Saudi Arabia

India eyes closer cooperation in pharmaceuticals, ceramics with Saudi Arabia
Updated 10 min 21 sec ago
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India eyes closer cooperation in pharmaceuticals, ceramics with Saudi Arabia

India eyes closer cooperation in pharmaceuticals, ceramics with Saudi Arabia
  • India is world’s third-largest drug maker and second-largest producer of ceramics
  • Saudi Arabia is India’s 5th largest trading partner, with trade worth nearly $43bn in 2023-24

NEW DELHI: India is eyeing closer collaboration with Saudi Arabia in the pharmaceuticals and ceramics industries, following talks between Indian trade minister Piyush Goyal and his Saudi counterparts earlier this week.

Goyal held separate virtual meetings with Saudi Arabia’s Economy and Planning Minister Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim and Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih to discuss ways to strengthen trade and investment ties between the two countries.

His meeting with Al-Ibrahim was focused “on enhancing our trade & investment partnership and collaborating in key sectors” such as pharmaceuticals, petroleum and ceramics, while his discussion with Al-Falih was centered on mutual growth, innovation and long-term collaboration, Goyal wrote on X.

“We are confident of exciting growth prospects ahead for both nations,” he said.

In 2023-24, Saudi-India trade reached nearly $43 billion, making India Saudi Arabia’s second-largest trading partner, while the Kingdom stands as New Delhi’s fifth-largest.

Bilateral energy trade alone was worth $25.7 billion in 2023-24, with Saudi Arabia being the third-largest source of India’s LPG, crude and petroleum imports.

In 2023, India’s investment in the Kingdom reached $4 billion, showcasing an increase of 39 percent from 2022, when it stood at about $2.39 billion.

Saudi Arabia and India have been in talks to deepen their strategic partnership. When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jeddah in April, “both sides reaffirmed the strong commitment to advance economic and investment partnership,” Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, told Arab News on Friday.

India’s pharmaceuticals and ceramics sector, in particular, had potential to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 transformation project, he added.

With India being the world’s third-largest producer of drugs by volume after the US and China and supplying more than 20 percent of global demand on generic drugs, Delhi is keen to open up new collaborations in the pharmaceutical industry with Saudi Arabia.

“With annual pharmaceutical exports exceeding $30 billion, Indian pharmaceutical companies play a vital role in ensuring affordable and reliable health care across the globe. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia currently accounts for only about $200 million of India’s pharmaceutical exports — a relatively small share that underscores significant untapped potential,” Khan said.

“As KSA pursues the goals of Vision 2030, which include building domestic manufacturing capacity, fostering knowledge-based industries and ensuring health care security, the Indian pharmaceutical sector stands out as a natural strategic partner.”

The Indian government is also seeking to take advantage of its edge in the ceramics industry, as India is the second-largest producer of ceramics globally and the largest exporter of ceramic tiles.

“Indian ceramics are widely recognized for their quality, cost-efficiency and manufacturing scale, particularly in segments such as tiles, sanitaryware and refractories,” Khan said.

“Given the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s growing infrastructure, construction and industrial development needs under Vision 2030, deeper cooperation with India’s ceramic sector holds significant potential.”


Indian killed, one abducted in Niger attack: embassy

Indian killed, one abducted in Niger attack: embassy
Updated 15 min 34 sec ago
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Indian killed, one abducted in Niger attack: embassy

Indian killed, one abducted in Niger attack: embassy
  • India’s embassy in Niamey said it was in contact with the employer and families of the victims
  • It was also working to secure the release of the person abducted in the attack

NIAMEY, Niger: An Indian national was killed and another abducted in what India’s embassy termed a “terrorist” attack in southwestern Niger, while a third is listed as missing, it said in a statement.

Local sources said unidentified armed attackers ambushed a Nigerien army unit providing security at a construction site for an electrical line in the Dosso region, around 100 kilometers (63 miles) from the capital Niamey.

Urging Indian nationals in Niger to be “vigilant,” India’s embassy in Niamey said it was in contact with the employer and families of the victims as well as the Nigerian government to facilitate repatriation of the dead man’s remains.

It said it was also working to secure the release of the person abducted in the attack, which took place Tuesday near the Nigerian border.

Local sources and social media posts suggested at least one Nigerien soldier was killed in the attack, which authorities had not yet commented on Friday.

Niger, under military rule following a 2023 coup, has faced around a decade of violence perpetrated by jihadists affiliated to Al-Qaeda and the Daesh group.

The Dosso region borders both Nigeria and Benin, where attacks regularly target civilians, the army and also a giant oil pipeline transporting crude from Niger to Benin.

The authorities generally blame such attacks on “terrorists” or “bandits.”

Dosso borders the western town of Tillaberi near the borders with Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, which has become a stronghold for militant groups.

According to official Indian sources, five Indian technicians were kidnapped in an April 25 attack just north of the nearby town of Sakoira.

Twelve Nigerien soldiers were killed in that attack.

Earlier this month, three Indian nationals working in Mali were kidnapped from a cement factory in the west of the country.


India eyes closer cooperation in pharmaceuticals, ceramics with Saudi Arabia

India eyes closer cooperation in pharmaceuticals, ceramics with Saudi Arabia
Updated 25 min 52 sec ago
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India eyes closer cooperation in pharmaceuticals, ceramics with Saudi Arabia

India eyes closer cooperation in pharmaceuticals, ceramics with Saudi Arabia
  • India is the world’s third-largest drug maker and second-largest ceramics producer
  • Saudi Arabia is India’s 5th largest trading partner, bilateral trade was $43 billion in 2023–24

NEW DELHI: India is seeking to expand cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the pharmaceuticals and ceramics sectors, following virtual meetings earlier this week between Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal and his Saudi counterparts.

Goyal held separate discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Economy and Planning Minister Faisal bin Fadel Al-Ibrahim and Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih to explore ways to deepen trade and investment ties.

His meeting with Al-Ibrahim focused “on enhancing our trade & investment partnership and collaborating in key sectors” like pharmaceuticals, petroleum, and ceramics, while his conversation with Al-Falih centered on mutual growth, innovation, and long-term collaboration, Goyal wrote on X.

“We are confident of exciting growth prospects ahead for both nations,” he added.

In 2023–24, bilateral trade between India and Saudi Arabia reached nearly $43 billion, making India the Kingdom’s second-largest trading partner. Saudi Arabia, in turn, is India’s fifth-largest trading partner. Energy trade accounts for a major share, with Saudi Arabia being the third-largest source of India’s crude oil, petroleum, and LPG imports, valued at $25.7 billion in the last fiscal year.

India’s cumulative investment in Saudi Arabia reached $4 billion in 2023, marking a 39 percent increase from $2.39 billion in 2022.

The two countries have been in regular talks to deepen their strategic partnership.

During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jeddah in April 2024, “both sides reaffirmed the strong commitment to advance economic and investment partnership,” Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Ajaz Khan, told Arab News on Friday.

He noted that India’s pharmaceutical and ceramics sectors, in particular, have the potential to contribute meaningfully to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 transformation initiative.

NEW PARTNERSHIPS

India is the world’s third-largest drug producer by volume, after the US and China, and accounts for over 20 percent of the global supply of generic medicines. New Delhi is looking to boost exports to the Kingdom and enter into new partnerships in the pharmaceutical space.

“With annual pharmaceutical exports exceeding $30 billion, Indian pharmaceutical companies play a vital role in ensuring affordable and reliable health care across the globe. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia currently accounts for only about $200 million of India’s pharmaceutical exports — a relatively small share that underscores significant untapped potential,” Ambassador Khan said.

“As KSA pursues the goals of Vision 2030, which include building domestic manufacturing capacity, fostering knowledge-based industries, and ensuring health care security, the Indian pharmaceutical sector stands out as a natural strategic partner.”

India is also the world’s second-largest ceramics producer and the top global exporter of ceramic tiles. The government is looking to leverage this advantage in sectors such as construction and infrastructure.

“Indian ceramics are widely recognized for their quality, cost-efficiency, and manufacturing scale, particularly in segments such as tiles, sanitaryware, and refractories,” Khan said.

“Given the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s growing infrastructure, construction, and industrial development needs under Vision 2030, deeper cooperation with India’s ceramic sector holds significant potential.”


Crews rescue 18 miners trapped in Colombia

Crews rescue 18 miners trapped in Colombia
Updated 29 min 53 sec ago
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Crews rescue 18 miners trapped in Colombia

Crews rescue 18 miners trapped in Colombia
  • “They were all found to be in good health,” the National Mining Agency said
  • The workers became trapped on Thursday in a mine in the town of Remedios

REMEDIOS, Colombia: Emergency crews rescued 18 workers trapped in a gold mine in Colombia on Friday, the government said.

“They were all found to be in good health,” the National Mining Agency said on X after the 12-hour emergency rescue operation in northwest Colombia.

The workers — who were trapped underground for about 18 hours because of an equipment failure — walked out of the mine one by one in blue jumpsuits and yellow helmets.

They were greeted with cheers and hugs from colleagues above ground, who gave them energy drinks, TV footage showed.

The workers became trapped on Thursday in a mine in the town of Remedios in Antioquia department.

The mayor of Remedios said in a message sent to the government that the mine was apparently unlicensed.

Yarley Erasmo Marin, a representative of a local miners’ association, told AFP earlier that a mechanical failure caused the collapse of a structure designed to prevent landslides, blocking the mine’s main exit.

Images released by the National Mining Agency showed rescuers with flashlights during their search efforts.

The area around Remedios has a strong mining tradition.

Gold extracted in the region is known to sometimes finance armed groups such as the Gulf Clan, a cartel also involved in cocaine trafficking.

Coal mine accidents are common in Colombia, particularly in the central region where they claim dozens of lives each year.