Syria conflict: Twin bomb blasts shake Damascus suburb

No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts

At least 34 people are reported to have been killed and many injured by two car bomb explosions in a south-eastern district of Syria's capital, Damascus.

State media said "terrorists" were behind the blasts in Jaramana and broadcast pictures showing several charred vehicles and damaged buildings.

The district is predominantly Druze and Christian, two communities which have so far not joined the uprising.

Earlier, there were clashes between security forces and rebels in Jaramana.

There has been fierce fighting in recent days in eastern parts of the countryside around Damascus, known as the Ghouta.

'Suicide attacker'

Pro-government TV channel Addounia said the car bombs had exploded in Jaramana shortly after 06:40 local time (04:40 GMT).

The car bombs exploded in an area which is predominantly Druze and Christian - two minorities which President Bashar al-Assad's government says it is protecting from "terrorist extremists".
These are not the first attacks in Jaramana to have been blamed on those seeking to overthrow the government. But in the past, the armed opposition has denied any involvement and repeatedly said it is targeting Mr Assad's forces and not minority groups. Areas like Jaramana are heavily guarded by pro-government militia known as Popular Committees.
The conflict in Syria is rapidly taking on a sectarian dimension. Earlier this month, similar attacks took place in pro-government Alawite districts like Mezzeh 86 and Woroud.
Meanwhile, government forces continue to bombard rebel-held areas in Damascus and elsewhere in the country that are predominantly Sunni. The opposition says the decisive battle to overthrow Mr Assad will be in Damascus. The city has become heavily fortified, with security forces personnel and checkpoints all over. Many people here feel the tension of further escalation yet to hit the capital.

"Terrorists blew up two car bombs filled with a large amount of explosives in the main square," the official Sana news agency reported.

State television quoted a source at the interior ministry as saying that 34 people had died and 83 had been seriously injured.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based activist group, put the death toll at 47, including women and children. It said it had so far identified 38 of the victims and that the death toll would probably rise.

"Activists and residents in the town said most of the victims were killed when a suicide attacker blew up his car, just after an explosive device was used to blow up another car," it added.

Two smaller bombs also exploded in Jaramana at around the same time as the attack, Sana said, adding that nobody was killed by them.

No group has said it was behind the bombings, and there was no immediately obvious military or government target, reports the BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut.

"What do they want from Jaramana? The town brings together people from all over Syria and welcomes everybody," one resident told the AFP news agency.

The population of Jaramana is mainly Christian and Druze, a heterodox offshoot of Islam. It is also home to many Palestinian and Iraqi refugees.

Few members of Syria's minority groups have supported the revolt against President Bashar al-Assad. They are fearful for their future if the country's majority Sunni Muslim community chooses an Islamist leadership to replace decades of secular rule.

Supporters of the government in Jaramana and other Damascus suburbs have set up armed vigilante groups - known as Popular Committees - to prevent attacks such as Wednesday's. On 29 October, 11 people were killed in a car bombing in Jaramana.

Jaramana is a mainly Druze and Christian district

 

Elsewhere on Wednesday, activists posted video footage online apparently showing a government warplane being shot down by rebels over Darat Izza, in the northern province of Aleppo, and one of its pilots being captured.

Coming just a day after a helicopter was reported to have been brought down, it suggests that rebel fighters may be starting to obtain more effective weapons to counter the government's monopoly on air power, our correspondent says.

Fighter jets earlier bombarded rebel positions in the western Damascus suburb of Darayya, the SOHR said.

The government army also reportedly shelled Zabadani, a town in the mountains north-west of the capital.

Activists say more than 40,000 people have been killed since the uprising against President Assad began in March 2011.

Lina Sinjab BBC News, Damascus

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7 kunyongwa Misri kwa kutengeza filamu

Maandamano yalifanyika kote duniani kupinga Marekani

Mahakama nchini Misri imewapa hukumu ya kunyongwa watu saba walioshukiwa kuitengeza filamu iliyosababisha kero na ghadhabu katika ulimwengu wa kiisilamu mapema mwaka huu.

Hasira dhidi ya filamu hiyo iliyokuwa inamkejeli Mtume Mohammed, ilisababisha maandamano dhidi ya Marekani kiasi cha kuteketezwa ubalozi wake nchini Libya.

Washukiwa hao saba walihukumiwa wakiwa hawapo mahakamani.

Hukumu hizo ziliidhinishwa na Mufti mkuu nchini Misri ambaye pia ni msomi wa dini ya kiisilamu.

Mwandishi wa BBC anasema kuwa ni nadra kwa Mufti kupinga hukumu kama hizi.

Filamu hiyo iliyokuwa ya hali ya chini mno, ilitengezwa mjini Carlifonia, Marekani na kutolewa kwenye internet mwezi Septemba.

Miongoni mwa wale walioshtakiwa ni mtengezaji wa filamu yenyewe Morris Sadek ambaye ni raia wa Misri.

Mahakama itatoa hukumu ya mwisho mwezi Januari kufuatia itikio la Mufti.

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Majaji wasusia kazi kumpinga rais Mursi

Rais Mursi wa Misri anapingwa kwa kujilimbikizia madaraka

Majaji wa mahaka ya rufaa nchini Misri wanajiandaa kususia kazi na kuunga mkono waandamanaji dhidi ya rais wa misri Mohammed Morsi kujipa mamlaka zaidi.

Sheria ya kumapaka mamlaka zaidi rais Mursi ilipitishwa siku ya Alhamisi wiki jana. Sheria hiyo inampa mamlaka rais kuchukua hatua zozote kulinda mapinduzi na kusema kuwa hakuna mahakama yoyote inaweza kuamua vinginevyo.

Hatua hii ilizua hasira miongoni mwa wananchi kote Misri.

Polisi wamefyatua mabomu ya kutoa machozi kuwatawanya waandamanaji waliopiga kambi kwenye medani ya Tahrir kupinga uamuzi wa rais Morsi kujitangazia madaraka makubwa.

Picha za televisheni zimeonyesha waandamanaji walioficha nyuso wakiwarushia polisi mikebe ya mabomu hayo ya kutoa machozi.

Hapo jana waandamanaji hao walifanya maandamano na kuimba nyimbo za kumlaani Rais Morsi pamoja na vuguvugu lake la kiislamu la Muslim Brotherhood.

Walikesha usiku kucha katika medani ya Tahrir mjini Cairo kuelezea hasira zao dhidi ya tangazo la rais wao anayezingatia itikadi za kiislamu Mohammed Morsi kujipatia madaraka makubwa.

Walikesha wakiimba nyimbo za kumlaani rais pamoja na vuguvugu lake la kiislamu la Muslim Brotherhood.

Jana Jumanne, maelfu ya waandamanaji walifurika katika medani hiyo wakiandaa mandamano kadhaa huku wakisema watamkiuka rais Mursi huku wakipinga mamlaka aliyojilimbikizia.

Maandamano mengine ya kumpinga rais Morsi yamefanyika katika maeneo mbali mbali nchini humo.

Bwana Morsi amejaribu kumaliza mzozo huo kwa kuahidi kuwa madaraka yake yatakuwa na kikomo.

Vuguvugu la Muslim Brotherhood, ambalo bwana Mursi ni mwanachama, liliakhirisha mkutano wao siku ya Jumanne likisema linataka kuzuia taharuki kutanda miongoni mwa wanachi.

Waandamanaji wanasema Rais na chama chake cha Muslim Brotherhood wanajipatia mamlaka kinyume na sheria

Lakini lilisema linauwezo wa kukusanya mamilioni ya watu wanomuunga mkono rais wao.

Wanaomuunga mkono bwana Mursi wanasema kuwa sheria hiyo inahitajika ili kulinda mafanakio yaliyotokana na mapinduzi ya kiraia dhidi ya utawala wa Mubaraka na idara ya mahakama ambayo ilikuwa na watu wanaomuunga mkono rais aliyng'olewa mamlakani.

Waandamanaji wanasema kuwa vuguvugu la Muslim Brotherhood limeyateka nyara faida zilizotokana na mapinduzi ya kiraia. Source :BBC Swahili

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Viongozi ngazi za vijiji wafunzwa kuanzisha kamati za maendeleo ya watu wenye ulemavu katika maeneo yao

Viongozi wa serikali za vijiji na kata Wilayani Arumeru katika picha ya pamoja baada ya kupata mafunzo kuhusu haki  za watu wenye ulemavu katika jamii,,kutoka wa kwanza kulia ni Mkurugenzi wa shirika la Hacret linalopambana na madhila dhidi ya watu wenye ulemavu Mwal  Loitushul Yamat

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Pastoralists target parks to graze cattle

 

The prevailing drought is reportedly causing pastoralists to invade protected areas.

This was said recently by the Acting Chief Park Warden of the Tarangire National Park, Dr. James Wakibara after impounding 493 heads of cattle and one donkey, all property of Gideon Mbuyu, a resident of Mswakini Juu Village, Monduli District.

He said that the challenge of pastoral communities invading protected areas has been so enormous especially in the southern part of the park where this problem has been persistent.

Dr. Wakibara said that on the day when the cattle were impounded, they got earlier information from  residents that there was a herd of  livestock grazing in the Park without any herdsman and when the rangers pursued they found the herd and brought it to the Park headquarters.

Impounded herd of cattle at the Tarangire National Park yard.

“The problem of pastoralists invasion of the national park has been persistent and we have been doing our best to educate them, but the challenge  is unabated, particularly during dry seasons when the livestock are left to graze rampantly and causing great damage, said Dr. Wakibara.

The  Acting Protection Warden, Ms. Beatrice Kessy said that they have been educating the community, but many of them claim that the incident is accidental.

She said that for such incident, the Parks regulations stipulates a fine of Shs. 10,000/= to 100,000/= per head, but due to the spirit of good neighbourliness, they only charged the owner Shs. 10,000/= per head.

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Mvua kubwa zilizoambatana na upepo mkali zaleta maafa Meru watu zaidi ya 100 hawana makazi

WATU zaidi ya mia moja katika kijiji Cha Ngabobo Wilayani Arumeru  Mkoani Arusha  hawana mahala pa kuishi baada ya nyumba zao kubomolewa na mvua kubwa iliyoambatana na upepo mkali katika eneo hilo.

Wakizungumza na waandishi wa habari wananchi hao walisema kuwa mvua hizo zilinyesha kwa muda wa nusu saa na kuangusha mamia ya miti ,kubomoa na kuharibu barabara na kusababisha mawasiliano katika eneo hilo kuwa magumu.

Mwenyekiti wa kijiji  hicho Zabulon Kimaki alisema kuwa tukio la limeacha  kaya zaidi ya  ishirini zenye watu mia  moja na  thelathini  zikiwa  hazina mahali pa kuishi.

 “Hali ilikuwa ya kushutua sana ,mvua hiyo ilikuwa sio ya kawaida lakini kibaya limesababisha watu takariban mia moja na ishirini kulala nje kutoakana na mabati ya nyumba zao kuezuliwa na upepo,hawajaweza hata kuokoa kpande cha bati na hatujui yalipo mapaa na bati zilizoezuliwa na upepo”alisema Kimaki.

Alisema kuwa watoto zaidi ya themanini wameshindwa kwenda shule kufuatia tukio hilo kusababisha kupoteza ama kuharibiwa vifaa vya shule kama vile  madaftari ,vitabu na sare za shule kusombwa na maji.

Alisema serikali inapaswa kuwapelekea huduma za kijamii wananchi hao ikiwemo mahema na chakula ili kuweza kuwasaidia kukabili hali waliyo nayo kwa sasa.

“Uongozi wa halmashauri ulifika jana hapa kungalia madhara yaliyotokea lakini hawajatoa chochote ila tunamshukuru Mbunge wa jimbo la Arumeru Mashariki Joshua Nassari kwa kutoa chakula ambacho kitawasaidia  wahanga hawa  kujikimu kwa siku chache”alisema Kimaki.

Mmoja wa wahanga wa tukio hilo Sambeke Saiteru alisema kuwa kwa sasa wanalala nje pamoja na familia yake hali ambayo imefanya watoto wake kuanza kuumwa kifua kuitokana na baridi kali nyakati za usiku.

Alieleza kuwa licha ya upepo kuezua paa la nyumba yake lakini pia maji yaliyotririka kwa wingi yaliingia ndani na kusomba vyakula na vyombo vya nyumbani na sasa kubaki bila chochote.

“Hapa nilipo nimebaki na nguo nilizovaa toka siku ya tukio ,hata watoto wangu saba nao hawana mavazi maji ya mvua ilisomba kila kitu hapa nyumbani,tungefurahi kupata msaada wa haraka kutoka serikalini”alisema Saiteru. 

Alisema kuwa tukio hilo limeacha hofu katika familia yake kwani lilitokea wakiwa ndani ya nyumba yao .

Mwananchi mwingine  Edward Ngoiyo alisema tukio hilo pia lilitokea akiwa na familia yake ndani ya nyumba ambapo alisema alishangaa kuona paa lote likipigwa na upepo na kuondolewa na kuchwa wakinyeshewa.

“Watoto wangu walichanganganyikiwa ,hali ilikuwa ni ya kutisha ,tumepoteza nguo vitabu vya watoto na wa kwangu wawili  wameshindwa kwenda shule kutokana na janga hili”alisema Ngoiyo.

Alisema kuwa kwa sasa anaishi na familia yake katika zizi la ngombe hali ambayo inaendelea kuhatarisha maisha yake  na familia aliyo nayo.

Alisema kuwa halmshauri walifika na Mbunge na kutoa msaada wa  chakula  kwa waathirika kwa kila mmoja kupata kilo mbili za mchele na sukari kilo moja.

“Tunaomba wafanye haraka kutuokoa katika hali hii ,hatukutarajia imetokea kwa kasi na ghafla na kufanya halii hii tuliyo nayo”alisema Ngoiyo.

Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Arumeru  Nyirembe  Munasa alithibitisha kutokea kwa tukio hilo na kusema kuwa tayari uongozi wa halimashauri ya Meru umekwishafika katika eneo la tukio kufanya tathmini ya madhra yaliyotokea.

“Ni kweli tukio limetokea ila mimi niko safarini ila nimekwisha  agiza uongozi wa halmashauri  kwenda katika eneo la tukio kufanya tathmini na kutoa msaada unaohitajika lakini pia Mbunge Joshua Nassari alifika na kutoa msaada wa chakula ”alisema Munasa.

Alisema katika timu hiyo ya halimashauri wapo watu wanaohusikama masuala ya maafa na wahandisi wa ujenzi wa halaimashauri hiyo.

MWISHO…

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VP MUSYOKA TELLS PM ODINGA TO QUIT PRESIDENTIAL RACE

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka (right) leaves Golf Hotel in Kakamega after a meeting with area leaders on November 20, 2012. Photo/ISAAC WALE  NATION MEDIA GROUP

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has asked Prime Minister Raila Odinga to retire from politics together with President Kibaki having served as equal partners in the coalition government.

Mr Musyoka said this was the only way Kenyans would have a chance to elect new leaders focused on taking the country to the next level of development under the new constitutional dispensation.

“He should consider taking a break from politics and let young and determined leaders to take over from where they have left,” said Mr Musyoka during a rally at Nabongo grounds in Mumias town.

The VP noted that the Prime Minister's post was not provided for in the Constitution and was only “sneaked into the old one” to allow for the formation of the coalition government following the post-election violence that rocked the country in 2007.

Mr Musyoka said he would partner with Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi to ensure his quest to succeed President Kibaki was realised.

“I’m ready to work with the DPM and capitalise on the vast leadership experience I have and give Kenya the best leadership,” he said.

The VP accused some leaders of advancing selfish and tribal politics at the expense of unity and peace.

“We must place Kenya and the electorate first,” he said.

Earlier, the VP opened Wiper Democratic Party offices in Mumias town and later addressed another rally at Muliro gardens in Kakamega.

He is expected to tour other parts of Western Province, including Bumula and Teso.

At the same time, Mr Musyoka has challenged sugar milling firms to brace for competition after the end of Comesa safeguards in February 2014.

The VP said the sugar industry required total overhaul to prepare for the removal of Comesa safeguards.

He said measures put in place to revamp the industry were not enough, arguing that key players in the sector needed to implement policies to protect sugar firms and farmers against exploitation.

“If millers fail to diversify and expand their product base and operations, the industry could collapse,” he said.

He said the government would seek another two-year extension if the industry failed to stabilise by 2014.

He urged Mumias residents to elect leaders who would push for reforms in the sugar industry.

“The leaders you elect will determine the future of the industry,” he said.

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Mkuu wa polisi auawa Benghazi

Wanajeshi wa Serikali ya Libya

Afisa mmoja mkuu wa usalama nchini Libya amepigwa risasi na kuuawa nje ya nyumba yake mjini Benghazi.

Wizara ya usalama wa ndani nchini humo imeelezea kuwa Bwana Farraj al-Dursi , ambaye alikuwa mkuu wa polisi mjini humo, amefariki kutokana na majeraha ya risasi baada ya kushambuliwa na watu wasiojulikana.
Kumekuwa na visa vingi vya mauji mjini Benghazi katika siku za hivi punde.
Mnamo mwezi Septemba, balozi wa marekani mjini Benghazi aliuawa pamoja na wamarekani watatu katika ubalozi huo.
Col Dursia aliteuliwa kuwa mku wa polisi mjini humo muda mfupi baada ya shambulio lililotekelezwa kwenye ubalozi wa Marekani, ambalo balozi wa Marekani na maafisa watatu waliuawa.
Maafisa kadhaa wa Ulinzi wameuawa na watu wasiojulikana mjini Benghazi, mji ambao maandamano na machafuko yaliyomuondoa madarakani Muamarr Gaddafi yalianza.
Mwandishi wa BBC mjini Tripoli, anasema wengi wa maafisa hao wanalengwa kwa sababu wanakisiwa kuwa na uhusiano na serikali ya ya zamani ya nchi hiyo.
Kabla ya serikali, ya Gadaffi kuondolewa madarakani, Kanali, Dursi alifahamika kuwa afisa aliyehusika na kitengo cha kupambana na dawa za kulevya.

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Waasi wa M23 wameuteka mji wa Goma

Watu wakikimbia mapigano Goma

Wapiganaji wa waasi wa M23, hatimaye wamefanikiwa kuingia mji mkuu wa eneo la Mashariki mwa Jamuhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Congo, eneo lenye utajiri mkubwa wa madini.

Mwandishi wa BBC mjini Goma anasema wapiganaji hao wa waasi walikabiliana kwa risasi na wanajeshi wa serikali, ambao walitoroka baada ya kuzidiwa nguvu.

Jeshi la Umoja wa Matifa la Kutunza amani katika eneo hilo limekanusha madai kuwa wapiganaji hao wa waasi wanathibiti uwanja wa NDEGE.

Maelfu ya watu wametoroka makwao kufuatia mapigano hayo, ambayo yamezua wasi wasi wa kuzuka upya kwa mapigano nchini Jamuhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Congo, mapigano ambayo yamesababisha vifo vya takriban watu milioni tano.

Hii ni mara ya kwanza tangu kumalizika kwa mapigano mwaka wa 2003, ambapo wanajeshi wa waasi wamefanikiwa kuingia mji huo wa Goma.
Takriban watu nusu milioni wanakadiriwa wanaishi mjini humo.

Serikali ya Rwanda imekanusha madai ya mara kwa mara kutoka kwa serikali ya Jamuhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Congo kuwa inawaunga mkono wapiganaji hao wa waasi wa M23.

Awali serikali ya Jamuhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Congo, ilipuuzilia mbali makataa iliyotolewa na wapiganaji wa waasi wa kuanzisha mazungumzo ya amani, na kukariri kuwa itaendelea kuilinbda mji wa Goma, Mashariki mwa nchi hiyo.

Baraza la usalama la umoja wa mataifa umelaaini hatua hiyo ya waasi wa M23 ya kuendelea na mapigano huku wakielekea mji wa Goma.

Mapigano hayo yametajwa kuwa mabaya zaidi tangu mwezi Julai Mwaka huu katika eneo hilo lenye utajiri mkubwa wa madini.

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Dk. Slaa amuonya Rais Kikwete kuacha kushambulia upinzani

Katibu Mkuu wa Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), Dk. Wilbrod Slaa, amemtaka Rais Jakaya Kikwete kutotumia muda mwingi kuvishambulia vyama vya siasa.

Badala yake Dk. Slaa amemtaka Rais Kikwete ambaye pia ni Mwenyekiti wa Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), kutumia muda huo kuzungumza jinsi ya kutatua kero za wananchi ili kupunguza ukali na ugumu wa maisha unaowakabili sasa.

Aliyasema hayo alipokuwa akizungumza na waandishi wa habari katika Mahakama Kuu ya Kanda ya Arusha kuhusiana hoja mbalimbali zilizozungumzwa katika mkutano wa CCM uliofanyika jijini Dar es Salaam juzi.

Akijibu shutuma mbalimbali zilizotolewa katika mkutano wa kuwapokea viongozi mbalimbali wa CCM waliochaguliwa mjini Dodoma, Dk. Slaa alisema katika mkutano huo viongozi wengi wa chama hicho akiwamo Rais Kikwete, walitumia muda mwingi kuelekeza nguvu zao jinsi ya kukabiliana na vyama pinzani katika uchaguzi mkuu wa mwaka 2015.

Alisema CCM imeelekeza nguvu zake kujifua ili kukikabili Chadema katika uchaguzi ujao na siyo kuwaeleza wananchi nini watawafanyia ili kuwaondoa katika janga la umaskini.

Aidha, aliwatuhumu viongozi wa CCM kuchukua sera mbalimbali zilizoanzishwa na Chadema ikiwamo ya kusomesha wanafunzi bure kutoka shule ya msingi hadi sekondari.

Aidha, alisema anashangaa uteuzi wa Katibu Mkuu wa ccm, Abdulrahman Kinana kwa madai kwamba siyo msafi.

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Kamanda wa Boko Haram auawa

Silaha zilizonaswa na Jeshi

Wanajeshi wa Nigeria wanaendeleza operesheni kali ya kuwasaka wapiganaji wa Boko Haram katika eneo la Maiduguri Kaskazini mashariki mwa nchi hiyo.

Wanajeshi hao wanatumia magari ya kivita na wanapewa usaidizi zaidi na helicopta za kijeshi.
Jeshi la Nigeria limedai kuwa limemuua kamanda mmoja mwandamizi wa Boko Haram Ibn Saleh Ibrahim.
Raia wa eneo hilo wamesema kuwa idadi kubwa ya watu wameuawa kwenye operesheni hiyo.
Msemaji wa jeshi la Nigeria amesema Ibn Saleh Ibrahim aliuawa wakati wa makabiliano makali ya riasi wakati alipokuwa na walinzi wake sita.
Maafisa wa ulinzi nchini Nigeria wanaamini kuwa Bwana Saleh, alihusika na mauaji ya Generali mstaafu Mohammed Shuwa mwezi uliopita.
Kundi hilo la Boko Haram, ambao limeua raia wengi tangu mwaka wa 2009, halijasema lolote kuhusiana na kifo cha kamanda huyo.

Historia ya Boko Haram

Mwanzilishi wa kundi hilo, Mohammed Yusuf, aliuawa na maafisa wa ulinzi mwaka wa 2009.

Kiongozi wa Boko Haram

Kwa sasa kundi hilo linasemekana kuongozwa na Abubakar Shekau.
Msemaji wa jeshi Luteni Kanali Sagir Musa, ameiambia BBC kuwa Bwana Ibrahim, alikuwa mshirika wa karibu wa Bwana Shekau na amekuwa na sifa ya nguvu na ushawishi mkubwa.
Kanali Luteni Kanali Musa ameongeza kuwa operesheni ya kuwaska wapiganaji hao katika eneo hilo la Maiduguri inaendelea.
Tayari jeshi hilo la serikali limenasa shehena kubwa ya silaha ikiwa ni pamoja na vilipuzi, alisema Luteni Kanali Musa.
Aidha amedai kuwa Bwana Ibrahim alihusika na kifo cha Generali Shuwa baada ya kupokea agizo kutoka kwa Bwana Shekau.
Gen Shuwa ni miongoni mwa watu mashuhuri ambao jeshi la Nigeria, linawaona kuwa mashujaa wa vita, kutokana na juhudi zake katika harakati za kumaliza vita kati ya jeshi la serikali na waasi wa Biafra waliotaka kujetenga miaka ya sitini.

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Waasi 150 wauawa mashariki mwa DRC

Wanajeshi wa waasi Congo

Takriban wapiganaji 150 wa waasi wameuawa kwenye mapigano kati ya wanajeshi wa serikali Mashariki mwa Jamuhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Congo.

Mapigano hayo yanasemekana kuwa mabaya zaidi tangu mwezi Julai wakati waasi wa M23 walipotishia kuuteka mji mkuu wa eneo hilo Goma.
Msemaji wa serikali ya nchi hiyo Lambert Mende amesema waasi 51 waliouawa walikuwa wamevalia sare rasmi ya jeshi la Rwanda.
Serikali ta Rwanda imekanusha madai kuwa inawaunga mkono waasi hao wanaopigania katika eneo hilo lenya utajiri mkubwa wa madini Mashariki mwa Congo.

Hata hivyo hakuna thibitisho rasmi kuhusu idadi ya watu waliouawa na upande wa waasi haujatoa taarifa yoyote kuhusiana na idadi ya wapiganaji wake waliouawa.

Zaidi ya raia laki tano wametoroka makwao tangu Aprili wakati wanajeshi kadhaa walipoasi kutoka jeshini.

Mapigano hayo yamekuwa yakiendelea karibu na kijiji cha Kibumba takriban kilomita 30 Kaskazini mwa Goma.
Gavana wa Jimbo la Kivu ya Kaskazini Julien Paluku ameiambia BBC kuwa mapigano hayo yanaendelea hadi leo siku ya Ijumaa.
Umoja wa Mataifa unazishtumu Rwanda na Uganda kwa kuwaunga mkono waasi, shutuma ambazo zinapingwa na nchi zote mbili.
Mwandishi wa BBC, Gabriel Gatehouse amesema kuzunguka kijiji cha Kibumba kiasi cha kilomita 30 Kaskazini mwa Goma hali imekuwa mbaya zaidi tangu mwezi Julai.
Amesema serikali imepeleka vikosi zaidi, katika eneo hilo ikiwa ni pamoja na helikopta za kijeshi, pia askari wa kulinda amani wa Umoja wa Mataifa wameonekana katika maeneo ya kijiji cha Kibumba.
Pande zote mbili wamelaumiana kwa kuanzisha mapigano hayo yaliyoanza mapema asubuhi Alhamisi.

Mwandishi wa BBC amesema wakati alipokuwa katika eneo linalodhibitiwa na waasi Jumatano, aliwaona waasi wa M23 ambao pia hujulikana kama Jeshi la Ukombozi la Congo wakisambaza askari wake na kujiandaa kwa vita.

Watu wanakimbilia kuelekea Kusini ambako majeshi ya serikali yanadhibiti maeneo hayo wakiwa wamebeba mizigo yao vichwani.

Baadhi yao wamekuwa wakienda katika kambi kubwa ya Kibai iliyopo katika vitongoji vya kaskazini mwa Goma.

Msema wa Umoja wa Mataifanchini Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasi ya Congo, Luteni Kanali Prosper Basse, amesema pia kumekuwa na mapigano kilomita 90 kaskazini mwa Goma, huku majeshi ya serikali yakitwaa mji wa Mabenga na kusonga mbele kuelekea mji wa Kiwanja ambao ni mji muhimu wa waasi.

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