Iran-backed militias offer truce for US pullout from Iraq
BAGHDAD — Iraqi militias backed by Iran have agreed to temporarily halt attacks targeting the American presence in Iraq, on the condition that U.S.-led coalition troops withdraw from the country in line with a parliamentary resolution, three militia officials said Sunday.
The officials spoke to The Associated Press hours after a roadside bomb targeted a convoy transporting equipment for the U.S.-led coalition, damaging one vehicle, an Iraqi army statement said. The attack on a highway south of Baghdad prompted questions over whether such a truce could hold across all militia factions.
Roadside bombs and in particular rocket attacks targeting the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad — located inside the heavily fortified Green Zone — have become a frequent occurrence and have strained ties between Washington and Baghdad.
The militia factions offered a truce and will refrain from targeting the U.S. in Iraq, including the embassy, on the condition that all American-led forces withdraw within an “acceptable time frame,” said MohammedMohie, a spokesmanfor the powerful Iran-backed KataibHezbollah.
“If it does not withdraw, the resistance factions will resume their military activities with all the capabilities available to them,” he said.
Two other factions from different Iran-backed groups echoed Mohie’s comments, without specifying a length for the truce, and said it was open-ended. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to give statements.
Iraqi lawmakers voted in January on a nonbinding resolution to oust U.S.-led coalition troops from the country, following a Washington-drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu-Mahdi al-Muhandis outside Baghdad’s international airport.
The U.S. has blamed Iranbacked militia groups, in particular Kataib-Hezbollah, for attacks on the American presence in Iraq.
Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict: Azerbaijan on Sunday accused Armenia of attacking its cities and villages in violation of the cease-fire deal brokered by Russia that seeks to end the worst outbreak of hostilities in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region.
The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said that Armenian forces shelled villages in the Aghdam, Terter, Aghjabedi and Fizuli regions of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani authorities earlier accused Armenian forces of firing missiles at Ganja, the country’s second largest city, and the city of Mingachevir overnight.
Nine civilians were killed and more than 30 others wounded in Ganja, officials said. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev called the attack on the city “a war crime” and a “gross” violation of the cease-fire on Twitter, promising “a befitting retaliation.”
Nagorno-Karabakh’s military officials denied attacking Ganja and said the territory’s army is observing the cease-fire. They added that during the night Azerbaijani forces shelled Stepanakert, the region’s capital, and other towns in violation of the truce.
India virus milestone: India’s confirmed coronavirus toll crossed 7million Sunday with a number of new cases dipping in recent weeks, even as health experts warn of mask and distancing fatigue setting in.
The Health Ministry registered another 74,383 infections in the previous 24 hours. India is expected to become the pandemic’s worst-hit country in coming weeks, surpassing the U.S., where more than 7.7 million infections have been reported.
The ministry also reported 918 additional deaths, taking total fatalities to 108,334.
Some experts say India’s death toll may not be reliable because of poor reporting and health infrastructure and inadequate testing.
Paris attack: Dozens of people attacked a police station outside Paris early Sunday with blasts of fireworks and metal bars, damaging several police cars, officials said.
No one was injured in the latest action among numerous attacks against police officers and firefighters that Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin says are a sign that France is growing “savage.”
Last week, two police officers in civilian clothes were pulled fromtheir vehicle in a Paris suburband shot multiple times with their own guns. One officer remains in serious condition.
President Emmanuel Macron is to meet with police unions Thursday to quickly find ways to protect officers, the interior minister said on a visit Sunday night to Champigny-sur-Marne, east of Paris.
In the early hours of Sunday, a gang of about 40 people showered the police station in a housing project in Champigny-sur-Marne with fireworks and other projectiles, Paris police headquarters, which is in charge of the region, said ina tweet. Attackers also used metal bars to smash five police cars.
Fireworks are now routinely used by gangs to head off police in neighborhoods known for drug trafficking.
Firefighters on rescue missions also come under attack.
Deadly collision: At least 17 people died early Sunday when a train collided with a bus in central Thailand, officials said.
The tour bus was traveling with 65 passengers on board when it crossed the railway track during rain in Chacheongsao, 50 miles east of Bangkok, where a train smashed into the vehicle.
Prathueng Yookassem, the district chief officer, told Thailand’s PBS TV that at least 17 people died and 30 were injured.
“It was raining, perhaps, the driver did not see the train,” he said.
Police say they are investigating.
Turkish Cypriots to polls: A leftist incumbent will take on a hard-line challenger in a runoff to decide who will lead Turkish Cypriots in overcoming deep political chasms with rival Greek Cypriots to end a nearly half-century of ethnic division in Cyprus and quell tensions over offshore energy reserves.
With all votes tallied, right-wing candidate Ersin Tatar came out on top with 32.35% of ballots cast, edging out incumbent Mustafa Akinci with 29.84%. Neither garnered the required majority to win outright.
The election took place amid allegations that Turkey was openly trying to steer the 200,000-strong electorate toward Tatar. Tatar advocates fully aligning Turkish Cypriot polices with those of Ankara, such as pursuing a possible twostate deal as an alternative to the long-held federal model for the divided Mediterranean island.
He also says that a deal with Greek Cypriots to divide rights to potential offshore gas and oil deposits should precede any peace negotiations.
Akinci, a strong supporter of a federal accord with Greek Cypriots and a champion of Turkish Cypriots who oppose Turkey’s complete dominion over their affairs, had accused Ankara of meddling in the election.