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In a significant counterinsurgency operation, Nigeria’s military announced on Thursday that it had eliminated over 50 jihadists in coordinated drone and ground assaults. The attacks targeted militant groups who had launched simultaneous strikes on army bases in the volatile northeast region. The operation, supported by fighter jets, focused on locations in Borno and Yobe states, including Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo, and Katarko. While the military did not specify the faction responsible, intelligence sources attributed the attacks to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a splinter group of Boko Haram. Both factions have been waging a 16-year insurgency aimed at establishing a caliphate in the region. Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, a military spokesman, confirmed the success of the operation but noted that several soldiers were injured and infrastructure, including vehicles and buildings, was damaged by armed drones and rocket-propelled grenades. Local residents in Mafa reported seeing charred trucks, allegedly set ablaze by militants. The conflict, which has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced two million people, has also spilled into neighboring countries, prompting a regional military coalition to combat the Islamist threat.

In a powerful address to the United Nations Security Council, Carlos G Ruiz Massieu, the UN Special Representative for Haiti and head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), emphasized the resilience of the Haitian people despite the country’s deepening crisis. Massieu, who has engaged with various political, international, and civil stakeholders over the past two and a half months, underscored the urgent need to address gang violence, humanitarian challenges, and the upcoming political transition. He highlighted the unprecedented scale of internal displacement, with over 1.4 million people forced to flee their homes due to armed group attacks on farming communities and other areas. Massieu expressed deep concern over the human rights situation, citing widespread abuses linked to gang violence, self-defence groups, and certain security operations. He stressed the importance of restoring democratic governance by February 7, 2024, and welcomed Haitian authorities’ efforts to consult with political representatives to avoid a post-February political vacuum. Massieu also praised the Security Council’s support for the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) and urged swift action to enhance security, particularly for vulnerable communities and children. Despite the hostile security environment affecting international partners in Port-au-Prince, Massieu reaffirmed BINUH’s commitment to achieving full staff presence in the capital as a top priority. He called on the international community to translate its support into tangible progress to combat violence and restore stability in Haiti.

The United Nations’ Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated US$4 million to three UN agencies to assist over 100,000 vulnerable individuals in Haiti as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches. The storm, forecasted to intensify into a hurricane by Friday, poses a significant threat to the Caribbean nation. The funds will be distributed to the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to bolster preparedness efforts. Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, emphasized the importance of anticipatory action to mitigate the storm’s impact, which is expected to bring heavy rains, strong winds, and potential flooding, landslides, and power outages. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Melissa, currently located 320 miles south-southwest of Port-au-Prince, is moving slowly westward with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. A hurricane watch is in effect for southwestern Haiti, while Jamaica remains under a tropical storm watch. The NHC anticipates gradual strengthening, with Melissa potentially becoming a hurricane by Friday. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is closely monitoring the situation, ensuring that critical early warning messages, evacuation support, cash transfers, emergency shelter management, and water, sanitation, and hygiene kits are prioritized in the response.

In a landmark event bridging centuries of religious division, King Charles III of the United Kingdom participated in a public prayer service with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel. This historic gathering, held on Thursday, marked the first time a reigning British monarch has prayed publicly with a pope since the 16th-century schism initiated by King Henry VIII. The 76-year-old monarch, accompanied by Queen Camilla, joined the US-born pontiff for a 30-minute ceremony that seamlessly blended Catholic and Anglican traditions. The service, held beneath Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes, symbolized a significant step toward reconciliation between the two Christian denominations. King Charles, who serves as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and Pope Leo, leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, underscored their shared commitment to environmental conservation during the event. The ceremony featured choirs from both the Sistine Chapel and Saint George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, further highlighting the unity of the occasion. The visit also comes amid renewed scrutiny of the British royal family, following Prince Andrew’s decision to relinquish his Duke of York title amid ongoing controversies.