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UN: KSA, allies using banned cluster bombs in Yemen

Thursday, 25 August 2016 9:33 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 25 August 2016 9:33 PM ]

Remnants of an air-dropped cluster bomb and unexploded BLU-97 submunitions found in the al-Nushoor and al-Maqash areas of Yemen’s northern Sa’adah Province on May 23, 2015. (Photo by Human Rights Watch)

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

The US Secretary of State has called for an end to Yemen's 16 month conflict in a press conference with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister. John Kerry mentioned an initiative by the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council to resume peace talks which demands that the Ansarullah movement lay down their weapons.
The United Nations says Saudi Arabia and its allies are using internationally banned cluster munitions in residential areas in Yemen, saying such attacks violate the international humanitarian law. It also called for the creation of an independent international body to investigate Saudi crimes in Yemen.
The motorcade of Turkey's main opposition leader comes under attack in Artvin province. Kemal Kilichdaroglu, the leader of the Republican People's Party escaped the attack unharmed. Authorities say the Kurdistan Workers' Party militants staged the attack. 3 security forces were wounded in the gunfire that erupted after the ambush on Kilichdaroglu’s convoy.
Turkey says it has every right to intervene if Kurdish forces also know as YPG do not withdraw to the east of the Euphrates River in Syria. Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said the US promised YPG would withdraw within a week and Ankara is closely following the developments.
Iraq's minister of defense has received a no-confidence vote from parliament over corruption charges. Lawmakers voted to withdraw their confidence from Khaled al-Obaidi by 142 votes to 102 in a secret ballot. They accuse him of wasting billions of dollars in public funds and weakening the armed forces. Obaidi denies the allegations.
Russia has launched large-scale snap military drills, putting its troops on full combat readiness in districts bordering Ukraine and the Baltic states. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the decision was made by President Putin. NATO vowed at a summit in July to bolster its eastern flank to counter Russia.
The death toll from the devastating earthquake in central Italy has risen to 250. The announcement was made after rescue teams and people searched for bodies and possible survivors in the quake zone. Authorities say the death toll is still likely to rise.
The UN urges Greece to improve living conditions in its refugee camps. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi says the situation at some camps poses severe risks to their residents, especially women and children. Grandi has also called on the European countries to speed up their promised refugee intake.