Nigerian troops killed hundreds of Shiite Muslims: activistsDecember 15, 2015 - 15:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Activists say Nigeria's military has killed hundreds of, perhaps as many as 1,000, Shiite Muslims in what the country's top human rights protector is calling "a massacre," the Associated Press reports. Chidi Odinkalu of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission posted photos on social media showing a bulldozer tearing apart a shrine of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and said detained leader Ibraheem Zakzaky's home also was destroyed. Odinkalu says Zakzaky suffered four bullet wounds and one of his wives was killed in raids that began Saturday and ended Monday morning. "Citizens must ask who ordered this carnage?" Odinkalu tweeted. Nigerian troops said the raids came after 500 Shiites blocked the convoy of Nigeria's army chief, and tried to kill him. Iran, seen as the guardian of the Shiite Muslim faith, condemned the killings. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |