Violence casts shadow over Muslim holy month of Ramadan

Starting July 20, about 1.2 billion Muslims around the world will begin the holy month of Ramadan.

This year, once again bloody conflict and escalating violence are casting a shadow over Islam's longest and most important ritual.

In Syria, the conflict that has lasted for more than 16 months is reaching dangerous new heights, with fierce fighting between government forces and opposition forces taking place in many districts of the capital Damascus, the northern city of Aleppo and the central hotspot of Homs. The fierce fighting has forced most shops in Damascus to close.

The first meal of Ramadan in Abu Dhabi, UAE (photo: Xinhua)

Many fuel stations have also stopped operating due to lack of stock, while those that remain open are always crowded with cars waiting to buy. Damascus residents have also lined up outside food stores amid fears that the fighting will continue, causing food prices to skyrocket daily.

In Pakistan, violence yesterday left eight soldiers, 12 civilians including four children dead and more than 20 injured.

Meanwhile, South Sudan has announced the cancellation of planned direct talks with Sudan, after accusing Khartoum of carrying out a new airstrike on its territory. Although Sudan has immediately denied the accusation, it risks further straining relations between the two once-single countries.

Iraq has not been spared from the violence. At least five people were killed and 14 injured this morning when a car bomb exploded in the Shiite holy city of Najaf.

A powerful explosion outside a popular restaurant in central Najaf, 160km south of Baghdad, destroyed much of the restaurant and caused heavy damage to nearby shops and buildings./.

According to VOV.vn - DT