IS kidnaps hundreds in eastern Syria; another earthquake strikes Indonesia

America's real calculations in Syria

Speaking at a dinner celebrating the 36th annual anniversary of the Jewish Institute for National Security in Washington, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo affirmed that "defeating ISIS was our primary objective and it continues to be our top priority, but now we have added two additional objectives: finding a political and peaceful solution to the Syrian conflict and getting Iranian forces out of there."

The US and Israel have accused Tehran of increasing its influence in Syria by supporting Shiite militias and helping President Assad fight terrorism. Mr Pompeo added that the US had no intention of funding reconstruction in Syria until Iran withdrew its troops.

Oil pipeline fire in Nigeria

Batan gas station by Nigeria's Chevron. Source: AFP/Getty

The fire broke out on the evening of October 12 in the town of Aba, southeastern Nigeria, when oil thieves drilled a pipeline operated by the state-run Pipelines and Products Marketing Company to steal oil. Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) spokesman Ndu Ughamadu said the fire broke out along the pipeline from Harcout Port to the nearby Aba storage facility.

By October 13, Nigerian officials said the death toll had risen to at least 30. Many others were injured and were being treated at hospitals in and around Aba. The victims were oil thieves. Oil thefts and pipeline sabotage are common in southern Nigeria, the oil hub of Africa’s largest crude producer.

March against racism in Germany

Source: dw.com

On October 13, thousands of people in the German capital Berlin took to the streets to protest racism in the country. Participating in the march were many community groups, people who support immigrants, Islamic organizations... with slogans calling for unity instead of an open and free society. Among those who took to the streets in this event was German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who considered the march a "great sign" that "the majority of Germans support tolerance and openness".

The march took place in the context of the declining popularity of the government led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel due to people's dissatisfaction with immigration policy, especially after violent protests by the far-right in the eastern German city of Chemnitz, where a knife murder of a German citizen took place and this incident led to racist attacks.

IS kidnaps hundreds of people from a refugee camp in eastern Syria

Photo for illustration purposes only: Al Jazeera

Hundreds of people have been kidnapped by the Islamic State (IS) group from a camp in eastern Syria, a monitor said on October 13, in a jihadist counter-offensive against advancing US-backed forces.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, IS militants attacked the camp on October 12, capturing “more than 100 families,” including relatives of IS defectors and jihadists killed in the fighting. Several fighters from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces were killed while trying to defend the camp during the hours-long battle.

US considers new solution to prevent illegal immigration

Migrants arrive at El Chaparral border crossing in the Mexican border city of Tijuana to apply for asylum in the US. Source: AFP/TTXVN

The White House is considering new measures to curb illegal immigration into the United States, including the possibility of separating immigrant families at the US-Mexico border, US government officials said.

One solution being considered, the sources said, is to offer families seeking asylum a choice of being detained together for up to 20 days, after which parents would be given the choice of either staying together in detention for months, possibly years, until their asylum is granted, or allowing their children to be adopted by relatives or guardians at government refugee camps.

Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have a heated argument over the Khashoggi case.

The diplomatic tensions between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia show no signs of abating. Turkish officials said on October 12 that they have video and audio evidence that shows Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared after entering the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul and was later murdered. Turkish intelligence also has documents about the murder. However, Turkey has not yet released this evidence.

In response, Saudi Arabia has vehemently denied the accusation, calling it a lie and baseless. Saudi Arabia still maintains that Khashoggi left the Saudi consulate and that it wants to find out the truth behind his disappearance. The world continues to express concern about the dispute between Turkey and Saudi Arabia and demand clarification of Khashoggi's disappearance.

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho. Photo: YONHAP/TTXVN

On October 13, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho made the statement at an event in Pyongyang the day before to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between North Korea and Russia.

Minister Ri Yong-ho stressed that Pyongyang's goal is a Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons and threats. He expressed hope that the international community will take confident steps in line with the positive moves of the North Korean leadership.

Indonesia earthquake again

On the morning of October 13, Manado, Bitung and North Minahasa in Indonesia's North Sulawesi province were shaken by a 5.2 magnitude earthquake. The epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of 97 km, about 38 km southeast of Bitung, one of the major cities in North Sulawesi, according to the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

BMKG said the earthquake was not likely to cause a tsunami and there were no aftershocks three hours after the quake. There have been no reports of casualties or damage to property.