Istanbul / AFP Turkey on Monday said it wanted international air support for its army’s assault on the extremist-held Syrian town of Al Bab where the military is facing tough resistance from IS extremists. Turkish forces have for weeks joined pro-Ankara Syrian rebels in fierce fighting for Al Bab, taking increasing casualties as they approach closer to the centre. Turkey …

Goma / AFP Attacks in villages and fighting between militias killed at least 35 people over the Christmas weekend in North Kivu, a majority Christian area in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The bloodshed began in Eringeti—a town 55 kilometres (35 miles) north of the regional hub Beni, which for two years has been hit by massacres killing hundreds, many of …

  Khartoum / AFP Sudan has freed 20 political opponents detained since last month after they called for protests against rising fuel prices, their parties said on Monday. Sudanese Congress Party spokesman Mohamed Arabi said 16 members were freed on Sunday, but added that “dozens of other figures including the head of the party and his deputy are still imprisoned.” Another …