Saudi Arabia executes 47, including top Shia cleric
The case of Sheikh Nimr al Nimr has been simmering in the region for many weeks. He was accused of organizing Shia demonstrations during the Kingdom’s short-lived and weak Arab Spring in 2011. Shia are demonstrating in the Eastern Province and Iran will likely object vehemently and possibly do more. The Saudis have been cracking down on terrorism own recent months, The question is are they are cracking down on innocent people.
The executions are being criticized for their sheer numbers and faults in the trials leading to this day. Human rights groups and western governments are criticizing Riyadh. Shia are protesting in the region.
Rebel groups advance near Aleppo
The so-called Democratic Forces of Syria, an working arrangement of Arab and Kurdish forces, have moved into villages near Aleppo, where they have clashed with the al Qaeda affiliate, the al Nusrah Front. The DFS troops may now face clashes with Syrian and Iranian ground troops, who will have Russian air support.
The Democratic Forces of Syria are not especially democratic. Nor are they likely to be a lasting partnership.
Indian airbase comes under attack
An airbase in the Indian Punjab has come under attack. Two Indian soldiers have been reported killed. Suspicion naturally falls on Pakistani-backed guerrillas. The Pakistani military uses such attacks to forestall any rapprochement between Pakistan and India. India’s PM visited Pakistan last week.