In the past two weeks alone, Turkish gendarmerie forces have detained 50 more suspects in coordinated raids in Ankara and 19 other provinces, 33 of whom were formally arrested, five placed under judicial control, and the rest going through proceedings, Yerlikaya said on the social media platform X.
The individuals are accused of conducting activities within the current structure of the movement, maintaining contact with senior operatives via payphones, financing organizations affiliated with the movement, and spreading its propaganda on social media, he said.
The Turkish government classifies the Gulen movement as a terrorist organization and holds it responsible for the July 15, 2016, coup attempt, in which more than 250 people were killed. The movement was led by Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, who lived in the United States from 1999 until he died in 2024.
In the years since the failed coup, Turkish authorities have arrested thousands of suspects accused of links to the movement.
Since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda ended, the defeated Ex-FAR and Interahamwe forces fled to what is now the DRC (formerly Zaire), where they were supported by local authorities aiming to use them to launch attacks on Rwanda.
Successive governments in the DRC have collaborated with the forces, and many former combatants have been integrated into the national army.
The FDLR militia, established in the early 2000s, has been involved in documented instances of collaboration with the Congolese army in military operations against the M23 rebel group.
In recent peace agreements between Rwanda and the DRC, signed in Washington, the two countries committed to eradicating the FDLR, with Rwanda expected to lift its defensive measures thereafter.
Speaking in a recent interview, Senator Evode Uwizeyimana said the DRC cannot dismantle the FDLR because the militia effectively forms part of the country’s national army.
“Even though the Congolese government has agreed to dismantle the FDLR, it knows that it will not be able to carry this out. I even wondered if they truly believe they can do it. Asking the DRC government to dismantle the FDLR is the same as asking it to dismantle the FARDC [the national army],” the senator said.
The FARDC is the principal security force in the DRC. Uwizeyimana asserted that many of its key leaders come from the FDLR.
“Telling the DRC government to dismantle the FARDC is like telling the President to remove the unit that protects him and replace it with DASSO [a paramilitary group]. The powerful branches of the FARDC are largely made up of former FDLR members, many of whom were trained in prestigious military schools in Belgium and at the Rwanda Military Academy (ESM),” he added.
“Many who started as lieutenants and second lieutenants are now generals. The Omega [Pacifique Ntawunguka] you hear about is a well-trained soldier; he is even a pilot.
Uwizeyimana confirmed that many FDLR members received advanced military training, and that President Felix Tshisekedi has incorporated them into his army.
“Therefore, when you ask Tshisekedi to dismantle the FDLR, it is like asking him to cut off his own hands, to destroy himself. In other words, it is impossible.”
On July 4, 2025, during a media engagement, President Kagame affirmed that as long as the FDLR remains near Rwanda’s borders, problems will persist, and Rwanda is prepared to take necessary action.
“Rwanda will always do what it has to do when FDLR is along our border. There is no magic word here to be used by anybody,” President Kagame said in response to a journalist’s question about what would happen if the DRC fails to honour its commitment to dismantle the militia group.
President Kagame further emphasised that Rwanda is committed to fulfilling its obligations.
“You will never find Rwanda at fault with implementing what we have agreed to do. You will never,” he added.
Amb. Dushimimana highlighted this message on July 12, 2025, during the 31st anniversary celebration of Rwanda’s Liberation Day, attended by Rwandans in the Netherlands and their friends.
On July 4, 2025, he had also hosted diplomats, representatives from international organizations, and Rwandans from various associations to join in the celebration of Rwanda’s liberation.
The event took place after Amb. Dushimimana officially presented copies of his credentials to King Willem-Alexander on June 18, 2025, formalizing his role as Rwanda’s representative in the Netherlands.
In his speech, he underscored the profound significance of the country’s liberation, emphasizing the progress Rwanda has made and the importance of remembering the experiences of those who lived through both periods of Rwanda’s history.
He reflected on the clear distinctions between the two eras and honored the sacrifice of brave women nd men who stopped the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The Ambassador further acknowledged that the progress Rwanda has achieved was built upon the foundation of its liberation. He called on every Rwandan to contribute to the ongoing journey of the nation’s growth.
Addressing the youth, Amb. Dushimimana urged parents to take an active role in instilling a love and understanding of Rwanda in their children.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the younger generation carries the nation’s vision forward and contributes to its development.
Amb. Dushimimana posed a reflective question to parents, wondering if, when they are no longer able to champion the cause of Rwanda, their children would inherit the same passion for the nation.
He also pointed out that a child might be born in the Netherlands and hold Dutch citizenship, but that their roots are deeply Rwandan, thus reinforcing the importance of connection to their heritage.
The Ambassador also urged those present to stand up for the truth of Rwanda’s history, particularly in the face of distortion. He encouraged them to fight not with weapons, but with the power of truth, stating that when people speak negatively about Rwanda, it is essential to highlight the country’s positive aspects.
Amb. Dushimimana emphasized that it is the responsibility of all Rwandans to ensure the true history of the nation is known, as many who speak ill of the country often spread falsehoods.
The event concluded with a social gathering, where the attendees celebrated Rwanda’s progress and unity.
The death, confirmed by Buhari’s former aides Garba Shehu and Bashir Ahmed, has prompted an outpouring of grief across the country and among African leaders.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced a seven-day national mourning period on Sunday, as a mark of respect for Buhari’s service and legacy. As part of the observance, all national flags will fly at half-staff throughout the mourning period.
An emergency session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has also been convened for Tuesday to honour the former leader’s memory and contributions.
Buhari, a military ruler from 1984 to 1985 before returning as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, was known for his austere lifestyle, his strong stance against corruption, and his reputation for discipline and integrity.
Leaders and citizens alike have hailed him as a patriot who dedicated his life to national unity, economic reforms, and the fight against graft.
In a statement, President Tinubu described Buhari as a “dedicated servant of the nation” whose leadership left a significant imprint on Nigeria’s political landscape.
Tinubu emphasised the former president’s legacy of reforms and the difficult battles he waged against corruption, insecurity, and economic instability.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has been dispatched to London to coordinate the repatriation of Buhari’s remains. Plans are in motion for a state funeral, with the late president expected to be buried in his hometown of Daura, in Katsina State, on Monday, July 14, with full military honours.
Buhari’s passing marks the end of an era for many Nigerians who lived through both his military rule and his democratic presidency.
Tributes have been pouring in from political figures, foreign governments, and ordinary citizens, all highlighting his firm commitment to discipline, his modest personal life, and his efforts to steer Nigeria through turbulent times.
The strike, carried out on June 16, allegedly involved six precision-guided bombs aimed at entrances to a secret underground facility in western Tehran, where the president and other top officials were attending a session of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Iranian outlet Fars reported that the blasts cut off power and blocked exits, forcing the president to evacuate through an emergency shaft, during which he sustained minor leg injuries.
A senior Iranian official, speaking to Al Jazeera, described the attack as a failed assassination attempt targeting the heads of Iran’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
“This attempt will not pass without Israel paying a price,” the official warned.
The incident occurred during a 12-day war between Israel and Iran, which ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire on June 24. During the conflict, Israeli air raids reportedly killed several senior Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists.
The Israeli operation was said to be modelled after the 2024 strike in Beirut that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
Last week, President Pezeshkian publicly confirmed the assassination attempt in an interview with U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson.
“They did try, yes… but they failed,” he said. “It was not the United States that was behind the attempt on my life. It was Israel.”
Israel has not officially commented on the claims. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the broader military operation, saying it was necessary to halt Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons programme.
While Tehran insists its nuclear activities are purely civilian, the Israeli strikes came just days before scheduled talks between the U.S. and Iran aimed at reviving diplomatic negotiations.
The June conflict resulted in heavy casualties. According to Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, at least 1,060 people were killed in Iran. Israel also suffered losses, with 28 fatalities reported due to retaliatory Iranian drone and missile attacks.
Fars has called for an investigation into possible espionage, citing the “accuracy” of Israel’s intelligence in targeting the meeting location. As tensions continue to simmer, observers warn the episode may further complicate prospects for renewed diplomacy in the region.
“The RSF committed a horrific atrocity in the Shaq Al-Noum area of North Kordofan State, killing 11 civilians, including three children, and injuring 31 others, among them nine women,” the Sudanese Doctors Network, a volunteer group, said in a statement.
The network described the attack as “a brutal assault that violates all humanitarian norms and international conventions,” saying that it reflects the RSF’s ongoing pattern of targeting unarmed civilians and spreading fear in previously safe areas.
Meanwhile, the Resistance Committees of North Kordofan, another volunteer group, reported that an RSF unit attacked two villages near the city of Bara on Saturday.
“The RSF attacked the villages of Abu Qaida and Hillat Hamad, killing at least seven civilians and injuring several others,” the group said in a statement on Sunday.
Since June, fighting has raged between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF around the city of Bara, a strategic town northeast of El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, which the RSF is attempting to seize.
Earlier on Sunday, RSF soldiers claimed in videos on social media that their forces had taken control of the Umm Sumayma area, about 68 kilometers west of El Obeid.
There has been no response yet from the Sudanese army regarding the RSF claim of seizing Umm Sumayma.
Sudan remains gripped by a conflict between the SAF and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023. The fighting has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions, both internally and across borders, deepening the country’s humanitarian crisis.
In an address to the nation’s armed forces, Macron outlined France’s military direction and strategic vision, and he noted that military spending “is and will continue to be a source of wealth for our gross domestic product, our economy, and our regions.”
The French president also revealed plans to explore the creation of a new national service initiative.
Buhari, who served as Nigerian president from 2015 to 2023, died in a clinic in the British capital where he had been receiving medical treatment.
In a statement, Tinubu said he has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to London to accompany Buhari’s body back to Nigeria.
Born on Dec. 17, 1942, Buhari had a distinguished career in both the military and civilian governance. He spent years in political activism before successfully contesting the presidency in 2015, becoming the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent president in Nigeria’s history. He was re-elected in 2019 and handed over power to Tinubu on May 29, 2023.
During his two terms as president, Buhari’s administration focused on three key areas: security, anti-corruption, and economic diversification. He launched significant campaigns against Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast and worked to recover looted public funds.
His tenure also saw efforts to boost agriculture and infrastructure development, though it was marked by economic challenges, including two recessions, and persistent security issues across various regions.
Tinubu has ordered flags to be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect for the late former Nigerian leader.
The event, which regularly brings together citizens from all three districts of the Rwandan capital for communal physical activity, was this time linked to the upcoming International AIDS Society (IAS 2025) conference set to take place in Kigali from 14–17 July.
Among the participants were senior government officials and international delegates, including the Minister of Health, Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, who used the occasion to issue a direct warning to young people that HIV is still a serious public health threat.
“Some people think HIV is no longer an issue, but it still exists. Many young people don’t fully understand how dangerous it is because they didn’t live through the worst years,” Dr Nsanzimana said. “We are urging the youth to protect themselves. There’s still no cure, and prevention is far better than a lifetime on medication.”
The Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) in March this year reported that approximately 3,200 people contract HIV each year in Rwanda, while 2,600 people die from the virus annually.
According to RBC, youth are among the most affected, with sex workers and men who have sex with men (MSM) being at particularly high risk of infection.
HIV was first detected in Rwanda in 1983 and spread rapidly from 1986 onwards, with the peak of infections occurring between 1988 and 1996. Currently, there is no cure or vaccine for the virus, although antiretroviral therapy (ART) helps to suppress its progression.
Dr. Ikuzo Basile, head of the HIV Prevention Department at RBC, revealed that 230,000 people in Rwanda are living with HIV, with 3,200 new infections recorded annually.
“When we examine HIV-related deaths, we estimate that 2,600 people die from AIDS-related complications every year. Among Rwandans aged 15 to 49, 2.7% are living with HIV,” Dr Basile revealed.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s Car Free Day event featured not only fitness activities but also free health services, including screenings for non-communicable diseases and HIV testing. Participants were also educated about preventive measures and encouraged to take personal responsibility for their health.
According to recent research by environmental experts, Car Free Day, held 26 times per year in Kigali, has contributed significantly to public health and environmental protection.
Between 2021 and 2025, the initiative is expected to reduce air pollution by 20% and help prevent up to 100 premature deaths annually. The government also estimates that the country could save up to Frw 160 billion in healthcare costs during that period.
According to an officer who spoke with the Congolese media, the shooter killed three fellow servicemen on the spot before taking his own life on Saturday morning. The platoon leader was also seriously wounded and is currently receiving treatment at a military hospital.
Despite the tragic event, airport operations continued as usual, with security personnel maintaining order at the scene.
The shooting comes just weeks after a similar deadly incident in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In late June, a Congolese soldier opened fire on fellow troops in Mungazi, North Kivu province, killing three and injuring eight others. The confrontation reportedly followed an argument among soldiers shortly after they received their paychecks.
Major Nestor Mavudisa, the army spokesperson for the region, confirmed the casualties and stated that the injured soldiers are receiving medical care. The perpetrator was apprehended and taken into custody.
