Iraq, Myanmar, Sri Lanka.

Today's three stories you should know.

Jul 20, 2022

Iraq

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi has pointed the finger at Turkey after eight tourists were killed and more than 20 wounded in a missile attack in the north of the country. In what were considered unusually strong remarks, Kadhemi said Iraq reserved the "right to retaliate." Turkey regularly carries out air raids and missile strikes in northern Iraq targeting the PKK rebel group, which has been fighting the Turkish government since 1984. Istanbul denied it was behind the strikes.

Myanmar

Myanmar’s army has been laying landmines in its southeastern Kayah state, according to an investigation by Amnesty International in what could amount to a war crime. “The Myanmar military’s use of landmines is abhorrent and cruel,” Amnesty’s Matt Wells said in a statement. “At a time when the world has overwhelmingly banned these inherently indiscriminate weapons, the military has placed them in people’s yards, homes, and even stairwells, as well as around a church.” Myanmar’s military government has faced armed resistance since seizing power in a coup last year.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, was today elected president by MPs in a move unlikely to quell protests that sent his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing into exile. Wickremesinghe, an ally of Rajapaksa, is unpopular with protesters who had wanted him to step down also, even setting his home on fire. “The struggle will continue until our demands are met,” one protester told the Associated Press.