Tunisia, Somalia, Iran.

Today's three stories you should know.

Jan 07, 2023

Tunisia

At least five people have drowned after a boat sank as it tried to cross the Mediterranean from Tunisia to Italy. Another 10 people are missing and 20 were rescued by the Tunisian coastguard. Tunisia’s coastline has become a regular point of departure for people fleeing war or poverty in several Middle Eastern and African countries. Hundreds are believed to have drowned off the coast of the country in recent months with the global cost of living crisis driving a spurt in attempted crossings. A staggering 25,000 people have drowned or gone missing in the Mediterranean since 2014, according to the International Organisation for Migration.

Somalia

An interesting development in Somalia today. The government says that the al-Shabab armed group has indicated - for the first time in more than 10 years of fighting - that it is open to talks. The claim comes amid a huge military offensive against the group that the government has called “total war.” Shabab has been pushed from several areas it once controlled but it has responded by carrying out a series of major attacks in recent months. Deputy Defense Minister Abdifatah Kasim said the government was open to negotiating with Somali members of the group but that it would not speak to any factions made up of foreign-born fighters. Al-Shabab has yet to comment.

Iran

Iran today executed two more men in connection with the anti-government protests that have rocked the country for months. Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Mohammad Hosseini were accused of killing a member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s volunteer Basij force at a demonstration in November. The Basij has been regularly deployed at protests across the country. The executions bring to four the number carried out since the protests began in September over the death of Mahsa Amini.