There was violence and mayhem across the Pakistani Indian Ocean province of Baluchistan on Friday and Saturday (30-31 January), as separatist insurgents attacked multiple government targets, in a co-ordinated attack in a number of towns and cities. Security forces conducted a large-scale counter-terrorism operation across Baluchistan following a series of coordinated attacks targeting multiple districts, killing civilians and security personnel, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of the Pakistani government. "The operation, conducted over two days, resulted in the deaths of 133 insurgents, including suicide bombers, while 15 security personnel were killed during intense engagements", according to the government source. The attacks took place in Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni. "The assaults were aimed at destabilising peace in the province and undermining development by targeting law enforcement agencies and innocent civilians", the Pakistani government said.  The Pakistani government said the attacks were launched by “Indian sponsored Fitna al Hindustan,” a reference to the separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), saying intelligence reports confirmed the violence was orchestrated and directed by militant leaders operating from outside Pakistan, who were in direct communication with attackers during the assaults. The BLA also issued a statement earlier in the day, saying it had launched what it called “Operation Herof 2.0” and claiming responsibility for attacks in multiple locations. Pakistani officials describe BLA militants as Indian proxies, a charge New Delhi denies.

In 2022, Russian forces advanced towards Kyiv from Belarus. Bucha, only a 30-minute drive from the capital, became the site of mass atrocities, including summary executions, torture chambers, and the deliberate hunting of civilians. Ukrainian officials described this as “a plan of terror against the population.” This week, commonspace.eu welcomes Mykhailyna Skoryk-Shkarivska, who served on Bucha’s city council during the invasion and was later appointed deputy mayor to support the city’s recovery. Mykhailyna shares the story of how a suburb of Kyiv grieved, became a global symbol of Russian atrocity, and ultimately rebuilt.

Relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have in the last decade, been competitive. Led by two ambitious but visionary men – both named Mohammed: MBS – Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia; and MBZ – Mohammed bin Zayed, the Ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the Emirates, the two Gulf neighbours embraced many aspects of modernity, and moved hurriedly to turn their countries into global vanguards", writes Dennis Sammut, in this Briefing for Arabia Concise. "Yet up to now, competition was kept within bounds. They cooperated closely in areas of security and presented a united front. They were on the same side when they confronted Qatar and in their opposition to the Houthis' takeover of Yemen. Yet problems had been brewing under the surface for a while, and in the last month they burst into the open." The relations between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been increasingly strained as a result of the different approaches of the two countries towards Yemen. The problems between Saudi Arabia and the Emirates are not new. The Kingdom was never happy with the existence of the smaller states on the Arabian peninsula, which, for most of the 20th century, had British “protection”. But the wisdom of MBZ’s father, Sheikh Zayed, the founder of the UAE, and the caution of MBS's uncles, who ruled Saudi Arabia, generally managed the problems outside the public eye. When the British peace ended abruptly in the 1960’s – the British ran out of money – many thought that the Saudi peace would replace it. Sixty years later, it still has not. not only in monetary terms, but also diplomatically. Saudi “Peace” may be tempting, but it comes at a price. The UAE remains vulnerable because of its size, demography and geography; Its wealth may protect it for a while, but it has its limits. The decision of the UAE to break ranks and recognise Israel may have endeared it to the United States. But many inside, as much as outside the country, are not convinced. (You can read the full Briefing by clicking the image above)