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WORLD NEWS Thursday 20 december 2018

Official: Ukraine plans another naval foray into Sea of Azov

Associated Press its NATO allies have con- "We have no alternative,"
MOSCOW (AP) — Ukraine demned what they de- he said. He said Ukraine
plans to again send its war- scribed as unjustified use of would invite representa-
ships into the Sea of Azov, force by Russia, and urged tives of the Organization for
a top Ukrainian official said, Moscow to release the Security and Cooperation
a move that could set the boats and their crews. in Europe and other inter-
stage for another clash Ukraine said its boats op- national organizations to
with Russia. erated in line with interna- put their representatives on
Oleksandr Turchynov, the tional rules, while Russia board the Ukrainian ships
secretary of the Nation- charged that the Ukrainian during the mission. The
al Security and Defense vessels had failed to obtain Ukrainian official didn't say
Council, said in an interview permission to pass. when Ukraine expects to
with the BBC published The standoff has further launch it. Turchynov noted
Wednesday that another fueled the tug-of-war be- In this Nov. 25, 2018 file photo, damage can be seen to one of that the Ukrainian military
such mission is necessary to tween the two neighbors three Ukrainian ships seized by Russia during a naval incident plans to deploy new mis-
prevent Russia from claim- over Russia's 2014 annexa- near the annexed Crimean Peninsula. siles onshore, adding that
ing control over the body tion of Crimea and support Associated Press they would be capable of
of water. Russia's Foreign for separatist rebels in east- destroy the bridge linking
Ministry on Wednesday de- ern Ukraine. in the east in 2014-2015. other of making plans to Crimea with Russia.
nounced his remarks as a Ukrainian President Petro As part of martial law, launch a military action. In Moscow, Russian Foreign
"provocation." Poroshenko responded to Ukraine has beefed up its Turchynov told the BBC Ministry spokeswoman Ma-
On Nov. 25, the Russian the incident by introduc- forces on the border with that it's essential for Ukraine ria Zakharova denounced
coast guard fired upon ing martial law for 30 days, Russia, called up reserv- to mount a new naval Turchynov's statement as
and seized three Ukrainian something Ukraine hadn't ists for training and barred deployment into the Sea "irresponsible," adding that
naval vessels and 24 sea- done even after Crimea's entry to all Russian males of Azov, warning that if it would only exacerbate
men when they tried to sail annexation and amid aged between 16 and 60. Ukraine stands back Rus- tensions and derail Euro-
from the Black Sea into the large-scale fighting with Amid the tensions, Russia sia will take over sea routes pean efforts to de-escalate
Sea of Azov. The U.S. and Russia-backed separatists and Ukraine accused each and dictate its will. the situation.q

Morocco: Terrorist ties to Scandinavian hiker slaying

By AMIRA EL-MASAITI destination where such at- photos and videos Wednes-
RABAT, Morocco (AP) — tacks on foreigners are ex- day of forensic investigators
The lone suspect arrested tremely rare. and others working around
in the killing of two Scandi- The Rabat public prosecu- the women's brightly col-
navian tourists in Morocco's tor's office said in a state- ored tent on a rocky hill-
Atlas Mountains is connect- ment Wednesday that side. The broadcaster said
ed to a terrorist group, and the only captured suspect the tent held food and be-
three other suspects are on has affiliations to a terrorist longings for three people,
the run, Moroccan authori- group, without naming the including an ID card.
ties said Wednesday. group. Moroccan media outlets
State television 2M report- The suspect was arrested reported that investigators
ed on its website that au- in Marrakech on Tuesday. have video surveillance
thorities consider the two Three other suspects have footage showing three
women's slayings a terrorist been identified and but suspects putting up a tent
act. Local media reported are still on the run, a secu- near the victims' tent and
that the suspects had links rity official told The Associ- leaving the area after the
to the Islamic State group. ated Press. The official was slaying.
The women, who were not authorized to be pub- Authorities in Denmark and
from Denmark and Nor- licly named. Norway warned their citi- In this photo provided by Moroccan news channel 2M and tak-
way, were discovered The remote mountainous zens from hiking without lo- en on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, a security team is seen at the
area where the bodies of two Scandinavian women tourists
stabbed in the neck Mon- region where the women cal guides in Morocco after were found dead, near Imlil in the High Atlas mountains, Mo-
day by other tourists, who were found dead is 10 kilo- the killing. Danish police of- rocco.
alerted police, according meters (6.2 miles) from the ficials said Wednesday they Associated Press
to national media. Hiking village of Imlil — often the sent an officer to Morocco
in the area was temporarily starting point for treks to to assist in the investigation. States and Europe in the extremism, and more than
suspended. Mount Toubkal, North Af- Morocco is generally con- fight against terrorism. Mo- 1,000 Moroccans are be-
The killings have shocked rica's highest peak. sidered safe for tourists and rocco has struggled for lieved to have joined the
Morocco, a popular tourist Broadcaster 2M released is a key ally of the United years with sporadic Islamic Islamic State group.q