2024-03-22 — Hefoki

Armed conflicts and attacks

Russia launches dozens of ballistic missiles at Ukrainian cities for a second consecutive day with reports of power outages in Kharkiv after critical infrastructure was damaged. At least eight missile strikes on Zaporizhzhia are reported, while a "critical infrastructure object" is damaged in Vinnytsia. More than a million people are left without power across Ukraine due to the strikes, with five people killed and dozens more reportedly injured. (BBC News) (U.S. News & World Report)
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68634444
- https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2024-03-21/russian-missile-strikes-damage-power-supply-in-ukraines-kharkiv
Armed conflicts and attacks

The Russian government states in a press conference that the invasion of Ukraine is now a "war" and is no longer a "special military operation", the official term used for the war by the Russian government. In another press conference later in the day, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov tells reporters that although the invasion is a de facto war, the Russian government is not currently planning to change the invasion's de jure status as a "special military operation". (NOS) (Reuters) (Meduza)
Armed conflicts and attacks

At least 135 people, including two attackers, are killed and more than 140 others are injured in a mass shooting at the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast, Russia, with the building subsequently catching on fire following an explosion. The perpetrators remain at large after escaping in a vehicle. (Baza) (Meduza) (Baza 2) (Reuters)
Armed conflicts and attacks

The Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack in a statement issued by its official Amaq News Agency. (CNN)
- https://edition.cnn.com/2024/03/22/europe/crocus-moscow-shooting/index.html
Armed conflicts and attacks

The Russian government claims that the Ukrainian government committed the attack. This was denied by them, who instead claim that the attack was a false flag attack by the Russian government designed to provoke public opinion in Russia against Ukraine and allow the Russian Army to mobilize more troops in its invasion of Ukraine. (Anadolu Agency)
- https://www.aa.com.tr/en/russia-ukraine-war/ukraine-denies-involvement-in-deadly-concert-hall-shooting-in-russia/3172206
Armed conflicts and attacks

At least 23 Nigerien soldiers are killed, 17 are injured, and 34 others are missing after an ambush in Teguey [de], Tillabéri Region, Niger, by unknown jihadists. The Nigerien junta states that 30 jihadists were also killed. (Sahara Reporters)
- https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%A9guey
- https://saharareporters.com/2024/03/22/terrorists-ambush-nigerien-soldiers-near-mali-burkina-faso-border-kill-23-34-others
Armed conflicts and attacks

The Philippines announces that Islamic terrorist group Abu Sayyaf has been "fully dismantled", bringing an end to the decades-long jihadist insurgency. Twenty members of the group remain in Sulu and Basilan provinces, and negotiations are ongoing for their surrender. (Atlas News) (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- https://theatlasnews.co/latest/2024/03/22/philippine-general-says-abu-sayyaf-group-is-dismantled/
- https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1922001/abu-sayyaf-now-dismantled-after-over-three-decades-says-westmincom-chief
Disasters and accidents

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says that at least 65 bodies have been discovered at a mass grave in the Libyan Desert. The IOM says the bodies are those of migrants who were being smuggled towards Europe. (BBC News)
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-68640792
Law and crime

The Bundesrat approves a partial legalization of cannabis in Germany, which is expected to come into effect on April 1. (DW)
- https://www.dw.com/en/germany-approves-partial-legalization-of-cannabis-from-april/a-68641043