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Ukraine’s defense ministry says up to 500 insurgents attacked government troops in one clash in eastern Ukraine that left 20 insurgents dead.
The ministry said in a statement Friday the clash took place Thursday as a convoy of Ukrainian troops was attacked outside the eastern village of Rubizhne.
Tuareg rebels have made further advances in northern Mali and have seized two towns, Kidal and Menaka, the United Nations confirmed on Thursday.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that fighters from the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) had taken the towns after clashes with Malian government forces.
At least 13 are dead in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region after pro-Russian insurgents carried out a surprise assault on Ukrainian soldiers who were manning a checkpoint early Thursday. It was the deadliest single raid in a more than a month of violent episodes.
Citing Interim President Oleksandr Turchynov, Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported 13 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in the shootout, and several more were wounded in bucolic Blahodatne, a typically quiet village about 18 miles south of the regional capital Donetsk.
Thailand’s army chief declared a coup Thursday, detaining key party leaders and suspending the constitution in what he said was a bid to restore order and institute political reform after six months of political chaos and violence.
Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, flanked by military leaders and the Thai police chief, announced the military takeover in a televised address.
Tuareg rebels in Mali say they have defeated government forces in heavy fighting for control of the key northern town of Kidal.
Several government soldiers were killed, wounded or captured, a rebel spokesman said.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate ceasefire.