Jump to content

Zaria Quds Day massacres: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 11°04′N 7°42′E / 11.067°N 7.700°E / 11.067; 7.700
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Yobot (talk | contribs)
Bots
4,733,870 edits
m Removed invisible unicode characters + other fixes, replaced: → (6) using AWB (11759)
m →top: Clean up spacing around commas and other punctuation fixes, replaced: ,f → , f, ,t → , t, inline, title → inline,title
 
(40 intermediate revisions by 29 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Attack on a Quds Day parade by the Nigerian military}}
{{Refimprove|date=December 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
'''Zaria Quds massacres''' (or '''Zaria Quds Days massacres''') refers to an incident on July 26, 2014, when the [[Nigerian Army]] opened fire on the members of [[Islamic Movement (Nigeria)|Islamic Movement]] in [[Zaria]], [[Nigeria]], who were taking part in [[Quds Day|Quds day]] rallies, and killed 35 people,<ref>{{cite web|last1=PM News|title=Nigerian government investigating alleged killing of Elzakzaky kids,followers/ |url=http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2014/07/26/army-investigating-alleged-killing-of-elzakzaky-kids-followers/|accessdate=10 April 2015}}</ref>
{{Infobox civilian attack
including three sons of [[Ibrahim Zakzaky]] leader of the movement.<ref name="Punch">{{cite news |last=Isenyo |first=Godwin |work=Punch Nigeria |title=Soldiers killed three of my sons, 32 others– El-Zakzaky |url=http://www.punchng.com/news/soldiers-killed-three-of-my-sons-32-others-el-zakzaky/ |accessdate=20 April 2015}}</ref> The Movement and Islamic Human rights groups have claimed that Nigerian government's close ties with Israel is responsible for the attacks on the pro-Palestinian group.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
| title = Zaria Quds day massacres
| partof =
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| map = {{Location map|Nigeria|lat_deg = 11.0855409|lon_deg = 7.7199454|label = Zaria| border = none | float = center|caption = }}
| latitude =
| longitude =
| map_caption = Location of [[Zaria]] in Nigeria
| location = [[Zaria]], [[Kaduna State]], Nigeria
| coordinates = {{coord|11|04|N|7|42|E|region:NG|display=inline,title}}
| target = [[Shia Islam in Nigeria|Shia community]], [[Islamic Movement (Nigeria)|Islamic Movement of Nigeria]]
| date = {{End date|2014|07|25|df=y}}
| time-begin =
| time-end =
| timezone =
| type =
| fatalities = 25<ref name="PM"/>
| injuries =
| perps = [[Nigerian Army]]
| victims =
| weapons =
| motive =
}}
'''Zaria Quds massacres''' (or '''Zaria Quds massacres''') refers to an incident on 25 July 2014, when the [[Nigerian Army]] opened fire on members of the [[Islamic Movement (Nigeria)|Islamic Movement]] who were taking part in [[Quds Day|Quds day]] rallies, and killed 35 people,<ref name="PM">{{cite web|last1=PM News|title=Nigerian government investigating alleged killing of Elzakzaky kids, followers/ |url=http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2014/07/26/army-investigating-alleged-killing-of-elzakzaky-kids-followers/|access-date=10 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaffery |first1=Cono |title=Who is Sheikh Zakzaky, Nigeria's Most Powerful Shiite Muslim? |url=https://www.newsweek.com/who-sheikh-zakzaky-nigerias-most-powerful-shiite-muslim-405297 |access-date=22 July 2019 |work=Newsweek |date=16 December 2015 |language=en}}</ref> including three sons of [[Ibrahim Zakzaky]], leader of the movement.<ref name="Punch">{{cite news |last=Isenyo |first=Godwin |work=Punch Nigeria |title=Soldiers killed three of my sons, 32 others– El-Zakzaky |url=http://www.punchng.com/news/soldiers-killed-three-of-my-sons-32-others-el-zakzaky/ |access-date=20 April 2015 |archive-date=27 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727111607/http://www.punchng.com/news/soldiers-killed-three-of-my-sons-32-others-el-zakzaky/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Islamic Movement and [[Islamic Human Rights Commission]] claimed that Nigerian government's ties with Israel were responsible for the attacks on the pro-Palestinian group.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />


== Cause of the incident ==
==Course of events==
The incident occurred barely three days after twin bomb attacks had taken place in Kaduna State. According to eyewitnesses, the demonstrators approached a military checkpoint, where they were ordered by soldiers to take another route. The demonstrators rebuffed the order and a standoff ensued. Soldiers then fired warning shots in an attempt to scare the protesters, but the protesters surged forward and threw rocks at the soldiers. As a result, the soldiers opened fire.<ref name=":1" />
From reports gathered from eyewitnesses, it was said that the incident happened following the resistance of Shi’ite members to allow a military patrol van to pass through their procession.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = Sheikh Zakzaky’s 3 sons, 9 others died in Nigerian troops, Shiite Muslims Clash|url = http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/sheikh-zakzakys-son-10-others-died-nigerian-troops-shiite-muslims-clash/|website = Vanguard News|publisher = https://plus.google.com/+vanguardnewspaper|accessdate = 2015-12-21|language = en-US}}</ref> Trouble started, according to Sunday Vanguard sources, when the sect members, on approaching a military check-point, were ordered by the soldiers there to take another route in view of the insecurity challenge in Kaduna State. It was said that the Shiite group rebuffed the order and, in the process, a standoff ensued between the protesters and the soldiers. This development, according to eyewitnesses, resulted in soldiers firing warning shots into the air to scare the protesters. The Shiites were said to have defied the shots and surged forward while throwing stones at the soldiers. However, addressing journalists, yesterday, on the incident, Zakzaky said, “I am appealing to my followers to be patient and remain calm. After the burial of those killed, we will decide what action to take. I have communicated with the authorities, and they are all claiming not to be aware of the operation. It is my belief that the operation was ordered from Abuja”.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url = http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/35-feared-killed-shiites-members-soldiers-clash-zaria/|title = 35 killed as soldiers, Islamic sect clash|last = |first = |date = 26 July 2014|work = Vanguard|access-date = |via = }}</ref>


== Statements ==
⚫
Ibrahim Musa, the editor of Al-Mizan, the weekly newspaper published by the group, said in a statement, “Reports reaching our news desk now indicated that some soldiers of the Nigerian army have opened fire on the tail end of the Quds procession held after Jumaat prayers in Zaria, Kaduna State. “... The Quds procession was held today peacefully in more than 10 Nigerian cities. Why the attack on the Zaria procession?" <ref name=":0" />
Zakzaky said, <blockquote>I am appealing to my followers to be patient and remain calm. After the burial of those killed, we will decide what action to take. I have communicated with the authorities, and they are all claiming not to be aware of the operation. It is my belief that the operation was ordered from Abuja.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url = http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/35-feared-killed-shiites-members-soldiers-clash-zaria/|title = 35 killed as soldiers, Islamic sect clash|date = 26 July 2014|work = Vanguard}}</ref></blockquote>


⚫
Ibrahim Musa, the editor of Al-Mizan, the weekly newspaper published by the group, said in a statement, "Reports reaching our news desk now indicated that some soldiers of the Nigerian army have opened fire on the tail end of the Quds procession held after Jumaat prayers in Zaria, Kaduna State. The Quds procession was held today peacefully in more than 10 Nigerian cities. Why the attack on the Zaria procession?"<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = Sheikh Zakzaky's 3 sons, 9 others died in Nigerian troops, Shiite Muslims Clash|url = http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/sheikh-zakzakys-son-10-others-died-nigerian-troops-shiite-muslims-clash/|website = Vanguard News|access-date = 21 December 2015}}</ref>
⚫
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. –Gen. Olajide Laleye, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by telephone that the investigation would establish what happened. “However, what is already clear is that Nigerian Army troops did not initiate firing and only acted in self-defence after being fired upon,” Laleye said.<ref name=":1" />

⚫
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Olajide Laleye, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the investigation would establish what happened. “However, what is already clear is that Nigerian Army troops did not initiate firing and only acted in self-defence after being fired upon,” Laleye said.<ref name=":1" />


== Motives behind the attack ==
== Motives behind the attack ==
[[Islamic Movement (Nigeria)|IMN]] and [[Islamic Human Rights Commission|Islamic Human rights Commission]] among other Islamic NGO's have claimed that Nigerian government's close ties with Israel prompted the attack. The Chair of [[Islamic Human Rights Commission|IHRC]], Massoud Shadjareh said:<blockquote>This is a heinous act, that sadly is not isolated in the history of this event in Nigeria. It appears that Nigerian security co-operation with Israel grows year on year, with its military targeting peaceful pro-Palestinian activism. It is disgusting. We extend our condolences to the families of the deceased, who must be considered far flung victims of [[2014 Israel–Gaza conflict|the latest Israeli aggression]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url = http://www.ihrc.org.uk/activities/press-releases/11138-nigeria-quds-2014|title = Press release: NIGERIA - 14 killed, scores injured as military open fire on pro-Palestinian demonstration|date = 25 July 2014|accessdate = |website = ihrc.org.uk|publisher = Islamic Human Rights Commission|last = |first = }}</ref></blockquote>S.M. Mohamed Idris, Chariman of Citizens International, Malaysia said in a written statement that the killings must be seen in the context of the growing security co-operation between Israel and Nigeria after President [[Goodluck Jonathan]]’s visit to Israel last October. "The crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters appears to be the consideration for the security assistance provided by the Zionist regime. It is a shame that the current Nigerian government has abandoned the decades-long support of the Nigerian people and government for the Palestinian liberation struggle." <ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url = http://www.ihrc.org.uk/activities/press-releases/11148-nigeria-sever-all-relations-with-israel|title = Nigeria: Sever all relations with Israel|date = 4 August 2014|accessdate = |website = Islamic Human Rights Commission|publisher = |last = |first = }}</ref>
The [[Islamic Movement (Nigeria)|IMN]] and the [[Islamic Human Rights Commission]] (IHRC), among other Islamic NGOs, claimed that the Nigerian government's close ties with Israel prompted the attack. The chair of the IHRC, Massoud Shadjareh, said:<blockquote>This is a heinous act, that sadly is not isolated in the history of this event in Nigeria. It appears that Nigerian security co-operation with Israel grows year on year, with its military targeting peaceful pro-Palestinian activism. It is disgusting. We extend our condolences to the families of the deceased, who must be considered far flung victims of [[2014 Israel–Gaza conflict|the latest Israeli aggression]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url = http://www.ihrc.org.uk/activities/press-releases/11138-nigeria-quds-2014|title = Press release: NIGERIA - 14 killed, scores injured as military open fire on pro-Palestinian demonstration|date = 25 July 2014|website = ihrc.org.uk|publisher = Islamic Human Rights Commission}}</ref></blockquote>S. M. Mohamed Idris, Chairman of Citizens International, Malaysia said: <blockquote>The crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters appears to be the consideration for the security assistance provided by the Zionist regime. It is a shame that the current Nigerian government has abandoned the decades-long support of the Nigerian people and government for the Palestinian liberation struggle.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url = http://www.ihrc.org.uk/activities/press-releases/11148-nigeria-sever-all-relations-with-israel|title = Nigeria: Sever all relations with Israel|date = 4 August 2014|website = Islamic Human Rights Commission}}</ref></blockquote>

==See also==
* [[2015 Zaria massacre]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


[[Category:Massacres in Nigeria]]
[[Category:2010s massacres in Nigeria]]
[[Category:July 2014 events in Nigeria]]
[[Category:July 2014 crimes in Africa]]
[[Category:2014 murders in Nigeria]]
[[Category:Massacres committed by Nigeria]]
[[Category:Massacres in 2014]]
[[Category:Israel–Nigeria relations]]
[[Category:Nigeria–State of Palestine relations]]
[[Category:2014 Gaza War]]
[[Category:Massacres of protesters in Africa]]
[[Category:2014 in international relations]]
[[Category:Massacres of Shia Muslims]]
[[Category:2014 in Islam]]
[[Category:Zaria]]
[[Category:Crime in Kaduna State]]
[[Category:21st century in Kaduna State]]
[[Category:Anti-Palestinian sentiment]]

Latest revision as of 01:39, 3 November 2024

Zaria Quds day massacres
Zaria is located in Nigeria
Zaria
Zaria
Location of Zaria in Nigeria
LocationZaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Coordinates11°04′N 7°42′E / 11.067°N 7.700°E / 11.067; 7.700
Date25 July 2014 (2014-07-25)
TargetShia community, Islamic Movement of Nigeria
Deaths25[1]
PerpetratorsNigerian Army

Zaria Quds massacres (or Zaria Quds massacres) refers to an incident on 25 July 2014, when the Nigerian Army opened fire on members of the Islamic Movement who were taking part in Quds day rallies, and killed 35 people,[1][2] including three sons of Ibrahim Zakzaky, leader of the movement.[3] The Islamic Movement and Islamic Human Rights Commission claimed that Nigerian government's ties with Israel were responsible for the attacks on the pro-Palestinian group.[4][5]

Course of events

[edit]

The incident occurred barely three days after twin bomb attacks had taken place in Kaduna State. According to eyewitnesses, the demonstrators approached a military checkpoint, where they were ordered by soldiers to take another route. The demonstrators rebuffed the order and a standoff ensued. Soldiers then fired warning shots in an attempt to scare the protesters, but the protesters surged forward and threw rocks at the soldiers. As a result, the soldiers opened fire.[6]

Statements

[edit]

Zakzaky said,

I am appealing to my followers to be patient and remain calm. After the burial of those killed, we will decide what action to take. I have communicated with the authorities, and they are all claiming not to be aware of the operation. It is my belief that the operation was ordered from Abuja.[6]

Ibrahim Musa, the editor of Al-Mizan, the weekly newspaper published by the group, said in a statement, "Reports reaching our news desk now indicated that some soldiers of the Nigerian army have opened fire on the tail end of the Quds procession held after Jumaat prayers in Zaria, Kaduna State. The Quds procession was held today peacefully in more than 10 Nigerian cities. Why the attack on the Zaria procession?"[7]

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Olajide Laleye, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the investigation would establish what happened. “However, what is already clear is that Nigerian Army troops did not initiate firing and only acted in self-defence after being fired upon,” Laleye said.[6]

Motives behind the attack

[edit]

The IMN and the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), among other Islamic NGOs, claimed that the Nigerian government's close ties with Israel prompted the attack. The chair of the IHRC, Massoud Shadjareh, said:

This is a heinous act, that sadly is not isolated in the history of this event in Nigeria. It appears that Nigerian security co-operation with Israel grows year on year, with its military targeting peaceful pro-Palestinian activism. It is disgusting. We extend our condolences to the families of the deceased, who must be considered far flung victims of the latest Israeli aggression.[4]

S. M. Mohamed Idris, Chairman of Citizens International, Malaysia said:

The crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters appears to be the consideration for the security assistance provided by the Zionist regime. It is a shame that the current Nigerian government has abandoned the decades-long support of the Nigerian people and government for the Palestinian liberation struggle.[5]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b PM News. "Nigerian government investigating alleged killing of Elzakzaky kids, followers/". Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  2. ^ Gaffery, Cono (16 December 2015). "Who is Sheikh Zakzaky, Nigeria's Most Powerful Shiite Muslim?". Newsweek. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  3. ^ Isenyo, Godwin. "Soldiers killed three of my sons, 32 others– El-Zakzaky". Punch Nigeria. Archived from the original on 27 July 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Press release: NIGERIA - 14 killed, scores injured as military open fire on pro-Palestinian demonstration". ihrc.org.uk. Islamic Human Rights Commission. 25 July 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Nigeria: Sever all relations with Israel". Islamic Human Rights Commission. 4 August 2014.
  6. ^ a b c "35 killed as soldiers, Islamic sect clash". Vanguard. 26 July 2014.
  7. ^ "Sheikh Zakzaky's 3 sons, 9 others died in Nigerian troops, Shiite Muslims Clash". Vanguard News. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Zaria_Quds_Day_massacres&oldid=1255084089"