Portal:Current events/2019 February 16

February 16, 2019 (Saturday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

Syrian Civil War
- Battle of Baghuz Fawqani
  - The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have taken control of Al-Baghuz Fawqani, following the surrender of the last remaining ISIL militants in the town. (Reuters)
Sinai insurgency
- Militants attacked an army checkpoint in Sinai Peninsula killing and injuring 15. It is believed that 11 soldiers were killed but that has not been confirmed. Seven militants also died in the attack. (The National) (The Times of Israel)
Boko Haram suicide bombers and a gunman kill 8 and injure 15 in an attack in Maiduguri, Nigeria. All three attackers were later killed. (Al Jazeera)
Afghanistan War
- 32 Afghan border security troops are killed by a Taliban attack in Kandahar, Afghanistan. (The New York Times)

Disasters and accidents

At least 24 miners are found dead and dozens are still missing after two mines were flooded two days ago in Battlefields, Zimbabwe. (Al Jazeera)

Politics and elections

2019 Nigerian general election
- Voting is delayed in Nigeria for a week, hours before polling was due to start because of violent incidents in the lead up to the election. (BBC News)
2019 North Korea–United States Hanoi Summit Vietnam
- North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un is to arrive in Vietnam on February 25 ahead of the second summit meeting between the two leaders on February 27–28 in Hanoi. (Reuters)
2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis
- United States Air Force C-17s land at Cúcuta near the Colombia–Venezuela border, the aircraft are loaded with humanitarian aid intended for Venezuela. (ABC News)
Political appointments by Donald Trump
- State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert withdraws from consideration for the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations nomination. Jonathan Cohen has been serving in that position since January 1, 2019, following Nikki Haley's resignation. (NPR)

Sports