In the evening Aug 17 Tunisian Coast Guard patrol boat intercepted fishing vessel with illegal migrants off Sfax, Tunis, in their attempt to make way to Italy. When ordered to stop, migrants started to throw Molotov cocktails at CG boat. Accidentally or intentionally, migrants set their vessel on fire. 14 migrants of Congo, Ivory Coast and Tunisian nationalities were rescued and arrested. At least 4 migrants died. Source: Maritime Bulletin
Germany will not be sending any more ships to take part in the anti-people smuggling operation Sophia in the Mediterranean Sea, according to a senior military office. Source: Deutsche Welle
A Turkish charity group is building the biggest mosque of the Balkans in the Albanian capital Tirana, according to a statement on Friday.
In a written statement, the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV) — linked to the state Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) — said the Namazgah Mosque will be completed and open for worship by the end of this year. Source: Anadolu Agency
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, stoking a war of words between Rome and Paris, said on Tuesday that France did not want to bring calm to Libya because its energy interests there clashed with those of Italy. Source Channel New Asia
