June 2011 Current Events: World News
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Here are the key events in world news for the month of June 2011.
Injured in Attack, President Saleh Leaves Yemen (June 3): Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh barely survives an attack when a bomb hits the mosque at the presidential compound where he and other government officials are praying. Saleh and a half dozen other officials are wounded. Saleh claims he's fine in a two-minute audio message, but his words are slurred as if he is under sedation. The Ahmar family, opposition leaders whose militia has been fighting Saleh's troops for nearly two weeks, is blamed for the attack. (June 4): Saleh arrives in Saudi Arabia for medical treatment for injuries sustained in the attack. Al Qaeda and other jihadists exploit Saleh's departure and the existing the unrest to solidify their base in Yemen. (June 8): The Obama administration sends armed drones and fighter jets to Yemen to strike militant suspects linked to al-Qaeda in an attempt to keep the militants from consolidating power during the current political chaos.
Li Na and Rafael Nadal Win French Open (June 5): Li Na, a 29-year-old from China, wins the French Open women's championship. She beat last year's winner, Francesca Schiavone, 6-4, 7-6 (0) to become the first player (male or female) from Asia to win a Grand Slam singles crown. Rafael Nadal, of Spain, beat rival Roger Federer 7-5, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-1 to take the men's crown for the sixth time. In doing so, Nadal ties the record held by Björn Borg for most French Open men's singles championships.
Killing of a 13-year-old Boy Fuels Protests in Syria (June 3): Syrians pour into the streets, creating some of the largest antigovernment protests in the face of a brutal government crackdown that has killed more than 1,000 people. The protests are fueled by anger over the torture and killing of Hamza al-Khateeb, a 13-year-old boy. Marches are dedicated to him and other children who have been killed during the uprising. The protests continue even though Syria's internet has been shut down. As with other uprisings in the region, the internet has been a critical tool in organizing protests. (June 12): Syrian forces regain control over Jisr al-Shoughour, crushing a mutinous alliance of armed civilians and soldiers there. The seige on the northern Syrian town causes thousands of residents to leave, most of them fleeing to Turkey.
Somalis Kill East African Al-Qaeda Leader (June 11): Somali Soldiers kill Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, the leader of al-Qaeda in East Africa and the mastermind behind the American embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. Mohammed and another militant are killed in a shootout after mistakenly driving up to a security checkpoint in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital.
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