Thomas van Linge

Freelance journalist/researcher with a passion for democracy, human rights & wildlife preservation. Reporting on wars, uprisings & conservation

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

This thread is only a fraction of what I've seen & what people told me in Sagaing, Myanmar.

If any editors would be interested in any stories about Sagaing, the people, fighters, refugees, war crimes, drone units etc, or if anyone know of any editors who might, my DMs are open!

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

I have just come back Myanmar 🇲🇲 where I spent two weeks traveling around the resistance-held territories of the Sagaing region. Its a remote region which no other foreign press has managed to visit since the start of the war five years ago.

I'll share some impressions below 🧵

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

Libya 🇱🇾: Meanwhile on the other side of Tripoli protesters have started burning tires to block one of the main roads in the capital.

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

Libya 🇱🇾: images spread by the October 28 student movement, claiming to show protesters which, despite the threats from Libyan authorities, have gathered on Tripoli's Martyr's Square.

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

Libya 🇱🇾: images spread by the October 28 student movement, claiming to show protesters which, despite the threats from Libyan authorities, have gathered on Tripoli's Martyr's Square.

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

Student protests announced in Libya 🇱🇾

Libyan students are calling for nationwide protests tomorrow (October 28), demanding an end to persistent power cuts, economic hardships, 15 years of insecurity and a date for presidential and parliamentary elections.

[SERBIA ELECTS 🇷🇸 @serbia_elects]

The Student Movement announced today that students have reason to believe that a certain interest group will attempt to stage incidents in Belgrade tonight.

"They will try to shift the blame onto the students. We urge you not to respond to such calls", the SL stated.
https://t.co/pePJSf3aom

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

Despite territorial setbacks resistance around Indaw and in northern Sagaing remains very strong, and the terrain is the worst nightmare of any conventional military force.

It witnessed it myself when I was there.

Myanmar 🇲🇲.

[John @JohnSevenTwo]

In early October, the junta sent two columns out of Indaw, one toward Wuntho and one toward Htigyaing. Together they numbered an estimated 300–500 troops at the start.
Reports state they suffered hundreds of casualties, including killed and defected troops, and say both columns are surrounded and unable to advance.

The Wuntho-bound column has also reportedly abandoned its original objective and is now trying to link up with the second column.

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

Ursula mostly has herself to blame for this. Having a sort of associate membership and drawing countries like Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand into this makes a lot of sense for Europe, but it was not up to Ursula to invent it on the spot and immediately grant it to Canada without the member states even being aware of its existence.

[POLITICOEurope @POLITICOEurope]

🚨 BREAKING: EU countries have dropped the idea of offering Canada "associate member" status in the 27-member bloc, opting instead for softer language promising "ever closer association," according to a draft statement, seen by POLITICO.

Full story: https://t.co/5OQimYrZVc

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

Never lol. This way the Venezuelan regime can continue to claim the anti-imperialist mantle while perfectly avoiding ever having to vote against the Trump admin.

[Stephen Gibbs @STHGibbs]

Is Venezuela going to pay its UN dues at some stage, so it can take part in these votes?

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

The return of Maria Corina has rekindled Venezuelan politics, both in the parties and the streets, after a near-complete freeze following Jan 3.

It has encouraged Venezuelans to fight for their rights, but will likely also move the regime to show its true ugly repressive nature

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

Venezuela 🇻🇪: a tense scuffle broke out in Caracas today as police forces blocked the family members of political prisoners from marching on Miraflores in the city center.

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

Venezuela 🇻🇪: a tense scuffle broke out in Caracas today as police forces blocked the family members of political prisoners from marching on Miraflores in the city center.

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

Rwanda, het land wat door middel van proxygroep M23 momenteel Congo binnenvalt, in wat een schrikbarend lijkt op de Russische strategie in de Donbas in 2014-2022?

Principes voor ons continent, maar niet voor in Afrika.

[floor bremer @floorbremer]

Nieuws: Nederland gaat samen met vier andere Europese landen uitgeprocedeerde asielzoekers naar Rwanda sturen. Daar komt de eerste 'terugkeerhub'. https://t.co/fqQ857zPCI

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

'One former police officer, who warned colleagues against beating up & shooting protesters, received an anonymous threat saying: “The first bullet is for you."'

It looks like a coup in Serbia 🇷🇸 was averted last minute by none other than Viktor Orban. https://t.co/M09Pf3lNuG

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

The story of Mary Mubaiwa has to be one of the craziest and cruelest court cases I've ever heard about.

The former model became the trophy wife of Zimbabwean military head and coup leader Constantino Chiwenga. But they had a falling out and he accused her of attempting to murder him by pulling out a tube, while he was in hospital in South Africa.

Despite no evidence of the accusation, she was imprisoned and charged with murder. While in prison she suffered from severe lymphedema, a painful condition causing massive swelling in her limbs. She was systematically denied medical care and ended up losing an arm and a leg due to the severity of the illness.

And while she was wasting away in prison, Chiwenga got everything in the divorce, remarried within three years. He is currenty the Vice-President.

[BBC News Africa @BBCAfrica]

The former wife of Zimbabwe's vice-president has been freed from remand after seven years while on trial for his attempted murder.
https://t.co/GjUeWjdZFI

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

@nicksoley As long as Russia can get its Red Sea base and destabilise the international order even further by encouraging another country to invade its neighbour it’s a win/win for the Kremlin

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

As Ethiopia’s government has become an embattled regime, fighting rebels at home while seeking territorial expansion abroad it is slowly drifting into the Russian orbit.

[Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 @AbiyAhmedAli]

Our comprehensive efforts to sustainably ensure our country's peace and security have reached a new milestone today. The state of readiness being built within Ethiopia's defense forces is endowing the nation with the capability to preemptively deter aggression.

In accordance with our prior agreement with the Russian government, we have today taken delivery of the first twelve Su-35 4++ Generation fighter jets. Additionally, Ethiopia will receive four S-400 air defense system batteries.

I would like to express my gratitude to my friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin, for his dedication in ensuring we received these warplanes a year ahead of our agreed schedule. By equipping itself with these fighter jets, Ethiopia has taken the lead among Sub-Saharan African nations.

This historic achievement further strengthens our nation's sovereignty, and it will serve as a massive capability boost that allows us to confidently continue our journey toward ensuring our collective security and regional stability in the future.

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

The US was so worried with Maria Corina destabilizing the transitional process that they haven't taken into account her mere presence in Venezula alone could turn the regime into the destabilizing factor.

As MCM continues to demonstrate popular support, the risk of regime lashing out or becoming a liability is very real.

[Gabriel Bastidas @Gbastidas]

Quién le recomendó hacer esto jahdjahjahhadj

Delcy es LAURA total.

Todo es muy deprimente. Se traba al hablar. Intentan imitiar los actos de MCM con las luces de los celulares, y les sale mal. La gente yéndose con la peor de las ondas. Y el cafecito 😭😭😭

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

a clear cycle is taking shape in Sudan 🇸🇩

The RSF knocks out the energy grid, plunging entire cities into darkness, while the SAF targets busy marketplaces, seeking to maximize casualties

Both with the same goal: making life for civilians impossible in the other one's territory

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

@casusbellii Well, elections are scheduled for Kenya next year with Ruto seeking another term. And observers fear it might get ugly.

Being only close the West might be a risk if Ruto ends up needing to do what needs to be done to stay in power.

[Thomas van Linge @ThomasVLinge]

At least with Maduro (like with Chavez) you could see he enjoyed the rallies, the dancing on stage, the loud music, the cheap tracksuits.

Delcy hates this stuff, god knows she pretends otherwise, but the difference in energy between her and Maduro or Chavez is night and day.

[Emmanuel Rincón @EmmaRincon]

Delcy ayer: “La política no es un circo”

Delcy hoy:

[Mark Leon Goldberg @MarkLGoldberg]

At Nusseibeh's town hall @yonahdiamond asks a *very* pointed question about the UAE's complicity in Sudan

She answers that she no longer works for the UAE gov, so those questions should be directed there. She stresses that ending the Sudan war would be a top priority.

[كريم @Idlibie]

This is a real photo of one of the victims. Stop using AI slop to desecrate the memory of the martyrs