January 4, 2005

• 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake: Three Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels are killed in a clash with the Indonesian military in the northern Aceh province. Fighting broke out apparently when Indonesian troops attempted to escort aid trucks. Both sides claim the other are taking advantage of the devastation left from the tsunamis. (ABC Australia) (News.com.au)
• Conflict in Iraq: Governor of Baghdad Ali al-Haidri is assassinated in a roadside ambush in the Iraqi capital. (BBC)
• Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Seven Palestinians are killed when an Israeli tank opens fire on farmland in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian presidential candidate and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas responds to the deaths with a strong verbal attack on the "Zionist enemy" Israel. Six of the dead were from the same family, including an 11-year-old boy. All the dead were civilians younger than 18. (The Guardian) (BBC) (BBC)
• In Peru, Antauro Humala, the leader of the Movimiento Etnocacerista, turns himself in, thereby ending the hostage crisis. (Reuters) (BBC)
• The Algerian government announces a crackdown on the GIA rebel organization. Its leader Nourredine Boudiafi was arrested and his deputy Chaabane Younes killed in operation two months ago. (Afrol) (Reuters) (BBC)
• In Burundi, government forces and members of various armed groups begin to join to form a national army. (BBC)
• In Malawi, three members of the ruling United Democratic Front party are arrested for carrying guns to a meeting with the president Bingu wa Mutharika. They are later released on bail. (Reuters Alertnet) (Nation Onliune, Malawi) (BBC)