indonesia's president visits the size of thursday's bombing in jakarta as the must not hunt continues for the main suspect. hello, i'm nick clark at al jazeera's headquarters in doha. iraq's top shia cleric demands that the government do more to stop sectarian violence. who the hell knows if you can even serve in office. >> the gloves come off during the latest debate among u.s. republican rivals. also coming up. i'm lawrence lee between denmark and sweden which has

turned into a new people smuggling route to get to scandinavian countries that are starting to close their borders to refugees. an indonesian police are searching for a man they believe is the top suspect from the jakarta attacks. he's an indonesian with suspected links to islamic state of iraq and the levant or isil. the several were killed in explosions and gun battles. we have the latest development. >> they've been accused of being caught off guard. police in indonesia are now trying to find out who was involved in thursday's attacks. they have evidence an exconvict which joined isil in syria may have planned the attack. >> they gave the record from syria. he has also the chief, that he

the one basically -- >> in jakarta. >> jakarta. >> the alleged leader is still on the run. three others were arrested in a suburb suspected of platting the attack. police have not confirmed if they are involved in thursday's attacks. analysts say an estimated 120 indonesians have been trained to commit isil inspired attacks. >> they have training camps. they have been top syria now. they have been fighting as warlords in the jungle and trained in difficult circumstances. we have information that they have received money from isil through people in china. >> analysts say the authorities were taken by surprise on thursday in an intelligence stranger. stricter laws are being discussed. >> you look at u.s. experience in afghanistan, iraq and somewhere else with hard

approach not solve the problem. it can make the situation become much worse. >> indonesia's largest muslim organization with more than 40 million members together with leaders from other relegions called isil an enemy of islam. they plan a peace rally this weekend to condemn isil. >> terrorists are our own common enemies, the enemy of the indonesian people, of the indonesian state be of our religious communities. terrorism is against humanity, against religion, especially against islam. >> out torts are conducting raised in several parts of the country, hoping to announce some new tashfeen malik arrests. al jazeera, jakarta. >> iraq's top shia religious authorities is urging the government to do more to stop

sectarian violence. there was a bombing north of baghdad. the attack was claimed by isil. locals indicate a reprical attack on sunni mosques and businesses. >> a few days ago, the town in the province witnessed terrorist attacks, regrettable attacks on mosques and houses of civilians which will have dangerous consequences on peaceful people of this country. >> we are joined live from baghdad. muhammed, tell us the significance of this intervention from the grand ayatollah. >> this really shows just how much of a concern there is across iraq right now of deepening sectarian tensions. it's quite significant what's happened in the past week, and that's why ayatollah spoke out

about it. you had in the province, first of all an attack by isil fighters going after cafes in which it is known that shia militia men are usually in. then after that, you had these tit for tat reprisal attacks. in the days after that, the first attack was monday, then starting tuesday and sort several days after that, you had attacks sense soon mosques and shops owned by as soon as possible's in the province. that's something that is of great concern to the government right now, at a time when there is already so much of a security concern, because of how much territory isil has in this country and the fight against isil, now you have this wave of sectarian attacks going on. it really just couldn't come at a worst time. the fact that the ayatollah talked about this today through his spokesperson in his sermon, because he has such support, it really goes to show just how

high this concern reached here in iraq at such a trouble time. nick. >> what kind of influence will his words bring to bear do you think on this situation? >> that's a good question, because the ayatollah wasn't just condemning the different attacks. he was also laying blame for the security situation here, a situation in which these kind of attacks can happen. he was laying blame at the feet of the government, saying the government needs to do more. certainly this isn't the first time that the ayatollah has been critical of iraq's government or leaders or said they needed to do more to ensure the safety of the citizenry of this country. coming as it is right now goes to show just how worried everybody is. you have multiple fronts in the fight against isil going on concurrently in iraq. you have still isil in control of mosul in the north, and

iraq's government, iraq's security forces haven't yet entered mosul to fight isil. you have a fight still verge raging in rimadi, even though government forces were able to retake the center, the government complex of rimadi, still fighting isil in the north and east. then you have other pockets, areas where isil are trying to do resurgent attacks. it's a very complicated situation. whatever the government may come out and say in response to the ayatollah's remarks today, well, that still remains to be seen. they can't really say much. their hands are kind of tied, because in iraq, by and large, when you speak to the average man or woman on the street, they seem to believe that the remarks by iraq's government when it comes to their fight against isil and trying to ensure the security of the citizenry of this country, they seem to believe that that's a lot of propaganda. there's not a lot of trust in the government or the government institutions here in this country, and that's why they're going to need to respond to these remarks and show that they're going above and beyond to try to protect people here.

nick. >> thanks for that update. residents from the syrian besieged told world food program officers that 32 people died of starvation there in the past month. witnesses confirmed the death of a 16-year-old. both sides in the syrian conflict were warned against using starvation as a weapon of war. james bays handling. >> more aid is finally delivered to the starving people of madaya, a town block indicated by the syrian government. this is the second delivery of food and medicine this week. before that, the town was cut off for three months. at least 28 people died from starvation. in some of his strongest comments yet, after almost five years of war in syria, the u.n. secretary general ban ki-moon told the j general assembly this was a war crime.

>> the power has been the victim of deliberate starvation. let me be clear, the use of food as a weapon of war is a war crime. all sides, including the syrian government, which has the primary responsibility to protect syrians, are committing atrocious acts prohibited under international human law. >> afterwards, he told reporters that the sieged areas where 400,000 people in syria are cut off from food and assistance should be on the agenda at syrian peace talking about in geneva due to start in 10 days. >> i think in addition to and parallel to political negotiation, is how to deliver human assistance without any impediment should be discussed. this is a very important confidence believe measures.

>> the u.n. security council will be meeting to discuss the besieged areas in syria in an open session on friday. did he spite the fact that ban ki-moon has described these as war crimes, the council won't be taking any action on that. a referral to the international criminal court requires a vote by the security council, and it's certain on an issue like this that russia and china would use their veto. james bays, al jazeera at the united nations. kenya's military said it's streets are battling al shabab fighters who stormed a base in somalia. the fighters say it is in control of the compound. al shabab launched several raised in somalia on bases last year. >> the u.n. has documented cases of security forces in burundi gang raping women during searches of opposition supporters' homes. at least nine mass graves have

been reported in and around the captain it will bujumbura. one is said to contain the bodies of 100 people, all reportedly killed on december 11 in 2015. violence has worsened in burundi since the current president decided to run for a third term. opponents say the move was illegal. more than 400 have been killed and 200,000 others fled the country. health workers in sierra leone say a woman who initially tested positive for ebola died this week. she came into contact with at least 27 others. this comes just a day after the world health organization declared the west african ebola epidemic to be over. guinea, sierra leone and liberia struggled to contain the outbreak after the first reported case back in december, 2013. still to come on the program, an oil refinery in flames in southern yemen after a bomb was set off.

comedy house to the presidency, guatemala's new leader gets serious about putting his country together.

>> "inside story" takes you beyond the headlines, beyond the quick cuts, beyond the soundbites. we're giving you a deeper dive into the stories that are making our world what it is. indonesian police are looking for a man named as the coordinator of thursday's jakarta attacks. three other suspects have been arrested. seven people, including five attackers were killed. iraq's top religious leader urges the government to do more

to stop violence where there have been revenge attacks object sunni mosques. people in madaya said 32 people starved to death this there in the last month. the u.n. is reminding all sides that it is a war crime to use starvation as a weapon. six volunteers of a medical drug trial in france are critically ill, one in a coma after taking oral medication. the six people were in good health before that. the trials for the drug on the unnamed european laboratory has been unnamed, the trials were for a pain killer containing cannabis. poor economic physician

weigh on european markets which opened higher but quickly fell. the hike hey index fell to more of a low within a year. >> in yemen, houthi fighters released a minister and four others as a confidence building measure prosecutor peace talks. the u.n. special envoy for yemen said he is making progress in talks which are now delayed. >> i confirm that the release of the minister of education and four other political activists and journalists have been secured. they have held for the past future months and i received this morning official confirmation of the release from the group and of their health and safety, minister of defense, and also that top others. there's been a bomb blast at an oil refinery in southern yemen, the explosion causing a

fire. >> this his the oil refinery, witnesses say a bomb blast hit the complex in little aden, close to yemen's second city. this attack is yet another reminder that security remains a challenge here. on thursday, two policeman died in a bomb attack and last month, the governor ever aden was killed when his envoy was targeted by armed fighters and his car engulfed in flames. follow that, the deputy govern of aden introduced a dawn to dusk curfew. he said it saved lives but what is needed is an end to the fighting. >> there have been achievements, but this is a brutal war between government forces and those loyal to president al saleh and there is still fighting, but god will help us. >> a loose alliance of anti houthi fighters backed by troops from the u.a.e. drove houthi rebels and forces loyal to former president al saleh out of aden six months ago.

forces loyal to yemeni president adou rabbo mansour hadi have made significant advances in the southern port city, but people worry about the lack of security. >> political factions, social groups should be involved. the arab coalition should have a big role to play. >> hadi is trying to build confidence in the government ability to protect its citizens. thursday, he went to a graduation ceremony at a military base. he also visited aden's port as it was brought back under government control. if government forces can control aden, they can use it as a base to recapture the rest of the yemen. there's been more violence in southern libya. the two tribes reportedly fighting i in ubari not for from

the oil fields. the two opposing sides had signed a peace agreement in november. friday is the last day of campaigning ahead of tie won's presidential election. the progressive party or d.p.p. is seep as the front runner. >> since taiwan started electing its president 20 years ago, it's remained a two party island. there's now a new player. they call themselves the third force. one of the new power party or n.p.p. candidates is heavy metal rocker freddy lynn. the party was born out of protests that became known as the sunflower movement, students occupied parliament over a trade pact with china in 2014. >> the npp isn't expected to come close to the two main political parties in saturday's

election, but with the opposition well positioned to take over the presidency and control of the legislative u.n., it could lead to a political shift in the climate that could be in their favor. >> the opposition democratic party o.d.p.p. favors interests from taipei, not beijing. their candidate is the first woman to are a front runner in a presidential election. >> i expect that she will be happy to have us there. there are some very conservative group in d.p.p. as well. we can try oh balance the atmosphere in the parliament. >> that includes social issues, such as women's rights, same-sex marriage and the polite of in coming must people. at the core, npp is pro taiwan and independence from china. increasing number of tourists are visiting taiwan after 20 agreements were seen over the

last four years. some believe this has made taiwan too economically depend on beijing. >> the result will affect china-taiwan relations. i hope taiwan elects a leader closer to mainland china. >> i think the election was fair and just, no matter the result, the ordinary people across the state strait, all want to get along peacefully. >> its role in changing politics on the child and relationship across the strait with china. donald trump ended a truce with his top challenger in trump style questions whether ted cruz should even be allowed to run for president. it was in the latest debate. we have a report from charleston

in south carolina. >> the smaller the field, the brighter the spotlight, the nastier the exchanges, seven candidates on stage, the first caucus just over two weeks away. there were sharp attacks on president obama, on hillary clinton and each other. >> you are worried about strengthening our military and worried about keeping your homes and families safe and secure. you cannot give hillary clinton a third term of barack obama's leadership. >> the idea that somehow we're better off today than the day that barack obama was inaugurated president of the united states is totally an alternative universe. >> the next commander in chief is standing on this stage. [ cheers and applause ] >> i give you my word if i am elected president, no serviceman or service woman will be forced to be on their knees in any nation that captures our fighting men and women will feel the full force and fury of the united states of america.

>> in heated exchanges, one was between the two front runners, ted cruz and donald trump when the businessman suggested cruz couldn't be president because he was born in canada. this debate highlighted significant policy differences between the candidates, like immigration and donald trump's plan to ban muslims entering the u.s. >> all muslims, seriously? what kind of signal does that send to the rest of the word? >> if we do not know who you are and why you are coming, when you are president, you are not getting into the united states of america. >> our country's a mess and we can't let all these people come in and break our borders. we can't do it. >> the attacks point to where the candidates see their biggest threats. >> marco, you blew it. >> with polls over two weeks away, there is a need to make an impact, focusing on who is

capable of winning the election. now on to iowa and the decision of the voters. al jazeera, south carolina. a former t.v. comedian is sworn in as guatemala's new president. we have a report now from guatemala city. >> back on the streets, hundreds of protestors marched to guatemala city's central park. six months ago, citizens groups were aiming to take down a president accused of corruption. now, they're here to send a message to guatemala's new president. >> this year, we are starting by demanding that the government is transparent and honest, like it should be. this is our main objective. >> morales was sworn in as guatemala's president on thursday afternoon. the 46-year-old former t.v. comic told politicians in the

press that he will take the country on a new course. >> a new guatemala is possible and worther the struggle. of course things could be better, but i want you to bear in mind things don't change overnight. only we can clear that change. the darkness of corruption to the dawn of transparency. >> morales surprised the nation when he won october's presidential runoff. his lack of political experience was his best weapon in a country battered by a series of corruption scandals that brought down top politicians, including the former president. analysts say morales won't have much time to make good on promises to fight corruption and rebuild public trust. >> it is the make or break year, definitely. we're finally going to know what he's made of, if he was able to make up a team of people that are going to support him, support his position.

>> morales will be under scrutiny naturally and internationally but greatest obstacles might be within guatemala's political system. >> it is here that the future will likely be determined, but with less than 10% of the seats, experts predict it will be incredibly difficult for him to push through any significant reforms. >> with thousands of people planning another demonstration on saturday, guatemalans say their people's movement is here to stay. a message being sent loud and clear to the country's new president. david mercer, al jazeera, guatemala city. >> the refugees are taking their chances in a dangerous new sea route that lice between denmark and sweden. it is a narrow stretch of sea in the baltic sea at some points just four kilometers wide. the waters in january are very cold and even the height of

summer, the temperature doesn't go above 12 degrees celsius. there are a huge number of cargo ship that is pass back and forth. lawrence lee explains why despite the dangers this is becoming the route of choice for many. >> half past nine in the morning and the migrant reaccepts center in the southern swedish city is full of people. these men, women and children are all new arrivals, which means they've all come in the small period since sweden introduced border controls to try to stop them. one way or another, they are still finding a way. >> there are possibilities to get to sweden in some other way, some kind of illegal entry. that will still happen. >> a road and rail, the obvious routes linking copenhagen and den new york sweden, the authorities are checking people's credentials. some have still found a way through in car boots or in trucks.

the denmark sailing culture and liberal activism play to the advantage. these young people are part of a bigger group which carried dozens to sweden because they already have families there and it's free of charge. they do not fit any profile of what you reward people smugglers as looking like. >> when you think about smugglers, you think about people earning a lot of money from helpless people, that's what we're doing. we're helping people, giving them food, we are good sailors, and we're not charging anything for what we do. >> one rigged inflatable bolt of the sort seen every day between turkey and greece has made this crossing. if you capsized here in a storm, you wouldn't last half hour in the water. the swedish coast guard has been put on high alert. >> it is more dangerous for them and the water is -- could be

rough weather and most people are not prepared for those kind of waters. >> this isn't the first time that the sounds between denmark and sweden has been used as a people smuggling route. during the second world war when copenhagen was occupied by the nazis, fisherman would take jews across to the safety of sweden. the difference now of course is that the reason why people smuggling route that grown up here is because scandinavian countries have started to close their borders to refugees. >> many politicians don't see the activists sailors as danish heroes, but criminals who should be arrested. if the border controls go on, then inflatable dingy's may be the choice for refugees who want to see their families across the water. that would be the most desperate

journey. al jazeera in the strait between denmark and sweden. other stories we are covering around the world, that attack by al shabab in somalia and comments and analysis, aljazeera.com. a live look at the opening bell on wall street. markets around the world getting hit hard as chinese stocks and the price of oil fall. >> republican presidential hopefuls faceoff in a debate by ted cruz and donald trump. the clock ticking down to the iowa caucuses. >> chicago on edge after newly released vote show police shooting and killing an unarmed black teenager.