Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (AFP)
Here is a round-up of global news developments:
- Russia’s Foreign Minister says the use of an Iranian airbase for carrying out raids on terrorist positions in Syria is not in violation of any UN Security Council resolution. Sergei Lavrov adds that Moscow has not supplied or sold any warplanes to Tehran and is only using Iranian facilities for its anti-terror operations.
- Foreing-backed terrorists have shelled the Syrian city of Aleppo killing at least 7 civilians including a child. At least 9 others were also injured in the attack on the Salah Eddin district. Militants shelled the same neighborhood on Tuesday killing at least 8 people and injuring 12 others.
- People fleeing Daesh-controlled areas around Iraq’s northern city of Mosul say the terrorist group is losing its grip on the city following advances by government forces. Displaced civilians say Daesh terrorists have killed and beheaded many people, and have even refused to return the bodies to their families.
- The Afghan Defense Ministry says troops have killed nearly 130 terrorists in different parts of the country in 24 hours. The fighting has also claimed the lives of 20 soldiers. Afghan security forces are battling Daesh Takfiris and al-Qaeda affiliates in different provinces.
- Unknown gunmen have killed two Indian soldiers and a police officer in Indian-controlled Kashmir. The assailants ambushed two army trucks and a police car overnight in a district west of the region’s main city, Srinagar. Three more people were injured. A search is underway to find the attackers.
- Turkey has dismissed thousands of police officers and military personnel in connection with last month’s failed coup attempt. The dismissals are part of two new emergency rule decrees which also gives the president the mandate to appoint the head of the armed forces.
- US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has defended the police shooting of a 23-year-old African America, which has triggered violent protests. Trump says Sylville Smith’s killing in Milwaukee was justified because he pointed a gun at an officer. This while initial reports say Smith was shot in a foot chase.
- A fast-moving forest fire in the US state of California has forced the evacuation of some 82,000 people. Officials say the fire is moving north toward the town of Wrightwood, raging through several ranch outbuildings. The blaze has destroyed 4,000 acres on land and shut down a section of a highway.
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