CNN: Syrian official says 'wide-scale offensive' launched
(CNN)The Syrian regime, which had appeared earlier this year to be on the ropes, has "launched a wide-scale offensive," a senior military official said Thursday.
The aim is "eliminating the terrorist groups and liberating the areas and towns that have suffered from terrorism and its crime," Gen. Ali Abdullah Ayyoub, the Syrian army chief of staff, said on state media,
Ayyoub provided no details of the area in which the offensive is being launched or its size and scope.
But he acknowledged the key role being played by Russia, which appears bent on supporting a Syrian regime that had been badly in need of help.
MIDDLE EAST
U.S. officials say Russian missiles heading for Syria landed in Iran. Russia says missiles fired at Syria reached their targets: agencies.
Clashes intensify in Syria from Russian-backed offensive.
Syria army in 'vast offensive' backed by Russian strikes.
Kerry told Lavrov concerned Russia's targets in Syria not Islamic State: U.S. State Dept.
After nuclear deal, Iran takes role to end Syria war.
NATO Secretary General ready to send troops To Turkey.
Turkey urges NATO to keep up its Patriot defenses.
Turkey warns Moscow over trade ties, says Russian military build-up in Syria 'unacceptable'.
Mortar attacks kill 27 in Iraq: police.
At least 30 killed after airstrikes hit wedding in Yemen, officials say.
Pro-Kurdish party hopeful of PKK ceasefire as Turkish election nears.
Israel hit by mostly unorganised 'wave of terror': Netanyahu. Three weeks of unrest in Jerusalem, West Bank, Israel.
UN rights chief calls for calm in West Bank. Israelis injured in new spate of stabbings.
Report: Count from Saudi Hajj disaster shows over 1,260 killed. New tally in Saudi hajj disaster shows over 1,390 killed.
ASIA
U.S. asks NATO allies for flexibility in Afghan drawdown plans.
More than 1,000 Taliban fighters concentrated on Tajik-Afghan border — security officer.
Taliban leadership issues likely to delay Afghan peace talks: U.S. commander.
Afghan medical NGOs faced growing danger long before MSF hospital tragedy.
MSF: 33 still missing after US airstrike on Kunduz hospital.
China turns firepower to soft power to try to win tiny Taiwan-held island.
U.S. mulls sailing near disputed South China Sea islands: Pentagon official.
North Korea primes its capital for military spectacular.
North Korea could hit US homeland with nuclear weapon, says top admiral.
Beijing police claim that they have every street corner under video surveillance.
Indonesia asks for foreign help to extinguish forest fires.
AFRICA
Guinea president says weekend election to proceed.
UN denies five civilians killed in UN copter attack in DR Congo.
Failure to pay soldiers threatens Somalia’s war on Islamists.
Suicide bombings blamed on Boko Haram kill 40 in northeast Nigeria, some in 2 mosques.
South Sudan's warring sides violated ceasefire over 50 times: monitors.
UN envoy: Congo political tensions high ahead of 2016 vote.
U.N. council due to vote Friday on EU migrant mission off Libya.
Rwanda's top court clears way for Kagame third term.
Kenya MPs furious after parliament's power supply cut.
Tanzania arrests Africa's most wanted ivory trafficker.
EUROPE
EU gets tough on expelling migrants, talks to neighbors. Migrant crisis: EU Frontex force to help speed up deportations.
Bavaria wants to send refugees back to Austria, Merkel says no.
Refugee crisis: Germany creaks under strain of open door policy.
Ukraine military refuses to withdraw artillery from Luhansk region.
ICC prosecutor plans probe into 2008 Georgia-Russia war.
Tsipras insists he can lead Greece out of crisis by 2019.
Protesting MPs release tear gas in Kosovo parliament.
Rome mayor resigns over expense scandal.
AMERICAS
Latin America rolls out red carpet for once-scorned IMF.
Guatemala landslide death toll tops 220; another 350 missing.
US House Republicans in chaos as favorite McCarthy quits Speaker race.
Colombia’s Prosecutor wants probe of former President for paramilitary massacre.
US official: Ending Cuba embargo will take time.
Number of U.S. sanctuary cities grows to 340; thousands of illegals released to commit new crimes.
Massacres are on the rise in El Salvador — and it's not clear why.
Brazil auditors rejects Rousseff budgetary accounts.
Pepsi has a Venezuela problem: $1.4 billion.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
French MPs adopt bill to block minors from leaving for jihad.
Some 3,500 militants fight on the side of IS in Afghanistan — Russian diplomat.
Islamic State overtakes al Qaeda as leader of extremist movement -U.S. official.
FBI says it 'disrupted' dozens of potential militants.
One-eyed terror chief behind Algerian gas plant attack that killed 37 including six Britons is dead, Al Qaeda claim.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Minutes show US Fed leaders delayed rate hike over global risks.
VW's US boss offers 'sincere apology' to US Congress.
FIFA suspends Blatter.
Deutsche Bank warns of large loss.
No comments:
Post a Comment