The ground assault to recapture the last opposition-held area near Damascus has begun, backed by hundreds of airstrikes. Time is running out for an evacuation deal for the last remaining civilians and fighters in Douma.
At least 40 civilians were killed on Friday as heavy airstrikes pounded the Syrian city of Douma, the last pocket of rebel-controlled territory near the capital, Damascus.
Hundreds of air raids took place, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, whose director Rami Abdel Rahman described the barrage as "hysterical.”
The airstrikes backed the launch of the Syrian army's ground assault on the southwest and eastern part of Douma, which is held by the Jaysh al-Islam Islamist faction.
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MIDDLE EAST
Syria forces launch assault on rebel-held Douma. Violence claims more lives in Syrian capital and suburbs. Syrian government launches assault on last rebel enclave in Ghouta.
Turkey says 108 Kurdish militants 'neutralized' in past week.
Yemen makes gains in intensified Saada push.
Death toll rises in Gaza border protests. Death toll mounts as Palestinians protest at Gaza border.
Trump, UAE leader push for unity in Gulf as dispute drags on.
Top Iranian cleric warns Hezbollah can raze Haifa and Tel Aviv to the ground.
Hundreds detained as anger over state discrimination against Iranian Arabs spills into the streets.
Turkey to deport nearly 600 Afghan migrants - interior ministry.
Allies of Saudi crown prince appointed to board of new culture authority.
ASIA
Secret, direct talks underway between US and North Korea.
Koreas discuss communication issues ahead of summit.
China applies its own maximum pressure policy on Pyongyang.
Pakistan calls on Afghan Taliban to join peace process.
Pakistani news channel Geo TV forced to go off air.
In Kashmir, 2 killings come amid tangles of fear and loyalty.
Stalled peace process in Myanmar frustrating rebel armies.
Australia's Turnbull remains voters' preferred PM amid leadership speculation.
Indian court grants bail to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan.
AFRICA
Ethiopia's PM seeks end to violence that displaced nearly a million.
Peacekeeper shot dead in northern Mali: UN.
14 jihadist suspects killed in Mali escape attempt: army.
Cameroon army denies allegations of human rights abuse in Anglophone region.
Beaten S.Leone candidate offers backing to new leader.
Meeting held in Tripoli to address Libya’s financial crisis.
Benin, Niger back Chinese involvement in mega rail project.
South Africa's Jacob Zuma faces 16 corruption charges.
Zimbabwe urged to take action against child labour on tobacco farms.
Talks to ease Egypt concerns over Nile dam fail: Sudan minister.
EUROPE
Trump administration sanctioned 189 Russian-related individuals, entities in total.
Shares of Russian companies hit by new sanctions plummet.
Russian embassy seeks Boris Johnson meeting over spy case.
Poisoned ex-spy Skripal 'improving rapidly'.
Catalonia's Carles Puigdemont calls on Madrid to 'respect democracy'.
Greek PM Tsipras demands release of Greek soldiers held in Turkey.
Viktor Orban predicted to win third term in Hungary elections.
'Do your own job': German ministers row before cabinet get-away.
AMERICAS
Brazil’s Lula creates standoff with defiance of prison order. Brazil's defiant Lula expected to surrender to police Saturday.
Brazil Supreme Court justice rejects latest plea from Lula to remain free.
Trump signs memo ending 'catch and release' immigration policy.
Arizona, Texas send 400 troops to border after Trump’s call.
Gone in 60 seconds: Immigrants taunt Trump by climbing wall into the US despite his promises of National Guard presence and tighter security.
FEMA: Puerto Rico running out of time as storm season nears.
Top 20% of Americans will pay 87% of income tax.
800 Venezuelans flee to Brazil daily to escape insecurity, hunger: UNHCR.
Canada police say 14 dead after hockey bus crash. Canadian junior hockey team bus crash kills 14.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Top Islamic State commander in Afghanistan killed in airstrike: officials.
Syrian rebel Jaish al-Islam wants negotiations: official.
Even as Trump urges Syria exit, the military says it's not finished with ISIS.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Trump, China escalate trade dispute as markets tumble.
NAFTA talks making progress, Canada's Freeland says.
New Facebook controls aim to regulate political ads and fight fake news.
FBI shuts down sex classifieds giant Backpage.
2 comments:
...and now another gas attack...a red line or we simply need to let Russia have what it wants, along with Iran.GAS ATTACK AND OF COURSE ASSAD DENIES IT WAS THEM
Assad has no incentive to do this. He's winning. As for the other side, they may be trying to manipulate you, me, and other Americans into their fight. Those who are ideologically blind are easily manipulated.
As a person who has a "sight challenge," I know full well what it is like to miss something that is right in front og my face. Actually the term commonly used to describe it is "visual impairment." I hypothesize that "ideological blindness" works in a similar fashion. We are all vulnerable to this to some degree.
Before acting I would suggest the US and our leaders should consider the fact that they and we may be being manipulated by the rebels and to consider the formidable power of Russia that is every bit equal to ours and in some ways likely superior when we decide how we are going to respond.
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