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Members of the Afghan national army stand guard near the dead body of a Taliban attacker in front of the main prison building after an attack in Ghazni province, eastern Afghanistan, on Sept 14, 2015. (Photo by AP)

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, May 20, 2017.

 

Taliban assaults

Taliban militants have launched a series of assaults on different regions across Afghanistan as part of their spring offensive. The militants raided parts of the city of Ghazni driving a Humvee packed with explosives into the entrance of the governor's compound. Twenty five militants and several security forces were killed. The Taliban have had a strong presence in the province of Ghazni for years, but the overnight attack from three directions was their fiercest one. Also in northern Afghanistan, the Taliban targeted Kunduz, a city they have twice managed to seize for brief periods in the past.

Iraq Mosul

Iraqi President Fuad Masum says the northern city of Mosul will be freed from Daesh terrorists’ control in the next few days. Masum said Iraqi forces have achieved a decisive victory over terrorism. He expressed hope that Mosul would be completely liberated in the next few days. Just recently the government forces managed to fully retake two more neighborhoods in western Mosul. Iraqi troops are now advancing on other terrorist-held areas in the city's northwest. They say they have killed over 170 Daesh snipers since the start of the Mosul operation in February. According to Iraqi officials, the entire city will be recaptured before the start of the holy month of Ramadan on May 27.

Leader remarks

Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has expressed his gratitude to the Iranian people for their massive and passionate turnout on Election Day. Ayatollah Khamenei, in a statement, said the high voter turnout and the long lines of people from all walks of life at polling stations, was indicative of the consistency of the pillars of the Islamic democracy in Iran. The Leader said the nation has emerged triumphant from the elections by its passionate presence. Ayatollah Khamenei said the casting of more than 40 million ballots on Election Day revealed the Iranian nation's growing progress in the arena of participation. He also added that the people’s massive participation was a blow to the nation's enemies and its ill-wishers. The Leader concluded that the Islamic Republic establishment, which managed to win people’s full trust despite enemy plots, was also the winner of the elections.

Mosul operation

Iraqi forces say they are within days of fully liberating the northern city of Mosul from Daesh terrorists. Government forces backed by Popular Mobilization Units have fully liberated two more neighborhoods in western Mosul. Civilians have been moved to safety as the terrorists continue shelling the liberated areas. Iraqi forces are advancing on other terrorist-held areas in the city's northwest. They say they have killed over 170 Daesh snipers since the start of the operation to liberate the western part of Mosul in February. Mosul fell to Daesh in 2014. Iraqi officials say the entire city will be recaptured before the start of the holy month of Ramadan on May 27.

Rouhani wins

Iran’s Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli has announced the near final results of the presidential election, declaring incumbent President Hassan Rouhani as the winner. “41,220,131” votes have been counted. Rouhani is in the first place with 57.13 percent of the ballots. He has garnered “23,549,616” votes. Ebrahim Raeisi is in the second place with 38.29 percent of the ballots. Raeisi has won “15,786,449” votes. Mostafa Aqa-Mirsalim is in the third place with 1.16 percent of the ballots. He has won 478, 215 votes. Mostafa Hashmitaba is in the last place with 215,450 votes or 0.52 percent. The Interior Minister Rahmani Fazli hailed the high turnout in the elections, and said 73 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots in Friday’s elections. Hashemitaba and Aqa-Mirsalim have congratulated Rouhani for his victory and thanked the people for their high turnout.

Homs evacuation

The last batch of foreign-backed militants and their families is leaving Syria's central city of Homs. The evacuation is under the supervision of Syria’s Red Crescent, the army and Russian forces. By the end of Saturday all militants will have left the al-Waer neighborhood clearing the city from militants who had captured it in 2014. The evacuation process began in March under a Russian-brokered deal. The government will assume full control of Syria’s third largest city once the evacuation is complete.

 

 

 


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