1. France has launched its first airstrikes against Daesh targets in Iraq from its newly-deployed aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean. The military says its warplanes carried out airstrikes on the Iraqi cities of Ramadi and Mosul. French fighter jets also targeted the Daesh stronghold city of Raqqah in Syria.
2. Israeli forces have once again killed a Palestinian over an alleged knife attack in the occupied West Bank. They also detained 6 people in several Palestinian villages near the city of al-Khalil, also known as Hebron during what they called routine searches for concealed weapons.
3. Saudi fighter jets bombed several targets, including a radio station, in Hajjah province. In response, the Yemeni Army launched Zelzal two missiles at two Saudi military bases in the Jizan region. Zelzal two is the third domestic missile developed by Yemen’s Defense Industries.
4. The United Nations’ deputy secretary-general has blasted Israel’s illegal settlement activities and demolition of Palestinian homes in the occupied territories. Addressing the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, Jan Eliasson also blamed Tel Aviv’s policies for the recent escalation of violence.
5. Iranian and Russian presidents say they will further expand cooperation to fight terrorism. Hassan Rouhani called terrorism a threat to the whole world. Vladimir Putin stressed that Moscow alongside Tehran will continue fighting terrorists. The comments came during an MOU-signing ceremony held after the third summit of GECF in Tehran.
6. Iran’s parliament speaker and Algeria’s prime minister have held a meeting in Tehran. Ali Larijani said he hopes Tehran and Algiers can expand cooperation in economical and political fields. He also blasted the West’s double standard regarding terrorism. For his part, Abdelmalek Sellal stressed the importance of defeating Daesh terrorists.
7. Head of Iran’s atomic energy organization says the country will soon join the group of states selling uranium enrichment services. Ali Akbar Salehi said Tehran will sell nine tonnes of enriched uranium to Russia within the framework of the JCPOA and will import 140 tons of natural uranium.
8. The United Nations has urged the world leaders to end discrimination against Syrian refugees. The world body slammed the US and European politicians who are seeking to stop the resettlement of the asylum seekers. It also said the move shows disrespect for the refugees fleeing violence.