Russia says Turkey hinders Kurds’ fight against Daesh

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• The Russian foreign minister has accused Turkey of attacking Kurdish forces and hindering their efforts to fight Daesh terrorists. Sergei Lavrov also said Ankara is using the slogan of the war against terror to suppress Kurds in its own territory and in neighboring Syria.
• The Turkish military has conducted fresh airstrikes against what it described as PKK targets. According to an army official, at least 26 militants were killed in air raids near the northeastern Turkish town of Semdinli. He said the airstrikes also hit PKK’s ammunition depots and hideouts in northern Iraq.
• The Syrian army is closing in on the ancient city of Palmyra to liberate it from Daesh terrorists. Army troops have already taken control of a mountain overlooking the city in the central Homs province. Palmyra, which is home to one of the world’s most magnificent heritage sites, fell to Daesh last May.
• People in the EU capital Brussels have observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the airport and metro bombings. The attacks on Tuesday left at least 34 people dead and 250 wounded. World leaders have condemned the carnage in Brussels and pleged to combat terrorism.
• Belgian media have withdrawn a report about the arrest of a key suspect behind Tuesday’s terror attacks in Brussels. Earlier, a newspaper reported that Najim Laachraoui was captured in the city’s Anderlecht district. Police have already identified two men believed to have carried out the suicide bombings.
• The Netherlands has temporarily closed its consulate general in the Turkish city of Istanbul over what it called possible terror threats. The Dutch Foreign Ministry described the closure as a precautionary measure. The move follows a terrorist attack in Istanbul last Saturday that left five people dead and dozens others wounded.
• US Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump continues his anti-Muslim rant following the terrorist attacks in Belgium. Trump said Muslims are not helping prevent incidents like the attacks in Brussels. He also accused British Muslims of failing to report suspicious activity by extremists. British Interior Minister Theresa May has rejected Trump’s claims.
• Israel has imposed a four-day closure on the occupied West Bank during a Jewish holiday. The Israeli army says the measure which began early Wednesday will remain in place until Saturday. Tel Aviv regularly imposes restrictions on the Palestinians during the traditional Purim celebrations.

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