Iran warns about Turkey’s military presence in Syria

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• Iran has warned that Turkey’s military presence in Syria can complicate the situation in the Middle East. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Bahram Qasemi, said fighting terrorism must not be used as an excuse to conduct military operations on another nation‘s soil and violate its territorial integrity, without its central government’s approval.
• More than 300 people, including 62 gunmen living in the militant-held suburb of Moadamiyeh close to the Syrian capital, Damascus, are being evacuated. This comes in the wake of a deal struck with the government last week that grants amnesty to gunmen. They will be sheltered in a government-controlled neighborhood nearby.
• The Russian president says Washington and Moscow could soon reach a cooperation deal on Syria. Vladimir Putin says Moscow and Washington are holding talks in Geneva on a ceasefire in Syria and cooperation against Daesh and other terrorist groups. He has described the talks as very difficult.
• Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich says the expansion of US-sanctions against Russia is unlikely to significantly affect the country’s economy. Washington expanded its punitive measures against Moscow for its alleged involvement in the crisis in eastern Ukraine. Russia has said such moves will not change its stance on Ukraine.
• The leader of Yemen’s Ansarullah movement says the US has been supplying Saudi Arabia with various weapons in its attacks on Yemen. Abdel Malek al-Houthi added that Washington also gives Riyadh complete political cover including protection from pressure by human rights groups and the United Nations.
• At least 14 people have been killed and over fifty injured in two bomb blasts in Pakistan’s northwest. The explosions occurred outside a district court in Mardan, a city in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A pro-Taliban group called Jama’at al-Ahrar has claimed responsibility for both attacks.
• Indian trade unions have staged a nationwide strike to protest the government’s economic reforms. The walkout has left banks, government offices and factories shut. It has also disrupted public transportation. The government argues that the reforms are needed to attract foreign investment. But workers say they undermine their rights.
• Spanish lawmakers are due to vote for the second time on whether to give Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy the green light to form a government. This after Rajoy lost a parliamentary bid for a second term in office on Wednesday. He only secured the backing of 170 MPs in the 350-strong assembly.

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