Russian anti-terror operations in Syria successful: Putin

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country’s anti-terror operations in Syria have been successful. He stressed that Moscow could build up its military presence in the region again within hours if necessary. Putin also added that he is convinced that the Syrian army can successfully combat terrorists.
• A Kurdish group called Kurdistan Freedom Hawks or TAK claims responsibility for bombing that killed dozens in Ankara on Sunday. The group said it carried out the attack in revenge for Turkey’s crackdown against Kurds in the country's southeast. TAK said the bombing was aimed at security forces and not civilians.
• Germany says it has closed its embassy in Ankara as well as the consulate general and a German school in Istanbul over security concerns. The closures come two days after Berlin warned its citizens in Turkey of imminent attacks.
• Israeli soldiers have opened fire on two Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and killed them both. Witnesses say soldiers sprayed the two with dozens of bullets. Israelis say the two Palestinians had stabbed a woman in the northern district of Salfit and seriously injured her.
• Saudi warplanes have targeted a house in Yemen’s Ta’izz province, killing a woman and her two kids. The attack occurred only hours after Saudi jets bombarded several civilian areas in the western province of Ma’rib. Just two days ago, Saudi jets bombarded a market in the Hajjah province, killing at least 107 people.
• People in Spain's capital Madrid stage a demonstration against a controversial draft deal between the EU and Turkey on refugees. Under the deal, Ankara will be given incentives in return for helping implement harsh measures against asylum seekers. The Spanish demonstrators chanted slogans in support ofrefugees and against the E-U.
• Syrian government forces have made fresh gains in their battle against the Daesh Takfiri terrorists. Syrian army says that troops have advanced further towards the eastern city of Dayr al-Zawr. They also managed to retake part of a highway leading to an oilfield in the region.
• Brazilians take to the streets in several cities across the country to denounce President Dilma Rousseff’s nomination of her predecessor Lula da Silva as chief of staff. The demonstrators demanded Rousseff's immediate resignation and Lula’s arrest. Protests broke out following the release of a taped phone conversation between Roussef and Lula.

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