Iraqi forces liberate more Daesh-held areas

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• The International Center for Counter-terrorism says more than 75 percent of European militants fighting in Syria and Iraq come from four EU countries. The Hague-based organization says out of 3,700 estimated foreign terrorists, over 2,800 are citizens or residents of Germany, France, the UK and Belgium.
   
• Iraqi Forces have made sweeping gains in the restive Anbar province, clearing several key areas of Daesh terrorists. The operation against the Takfiri terrorists is underway around the district of Hit. The operation is part of a wider push to capture the ISIL-held city of Mosul in Nineveh province.
   
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says foreign-backed militants are still crossing to Syria from Turkey. In a telephone conversation with his American counterpart, Lavrov called for the closure of Turkey-Syria border. Earlier, Russia's UN Ambassador said Turkey is the main supplier of weapons and ammunition to ISIL terrorists in Syria.
   
• US President Barack Obama says the Turkey's approach toward the press freedom could lead the country down a path that is as very troubling. Obama says he has informed Turkish President Rejep Tayyip Erdogan of the US view. Ankara is under criticism for restricting press freedom and crackdown on journalists.
   
• Armenian and Azerbaijani forces have engaged in heavy clashes in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The Armenian Defense Ministry says the fighting took place along the entire line that separates the landlocked region from the rest of Azerbaijan. He says both sides have suffered casualties.
   
• The Egyptian military says dozens of militants have been killed in the army operations north of the Sinai Peninsula. It says Egyptian forces have killed 65 militants in Sheikh Zuweid and Rafah. Militants including the Daesh-linked Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis have been fighting the Egyptian army in North Sinai.
   
• The Israeli soldier who’s been filmed while shooting dead an unarmed wounded Palestinian is to walk free. An Israeli military court has ruled that the shooter will be released to open detention in a military base. Israeli prosecutors have reduced the expected charge of the soldier from murder to manslaughter.
   
• South African President Jacob Zuma says he will abide by a court ruling that says he has violated the constitution. The highest court says Zuma violated the constitution by failing to repay government money spent on his private home. The opposition believes Zuma does not intend to repay the money.

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