Russia: Little hope for renewal of truce in Syria

Here is a round-up of global news developments:

• Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has called for unity among all Muslims. Ayatollah Khamenei noted that terror groups like Daesh emerge as a result of British-style Shi’ism through provoking the sentiments of other Islamic sects in the name of Shia Islam.
   
• Shia Muslims across the world are celebrating Eid al-Ghadir, commemorating the occasion in which Islam’s Prophet Muhammad appointed Imam Ali as his successor some 1,400 years ago. The occasion is annually marked with ceremonies and rituals among Shia Muslims on the 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah on the Islamic calendar.
   
• Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov says his country has little hope for the renewal of ceasefire in Syria. Peskov said the truce could only resume if terrorists stop attacking Syrian government forces. The Kremlin spokesman also reiterated that the recent truce was halted due to US airstrikes on an army base on Saturday.
   
• The United Nations suspends all humanitarian aid convoys in Syria after its food trucks came under attack in the northern city of Aleppo. The UN said the decision is an immediate security measure. On Monday, 18 trucks were struck while traveling inside Aleppo, reportedly leaving 12 people dead.
   
• Iraqi government forces have liberated four villages in their latest operation to recapture a key bastion of Daesh in the country’s north. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says the offensive to get back the Sharqat district, south of Mosul, will pave the way for liberating all Iraqi lands.
   
• The Turkish president has once again called for the extradition of US-based opposition figure Fethullah Gulen. Rajab Tayyip Erdogan said Gulen is a terrorist and that the US should not let him run his organization. Turkey accuses Gulen of orchestrating the mid-July failed coup.
   
• Israeli forces have fatally shot a Palestinian in the east of the city of al-Khalil for an alleged stabbing attack. Israeli sources say the victim was targeted after trying to stab a soldier. At least 248 Palestinians have lost their lives in clashes in the occupied territories and Gaza since October 2015.
   
• The US Senate is set to vote on a resolution seeking to block over one billion dollars worth of arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Backers of the resolution say a positive vote will send a strong message to Saudi Arabia about US concerns over Riyadh’s bombing of Yemen.

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