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A US-made military vehicle from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) drives in an eastern area of the embattled northern Syrian city of Raqqah on August 15, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, August 18, 2017.

 

US Syria presence

A spokesman for a Syrian Arab and Kurdish military coalition says the US is planning to stay in northern Syria for decades. Speaking for Syrian Democratic Forces, SDF, Talal Silo said Washington has “strategic interest” in remaining in Syria’s north long after the Daesh terror group is defeated. He predicted that there would be military, economic, and political agreements between a leadership in northern Syria and the US administration in the long run. The United States has been assisting SDF in its fight against Daesh in the city of Raqqah. Damascus is critical of the operation for being unauthorized and killing a large number of civilians.

Korean peninsula tensions

Japan and the United States are set to ratchet up defense cooperation in a bid to fend off possible threats from North Korea. The two allies have long been at loggerheads with Pyongyang over a series of issues, including missile tests. The Japanese defense minister made the remarks during a press conference in Washington DC. Itsunori Onodera stressed that efforts were aimed at engaging North Korea in negotiations to put an end to the conflict. He expressed hope that talks would lead to a different conclusion than previous negotiations. Meanwhile, the US secretaries of state and defense have stressed that Washington is “prepared militarily” to respond to any nuclear threat by Pyongyang.

Trump-like reaction

US President Donald Trump has responded to the Barcelona terror attack by spreading a debunked and controversial myth. Trump took to social media hours after the deadly incident to condemn the attack. He went on to urge his audience on Twitter to study what a US general did to “terrorists” when he caught them. He was likely referring to the discredited story of an American general who is claimed to have ordered his men to shoot Muslim Filipinos, using bullets dipped in pig's blood in the early 1900. Trump had mentioned the story during his presidential campaign as well. Many people have found the new comments extremely offensive as pigs are considered ritually unclean in Islam. In his tweet, Trump suggested that the American general’s actions could be an effective counter-terror strategy.

Syria gains

The Syrian army has made significant gains in its month-long operation to retake Badiya from Daesh terrorists. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says Syrian forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, have retaken more territory from ISIL in a central desert region. It adds that the army has encircled Okayrbat and 44 surrounding villages leaving the terrorists trapped in the area. According to the UK based observatory group, Syrian forces have also seized four gas fields in the desert. The Russian defense ministry says the last supply route for arms, ammunition and equipment held by Daesh there is now under Syrian control. The desert region that stretches from the central Syria to the Iraqi and Jordanian borders was captured by Daesh in 2014.

South Asia floods

Aid workers and officials are struggling to deal with the monsoon flooding in South Asia that has affected over 16 million people, exposing them to risks of waterborne diseases. Aid workers say heavy rains have thwarted attempts to provide relief to the affected areas. Nearly 350 people have been confirmed dead in Nepal, Bangladesh and India. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says the situation is escalating into one of the worst humanitarian crises in the region in recent history. The federation warns that the situation may get worse in the coming days and weeks, with millions of people facing prospects of hunger and illness. Further heavy rains are expected in the disaster zones, particularly in India, where some 11 million people have already been affected by the floods.

Spain terror attacks

Fourteen people are confirmed dead in Spain’s terror attacks that hit the cities of Barcelona and Cambrils. The Barcelona attack left 13 people dead and another 130 injured on Thursday. Early on Friday, the attack in Cambrils left several people injured, including a woman who later died in hospital. Authorities say nearly three dozen nationalities are among the victims. In both the attacks, drivers rammed their cars into pedestrians. The five suspects involved in the Cambrils attack were all killed. Police say the Barcelona assailant could be among them. A manhunt is also underway, resulting in several arrests.

Europe’s terror problem

Spain's Prime Minister, Mariono Rajoy, says terrorism is the main problem facing Europe today. Rajoy made the remarks at a news conference where he also stressed the need for a global battle against terrorism. Speaking alongside president of the Catalonian region Carles Puigdemont, he said all political forces must work together to deal with the emergency situation. Rajoy added that he would hold a security meeting on Saturday to assess the level of alertness to be issued in the country. Earlier, thousands of people including Rajoy held a one minute silence at a vigil for the victims of Thursday's terror attacks.


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