WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 09:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT, October 21, 2017.

Israel Syria attack

Israeli forces have launched yet another attack on Syrian military positions in the Golan Heights. Israel claims the attack was in response to several projectiles that earlier landed in the Israeli-occupied Golan. There was no immediate report of casualties. The Israeli army has pledged to intensify its attacks, saying it holds Damascus accountable for any such incident. Tel Aviv has targeted Syria’s Golan Heights several times over the past few months citing similar allegations.

US Iraq call

The United States and Israel have expressed their opposition to a security operation conducted by the Iraqi army in Kirkuk province. US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert has called for Iraqi federal forces to limit their movements in areas claimed by both Erbil and Baghdad. She said such a move will help avoid more violence in the region. The Iraqi army launched an operation to establish security in the volatile oil-rich Kirkuk, earlier this week. In the meantime, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly been lobbying world leaders to support the Iraqi Kurds. Israeli Intelligence Minister, Yisrael Katz also said what is important at the moment is to prevent an attack on the Kurds, their autonomy and the region. Israel is the only entity in the region that openly supports the Kurdish region’s secession drive

Catalonia controversy

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has approved a set of measures to impose direct rule on Catalonia in response to the region’s push for independence. In a press conference following an emergency cabinet meeting, Rajoy said that he will curb the powers of the Catalan government and transfer the powers of its administration to the central government. He also called for elections to take place in Catalonia. The decision came after Catalan leaders refused to clarify their stance on independence. Catalans took part in a referendum for secession over two weeks ago. Madrid declared the vote as illegal and called on Barcelona to annul the results. The European Union and the Spanish king have backed Spain’s central government, with the king slamming Catalan officials for their unacceptable separation attempts.

Israel Syria threats

The Syrian army has condemned Israel’s attack on its positions in the Golan Heights, a second such incident since Thursday. The Syrian army said in a statement that the attack was coordinated between Israel and foreign-backed militants. It said the Israeli assault came after several rockets fired by the militants landed in the occupied Golan. It added that the militants gave Israel an excuse to target the Syrian army positions on the Quneitra countryside. The attack caused material damage but no casualties. Israel earlier claimed that its military responded to projectiles that landed in the area. The Israeli army has pledged to intensify its attacks, saying it holds Damascus accountable for any such incident. Tel Aviv has targeted Syria’s Golan Heights several times over the past few months citing similar allegations.

Iran nuclear deal

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi says the 2015 nuclear deal can by no means be re-negotiated. Araqchi made the comment during a panel discussion on the JCPOA as part of a non-proliferation conference in the Russian capital Moscow. He made it clear that the accord cannot be amended through any appendices, either. The Iranian diplomat slammed the United States for violating the nuclear agreement while accusing others of non-compliance. He warned that Washington would be responsible for any consequences of sabotaging the JCPOA. Araqchi’s remarks came in reaction to recent US calls for expanding the nuclear deal to more issues like Iran’s missile program. Tehran has reiterated that it rejects any move to limit the Islamic Republic’s defense capabilities.

Al-Qaryatan liberated

Syrian government forces inflict major losses on Daesh as the battle against the Takfiri terror group continues in the country’s East. Syrian troops, backed by allied forces, have recaptured the predominantly Christian town of al-Qaryatayn in the Central Homs province following a three-week offensive. Scores of terrorists have been killed. According to a war monitoring group 200 others pulled out of the town overnight, withdrawing into desert areas stretching to the Iraqi border. On October 1, Daesh seized the town from government forces. The Takfiri group made a surprise counter-attack after coming under intense pressure in the highly strategic neighboring province of Dayr al-Zawr. Russia has repeatedly accused the US military, which is operating in the area of facilitating the movement of Daesh terrorists.

Egypt violence

The death toll from a shootout between security forces and a militant group known as Hasm in Western Egypt has risen to at least 54. 20 police officers and 34 conscripts were killed in the gun battle which erupted after government troops were attacked en route to the militants’ hideout in the Western Desert. The assailants used rocket-propelled grenades and explosive devices in the ambush. A number of militants were also reportedly killed in the clashes. Officials have stepped up security measures in the area. The Hasm militant group has been behind several attacks targeting judges and security forces in Egypt since last year.

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