WATCH PRESS TV NEWS HEADLINES

Here is a brief look at Press TV newsroom's headlines from 18:00 GMT, March 18, 2018 to 08:00 GMT, March 19, 2018.

Afrin ‘plundered’

Reports from Syria’s Afrin indicate that Turkish-backed militants have gone on the rampage in the northwestern city. The so-called Free Syrian Army militants reportedly pillaged shops, restaurants and homes, leaving the city with the loot in cars and small trucks. The militants also tore down a statue of Kurdish hero Kawa, who symbolizes resistance against oppressors. FSA militants raised the Turkish flag in the center of the city on Sunday. But Kurdish fighters have vowed to retake the whole city from the Turkish-led forces. Ankara began its Afrin offensive in January in a bid to push back YPG Kurdish militants from border areas. Turkey says the presence of the Kurds poses a threat to its security. Damascus has slammed the Turkish operation as an act of aggression.

Putin wins election

Russian President Vladimir Putin has won a landslide victory in Sunday’s presidential election. In a victory speech in Moscow’s Red Square, he thanked his supporters and appealed for national unity. Putin won 75 percent of the vote, extending his rule for another six years in office. The latest figures showed a voter turnout of 60 percent. Seven other candidates were lined up to run against the 65-year-old Russian leader. Putin has promised to use his new term to beef up Russia's defenses against the West and raise Russians’ living standards. The election came amid political tension with the UK over a spy poisoning dispute. Following the election, Putin dismissed allegation of Russia’s involvement. He however said Russia is ready to work with authorities in the UK over the issue.

Trump targets Mueller

The US president says the team investigating the alleged Russian interference in the country’s presidential election in 2016, is biased. Donald Trump took again to twitter on Sunday to attack special counsel Robert Mueller, describing the inquiry he’s overseeing as unfair. The president called Mueller’s team supporters of his defeated rival Hillary Clinton, saying that hardened Democrats are influencing the investigation. Earlier, Trump received strong warnings from two Republican lawmakers against his possible firing of Mueller who is seeking to broaden the scope of his probe to examine the influence of foreign money on the president’s political activities.

Assad in Eastern Ghouta

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has paid a visit to government troops in Eastern Ghouta amidst an all-out offensive to dislodge terrorists from the region. The visit comes as the Syrian army has so far managed to retake 80 percent of Eastern Ghouta. Meanwhile, the militants in the region are discussing a ceasefire with the United Nations. Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry said 20,000 civilians have left Eastern Ghouta since Sunday morning. The ministry said the civilians have escaped the Damascus suburb to safety through a humanitarian corridor established by the Syrian government. Moscow says a total of 68,000 people have left the besieged areas since the corridor was set up earlier this week.

Anti-US protest

In Lebanon, hundreds of activists have rallied to denounce the US President’s controversial recognition of Jerusalem-al-Quds as the Israeli capital. The rally was held in the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon. Protesters held banners reading our unity will defeat Trump’s decision. They also waved banners calling Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of Palestine. Last December, Trump announced his decision on Jerusalem al-Quds and ordered to move the American embassy there from Tel Aviv. The move sparked global condemnation with Palestinian officials saying they will no longer accept Washington as mediator in the conflict with Israel.

Eastern Ghouta evacuation

As fighting intensifies between the Syrian army and terrorists in Eastern Ghouta, more civilians are fleeing the militant-held area near the capital Damascus. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, more than 3500 civilians have left the area on Monday. Some 20,000 people also escaped from Eastern Ghouta to safety on Sunday through a humanitarian corridor established by the Syrian government. This comes as Syrian forces are pressing ahead with their operation to liberate the whole area from terror groups.

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