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Attacks on US forces in Syria

Reports coming out of the Syrian province of Dayr al-Zawr suggest another US military base has come under attack, shortly after strikes on other bases. According to Syrian media, explosions were heard as several rockets landed inside the base in the Koniko oil field hours ago. So far, no word on possible casualties. Meanwhile, US forces have sealed off the area, with warplanes flying overhead. Late on Wednesday, rockets struck two military bases hosting US troops in the same province, injuring three American troopers. A day earlier, the US military carried out airstrikes in eastern Syria, claiming it targeted the facilities used by Iran-linked fighters. Tehran has slammed the raids as a breach of Syria’s sovereignty, also denying US military claims that the targets were linked to Iran. Damascus is opposed to US military presence on its soil, which it says is to plunder the nation's resources, particularly oil.

Iran drone drills

Iran’s large-scale nationwide drone drills continue for a second day. Precision strike drones have successfully destroyed mock enemy targets. The spokesman for the drills says different types of drones have been flown on missions covering vast areas, from the Persian Gulf in the south, all the way to the country's east, west, north and center. According to Admiral Mahmoud Mousavi, the drills represent the capabilities of a range of domestically manufactured drones in offensive and defensive scenarios. The army's ground, naval, air force and air defense forces are taking part in the first-ever combined drills. More than 150 surveillance and combat drones are being put to test for their control systems and combat capabilities. On the first day, the UAVs carried out intelligence-gathering and patrol missions.

Pakistan floods

Floods triggered by massive monsoon rains have ravaged Pakistan. Over 900 people have died since mid-June. The country’s disaster agency says at least 126 people were killed in the past two days alone. Overall, some 50,000 people are now left homeless. Sindh and Balochistan provinces have been the hardest hit. The floods have inundated farmlands, destroying crops, homes, roads, and bridges. Pakistan is also struggling to cope with the massive costs of reconstruction. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif called on the international community to help with relief efforts and send assistance. The national rain fall in July was well above average, making it the wettest the country has seen in six decades.

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