Putin, Erdogan may discuss Syria operation, situation in Idlib — expert
17 Oct, 2009
MOSCOW, October 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan may discuss Ankara’s operation in Syria and the situation in Idlib at their meeting in Sochi on October 22, Vice President of the Russian International Affairs Council, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Alexander Aksenenok told TASS on Thursday.
Read more at https://tass.com/politics/1083848
‘We are ready to abide by the ceasefire,’ says Syrian Democratic Forces
18 October 2019
he Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said on Thursday they are willing to abide by a ceasefire announced by Washington and Turkey, after nine days of fighting along Syria’s northern border.
“We are ready to abide by the ceasefire,” covering the area from Ras al-Ain to Tal Abyad, SDF chief Mazlum Abdi told a Kurdish TV station.
Read more at https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2019/10/18/Syria-Kurds-say-willing-to-abide-by-ceasefire-.html
Ankara confirms ‘pausing’ operation against Kurds in Syria, but says its goals stay unchanged
17 Oct, 2019
Turkey has confirmed reaching an agreement with the US on temporarily halting its military operation against Kurdish-led militias in northern Syria but refused to call it a ‘ceasefire’, adding that it will go on with its plans.
‘Operation Peace Spring’ will be seized for five days, Foreign Minister Melvut Cavusoglu announced. It came just as US Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo – currently on a visit to Ankara – were breaking the same news to journalists there.
Read more at https://www.rt.com/news/471172-turkey-us-
U.S., Turkey Agree on Temporary Syria Cease-fire to Let Kurdish Forces Evacuate
Oct. 17, 2019
The U.S. and Turkey agreed Thursday to a five-day cease-fire in the Turks’ attacks on Kurdish fighters in northern Syria to allow the Kurds to withdraw to roughly 20 miles away from the Turkish border. The arrangement appeared to be a significant embrace of Turkey’s position in the weeklong conflict.
Read more at https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/
Shamkhani: U.S. trying to give new life to Daesh
October 16, 2019
TEHRAN – Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), on Wednesday voiced regret over Turkish military aggression on northern Syria, calling the move a U.S.-orchestrated plot aimed at reviving Daesh in the Middle East.
Shamkani’s remarks came in a meeting with Alexander Lavrentiev, the special envoy of the Russian president, during which the sides discussed regional and international issues.
Read more at https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/441251/Shamkhani-U-S-trying-to-give-new-life-to-Daesh
Lebanon: Whatsapp Tax dropped as Thousands of Protesters Take to Streets
October 18, 2019
Thousands of Lebanese took to streets on Thursday evening, forcing Telecommunication Minister Mohammad Chukair to backtrack on Tax imposed by the government on internet-based phone calls over services like WhatsApp.
The biggest protest took place in Beirut, where thousands gathered in Riad al-Solh Square near the Grand Serail. Other protests took place in several areas across the country, including Tripoli, Bekaa, Sidon and Tyre.
Read more at https://english.almanar.com.lb/850104
U.S. carried out secret cyber strike on Iran in wake of Saudi oil attack: officials
October 16, 2019
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States carried out a secret cyber operation against Iran in the wake of the Sept. 14 attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities, which Washington and Riyadh blame on Tehran, two U.S. officials have told Reuters.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the operation took place in late September and took aim at Tehran’s ability to spread “propaganda.”
Read more at https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-iran-military-cyber-exclusive-idUSKBN1WV0EK
