US-led coalition conducts 29 airstrikes against ISIS

The US-led coalition targeting Islamic State (IS, formerly |ISIS/ISIL) forces have launched 29 airstrikes against the group since early on Wednesday, Reuters reported. The 16 airstrikes in Syria and 13 in Iraq hit IS fighting positions, combat units, vehicles and buildings, the Combined Joint Task Force said on Thursday.

Turkey ‘takes measures’ to limit influx of Syria refugees

Ankara said on Thursday it’s taking measures to limit the flow of Syrian refugees onto its territory, AFP reported. Turkey has seen an influx of thousands of Syrians over the last few days due to fighting between Kurds and jihadists. Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said: “Turkey will not accept entries onto its territory from Syria except in case of a humanitarian tragedy.” Under an “open-door” policy of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey has taken in 1.8 million Syrian refugees since the conflict in Syria erupted in 2011.

Kenya plan for voluntary repatriation of 100,000 Somalis

The Kenyan government plans to get 100,000 Somali refugees to return home voluntarily by the end of the year, AP quoted a government official as saying on Thursday. Officials have blamed refugee camps in Kenya for the rise in extremism in the country, and funding shortages have forced the UN to reduce food rations for the displaced. In April, Deputy President William Ruto gave the UN refugee agency three months to close Dadaab camp in Kenya’s east, where at least 300,000 Somali refugees live. Kenya wants the repatriation to be voluntary, as officials say most of Somalia has become peaceful due to the military operations by the African Union troops against the extremist insurgent group al-Shabab.

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Syria military plane crashes in south

The Syrian army said on Thursday that a military plane had crashed in southern Syria, according to state television. Rebels said earlier they had shot down a Russian-made MIG jet, Reuters reported. The released video featured what appeared to be a burnt-out plane. It was shown near the site of fighting around a military airport that rebels have been trying to gain control of since Wednesday.

China ex-security chief jailed for life over graft scandal

China sentenced former domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang to life in jail on Thursday. He was found guilty at a secret trial of bribery, leaking state secrets and abuse of power, Reuters said. Zhou, 72, admitted his guilt and decided not to appeal against the verdict, according to state media. The former security chief is the most senior Chinese official to be involved in a graft scandal. Prior to this case, an unwritten understanding was that members of the Politburo Standing Committee would not come under such scrutiny after retirement.

Syria govt denies claims by rebels they seized army airport in south

Syria denied claims by rebels that they took over an army airport in southern Syria along the border with Jordan on Thursday. A news flash on state television said the army had so far repelled three attacks on the outskirts of the al-Thala airport, Reuters reported. Rebels said they seized the airbase in a renewed offensive. The loss of the airport would compound setbacks for Damascus in the area after losing a nearby military base this week.

Swiss prosecutors begin probe into alleged spying on Iran talks

The Swiss Attorney General’s office has opened a criminal case into alleged spying on talks over Iran’s nuclear program, TASS reported. The probe concerns unidentified actors involved in prohibited spying activities in Switzerland, said the office’s spokesman, Andre Marty. Kaspersky Lab earlier said it had uncovered a spycampaign targeting hotels that hosted the negotiations between Tehran and six world powers. Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Eli Ben-Dahan on Wednesday denied a report that Israel carried out a cyber-espionage campaign targeting the hotels. US officials have accused Israel of spying on the talks in the past, the Jerusalem Post said.