Syrian rebels ‘seize key town Manbij from IS’
Craig TaylorA US-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters has taken “almost complete control” of the IS-held Syrian town of Manbij, activists say. BBC News – Middle East
Middle East
Egypt ‘kills head of Islamic State’s Sinai branch’
The Egyptian military says it has killed the head of the Sinai branch of so-called Islamic State, along with dozens of its fighters, in air strikes. BBC News – Middle East
Syria Aleppo siege: Fighting rages as Russian jets strike
Intense fighting continues around the Syrian city of Aleppo, where a rebel offensive is trying to break the government siege of opposition-held areas. BBC News – Middle East
Syria war: Russian helicopter shot down, killing five on board
A Russian military helicopter is shot down in Syria killing all five on board in the deadliest single incident for Russia’s military since its air campaign began. BBC News – Middle East
‘Food crisis’ hits 10,000 laid-off Indians in Saudi Arabia
More than 10,000 Indians laid off in Saudi Arabia face a “food crisis”, India’s foreign minister says, as an airlift is prepared. BBC News – Middle East
Syria conflict: Deadly strike on Save the Children maternity hospital
An air strike hits a maternity hospital supported by Save the Children in north-western Syria, killing two people and wounding three others. BBC News – Middle East