IS ‘burns to death 45 in west Iraq’
Craig TaylorJihadist militants from Islamic State (IS) have burned to death 45 people in the western Iraqi town of al-Baghdadi, the local police chief says. BBC News – Middle East
Middle East
Iraq preparing to retake Mosul – PM
Iraq’s prime minister tells the BBC its armed forces are preparing for an offensive to retake the northern city of Mosul from Islamic State militants. BBC News – Middle East
Lebanon marks Hariri assassination
Lebanon marks the 10th anniversary of the assassination of the former PM Rafik Hariri with rallies and prayers of remembrance. BBC News – Middle East
Egypt ready for Libya evacuations
Egypt says it is ready to evacuate its citizens from Libya after IS militants release images apparently showing Egyptian Christians seized there. BBC News – Middle East
Western powers close Yemen embassies
The US, UK and France are closing their embassies in Yemen due to the deteriorating security situation and political crisis in the country. BBC News – Middle East
Syria ‘informed on anti-IS strikes’
Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad tells the BBC he receives indirect messages from the US-led coalition about air strikes against Islamic State. BBC News – Middle East