DAMASCUS -- A massive explosion caused by unexploded ordnance rocked Syria's wildfire-stricken Latakia countryside on Friday, where fire crews have been battling the blazes for the ninth consecutive day, local authorities said.
According to the state-run Al-Ikhbaria TV, head of Latakia's Civil Defense Abdel Kafi Kayyal said fire crews continue operations despite strong winds and landmine threats, with "the arrival of new reinforcements from several provinces." (Syria-Wildfire-Landmine Blast)
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ANKARA -- A group of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants burned their weapons on Friday, in what Türkiye has welcomed as a symbolic and significant step toward disarmament.
Footage from the semi-official Anadolu Agency showed approximately 30 militants -- including 15 women -- emerging from a cave near the Surdas district in Iraq's northern Sulaymaniyah province. They formed a line to place AK-47 assault rifles, bandoliers, and other firearms into a large grey cauldron, which was then set ablaze. (Türkiye-Iraq-PKK Disarmament)
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BEIRUT -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed on Friday that normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel is currently not under consideration, emphasizing that Lebanon's current focus is on maintaining peace, not entering formal ties.
"Peace means a state of non-war, and that is what matters to Lebanon right now," he said, according to a statement released by Lebanon's presidency. (Lebanon-Israel-Ties)
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JERUSALEM -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Friday that a combat commanding officer was killed in an incident in the southern Gaza Strip.
The officer, Reei Biran, aged 21, was a squad commander in the IDF's Golani Reconnaissance Unit. (Israel-Soldier-Death) ■
