US Says Anti-ISIS Operation in Iraq Kills Coalition Soldier

A soldier from the anti-ISIS coalition. (Reuters file)
A soldier from the anti-ISIS coalition. (Reuters file)
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US Says Anti-ISIS Operation in Iraq Kills Coalition Soldier

A soldier from the anti-ISIS coalition. (Reuters file)
A soldier from the anti-ISIS coalition. (Reuters file)

The US military said on Monday operations against ISIS in Iraq over the past week led to the death of a non-US coalition soldier and wounded two other non-US personnel.

It also detailed operations in Syria against ISIS militants led by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, including one that resulted in the capture of what the US military's Central Command said was an ISIS attack cell leader.

US officials have said ISIS is hoping to stage a comeback in Syria following the fall in December of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.



Lebanon's PM Says Country to Begin Disarming South Litani to Ensure State Presence

President Joseph Aoun met with PM Najib Mikati at Baabda palace. (NNA)
President Joseph Aoun met with PM Najib Mikati at Baabda palace. (NNA)
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Lebanon's PM Says Country to Begin Disarming South Litani to Ensure State Presence

President Joseph Aoun met with PM Najib Mikati at Baabda palace. (NNA)
President Joseph Aoun met with PM Najib Mikati at Baabda palace. (NNA)

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Friday that the state will begin disarming southern Lebanon, particularly the south Litani region, to establish its presence across the country.
"We are in a new phase - in this new phase, we will start with south Lebanon and south Litani specifically in order to pull weapons so that the state can be present across Lebanese territory," Mikati said.

Mikati's remarks followed a meeting with newly elected President Joseph Aoun at the Baabda Presidential Palace. Aoun was elected as the country's new head of state by parliament on Thursday, ending a vacancy in the presidency that had persisted for over two years.

In his address to parliament, Aoun pledged to control weapons outside the state's control, saying the government is the sole entity authorized to possess and use military force and weapons.
A ceasefire agreement that ended the 13-month-conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in November has given the Lebanese party 60 days to end its armed presence in southern Lebanon, while Israeli forces are also required to withdraw from the area over the same period.
The ceasefire agreement says Israeli forces will move south of the Blue Line “in a phased manner” within 60 days. The Lebanese army’s troops will deploy “in parallel” to the positions.