Aleppo / AFP Syrian regime forces were on the verge on Tuesday of seizing a major rebel district of Aleppo as Moscow and Washington traded barbs over stalled efforts to end fighting in the battle-worn city. After retaking control of about two-thirds of east Aleppo in recent days, forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad were advancing Tuesday on the large residential …

  Damascus / AFP Syria’s government on Tuesday said it would not agree to a ceasefire in Aleppo unless it guarantees a full withdrawal of rebel factions from the city. “Syria will not leave its citizens in east Aleppo to be held hostage by terrorists, and will exert every effort to liberate them,” said a foreign ministry statement carried by …

  Aden / AFP Yemeni authorities have arrested eight suspected IS group extremists implicated in a spate of attacks targeting security personnel in second city Aden this year, police said. Police in the southern port city, headquarters of Yemen’s internationally recognised government, also seized silenced pistols and letters from IS leaders in Iraq and Syria, a statement said late on …