Arbil / AFP The United States said on Thursday that up to 900 IS group extremists have been killed in the offensive to retake Iraq’s Mosul, as camps around the city filled with fleeing civilians. Iraqis who fled their homes expressed joy at escaping IS’s brutal rule as they were given shelter and assistance, in some cases reuniting with relatives …

  Ankara / AFP Turkish authorities ordered the detention of 73 air force pilots as part of the probe into the group blamed for July’s failed coup, state media reported on Thursday. At least 45 had already been detained after police operations began on Thursday across the country including the central Konya province and the capital Ankara, the official Anadolu news …

  Ankara /AFP Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that the military operation supporting Syrian opposition fighters in northern Syria will target the IS-held city of Raqa. Erdogan said the rebels were now advancing on the important city of Al Bab to clear IS group elements. After retaking the city, they will target Manbij, captured by Syrian Kurdish …