Turkey: A week after an Islamic State bombing killed 32 in the city of Suruc, the Turkish military carried out airstrikes against targets controlled by IS fighters in Syria and embarked on a new air campaign to bombard camps of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party militants in northern Iraq. Both campaigns reflect a major tactical shift for Turkey. Internal tension has also been on the boil in Istanbul, where protesters clashed with police over the Suruc attack. The next day, an unclaimed car bomb struck a military convoy in south-eastern Turkey and killed two soldiers. Yemen: The Saudi-led coalition decided to suspend its bombardment of Houthi rebels in Yemen for five days starting Sunday so that aid could be delivered to civilians. But the coalition said it reserved the right to respond to “military activity or movement” by rebels during the ceasefire. The announcement followed air strikes in Taiz province, which reportedly killed 120 people, including civilians. Afghanistan: The country is set to continue its talks with the Taliban in a meeting reportedly scheduled for July 31 in Pakistan. According to the reports, one round of talks was held on July 7 in Pakistan’s Murree. Later, on Sunday, the Taliban took control of a large police base in remote northeast Afghanistan after about 100 police and border officers joined the militants following three days of fighting. This is the largest mass surrender by Afghan forces since US and NATO forces ended combat mission in Afghan. Cameroon: A suicide bombing suspected to have been carried out by Boko Haram ripped through a bar in the town of Maroua, killing at least 19 people. The bomber was reportedly a teenage girl. The blast comes just three days after twin bombings were suspected to have been carried out by Boko Haram, in what appears to be the group’s deepest incursion from neighbouring Nigeria. Boko Haram has recently stepped up attacks on countries bordering its Nigerian stronghold — Chad, Niger and Cameroon — following a regional offensive against it earlier this year. — Compiled by Sagar Shah
