The Iraqi army has urged people living in the centre of the Islamic State-held city of Ramadi to leave before an operation to retake it is launched. Leaflets have been dropped by planes, warning residents the army planned to storm the city within the next 24 hours. Source: BBC
Ankara late Wednesday condemned the Greek deputy foreign minister’s “provocative” remarks against Turkey and its president that could escalate tensions. “We strongly condemn the immoral statements, which are not in line with political and diplomatic practices, of Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece Miltiadis Varvitsiotis about our country and our president in an interview with a television channel,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Source Daily Sabah
China has sent more fighter jets into Taiwan’s air defence zone in an increased show of force, as Taiwan’s foreign minister vowed the island would fight to the end if China attacks. Taipei’s defence ministry said it scrambled aircraft to broadcast warning messages to the latest incursion, which included 12 Chinese fighters. Source The Guardian
A top Russian official has warned that Moscow could intervene to help Russian-speaking residents in eastern Ukraine if Ukraine launches an all-out assault on separatists there. Source BBC
