Russian chief of main operational directorate Col.-Gen. Sergei Rudskoy said Saturday evening that “In the past year and a half, Russia has fully restored Syria’s air defense system and continues to further upgrade it.” Moscow had “refused” to supply the surface-to-air missile system to Syria a few years ago after “taking into account the pressing request of some of our Western partners.” Source The Jerusalem Post
Italy’s League has overtaken the Five Star Movement in voter support and become the country’s leading party in opinion polls for the first time, according to a poll by SWG to be be aired on television channel LA7. Source Bloomberg
Italy on Saturday demanded that the Netherlands recall two Dutch-flagged migrant rescue ships after one of the non-government organisations that operate them called the interior minister a fascist. Source: Times of Malta
Turkish military forces have entered the outskirts of the northern Syrian town of Manbij as part of a deal agreed with the United States, Turkish media reported on June 18, citing local sources. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
