In the evening Aug 17 Tunisian Coast Guard patrol boat intercepted fishing vessel with illegal migrants off Sfax, Tunis, in their attempt to make way to Italy. When ordered to stop, migrants started to throw Molotov cocktails at CG boat. Accidentally or intentionally, migrants set their vessel on fire. 14 migrants of Congo, Ivory Coast and Tunisian nationalities were rescued and arrested. At least 4 migrants died. Source: Maritime Bulletin
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci says the Russian leader told him in Paris that Moscow will support any peaceful agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia. Source: Balkan Insight
Israeli Defense Forces have released footage of an Israeli Air Force strike on what the IDF reports was Hamas’ military intelligence headquarters. Hamas militant group has threatened to fire rockets at the Israeli towns of Beersheba, Ashdod if the IDF airstrikes on Gaza continue. Source: Sputnik
Bulgaria is the latest EU-member state to clarify that it will be not back the UN pact on migration, due to be signed next month in Marrakech, claiming it puts the national interest at risk. Source: Balkan Insight
