Israeli fighter jets launched airstrikes on suspected Islamic Jihad positions in Syria, the Israeli military said on Monday, after the militant group and Israel exchanged rockets and airstrikes around Gaza.

Israeli fighter jets launched airstrikes on suspected Islamic Jihad positions in Syria, the Israeli military said on Monday, after the militant group and Israel exchanged rockets and airstrikes around Gaza. An Israeli military statement said its forces had "struck Islamic Jihad terror targets south of Damascus" in addition to "dozens" of Islamic Jihad targets throughout the Gaza Strip. The airstrike in the Adeliyah region outside Damascus targeted what the Israeli military called "a hub of Islamic Jihad's activity in Syria," including the research and development of weapons. [ Iron Dome anti-missile system fires interception missiles as rockets are launched from Gaza towards Israel (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Also Read: Israeli warplanes hit Hamas in Gaza after border fire The Israeli announcement came shortly after Syrian state media said its air defences had intercepted "hostile targets" over the Syrian capital, Damascus. The strike escalated the latest round of hostilities, which began around dawn on Sunday, when, Israel said, its troops killed an Islamic Jihad member who was trying to plant explosives near Israel's border fence with the Gaza Strip. Watch: Benjamin Netanyahu rushed offstage as rocket fired from Gaza into Israel Islamic Jihad fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza into Israel, setting off air-raid sirens in communities such as Ashkelon. Israel hit back with a series of airstrikes in Gaza. The rockets sent residents of southern Israel running for shelters. Some of the rocket fire was intercepted by Israeli aerial missile defences, and there were no reports of any Israelis injured. The Israeli military said that among the "dozens" of targets struck in Gaza were underground infrastructure and compounds in Rafah that had been used to store raw material used for manufacturing rockets. Also Read: Israel strikes Hamas targets after new Gaza rocket fire [ Aftermath of Israeli airstrikes (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Shortly before midnight on Sunday, the Syrian state news agency SANA quoted a military source saying that Israeli planes had entered Syrian airspace and targeted areas around Damascus with a wave of guided missiles. Syrian state-run al-Ikhbariya TV aired footage of what it said were explosions set off in the Damascus night sky by the air defence system shooting down missiles. The Syrian military source said most missiles were destroyed before reaching their targets and that the aftermath of the strike was being examined. Israel says it has carried out hundreds of strikes against targets in Syria in recent years. In November, Islamic Jihad said Israel had targeted the house of one of its officials in Damascus, killing one of his sons.

Israeli strike in Damascus killed 2 Islamic Jihad members: Group

Malian President&nbsp;Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Sunday rejected as speculation talk of a military coup after recent jihadist attacks left dozens of soldiers dead.

Keita said lessons would be learned after 38 soldiers were killed in two attacks last week near the border with Burkina Faso, a death toll that observers say is probably an underestimate.

"No military coup will prevail in Mali, let it be said," the president said in remarks recorded Saturday and released on Sunday. "And I don't think this is on the agenda at all and cannot worry us," he added.

"We are at war," the president said after the attacks last Monday and Tuesday in the towns of Boulkessy and Mondoro, which evoked memories of a 2012 army coup in the former French colony.

"What happened at Boulkessy could unfortunately happen again," Keita said.

The assailants used heavily armed vehicles in the raids on the two military camps, during which the government said troops killed 15 jihadists.

The jihadists made off with a large quantity of arms, ammunition and equipment -- local media said about 20 vehicles were captured, including some mounted with machine guns.

Sources said Malian special forces and foreign allies, including French warplanes and helicopters, helped to quash the attacks.

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Sunday rejected as speculation talk of a military coup after recent jihadist attacks left dozens of soldiers dead. Keita said lessons would be learned after 38 soldiers were killed in two attacks last week near the border with Burkina Faso, a death toll that observers say is probably an underestimate.

Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on Sunday rejected as speculation talk of a military coup after recent jihadist attacks left dozens of soldiers dead. Keita said lessons would be learned after 38 soldiers were killed in two attacks last week near the border with Burkina Faso, a death toll that observers say is probably an underestimate. "No military coup will prevail in Mali, let it be said," the president said in remarks recorded Saturday and released on Sunday. "And I don't think this is on the agenda at all and cannot worry us," he added. "We are at war," the president said after the attacks last Monday and Tuesday in the towns of Boulkessy and Mondoro, which evoked memories of a 2012 army coup in the former French colony. "What happened at Boulkessy could unfortunately happen again," Keita said. The assailants used heavily armed vehicles in the raids on the two military camps, during which the government said troops killed 15 jihadists. The jihadists made off with a large quantity of arms, ammunition and equipment -- local media said about 20 vehicles were captured, including some mounted with machine guns. Sources said Malian special forces and foreign allies, including French warplanes and helicopters, helped to quash the attacks.

Mali president dismisses coup speculation

At least 16 people, including 11 soldiers, have been killed in jihadist attacks in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state, military and militia sources said Saturday.

Rival factions of Boko Haram launched the attacks on military and civilian targets between Thursday and Saturday, they said.

On Thursday, fighters from the IS-aligned Islamic State West Africa Province ambushed a military convoy near Mauro village in Benisheikh district, a military source told AFP.

"Our men on patrol fell into a terrorist ambush... which claimed 11 soldiers and wounded 16 others. Two other soldiers are still missing," &nbsp;said the officer, who asked not to be identified.

He said the troops were travelling in three vehicles.

"The terrorists made away with 11 AK-47 rifles and anti-aircraft gun mounted on the gun truck," he said.

In another attack the same day, Boko Haram gunmen opened fire on a vehicle at Frigi village, killing one person and injuring another,&nbsp;militia sources said.

Jihadist fighters also killed two militiamen in Gubio, 80 kilometres&nbsp;from the state capital Maiduguri.

On Saturday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-police-say-over-300-abused-students-freed-from-islamic-school-252433">Boko Haram</a> militants stormed a camp for those displaced by the conflict in the town of Banki near the border with Cameroon, killing two residents and injuring three vigilantes guarding the area, two militia sources said.

The decade-long Boko Haram campaign has killed 35,000 people and displaced around two million from their homes in northeast Nigeria.&nbsp;

The violence has spread to neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting a regional military coalition to fight the insurgents.

At least 16 people, including 11 soldiers, have been killed in jihadist attacks in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state, military and militia sources said Saturday.

At least 16 people, including 11 soldiers, have been killed in jihadist attacks in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state, military and militia sources said Saturday. Rival factions of Boko Haram launched the attacks on military and civilian targets between Thursday and Saturday, they said. On Thursday, fighters from the IS-aligned Islamic State West Africa Province ambushed a military convoy near Mauro village in Benisheikh district, a military source told AFP. "Our men on patrol fell into a terrorist ambush... which claimed 11 soldiers and wounded 16 others. Two other soldiers are still missing," said the officer, who asked not to be identified. He said the troops were travelling in three vehicles. "The terrorists made away with 11 AK-47 rifles and anti-aircraft gun mounted on the gun truck," he said. In another attack the same day, Boko Haram gunmen opened fire on a vehicle at Frigi village, killing one person and injuring another, militia sources said. Jihadist fighters also killed two militiamen in Gubio, 80 kilometres from the state capital Maiduguri. On Saturday, Boko Haram militants stormed a camp for those displaced by the conflict in the town of Banki near the border with Cameroon, killing two residents and injuring three vigilantes guarding the area, two militia sources said. The decade-long Boko Haram campaign has killed 35,000 people and displaced around two million from their homes in northeast Nigeria. The violence has spread to neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting a regional military coalition to fight the insurgents.

16 killed in jihadist attacks in Nigeria: Sources

More than 200 people were arrested last week in a joint anti-terror and security operation in the West African countries of Burkina Faso, Ghana, Benin and Togo, the Burkinabe army said.&nbsp

"Fifty-two individuals were arrested in Burkina Faso, 42 in Benin, 95 in Togo and 13 in Ghana", Colonel Blaise Ouedraogo told AFP late Friday.&nbsp

Explosives and contraband goods were also seized.&nbsp

At least two of those arrested in Burkina were suspected of being involved in jihadism, Ouedraogo said, adding that "40 sticks of explosives, 38 guns and 623 illegally registered motor bikes" had been found.&nbsp

Around 2,900 security and defence officers from the four countries took part, he added.&nbsp

Burkino Faso's Security Minister Clement Sawadogo said the joint operation was the result of an agreement between the leaders of the four countries in Ghana's capital, Accra, last year.

He said such operations would be repeated in future "so that we can pool our resources, our expertise and our ability to overcome serious crime and terrorism."

The number of deadly attacks has been on the increase in the north of Burkino Faso in recent years, as well as in the east of the country and the border areas with Togo and Benin.&nbsp

The examination of the teeth did not find any traces of powder, which indicates there was not a revolver shot to the mouth, more likely the neck or the forehead.

Equally, bluish deposits seen on his false teeth could indicate a "chemical reaction between the cyanide and the metal of the dentures," the researcher said.

Charlier, a specialist in medical and legal anthropology, was also involved in the analysis of the mummified heart of Richard Lionheart.

Explosives and contraband goods were also seized

More than 200 people were arrested last week in a joint anti-terror and security operation in the West African countries of Burkina Faso, Ghana, Benin and Togo, the Burkinabe army said. "Fifty-two individuals were arrested in Burkina Faso, 42 in Benin, 95 in Togo and 13 in Ghana", Colonel Blaise Ouedraogo told AFP late Friday. Explosives and contraband goods were also seized. At least two of those arrested in Burkina were suspected of being involved in jihadism, Ouedraogo said, adding that "40 sticks of explosives, 38 guns and 623 illegally registered motor bikes" had been found. Around 2,900 security and defence officers from the four countries took part, he added. Burkino Faso's Security Minister Clement Sawadogo said the joint operation was the result of an agreement between the leaders of the four countries in Ghana's capital, Accra, last year. He said such operations would be repeated in future "so that we can pool our resources, our expertise and our ability to overcome serious crime and terrorism." The number of deadly attacks has been on the increase in the north of Burkino Faso in recent years, as well as in the east of the country and the border areas with Togo and Benin. The examination of the teeth did not find any traces of powder, which indicates there was not a revolver shot to the mouth, more likely the neck or the forehead. Equally, bluish deposits seen on his false teeth could indicate a "chemical reaction between the cyanide and the metal of the dentures," the researcher said. Charlier, a specialist in medical and legal anthropology, was also involved in the analysis of the mummified heart of Richard Lionheart.

200 arrests in anti-terrorist operations in West Africa

jihadism

Jihadism, News on Jihadism, stories on Jihadism, articles on Jihadism, Jihadism stories at Wion, Jihadism news, Jihadism latest news