'At least 14' dead, 45 wounded in Iraqi suicide bombing at funeral
The Associated Press has more on the reports that a suicide bomber has targeted a funeral north of Baghdad, causing multiple casualties.
Local security officials are now saying that at least 14 people were killed in the attack, including a local leader of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a powerful Shi'ite militia. Another 45 people have been wounded.
The attack happened in Muqdadiyah, about 90 km north of Baghdad.
No group has yet claimed responsibility but IS bombed a cafe in Muqdadiyah in January that set off a wave of revenge attacks on Sunni mosques and civilians in Iraq.
Death toll in Iraq suicide bombing has risen to 24
The death toll in this afternoon's suicide bombing north of Baghdad has risen to 24, Reuters is reporting, citing police and hospital sources. The number of wounded is 55, the sources say.
The attack tool place at a funeral for a Shi'ite militia fighter in Muqdadia in Diyala province.
Movement on key Aleppo supply road has been restored, source tells RIA
The Syrian army and pro-government militias have fully restored movement on the Khanaser-Aleppo supply road, which had been blocked by the IS group, a military source has told Russia's RIA Novosti.
The road is the only route linking Aleppo to other provinces, and is nicknamed the "lifeline," the source said.
Iraq suicide bombing death toll rises again to at least 27
Reuters latest report is saying that at least 27 people have been killed in a suicide bombing at a funeral for the relative of a Shi'ite militia commander in Diyala in eastern Iraq this afternoon.
Security officials and police in Diyala said the target of the attack was two local commanders of the Hashid Shaabi umbrella group of Shi'ite militias who were attending the funeral ceremony for one of their relatives.
"The suicide attacker approached the local Hashid commanders and then blew his vest up, killing both with many others," said one police major on condition of anonymity. A further 55 people were wounded, the sources said.
Turkey 'shells IS positions' in Syria
AFP has more details on the earlier reports that Turkey has shelled IS positions inside Syria.
The Dogan news agency is reporting that Turkish artillery fired 50-60 shells from Howitzers positioned in the southern region of Kilis against IS positions in northern Aleppo province.
The shelling was in coordination with the U.S.-led coalition against IS.
U.S. expects to give Iraq more support for Mosul fight - defense chief
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has said that the U.S.-led coalition fighting the IS group expects to provide Iraqi forces with additional types of support during the battle to reclaim the Iraqi city of Mosul.
According to Carter, U.S. forces also expected to provide additional types of support that were offered for the fight to oust IS from the Iraqi city of Ramadi, but were not needed, such as logistics and bridging.
British air strikes in Syria aren't pushing back IS, ministers admit
The IS group is not being pushed back in Syria despite the extension of British air strikes to the country, ministers have admitted, The Independent reports.
UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon told MPs that the situation in Syria was “complicated” and that recent events on the ground had concerned the government.
“In Syria the position is much more complicated [than in Iraq] and we are concerned at some of the more recent reports that may suggest coordination between [the Kurdish-led] Syrian Democratic Forces and the Assad regime, which is not helpful to the long-term aim of defeating [IS],” Fallon said.
Curfew imposed in Iraq to prevent reprisals after suicide bombing
After a suicide bombing that killed at least 23 people -- Reuters put the figure at 27 dead -- in the Iraqi town of Muqdadiyah earlier today, the local council has reportedly imposed a curfew to prevent reprisal attacks.
The bombing targeted the funeral of the relative of a Shi'ite militia man.
Fearing bombardment, W. Aleppo residents tell Nusra to 'get out'
Residents of rebel-held Atareb in Western Aleppo have "no confidence" in the ceasefire, a local citizen journalist told Syria Direct today.
The comments come a day after dozens of demonstrators in Atareb called for fighters from Al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate the Al-Nusra Front to "get out" in order to avoid attracting Syrian government and Russian bombardment, Syria Direct report.
Turkey hit as many as 10 IS targets on Feb. 28: military official
CNN Turk has just tweeted that a Turkish military official says Turkish artillery hit as many as 10 IS targets in Syria on Feb. 28, according to local sources near the town of Azaz in northern Aleppo province.