Globe Trot: Kurdish and Iraqi forces push back ISIS fighters

IRAQ: Iraqi forces and Kurdish peshmerga today recaptured Mosul Dam, a crucial hydroelectric facility that’s been under ISIS control since earlier this month. Ground forces advanced against the Islamic State fighters after two days of pounding U.S. air strikes in the area—nine on Saturday and 16 on Sunday, according to U.S. Central Command. Kurdish forces also are advancing to retake predominately Christian villages in Nineveh Plain, according to our sources. Atrocities against Yazidis in Iraq continue, with reports of 80 Yazidi men executed and hundreds of women abducted in the village of Kocho on Friday—one day after U.S. President Barack Obama called off evacuation plans for the Yazidis, saying they were no longer in danger.

GAZA: The latest cease fire between Israel and Gaza—a five-day truce—is set to expire at midnight Monday (5 p.m. EDT) with no agreement yet to a longer-term arrangement coming out of Egyptian-mediated talks between the two sides. But one delegate to the talks said fighting is over: “Both sides have agreed to [exchange] quiet for quiet,” said Bassam Al Salhi.

AFGHANISTAN: The highest-ranking military officer killed in combat since the Vietnam War, Maj. Gen. Harold Greene was buried at Arlington National Cemetery late last week. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Ordieno was the highest-ranking official in attendance—and pundits noted the absence of the president, vice president, or secretary of defense. President Obama was on the course at Vineyard Golf Club during the service.

AFRICA: Fallout from the Ebola epidemic has anchored Mercy Ships, which operates the world’s largest civilian hospital ship—normally providing medical and surgical care at West African ports. The aid group’s ship is docked at the Canary Islands, after canceling a 10-month stint in Guinea, and may have to cancel upcoming service to Benin.

EGYPT: A bookstore in Upper Egypt destroyed one year ago by Muslim Brotherhood sympathizers has reopened.

CHAD: Security forces from Chad freed about 100 Nigerians kidnapped earlier this month by Boko Haram. The Chadian soldiers killed most of the militants as they tried to cross the border.

FROM THE FILES: Don’t say Africans don’t know how to improvise:

WORLD has published a list of aid agencies assisting displaced Christians in Iraq.

To have Globe Trot delivered to your email inbox, email Mindy at mbelz@wng.org.