GAZA -- Egypt on Friday suddenly reopened Rafah crossing point with the Gaza Strip temporarily for two days, according to the Palestinian Authority of Crossings and Borders.

The Authority said in an emailed press statement that Egypt informed the Palestinian side overnight that it decided to reopen Rafah crossing point on Friday and Saturday in both directions. (Gaza-Rafah)

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ANKARA -- Turkey is in talks with the U.S. on purchase of Patriot missile defense systems, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Friday.

Speaking at a press conference in Ankara, Hami Aksoy said that Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Umit Yalcin would pay a visit next week to Washington for a face-to-face meeting regarding the missile deal. (Turkey-U.S.)

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DAMASCUS -- An agreement has been reached on Friday for the evacuation of rebels and their families from new areas in the capital Damascus' Eastern Ghouta countryside, according to the state TV.

As many as 7,000 rebels and their family members are to leave areas of Jobar, Zamalka, Arbeen, and Ayn Tarma in Eastern Ghouta, and the deal covers the main rebel groups in control of those areas, namely the Failaq al-Rahman, and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, according to the report. (Syria-Rebels)

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ISTANBUL -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Friday once again to move militarily against other Syrian towns days after Turkish troops and its allies took control of the Afrin city in northwestern Syria.

"Our job will not end in Afrin. We have Idlib and Manbij next," Erdogan said at a rally in Istanbul. (Turkey-Syria-Operation)

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DAMASCUS -- The last batch of rebels and their families have evacuated the city of Harasta in Syrian capital Damascus' Eastern Ghouta countryside on Friday, leaving the city empty of rebels, according to the state TV.

The evacuation of rebels and their families from Harasta started on Thursday and ended Friday evening, with a total of 59 buses transporting 3,000 people, including 1,000 rebels. (Syria-Rebels) Enditem

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