CAIRO -- Egyptian security forces killed four suspected terrorists who were involved in a deadly attack on a police checkpoint in the restive Sinai Peninsula, Egypt's Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

A total of eight policemen were killed in Wednesday's attack on a checkpoint, claimed by the Islamic State terrorist group, in southwest of al-Arish city, the capital of North Sinai. (Egypt-Sinai-Attack)

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ANKARA -- The Pentagon announced in a letter that it would halt F-35 fighter jet training for Turkish pilots over Ankara's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system, Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Saturday.

In a letter to his Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, U.S. acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said that all Turkish pilots in the program must leave the country by July 31 and the training for new pilots will be suspended. (Turkey-U.S.)

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BAGHDAD -- German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Saturday paid an official visit to Iraq over bilateral ties and tensions in the Middle East region.

Iraqi President Barham Salih received Maas and his accompanying delegation in capital Baghdad, where Salih stressed on "Iraq's keen desire to coordinate with European countries about the developments on both regional and international arenas," said a statement by the presidency office. (German-Iraq-Visit)

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BEIRUT -- Lebanese military sources said that Israeli activities on the borders indicate the possible occurrence of an imminent military operation, Asharq al-Awsat local newspaper reported on Saturday.

The military sources added that if Israel decides to escalate tensions, it is capable of coming up with different excuses to launch a military operation against Lebanon. (Lebanon-Israel) Enditem

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