Syria and the
Russian Federation once again state that the
United States' military presence in Syria is "illegal". United States and US-backed forces now have control of about a quarter of Syrian territory.
(The Washington Post)
A force of five hundred Syrian pro-government troops supported by tanks and artillery launched a ground assault on a local headquarters of the
Syrian Democratic Forces near the town of
Khasham, in the
Deir ez-Zor Governorate. More than one hundred Syrian government fighters were killed in the battle, including Russian private military contractors of
Wagner Group.
(The Washington Post)
A senior
European External Action Service official says that the
European Union, in order to protect its companies doing business with
Iran, could implement "blocking regulations" based on a legal framework set up in 1996 for E.U. trade with
Cuba, should the
United States pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal and restore its sanctions.
(Reuters)
Bermuda repeals
same-sex marriage, becoming the world's first jurisdiction to legalise, then repeal same-sex marriage. However, about half a dozen same-sex marriages that took place in Bermuda between the Supreme Court ruling in May 2017 and the repeal will continue to be recognised.
(The Guardian)
Jeff Kruse announces his resignation from the
Oregon State Senate, effective March 15, amid allegations that he sexually harassed female colleagues and other staffers. Kruse denies the allegations.
(USA Today)