Tunisian forces launched air and ground strikes on militants near the Algerian border on Friday after fierce overnight clashes in the area, which coincided with increased instability and political turmoil in the North African country.

Egypt’s interim presidency has announced that foreign diplomatic efforts to negotiate a resolution to the standoff with the Muslim Brotherhood following the removal of

Syrian rebels said on Thursday they targeted President Bashar al-Assad’s motorcade as he was heading to attend prayers at a Damascus mosque to mark the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, but footage broadcast by state television showed him unharmed.