Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, Feb. 7

DAMASCUS -- The Syrian air defenses destroyed most of the Israeli missiles targeting a military position in the countryside of the Syrian capital Damascus early Wednesday, the Syrian army said in a statement.

The Israeli warplanes fired the missiles from inside the Lebanese airspace, it noted. (Syria-Israel-Missiles)

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BAGHDAD -- Iraqi security forces Wednesday launched an operation to hunt down rebel groups, including remnants of Islamic State (IS) militants, in rural areas in Iraq's central province of Salahudin, security sources said.

A joint force from the Iraqi army, police and paramilitary Hashd Shaabi brigades advanced in five routes in north and south of the city of Tuz-Khurmato to chase the terrorist rebel groups of IS, Ansar al-Sunna and the so-called the White Flags. (Iraq-Operation)

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BEIRUT -- The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed Wednesday that Israel has begun to construct a controversial wall along its border with Lebanon.

"We are in contact with the parties on both sides of the border to resolve this issue and prevent any tension or escalation," UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said in a statement carried by the National News Agency (NNA). (Lebanon-Israel-wall)

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ANKARA -- Turkey said Wednesday it had met all 72 criteria set by the European Union to secure visa-free travel for Turkish citizens to the 28-nation bloc.

Turkey has fulfilled all criteria and submitted related documents to the European Commission ahead of an EU-Turkey summit in March, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said at a press conference in Ankara. (Turkey-EU-Visa-free Travel) Enditem