Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, April 19

TEHRAN -- An earthquake measuring 5.9 in magnitude shook Kaki region in Iran's southern Bushehr province on Thursday, but it did not affect the operation of a nearby nuclear power plant.

Iran Seismological Center said that the quake took place at 11:05 a.m. local time (0635 GMT). The epicenter of the quake, with a depth of 18 km, was estimated at 28.353 degrees north latitude and 51.559 degrees east longitude. (Iran-Quake-Nuke Plant)

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BAGHDAD -- Iraqi Air Force on Thursday carried out airstrikes on the positions of Islamic State (IS) militants inside Syria near the border, the Iraqi government said.

A statement issued by the office of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said "our air force carried out deadly airstrikes against the positions of the terrorist IS gangs in Syria near the Iraqi border." (Iraq-Syria-Airstrikes on IS)

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KHARTOUM -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Thursday fired Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour, official SUNA news agency reported.

The report did not give reasons behind the firing of the foreign minister. (Sudan-Foreign Minister)

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RIYADH -- Three police forces on Thursday were shot dead in an attack on a security checkpoint in Saudi city Asir while another died in crossfire while trying to arrest the attackers, Al Arabiya local news reported.

Saudi's Interior Ministry spokesperson announced in a statement that the attack took place at 12:45 a.m. local time (21:45 GMT) against a security checkpoint between two districts in Asir region in southwest of Saudi Arabia. (Saudi Arabia-Police Forces) Enditem