★ SYRIA
Israeli Forces Advance 9 Kilometers into Daraa, Southern Syria
Israeli forces advanced nine kilometers into southern Syria’s Daraa countryside, reaching Kuwaya village and the historic Al-Wehda Dam near the Syrian-Jordanian border. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the troops took strategic positions and warned locals to surrender weapons. Additionally, forces entered Battalion 74 near Saida village, situated on the administrative border between Quneitra and Daraa provinces. The move marks another incursion in southern Syria as tensions rise along the occupied Golan Heights border.
Over 20 Human Remains Found in Damascus Drug Warehouse
Human remains, including those of over 20 individuals, some children, were discovered in a refrigerated drug warehouse in Sayeda Zeinab, Damascus. Turkish agency Anadolu reported the facility contained decomposed bodies and skeletal remains. Syrian Civil Defense member Ammar Salmo stated that teams are documenting the remains and preparing for DNA testing to identify the victims. The area had been a stronghold for Iranian militias before the Syrian regime’s collapse on December 8, 2024.
Ahmad Al-Sharaa: Syria Supports Women’s Education, Rejects Extremism
Ahmad Al-Sharaa, Syria’s Military Administration Director, stated the war-torn country poses no threat to neighbors or the West, urging sanctions to be lifted. In a BBC interview, he rejected comparisons with Afghanistan, emphasizing Syria’s civil, diverse society, unlike Afghanistan’s tribal framework. Al-Sharaa expressed strong support for women’s education, professional freedoms, and regulated liberties. He condemned misinformation promoting extremism to instill fear of change among Syrians.
German Court Sentences Syrian Militia Leader to 10 Years for War Crimes
A German court sentenced Ahmad H. (47), a former pro-Assad militia leader, to ten years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Convictions include torture, unlawful imprisonment, and enslavement, committed between 2012 and 2015 in Damascus as part of efforts to suppress opposition. Ahmad H., who entered Germany in 2016, was tried by Hamburg’s Higher Regional Court. Following Assad’s recent ouster by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Germany warned that Assad’s supporters would continue to face justice.
HTS-Led Trials Target Assad-Linked Warlords and Officials
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that detainees from Hama Central Prison, captured or surrendered during battles leading to the Assad regime’s fall, will face trials starting Thursday. Overseen by a judicial committee under the interim government formed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the trials will address war crimes. Concurrently, the Military Operations Authority is raiding Syria’s coastal regions, Hama, and Homs, targeting warlords and figures linked to Asma al-Assad and former regime officials accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Israel Strikes Syrian Military Sites After Assad Allegedly Shared Secrets
Israel launched over 500 airstrikes on Syria after Bashar al-Assad allegedly shared military secrets with Israel, including missile depots and air defense sites. Assad’s disclosure reportedly led to targeted strikes on Syria’s military infrastructure, especially in Tartus. The strikes, using advanced missiles, destroyed 85% of Syria’s military equipment. The attacks caused widespread panic among locals and marked the most intense Israeli offensive in the region since 2012, with explosions felt for miles.
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★ ISRAEL
First-Time Evidence Shows US Knew About Israeli Nuclear Program
Documents from the U.S. National Security Archive reveal that the U.S. knew Israel was producing nuclear weapons at Dimona. A 1960 intelligence report confirmed Israel’s atomic program was linked to weapons development. By February 1967, Israeli sources informed the U.S. embassy of Dimona’s nuclear facility and Israel’s potential to build a bomb. U.S. policy shifted, prioritizing regional peace over nuclear nonproliferation despite knowledge of Israel’s nuclear capabilities in the 1970s.
German Weapons Exports to Israel Down by Half This Year Compared to 2023
Germany has cut arms exports to Israel by half this year, approving only 161 million euros, down from 326.5 million euros in 2023. This decrease coincides with a legal challenge by human rights groups over weapon use in Gaza. Meanwhile, Germany has increased arms exports to Ukraine, approving 8.1 billion euros in military equipment this year, up from 4.4 billion euros in 2023.
Israeli Army Controls About 95% of Quneitra Governorate
Israeli forces now control 95% of Syria’s Quneitra Governorate, occupying key Syrian army positions and installing equipment in Hader. Reports detail the forced relocation of Rawadi village residents by Israeli forces. The IDF has also destroyed Syrian military infrastructure deemed a threat to Israel’s security, using ground troops and armored units in the operation.
Israel Intercepts Missile Fired from Yemen Before Entering Airspace
The Israeli military intercepted a missile launched from Yemen before it entered Israeli airspace, with no casualties reported. Sirens were activated due to the potential falling debris from the interception. Earlier, sirens sounded across central Israel in response to the missile threat. Israel’s air defense system successfully neutralized the missile, preventing it from reaching its intended target.
Haredi Delay Tactics to Avoid New Israeli Recruitment Plan
Israel’s Ministry of Defense revealed plans to recruit 10,000 soldiers, including 6,000 Haredim, to address military losses in Gaza and Lebanon. Haredi political parties are blocking the draft with legislation limiting their army integration. The army faces a severe shortage of reservists, with response rates dropping to 60-70%. To address this, the military aims to recruit 6,200 Haredi soldiers over two years, offering religiously tailored conditions to encourage enlistment.
Netanyahu Assures Tice’s Family IDF Not Active Near His Location
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reassured Austin Tice’s family that the IDF is not active in areas where Tice may be held. Tice, an American journalist, was kidnapped in Damascus in 2012. Netanyahu confirmed Israeli intelligence is coordinating with U.S. authorities, and despite ongoing airstrikes in Syria, the IDF is not targeting regions where Tice might be. The Biden administration assumes Tice is alive and in Assad’s custody. Tice’s family continues advocating for efforts to locate and free him.
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★ LEBANON
Missing Fighters Issue Disorients Hezbollah During Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire
Over 1,000 Hezbollah fighters remain missing after the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, with no contact or bodies recovered. Hezbollah informed the families of the missing and continues investigations, uncertain whether the fighters were killed or captured by Israeli forces.
IDF Admits Settler Group Crossed Northern Border into Lebanon
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed a settler group crossed into Lebanon earlier this month near Maroun al-Ras. Initially reported as setting up an encampment near the border, further investigation revealed the group, led by the Uri Tzafon Movement, entered several meters into Lebanon. The area is part of a fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah. The IDF dispersed the group after identifying them, with troops now preparing to withdraw from southern Lebanon by January.
Israel Destroys Homes in Southern Lebanon After Ceasefire Breach
Israeli forces destroyed homes in Maroun al-Ras, Kafr Kila, and Naqoura in southern Lebanon on Wednesday evening, continuing daily violations of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Explosions followed a ceasefire committee meeting in Ras al-Naqoura. Israeli forces also detonated homes in the Tyre district and continued demolishing structures in border villages. Bulldozers leveled parts of Naqoura for the third consecutive day, despite the ceasefire agreement, which Israel has violated since its November 26 implementation.
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★ ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR
Negotiations on Hostage Deal Near Final Stages with Prisoner Relocation Plans
Negotiations for the release of hostages are nearly complete, with discussions on Palestinian prisoners to be freed. Some prisoners will be relocated to Turkey and Iran, while others will be released to Gaza and the West Bank. Hamas has agreed to release elderly, sick, and female detainees. A senior Hamas official stated that 90% of the prisoner issue is resolved, with an agreement possible unless new Israeli demands arise.
Resistance Claims Killing 6 Soldiers in Northern Gaza and Shelling Ashkelon
On Wednesday, Hamas’ Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades reported killing six Israeli soldiers in northern Gaza and targeting military vehicles. The brigades claimed responsibility for killing five soldiers near Jabaliya mosque and another near a Merkava tank. Additionally, a soldier was sniped in Tuwam, and a troop carrier was destroyed. Islamic Jihad’s al-Quds Brigades shelled Ashkelon and nearby settlements. Despite 14 months of conflict, Israel has failed to achieve its declared goals in Gaza.
IDF Orders Evacuations in Central Gaza Following Reports of Imminent Hostage Deal
The Israel Defense Forces ordered evacuations in central Gaza on Wednesday, ahead of a planned offensive. Residents in Bureij and Muwasi were urged to move to a humanitarian zone after Palestinian operatives fired rockets at Israeli troops. This follows reports that Israel and Hamas are nearing a hostage-ceasefire deal, with CIA Director Bill Burns meeting Qatari officials to bridge remaining gaps. Talks are accelerating ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
16 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Airstrikes on Northern Gaza
Israeli airstrikes on northern Gaza killed at least 16 Palestinians, including women and children. The strikes targeted homes in Jabaliya and Gaza City, with ten fatalities in Jabaliya and six others in Gaza’s Daraj neighborhood. An Israeli drone also bombed Kamal Adwan Hospital gates. This ongoing violence has drawn international condemnation, including U.S. criticism at the UN, particularly regarding Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank and its impact on peace efforts.
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★ Türkiye
Tensions Rise Between Trump And Erdoğan Over Syria Allegations
Turkey rejected U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s accusation that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan “seized control” in Syria through opposition factions. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated in a televised interview that describing the events in Syria as a “seizure” is a serious mischaracterization. The remarks follow a swift military campaign that led to the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.
SDF Accuses Turkey Of Violating Ceasefire In Northern Syria
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) accused Turkey and allied factions on Wednesday of violating the ceasefire by attacking areas near Kobani, Tishreen Dam, and Ain Issa in northern Syria. The SDF reported intense clashes between Manbij Military Council forces and Turkish-backed troops following a large-scale assault on Tishreen Dam earlier that morning.
Macron Expresses Willingness For Positive Agenda With Turkey
French President Emmanuel Macron, during a call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday, expressed readiness to establish a positive agenda in bilateral relations. A statement from the French presidency highlighted Macron’s focus on strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy. The two leaders discussed bilateral ties and the situation in Syria, expressing satisfaction over the ousting of the Syrian regime.
Turkey To Export First Warship To NATO And EU Member
Turkey signed its first military ship export deal with a NATO and EU member, awarding STM as the main contractor. STM will design and produce an auxiliary oil replenishment ship and a logistics support vessel for Portugal’s navy. The agreement, secured after beating international competitors, was signed in Lisbon during a ceremony attended by senior defense and naval officials.
Erdoğan Urges International Pressure On Israel For Lebanon Ceasefire
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for international efforts to compel Israel to enforce a ceasefire and compensate Lebanon for damages. Speaking alongside Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Ankara on Wednesday, Erdoğan emphasized the importance of regional stability, linking Lebanon’s security to broader peace efforts. He reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to supporting these initiatives and stressed the need for a permanent ceasefire and peace in Gaza.
Turkey Expands Military Presence In Libya, Engages With Haftar
Turkey has significantly increased its military and economic presence in Libya, evolving from limited involvement to broader regional influence. Initially solidifying ties with Libya’s western Government of National Accord under Fayez al-Sarraj in 2020, Ankara recently shifted focus toward the eastern camp led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and his sons, Saddam and Belqasem. This move signals Turkey’s intent to strengthen its foothold across Libya’s divided political and military landscape.
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★ IRAN
Iran and Russia Negotiate Military Base Construction In Sudan
Iran and Russia have engaged in recent talks with Sudan’s military to establish a According to Sudanese intelligence and Western officials, the military base in Port Sudan.e negotiations gained urgency following setbacks in Syria for both nations. Bloomberg reported Iranian drones and Russian weaponry playing key roles in Sudan’s civil war, with Dirar Ahmed Dirar, a pro-military militia leader, confirming Sudan’s receipt of support from Tehran and Moscow.
U.S. Imposes New Sanctions Targeting Iranian Missiles And Drones
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions on two entities and two individuals for supporting Iran’s missile and drone programs. The sanctioned parties were accused of supplying sensitive navigation components to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to the Treasury Department, these components are crucial for developing drones and missiles by the IRGC Aerospace Force and other Iranian government entities.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Now Controls Half Of Oil Exports
Western officials and Iranian sources report that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) now controls 50% of the country’s oil exports. This marks a sharp increase from 20% over the past three years. The IRGC manages secret tanker fleets, logistics, and front companies to sell oil, primarily to Chinese buyers, despite strict Western sanctions targeting Iran’s oil industry.
Iranian Oil Minister Denies Decline in Oil Exports
Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Baknighat dismissed reports of declining oil exports, calling them psychological warfare by adversaries. Speaking after a cabinet meeting Wednesday, he attributed economic challenges to global sanctions but insisted Iran faces no issues selling oil. He emphasized that implemented measures continue to prove effective despite the country’s currency depreciation and shortages of natural gas and electricity.
Iran Increases Crude Oil Production By Up To 100,000 Barrels
Iran’s National Oil Company CEO Hamid Bord announced a crude oil production increase of 70,000 to 100,000 barrels over the past three months. Additionally, raw gas extraction rose by 50,000 to 70,000 cubic meters. Bord credited this growth to dedicated efforts by workers, particularly in the Metan and Arvandan Oil and Gas Companies.
Iranian President Visits Egypt For First Time In 11 Years
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Cairo Wednesday, marking the first visit by an Iranian leader to Egypt in over a decade. At the 11th D-8 Summit, Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of Islamic cooperation and setting aside differences. He stated that discussions would cover issues related to Gaza, Palestine, and Lebanon while aiming to strengthen friendly relations among Islamic nations to counter adversaries’ plots.
Iranian Rial Hits Record Low Due to Wars and Trump’s Victory
The Iranian rial plummeted to a historic low on Wednesday, losing over 10% of its value since Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential win in November. Traders in Tehran reported the rial trading at 777,000 per dollar, down from 703,000 on Election Day. The drop highlights mounting challenges for Iran, which is embroiled in Middle Eastern conflicts and facing a worsening energy crisis. The Central Bank has previously intervened by injecting foreign currency to stabilize the exchange rate.
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★ IRAQ
US Demands Iraq Dismantle Iran-Backed Militias Following Escalating Attacks
The United States has demanded Iraq dismantle Iran-backed militias, warning of potential military action if the Iraqi government fails to act, according to Ibrahim Al-Sumaidaie, an advisor to Iraq’s prime minister. The demand follows numerous attacks by Iranian-backed militias on Israel since the war began, alongside strikes on U.S. military positions in Iraq and Syria by groups operating under the Islamic Resistance in Iraq umbrella.
Saudi Crown Prince and Iraqi PM Address Syrian Unity and Regional Stability
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in AlUla to discuss Syria and Gaza. Al Sudani emphasized Syria’s territorial unity, inclusive governance, and non-interference in its internal affairs. He highlighted Iraq’s commitment to cooperating with neighbors for security and stability. The talks occurred as Turkish and US-backed militias clashed in northern Syria and Israeli strikes targeted Syrian weapons stockpiles and naval assets.
Iraq Prepares for Post-Assad Threat, Enhances Border Security Against ISIS
Iraq is strengthening defenses along its Syrian border as ISIS intensifies operations in the Syrian Badia. Over 1,000 ISIS militants remain active, threatening Iraq’s security. The Iraqi government has fortified the border with earth barriers, watchtowers, and additional military forces. Iraq has killed 150 ISIS members this year. Despite these efforts, ISIS continues launching attacks in Syria, with over 250 operations reported in the first quarter of 2024, resulting in numerous casualties.
Iraq to Repatriate Syrian Soldiers Fleeing to Its Territory
Iraq plans to repatriate Syrian soldiers who fled after the Assad regime’s collapse. Satellite images show a camp in the Ratafa Desert with 240 tents for these soldiers. They face harsh living conditions with limited support. The soldiers seek to return to Syria under the government’s general amnesty, allowing them to avoid punishment and resume normal lives. The camp’s isolated location helps prevent tensions with surrounding areas.
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★ YEMEN
Israeli Airstrikes Target Yemen’s Sanaa and Hodeidah
Israeli airstrikes hit multiple areas in Yemen early Thursday, including Sanaa and the port city of Hodeidah, according to Houthi-run Al Masirah TV. The strikes targeted two power stations in Sanaa’s southern and northern regions. Yemen’s SABA news agency reported that four raids struck Hodeidah, including two on the Ras Issa oil facility, resulting in casualties among its employees.
UN: Yemen Faces $90 Billion Loss Due to Agricultural Land Degradation
The United Nations warned that Yemen could lose approximately $90 billion due to the ongoing degradation of its agricultural lands if the conflict persists. A recent report by the UN Development Programme in Yemen highlighted that the country is among the most climate-vulnerable nations globally, with the highest malnutrition rates among women and children.
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★ GULF NATIONS
Saudi Arabia and Australia Discuss Defense Cooperation
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles in Riyadh on Wednesday to discuss bilateral relations and defense cooperation. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the meeting addressed defense ties, regional and global developments, efforts to enhance security and stability, and issues of mutual interest.
Saudi Arabia’s Oil Exports Reach Four-Month High
Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports rose in October to their highest level in four months, reaching 5.925 million barrels per day, up by 0.174 million barrels from September’s 5.751 million. Data from the Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI) on Wednesday also showed a slight decrease in production, which fell to 8.972 million barrels per day from 8.975 million in September.
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★ EGYPT & North Africa
Egypt Reduces Natural Gas Imports For Second Consecutive Month
Egypt decreased its natural gas imports in October for the second consecutive month, according to JODI’s energy database. LNG imports fell to 649 million cubic meters in October, down from 701 million in September, while pipeline imports dropped to 808 million cubic meters from 841 million. In the first ten months of 2024, Egypt imported 3.4 billion cubic meters of LNG, compared to none during the same period last year. Pipeline imports increased to 8.36 billion cubic meters from 7.08 billion.
Egypt Approves Formation Of High Coordination Council With Saudi Arabia
The Egyptian government approved forming the“Egyptian-Saudi High Coordination Council” to strengthen bilateral cooperation across various sectors. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty, speaking alongside Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Cairo on September 10, 2024, confirmed the council’s imminent launch. The council, co-chaired by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aims to deepen bilateral ties and expand collaboration in political, economic, trade, development, and investment fields, benefiting both nations.
Trade Between Egypt And Indonesia Reaches $1.39 Billion In 2024
Ahead of the 11th D-8 Summit in Cairo, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met with Indonesia’s President to discuss global challenges. Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics reported that trade between the two nations reached $1.39 billion in the first ten months of 2024, slightly increasing from $1.38 billion during the same period in 2023.
Libyan Leaders Agree On Unified Executive Authority Framework
Representatives from Libya’s Parliament and the High Council of State reached a preliminary agreement to form a unified government and resolve disputes. Meeting in Bouznika, Morocco, 40 Parliament members and 46 High Council members discussed security, financial, and economic issues. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita inaugurated the talks, aiming to break Libya’s prolonged political deadlock.
Russia Shifts Focus To Libya Following Syrian Losses
Russia plans to gradually withdraw from its Syrian bases after Bashar al-Assad’s fall, redirecting military assets to Libya. According to military tracking site Itamil Radar, Russian forces are relocating key equipment to potential destinations in Tobruk and Benghazi. This move underscores Libya’s emerging strategic importance for Russia.
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