ANKARA (AA)— Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):
Developments in Syria under new administration
Latest developments and updates in Syria under the new administration following the overthrow of the Baathist regime.
On Saturday, Syria’s General Intelligence chief, Anas Khattab, announced that security institutions, accused of oppressing the population for more than 50 years under the ousted regime, will be restructured in alignment with their original purposes.
A Bahraini security official met Saturday with Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of the new Syrian administration in Damascus, reaffirming Manama's support for a comprehensive transitional process in Syria.
According to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), al-Sharaa met with Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, the head of Bahrain's Strategic Security Agency, at Damascus' People's Palace, where "views were exchanged on issues of mutual interest."
At least 70 officers of Syria's deposed Assad regime who had fled to Lebanon have reportedly been handed over to Syria's new administration.
More Arab and international officials' political and diplomatic visits to Syria and meetings with Syria's new president, Ahmad AlAl-Sharaa, will be monitored.
Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza
Israel continues its relentless genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, disregarding international calls to end hostilities and address the severe hardships endured by millions under constant attacks and a devastating blockade.
The Israeli army said on Saturday that it intended to escalate its military offensive in the Gaza Strip, further intensifying the genocide it has been committing with US support for more than 14 months.
At least 11 Palestinians were killed and scores more injured early Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on a group of civilians in northern Gaza, a house in the central part of the coastal strip, and displaced people's tents in Khan Younis.
The overall death toll in the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since October of last year surged to nearly 45,500, with over 108,000 others injured, the enclave's Health Ministry said Saturday.
Israel’s escalating blockade, ground offensive in northern Gaza Strip
The ongoing Israeli military offensives, displacement of people, and blockade of northern Gaza have had devastating humanitarian consequences for thousands of Palestinians trapped in the areas since October 5, killing over 4,800 people.
Israeli forces arrested Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, and other staffers on Saturday, one day after Israeli troops set fire to the area's only major health care facility.
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza warned on Saturday about dire conditions faced by patients forcibly evacuated under Israeli military orders from Kamal Adwan Hospital to the Indonesian Hospital, which had already suffered severe damage from earlier Israeli airstrikes.
Israeli violations of cease-fire deal with Lebanon
Over one month of the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, meant to halt over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group.
The Lebanese army announced Saturday that Israeli forces advanced into the towns of Qantara and Taybeh in the Marjayoun district in southern Lebanon, where they set fire to homes.
The Israeli military violated the cease-fire with Lebanon six times on its 32nd day, marking ongoing tensions in the region, the authorities said on Saturday.
Since the cease-fire was declared on November 27, the Israeli army has committed a total of 325 violations, resulting in 33 deaths and 37 injuries.
Gaza cease-fire talks
Latest developments in Gaza cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Saturday discussed with a delegation from Hamas developments in the Gaza Strip’s cease-fire negotiations and ways to advance them.
The meeting reviewed the latest developments in the Gaza cease-fire negotiations and explored ways to push them forward to ensure a clear and comprehensive agreement that ends the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian resistance group said Wednesday that a cease-fire and prisoner swap has been delayed due to new Israeli conditions.
West Bank raids
Almost daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, and illegal Israeli settlers violence against Palestinians and their property.
On Saturday, three Palestinians were injured, suffering wounds and bruises, as illegal Israeli settlers attacked them with stones in the town of Silwad, east of Ramallah, and 15 Palestinians were arrested from various areas in the West Bank.
Israel has killed at least 835 people in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,600 others, with more than 12,100 taken into custody.
Red Sea tensions and Houthi-Israel attacks
Israel, its US-UK allies, and Yemen's Houthi group intensified their attacks on each other's positions. The Houthis increased their attacks on Israeli military targets, as well as cargo ships associated with Tel Aviv in the Red Sea.
On Saturday, the Houthi group said the US and UK had carried out airstrikes in Yemen's northwestern Hajjah province.
Separately, the Yemeni Houthi group said it had launched a hypersonic ballistic missile targeting Nevatim Air Base in Israel's southern Negev region. The group also said on Saturday that it downed a large US MQ-9 drone above central Yemen.
Deteriorating security situation in Sudan
The dire security situation continues in the North African nation amid intensified clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
At least 21 civilians were killed and 17 others injured in a drone strike by the RSF in Sudan on a shelter for displaced people in El Fasher, North Darfur, activists reported Saturday.
Georgia to inaugurate president amid political crisis
Mikheil Kavelashvili's inauguration will take place in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi. Outgoing President Salome Zurabishvili, whose term concludes with the inauguration of the new leader, has refused to step down until the government announces fresh parliamentary elections, rejecting the results of the December election.
Georgia is facing mounting political tensions after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Nov. 28 announced the suspension of the country's EU accession talks until 2028. The move has since sparked major protests in the country, including Tbilisi, amid international and regional criticism. Tensions in Georgia between the government and opposition have escalated further as a result of the situation surrounding the country's presidency.
Crash of Azerbaijan Airlines flight near Kazakh city of Aktau
An Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flight with 67 people on board traveling from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to Grozny in Russia crashed on Wednesday near the Kazakh city of Aktau, on the Caspian Sea coast. Both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have launched investigations into the incident.
Russia on developments in Syria
Moscow's reaction to developments in post-Assad regime Syria. Assad and his family have received asylum in Russia, with Russian President Vladimir Putin saying he plans to meet with the ousted leader. Moscow says the inviolability of its facilities in Syria is a priority, and it has established contacts with new authorities in Syria.
Chad holds parliamentary elections
Chad holds regional and parliamentary elections aimed to end the country's three-year military transition period since the death of President Idriss Deby Itno in April 2021.
Opposition groups are threatening to disrupt the polls, claiming they may be manipulated to favor the current transitional leader, Mahamat Idriss Deby, a son to the former president.
Volatility in Mozambique
Desk to monitor ongoing post-election violence in parts of Mozambique where more than 200 people have lost their lives during riots in the past 65 days.
Mozambicans are protesting against the recent decision by the Constitutional Council that confirmed that Daniel Chapo of the ruling Frelimo party had won the Oct. 9 polls with 65% of the vote cast.
Opposition leader Venancio Mondlane says the polls were rigged and has urged his supporters to continue protesting.
Sports
- Matchweek 19 of English Premier League (Football)
Leicester City vs. Manchester City
West Ham United vs. Liverpool
- Matchweek 18 of Italian Serie A (Football)
Napoli vs. Venezia
AC Milan vs. Roma