Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, December 13, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Developments in Syria after Assad regime collapse

New developments and updates in Syria after the appointment of Mohamed Al-Bashir as head of the transitional government following the overthrow of the Baathist regime of Bashar al-Assad.

On Thursday, the government extended its gratitude to eight countries for reopening their diplomatic missions in Damascus: Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, and Italy.

G7 leaders reaffirmed their commitments to post-Assad regime Syria, supporting a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

Desk is following reactions to Israel’s seizure of Syria's Golan Heights and its relentless attacks on Syrian military assets, including missiles, tanks, artillery, and ammunition depots.

MIDDLE EAST

Israel’s actions following Assad downfall in Syria

Israel’s reactions and steps in the aftermath of the Assad regime's downfall in Syria as it monitors unfolding developments in the neighboring country.

On Thursday, Israel said that its forces have deployed 2-10 kilometers deep within the demilitarized buffer zone along its border with Syria, citing “security reasons,” an unnamed Israeli source told Anadolu.

According to Israeli media, the Israeli army is preparing for an extended presence in Syrian territory, ranging 5-7 kilometers beyond the international border until a governing authority assumes control of the region and renegotiates a long-standing agreement between Israel and Syria.

Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza

Israel continues to wage unabated genocidal war on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, defying calls by the international community to cease hostilities and alleviate dire conditions faced by millions under daily attacks and a crippling siege.

On Thursday, at least 15 Palestinians were killed and 30 others injured in two Israeli airstrikes that targeted guards escorting aid trucks in the western areas of Rafah and Khan Younis.

In separate incidents, 22 more people were killed as Israeli strikes hit a home sheltering people in the Nuseirat refugee camp and a building in Gaza City.

The overall death toll due to the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since last year surged to over 44,830, with more than 106,300 others injured, the enclave's Health Ministry said.

Israel’s escalating blockade, ground invasion in northern Gaza Strip

Israels escalating siege, incursion, and bombardment of northern Gaza Strip continues into its third month, exacerbating shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicine and leaving most of the population on the verge of famine.

On Thursday, several Palestinians were injured after an Israeli drone dropped a bomb near the Al-Ghazali area in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood.

In a separate incident, another Israeli drone targeted civilians near Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Beit Lahia Project. The attack resulted in additional injuries.

Gaza cease-fire talks

Latest developments in Gaza cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas.

On Thursday, David Barnea, the head of Israel’s spy agency Mossad, held talks with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha to discuss a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner swap deal, Israeli media reported.

There was no comment from Qatari authorities on the report yet.

News website Walla, citing two Israeli officials, said Hamas showed “flexibility” on an Israeli cease-fire proposal presented to the group for a “partial deal” in Gaza in return for the release of some hostages.

Israeli violations of cease-fire deal with Lebanon

Day 17 of cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, meant to halt over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.

On Thursday, an Israeli drone strike targeted a public square in the town of Khiam, located in Marjaayoun, southern Lebanon, killing one person and injuring two others.

The airstrike came hours after the Lebanese army, in coordination with UN peacekeepers in Lebanon (UNIFIL), took positions in five sites around the towns of Khiam and Marjaayoun. The deployment followed the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area.

The Israeli army committed five cease-fire violations on Thursday, bringing the total to 212 violations, 29 deaths, and 32 injuries, according to an Anadolu tally based on information from the Lebanese Health Ministry and news agency reports.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan’s Middle East visit

Expected visit of the US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to Egypt and Qatar to push for a Gaza cease-fire deal and hostage swap agreement between Israel and Hamas.

On Thursday, Sullivan arrived in Israel and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed ongoing negotiations to reach a cease-fire and prisoner swap deal.

The talks also dealt with the situation in Syria following the downfall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, according to a statement by Netanyahu's office.

The White House has not yet issued a statement on Sullivan’s agenda during his visit to the region.

West Bank raids

Almost daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, and illegal settler violence against Palestinians and their property.

On Thursday, the Israeli army shot and killed a Palestinian in the Balata refugee camp, eastern Nablus city, and another one by opening fire on a car in the city of Qalqilya.

Israel has killed at least 811 people in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, including 160 children, and injured nearly 6,600 others, with more than 12,000 taken into custody.

Deteriorating security situation in Sudan

The dire security situation in the North African nation continues amid intensified clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

On Thursday, at least 24 civilians were killed in an attack by the RSF on several villages in Al Jazirah State in central Sudan, according to local activists.

Following all topics through translation from Arabic wire, official accounts, and relevant websites in addition to giving breakings on related possible important developments.

US

Joe Biden attends virtual G7 meeting

President Joe Biden is set to participate in a virtual G7 meeting. The virtual meeting will be closed to the press. Desk will monitor outcomes from the meeting. Developments in Syria are likely among topics discussed.

Reactions to situation in Syria

Desk to monitor statements from Biden administration on the situation in Syria following the collapse this week of the Assad regime.

Security Council on Afghanistan Sanctions Committee mandate

The UN Security Council expected to vote on a draft resolution renewing the mandate of the monitoring team supporting the 1988 Afghanistan Sanctions Committee, which was last renewed by Resolution 2716 on Dec. 14, 2023.

Antony Blinken - Türkiye visit

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Türkiye for talks with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan likely to focus on developments in Syria. Desk will monitor Blinken's visit and its repercussions.

BRAZIL

President Lula - Aftermath of second operation

Monitoring developments after Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva underwent second surgery on Thursday following unplanned surgery earlier this week for a brain bleed.

HAITI

Gang violence in Haiti

Monitoring developments after nearly 200 people were killed in gang massacre in Haiti as the country is gripped by escalating violence. This year, the violence has left at least 5,000 people in the country dead.

EUROPE

G7 leaders - Virtual summit; Syria to be discussed

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her G7 counterparts hold a virtual meeting. Developments in Syria are likely among topics discussed.

Premier Giorgia Meloni and Palestinian Presient Mahmoud Abbas to meet in Rome

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hosts Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The two leaders are expected to focus on the latest situation in Gaza and occupied Palestinian territories amid ongoing Israeli genocide.

France awaiting announcement of new premier, government

President Emmanuel Macron is set to soon appoint a new prime minister after lawmakers toppled Michel Barnier and his government on Dec. 4 with a no-confidence vote. Macron last week said he would nominate a new premier “in the coming days.”

UN briefing in Geneva

The UN Information Service will hold its bi-weekly briefing for journalists in Geneva. Spokespersons of various UN agencies and international organizations meet with reporters to evaluate the most pressing issues around the world.

UK Clean Power 2030 Action Plan

Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband publishes plan for delivery of the government's target to achieve clean power by 2030.

Sixth form college teachers in England to strike

Teachers in sixth forms in England who are members of the National Education Union (NEU) go on strike in a dispute over pay and funding. Further strikes are planned in January. Strikes were announced across 32 colleges following resounding 97% vote in favor of strike action by NEU sixth form college teacher members.

EURASIA

Russia’s reaction to ongoing developments in Syria following collapse of Assad regime

Russia’s reaction to ongoing developments in post-Assad regime Syria. Assad and his family have sought asylum in Russia, the Kremlin confirmed on Monday. Statements and media reports from Moscow concerning the Russian perspective on ongoing developments in Syria and the fate of Russia's military bases in Tartus and Khmeimim. Russia has said that the inviolability of its facilities in Syria is a priority.

Tensions rising in Georgia as government suspends EU accession talks

Georgia faces mounting political tensions after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Nov. 28 announced the suspension of his country's EU accession talks until 2028. The move has sparked major pro-EU protests across the country, including the capital Tbilisi, as well as international and regional criticism. Following statements from key figures in the country, as well as international remarks.

AFRICA

Mozambique braces for Cyclone Chido

Tropical Cyclone Chido is expected to make landfall in Mozambique, affecting more than 2.5 million people in the Nampula and Cabo Delgado provinces. Mozambique’s national meteorological institute issued an alert forecasting winds of up to 220 kilometers per hour. Last year, Cyclone Freddy hit Mozambique, Malawi, and Madagascar, killing hundreds and leaving a trail of devastation.

African leader’s reactions to Ankara Declaration

Desk monitoring reactions from African leaders following Turkish-mediated pact between Somalia and Ethiopia aimed at ending their differences. The two Horn of Africa countries had been at odds since Ethiopia struck a deal this January with Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland to use its Red Sea port of Berbera. Türkiye has been working to resolve these tensions.

Zimbabwean president to visit Botswana

Botswana’s President Duma Boko to host Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa on a working visit to the secretariat headquarters of the Southern Africa regional bloc in Botswana. Mnangagwa and Boko are expected to address a media briefing on regional matters.

ASIA-PACIFIC

French president’s diplomatic adviser visits China

French president’s diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne to visit China for a two-day official visit during which he will co-chair China-France Strategic Dialogue with Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Portugal’s top diplomat on 1st visit to India

Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel to hold talks with Indian counterpart in New Delhi. It is the top diplomat’s first official visit to India to further strengthen multifaceted ties, set to mark their 50th anniversary in 2025.

South Korean political parties maneuver crisis ahead of impeachment motion of president

Opposition and ruling parties in South Korea are maneuvering political crisis ahead of 2nd impeachment vote on President Yoon Suk Yeol after his short-lived martial law bid. Yoon also faces cases of treason and insurrection as investigators widen probe into Dec. 3 martial law attempt. The ruling party chief has also backed impeachment vote set to be held on Saturday.

Foreign Ministry briefing in Beijing

China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing with expectations that it will respond to Ankara-mediated pact between Somalia and Ethiopia and US President-elect Donald Trump’s invite to President Xi Jinping among other issues.

SPORTS

European Qualifiers draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 are scheduled to take place at FIFA’s home in Zurich, Switzerland.

THE ECONOMY

Germany’s international trade

Germany’s Destatis to release foreign trade figures for October. After a foreign trade balance of €17 billion in September, a slight decline is expected for October. Destatis will also release wholesale inflation figures for November. Inflation was at minus 0.8% in October, due to weaker energy prices.

Eurozone industrial production

Eurostat to release industrial production data for October. Industrial production fell 2.8% in September on a yearly basis and another decline, around 2%, is expected for October.

SPECIAL REPORTS

‘Genocide-free’ Gaza Cola empowers Palestinian resistance from UK

Report on Gaza Cola, a soft drink launched in the UK as part of global efforts to boycott products linked to Israel over its ongoing genocide in Gaza.

The story is based on an interview with the drink’s founder Osama Qashoo, a Palestinian activist and filmmaker-turned-entrepreneur, who speaks about his motivations, the product’s success, and its future plans.

Qashoo also shares his views on expansion into other key markets, the power of boycott and divestment campaigns targeting Israel, and tells about his years of pro-Palestine activism, including the deadly 2010 Israeli raid on the Turkish-owned Mavi Marmara aid ship.

New Trump term is EU's 'biggest test' as existence at risk, warn experts

Report on how Donald Trump’s return to the White House could reshape the European security architecture and affect all aspects of geopolitics on the continent.

The story explains Trump’s stance on security cooperation and aid for Europe and NATO, charts what happened on the issue during his last tenure, and presents possible expectations for this term.

Includes interviews with Dimitris Tsarouhas, associate professor of international relations at Virginia Tech University, and George Tzogopoulos, senior expert on global politics at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Palestinian activist Osama Qashoo about Gaza Cola, soft drink launched as an alternative to products linked to Israel, where he speaks about his motivations, the product’s success, and its future plans.

VIDEO – Interviews with academics Dimitris Tsarouhas and George Tzogopoulos about how Trump’s return to the US presidency could impact Europe, its security architecture, and other aspects of geopolitics on the continent.