Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Developments in Syria under new transitional government

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

Iraq on Thursday confirmed the repatriation of 1,905 Syrian officers and personnel who fled their country following the ousting of Assad on Dec. 8. Over 3,000 soldiers are said to have fled to Iraq following the collapse of the regime.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, said his country helped evacuate 4,000 "Iranian fighters" from Syria to Tehran following the regime’s fall.

Israeli actions after Assad's ouster

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.

Israel has intensified airstrikes across Syria in recent days, targeting military sites. It has also deployed forces into Syria’s demilitarized buffer zone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordering the army to keep control of the area until the end of next year.

International reactions on the Israeli decision to bolster Israeli settlement in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, a move unanimously approved by the Israeli government earlier this week.

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.

At least 19 Palestinians were killed and more than 30 injured on Thursday in three Israeli airstrikes targeting two schools housing displaced residents in Gaza City's al-Tuffah neighborhood.

The overall death toll due to the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since last year surged to more than 45,100, with over 107,300 others injured.

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

The escalated Israeli siege, incursion, and bombardment of northern Gaza Strip continues into its third month, exacerbating shortages of food, water, fuel, and medicines and leaving most of the population on the verge of famine.

On Thursday, six Palestinians were killed and others wounded in Israeli airstrikes targeting multiple parts in Jabalia.

Gaza cease-fire talks

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

US President Joe Biden’s Middle East adviser Brett McGurk is in Doha, engaging in talks with Qatari, Egyptian and Israeli officials, according to a US official speaking to news site Axios.

Israeli media reported late Wednesday that progress has been made in negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a cease-fire and hostage swap deal.

Channel 12 said the details of the agreement could be finalized "within days," although some contentious points remain.

Hamas has not commented on the report as of yet.

Israeli violations of cease-fire deal with Lebanon

Day 24 of the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, meant to halt over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.

On Thursday, the Israeli army launched a series of explosions on the outskirts of Alma al-Shaab and demolished several homes in the town of Tyre Harfa in southern Lebanon.

These violations, as of yet, have resulted in the deaths of 30 people and injuries to 36 others, according to official Lebanese statements.

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 Health Ministry said two people, including an 80-year-old woman, lost their lives in an Israeli raid in the Balata refugee camp, city of Nablus.

Four more people were killed and three others seriously injured in a drone strike on a vehicle in the northern city of Tulkarem.

Israel has killed at least 822 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

Red Sea tensions and the exchange of attacks between Israel and the US-UK coalition from one side and the Yemen’s Houthi group from the other side.

Houthi-aligned TV channel Al-Masirah reported on Thursday that Israel launched airstrikes on power plants, a port, and an oil facility in Al-Hudaydah that left nine people killed.

The Israeli army said that 14 fighter jets, along with refuelers and spy planes, took part in two waves of airstrikes in Yemen.

German chancellor to meet Estonian prime minister

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will host Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal for an inaugural visit in Berlin. The meeting, which includes military honors at the Federal Chancellery, will focus on bilateral cooperation, economic and European policy matters, and military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.

EU Commission chief meets Swedish prime minister

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to meet Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to discuss EU issues, regional and international developments.

IOM briefing on Syria

Amy Pope, head of the International Organization for Migration (IMO) will brief journalist in Geneva on her recent mission to Syria, which came after fall of the Assad regime.

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 reporters to evaluate most pressing issues around the world.

Turkish, German foreign ministers to meet in Ankara

Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock will meet in the Turkish capital Ankara. The meeting will focus on bilateral ties and regional issues, including developments in Syria.

Russia on developments in Syria

Moscow's reaction to developments in post-Assad regime Syria.

President Vladimir Putin on Dec. 19 offered the use of Russian bases in Khmeimim and Tartus for delivery of humanitarian aid.

Putin added that he has not yet spoken to Assad, who has been granted asylum in Russia, but plans to do so.

Situation in Georgia after presidential election and suspension of EU accession talks

Georgia facing mounting political tensions after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Nov. 28 announced suspension of country's EU accession talks until 2028. The move sparked major protests, including in capital Tbilisi, as well as international and regional criticism. A college of electors voted ex-footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili president on Saturday, but opposition parties assert Salome Zourabichvili, who was elected to post in 2018, is still sole legitimate representative of the state.

Death toll in Cyclone Chido expected to rise in Mozambique, Mayotte

The death toll in powerful cyclone Chido, which made landfall in Mozambique and Mayotte on the weekend, is expected to increase as mop-up and search for missing people continues. The storm has killed 31 people in Mayotte and 73 others in Mozambique. It has destroyed several homes rendering thousands homeless.

Political crisis in Mozambique

Mozambique has witnessed post-election violence since late October, after the election commission declared Daniel Chapo, the 47-year-old candidate from the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo), as the winner of the Oct. 9 election. Venancio Mondlane of the Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (Podemos) called for protests which have turned violent.

Political turmoil continues in South Korea over short-lived martial law

Political turmoil continues in South Korea since President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declaration. The president's powers remain suspended pending impeachment trial.

Tensions between the opposition-dominated parliament and executive presidency are expected to further exacerbate after acting President Han Duck-soo rejected six bills adopted by lawmakers.

Top diplomats of Southeast Asian bloc to discuss Myanmar

Foreign ministers of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) discuss situation in Myanmar at a summit in Thai capital of Bangkok. Special representatives of China, India, Bangladesh are also expected to attend the meeting. The Southeast Asian Buddhist-majority nation is mired in internal ethnic conflicts and the junta regime also continues persecution of Rohingya community.

China’s rocket launch likely to use Taiwan air defense identification zone

China to launch rocket carrying a satellite that is likely fly using Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ). It will be one of at least a dozen satellites launched by China in the past two years with a flight path over Taiwan or the ADIZ. Beijing does not recognize the ADIZ as its considers Taiwan as its own.

Nepal's top diplomat in India

Nepalese Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba expected to hold bilateral talks with Indian officials in New Delhi. Deuba is on three-day official visit to the South Asian nation.

SPORTS

UEFA Conference League knockout phase playoff draw

The 2024-25 UEFA Conference League knockout phase playoff draw to be held in Nyon, Switzerland at 1200GMT. The best eight clubs in the third-tier Conference League will automatically qualify for last 16, but the teams finishing in ninth to 24th place will play the knockout round playoffs to join the top eight.

The clubs will play in a two-legged knockout phase playoff to earn the rest of the last 16 tickets.

Round 17 of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague

Olympiacos vs. ALBA Berlin

Zalgiris Kaunas vs. LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan vs. Bayern Munich

Virtus Segafredo Bologna vs. Barcelona

Anadolu Efes vs. Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade

Week 15 of German Bundesliga

Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig

SPECIAL REPORTS

INTERVIEW – Aysenur Ezgi Eygi's family continues to press Biden administration for justice

Interview with the family of Aysenur Eygi Ezgi, the Turkish-American activist killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank in September.

The interview focuses on the family’s recent meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, where they demanded a US investigation into her killing by Israeli forces.

Eygi’s father Mehmet Suat Eygi and sister Ozden Bennett also speak about their concerns over the delay in action toward accountability, and how they intend to keep up their fight for justice.

‘No place for a human being’: White Helmets official narrates horrors of Syria’s hellish prisons

Interview with Ammar Alsalmo, a board member of the Syria Civil Defense, better known as the White Helmets, about the organization’s work in the aftermath of the fall of the Assad regime.

Alsalmo shares details of their harrowing findings in Syria’s notorious prisons, including evidence of brutal torture, mass killings, and other atrocities inflicted on hundreds of thousands of detainees.

He speaks about their ongoing efforts to find and identify victims dumped in mass graves, describing the various challenges on the ground.

Türkiye and Poland boost cooperation through trade, innovation, and investments

Interview with Witold Lesniak, the Polish consul general in Istanbul, about the state of bilateral ties, areas of promise, and expectations for the future.

Lesniak hails the strength of the current economic relationship, identifying the key sectors and innovative partnerships driving growth, while also speaking about Poland’s plans to achieve ‘more balanced’ trade ties.

Lesniak also conveys Poland’s interest in expanding collaboration in various Turkish sectors, including renewable energy, education, and sustainable development, and shares his views on efforts to foster closer ties.

Despite lingering disputes, uptick in Türkiye-Greece bodes well: Greek experts

Interviews with Greek experts on the state of bilateral relations with Türkiye, including the outcomes of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s recent visit to Athens.

They speak about the significance of recent outreach, explain the persisting challenges, and share their assessments for a way forward toward sustainable progress on improving relations.

The experts interviewed are Maira Gavouneli, director of the Athens-based ELIAMEP think tank and professor of international law at University of Athens, and Panagiotis Tsakonas, professor of international politics at University of Athens.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with family members of Aysenur Eygi Ezgi, the Turkish-American activist killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank, about their fight for justice and concerns over the delays in action toward accountability.

VIDEO – Interview with Ammar Alsalmo, a board member of the White Helmets, about the organization’s work in the aftermath of the fall of the Assad regime and the gruesome findings in Syria’s brutal prisons.