Morning Briefing: Dec. 11, 2024

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday with, including the UN warning Israel against violations of Syrian territory, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan remarks that Türkiye cannot allow Syria to be divided once again, South Korean police raiding the office of President Yoon Suk Yeol, and the Israeli army claiming to have destroyed 80% of the military capabilities of Bashar al-Assad's deposed regime.

TOP STORIES

• UN against violations of Syrian territorial integrity: Spokesman

The UN on Tuesday denounced any attacks against Syria's territorial integrity.

"It is very clear that we stand against any violation of the territorial integrity of Syria. We are against these types of attacks," spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference.

Describing the collapse of more than 60 years of the Assad regime as "a turning point for Syria," Dujarric said: "It should not be used by its neighbors to encroach on the territory of Syria. It should be used by all those in the region and beyond to support the Syrian people."

• Any attack on stability of new Syrian government, integrity of ancient Syrian lands will face both Syrian people and us: Turkish president

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that "any attack on the stability of new Syrian government or the integrity of ancient Syrian lands will face both the Syrian people and us."

Türkiye cannot allow Syria to be divided once again, Erdogan told a Justice and Development (AK) Party gathering in the capital Ankara, adding that "we can never allow" the Syrian territory to again become a conflict zone.

Stressing that "it is our belief and prayer" that Syria has reached bright days after 61 years of a "Baathist dictatorship which was literally pitch black for last 13 years" – referring to the civil war – he stated that the people of Syria crowned their recent noble uprising with victory, breaking free from decades of a tyrannical regime and claimed their freedom, rights, law, and the future.

• South Korean police raid President Yoon’s office over failed martial law declaration

South Korean police raided the office of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday as a probe widens into his failed attempt to impose martial law.

"Raids were also being conducted at the offices of the Seoul Metropolitan Police and the National Assembly Police Guards," the police said in a statement.

Yoon imposed martial law on the night of Dec. 3, but 190 lawmakers rushed to parliament and passed a motion to lift it, forcing him to rescind the decision. It triggered a political crisis with calls on Yoon to resign.

• Israel claims it destroyed as much as 80% of Assad’s regime's military capabilities

The Israeli army claimed Tuesday that it had destroyed as much as 80% of the military capabilities of Bashar al-Assad's deposed regime.

Army operations "have been completed, with 70-80% of Assad's regime's military capabilities destroyed,” according to Israeli Army Radio, which indicated that “350 Israeli warplanes carried out strikes from Damascus to Tartus, targeting dozens of aircraft, helicopters, air defense systems, and ammunition depots.”

Regarding the incursion into southern Syria, the army said that "the operation is still ongoing on the ground, as part of our ground forces' actions in the buffer zone."

It noted that "it is working to establish control over the area" to destroy "weapons and ensure they do not fall into undesirable hands."

NEWS IN BRIEF

• US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Tom Barrack, a prominent businessman, as the next US ambassador to Türkiye.
  
  
• Israel is targeting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity with its occupier mindset, Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told parliament Tuesday.
  
  
• Türkiye is not only ready to “put its hand but its entire body” into an effort to end the bloodshed in Gaza, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.
  
  
• The plane carrying ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad did not use Turkish airspace while fleeing Syria, according to official sources.
  
  
• Search efforts are still underway by the Syrian National Army (SNA) in the Syrian province of Manbij, which was saved from PKK/YPG terrorists, local sources said on Tuesday.
  
  
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday voiced hope that the new, post-Assad administration in Syria continues with an approach that “encompasses and embraces all sectors” of the Syrian people.
  
  
• An Israeli delegation is visiting the Egyptian capital Cairo as part of efforts to negotiate a cease-fire in Gaza and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region, local media reported Tuesday.
  
  
• The number of children admitted for treatment in Gaza has increased to 4,000 per month since July, the UN said on Tuesday.
  ​​​​​​​
  
• The Yemeni Houthi group announced Tuesday that it targeted three US supply ships, two destroyers and Israeli military targets.

SPORTS

• Liverpool maintain winning streak with 1-0 victory over Girona

UEFA Champions League leaders Liverpool maintained their winning streak with a 1-0 victory over Girona on Tuesday.

Liverpool's Egyptian star Mohamed Salah netted the winning goal from a penalty kick in the 63rd minute at Girona's Estadi Montilivi.

The Reds' Brazilian goalie Alisson Becker made several clinical saves to ensure his team's victory.

BUSINNESS & ECONOMY

• Global airline revenues next year to exceed $1T, says industry group

Global airline revenues next year are projected to exceed $1 trillion for the first time, reflecting growing passenger demand and improved profitability despite ongoing challenges, said the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Tuesday.

The figure marked an expected 4.4% annual growth in 2025, the IATA said in its latest financial outlook report.

The IATA projected a $36.6 billion net profit for the industry next year, representing a 3.6% net profit margin.

• 1st Taiwan-US ‘21st century trade’ pact takes effect

The first pact under the Taiwan-US 21st Century Trade Initiative officially took effect on Tuesday.

A statement by Taiwan’s Office of Trade Negotiations said the pact “demonstrates the rock-solid partnership” between Taipei and Washington and it will “deepen economic and trade cooperation and create new milestones together.”

It added that the pact covers commitments to customs administration and trade facilitation, regulatory practices, and rules for running domestic service industries, as well as anti-corruption and small- and medium-sized enterprises.