Morning Briefing: Dec. 3, 2024

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Tuesday with, including opposition forces in Syria capturing more settlements, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying Türkiye is taking necessary measures amid renewed fighting in Syria, and Hezbollah targeting an Israeli base in response to Israel’s cease-fire violations.

TOP STORIES

• Armed anti-regime groups capture 16 more settlements in Syria's Hama

Armed groups opposing Syria’s Bashar al-Assad regime have captured 16 more settlements in the western province of Hama.

The opposition forces, engaged in clashes with regime forces for the past six days, have made significant territorial gains, taking control of the regional hub of Aleppo as well as areas south of Idlib province toward regime-held Hama.

• Türkiye closely following developments in Syria, taking necessary measures: President Erdogan

Türkiye is closely following developments in neighboring Syria and taking necessary measures amid renewed fighting between Bashar al-Assad regime forces and armed opposition groups in the country, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

"It is our greatest wish that Syria’s territorial integrity is preserved and the instability ends with a consensus in line with the legitimate demands of the Syrian people," he said.

He underlined that Ankara remains ready to "do whatever we must to put out the fire" in the region.

• Hezbollah targets Israeli base in occupied Kfar Shouba in 1st response to Israel’s cease-fire violations in Lebanon

Hezbollah said that it targeted the Roueissat Al-Alam Israeli military post in the occupied Kfar Shuba hills, describing the action as a “preliminary defensive warning” in response to ongoing Israeli violations of a cease-fire agreement.

In a statement, the Lebanese group cited multiple breaches, including Israeli gunfire on civilians, airstrikes across Lebanon that have resulted in civilian casualties, and continued violations of Lebanese airspace, even over the capital Beirut.

According to Israel’s Army Radio, Hezbollah fired two rockets toward the Har Dov area (Shebaa Farms), both of which landed in open fields without causing injuries.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that recent developments in Syria cannot be attributed solely to external intervention, but rather stem from "unresolved" problems over the past 13 years.
• US President-elect Donald Trump named billionaire investment banker Warren Stephens as his ambassador to the UK.
• Canada officially designated Yemen's Ansarallah movement, commonly known as the Houthis, as a "terrorist entity" under the criminal code.
• Over 50 civil society groups in Germany urged lawmakers to back a motion in the Federal Parliament to initiate proceedings that could lead to banning the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
• The Biden administration will provide Ukraine with a new military aid package worth some $725 million, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced.
• The US called for "de-escalation" in Syria as anti-regime groups continued to take ground from Syrian regime forces.
• US President-elect Donald Trump issued a stern warning of severe consequences in the Middle East if the hostages being held by Hamas are not freed by his inauguration just weeks away.
• The Palestinian group Hamas said that 33 Israeli hostages held in Gaza have been killed, mostly due to Israeli airstrikes since Oct. 7 last year.
• The White House said it is in "active conversations" with Türkiye, Qatar and Egypt over efforts to broker a cease-fire to end Israel's over year-long war on the besieged Gaza Strip.
• French far-right National Rally (RN) leader Marine Le Pen confirmed that her party will move a no-confidence motion in parliament against the French government led by Prime Minister Michel Barnier.
• In a phone call, Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the ongoing situation in Syria with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
• At least 56 people were killed and several others injured during violence and a stampede at a football stadium in southeastern Guinea, the government said.

SPORTS

• Fiorentina's Bove in intensive care after collapsing on pitch during Inter Milan match

Fiorentina confirmed that Edoardo Bove is in intensive care after collapsing on the pitch during the team’s Serie A match with Inter Milan at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday.

"ACF Fiorentina and the Careggi University Hospital have announced that footballer Edoardo Bove, who was treated on the pitch following a loss of consciousness during the Fiorentina v Inter match, is currently under sedation and is hospitalized in intensive care," Fiorentina said in a statement.

• Turkish center Alperen Sengun earns NBA player of the week honors

The NBA named Houston Rockets Turkish center Alperen Sengun as the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played for week six.

Sengun led the Rockets to three consecutive victories last week, averaging 21.3 points, 12.7 rebounds and 9 assists per game.

BUSINNESS & ECONOMY

• Lufthansa extends suspension of flights to Tel Aviv

The airlines of the Lufthansa Group said that it had extended its flight suspension to Tel Aviv, Israel until the end of January

Flights to and from Tel Aviv remain suspended until January 31, 2025," Lufthansa said, citing ongoing security concerns related to the conflict in the region

The cancellation includes all airlines under the Lufthansa Group such as SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Eurowings.

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• Volkswagen employees go on 2-hour 'warning strike' in Germany

Volkswagen employees went on a two-hour "warning strike" at the company's German production plants.

The two-hour strikes for each shift were scheduled after wage negotiations between the country's largest metalworkers' union, IG Metall, and Volkswagen management failed.

Volkswagen workers also went on strike in response to the company's plans to close at least three factories in Germany for the first time in its history.