ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including falling of Syria's 61-year-old Ba'ath regime, US reaction to Syria's "extraordinary events" as anti-regime forces entered the capital Damascus, and Gaza death toll topping 44,700 amid relentless Israeli attacks which has been continuing 14 months now.
TOP STORIES
- Syria's 61-year Baath regime collapses
Sixty-one years of Baath Party rule in Syria collapsed on Sunday when the capital Damascus fell out of the hands of regime control. The Arab Socialist Baath Party had come to power in Syria in 1963, in a coup. In 1970, Hafez al-Assad – the father of Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s newly deposed ruler – seized power in an internal party coup and became president in 1971. After the death of his father in 2000, Bashar al-Assad took over the Baath regime.
- Biden 'closely monitoring' Syria's 'extraordinary events' as anti-regime forces enter Damascus
US President Joe Biden is "closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria," the White House said late Saturday as anti-regime forces entered the national capital of Damascus.
Biden and his senior officials are "staying in constant touch with regional partners," National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said on X.
It came after anti-regime forces began to enter Damascus early Sunday after it had been lost by the Assad regime.
Protesters rose against the regime late Saturday in neighborhoods, while regime forces pulled out from critical sites such as the Defense Ministry, Interior Ministry and the international airport
- Gaza death toll tops 44,700 amid relentless Israeli attacks
At least 44 more Palestinians were killed in relentless Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip over the last 24 hours, bringing the overall death toll since last year to 44,708, the Health Ministry in the enclave said on Sunday.
A ministry statement added that some 106,050 others were also injured in the ongoing assault.
“Israeli forces killed 44 people and injured 74 others in four massacres of families in the last 24 hours,” the ministry said.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Anti-regime armed groups in Syria are entering the center of Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria, which was occupied by the terror group PKK/YPG as it tries to gain territory amid the Assad regime’s collapse, local sources told Anadolu on Sunday.
- With Sunday’s collapse of Syria’s Baath regime and the end of the Assad family era, Syrians were seen toppling statues of Hafez al-Assad, the late father of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in various cities across the country.
Türkiye is acting carefully to ensure that Daesh/ISIS and PKK terrorists do not exploit the situation in post-Assad regime Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Sunday.
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday discussed the latest dramatic developments in Syria and security issues in a phone call, Türkiye's Defense Ministry said on X.
The opposition Syrian National Army (SNA) has taken control of 80% of the northern Syrian district of Manbij as part of Operation Dawn of Freedom, targeting the PKK/YPG terror group, security sources reported Sunday.
Syria’s deposed President Bashar al-Assad, and his family on Sunday arrived in Moscow, where Russia offered them asylum.
Jordan said Sunday that it will support any political process launched by the Syrian people to build a new political system following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime.
Syria now faces an historic opportunity to pursue a peaceful and stable future, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday.
The Israeli army carried out a series of airstrikes late Sunday across Syria targeting around 100 sites following the overthrow of the Assad regime, according to reports.
Iraq has evacuated its embassy in Damascus, the capital of neighboring Syrian, the Iraqi News Agency reported on Sunday.
SPORTS
Real Madrid seals dominant win against Girona in La Liga
Real Madrid secured a 3-0 win Saturday against Girona in week 16 of the Spanish La Liga.
Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock from close range at Municipal de Montilivi.
Real Madrid extended the lead with a goal from Arda Guler in the 55th minute, followed by Kylian Mbappe's strike in the 62nd minute, securing a commanding victory.
Real Madrid are second with 36 points and Girona are eighth with 22 points after 16 matches.
Luis Nani retires from professional football at 38 after 19 years of illustrious career
Portuguese footballer Luis Nani announced his retirement at the age of 38 on Sunday, drawing the curtain on an illustrious 19-year playing career.
"The time has come to say goodbye, I have decided to finish my career as a professional player," Nani said on Instagram.
"It’s been an amazing ride and I wanted to thank every single person who has helped me and supported me through the highs and lows during a career which lasted over 20 years and gave me so many unforgettable memories. Time to turn a new leaf and focus on new goals and dreams. See you soon!" he added.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Spot market electricity prices for Monday, Dec. 9
The highest electricity price rate for one megawatt-hour on Türkiye's day-ahead spot market for Monday will be 3,000 Turkish liras at 8 a.m and 5 p.m. local time (0500 and 1400 GMT), according to official figures on Sunday.
The lowest rate was set at 999.99 liras at 2 a.m. local time (2300 GMT), the data showed.
The Energy Exchange Istanbul (EXIST) data for the trade volume for Monday's electricity market shows an increase of 29.1% to around 1.31 billion liras compared to Sunday.
The arithmetical and weighted average electricity prices on the day-ahead spot market are calculated as 2,144.16 liras and 2,233.17 liras, respectively.