RECORD: Russia will allocate 32.5% of government spending to national defense next year, up from 28.3% in 2024.

Fleeing Syrian regime officer ambushed by RPG at close range in Aleppo by Syrian rebels.

NEW: Turkish Intelligence (MIT) neutralized Yaşar Çekik, a top PKK/YPG terror group leader on Türkiye’s red wanted list, in Tel Rifaat, Syria.

Long tracked by MIT, Çekik had been reassigned to the Shehba region after his associate, Orhan Bingöl, was neutralized.

MIT’s intelligence network monitored his movements in real time, executing the operation when conditions were optimal.

Çekik joined the PKK in 1993 and trained under Abdullah Öcalan. Over the years, he held key roles, including Şırnak/Beytüşşebap commander and various leadership positions in Iraq and Syria.

He led military, political, and ideological training in Iraq’s Gare region and was the PKK/YBŞ Sinjar commander in 2019.

After returning to Syria, Çekik served in multiple leadership roles, including overseeing the Jazira region.

Most recently, he was the PKK/YPG’s Shehba regional commander before being neutralized by MIT in Tel Rifaat.

German Chancellor Scholz visits Kyiv for the first time in 2.5 years.

NEW: Iran-backed militias, including Iraq’s Kataib Hezbollah and Fatemiyoun groups, entered Syria overnight from Iraq.

Dozens of Hashd al-Shaabi fighters crossed near Al Bukamal, with reinforcements heading to northern frontlines.

Syrian rebel fighter in Aleppo reunites with his mother after 14 years.

Nepotism at its best: Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter for tax violations and other charges, despite earlier saying he wouldn’t, with 1.5 months left in his presidency.

Assad regime retaliates by bombing civilians in Idlib as rebels advance on multiple fronts.

#BREAKING: Syrian rebel Shahin Brigades reportedly targeted a major Assad regime officer gathering on Mount Zain al-Abidin, Hama, with reports of Suhail Hassan being injured.

Hassan serves as the commander of the Syrian Army's Special Forces.

Syrian National Army (SNA) FPV drone strike on large group of Assad regime forces near the Defense Factories axis in Aleppo

So much for ceasefire: Lebanese Army say Israeli UAV targeted an army bulldozer at the Al-Abara post in Hosh Al-Sayyid Ali, Al-Hermel, injuring a soldier moderately.

After 13 years in Assad’s prisons for protesting, Safi Yassin from Baniyas has been freed in Aleppo by Syrian rebels.

The Middle East Council of Churches affirmed the steadfastness of Aleppo’s churches and their commitment to continuing prayers and services as usual.

They denied rumors about demands or conditions imposed by the controlling factions in Aleppo regarding churches and religious practices.

The Council dismissed these rumors as baseless, criticizing their spread on social media, which causes unnecessary confusion and anxiety among civilians.

They urged media outlets and social networks to verify information and exercise caution when sharing news, especially given the sensitivity of the current situation.