PKK/YPG/SDF targets hit by Turkish F-16 jets last night in Deyr Hafir, east of Manbij.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock:

Europe will not fund the Islamization of Syria.

During my visit, I saw a deeply divided society. While there’s hope for freedom, it could vanish for women and religious or ethnic minorities.

They assured me of their commitment to women’s participation in governance, but we will judge them by their actions, not words.

The first batch of French Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets will be delivered to Ukraine by January 20, reports Avions Legendaires.

The batch will likely consist of 3 to 6 aircraft, expected to replace Ukraine’s Su-24 fleet.

Iranian Foreign Minister:

We are ready for constructive negotiations, without delay, on the nuclear issue to achieve the lifting of sanctions on Iran.

China’s new 6th generation fighter jet: J-50.

NEW: Crimea and Sevastopol were subjected to a massive attack by Storm Shadow cruise missiles and kamikaze drones.

Reports also indicate the use of Neptune missiles by Ukraine.

International flights to and from Damascus International Airport, Syria will resume starting January 7th.

Trapped: Russian tank vs pothole.

Top 10 Navies by Total Displacement (as of January 1, 2025)

1. 🇺🇸 United States
2. 🇨🇳 China
3. 🇷🇺 Russia
4. 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
5. 🇯🇵 Japan
6. 🇮🇳 India
7. 🇫🇷 France
8. 🇰🇷 South Korea
9. 🇮🇹 Italy
10. 🇹🇷 Türkiye

Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU) forces launched an operation against drug and human traffickers in Zawiya, west of Tripoli.

They destroyed the entrance of a drug warehouse with an armored vehicle.

Land bridge: Saudi Arabia’s aid trucks heading to Syria.

New details have emerged about the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, on December 25.

Photos published by Azerbaijani outlet @caliber_az_official show clear shrapnel damage on the fuselage, disproving earlier claims of a “bird strike” or “internal explosion.”

Azerbaijani government asserts that the plane was shot down by Russia’s Pantsir-S air defense system.

After initially blaming a bird strike, Russia issued an apology following President Ilham Aliyev’s firm stance. Azerbaijan now demands compensation in addition to the apology.

Aliyev:

“Russia must confess its crime, punish those responsible, and pay compensation to Azerbaijan and the injured passengers. These are our conditions. The first—an apology—was met yesterday.”

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken:

We made sure that Ukraine was prepared for a full-scale invasion by Russia. Starting in September 2021, we quietly got a lot of weapons to Ukraine to make sure that they had in hand what they needed to defend themselves, things like Stingers, Javelins that were instrumental in preventing Russia from taking Kyiv and erasing Ukraine from the map.

NEW: Russia halts Mediterranean submarine operations after losing its Syrian base.

On January 2, RFS Novorossiysk was spotted passing westward through the Strait of Gibraltar, likely en route to the Baltic, monitored by HMS Cutlass.

Israel now occupies six major water sources, including the Al-Mantara and Al-Wahda Dams in Syria, taking control of 30% of Syria’s and 40% of Jordan’s water supply.

Ukraine is losing 20 km² of territory daily, according to Ukrainian analyst Taras Chmut.

Ukraine lost around 3,600 km² in 2024 across multiple fronts.

Russian advances accelerated from 100 km² per month in the summer to 610 km² in the fall.

In comparison, Ukraine lost only 540 km² in all of 2023.

Despite heavy losses, Russian forces continue their offensive.

At the abandoned Russian military base in Latakia, murals depict the Ottoman fleet’s defeat in the 1770 Battle of Chesme.

The Battle of Chesme was a turning point in naval history, crippling the Ottoman fleet in the Aegean and strengthening Russia’s regional influence.

It paved the way for the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca in 1774, marking significant Ottoman losses.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem:

Our patience may run out before the 60-day truce ends.

No guarantee we will tolerate Israeli violations of the ceasefire.

Ukrainian soldier steps on a mine.

Wreackage of Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 aircraft, shot down by Russia.