Morning Briefing: Dec. 10, 2024

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday with, including the opposition Syrian National Army liberating Manbij from the PKK/YPG terrorist group, Türkiye’s president saying Syria’s territorial integrity must “absolutely” be protected, and Russia confirming granting asylum to Bashar al-Assad

TOP STORIES

• Opposition Syrian National Army liberates Manbij from US-backed PKK/YPG terrorist group

The opposition Syrian National Army (SNA) liberated the district of Manbij from the US-backed PKK/YPG terrorist group, clearing the largest terrorist stronghold west of the Euphrates River.

As part of Operation Dawn of Freedom, the SNA cleared the Ureimeh region in western Manbij and Um Dadat village in the north before entering the district from its northern and western fronts, securing full control.


Manbij, long occupied by the PKK/YPG, had been a key hub for the group west of the Euphrates.


• Syria’s territorial integrity must ‘absolutely’ be protected: Turkish President Erdogan

Syria’s territorial integrity must "absolutely” be preserved, Türkiye’s president stressed in the wake of the rapid collapse of the Assad regime.

Ankara has no designs on the territory of any other country, Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated, underlining that the sole purpose of its anti-terrorist cross-border operations is to protect Türkiye.

“Neither the (terrorist group) PKK and its extensions in Syria nor Daesh/ISIS are our country's interlocutors, but rather its enemies. Syria's territorial integrity must absolutely be protected,” Erdogan added.

• Kremlin confirms Bashar al-Assad, his family given asylum by Russia

Russia confirmed that it granted asylum to deposed head of the Syrian regime Bashar al-Assad and his family.

“Of course, such decisions cannot be made without the head of state. It is his (Russian President Vladimir Putin’s) decision,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow.

Noting that Putin’s official schedule does not include a meeting with Assad, Peskov said there is also “nothing to tell” about his current whereabouts.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Türkiye will never allow terrorist groups to take advantage of the situation in Syria, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his US counterpart.
• Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed that Syria entered "a new era" with the dramatic developments over the weekend, urging a focus on the way forward while reaffirming Ankara's unwavering support for the Syrian people.
• The US is currently not reviewing the terrorist designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a leading group in the downfall of Syria's Assad regime, but future changes remain possible, the State Department said.
• Ten civilians were killed in an attack by PKK/YPG terrorists trying to retake control of the Deir al-Zor provincial center in eastern Syria, from which it was expelled by Arab tribes.
• Belgium, Italy, the UK, Austria and France suspended the processing of Syrian asylum applications or revealed plans to do so.
• Russia said it returned the bodies of 65 Ukrainian servicemen killed in a plane crash in the country’s Belgorod region earlier this year.
• South Africa held its first G20 meeting under its presidency, which commenced Dec. 1, under the theme Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.
• Former President John Dramani Mahama has been declared the winner of Ghana's 2024 presidential election, securing a decisive victory over his closest rival, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, after eight years out of office.
• Bangladesh expressed unease to India over New Delhi hosting its ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
• South Korea imposed an overseas travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol amid an ongoing political crisis triggered by his failed martial law attempt.
  

BUSINNESS & ECONOMY

• Boeing to lay off 396 employees

US-based aerospace company Boeing said it will lay off 396 employees in the state of Washington as part of a plan to reduce its workforce by 10%.

According to a notice filed with the Washington State Employment Security Department, Boeing will lay off the employees in February next year.

• Chinese watchdog probes Nvidia over antitrust violations

China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has launched an investigation into American chipmaker Nvidia for alleged violations of the country’s anti-monopoly law, the Chinese daily Global Times reported.

The investigation centers on Nvidia’s acquisition of the Israeli-American chip firm Mellanox Technologies, with the watchdog claiming the deal violates Chinese anti-monopoly regulations.

As a result of the probe, Nvidia’s stock dropped by 2% amid concerns over the investigation’s potential impact on the company’s operations in China.