SDF forces clash with the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army near Tell Abyad, Raqqa Governorate and in Manbij District, Aleppo Governorate, as pro-government forces withdraw from the region, leaving a power vacuum. (SOHR)
Sudanese civil war The Rapid Support Forces announce a civil administration formed by a prime minister and a 90-member legislative council. (Dabanga Sudan) (The Conversation)
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) take control of the Shiite-majority towns of Nubbul and Al-Zahraa in Aleppo Governorate after Syrian government forces withdraw from the towns. (Kurdistan 24)
More than 100 demonstrators are arrested in Tbilisi, Georgia, while protesting against Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's decision to temporarily suspend the country's accession plans to the European Union to 2028. (ABC News)
The Rapid Support Forces announce a civil administration formed by a prime minister and a 90-member legislative council. (Dabanga Sudan) (The Conversation)
2024 Icelandic parliamentary election In Iceland, the Social Democratic Alliance wins 15 seats in the Althing elections, with the incumbent Independence Party winning 14 seats. However, no party achieved a majority. (Deutsche Welle)
In Iceland, the Social Democratic Alliance wins 15 seats in the Althing elections, with the incumbent Independence Party winning 14 seats. However, no party achieved a majority. (Deutsche Welle)
2024 Liechtenstein referendums Citizens of Liechtenstein vote in a referendum to form a state pension fund. The vote passes with a 52.6% majority. (Liechtensteiner Vaterland)
Citizens of Liechtenstein vote in a referendum to form a state pension fund. The vote passes with a 52.6% majority. (Liechtensteiner Vaterland)
Gaza war hostage crisis Hamas says that 33 hostages have been killed in the 14 months since the war started. (The Times) The Israel Defense Forces say that Israeli-American soldier Omer Maxim Neutra, previously believed to be a living hostage, was killed during the October 7 attacks last year and his body was kept in Gaza. (Haaretz) U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says there will be "all Hell to pay" if all the hostages are not released prior to the start of his second term. (AP)
2024 Irish general election In Ireland, Fianna Fáil remains the largest party in Dáil Éireann, increasing its number of seats to 48. Its governing partner Fine Gael wins 38 seats, with the two parties combined winning 86 seats, two shy of a majority. (AP)
Red Sea crisis The Government of Canada officially designates the Yemen-based Houthi movement as a terrorist organization due to the group's attacks on civilian and military vessels in the Red Sea. (Al Jazeera)
Syrian civil war 2024 Syrian opposition offensives 2024 Hama offensive Rebel forces capture the city of Suran, the towns of Halfaya and Taybat al-Imam, and the village of Maardis in Hama Governorate, Syria. (SOHR) Deir ez-Zor offensive The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) capture seven villages and the town of Khasham in Deir ez-Zor Governorate from pro-government forces. The US-led CJTF–OIR coalition aircraft also launch airstrikes against Syrian government forces in support of the SDF offensive. (Rudaw)
The Government of Canada officially designates the Yemen-based Houthi movement as a terrorist organization due to the group's attacks on civilian and military vessels in the Red Sea. (Al Jazeera)
Deir ez-Zor offensive The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) capture seven villages and the town of Khasham in Deir ez-Zor Governorate from pro-government forces. The US-led CJTF–OIR coalition aircraft also launch airstrikes against Syrian government forces in support of the SDF offensive. (Rudaw)
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) capture seven villages and the town of Khasham in Deir ez-Zor Governorate from pro-government forces. The US-led CJTF–OIR coalition aircraft also launch airstrikes against Syrian government forces in support of the SDF offensive. (Rudaw)
2024 French political crisis Collapse of the Barnier government In France, the Barnier government collapses after 331 of 577 deputies vote in favor of a no-confidence motion, the first time since 1962 that the government has collapsed following a no-confidence motion. The left subsequently calls on President Emmanuel Macron to resign and hold early presidential elections. (Reuters)
Collapse of the Barnier government In France, the Barnier government collapses after 331 of 577 deputies vote in favor of a no-confidence motion, the first time since 1962 that the government has collapsed following a no-confidence motion. The left subsequently calls on President Emmanuel Macron to resign and hold early presidential elections. (Reuters)
In France, the Barnier government collapses after 331 of 577 deputies vote in favor of a no-confidence motion, the first time since 1962 that the government has collapsed following a no-confidence motion. The left subsequently calls on President Emmanuel Macron to resign and hold early presidential elections. (Reuters)
2024 Georgian post-election protests Ahali party leader Nika Gvaramia is arrested in a police raid on his office in Tbilisi, Georgia. The arrest comes as the government continues to crack down on the opposition in response to protests against delaying negotiations to join the European Union. More than 100 demonstrators are also injured during clashes with riot police in Tbilisi. (AP)
2024 Namibian general election The Electoral Commission of Namibia certifies the results of the general election, announcing Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the ruling SWAPO party as the new President, the first female president in the country's history. (The South African) (DW)
The Electoral Commission of Namibia certifies the results of the general election, announcing Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the ruling SWAPO party as the new President, the first female president in the country's history. (The South African) (DW)
A Russian Navy warship fires warning shots at a German helicopter conducting a routine patrol over the Baltic Sea, forcing the helicopter pilots to make evasive maneuvers. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemns the incident as part of Russia's hybrid warfare against NATO. (Anadolu Agency)
Ahali party leader Nika Gvaramia is arrested in a police raid on his office in Tbilisi, Georgia. The arrest comes as the government continues to crack down on the opposition in response to protests against delaying negotiations to join the European Union. More than 100 demonstrators are also injured during clashes with riot police in Tbilisi. (AP)
Russia–NATO relations A Russian Navy warship fires warning shots at a German helicopter conducting a routine patrol over the Baltic Sea, forcing the helicopter pilots to make evasive maneuvers. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemns the incident as part of Russia's hybrid warfare against NATO. (Anadolu Agency)
Russo-Ukrainian War Russia–NATO relations A Russian Navy warship fires warning shots at a German helicopter conducting a routine patrol over the Baltic Sea, forcing the helicopter pilots to make evasive maneuvers. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemns the incident as part of Russia's hybrid warfare against NATO. (Anadolu Agency)
2024 French political crisis Michel Barnier resigns as Prime Minister of France following the collapse of the Barnier government. (Sky News)
A helicopter is shot down after taking off from Hama Air Base as pro-government forces evacuate the airbase. Another helicopter that took off from the air base makes an emergency landing after being hit. The airbase is later fully captured by the rebels. (Al Jazeera) (YeniSafak)
Michel Barnier resigns as Prime Minister of France following the collapse of the Barnier government. (Sky News)
2024 Aruban general election Arubans vote to elect the 21 members of the Parliament. The Aruban People's Party wins nine seats and the People's Electoral Movement wins eight seats, neither parties achieving a majority. (Aruba Papers)
2024 Mauritian presidential election An uncontested election is held for the President of Mauritius, with former minister of education and Labour Party representative Dharam Gokhool winning without contest. Robert Hungley is elected Vice-President. (Xinhua)
An uncontested election is held for the President of Mauritius, with former minister of education and Labour Party representative Dharam Gokhool winning without contest. Robert Hungley is elected Vice-President. (Xinhua)
Syrian Army soldiers from the 8th Armoured Division in Daraa defect to the Syrian opposition as rebels launch attacks on pro-government checkpoints across Daraa Governorate, taking control of several towns, including Inkhil, Ghabaghib, and al-Jiza, as well as the city of Jasim. Rebels later claim near total control of the governorate. (Yeni Safak)
Arubans vote to elect the 21 members of the Parliament. The Aruban People's Party wins nine seats and the People's Electoral Movement wins eight seats, neither parties achieving a majority. (Aruba Papers)
Belarus–Russia relations, Nuclear risk during the Russian invasion of Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko sign an agreement in Minsk, Belarus, offering security guarantees to Belarus including nuclear security and the possible use of Russian nuclear weapons in order to repel aggressions. (AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko sign an agreement in Minsk, Belarus, offering security guarantees to Belarus including nuclear security and the possible use of Russian nuclear weapons in order to repel aggressions. (AP)
Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani says that his forces will not end their military campaign until Syrian president Bashar al-Assad is removed from power. (France 24)
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces take control of Deir ez-Zor and its airport following the withdrawal of pro-government forces. (Enab Baladi) (SOHR)
2024 Ghanaian general election Ghanaians vote to elect the President and the 275 members of the Parliament. (France24)
2025 Singaporean general election Former Workers' Party Secretary-General and longest-serving opposition Member of the Parliament of Singapore Low Thia Khiang announced retirement in politics ahead of the election. (The Straits Times) (CNA)
Former Workers' Party Secretary-General and longest-serving opposition Member of the Parliament of Singapore Low Thia Khiang announced retirement in politics ahead of the election. (The Straits Times) (CNA)
Ghanaians vote to elect the President and the 275 members of the Parliament. (France24)
Interim President and military junta leader of Burkina Faso Ibrahim Traoré dismisses Prime Minister Apollinaire J. Kyélem de Tambèla and dissolves the government. (DW) (Irish Examiner)
A statue of former Syrian president Hafez al-Assad is toppled in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana. (NBC News) (Barron's)
A vote to impeach South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol fails in the National Assembly due to a boycott of the vote by members of Yoon's People Power Party. (AP)
Attempted impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol A vote to impeach South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol fails in the National Assembly due to a boycott of the vote by members of Yoon's People Power Party. (AP)
Syrian security officials and Arab officials say that First Lady of Syria Asma al-Assad fled with her three children to Russia last week. However, amid conflicting reports, Syrian state television says that President Bashar al-Assad remains in Damascus. (The Telegraph via Yahoo! News) (BBC News)
United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir Otto Pedersen calls for an "orderly political transition" from the collapsing Syrian government to the Syrian opposition in order to end the conflict. (AP) (Barron's)
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani says at the Doha Forum that his country is seeing a momentum build up for a ceasefire to end the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. (Al Jazeera)
Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in action since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and that 370,000 soldiers have been injured, while estimating the number of Russian casualties at 198,000 soldiers killed and more than 550,000 soldiers injured. (Politico)
Russian invasion of Ukraine Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in action since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and that 370,000 soldiers have been injured, while estimating the number of Russian casualties at 198,000 soldiers killed and more than 550,000 soldiers injured. (Politico)
US intervention in the Syrian civil war War against the Islamic State The United States launches airstrikes on ISIL targets in Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime. (The Telegraph) Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden praises the end of the Ba'athist Syria regime and announces that the U.S. will support Syria and its neighbors during Syria's political transition. (CNBC)
A video posted to X shows Syrians tearing down posters of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Qasem Soleimani at the Iranian embassy in Damascus. Statues of former president Hafez al-Assad are also toppled across the city. (Al Bawaba) (Madhyama Online)
Manbij offensive, Operation Dawn of Freedom Turkish security sources claim that 80% of Kurdish-held positions in the city of Manbij in Aleppo Governorate have been taken by the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army. (Türkiye Today) Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan threatens "appropriate measures" against Kurdistan Workers' Party-aligned rebel groups, and states that Turkey will never allow these groups control over any part of Syria or its government. (Shafaq)
Rebel forces seize the Presidential Palace in Damascus, which is later looted by armed soldiers and civilians. (The Guardian) (Al Arabiya)
Reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris The Notre-Dame cathedral in Île de la Cité, Paris, France, reopens and holds its first public mass five years after a structural fire damaged the building and destroyed its spire. French President Emmanuel Macron and dozens of world leaders attend the reopening ceremony. (Irish Independent) (RTHK)
Senior Syrian government officials are reportedly in talks with the Syrian opposition and are preparing to defect. (CNN)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad leaves the country on a flight from Damascus International Airport to Moscow, Russia. (BBC News) (Al Jazeera)
Syrian rebels seize state television and announce to the nation that Bashar al-Assad has been toppled and that a new government will be formed. (Xinhua)
The Notre-Dame cathedral in Île de la Cité, Paris, France, reopens and holds its first public mass five years after a structural fire damaged the building and destroyed its spire. French President Emmanuel Macron and dozens of world leaders attend the reopening ceremony. (Irish Independent) (RTHK)
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan threatens "appropriate measures" against Kurdistan Workers' Party-aligned rebel groups, and states that Turkey will never allow these groups control over any part of Syria or its government. (Shafaq)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in action since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and that 370,000 soldiers have been injured, while estimating the number of Russian casualties at 198,000 soldiers killed and more than 550,000 soldiers injured. (Politico)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israel and Syria has "collapsed" and orders the Israel Defense Forces to occupy the Syrian side of the Golan Heights. (New Arab)
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali says that he is not leaving Syria and will commit to a peaceful transition of power to the Syrian opposition. Al-Jalali also calls on rebel forces to not damage state institutions in Damascus or to harm civilians. (Axios)
2024 Azad Kashmir protests The local government of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, repeals an executive order that banned protests following four days of shutter-down demonstrations in May. (Al Jazeera) (Daily Express)
Fall of Damascus Fall of the Assad regime Lieutenant General Ali Mahmoud, Maher al-Assad's office manager and leader of several Syrian civil war campaigns, is found dead in his office in a suburb of Damascus. (SOHR) (Naharnet) The White Helmets civil defense organization announces they have freed over 20,000 prisoners from Sednaya Prison, with over 10,000 others unaccounted for. They report that there are areas of the prison hidden underground that they do not have access codes to, but can see prisoners on security cameras. (Reuters) (Al Jazeera)
Fall of the Assad regime Lieutenant General Ali Mahmoud, Maher al-Assad's office manager and leader of several Syrian civil war campaigns, is found dead in his office in a suburb of Damascus. (SOHR) (Naharnet)
Israel and the Syrian civil war Israeli invasion of Syria (2024–present) Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz orders the Israeli Defense Forces to quickly occupy the entire Syrian buffer zone and to establish a new security zone further into southern Syria free of all insurgent infrastructure and heavy weapons. (Israel Hayom) The Israeli Air Force launches several airstrikes on the city of Daraa and also carries out a series of airstrikes on Syrian Air Force bases, destroying the Syrian Air Force's entire fleet of MiG-29 fighter jets. (Erem News) (VIN News)
Lieutenant General Ali Mahmoud, Maher al-Assad's office manager and leader of several Syrian civil war campaigns, is found dead in his office in a suburb of Damascus. (SOHR) (Naharnet)
Syrian opposition leader Mohammed al-Bashir is appointed Prime Minister of the Syrian transitional government. (Al Jazeera)
Syrian peace process Syrian opposition leader Mohammed al-Bashir is appointed Prime Minister of the Syrian transitional government. (Al Jazeera)
The local government of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, repeals an executive order that banned protests following four days of shutter-down demonstrations in May. (Al Jazeera) (Daily Express)
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz orders the Israeli Defense Forces to quickly occupy the entire Syrian buffer zone and to establish a new security zone further into southern Syria free of all insurgent infrastructure and heavy weapons. (Israel Hayom)
Israeli invasion of Syria (2024–present) Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz orders the Israeli Defense Forces to quickly occupy the entire Syrian buffer zone and to establish a new security zone further into southern Syria free of all insurgent infrastructure and heavy weapons. (Israel Hayom) The Israeli Air Force launches several airstrikes on the city of Daraa and also carries out a series of airstrikes on Syrian Air Force bases, destroying the Syrian Air Force's entire fleet of MiG-29 fighter jets. (Erem News) (VIN News)
Prime Minister of Tonga Siaosi Sovaleni resigns ahead of a vote of no confidence. (Reuters)
