Good morning! It’s Sunday, January 19, 2025, and we’re wrapping up the weekend with your daily briefing on defense and global affairs. Here’s what’s making headlines today.
Turkey Strikes Civilians Supporting Kurdish Forces Near Syrian Dam
Tensions are boiling over in northern Syria once again over the weekend as Kurdish authorities accuse Turkey of killing four civilians in a drone strike near the Tishreen Dam, a critical area where fighting has persisted for weeks.
The civilians were reportedly supporting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in their efforts to repel Turkish-backed factions vying for control of the dam.
Control of the dam is seen as a strategic advantage for advancing into Kurdish-held territories.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) confirmed three civilian deaths and warned the casualty count could rise.
Meanwhile, clashes between the SDF and pro-Turkish forces have intensified, with hundreds dead since fighting reignited in late November.
Despite US-led attempts at brokering a truce, Ankara continues its offensive, citing concerns over the SDF’s ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Turkey considers a terrorist group.
Syria’s Foreign Minister, visiting Ankara this week, emphasized that Syrian territory would not serve as a threat to Turkey, indirectly addressing the SDF’s presence. However, Turkey remains resolute in its stance, having launched multiple operations against the group since 2016.
US Donates $117 Million to Help Lebanon Rebuild After Israel-Hezbollah War
The United States has pledged over $117 million in security aid to Lebanon’s armed forces, aiming to bolster the country’s ability to enforce a fragile ceasefire with Israel.
This announcement followed a virtual meeting with international donors discussing the resources needed for Lebanon to implement the cessation of hostilities.
The aid will support Lebanon’s military and internal security forces as they work to stabilize the country and reassert sovereignty.
Lebanon has been grappling with a severe economic crisis since 2019, which has strained public institutions, including its military.
The situation is further complicated by the need to rebuild after a two-month war between Hezbollah and Israel that ended in November.
The ceasefire agreement requires Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26, while Hezbollah must dismantle its military infrastructure south of the Litani River.
Meanwhile, international support continues to grow.
French President Emmanuel Macron, during his visit to Beirut, announced plans for an aid conference, and Spain recently pledged 10 million euros ($10.3 million) to Lebanon’s military.
Missile Hits Kyiv as Russia Targets Ukraine in Deadly Retaliation
Russia launched a missile strike on Kyiv on Saturday, killing three people in what Moscow claimed was “retaliation” for Ukraine’s recent use of US-supplied missiles.
The attack targeted military-industrial facilities in the Ukrainian capital but also caused widespread damage to residential areas, businesses, and infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike as “heinous” and called for increased international pressure on Russia.
Ukraine’s air force reported shooting down two ballistic missiles and 24 drones during the attack, but some still reached central Kyiv, damaging buildings and knocking out water supplies.
Elsewhere, additional strikes in Zaporizhzhia and Beryslav left three more people dead and injured several others.
Russia claimed fresh gains in the eastern Donetsk region, while Ukraine has ramped up drone strikes on Russian energy and military facilities.
These latest escalations come just days before US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, marking a tense moment in the nearly three-year conflict.
Iran Reveals Underground Missile Boat Base Near Gulf Waters
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have revealed Saturday an underground base packed with missile-equipped assault boats, as shown in state television footage.
The exact location wasn’t disclosed but is reportedly in Iran’s southern waters, covering strategic areas like the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman.
The facility lies 1,650 feet (500 meters) underground and is designed to house boats capable of targeting American warships.
Guards chief General Hossein Salami toured the base alongside Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, with the unveiling coming just days before US President-elect Trump’s second-term inauguration.
The move appears to send a strong message, reflecting Iran’s ongoing military posturing in response to Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign during his first term, which included abandoning the nuclear deal and imposing harsh sanctions.
Fragile Gaza Ceasefire Starts After Three-Hour Delay
A long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza has finally begun after a three-hour delay caused by Hamas’s failure to provide the names of three female hostages set for release.
The truce, a potential step toward ending the devastating conflict, began at 11:15 a.m. local time, with celebrations erupting in Gaza despite the fragile nature of the agreement.
The delay led to further airstrikes, with Israeli forces targeting Gaza, killing at least 11 people, including eight in Khan Younis.
The ceasefire aims to secure the release of nearly 100 hostages taken during the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which triggered the war.
Palestinians began cautiously returning to their homes amidst uncertainty, hoping for an end to the conflict that has displaced 90 percent of Gaza’s population and left over 46,000 Palestinians dead.
The ceasefire, brokered under US pressure, marks the second such pause in fighting, but major challenges lie ahead.
Negotiations for the next phase are expected to begin in two weeks, focusing on a full resolution to the conflict and the release of the remaining hostages.
Sources: News Agencies, SOHR, US State Department
