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Erdogan Hints at Operations Against Kurdish Forces and Major Steps to Support Damascus

Erdogan addresses a conference in the city of Bursa on December 28, 2024 (Turkish presidency)
Erdogan addresses a conference in the city of Bursa on December 28, 2024 (Turkish presidency)
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Erdogan Hints at Operations Against Kurdish Forces and Major Steps to Support Damascus

Erdogan addresses a conference in the city of Bursa on December 28, 2024 (Turkish presidency)
Erdogan addresses a conference in the city of Bursa on December 28, 2024 (Turkish presidency)

As intense clashes continue between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Türkiye-backed factions near the Tishrin Dam in eastern Aleppo, Tukrish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Ankara would take new measures to secure its southern borders, vowing to enhance security and eliminate “external terrorist threats.”

Erdogan emphasized Türkiye’s determination to ensure stability in the region surrounding its southern borders and to eradicate organizations threatening the security of its people and regional stability, including the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), its Syrian affiliate, the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) (the main component of the SDF), and ISIS.

In a speech during the regional conference of the Justice and Development Party in Bursa in western Türkiye on Saturday, Erdogan highlighted his country’s role in assisting the Syrian people during the ongoing humanitarian crisis that has lasted for 13 years. He pointed out that Türkiye has hosted over 3 million Syrians who fled the civil war and affirmed its continued commitment to helping Syrians who wish to return to their homeland to ensure a safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation.

Meanwhile, intense clashes persisted Friday night and Saturday morning between the Türkiye-backed Syrian National Army factions and SDF forces, led by Kurdish units, near the Tishrin Dam in eastern Aleppo, close to the border town of Ayn al-Arab (Kobani).

The SDF reported ongoing battles on multiple fronts, stating that 17 members of the factions were killed, possibly including a commander, according to some reports. The SDF targeted sites belonging to the Syrian National Army near Tishrin Dam and Qara Qozak Bridge with rockets. In response, Turkish forces launched heavy artillery bombardments on the village of Aslanji, south of Ayn al-Arab, causing civilian injuries and significant material damage.

Additionally, Turkish artillery stationed in the “Peace Spring” area shelled several villages in the Abu Rasin countryside, extending to areas in rural Tal Tamr. Two members of Türkiye-backed factions were killed while the Raqqa Military Council, affiliated with the SDF, repelled an infiltration attempt in Umm al-Baramil village, east of Ayn Issa in Raqqa’s countryside.

On another front, Ankara has begun preparations to assist the newly-formed Syrian administration in Damascus, headed by Ahmad al-Sharaa. The support includes preparing official documents for Syrians, such as identity cards, passports, and driver’s licenses, upon the administration’s request.

According to the pro-government Turkish newspaper Türkiye, Erdogan has issued clear directives to all ministers to respond to the new Syrian administration’s needs in various fields. Turkish authorities are preparing to implement a system similar to the smart documents used in Türkiye, incorporating electronic chips, to meet the needs of Syrian citizens.

Statistics show a rise in the percentage of Syrians interested in returning to their country, increasing from 45% to 70%. Sources in the Turkish Ministry of Education revealed ongoing discussions about initiating various projects in Syria. These include restoring and constructing schools, training teachers and administrative staff, developing new curricula in line with scientific and technological advancements, and supporting economic development by establishing vocational schools. Additionally, efforts will focus on providing psychological and social support for families and children affected by the prolonged war.

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Arab World

Yemeni Govt Forces Expand Operations as Houthis Face Fighting on Multiple Fronts

Government forces press ahead with Operation Dawn of Yemen against the Houthis on multiple fronts. (Military media)
Government forces press ahead with Operation Dawn of Yemen against the Houthis on multiple fronts. (Military media)
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Yemeni Govt Forces Expand Operations as Houthis Face Fighting on Multiple Fronts

Government forces press ahead with Operation Dawn of Yemen against the Houthis on multiple fronts. (Military media)
Government forces press ahead with Operation Dawn of Yemen against the Houthis on multiple fronts. (Military media)

Yemeni government forces launched 874 strikes against Houthi positions across several governorates under Operation Dawn of Yemen, as ground fighting continued and troops repelled attacks and attempted advances by the militia.

The operations targeted Houthi positions, troop concentrations and reinforcements in Marib, Al-Jawf, Taiz, Hajjah and Dhale, the military said.

Armed forces spokesperson Colonel Majed Al-Nuzaili said the strikes included 29 airstrikes, 39 drone strikes, 62 rocket launcher strikes and 744 artillery strikes.

Preliminary battlefield reports showed about 190 Houthi commanders and fighters killed or wounded and roughly 130 military vehicles and pieces of equipment destroyed or damaged, he revealed.

In Al-Jawf, warplanes struck a Houthi tank. Other airstrikes hit Houthi positions and military vehicles near Jabal Han, west of Taiz, and Dar Al-Saynah in the south. The army released footage showing strikes on Houthi fighters and equipment in both provinces.

In Marib, artillery pounded Houthi positions, concentrations and vehicles on the southern front. Drones struck reinforcements and vehicles on the northern front, while other strikes targeted newly established positions and fortifications in the south.

Fighting also continued on northern fronts and southeast of Al-Hazm, the capital of Al-Jawf, where government forces repelled Houthi movements and attacks while striking firing positions, troop concentrations and military vehicles.

In Hajjah, drones targeted Houthi sniper positions and fighters in the Hiran sector as part of wider operations against the militia's positions and fortifications.

Fierce fighting displaces families in Lahj

Heavy fighting and intensified military movements gripped the Al-Mudaribah and Ras Al-Arah in western Lahj. The Southern Giants Brigades and National Shield Forces said they had repelled major Houthi attacks on the Al-Bukrah and Al-Ruwais fronts.

Military sources reported the destruction of Houthi military vehicles. The Giants Brigades released footage showing strikes on Houthi fighters and vehicles in Lahj.

In Al-Maqatirah district, northwest of Lahj, Houthi-affiliated media reported a series of airstrikes on areas under the group's control on Wednesday. Government forces said they had destroyed Houthi military vehicles on the same front as fighting spread across areas bordering southwestern Taiz.

The clashes have worsened humanitarian conditions and driven more families from their homes as fighting nears populated areas in Al-Mudaribah, Al-Maqatirah and around Tur Al-Baha.

Families from other frontline areas have begun fleeing toward Aden and safer locations, raising fears of further displacement if fighting spreads to more residential areas.

Clashes persist in Taiz and Dhale

Government forces and the Popular Resistance continued battling the Houthis across several fronts in Taiz, particularly Al-Shaqab and Al-Aqroud, with fighting entering its 61st consecutive day, military sources said.

Airstrikes hit Houthi positions near Jabal Han, west of Taiz, and Dar Al-Saynah as troops continued repelling attacks in the province's western countryside.

Colonel Muwaffaq Al-Sabai, of the Fifth Presidential Guard Brigade in Taiz, said the Houthis had failed to break through government defenses despite massing fighters and launching attacks over more than a month.

He attributed the failure to government forces and the Popular Resistance taking the offensive initiative and improving coordination.

In Dhale, government troops repelled a Houthi attack on the Hajar front in the province's northwest. Clashes at the foot of Jabal Al-Hasha forced the attackers to retreat after suffering casualties and equipment losses, a military source said.

Meanwhile, the Giants Brigades, National Shield Forces and National Resistance continued operations on the southern and southwestern fronts.

The military spokesperson reported the recapture of positions in some sectors, while fighting continued and troops confronted Houthi movements elsewhere.

Arab World

Yemeni Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Houthis Lose Foreign Commanders as Military Setbacks Mount

Yemeni army fighters in the Houthi-besieged city of Taiz. (AFP)
Yemeni army fighters in the Houthi-besieged city of Taiz. (AFP)
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Yemeni Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Houthis Lose Foreign Commanders as Military Setbacks Mount

Yemeni army fighters in the Houthi-besieged city of Taiz. (AFP)
Yemeni army fighters in the Houthi-besieged city of Taiz. (AFP)

The Houthis have lost numerous foreign commanders involved in directing military operations and developing offensive capabilities, a senior Yemeni official said, as the group faces mounting battlefield losses and internal divisions.

Walid al-Qudaimi, Yemen's minister of state, told Asharq Al-Awsat that airstrikes and battlefield operations had killed key foreign commanders fighting alongside the Houthis, as well as senior Houthi figures whose deaths the group has yet to disclose.

He said airstrikes and fighting across several fronts had weakened the militia's military capabilities, inflicting heavy losses in personnel, leadership and equipment.

Foreign commanders involved in directing operations and launching missile and drone attacks on government-held areas and Saudi Arabia were among those hit, he added.

Despite efforts to develop weapons and military technology, the Houthis were facing mounting setbacks and internal disintegration, al-Qudaimi said.

He said tribal leaders, sheikhs and ordinary Yemenis were increasingly recognizing the militia's agenda and refusing to send their sons into battle amid heavy casualties and growing numbers of missing fighters whose fate remained undisclosed.

Al-Qudaimi said Yemeni forces were fighting under a unified command through the joint forces, adding that Operation Dawn of Yemen would continue with Saudi support and under the direct supervision of the chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council until its objectives were met.

He said Yemenis increasingly understood the Houthis' ties to Iran and their role as one of Tehran's regional instruments, expressing his belief that large segments of the population were awaiting the group's removal and the restoration of state institutions.

The conflict extended beyond the Houthis because of the military and logistical support they received from foreign parties, al-Qudaimi said.

He stressed the importance of Yemeni diplomatic efforts to confront countries facilitating Houthi activities or providing assistance, saying such support violated diplomatic and political relations and harmed those countries' ties with Yemen.

His remarks came as Yemeni forces pressed ahead with military operations, intensifying airstrikes, drone attacks and artillery fire against Houthi positions, movements and reinforcements.

Government forces also made fresh gains in Al-Jawf province, while fighting continued on several fronts in Taiz, Dhale and Marib.

Turning to Taiz, al-Qudaimi called the city "an important key to victory over the Houthi militia," saying its residents' resistance reflected Yemenis' determination to confront the group.

He said repeated Houthi attempts to defeat the city militarily had failed despite the deployment of extensive manpower and military resources following the group's seizure of coastal areas.

Al-Qudaimi expressed hope that the Yemeni army would launch further operations to break the siege of Taiz and restore freedom of movement and access to besieged areas.

He also accused the Houthis of hypocrisy, saying they proclaimed solidarity with Gaza and the Palestinian people while besieging fellow Yemenis in Taiz and denying them basic rights to movement and daily life.

Arab World

More Than One Million in Lebanon Face Acute Food Insecurity, UN Says

A woman holds her daughter's hand as they walk through a neighborhood where homes were destroyed in Israeli strikes near Tebnin Citadel in southern Lebanon, October 3, 2026. (Reuters)
A woman holds her daughter's hand as they walk through a neighborhood where homes were destroyed in Israeli strikes near Tebnin Citadel in southern Lebanon, October 3, 2026. (Reuters)
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More Than One Million in Lebanon Face Acute Food Insecurity, UN Says

A woman holds her daughter's hand as they walk through a neighborhood where homes were destroyed in Israeli strikes near Tebnin Citadel in southern Lebanon, October 3, 2026. (Reuters)
A woman holds her daughter's hand as they walk through a neighborhood where homes were destroyed in Israeli strikes near Tebnin Citadel in southern Lebanon, October 3, 2026. (Reuters)

More than one million people in Lebanon face acute food insecurity, the United Nations warned on Wednesday, following years of war and economic crisis.

Lebanon has endured two successive wars with neighboring Israel since 2023 and remains mired in an unprecedented economic collapse triggered seven years ago.

Nearly a quarter of the population face crisis levels of acute food insecurity or worse, said a joint statement by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Food Program and the Lebanese agriculture ministry.

They called for "urgent action" to alleviate the situation.

The number is expected to rise to 1.15 million by the middle of next year, they added.

"Employment opportunities remain limited, savings have been depleted and debt remains high, while the cost of food, fuel and other essentials continues to strain household budgets," the UN bodies said.

The UN defines such levels of food insecurity as households facing malnutrition, or only being able to meet minimum needs through emergency measures such as selling assets.

Of most concern are conditions in conflict-affected areas of south Lebanon, as well as in impoverished regions in the north and east, they said.

Lebanon's authorities estimate that the cost of two wars between Israel and Lebanese group Hezbollah since October 2023 amounts to around $27 billion.

The last war, launched in March in support of Hezbollah's patron Iran, displaced more than one million people in Lebanon. That number has fallen to around 300,000 since violence subsided in June.

The fighting broke out as Lebanon struggled to recover from its worst ever economic crisis, which began in 2019.

Beirut has been seeking a bailout from the International Monetary Fund but has yet to implement reforms demanded by the institution to release the aid.