Turkey: Tense Race in Final Hours Before Elections, Conflict Over Istanbulhttps://english.aawsat.com/home/article/1310206/turkey-tense-race-final-hours-elections-conflict-over-istanbul
Turkey: Tense Race in Final Hours Before Elections, Conflict Over Istanbul
Erdogan's supporters in Istanbul. Reuters
The final hours before Turkey's early presidential and parliamentary elections were marked by tense activity by presidential candidates and political parties.
Focus was concentrated on Istanbul as it embraces the largest number of voters, including 10 million 559,686 out of 56 million 322,632 voters all in all.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continued for the second consecutive day his tour around Istanbul neighborhoods.
He held four public conferences in four different neighborhoods in west and the city center, calling on all the voters to head towards the polls and vote.
Speaking at an election rally in Istanbul's Esenyurt district, Erdogan assured his supporters that the authorities had taken all necessary precautions to ensure the security of the ballot boxes in the presidential and parliamentary elections.
"We have taken foolproof measures," he said.
Representatives from every party will be present at the polling stations, Erdogan stated, urging his supporters to vote and have tolerance.
He also stressed that the new presidential system in Turkey will lead to the country’s advancement, to transcend the level of contemporary civilizations and will place it in the ranks of the ten largest economies in the world and one of major countries such as USA and Russia.
He pointed out that his Justice and Development Party (AKP) has achieved a lot in Turkey during his reign, and it will work to accomplish many other things, which others cannot imagine, in reference to the opposition.
Moreover, he called on citizens of Kurdish origin to be cautious and not to be fooled and dragged behind conspiracies because his party does not distinguish at all between different races; instead, it urges unity and solidarity away from discrimination.
The Turkish President praised the mega-projects implemented by his party during the past years and slammed his main rival, Muharrem Ince, for his attempts to downplay the importance of these projects.
Ince, the secularist Republican People’s Party (CHP), for his part, drew huge crowds, especially in the big cities.
On Saturday police said at least one million people had turned out in Istanbul Maltepe district to hear Ince promise to reverse - if he wins the presidency - what he sees as Turkey’s turn towards more authoritarian rule under Erdogan.
Ince also repeated his accusation of political bias by Turkey’s state media, which has given Erdogan and the AK Party heavy coverage while often neglecting to broadcast opposition rallies.
Lebanese army members stand on a military vehicle during a Lebanese army media tour, to review the army's operations in the southern Litani sector, in Alma Al-Shaab, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, November 28, 2025. (Reuters)
Lebanese army members stand on a military vehicle during a Lebanese army media tour, to review the army's operations in the southern Litani sector, in Alma Al-Shaab, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, November 28, 2025. (Reuters)
The Lebanese army has uncovered a tunnel built by Hezbollah in the southern town of Touline after carrying out an excavation at the request of the ceasefire oversight committee known as the Mechanism, Lebanese media reported. The site had previously been struck by an Israeli attack, according to the reports.
This was not the first time the Lebanese army has inspected sites at the request of the Mechanism or following Israeli threats, as part of coordination between the military, the committee overseeing the cessation of hostilities and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
A similar inspection took place last week when the army conducted a thorough search of a building in the southern town of Yanouh after Israel threatened to strike the house.
No weapons were found. After the Lebanese army deployed, the Israeli military announced it had temporarily suspended the strike it had threatened on what it described as Hezbollah military infrastructure in the town.
The developments came as Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon continued, with an air raid on Wednesday hitting the town of Kfar Kila. No casualties were reported, said the state-run National News Agency.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri described the Mechanism as a “platform for discussion and a framework for oversight and verification of compliance with agreements”, stressing that Lebanon has adhered to its commitments since the first day of the 2024 ceasefire, while Israeli violations have continued.
On Hezbollah’s weapons, Mitri said during the opening session of the eighth conference of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut that Lebanese army commander General Rodolphe Haykal had proposed a five-phase plan starting with strengthening the army’s capabilities.
He stressed that extending state authority in the area surrounding the Litani River was making gradual progress, with the army nearing completion of its mission south of the Litani in preparation for moving to later phases.
On reconstruction, Mitri added that the international community was making the extension of state authority a key condition for support. He hoped that Arab states would play a supportive role through their international relations.
The developments come ahead of a new meeting of the Mechanism tasked with monitoring the ceasefire, scheduled for Dec. 19.
It will be the second meeting attended by the head of the Lebanese delegation, Ambassador Simon Karam, after his participation alongside an Israeli civilian in the previous session earlier this month, marking the first direct talks between the two countries.
President Joseph Aoun met Karam on Wednesday and provided him with guidance ahead of the meeting.
The ceasefire monitoring committee includes Lebanon, Israel, France, the United States and the United Nations.
The ceasefire agreement stipulates a halt to hostilities, the withdrawal of Hezbollah north of the Litani River, leading to its disarmament across Lebanon, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from positions they occupied during the latest war.
Israel, however, maintains a presence at five “strategic” sites inside Lebanese territory, while Hezbollah refuses to disarm.
Bahbah to Asharq Al-Awsat: Second Phase of Gaza Ceasefire Begins Next Monthhttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5220588-bahbah-asharq-al-awsat-second-phase-gaza-ceasefire-begins-next-month
Palestinians walk along a street surrounded by buildings destroyed during Israeli air and ground operations in Gaza City, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (AP)
Bahbah to Asharq Al-Awsat: Second Phase of Gaza Ceasefire Begins Next Month
Palestinians walk along a street surrounded by buildings destroyed during Israeli air and ground operations in Gaza City, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (AP)
The second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement is expected to begin in January, likely in the first or second week, according to Bishara Bahbah, head of the Arab Americans for Peace Committee and a mediator closely aligned with the US administration on the Gaza file.
Bahbah told Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday that preparations for managing Gaza are already complete, with the names of the prospective committee finalized and Palestinian Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan emerging as the most likely candidate to lead the body.
Bahbah, who remains close to White House deliberations on Gaza, said Washington supports the presence of Turkish forces as part of an international stabilization force, viewing them as the most capable of maintaining stability in the enclave.
He said the anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later this month will be decisive for the second phase, noting that the United States will press for its launch next month and for a decision on Türkiye’s participation in the stabilization force.
Defining the mission
Bahbah disclosed details of a meeting held on Tuesday in the Qatari capital Doha on the formation of an international stabilization force for Gaza.
He said one of the main objectives was for Washington to clearly identify which countries are prepared to participate and to determine the nature of each country’s contribution, whether through troops, training, or technical and logistical support.
He said the second objective of the meeting was to clarify how the forces would coordinate with one another and establish a command structure, noting that one proposal under discussion is for a US general to lead the international force.
Discussions also covered deployment locations and whether the force would be stationed outside the so-called yellow line separating Israeli-controlled areas from Hamas-held zones, within that line, or inside densely populated areas, as well as which parties would provide funding, he added.
Rejection of Israel’s approach
On deployment plans, Bahbah said discussions are ongoing but that the model sought by Israel was rejected by an overwhelming majority of participating countries, indicating broad agreement on monitoring rather than combat roles.
On the nature of the mission, he stated that most participating states are unwilling to play any role related to disarmament, instead seeking to act as a buffer between Israeli forces and populated areas in order to protect civilians.
The ultimate objective of the force’s presence is Israel’s gradual withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, he stressed.
“These forces will not act on Israel’s behalf, particularly on disarmament,” Bahbah said, adding that Hamas leaders had expressed to him a willingness to negotiate on the issue.
“Using force will not work,” he warned, noting that Israel had failed to disarm Hamas by force over the past two years and that no international party would succeed in doing so militarily.
A car is seen partially submerged next to a small boat in a flooded area after heavy rains in a makeshift camp for displaced Palestinians in Zawaida, central Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (AP)
Türkiye’s participation pivotal
On Türkiye’s role, Bahbah described Ankara’s participation as pivotal, saying Türkiye is the closest country to Hamas and the most capable of engaging with the group over its weapons, something other states struggle to do.
He said the presence of Turkish forces in Gaza would be essential and would lead to greater stability, adding that Washington supports their involvement.
Bahbah said Trump is expected to pressure Netanyahu during their upcoming meeting in the United States later this month to accept Turkish participation.
He added that Israel is likely to seek conditions, possibly pushing for a compromise in which Türkiye’s role would be technical rather than armed, but stressed that pressure from the US administration would be decisive.
Second phase commitments
On the so-called Peace Council, Bahbah noted that Trump has spoken of many world leaders wanting to join it, stressing that membership would not be free and would entail commitments, including funding, providing security forces, or other obligations.
Asked about potential members, he said names he has seen for the executive council include US envoys Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, former British prime minister Tony Blair, former US ambassador Richard Grenell, and former Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov.
On Gaza’s administration, Bahbah revealed that a list of 42 candidates for a technocratic committee has been approved by Hamas, Fatah, and Egypt, adding that Health Minister Abu Ramadan is likely to chair the committee.
Despite talk of obstacles to moving to the second phase, Bahbah said he expects it to be launched in the first or second week of January, specifically after the Trump-Netanyahu summit resolves outstanding issues.
He denied knowledge of any arrangements for Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to attend the summit.
Trump will not allow the agreement to fail, he remarked, describing this as “100 percent certain” and adding that Hamas remains committed to the ceasefire despite continued Israeli violations.
Bahbah said the movement understands that Israel is seeking any pretext to resume what he described as acts of annihilation in Gaza and is therefore showing greater restraint to deny it that opportunity.
Report: RSF Destroying Evidence of Atrocities in Sudanhttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5220576-report-rsf-destroying-evidence-atrocities-sudan
The Sudanese flag flutters in Omdurman, part of greater Khartoum on December 13, 2025. (AFP)
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Report: RSF Destroying Evidence of Atrocities in Sudan
The Sudanese flag flutters in Omdurman, part of greater Khartoum on December 13, 2025. (AFP)
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces destroyed and concealed evidence of mass killings they committed after overrunning the Darfur city of el-Fasher, a new report has found.
Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL), which has used satellite imagery to monitor atrocities since the RSF's war with the army began, said on Tuesday the group "destroyed and concealed evidence of its widespread mass killings" in the North Darfur state capital.
The RSF's violent takeover of the army's last holdout position in the Darfur region in October led to international outrage over reports of summary executions, systematic rape and mass detention.
The HRL said that in the aftermath of the takeover, it had identified 150 clusters of objects consistent with human remains.
Dozens were consistent with reports of execution-style killings, and dozens more with reports of the RSF killing civilians as they fled.
Within a month, nearly 60 of those clusters were no longer visible, while eight earth disturbances appeared near the sites of mass killing, the HRL said.
It said the disturbances were not consistent with civilian burial practices.
"Largescale and systematic mass killing and body disposal has occurred," the report determined, estimating the death toll in the city to be in the tens of thousands.
Aid groups and the United Nations have repeatedly demanded safe access to el-Fasher, where communications remain cut and an estimated tens of thousands of survivors are trapped, many detained by the RSF.
The UN has called the Sudan conflict a "a war of atrocities".
There is no confirmed death toll from the Sudan war which began in April 2023, with estimates at more than 150,000.
The fighting has also displaced millions of people, and created the world's largest hunger and displacement crises.
Efforts to end the war have repeatedly faltered.
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