Damascus Shells Turkish Factions, Ankara Targets Kurdish Units

Turkish forces in Syria (AFP/File photo)
Turkish forces in Syria (AFP/File photo)
TT

Damascus Shells Turkish Factions, Ankara Targets Kurdish Units

Turkish forces in Syria (AFP/File photo)
Turkish forces in Syria (AFP/File photo)

Syrian regime forces fired on Monday two rockets on areas in the western countryside of Aleppo, targeting the vicinity of Turkish base in Deir Samaan and other areas on the outskirts of Al-Qatourah village, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The attack only caused material damage.

Since Sunday evening, the “Putin-Erdogan” region has been witnessing ongoing escalation, particularly by the regime and their allied armed groups.

Over 70 rockets and artillery shells hit areas in Fulayfel, Bayannin, Al-Bara, Al-Fatirah and Safohn in Jabal Al-Zawiyah in the western countryside of Aleppo, while regime rocket and artillery fire intensified in Al-Bara village.

Regime forces also shelled areas in the vicinity of Maklabis village in western Aleppo countryside of Aleppo, the Observatory revealed.

Later, pro-Ankara Al-Fath Al-Mubin factions shelled regime forces positions in Al-Darah Al-Kabirah and Al-Malajah, south of Idlib, and Ain Al-Hammam, north of Latakia.

Regime forces and Al-Fath Al-Mubin factions then exchanged shelling and heavy machine gun fire on Al-Masharea’ frontline in Sahl Al-Ghab and Kabbana frontline in Jabal Al-Akrad. However, no casualties were reported.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Defense Ministry said Monday its commandos carried out another successful operation in the Peace Spring, Olive Branch and Euphrates Shield regions.

It said: “Fifteen PKK/YPG terrorists, including two so-called senior executives, who attempted to attack to disrupt the peace and security environment, were neutralized.”

On Sunday, Turkish forces fired 58 artillery shells on several villages in the northern countryside of Aleppo, which resulted in the injury of two regime soldiers in the village of Abin.

The Turkish forces have targeted villages in Aleppo’s northern countryside with over 74 shells in the past 48 hours.

Regime forces retaliated by targeting the village of Mkalbis in the western countryside of Aleppo, where the Turkish forces and their affiliated Syrian National Army factions are stationed.



EU Condemns Israel's West Bank Control Measures

The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, seen from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP)
The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, seen from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP)
TT

EU Condemns Israel's West Bank Control Measures

The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, seen from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP)
The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, seen from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP)

The European Union on Monday condemned new Israeli measures to tighten control of the West Bank and pave the way for more settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, AFP reported.

"The European Union condemns recent decisions by Israel's security cabinet to expand Israeli control in the West Bank. This move is another step in the wrong direction," EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni told journalists.


Atrocities in Sudan's El-Fasher Were 'Preventable Human Rights Catastrophe'

Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
TT

Atrocities in Sudan's El-Fasher Were 'Preventable Human Rights Catastrophe'

Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

The atrocities unleashed on El-Fasher in Sudan's Darfur region last October were a "preventable human rights catastrophe", the United Nations said Monday, warning they now risked being repeated in the neighbouring Kordofan region.

 

"My office sounded the alarm about the risk of mass atrocities in the besieged city of El-Fasher for more than a year ... but our warnings were ignored," UN rights chief Volker Turk told the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

 

He added that he was now "extremely concerned that these violations and abuses may be repeated in the Kordofan region".

 

 

 

 


Arab League Condemns Israel's Decisions to Alter Legal, Administrative Status of West Bank

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
TT

Arab League Condemns Israel's Decisions to Alter Legal, Administrative Status of West Bank

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

The General Secretariat of the Arab League strongly condemned decisions by Israeli occupation authorities to impose fundamental changes on the legal and administrative status of the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in the West Bank, describing them as a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of international law, international legitimacy resolutions, and signed agreements, SPA reported.

In a statement, the Arab League said the measures include facilitating the confiscation of private Palestinian property and transferring planning and licensing authorities in the city of Hebron and the area surrounding the Ibrahimi Mosque to occupation authorities.

It warned of the serious repercussions of these actions on the rights of the Palestinian people and on Islamic and Christian holy sites.

The statement reaffirmed the Arab League’s firm support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the establishment of their independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.