December 13, 2024

*) Erdogan, Blinken discuss Syrian political transition, Gaza genocide Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks focusing on regional cooperation and shared goals, including the preservation of Syria's territorial integrity, unity, unitary structure The discussions in Ankara also addressed the "urgent need" for a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner swap deal to enable increased humanitarian aid for Palestinians. Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to Syria's territorial integrity and pledged to take measures against terrorist groups like PKK/PYD/YPG and Daesh, ensuring no let-up in counter-terrorism efforts. *) Israel kills at least 30 Palestinians in Gaza's Nuseirat camp Israel has killed at least 30 Palestinians and wounded 40 in an air strike on a home in the Nuseirat camp in besieged Gaza. Israeli fighter jets targeted several homes and buildings in the camp, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. Reports say most of the victims were women and children. *) Israel blocks UN aid convoy to Gaza hospital amid escalating crisis Israel continues to block aid as the Israeli army denied entry to a UN convoy carrying fuel and medical supplies for Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, the hospital's director said. The World Health Organization informed the hospital that the convoy was forced to return to southern Gaza after being blocked. The hospital faces severe shortages of medical supplies, operating at minimal capacity amid rising injuries. *) Over 6,000 Syria's Assad officers documented for war crimes: rights group The Syrian Network for Human Rights has identified over 6,000 regime officers involved in war crimes under Bashar al Assad's regime, director Fadl Abdulghani said. In an interview, Abdulghani urged Syria's new government to establish a national court to prosecute those responsible and warned that a lack of justice could provoke revenge from victims' families. He emphasised the need for international support, including expertise and financial aid, to create an independent judiciary in Syria. *) Türkiye appoints charge d’affaires to Damascus after prolonged absence Türkiye has appointed a temporary charge d’affaires to its embassy in Damascus, marking a significant step in diplomatic engagement with Syria after years of closure due to the civil war. Ambassador Burhan Koroglu, Türkiye's current envoy to Mauritania, has been assigned the role. Koroglu, who began his duties in Nouakchott in December 2023, will now oversee Türkiye's diplomatic affairs in Syria in his new capacity.