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Nearly 31,000 Syrians have returned home since the fall of strongman Bashar al-Assad, according to the interior minister of neighbouring Turkiye, which shelters some 3 million Syrian refugees. Meanwhile, inside the country on Friday, Syrians rallied for a day of remembrance in honour of the victims of the al-Assad regime and the 13-year civil war. Millions fled Syria after the war in 2011, but since the fall of al-Assad on December 8, there are hopes many will return. “The number of people who went back [from Turkiye] is 30,663,” Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya told the local TGRT news channel on Friday, saying “30 percent” of them had been born in Turkiye. On Tuesday, Yerlikaya said more than 25,000 Syrians had returned in remarks to state news agency Anadolu, adding that they would be allowed to leave and re-enter Turkiye three times in the first half of 2025. Ankara would also open “a migration management office” in Aleppo, Syria’s second city, where most of the refugees living in Turkiye are from, he said without giving further details. And it would reopen its consulate general in Aleppo “in a few days”, he added, echoing remarks earlier this week by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkiye’s Damascus embassy reopened on December 14, six days after al-Assad was toppled by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels. ‘I want the truth’ Meanwhile, in the capital Damascus and elsewhere, Syrians held a day of remembrance for those killed and imprisoned during al-Assad’s nearly 25-year reign. Dozens of sombre protesters gathered in central Damascus’s Hijaz Square to press the new authorities about the fate of relatives who went missing under al-Assad, holding pictures of the disappeared, the AFP news agency reported. “It is time for tyrants to be held accountable,” read a black banner unfurled from the balcony of the elegant Ottoman-era train station. Other placards read, “Revealing the fate of the missing is a right,” and “I don’t want an unmarked grave for my son, I want the truth.” Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from Damascus, said people also gathered in other areas including the Umayyad Square. “I’ve seen many of the people with banners and posters and pictures of their loved ones who were killed or disappeared in prisons during the time of Bashar al-Assad or his father, Hafez al-Assad,” he said. At one point, Ahelbarra described the scenes on the streets as “chaotic”, as people were seen celebrating firing their guns in the air. Syria’s prisons had been a key pillar in supporting the al-Assad regime. Pictures, smuggled out of Syria in 2013, showed what Human Rights Watch said was “irrefutable evidence of widespread torture, starvation, beatings, and disease in Syrian government detention facilities”, in what amounted to a crime against humanity, the rights group said.Many who fled the civil war hope to return, as Syrians hold day of remembrance for victims of al-Assad regime. Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/27/more-than-30000-syrians-returned-home-since-al-assads-fall-turkiye-says

Religious-political party protesting at over 10 sites in megalopolis against Kurram crisis in wake of Parachinar tribal clashes The bustling metropolis of the country faced severe traffic disruption for the third day as protest sit-ins organised by a religious-political party keep various roads closed across the city.  The protestors of Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen have blocked roads at over 10 locations in Karachi as part of their demonstration against the crisis like situation in Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which emanated from tribal clashes in Parachinar.  The demonstrations, going on for three consecutive days, have brought vehicular movement to a standstill in several areas, creating chaos for commuters. Protests in KarachiPlay Video Providing an update on the traffic situation, Karachi Traffic Police reported that the central protest is being staged at Numaish Chowrangi. Other arteries facing closures include both tracks of Abul Hasan Isphani Road in front of Abbas Town and University Road near Samama Shopping Centre. Meanwhile, a sit-in was staged at Five Star Chowrangi in North Nazimabad as well. Whereas, Sharea Faisal from Malir to Natha Khan Bridge was closed, however, the traffic was restored on the city-bound side starting from the bridge. Protesters also blocked the double track near Malir 15 bridge. Additionally, sit-ins were also reported from Surjani Town Road, Shahra-e-Pakistan near Ancholi, Kamran Chowrangi in Gulistan-e-Johar, and Nazimabad No 1, resulting in suspension of vehicular traffic. The National Highway near Township was completely shut, and a demonstration at Powerhouse Chowrangi further compounded the city’s traffic woes. Traffic police have been redirecting vehicles to alternative routes to mitigate congestion. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah appealed to the demonstrators to avoid causing hardship for the public, saying: “Blocking roads in Karachi and Sukkur will not resolve the Parachinar issue.” The protests stem from the deteriorating security situation in Parachinar, where clashes have resulted in over 130 fatalities since November, the point of recent escalation of conflict between two tribal groups. Reports also suggest over 100 children have died due to a medicine shortage, although KP government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif has denied these claims. Parachinar, located in Kurram, is a tribal district near the Afghan border with a population of around 600,000. It has long been a hotspot for conflict. Recent clashes have triggered a humanitarian crisis, with shortages of medicine and oxygen exacerbated by the closure of the highway connecting Parachinar to Peshawar. In a relief effort, the Sindh governor’s office announced that a helicopter carrying medical supplies and other aid had reached Parachinar. These provisions were sent on the Sindh governor’s directive to address the growing crisis. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1266282-traffic-chaos-persists-in-karachi-as-mwm-protests-enter-third-day

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/12/28/live-israeli-soldiers-storm-set-fire-to-last-hospital-in-northern-gaza

Fighting: Politics and diplomacy: Regional security: Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/27/russia-ukraine-war-list-of-key-events-day-1037

An army officer embraced martyrdom while 13 terrorists were neutralised during three separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s districts, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday.  According to the military’s media wing, an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was conducted on the reported presence of terrorists in the general area of Jani Khel in Bannu district. During the operation, the ISPR said the security forces troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location and resultantly killed two of them. Meanwhile, another IBO was conducted in the North Waziristan district where five terrorists were effectively neutralised by security forces during the exchange of fire while eight got injured. “However, during the intense exchange of fire, Major Muhammad Awais (age: 31 years, resident of District Narowal), who was leading his troops from the front, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat,” said the statement. The ISPR added that in a third encounter that took place in the South Waziristan district, the security forces successfully neutralised six terrorists while injuring eight others. Sanitisation operations were being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism, said the statement. Pakistan has been reeling from increased terrorist attacks since the return of Taliban government in neighbouring Afghanistan and the two adjoining provinces are the worst-hit The third quarter of 2024 (July-September) witnessed a sharp uptick in fatalities in terrorist violence and counter-terrorism campaigns with a 90% surge in violence, according to a report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). A total of 722 people were killed, including civilians, security personnel, and outlaws, while 615 others were wounded in as many as 328 incidents recorded during the period under review. Nearly 97% of these fatalities occurred in KP and Balochistan — marking the highest percentage in a decade, and over 92% of these incidents of terror attacks and security forces’ operations were recorded in the same provinces. The total fatalities from three quarters of this year have now surpassed the total fatalities recorded for the entire 2023; the number of fatalities rose to at least 1,534 in the first three quarters compared to 1,523 in 2023.Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1265674-army-officer-martyred-13-militants-neutralised-in-three-kp-operations

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/12/27/live-israel-bombs-yemen-kills-about-50-people-near-northern-gaza-hospital

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/12/26/live-israel-pounds-gaza-as-three-babies-freeze-to-death-in-tent-camps

 An improvised explosive device (IED) went off in the Dasht area of Balochistan’s Turbat district on Wednesday, claiming the lives of at least two people and injuring four others. According to the police, the remote-controlled explosion occurred when the victims were travelling inside a vehicle. Meanwhile, the bodies and the wounded were shifted to a hospital. Those killed in the blast have been identified as Zaman and Umer Zahoor, whereas the injured include Naeem, Javed, Ameen and Waheed. The incident comes amid a surge in terrorist incidents in the country, which has affected Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the most. Earlier this month, two people were killed in a bomb explosion behind Levies station in Killa Abdullah. However, Assistant Commissioner Shehak Baloch said that the deceased were carrying a bomb to attack the station but before reaching their target the bomb exploded and both of them were killed. The month of November was also marred by violence in the province with two soldiers being martyred in an IED blast during an operation in Harnai. The martyred soldiers were identified as Major Muhammad Haseeb and Havildar Noor Ahmed. Before that at least 27 people, including security personnel, were killed and 62 others were wounded in a suicide attack at the Quetta railway station. It is pertinent to mention that the increase in terrorist attacks coincides with the return of the Taliban government in neighbouring Afghanistan. The third quarter of 2024 (July-September) witnessed a sharp uptick in fatalities in terrorist violence and counter-terrorism campaigns with a 90% surge in violence, according to a report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). A total of 722 people were killed, including civilians, security personnel, and outlaws, while 615 others were wounded in as many as 328 incidents recorded during the period under review. Nearly 97% of these fatalities occurred in KP and Balochistan — marking the highest percentage in a decade, and over 92% of these incidents of terror attacks and security forces’ operations were recorded in the same provinces. The total fatalities from three quarters of this year have now surpassed the total fatalities recorded for the entire 2023; the number of fatalities rose to at least 1,534 in the first three quarters compared to 1,523 in 2023. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1265285-turbat-blast-kills-at-least-two-injures-four

Members of the Syrian police have been killed in an “ambush” by forces loyal to the ousted President Bashar al-Assad in Tartous governorate in the latest security challenge for the new administration that came to power a fortnight ago. Syria’s new Interior Minister Mohammed Abdul Rahman said on Thursday that “remnants” of the Assad government in Tartous had killed 14 police members and wounded 10 others, vowing to crack down on “anyone who dares to undermine Syria’s security or endanger the lives of its citizens”. The attack came as protests took place several cities after a video showing vandalising of an Alawite shrine in the city of Aleppo circulated online on Wednesday. Police had imposed curfews in Homs, Latakia, Jableh and Tartous until 8am (05:00 GMT). Al Jazeera could not confirm if the curfew has been lifted. The interior ministry said on its official Telegram account that the video, which showed armed men walking inside the shrine and posing near human bodies, dated back to the rebel offensive on Aleppo in late November. The ministry said that the violence was carried out by unknown groups, adding whoever was circulating the video now appeared to be seeking to incite sectarian strife. State media reported that residents of Homs said that demonstrations in the city were led by members of the minority Alawite and Shia Muslim religious communities. Some residents said the demonstrations were linked to pressure and violence in recent days aimed at members of the Alawite minority, a sect long seen as loyal to al-Assad, who was toppled by opposition fighters led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group earlier this month. Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from Damascus, described the situation in Syria as extremely delicate now, with flashpoints over the last 48 hours particularly in the Alawite heartland of Latakia and Tartous, as well as Homs and Aleppo. Hashem said the new administration has brought huge reinforcements to security forces to try to reduce tension in the areas. “Yesterday, late at night, there were high-level meetings of the new administration about how to move forward, and one of the options is a crackdown on what they describe to be remnants of the old regime, members of the Fourth Division, [which] was the elite presidential guard loyal to Maher al-Assad, brother of the former president,” he said. “But the new administration is little bit concerned about the potential of a bloody confrontation.” Assad, who took over as president after his father’s death in 2000, fled to Russia after opposition fighters captured Damascus on December 8, ending more than five decades of Baath Party rule. The country’s new leaders have repeatedly promised to protect minority religious groups, who fear for their rights under the new administration. A number of people are believed to be killed and wounded in a separate attack by the former regime forces in the coastal region, according to the interior ministry. Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/26/syrian-security-personnel-killed-in-ambush-by-former-regime-forces

Fighting: Society: Regional security: Moldova’s President Maia Sandu – sworn in for a second term on Tuesday – praised Moldovan voters’ pro-Europe choice, “despite the pressures”, after Russia was accused of interfering in last month’s election in the former Soviet republic that borders Ukraine.Here are the key developments on the 1,035th day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The United States government’s Global Engagement Center (GEC), which tracks foreign disinformation, has terminated its operations, the State Department said, after Congress failed to extend its funding. In June, James Rubin, the coordinator for the GEC, announced the launch of a multinational group based in Warsaw to counter Russian disinformation on the war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy has blasted Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico over his reluctance to end his country’s dependency on Russian gas, calling it a “big security issue” for Europe. Source : https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/25/russia-ukraine-war-list-of-key-events-day-1035