Author: Daily Sabah With Agencies

The success of “Operation Dawn of Freedom” by the Syrian National Army (SNA) to capture Tal Rifaat from the terrorist group PKK/YPG may pave the way for seizing another hotbed of the group. Turkish media outlets reported that the Syrian opposition forces will likely move on to Manbij, a key city for PKK/YPG. Dawn of Freedom, which was launched simultaneously with an offensive by anti-regime forces toward Aleppo last week, cut off the terrorist group’s plan to link Tal Rifaat to Aleppo. Turkish broadcaster CNN Türk released footage of a convoy of SNA vehicles reportedly heading to Manbij, which was…

Novak Djokovic will kick off his 2025 season at the Brisbane International, aiming to secure his 11th Australian Open title. The Serbian legend, now coached by long-time rival Andy Murray, will start his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam, after a challenging 2024 where he failed to add to his tally, despite winning Olympic singles gold in Paris. The Brisbane event, set for Dec. 29 through Jan. 5, serves as the prelude to the Australian Open, which starts on Jan. 12. Djokovic expressed his excitement, looking forward to the electric atmosphere at Pat Rafter Arena. “I’m thrilled to start…

Two captains face Premier League disciplinary action for refusing to participate in the league’s Rainbow Laces campaign. As part of the league’s Rainbow Laces initiative, 20 Premier League clubs were provided rainbow-colored armbands for their captains to wear during weekend and midweek matches. However, Ipswich Town’s Sam Morsy, a British-born Egyptian international and practicing Muslim, chose not to wear the armband during matches against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. Morsy’s decision, Ipswich confirmed, was rooted in his religious beliefs. While the club expressed respect for Morsy’s choice, it reaffirmed its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, stating, “We will continue…

Almost a week after they launched their lightning offensive, Syrian anti-regime forces are now “at the gates of Hama,” a war monitor said. Hama is the war-torn country’s fourth-largest city and its fall will likely mark a decisive moment for anti-regime forces, which already captured the second key city, Aleppo, in the first chapter of their offensive. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Tuesday that clashes between anti-regime forces and the Assad regime troops sparked a large wave of displacement. The sudden flare-up in the more than decade-old civil war in Syria drew appeals for de-escalation from across…

Türkiye supports Syria’s territorial integrity, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, as the two leaders spoke over the phone on Tuesday. Erdoğan discussed Türkiye-Russia ties, and recent developments in Syria with President Putin, the Presidential Communications Directorate said. He emphasized that while supporting Syria’s territorial integrity, Türkiye strives for a permanent solution to the Syrian crisis, as he said the Assad regime must also be engaged in a political solution. Erdoğan told the Russian leader that Syria should not become a source of greater instability in the region. Türkiye will continue to maintain its determined stance…

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the Assad regime needs to engage in a sincere political process to de-escalate the situation in Syria, as he spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani over the phone on Tuesday. Erdoğan said “The Syrian regime should engage in a genuine political process to prevent the circumstances from further deteriorating,” according to a statement by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate. He told the Iraqi leader that Ankara has taken and will continue to take steps, in line with its national security and interests, to prevent the PKK terrorist group and its extensions, from taking advantage of…

Sergio Perez’s time at Red Bull Racing appears to be drawing to a close, with ESPN reporting on Monday that the veteran driver is set to leave the team at the end of this season. Currently sitting in eighth place in the Formula One standings, Perez’s performance has been a far cry from expectations. With one race left in the 2024 calendar, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, Perez has yet to secure a victory this year. His four podium finishes came early, with all of them occurring within the first five races of the season. The 34-year-old’s struggles…

Sergio Perez’s time at Red Bull Racing appears to be drawing to a close, with ESPN reporting on Monday that the veteran driver is set to leave the team at the end of this season. Currently sitting in eighth place in the Formula One standings, Perez’s performance has been a far cry from expectations. With one race left in the 2024 calendar, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, Perez has yet to secure a victory this year. His four podium finishes came early, with all of them occurring within the first five races of the season. The 34-year-old’s struggles…

Syria’s main opposition group abroad on Monday said armed groups took control of Aleppo and other areas of Syria to protect civilians from attacks by Bashar Assad’s regime. Speaking at a news conference in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul, Hadi al-Bahra, president of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces (SMDK), discussed the control gained by opposition groups in Aleppo and other areas of northern Syria. The opposition forces’ operation in Syria became inevitable after years of attacks and oppression by regime forces and Iranian militias, he said. He noted that regime airstrikes on civilians reached 52 in…

Eyüpspor manager Arda Turan praised his team’s efforts after a 2-2 Süper Lig draw with Galatasaray on Sunday. In his post-match comments, Turan expressed gratitude to the Galatasaray officials and supporters for their warm reception, including club president Dursun Özbek, Sportif A.Ş. Vice President İbrahim Hatipoğlu, and the fans. Turan, reflecting on the match, acknowledged the challenge of playing against a team as strong as Galatasaray. “It wasn’t easy to face such a big team. We tried our best to hold the game and counter their pressing. We knew they would try to press us individually, and we attempted to…