Author: Daily Sabah With Agencies

The Syrian National Army (SNA) started dispatching heavy weaponry to the front lines in their fight against the terrorist group PKK/YPG on Tuesday. The weaponry is accompanied by more fighters to the front covering an area near Ain al-Arab (also known as Kobani), Ain Issa and Tal Tamer where terrorists are active. The area is located near a region where Türkiye conducted Operation Peace Spring in 2019 against the terrorist group. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned on Tuesday that a new cross-border operation might be in the works if terrorists do not heed their call to dissolve their organization.…

First lady Emine Erdoğan received the prestigious “International Value Award” in recognition of her contributions to environmental sustainability through the Zero Waste Project. The award, named after Mehmet Akif Inan – educator, poet, writer and founder of the Memur-Sen Confederation (a labor union) – was presented at a ceremony commemorating the 26th anniversary of his passing. The award was accepted on behalf of the first lady by Murat Kurum, minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, during the event held at Memur-Sen’s headquarters. The ceremony was organized by the Mehmet Akif Inan Foundation and Memur-Sen. Speaking at the event, Minister…

The FIBA Women’s EuroCup enters a pivotal stage as Galatasaray prepare to host France’s LDLC ASVEL in the first leg of the Round of 16 on Thursday. The match at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall marks a key moment for the yellow-reds, who aim to build on their successful playoff campaign against Serbia’s Crvena Zvezda. A win here would see them progress to the quarterfinals, with the return leg scheduled for Jan. 15 in Lyon. Meanwhile, in the men’s competition, Fenerbahçe Beko seek to maintain momentum as they face ALBA Berlin in the 20th round of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. The…

The Houston Rockets stormed past the Washington Wizards 135-112 on Tuesday, powered by Alperen Şengün’s double-double and Jalen Green’s explosive third-quarter performance. Şengün shined with 26 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and two steals, while Green erupted for 22 of his game-high 29 points in a pivotal third quarter. Amen Thompson added a monstrous 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Fred VanVleet dished out 19 points and 12 assists. The Rockets, now boasting 24 wins, remain a dominant force in the Western Conference. Houston overcame a sluggish start, trailing 28-16 after a cold-shooting first quarter where they hit just 29.2%…

Didier Deschamps, France’s longest-serving national team coach, will bid farewell after the 2026 World Cup, capping a storied tenure that has cemented him as a legend of French football. The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed the 56-year-old’s decision not to renew his contract, signaling the end of an era defined by unparalleled success. Deschamps, a former France captain, ascended to the coaching helm in 2012, inheriting a squad searching for stability. Over the next decade, his meticulous approach brought back Les Bleus to the global scene, earning a World Cup title in 2018 and a Nations League crown in 2021.…

Didier Deschamps, France’s longest-serving national team coach, will bid farewell after the 2026 World Cup, capping a storied tenure that has cemented him as a legend of French football. The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed the 56-year-old’s decision not to renew his contract, signaling the end of an era defined by unparalleled success. Deschamps, a former France captain, ascended to the coaching helm in 2012, inheriting a squad searching for stability. Over the next decade, his meticulous approach brought back Les Bleus to the global scene, earning a World Cup title in 2018 and a Nations League crown in 2021.…

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned that Türkiye would launch a counterterrorism operation against the PKK’s Syrian offshoot YPG if the terrorist group’s leadership refuses to dissolve itself. “We will do what’s necessary, and it is a military operation,” Fidan told a live broadcast on CNN Türk. He noted that Türkiye has repeatedly said that the PKK/YPG terrorists must disband themselves if they want a peaceful transition in Syria. Fidan continued by saying that PKK/YPG fighters and leaders who joined the terrorist group from other countries must leave Syria. The next step would be for the terrorist group to disarm and…

Real Madrid cruised past Deportivo Minera 5-0 in the Copa del Rey, with 18-year-old sensation Arda Güler stealing the spotlight by scoring twice and delivering a moment of sportsmanship that captivated Spain. Güler, whose two-goal performance underscored his burgeoning reputation, was the centerpiece of a dominant first-half display by Los Blancos. Joining him on the scoresheet were Federico Valverde, who opened the scoring with a rare close-range strike, and Eduardo Camavinga, as Real Madrid effectively secured their last-16 berth within 30 minutes. Luka Modric added a fourth early in the second half before Güler completed the rout in the dying…

Real Madrid cruised past Deportivo Minera 5-0 in the Copa del Rey, with 18-year-old sensation Arda Güler stealing the spotlight by scoring twice and delivering a moment of sportsmanship that captivated Spain. Güler, whose two-goal performance underscored his burgeoning reputation, was the centerpiece of a dominant first-half display by Los Blancos. Joining him on the scoresheet were Federico Valverde, who opened the scoring with a rare close-range strike, and Eduardo Camavinga, as Real Madrid effectively secured their last-16 berth within 30 minutes. Luka Modric added a fourth early in the second half before Güler completed the rout in the dying…

Süper Lig defending champions Galatasaray will host Istanbul Başakşehir at RAMS Park on Wednesday for the opening match of the Turkish Cup Group C. In Group C, Galatasaray face tricky competition with Istanbul Başakşehir, Konyaspor, Eyüpspor, Çorum FK, and Boluspor. Following the clash with Başakşehir, Galatasaray will take on Boluspor and Konyaspor. This marks Galatasaray’s first match in the new Turkish Cup format, which includes 24 teams divided into four groups of six. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. Icardi misses out Argentinian star Mauro Icardi, who sustained a knee injury during a UEFA…