French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock are travelling to Syria for a one-day trip on behalf of the EU where they will meet Syia's new rulers, including al-Jolani.

"My trip today - together with my French counterpart and on behalf of the EU - is a clear signal to the Syrians: A new political beginning between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria, is possible," Baerbock said. She also said that "we know where the HTS comes from ideologically, what it has done in the past, but we also hear and see the desire for moderation and for understanding with other important actors."

Meanwhile, Barrot stated that "In Syria, we want to promote a peaceful and demanding transition in the service of the Syrians and for regional stability."

Russian forces have reportedly advanced in western Donetsk Oblast, completing the capture of the village of Slovyanka.

Fighting has reportedly begun for the village of Zvirove in the Pokrovsk direction. Apparently, Russian forces reached the village, although it is unknown if they have established a foothold yet.

This photo was taken 15 years ago. It speaks for itself. Take it as you will.

Russian forces have reportedly completed the capture of Novovasylivka, capturing the agricultural buildings on the village's western outskirts.

I'm beginning to feel the burn-out of reporting and working on reporting-related things 12 hours a day, so I'm going to take the rest of the night off to get some rest.

Normal coverage will continue tomorrow.

The Tripoli-based Unity Government's military (NUG) has launched a military operation on the city of Az-Zawiyah and the region of Warshefana. The Warshefana region is controlled by local armed groups and militias.

This comes as yesterday, the head of the National Institution for Human Rights in Libya (NIHRL), Ahmed Hamza, issued a stark warning about the potential for a new war in Libya if the current state of division continues.

He stated that "If these exceptional circumstances and ongoing divisions persist, I believe they will lead to highly dangerous and catastrophic scenarios."

Initial reports of violent clashes in Al-Amur, east of Taizz city (Yemen) after the Houthis launched an operation into the town.

An Israeli soldier from the Givati ​​Brigade films the destruction in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.

The destruction has made it possible to see the Israeli city of Ashkelon from the middle of Jabalia.

According to Axios (citing two sources) the U.S. State Department has notified Congress "informally" of an $8 billion proposed arms deal with Israel that will include munitions for fighter jets and attack helicopters as well as artillery shells. This sale will include AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles for fighter jets to defend against airborne threats, including drones, 155mm artillery shells, Hellfire AGM-114 missiles for attack helicopters, small diameter bombs, JDAM tail kits that turn "dumb bombs" to precision munitions, 500-lb warheads, and bomb fuzes.

This will likely be the last weapons sale to Israel that the Biden administration approves.

Geolocated footage indicates that Russian forces advanced in the southeastern part of the Kursk salient and entered the village of Makhnovka.

After capturing the large forests to the southeast of this village, Russian forces went on to attack along a road to the northwest, establishing control over the first houses of Makhnovka. Fighting quickly ensued, with a Ukrainian tank firing on the Russian positions from across a tributary of the Sudzha river.

+ ~0.32km² in favour of Russia.

Recent reports by multiple reliable sources suggests that Russian forces likely advanced on the western flank of Pokrovsk.

Russian forces were apparently able to advance from the village of Vovkove, advancing down two treelines and taking up new positions at the end of each of them.

If true, it would put Russia just 1.2km from the Mezhova - Pokrovsk highway.

These are the next heavily defendable towns/cities after Pokrovsk and Rodynske fall. 3 out of 4 of them are in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Some of these are already important Ukrainian logistical hubs as Pokrovsk continues to be enveloped.

These towns will be key focal points for Russia in the future. I know this is looking quite far ahead but save this post and come back to it in 9 months' time.

Footage reportedly showing the Taliban at a Pakistani village 24km from the border with Pakistan.

🇺🇸⚡️- Shooting reported in Washington DC, 4 victims so far. Details to follow.

Not again...

An increase in shelling and FPV drone flights is reported around the town of Suzemka in Bryansk Oblast. Probably nothing, but I'll keep an eye on it.

Considering the lack of reports of fighting in Jabalia, it's likely that the entire city is now under Israeli control. That doesn't mean that Hamas cells aren't still operating there, but for the most part, Israeli attention has shifted to the Beit Hanoun area.

According to Suriyak Maps, The Sudanese Armed Forces have restarted offensive operation on the western flank of Wad Mani, reaching the village of Kilu and Bridge 77, putting them just 9km from the Blue Nile River.

This mostly flattens out the frontline, with the exception of the village of El Hosh, where the RSF is still holding out.

In short, the key RSF logistical hub and staging ground city of Wad Madani is coming under increasing threat of capture. This in turn makes future offensive operations on the key city of Sennar (south of Wad Madani) practically impossible.

It appears that the extensive SAF airstrikes on RSF positions in the Al Jazirah and Sennar states are having an effect.

The French website Avions reported that Ukraine will receive its first three Mirage-2000-5F aircraft from France before January 20, 2025, with some sources even suggesting that they are already present in Ukraine but are currently only providing training flights.

France has optimised the Mirage-2000-5F so they can carry and fire Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

Another cargo plane for the international coalition landed at the air base at Ash Shaddadi, south of the city of Al-Hasakah, Syria.