Morning Briefing: Dec. 17, 2024

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday with, including mass graves being found in Syria, US President-elect Donald Trump saying Türkiye "is going to hold the key to Syria" and Russia warning of deploying short- and medium-range missiles.

TOP STORIES

• Over 12 mass graves found in Syria's Daraa governorate

More than 12 mass graves were discovered in Daraa Governorate in southern Syria containing the remains of bodies believed to be civilians killed by the regime of ousted leader Bashar Assad.

A statement by anti-regime groups that carried out excavation work with construction equipment in Daraa said a mass grave was discovered in Izraa district.

It said 31 bodies have been found so far and the number may increase.

Following the collapse earlier this month of the Baath regime, mass graves are being unearthed as part of search and survey activities across the country.

• Trump says Türkiye will hold 'key to Syria,’ hails relationship with Turkish president

US President-elect Donald Trump said he thinks Türkiye "is going to hold the key to Syria" after over five decades of Assad family rule abruptly came to an end this month, hailing his relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Nobody knows what's going to happen with Syria, but I think Türkiye is going to hold the key to Syria," the incoming president told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate. "I don't think you've heard that from anybody else, but I've been pretty good at predicting."

"Türkiye is a major force, by the way, and Erdogan is somebody I got along with great, but he has a major military force. And his has not been worn out with war," Trump said. "He's built a very strong, powerful army."

• Russia warns of deploying short- and medium-range missiles if US does same

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Washington of attempting to push Moscow to its "red lines," warning that Russia will lift its restrictions on short- and medium-range missile deployment if the US deploys similar weapons.

“No less worrying is the US activity in creating and preparing for deployment in forward zones of high-precision strike weapons of land-based origin with a firing range of up to 5,500 kilometers (3,417 miles),” he said.

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, signed by Washington and Moscow in 1987, prohibited the deployment of all ground-based nuclear and conventional missiles with a range between 500 and 5,500 kilometers.

However, the US pulled out of the treaty in 2019, citing Russian violations.

"We have repeatedly stated that the termination of this treaty would have negative consequences for global security, but we have also emphasized that we will not deploy intermediate- and shorter-range missiles until American weapons of this kind appear in any region of the world," he said.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Türkiye condemned Israel's decision to expand its illegal settlements in the Golan Heights.
• The US reaffirmed its recognition of Türkiye's "legitimate right" to go after the PKK but avoided a question on the terror group's Syrian branch, the YPG, which the US partners with in Syria to combat Daesh/ISIS.
• The US described recent talks over a potential cease-fire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas as “productive” while cautioning that a "very small number of differences" still stand in the way of an agreement.
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed the new government in Syria and its efforts towards protecting civilians and allowing aid access.
• The family of Turkish American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank in September, said it was "frustrating to hear the same things" without meaningful action after meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
• Brussels approached the European Court of Justice (ECJ), seeking legal action against the UK for alleged violations of free movement laws following Brexit.
• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in parliament in a move calculated to pave the way for early elections next February.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in court in Tel Aviv for the third time to testify in his corruption trial.
• Syria’s ousted leader Bashar Assad claimed that he took refuge at a Russian base during the dramatic fall of the decades-long Baath regime earlier this month.
• The leader of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party announced his resignation following the National Assembly’s decision to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his declaration of martial law on Dec. 3.
• A powerful earthquake measuring 7.3 in magnitude struck 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) west of Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila.
• Prosecutors in Bolivia have issued an arrest warrant for former President Evo Morales over allegations of human trafficking and abuse of a minor when he was head of state between 2006 and 2019.
• Local authorities in France’s overseas territory of Mayotte fear that Cyclone Chido might leave nearly a thousand dead.

SPORTS

• Ademola Lookman wins 2024 African footballer of the year award

Nigeria and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman won the 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Player of the Year award.

The 27-year-old striker produced 17 goals and 10 assists in 45 games across all competitions for Atalanta in the 2023-24 season.

BUSINNESS & ECONOMY

• TikTok appeals to US Supreme Court to block looming ban

TikTok filed an emergency appeal with the US Supreme Court seeking to block a law that could lead to the short video app being banned nationwide starting on Jan. 19, 2025.

The move comes after a federal appeals court upheld legislation that requires TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest its ownership due to "national security concerns."

TikTok’s appeal argues that the law violates the First Amendment rights of its 170 million US users. The company asked the Supreme Court to pause the law's enforcement while reviewing its case.

• Trump, Softbank CEO announce $100B investment in US

US President-elect Donald Trump and Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son announced a $100 billion investment in the US over the next four years

Speaking alongside Son at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump said the investment would result in at least 100,000 new jobs in the US focused on artificial intelligence and associated infrastructure. Trump said Son was making the investment because he "feels very optimistic about our country since the election."