Aleppo

Two Turkish journalists of Kurdish origin have been killed in northern Syria where they were covering clashes between Turkish-backed militants on one side and United States-backed militants on the other, a Turkish journalists’ association and an NGO said today.

The United States continues to engage with Türkiye regarding the unfolding situation in Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press briefing, Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh revealed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held discussions earlier this week with Türkiye's Defense Minister Yaşar Güler.

Syrian rebels intensified their offensive against the Assad regime, advancing toward Hama City and capturing over 20 towns and villages in the surrounding areas. Among the areas seized were Taybat al-Imam, Halfaya, and Rahbat Khattab, marking significant progress on the western and northern axes of the city.

Thousands of Syrian opposition forces took over Aleppo over the weekend, establishing positions in the country's second city and controlling its airport before expanding their shock offensive to a nearby province.

They faced little to no resistance from government troops, according to fighters and activists.

More than 240 people, mostly combatants, were killed as intense fighting approached Syria's northern Aleppo city after opposition forces launched a major offensive on government-held areas this week, a monitor said on Nov. 29.

Syrian rebels launched a surprise offensive against government positions in northwest Syria on Wednesday, reportedly capturing several villages in western Aleppo. The operation, named "Deterring Aggression," aims to create safe areas for displaced Syrians to return home in dignity and security.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 struck eastern Turkey's Malatya province on Wednesday, the country's disaster and emergency management authority (AFAD) said, adding that there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

AFAD said the quake occurred at 10.46 a.m.(0746 GMT) with its epicentre in the district of Kale, some 40 km (25 miles) east of the city of Malatya.

Plans by U.S.-backed YPG to conduct local elections in northern Syria are "unacceptable" and a threat to Türkiye's national security, Defense Minister Yaşar Güler said on June 3.

Türkiye considers the move as a step toward the creation of a separate Kurdish entity across its borders.

The foundations of 5,000 residences were laid on May 24 in the Jarabulus district of Aleppo within the scope of a Turkish government project carried out in terror-free zones in Syria for the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.

The National Intelligence Organization (MİT) has brought Burhan Piçak, who was leading PKK/KCK's "assassination unit," to Türkiye in the operation carried out in northern Iraq.

Piçak, code-named Canşer/Laşer, was determined to cross into Syria from the southeastern province of Diyarbakır's Lice district in 2015 and join the PKK.