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Deadly new front in Aleppo

Syria's military warned civilians in two besieged Kurdish neighborhoods in the city of Aleppo to leave on Thursday as it prepared for a new wave of strikes targeting Kurdish positions.

Residents flee from the predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsud and Ashrafiyeh in Aleppo, northern Syria on January 8, 2026, amid intense clashes between government forces and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces. (Bakr ALkasem / AFP via Getty Images)

Welcome back to the Daily Briefing.

Thanks to my wonderful colleagues for covering this newsletter over the past few weeks. 

In today's edition:

  • Clashes between Kurdish-led fighters, government forces in Aleppo undermine US diplomatic efforts
  • UAE-backed STC leader reportedly flees Yemen after ditching Saudi-led peace talks
  • Oil tanker seized by US in Atlantic linked to Iran, Hezbollah
  • Iran protests enter 12th day
  • Iran FM flies to Lebanon as relations sour over Hezbollah disarmament

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