An investigation published by Fontanka, an independent Russian newspaper, found that the Kremlin had hired members of a private military company called Wagner to go to Syria and Ukraine. The use of contractors gives Mr Putin a deniable way of sending trained personnel to both countries. Source: Telegraph
With France still reeling from the Strasbourg terrorist shooting, the government has called on the “yellow vest” protest movement to cancel its next rally. Meanwhile, a protester has died after being hit by a truck. Source: Deutsche Welle
Yemen’s warring sides agreed on Thursday to a ceasefire for the flashpoint city of Hodeidah and its surrounding governorate, a major breakthrough that could end what the UN calls the “world’s worst humanitarian crisis”. Source: Al Jazeera
Turkish forces will enter the Syrian town of Manbij if the United States does not remove YPG members, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Dec. 14. Source: Hürriyet Daily News
