SOFREP Daily: Taiwan Monitors China’s Largest Naval Exercises Yet, Netanyahu Defends Golan Heights Control, Turkey Hits Kurdish Area in Syria

Good morning! It’s Tuesday, December 10. We’re bringing you today’s top stories in defense and global affairs. Let’s jump right in.

Taiwan Monitors China’s Largest Naval Exercises Yet

Taiwan is on high alert Tuesday after China launched one of its largest military exercises yet, with nearly 90 warships and dozens of aircraft swarming around the island.

This show of force is Beijing’s response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent visits to the US, which clearly ruffled some feathers.

Taiwan’s defense ministry said that this naval activity even outpaces China’s military drills following Nancy Pelosi’s visit in 2022.

What’s new? China’s bringing in reinforcements from multiple military commands, not just its usual Eastern Theater.

Still, Beijing hasn’t publicly commented on this spike in activity, though its foreign ministry reiterated that it will “firmly defend” its sovereignty.

#PLA naval deployments in the East China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and South China Sea have already created security risk and regional instability. For our national defense, regardless of Beijing’s drill announcements, #ROCArmedForces will monitor the situation and respond accordingly. pic.twitter.com/DmaNKDOFza

— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) December 10, 2024

Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin isn’t holding back either, promising to keep the region open for navigation and warning about China’s growing ability to challenge international norms.

Taiwan, for its part, is keeping a close eye on these moves while pushing for stronger ties with the US.

The tension underscores a long-standing issue: Beijing views Taiwan as its territory, while Taiwan continues to operate as an independent nation with no plans to fold under pressure.

All eyes are now on how this high-stakes standoff evolves.

Philippines’ President Rejects Naval Escalation in South China Sea

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made it clear on Tuesday that the country isn’t looking for a fight in the South China Sea.

Despite a recent incident where Chinese coastguard vessels fired water cannons and sideswiped a Philippine boat near Scarborough Shoal, Marcos said there are no plans to send navy warships to the contested waters.

“We will never be part of an escalation in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea),” he told reporters, emphasizing support for Filipino fishermen without risking provocation.

China, for its part, is sticking to its guns, claiming the Philippines caused the recent tensions through “infringement and provocation.”

The Scarborough Shoal, a prime fishing area claimed by both nations, has long been a hotspot for maritime disputes.

The People’s Republic of China has no jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc, which is classified as a rock under the 2016 Arbitral Award and Article 121 of UNCLOS. The Philippines has sovereignty over it, including its territorial sea. The waters beyond Bajo de Masinloc’s… https://t.co/cuItA3lcQd pic.twitter.com/I8WvHk0rJN

— Jay Tarriela (@jaytaryela) December 4, 2024

While tensions remain high, Marcos seems focused on keeping the peace while ensuring the rights of Filipino fishers.

It’s a balancing act, with both nations carefully navigating the tricky waters of the South China Sea.

Netanyahu Defends Golan Heights Control After Syrian Collapse

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu isn’t budging when it comes to the Golan Heights. At a press conference in Jerusalem Monday, he declared the territory—occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six-Day War—as a “perpetually” part of the country.

“The Golan will be part of the State of Israel for eternity,” he said, thanking US President-elect Donald Trump for recognizing Israel’s annexation during his administration.

This bold stance comes as Israel’s move into a UN-monitored buffer zone on the Golan’s eastern side is sparking global backlash.

The buffer zone operation followed the collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, with Netanyahu claiming that the 1974 disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria is no longer valid.

Criticism poured in from the UN, Saudi Arabia, and others, calling the buffer zone move a violation of international law.

Netanyahu, however, insists the move was necessary to protect Israel’s security.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called it a “temporary step,” while the US acknowledged the situation but emphasized a desire for stability in the region.

The Golan Heights has long been a contentious spot, and Israel’s latest actions have only added more fuel to an already fiery debate.

Turkey Hits Kurdish Area in Syria, Killing 11 Civilians

A Turkish drone strike in northern Syria has left 11 civilians dead, including six children from the same family, according to reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Monday.

The attack hit a house near Ain Issa, in a Kurdish-controlled area, just as the region reels from the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

This isn’t an isolated incident. Turkey has been ramping up its military operations in northern Syria, targeting Kurdish forces it links to the banned PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party).

Turkey-backed fighters recently took over Manbij, a key city west of Ain Issa, after intense clashes with the Kurdish-led Manbij Military Council, which is allied with the US-supported Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The SDF, known for defeating ISIS in 2019, is now under heavy pressure as Turkish-backed factions expand their control.

Turkey says these actions are necessary to secure its borders and prevent Kurdish groups from gaining further influence in Syria.

However, the civilian casualties and escalating violence are drawing international criticism, with many calling for restraint in the volatile region.

As Turkey’s military ambitions grow, the situation in northern Syria is becoming increasingly dire, with Kurdish forces and civilians caught in the crossfire.

Fall of Assad Weakens Iran’s Resistance Strategy

According to analysts this week, the unexpected fall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad marks a major blow to Iran’s so-called “axis of resistance.”

Assad, backed by Iran and its ally Hezbollah, had been a key player in Tehran’s strategy to counter Israel.

Analysts now believe Iran will have to rethink its game plan as the Islamist-led rebels seize control of Damascus.

For nearly 14 years, Syria served as a vital supply route for Hezbollah, but with Assad out of the picture, Hezbollah and Iran are scrambling to adapt.

The timing of this upheaval couldn’t be worse for Iran. The country has already faced heavy losses in Syria’s long civil war and seen key figures from its proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas targeted by Israel.

While Iran officially labels the rebellion as an American-Israeli plot to destabilize the region, the reality is that its influence in Syria—and the broader region—has taken a serious hit.

Even Iran’s own officials are now subtly criticizing Assad, implying he didn’t follow Tehran’s advice.

Despite these challenges, Iran’s leaders insist their resistance efforts against Israel won’t waver, even without Syria’s help.

The big question now is whether Iran can rebuild its influence and maintain its alliances, or is this the beginning of a larger unraveling?

Ukraine Eyes Western Troops for Security Guarantee

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hinted at the possibility of welcoming Western troops into Ukraine as part of a broader effort to secure the country’s future and end the nearly three-year war with Russia.

In a Telegram post on Monday, he tied this step to Ukraine’s eventual NATO membership, emphasizing that the country needs clear timelines for joining both NATO and the EU.

This proposal comes as international efforts to end the conflict continue. US President-elect Trump recently met with Zelenskyy in Paris, expressing hopes for a ceasefire, but Zelenskyy stressed he’ll also consult outgoing President Joe Biden, who remains in office for now.

NATO previously declared Ukraine on an “irreversible” path to membership, but concerns over the ongoing war and undefined borders have delayed any formal invitation.

Meanwhile, Germany and Poland have pushed back on the idea of deploying troops to Ukraine, with French President Emmanuel Macron suggesting “strategic ambiguity” about who might participate.

On the ground, Ukraine is facing relentless attacks, with over 400 drones and nearly 20 missiles launched by Russia just last week.

Our cities and communities endure constant terrorist attacks. Every day, the defenders of our skies fight back against Russian terror.

In just the past week alone, Russia has launched nearly 500 guided aerial bombs, over 400 attack drones, and almost 20 missiles of various types… pic.twitter.com/gKWKtdtCxK

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 9, 2024

Zelenskyy remains focused on securing more military aid while acknowledging that a diplomatic resolution is the ultimate goal to save lives.

As US and European leaders navigate differing positions on military support, the question of how far the West will go to help Ukraine remains as pressing as ever.

Sources: News Agencies, War Monitor