SOFREP Daily: US Announces Nearly $1B Aid for Ukraine, Rebels Claim Victory in Syria, China Sends More Warships Near Taiwan

Good Morning! We’ve rounded up the top stories in defense and global affairs for you this Sunday, December 8. Let’s get to it.

US Announces Nearly $1B Aid for Ukraine Before Trump Era Begins

The US announced Saturday a $988 million military aid package for Ukraine, including drones, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) ammunition, and artillery supplies.

This comes as the Biden administration rushes to deliver support before President-elect Donald Trump, who has voiced skepticism about aiding Kyiv, takes office.

The funding is part of a broader strategy to bolster Ukraine’s position against Russia and enhance its leverage in potential peace talks.

Over the weekend, Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris, where Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a “just” resolution with strong security guarantees for Ukraine.

The US announced a new $988 million military aid package for Ukraine.

The package includes:
◾️Ammunition for HIMARS
◾️Unmanned Aerial Systems
◾️Equipment, components, and spare parts to maintain, repair, and overhaul artillery systems, tanks, and armored vehicles.

We are… pic.twitter.com/Zpvamw9YJz

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) December 8, 2024

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed the importance of maintaining alliances and warned against isolating the US in global conflicts.

The Pentagon has been leading international efforts to supply Ukraine with crucial resources since Russia’s invasion began in 2022.

Despite bipartisan support for aiding Ukraine, concerns linger over the direction Trump’s administration may take, with fears that US assistance could dwindle or Ukraine might be pressured into concessions with Russia.

Yoon Escapes Impeachment After Martial Law Scandal

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol narrowly avoided impeachment on Saturday after a chaotic week that saw him briefly impose martial law to target what he called “anti-state forces.”

The impeachment motion failed to reach the necessary votes in the opposition-led parliament after Yoon’s party largely boycotted the session.

Yoon’s move to grant sweeping emergency powers to the military caused widespread outrage, leading to massive protests reminiscent of South Korea’s 2016 political scandal.

Although the South Korean president quickly rescinded the martial law order, the incident has plunged the country into its worst political crisis in decades, with opposition parties vowing to push for impeachment again.

Yoon apologized to the nation but resisted calls to resign, leaving his future uncertain as public anger continues to mount.

The controversy has shaken South Korea’s democratic reputation and drawn international criticism, including from US officials.

Rebels Claim Victory in Syria, Toppling Assad’s Regime

In a dramatic turn of events, Islamist-led rebels have claimed control of Damascus, declaring on Sunday the end of President Bashar al-Assad’s rule and five decades of Baath Party dominance in Syria.

Crowds celebrated in the streets as the rebels announced the fall of Assad, who reportedly fled the country amid the chaos.

People celebrating the fall of #Assad in #Damascus#Syria pic.twitter.com/yR22mFM9wm

— 24 Hours Europe (@24heuropegr) December 8, 2024

The swift offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) saw the capture of major cities, including Homs, and the release of prisoners from the notorious Sednaya prison.

The developments have plunged Syria into uncertainty, with reports of government forces retreating, Hezbollah fighters withdrawing, and widespread panic among residents.

The United Nations has called for urgent political talks, while international leaders, including US President-elect Donald Trump, have voiced varied responses.

HTS, linked to al-Qaeda, has vowed to maintain stability in its newly claimed territories, though fears of further violence remain high.

Somalia Accuses Ethiopia of Meddling in Jubaland

Somalia has accused Ethiopia of meddling in its Jubaland region on Friday, escalating tensions between the two countries.

The Somali government claims Ethiopian forces advanced into the southern Gedo region but were pushed back by local communities and Somali troops.

This follows months of strained relations, including Ethiopia’s alleged deal with Somalia’s breakaway Somaliland region to lease a coastal port.

The accusation also coincides with Jubaland’s re-election of Ahmed Madobe, a former warlord, which has caused friction with Somalia’s central government.

In a fiery statement posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), Somalia condemned Ethiopia’s actions, calling them a threat to its sovereignty and urging the international community to step in.

According to news outlets that contacted Ethiopia, the country has yet to reply to these allegations.

China Sends More Warships Near Taiwan as Tensions Mount

Tensions are rising around Taiwan once more as China nearly doubled the number of warships near the island, according to Taiwan’s defense ministry on Sunday.

This spike in activity came after Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te returned from a Pacific tour that included stops in Hawaii and Guam, moves that angered Beijing.

Taiwan also reported spotting four Chinese balloons over the Taiwan Strait, adding to the heightened atmosphere.

#Taiwan reports 14 #Chinese warships and 4 balloons near the island

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China sent 14 warships, seven military aircraft and four balloons near Taiwan between Saturday and Sunday, according to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, as Beijing ramps up pressure on the island… pic.twitter.com/pOkSZu38wH

— Indo-Pacific News – Geo-Politics & Defense (@IndoPac_Info) December 8, 2024

Beijing’s Ministry of State Security issued a sharp statement via a social media platform criticizing Lai’s ties with the US and warning against actions that challenge China’s territorial claims.

“No country, organisation or individual should underestimate the strong determination, firm will and powerful capacity of the Chinese government and people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the ministry statement read, quoted from Reuters.

Although weather conditions might delay any immediate Chinese military drills, analysts anticipate more war games soon.

Taiwan remains firm in rejecting Beijing’s claims of sovereignty over the island.

Arsonists Target Melbourne Synagogue, Albanese Calls It Terrorism

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned Sunday a fire at a Melbourne synagogue as an act of “terrorism,” linking it to a troubling rise in anti-Semitism in Australia.

The Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea was severely damaged in an arson attack early Friday, but no serious injuries were reported.

Authorities are investigating and searching for the two masked perpetrators.

pic.twitter.com/cGAIUvEMcb

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 7, 2024

The attack has sparked outrage in Australia and abroad, with opposition leader Peter Dutton accusing Albanese’s government of failing to take a firm stance on anti-Semitism.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also criticized Australia’s recent UN vote against Israel’s “unlawful presence” in Palestinian territories, tying it to anti-Semitic sentiment.

“Anti-Israel sentiment is anti-Semitism,” said Netanyahu.

New Zealand, Britain, and Canada were among the 157 nations that voted in favor of the resolution, with eight voting against.

Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged unity, condemning the attack while warning against politicizing the issue.

Protests related to the Gaza conflict have added to the rising tensions across the country.

India’s Ruling Party Slams Alleged US-Backed Conspiracy

India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has recently accused the US State Department and “deep state” actors of working with investigative journalists and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi to destabilize the Modi government.

The claims focus on reports by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) highlighting alleged government links to billionaire Gautam Adani and the use of Pegasus spyware to target critics.

It has always been the U.S. State Department behind this agenda.

A French investigative media group, Mediapart, has revealed that OCCRP is funded by the U.S. State Department’s USAID, along with other deep state figures like George Soros and the Rockefeller Foundation.

In fact,… pic.twitter.com/dysNTpLbQg

— BJP (@BJP4India) December 5, 2024

The BJP alleges OCCRP is funded by US government agencies and billionaire philanthropist George Soros, calling it a tool of a “deep state agenda.”

The State Department and OCCRP have dismissed these claims, emphasizing their editorial independence.

“It’s disappointing that the ruling party in India would make these kinds of accusations,” a US State Department spokesperson said, cited from Reuters.

The accusations come amid heightened scrutiny of Modi’s ties to Adani, whose indictment in the US for bribery has fueled political tension in India.

Sources: News Agencies