US-led CENTCOM coalition kills ISIS operatives; SAF allies attack RSF in Darfur

THE WAR NEWSLETTER — DEC 24 2024

Merry Christmas! Today’s email brings you news from Syria and Sudan.

1 - SYRIA

1 thing to know

US forces in Syria claim to have killed an ISIS leader in airstrikes on December 20.

The context 

The US-led coalition in Syria killed ISIS leader Abu Yusif in eastern Syria on December 20 in a targeted airstrike. Officials worry ISIS could try to exploit the power vacuum left by Assad's fall, particularly given there’s thousands of ISIS operatives in Syrian detention facilities.

U.S. officials held their first meeting with Syria's new rebel leadership in Damascus on December 20, 2024, following the sudden fall of the Assad regime two weeks earlier. 

As a goodwill gesture, the US also removed a $10 million bounty on rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa's head. Al-Sharaa, also known by the name Jolani, is a wanted terrorist who used to lead the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda. 

The Assad regime collapsed unexpectedly in early December when rebels led by al-Sharaa’s group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) captured Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee after more than 13 years of civil war. 

It’s not clear whether HTS will move toward democratic government or impose strict Islamic rule. The group has installed a three-month caretaker government and claims it has reformed.

More from the region

• The Pentagon revealed there are 4,500 US troops in Iraq and Syria - 1,100 more than previously disclosed. In Syria, there are 2,000 US troops rather than the 900 earlier reported.

• Turkey-backed forces killed five Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters on December 23, raising concerns about increased conflict between Turkey and the US-backed SDF. This threatens to divide the SDF between fighting ISIS and defending against Turkish attacks.

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TECH SPOTLIGHT: PECHENEG MACHINE GUN

The PKP Pecheneg is a Russian 7.62×54mmR general-purpose machine gun, developed as a more accurate version of the PKM. It features a heavier, air-cooled barrel with radial cooling ribs that prevent overheating, allowing it to fire up to 600 rounds in rapid succession without damage. The barrel's cooling system extends its lifespan to 25,000-30,000 rounds.

Used by Russian Spetsnaz and other forces, it retains 80% parts commonality with the PKM. Variants include the Pecheneg-SP, which uses titanium and includes a folding stock and suppressor, and the Pecheneg bullpup, a more compact design. The 6P41 is the standard model, with the 6P41N featuring a night vision mount.

What it’s used for

The PKP Pecheneg is used by a number of counties besides Russia, including Kazakhstan, Krygyzstan, and Ukraine. It has also been used in the Middle East by Syria, and in Africa by Namibia.

2 - SUDAN

1 thing to know

A coalition of rebel forces allied with Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) attacked a military base in North Darfur belonging to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The context

The Joint Force of Armed Struggle Movements (JSAMF) launched an attack on the RSF Al-Zurug military base in North Darfur and established temporary control of it, as well as capturing military equipment, after five hours of intensive fighting. The JSAMF are a coalition of former Darfuri rebel groups allied with Sudanese Army, and the assault is likely meant to draw RSF troops away from the fighting in El Fasher, rather than retain control of the base.

Since the attack, fighting has subsided in North Darfur after over 160 attacks by the RSF this year. 

More from the region

• The SAF advanced into central Khartoum Bahri, and recaptured the Al-Mashreq University and Al-Baraha Hospital

• The commander of the Ugandan People's Defense Forces threatened again to invade Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, after Sudan had formally accepted his apology for threatening to invade the first time

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