Events

CENTCOM: From December 30 to January 6, CENTCOM and Iraqi forces conducted multiple strikes in the Hamrin mountains of Iraq, targeting known ISIS locations. During the operations, ISIS fighters engaged Coalition forces on several occasions, resulting in the employment of Coalition air strikes, using F-16s, F-15s, and A-10s. The A-10s tasked to support ground forces in the area were successful in eliminating the ISIS fighters within a cave. One Coalition member was killed and two were wounded from two different nations. There were no injuries to U.S. personnel or damage to U.S. equipment. From January 2 to January 3, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), enabled by CENTCOM forces, conducted a D-ISIS operation near Dayr az-Zawr, Syria, resulting in the capture of an ISIS attack cell leader

Protesters have also gathered in the coastal city of Batumi, marking Orthodox Christmas as they march together through the city streets while singing Christmas chants

President @Zourabichvili_S is at Rustaveli for the Christmas celebration as protesters gather on the 40th day of nonstop nationwide protests in Georgia. Video: @FormulaGe

Azerbaidžanin asevoimat syyttävät Armenian armeijaa pommituksista Zadukhin kylässä Lachinin alueella tänään toista kertaa. Armenian puoli hylkäsi väitteet

"Such an ill-timed visit will not help resolve the crisis—only elections can." declared @Zourabichvili_S, the fifth President of Georgia, as she criticized the planned visit of @oscepa President @PiaKauma to Georgia

Azerbaijani MoD: Azerbaijani Army positions in the Zabukh and Jaghazur settlements of Lachin district were fired upon.

Tbilisi's Rustaveli Avenue now, on Day 39 of non-stop GeorgiaProtests. Demonstrators plan to also gather tomorrow evening near Kashveti Church, across the street from parliament, to mark Orthodox Christmas (January 7) together. Nini Gabritchidze/Civil.ge

Day 39 of GeorgiaProtests: Tbilisi's Rustaveli Avenue closed for traffic as a large march of fans of "Men's Show" - popular Georgian comedy/entertainment show - arrives at the parliament.

For more than two weeks, students hold an overnight protest at the Shota Rustaveli Theater and Film University. Among nationwide demands, they also want the resignation of Rector Giorgi Shalutashvili. Free and Agrarian University students expressed their support

The Ministry of Internal Affairs reports that the Migration Department expelled 91 foreign nationals from Georgia in November-December, including 25 involved in Tbilisi’s GeorgiaProtests. Of these, 10 have already left the country following court-imposed administrative penalties

Protesters gather on Tbilisi's Rustaveli Avenue for Day 37 of Georgia Protests. Rallies continue amid Orthodox Christmas holidays, usually a passive week in Georgia. Day-offs have been announced for public institutions until January 10. Muro Takalandze

China’s President has congratulated disputed Georgian President Kavelashvili on his inauguration, highlighting the ‘positive momentum’ in China-Georgia strategic relations

It is the 36th day of nonstop nationwide protests in Georgia.

35th day of anti-government protest in Georgia. There are hundreds here on Rustaveli now, which is still blocked this night. Some protesters are singing Georgian folk songs

Drone ammuttiin alas harjoitusalueen yllä Pohjois-Ossetiassa, sanoo alueen johtaja. Ilmapuolustusjoukot ampuivat alas droonin Shalkhin harjoitusalueen yllä. Drone-uhka on julistettu Pohjois-Kaukasuksen liittovaltiopiirin alueilla kello 4:00 jälkeen. Vladikavkazin lentokenttä on suljettu saapuvilta ja lähteviltä

Twelve GeorgiaProtest participants in Batumi, including students, have been summoned to court. Lara Kartsivadze said she was summoned for an administrative offense, while another individual reports being summoned under the ‘organizing’ charge

Armenia korvasi venäläiset rajavartijat Armenian ja Iranin rajalla

Azerbaijan tighten the rules of visa-free regime for Russian citizens in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani President: The crash of plane was caused by ground fire

Azerbaidžanin presidentti Alijev AZAL-koneen Aktaun lähellä tapahtuneen turman syistä: lopullinen versio tietysti selviää mustien laatikoiden avaamisen jälkeen. "Alkuperäiset versiot ovat kuitenkin myös varsin järkeviä ja faktoihin perustuvia. Tosiasia on, että azerbaidžanilainen siviilikone vaurioitui ulkopuolelta Venäjän alueella, lähellä Groznyin kaupunkia ja melkein menetti hallinnan. Tiedämme myös, että koneemme on tehty radioelektronisilla sodankäynnin keinoilla hallitsematon Tämä oli ensimmäinen lentokonevaurio." "Olemme avoimesti ilmaisseet vaatimuksemme Venäjän puolelle. Nämä vaatimukset välitettiin heille virallisesti 27. joulukuuta." "Ensimmäisenä Venäjän puolen on pyydettävä anteeksi Azerbaidžanilta. Toiseksi sen on myönnettävä syyllisyytensä. Kolmanneksi sen on rangaistava syyllisiä, saatettava heidät rikosoikeudelliseen vastuuseen ja maksettava Azerbaidžanille korvauksia valtio ja loukkaantuneet matkustajat ja miehistön jäsenet. Nämä ovat ehtomme täyttyivät jo eilen.

On Rustaveli Avenue, near Kashveti church, the police used force to arrest protesters "for blocking the road." It is believed that 5 people have been detained. Citizens had gathered to protest against Mikheil Kavelashvili

Thousands of Georgians protest outside parliament against inauguration of new president

Mikheil Kavelashvili, a hardline critic of the West, was sworn in as president of Georgia amid a political crisis after the government froze European Union application talks in a move that sparked major protests

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has stated that at the ongoing protests against the government’s EU U-turn ‘1,000 people gather every day — this means that it is an asset for [opposition] parties and NGOs’

Protesters wave flags of GD leaders and their sole-elected president Kavelashvili alongside Iranian, Hezbollah and Taliban flags, mockingly saying, "Congratulations, slave."

After Salome Zourabichvili’s speech at Orbeliani Palace, protesters marched to Parliament, where disputed President Mikheil Kavelashvili was inaugurated, some carrying red cards referencing his football career

Mikheil Kavelashvili was sworn in as Georgia's sixth president at a ceremony attended by Bidzina Ivanishvili but no foreign diplomats. Media access was restricted to a monitor outside the main hall

The President @Zourabichvili_S has decided to leave the residence. "I will be with you. This building was a symbol only as long as a legitimate president was sitting here. I take legitimacy with me. I am taking the flag with me. I am taking the people's trust with me

President @Zourabichvili_S will stay at her presidential residence tomorrow as an oligarch plans to install his puppet president. “I am here, and I will spend the night here. Tomorrow, at 10 a.m., I will wait for you at the Orbeliani Palace, and from there, I will tell you what tomorrow will be like. I will tell you what the following days will be like and what the days of victory will look like,” Salome Zurabishvili said in her TV address to the nation

In Kutaisi, the "Chain of Unity" activity turns into a large protest march currently heading towards the Georgian Dream's local party office