Syria: Two US troops and a civilian were killed in an ambush by an ISIS gunman in Syria, with the attack also injuring three other service members. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the incident occurred on December 13 and involved a lone gunman who was subsequently engaged and neutralized by the troops. The information was shared by CENTCOM through a statement on US social media platform X, where they detailed the events of the ambush. The attack highlights ongoing security challenges in the region, despite numerous efforts to combat and diminish ISIS activities. Erdogan Optimistic About Ukraine Peace After Meeting With Putin Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed hope for peace in Ukraine following discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan, while speaking to reporters on his return from Turkmenistan, mentioned the potential for further diplomatic talks involving US President Donald Trump to evaluate a peace plan. Erdogan conveyed that th e meeting with Putin left him optimistic about the prospects of peace, indicating that discussions with the US could also contribute to reaching a resolution. Bangladeshi Peacekeepers Killed in UN Base Attack in Sudan A terrorist attack on a UN base in Sudan led to the deaths of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and injuries to eight others. According to the Bangladeshi army, the attack occurred in Abyei, with ongoing fighting reported in the area. The United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) was established in 2011 to help maintain peace and stability in the region. The UN mission has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.