Central African Republic—On the evening of Dec. 27, poll workers here in the capital of the Central African Republic were busy tabulating votes from presidential and legislative elections that were held that day. Many worked in dark classrooms without electricity, using their cellphone lights to check ballots.

With the town of Tafas surrounded by Assad’s forces, Ahmad al-Oda has said that he will not negotiate with the fighters to ensure that they are not displaced or arrested reports Alsouria Net.

The SDF has dispersed protesters in Hassakeh City after they attended a demonstration against the government siege of the city reports Al-Masdar. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) dispersed protesters on Wednesday that attended a demonstration against the siege imposed on the city by their troops.