WEEKLY INTERNATIONAL NEWS REVIEW – Dec.6th – Dec.12th 2025

SUDAN

DEADLY STRIKES ON KALOGI HOSPITAL

On December 4, 2025, drone strikes attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) hit a kindergarten, a hospital and rescuers in Kalogi, South Kordofan. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 114 dead, including 63 children, and 35 injured. Local official Essam al-Din al-Sayed stated three strikes targeted the school, the hospital, and those attempting to rescue children. The UN, African Union, and UNICEF condemned the attack, with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (WHO) and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf (AU) calling for an end to violence and humanitarian access. The attack occurred as the RSF advanced in Kordofan, a strategic region rich in oil and agriculture, following their takeover of Darfur.

KORDOFAN: STRATEGIC BATTLEGROUND

On December 7-8, 2025, intense fighting in Kordofan between the SAF and RSF, backed by the SPLM-N, resulted in multiple drone strikes and civilian casualties. Key fronts include El-Obeid, Kadougli, Dilling, and Babanusa. Recent strikes in Kalogi, December 4, killed 114, including 63 children. The RSF’s push into Kordofan aims to break the SAF’s defensive line and retake Khartoum. Both sides accuse each other of targeting civilians and infrastructure. The WHO reported 63 attacks on healthcare in Sudan in 2025, with 1,611 deaths.

CAPTURE OF LARGEST OIL FIELD

On December 8, 2025, the RSF took control of the Heglig oil field in South Kordofan, Sudan’s largest one according to engineers at the site. The facility, crucial for Sudan and South Sudan’s oil exports, was shut down and staff evacuated to South Sudan. The Sudanese Ministry of Energy did not comment. Heglig’s location near the South Sudanese border makes it a strategic target amid ongoing conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

SOUTH SUDAN SECURES OIL FIELD

On December 11, 2025, South Sudan announced a tripartite agreement with Sudan’s warring parties, tasking the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) with securing the Heglig oil field. The deal follows the RSF’s seizure of Heglig on December 8 and aims to prevent further disruption to oil production, vital for South Sudan’s economy. South Sudan’s government spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny confirmed the agreement and the ongoing production. The RSF and SAF did not immediately respond. The RSF accused the SAF of a drone attack on Heglig, allegedly killing dozens, including workers and engineers.

DRC

DESPITE WASHINGTON PEACE DEAL, FIGHTING RAGES ON

On December 4, 2025, Presidents Félix Tshisekedi (DRC) and Paul Kagame (Rwanda) signed a US-brokered peace deal in Washington, aiming to end the conflict in eastern DRC. The agreement includes a ceasefire, economic integration, and US access to strategic minerals. However, intense fighting continued immediately after the signing. On December 5, heavy clashes erupted in South Kivu between the M23, allegedly backed by Rwanda, and the Congolese army supported by Burundian troops. Civilians fled across borders, and bombardments hit Kamanyola, Luvungi, and Uvira. Local officials Essam al-Din al-Sayed, Wenceslas Bisimwa, and Amos Bisimwa reported ongoing violence despite the accord. The UN and African Union condemned the attacks, while the US called for an immediate halt to hostilities.

RWANDA & DRC ACCUSED EACH OTHER

On December 8, 2025, President Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of violating the Washington accord, citing Rwandan army support for M23 attacks in South Kivu. Rwanda countered by accusing DRC and Burundi of bombing Rwandan border villages. Burundi, with 18,000 troops in DRC, closed its border with DRC on December 10, declaring it a “military zone.” The US and EU called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. UN experts reported 6,000–7,000 Rwandan troops in DRC, directly involved in M23 operations, and documented summary executions, forced recruitment, and mass displacement. The M23’s capture of Uvira further strained regional relations.

M23 CAPTURES STRATEGIC UVIRA DESPITE PEACE DEAL

On December 10, 2025, the M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by Rwandan forces, seized control of Uvira, a strategic city in South Kivu, despite the December 4 Washington peace deal. The offensive began on December 1, with M23 advancing rapidly along the Ruzizi River and National Road 5, capturing Sange, Luvungi, and Kamanyola. Burundian troops, supporting the Congolese army, retreated to defend their border. Over 30,000 Congolese civilians fled to Burundi, and more than 200,000 were displaced within South Kivu. M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka declared Uvira “fully liberated” and urged residents to return. The UN warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis and regional escalation, with at least 413 civilians killed since December.

HUMANITARIAN CRISIS DEEPENS AS UVIRA FALLS

On December 12, 2025, the UN reported over 500,000 people displaced by the M23 offensive in South Kivu, with Uvira’s fall exacerbating the crisis. Civilians described chaos, looting, and summary executions as Congolese and Burundian forces retreated. The Red Cross evacuated 21 wounded, including seven children, from combat zones. The M23, now controlling Uvira, patrolled the city and urged residents to return, but fear and uncertainty persisted. The UN Secretary-General warned of a “regional conflagration”.

ERYTREA

ERYTHREA RELEASES 13 LONG-TERM DETAINEES AFTER 18 YEARS WITHOUT TRIAL

On December 10, 2025, Eritrea released 13 individuals, including former police officers and an ex-Olympic athlete, who had been detained for nearly 18 years without charge, trial, or access to a lawyer in Asmara’s Mai Serwa prison. Human Rights Concern Eritrea (HRCE) reported that detainees endured extreme isolation, torture, and confinement in metal containers exposed to severe heat and cold. While HRCE welcomed the releases, it stressed that Eritrea still holds over 10,000 political prisoners: dissidents, journalists, religious minorities, conscripts, students, and civilians ; under notoriously inhumane conditions. The NGO urged the international community, including the African Union, US, and UN, to pressure Eritrea to end systemic human rights abuses and establish accountability mechanisms. Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Ghebremeskel did not respond to requests for comment.

NIGERIA

13 FARMERS ABDUCTED BY ARMED MEN IN NORTHEAST NIGERIA

On December 6, 2025, at least 13 onion farmers were abducted in Malari village, Konduga local government area, Borno State, by unidentified armed men. Abba Abbari, local government chairman, and Tijjani Ahmed, leader of the Civilian Joint Task Force, confirmed the abduction and stated that the kidnappers had contacted the victims’ families to demand a ransom. One farmer managed to escape. The incident occurred around midnight as the farmers were irrigating crops and guarding livestock. Konduga, located 35 km from Maiduguri, remains a hotspot for jihadist violence linked to the Boko Haram insurgency since 2009. This abduction adds to a recent wave of mass kidnappings across Nigeria, prompting President Bola Tinubu to declare a national security emergency.

TANZANIA

ESCALATING REPRESSION

On December 5, 2025, the UN Human Rights Office alerted those Tanzanian authorities had “intensified repression” against opponents since the late October elections, marked by a bloody crackdown on anti-government protests. The UN cited arbitrary detentions of academics, civil society members, and local politicians, some by unidentified armed individuals. Security forces also removed hundreds of wounded patients and over 300 bodies from hospitals, allegedly to conceal evidence. The government banned all protests ahead of December 9 Independence Day celebrations, canceled national festivities, and restricted fuel sales and digital communications.

HOSPITALS LOOTED, BODIES REMOVED

On December 8, 2025, an anonymous doctor in Dar es Salaam revealed that Tanzanian security forces removed over 200 wounded patients and more than 300 corpses from a major hospital on November 1, following the post-election crackdown. The bodies and patients were taken to unknown locations in unmarked green trucks resembling military vehicles. The doctor described intense pressure on medical staff, including phone inspections to prevent documentation of the violence. Opposition and human rights groups reported mass graves and incinerations to hide the scale of killings. Western embassies demanded the return of bodies to families. The government has yet to provide an official death toll or respond to allegations of mass graves.

OVER 2,000 KILLED IN POST-ELECTION VIOLENCE

On December 11, 2025, Tanzania’s main opposition party Chadema stated that now, over 2,000 people were killed and more than 5,000 injured during late October and early November post-election violence. Chadema’s vice-president John Heche accused the government of direct involvement in “crimes against humanity,” including mass killings, forced disappearances, torture, rape, and arbitrary arrests. The violence followed disputed October 29 elections, won by President Samia Suluhu Hassan with 98% of the vote. The government has not released an official death toll. Heche called for international sanctions against those responsible and demanded the return of victims’ bodies to their families. Authorities continue to suppress dissent, deploying heavy security to prevent planned protests. Hassan defended the use of force as “proportional” and established a commission of inquiry, which the opposition dismissed as neither impartial nor independent.

LEBANON

ATTACKS ON UN PEACEKEEPERS

On December 6, 2025, the Lebanese army announced the arrest of six individuals suspected of involvement in an attack on a UN peacekeeper patrol near Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon, on December 5. The assailants, riding three motorbikes, fired three shots at the UN vehicle, causing no injuries. The Lebanese army emphasized its commitment to protecting UNIFIL, which has been deployed since 1978 to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. UNIFIL condemned the attack as “unacceptable” and reminded Lebanese authorities of their obligation to ensure its security. The incident occurred amid ongoing tensions, with Israel conducting regular airstrikes in southern Lebanon and maintaining five military positions in the area, despite the November 2024 ceasefire agreement.

ISRAEL STRIKES HEZBOLLAH TARGETS DEEP IN SOUTHERN LEBANON

On December 9, 2025, the Israeli military launched airstrikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in Jbaa, a mountainous region 40 km from the Israeli border. Israel claimed to have targeted a missile launch site, a Radwan Force training complex, and other military facilities. The strikes followed Israel’s accusations that Hezbollah is rearming in violation of the November 2024 ceasefire. Lebanon’s official news agency reported damage to civilian homes. The Lebanese army is tasked with dismantling Hezbollah’s military infrastructure south of the Litani River by December 31, as per the ceasefire terms. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun denied Israeli claims of non-compliance and welcomed international oversight. The ceasefire monitoring committee, including Lebanon, Israel, the US, France, and the UN, is set to meet on December 19.

ISRAEL FIRES AGAIN ON UN PEACEKEEPERS

On December 10, 2025, UNIFIL reported that Israeli soldiers in a Merkava tank fired on a UN patrol near Sarda, along the Blue Line border. UNIFIL stated that Israeli forces were in Lebanese territory at the time and had been notified in advance of the patrol’s route. This incident follows previous Israeli attacks on UNIFIL, including a November case where Israel claimed it mistook UN soldiers for “suspects.” UNIFIL called on Israel to cease aggressive actions against peacekeepers.

PALESTINE

PALESTINIAN KILLED BY ISRAELIS IN WEST BANK

On December 5, 2025, Israeli forces fatally shot Bahaa Abdel-Rahman Rashid (38) during clashes in Oudala, south of Nablus, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli army mentioned a “violent confrontation” with stone-throwers. Witness Muhammad al-Kharouf reported that soldiers fired live rounds after launching tear gas at worshippers leaving a mosque. Since October 7, 2023, over 1,000 Palestinians, including many civilians, and 44 Israelis have been killed in the West Bank.

HAMAS SURRENDERS WEAPONS IF OCCUPATION ENDS

On December 6, 2025, Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya stated the group would place its weapons under a future Palestinian state’s authority if Israel ends its occupation of Gaza. Al-Hayya also accepted UN peacekeeping forces to monitor borders and enforce the ceasefire, but rejected any international force tasked with disarming Hamas. The statement came amid fragile truce talks, with Hamas accusing Israel of violating the October 10 ceasefire by restricting aid and failing to reopen the Rafah crossing.

ISRAELI FORCES KILL TWO PALESTINIANS IN WEST BANK

On December 7, 2025, Israeli soldiers killed Ahmad Khalil Al-Rajabi (17) and Ziad Jabara Abu Dawoud (55) in Hebron after a car-ramming attempt. Abu Dawoud, a municipal worker, was in a second vehicle; his father called the shooting a “barbaric attack,” stating soldiers fired despite the car stopping.

UNRWA DENOUNCES ISRAELI SEIZURE OF AGENCY ASSETS

On December 8, 2025, Israeli forces killed Bara Qablan (21) and wounded another during a stone-throwing incident in Azzoun. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini accused Israeli police of forcibly entering the agency’s East Jerusalem headquarters, seizing furniture, IT equipment, and replacing the UN flag with an Israeli one. Israeli authorities claimed the action was to recover unpaid municipal taxes, which UNRWA denies owing, citing international immunity. The agency’s operations in East Jerusalem have been suspended since January due to an Israeli ban.

SEVERE MALNUTRITION AMONG GAZA’S PREGNANT WOMEN

On December 9, 2025, UNICEF reported a surge in malnutrition among pregnant and breastfeeding women in Gaza, leading to a rise in low birth weight and neonatal deaths. Before October 7, 2023, 5% of newborns weighed under 2.5 kg; by mid-2025, this doubled to 10%. Over 8,300 women received treatment for acute malnutrition in October alone. UNICEF blamed maternal stress, poor nutrition, and restricted medical access, and urged Israel to lift aid restrictions, including reopening the Rafah crossing.

HAMAS ACCUSED OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY

On December 10, 2025, Amnesty International released a report accusing Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups of crimes against humanity, including extermination, torture, enforced disappearance, rape, and hostage-taking during and after the October 7, 2023 attack. The report held Hamas primarily responsible, with lesser involvement by Palestinian Islamic Jihad and unaffiliated civilians. Amnesty also accused Israel of ongoing genocide in Gaza, despite the fragile ceasefire.

SYRIA

DAMASCUS IN “DANGEROUS POSITION” BECAUSE OF ISRAEL

On December 6, 2025, Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Chareh stated that Israel’s insistence on creating a demilitarized zone in southern Syria places Damascus in a “grave and dangerous position.” Chareh emphasized Syria’s commitment to the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel, warning that new demands risk destabilizing the region. His remarks came during a conference in Doha, as Israel continues to conduct strikes and incursions in southern Syria.

ISRAELI FORCES INJURE 3 IN SYRIA

On December 9, 2025, Israeli troops injured three people during an incursion in Syria’s Quneitra region, near the Golan Heights. Syrian state media reported that Israeli forces set up a checkpoint and fired on civilians. The Israeli military stated it clashed with “suspects” who approached troops, first firing warning shots before targeting two individuals. This follows a November 28 incursion that killed 13 people and wounded 6 Israeli soldiers.

AFGHANISTAN – PAKISTAN

AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN EXCHANGE FIRE

On December 5, 2025, Afghan Taliban authorities accused Pakistan of initiating cross-border shelling in Spin Boldak district, Kandahar province, prompting Afghan forces to retaliate. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated on X that Pakistani forces attacked first, using light and heavy artillery, including mortar fire that hit civilian homes. Local official Ali Mohammed Haqmal confirmed the incident, adding that both sides agreed to ceasefire after two hours. No casualties were reported, and Pakistani authorities did not immediately comment.

ESCALATION: 5 KILLED AT THE BORDER

On December 5–6, 2025, four civilians and one Afghan soldier were killed, and five others wounded, in renewed cross-border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Spin Boldak, Kandahar. Afghan regional governor Abdul Karim Jahad and government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat confirmed the casualties. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid again accused Pakistan of initiating the attack, while Pakistani Prime Minister’s spokesman Mosharraf Zaidi claimed Afghan forces fired first. Afghan resident Shamshullah described his brother’s death from mortar fire, and Mahmood Khan reported tank shelling and injuries to family members. On the Pakistani side, Mehmood Khan and Abdul Qudoos reported injuries from mortar fragments. Civilians on both sides called for negotiations to end the violence.

EASTERN EUROPE

UKRAINIAN DRONE STRIKE HITS CHECHENS

On December 5, 2025, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov reported that a Ukrainian drone struck a high-rise in a Grozny-City complex, causing no casualties. Kadyrov accused Kyiv of targeting civilians to “create the illusion of pressure” and compensate for military weakness. Russian state media Vesti shared footage of the damaged glass tower, with broken windows and flames. The Russian civil aviation agency briefly restricted flights at Grozny airport for safety. Ukraine did not comment or claim responsibility.

RUSSIA JAILS PACIFIST POLITICIAN

On December 5, 2025, a Russian court in Pskov ordered the pre-trial detention of Lev Schlosberg, a prominent Yabloko party member and longtime critic of Vladimir Putin, until February. The 61-year-old pacifist, already under house arrest since June, faces charges of spreading “false information” about the Russian army, a practice rights groups call “chain arrests.” Schlosberg thanked supporters, stating, “Freedom is within us.” Yabloko, the only registered party opposing the Ukraine war, saw two other members, Maxim Kruglov and Nikolai Rybakov, also prosecuted.

MASSIVE RUSSIAN STRIKES ON UKRAINIAN ENERGY & TRANSPORT

On December 6, 2025, Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles at Ukrainian energy and transport infrastructure, leaving thousands without heat or water. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed targets included military-industrial and port facilities. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks as deliberate suffering for millions. Fires damaged Fastiv’s main railway station, disrupting travel. Regions hit included Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, and Dnipropetrovsk. In Odesa, 9,500 lost heating and 34,000 water.

RUSSIA CLAIMS CAPTURE OF SIVERSK

On December 11, 2025, Russia announced the capture of Siversk, a strategic town in eastern Ukraine, 30 km from Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov informed President Putin, who praised the “good dynamics” on all fronts. Siversk, once home to 11,000, is now largely destroyed. Russian forces had encircled the town since September, breaking Ukrainian defenses by December. Half the town is under Russian control, the rest remains contested. Russia also claimed recent gains near Pokrovsk, Kupiansk, and Vovtchansk, though Ukraine denied some advances.

ESTONIA CONVICTS PRORUSSIAN POLITICIAN

On December 11, 2025, an Estonian court sentenced Aivo Peterson, leader of the pro-Russian KOOS party, to 14 years for treason. Peterson and his aide Dmitri Roots were found guilty of aiding Russian influence operations, including trips to Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories to film pro-Russian propaganda. Peterson, a former border guard, advocated for Estonia to leave NATO and reduce defense spending. The court also convicted Russian citizen Andrey Andronov for coordinating the trips. Peterson’s party, which never won seats but gained significant votes, was accused of undermining Estonian security.

NATO WANTS TO “TEST” PUTIN

On December 11, 2025, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged testing Vladimir Putin’s sincerity for peace in Ukraine, as the U.S. and Europe finalize a plan to end the war. Speaking in Berlin, Rutte warned that without massive European defense investment, Putin “won’t stop at Ukraine.” He criticized China as Russia’s “lifeline,” supplying 80% of critical drone components. Rutte stressed that a Russian-occupied Ukraine would force NATO to “significantly increase” its eastern presence. The alliance recently pledged 5% of GDP for defense by 2035.

UKRAINIAN DRONE ATTACK INJURES SEVEN IN RUSSIA

On December 12, 2025, a Ukrainian drone strike hit a residential building in Tver, 180 km northwest of Moscow, injuring six adults and one child. Acting Governor Vitaly Korolyov reported debris caused a fire and shattered windows, forcing 20 residents to evacuate. Russia claimed to have downed over 300 Ukrainian drones the previous night, disrupting Moscow airport flights.

BANGLADESH

+100 BODIES IN MASS GRAVES

On December 7, 2025, Bangladeshi police began excavating a mass grave in Dacca’s Rayerbazar cemetery, searching for the remains of an estimated 114 unidentified victims of the 2024 popular uprising that ousted autocratic Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The operation, supported by the UN Human Rights Office and led by Argentine forensic anthropologist Luis Fondebrider, aims to recover and identify bodies buried by the Anjuman Mufidul Islam charity : 80 in July 2024 and 34 in August 2024. The UN reports up to 1,400 deaths during Hasina’s violent suppression of protests; she was sentenced to death in absentia last month for crimes against humanity and now lives in exile in India. Criminal Investigation Department chief Md Sibgat Ullah stated the exact number of bodies will be confirmed after exhumation. Mohammed Nabil hopes to find his brother Sohel Rana, 28, who disappeared in July 2024. Police official Abu Taleb warned that DNA extraction from soft tissue after over a year is unlikely, and bone analysis will prolong the process. Fondebrider, known for investigating Argentina’s military dictatorship disappearances, pledged adherence to international standards.

MYANMAR

JUNTA BARS 1,600 VILLAGE CLUSTERS FROM SHAM ELECTION

On December 6, 2025, Myanmar’s junta-controlled Union Election Commission (UEC) announced that 1,600 village tracts, out of about 13,500 nationwide, would be excluded from the upcoming December 28 elections, citing concerns over “free and fair” conditions. The junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup, frames the vote as a step toward reconciliation, but critics and rebel groups dismiss it as a farce. Rebel-held areas and excluded parliamentarians plan to boycott. The UN called the election “unthinkable” given ongoing civil war and mass surveillance risks. Some overseas Birmans, like Moe Moe Lwin in Bangkok, voted early for “peace,” while others, like student Van, refused to participate in a “sham” process. The junta recently criminalized election protests, with penalties up to 10 years in prison.

AIRSTRIKE ON TEA SHOP KILLS 18 IN CENTRAL MYANMAR

On December 6, 2025, a junta airstrike on Tabayin, Sagaing Region, killed 18 civilians and injured 20. Two bombs hit a crowded tea shop during a Friday night boxing match, a traditional gathering spot. A village official and a rescuer, both anonymous, confirmed the toll: 7 died instantly, 11 later in hospital. The tea shop and a dozen nearby homes were destroyed. A woman described seeing dogs feeding on human remains amid the rubble. Funerals were held the next day. The junta did not comment. Tabayin had suffered a deadly airstrike in April, despite a junta-declared ceasefire for earthquake relief.

JUNTA HUNTS TEN ANTI-ELECTION PROTESTERS

On December 10, 2025, Myanmar’s junta issued arrest warrants for ten activists, eight men and two women, accused of distributing anti-election flyers and chanting slogans in Mandalay. The group, including prominent pro-democracy leader Tayzar San, faces up to 10 years in prison under a new junta law criminalizing election opposition. Tayzar San, long evading authorities, posted a video on Facebook (blocked in Myanmar) calling the military dictatorship the “common enemy.” Opposition groups had urged a nationwide “silent protest” on Human Rights Day, but markets in Yangon remained open, with shopkeepers fearing reprisals. The UN reports systematic violent repression of peaceful assemblies since the 2021 coup. The National Unity Government (NUG), composed of ousted lawmakers, called for a total boycott of the “illegal and rigged” elections.

RESISTANCE LEADER KIDNAPPED

On December 10, 2025, U Kon Min, deputy interior minister and civilian intelligence chief for Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG), was kidnapped by the Pa-O National Organisation (PNO), a junta-aligned ethnic militia in southern Shan State known for summary executions and opium trafficking. His disappearance, confirmed by multiple resistance sources, marks the highest-ranking capture since the 2021 coup. The NUG is investigating whether he remains with the PNO, was handed to the junta, or killed. His Signal account was accessed, likely by captors. The PNO, accused of killing civilians and displaced persons, operates in opium-producing areas. The NUG, formed by exiled and underground democrats, has been urging members to relocate to liberated zones, now covering nearly half the country.

RUSSIA SECRETLY BOOSTS MYANMAR JUNTA’S DRONE WARFARE

Ukrainian military intelligence revealed that Russia recently supplied Myanmar’s junta with RB-504A-E anti-drone systems and Orlan-30 reconnaissance drones, already deployed against rebel groups in Kachin and northern Shan States. The equipment, delivered via Rosoboronexport, is used to jam commercial drones (DJI Mavic, Autel) and coordinate artillery strikes. Ukrainian sources also reported negotiations for Zala Lancet kamikaze drones, with initial shipments expected for field testing. The junta’s new capabilities coincide with increased GPS and radio disruptions reported by ethnic armed groups. The move follows China’s pressure on rebel factions to sign ceasefires, allowing the junta to regain territory ahead of the December 28 elections.

JUNTA AIRSTRIKE ON HOSPITAL KILLS 33

On December 10, 2025, a junta airstrike on Mrauk U General Hospital in Rakhine State killed 33 people and injured 76, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Arakan Army (AA) rebel group. The attack destroyed a hospital wing, leaving a large crater and debris over beds. Among the dead were patients, medical staff, and family members. Maung Bu Chay lost his wife, daughter-in-law, and father-in-law. The UN called for investigations, warning the strike could constitute a war crime. The AA, which controls most of Rakhine, condemned the attack as “inhumane.” The junta, intensifying airstrikes ahead of elections, has blockaded Rakhine, causing severe hunger and malnutrition.

THAILAND – CAMBODIA

THAILAND-CAMBODIA BORDER CLASHES RESUME

On December 8, 2025, Thailand and Cambodia accused each other of reigniting border clashes, just two months after a US-brokered ceasefire. Thailand reported conducting airstrikes in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces, killing 4 Cambodian civilians. Thailand’s army claimed Cambodia initiated the attack in Ubon Ratchathani, while Cambodia denied retaliation. Thai airstrikes targeted “only military objectives,” according to spokesman Winthai Suvaree, but a Cambodian soldier reported ongoing bombardments. About 35,000 Thais and over 1,000 Cambodian families fled their homes. Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen urged restraint, warning that a “red line” for retaliation had been set. The October 26 ceasefire collapsed in November after a landmine incident injured four Thai soldiers. Both sides blame each other for planting new mines along the disputed 800-km border, where sovereignty over temples like Preah Vihear remains contested.

HALF A MILLION DISPLACED

On December 10, 2025, over 500,000 people fled border areas as Thailand-Cambodia clashes intensified, leaving at least 14 dead, nine Cambodian civilians (including a child) and five Thai soldiers. Thailand evacuated over 400,000, Cambodia 100,000, as fighter jets, drones, and tanks engaged. Cambodian Defense Ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata accused Thailand of indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas, schools, and the Ta Krabey temple. Thai farmer Niam Poda, 62, fled her home in Sa Kaeo province after an explosion, leaving behind her diabetes medication. Cambodian security guard Lay Non, 55, took shelter in a Siem Reap pagode, describing Thai airstrikes as “more intense” than in July. Thailand imposed a 7 p.m.–5 a.m. curfew in Sa Kaeo. Donald Trump pledged to call both leaders to “stop the war,” but Thailand rejected mediation, citing broken trust.

VENEZUELA

VENEZUELA’S NATIONAL GUARD COMMITTED CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY

On December 11, 2025, a UN-backed fact-finding mission accused Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) of systematic human rights violations and crimes against humanity over the past decade. The report, presented in Geneva, documents executions, arbitrary detentions, sexual and gender-based violence, torture, and cruel treatment during political protests and targeted persecution since 2014. Mission chair Marta Valiñas stated that the GNB’s excessive use of lethal and non-lethal force, mass arbitrary detentions, and violence in its facilities, including torture and rape, are not isolated incidents but part of a coordinated pattern to punish and break opponents. The mission found “reasonable grounds” to believe GNB commanders played a key role in these crimes, enabled by Venezuela’s “structural impunity” and a paralyzed justice system.

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

PENTAGON CHIEF UNDER CRITICIZED FOR SIGNAL LEAKS, CONTROVERSIAL STRIKES

On December 7, 2025, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced mounting criticism over two major scandals: the “Signalgate” report, which found his use of the Signal app to discuss imminent Yemen strikes created “operational security risks,” and controversial anti-narcotics operations in the Caribbean and Pacific. The independent Pentagon report revealed Hegseth shared strike timings and military details in a Signal group, potentially endangering pilots and mission success. Separately, lawmakers viewed classified footage of a September strike that killed two survivors of an initial attack on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel, sparking outrage. Democratic Rep. Jim Himes called the images “one of the most disturbing things” he’d seen in public service, while Republican Tom Cotton defended the strikes as “legitimate.” The UN cited “credible evidence” of extrajudicial executions in the campaign, which killed over 80 people without clear links to drug cartels. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, retains Trump’s confidence but risks losing Republican support if further scandals emerge.

GERMAN CHANCELLOR MERZ REAFFIRMS ISRAEL SUPPORT, MEETS NETANYAHU AMID GAZA TENSIONS

On December 7, 2025, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed Berlin’s “unwavering” support for Israel’s security during a visit to Jerusalem, meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the fragile Gaza ceasefire and Trump’s peace plan. At Yad Vashem, Merz emphasized Germany’s “historical responsibility” for the Holocaust and Israel’s right to self-defense, despite recent tensions over Berlin’s partial arms embargo, lifted in November. Netanyahu, increasingly isolated, seeks Berlin’s backing as the ceasefire hangs by a thread and violence surges in the West Bank. Merz’s visit marks a reset after months of strain, though Germany’s far-right opposition criticizes his stance.

BENIN THWARTS ATTEMPTED COUP, ARRESTS MILITARY PLOTTERS

On December 7, 2025, Benin’s government declared it had foiled a military coup attempt after soldiers calling themselves the “Committee for the Refoundation of the Army” announced President Patrice Talon’s ouster on state TV. The plotters, led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri, cited security failures in the jihadist-plagued north, unfair promotions, and neglected soldiers’ families. Security forces quickly regained control, arresting a dozen soldiers; Tigri remains at large. Regional allies Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Ghana deployed troops under ECOWAS to support Talon, who is set to step down in April 2026. The failed coup follows a wave of West African putsches and rising tensions ahead of elections.

KHASHOGGI’S WIDOW SUES OVER PEGASUS SPYING IN FRANCE

On December 8, 2025, Jamal Khashoggi’s widow, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, filed a criminal complaint in France against unknown parties for hacking her phones with Israel’s Pegasus spyware before her husband’s 2018 assassination. Her lawyers, William Bourdon and Vincent Brengarth, alleged Saudi Arabia used Pegasus to monitor, intimidate, and silence critics, including Khashoggi’s inner circle. Forensic analysis by Citizen Lab confirmed infections in April 2018. The complaint, filed under French data protection and privacy laws, targets both Saudi operatives and NSO Group, the spyware’s Israeli developer. Khashoggi, a US resident, was murdered and dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul; his killers remain unpunished. The case follows years of global controversy over Pegasus’s use against journalists, activists, and politicians.

BRITISH ARMY HITMAN COMMITTED MURDERS FOR MI5 WITH IMPUNITY

On December 9, 2025, a UK police investigation revealed that a British Army agent codenamed “Stakeknife,” infiltrated in the IRA, committed murders and torture with impunity due to MI5’s failure to control him. The “Operation Kenova” report found that Stakeknife, suspected to be Freddie Scappaticci, who died in 2023, led the IRA’s “nutting squad,” executing alleged informers while secretly working for British intelligence. Investigators said MI5’s delayed disclosure of documents showed deeper, earlier knowledge of his crimes, which included 101 linked murders and abductions. The report called for Stakeknife’s identity to be publicly confirmed, despite past denials. MI5 Director Ken McCallum apologized to victims’ families, acknowledging institutional failures during Northern Ireland’s three-decade conflict, which killed 3,500 people.

SLOVAKIA ABOLISHES WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION BODY, SPARKING OUTRAGE

On December 9, 2025, Slovakia’s parliament, led by nationalist Prime Minister Robert Fico, voted to dismantle the independent whistleblower protection office, replacing it with a government-controlled body. Critics, including anti-corruption NGO Stop Corruption, called the move a “hollow shell” designed to silence dissent, as Fico’s government cited budget cuts. Opposition lawmakers and protesters condemned the decision on International Anti-Corruption Day, warning it would strip protections from over 100 whistleblowers and allow employers to retroactively revoke safeguards. Slovakia’s corruption perception score has plummeted since Fico’s 2023 return, with mass protests erupting against his authoritarian drift and attacks on media freedom.

ICC SENTENCES SUDANESE MILITIA LEADER TO 20 YEARS

On December 9, 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) sentenced Ali Mohammed Ali Abd-Al-Rahman (aka Ali Kosheib), a former Janjaweed militia leader, to 20 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur (2003–2004). The court found Abd-Al-Rahman, 76, personally beat victims with an axe, ordered executions, and led a campaign of extermination, humiliation, and displacement against non-Arab communities. Survivors testified to mass torture and killings, with blood flowing in the streets. Prosecutors had sought life imprisonment, but the court cited mitigating factors, including his voluntary surrender in 2020. The ruling, called “symbolic” by ICC Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang, sends a warning to current perpetrators in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, where similar atrocities are reported in El-Fasher.

RECORD JOURNALIST DEATHS: 67 KILLED IN 2025, NEARLY HALF IN GAZA

On December 9, 2025, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported that 67 journalists were killed worldwide in the past year, with 29 deaths in Gaza, by Israeli forces. RSF called the Israeli military the “worst enemy of journalists,” citing deliberate targeting, including the killing of Al-Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif in August, whom Israel labeled a “terrorist” without evidence. Globally, 503 journalists are detained (121 in China, 48 in Russia, 47 in Myanmar), 135 are missing, and 20 are held hostage. RSF’s Anne Bocandé denounced the “hatred of journalists” and impunity, urging governments to protect media workers. Mexico (9 killed), Ukraine (3), and Sudan (4) also saw high fatalities. The UN counted 91 journalist deaths in 2025, reflecting varying methodologies.

EUROPEAN RIGHT PUSHES TO WEAKEN HUMAN RIGHTS CONVENTION OVER MIGRATION

On December 10, 2025, 27 European states, including the UK, Austria, Italy, and most of Eastern Europe, pushed to amend the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to ease migrant deportations, even for those with families in host countries. The proposal, backed by right-wing and conservative governments, aims to override ECHR protections for “private and family life” in cases of serious crimes like rape or drug trafficking. UK Deputy PM David Lammy argued the ECHR should not hinder immigration control, while France and others warned against undermining judicial independence. The move follows EU interior ministers’ approval of offshore migrant centers and reflects growing anti-immigration sentiment, with the ECHR often blamed for blocking deportations, including the UK’s failed Rwanda plan. Critics called the push “insidious” and a threat to the rule of law.

POLAND ARRESTS RUSSIAN ARCHAEOLOGIST WANTED FOR LOOTING OCCUPIED UKRAINE

On December 11, 2025, Polish security services arrested Alexander Boutiaguine, head of the Hermitage Museum’s archaeology department, on a Ukrainian warrant for illegal excavations in Russian-occupied Crimea (2014–2019). Boutiaguine, detained for 40 days pending extradition, faces up to 10 years in Ukraine for destroying cultural heritage sites, causing damages estimated at €4.3 million. Russia’s Foreign Ministry condemned the arrest as “politically motivated,” while the Kremlin warned Russians against traveling to Poland, citing “lawlessness.” The case highlights Poland’s role as a key Ukraine ally and transit hub for military aid, deepening tensions with Moscow.

FRENCH CENTRAL BANK SUED FOR ALLEGED RWANDA GENOCIDE COMPLICITY

On December 11, 2025, survivors and activists filed a criminal complaint in Paris against the Banque de France for complicity in the 1994 Rwanda genocide, alleging it processed 3.17 million francs (€486,000) in transfers for the Rwandan National Bank after a UN arms embargo. The Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda (CPCR) accused the bank of enabling weapons purchases via Alcatel and Rwandan embassies in Egypt and Ethiopia, despite knowing of the ongoing genocide. The Banque de France denied finding records, citing a 10-year document retention policy. Lawyers called the bank a “white-collar criminal” in the genocide’s administrative machinery. The case follows a 2017 probe into BNP Paribas for similar allegations.

CONGO WARLORD LUMBALA “COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF” OF TROOPS’ CRIMES, COURT TOLD

On December 11, 2025, prosecutors at Paris Assize Court argued that Roger Lumbala, on trial for complicity in crimes against humanity in DR Congo (2002–2003), was a de facto military leader responsible for his troops’ atrocities during “Operation Erase the Board.” Victims testified to systematic rape, forced labor, mutilations, and executions by Lumbala’s RCD-N and allied MLC fighters, backed by Uganda. Lawyers called for a historic conviction to combat impunity in Congo’s resource-driven conflicts. Lumbala, 67, boycotted the trial, denying French jurisdiction. The verdict, expected December 16, could set a precedent for holding commanders accountable for wartime crimes.