WEEKLY INTERNATIONAL NEWS REVIEW – Jan.3rd – 9th 2026

SUDAN

DISPLACED FAMILIES FLEE KORDOFAN VIA SOUTH SUDAN

In December 2025, thousands fled Heglig, South Kordofan, as RSF advanced on the oil-rich area. Families escaped to South Sudan, later returning to Gedaref’s overcrowded Abu al-Naga camp. They described fleeing barefoot, pursued by RSF to the border. Over 50,000 displaced now face food and medical shortages in Gedaref. Camp director Ali Yehia Ahmed reported 1,200 people in dire conditions, with children sleeping on cracked earth and families queuing for scarce food. Minister Asia Abdelrahman Hussein called for urgent aid.

OVER 100 CIVILIANS KILLED IN NORTH DARFUR

On January 4, 2026, medical sources reported over 100 civilians killed in North Darfur within the previous week. On January 3, army drone strikes on el-Zurq market killed 51, including civilians and local armed group leaders : Moussa Saleh Daglo, Awad Moussa Saleh Daglo, and Bachir Barma Berkah. In Kernoi, 63 civilians died and 57 were wounded in RSF attacks, with 17 missing. Kernoi, held by army allies, is 170 km West of el-Zurq. Since late December, 7,500 people, mostly from the Zaghawa ethnic group, fled Kernoi and Oum Barou.

DRONE STRIKE ON EL-OBEID CIVILIANS

On January 5, 2026, a drone strike hit a house in central El-Obeid, capital of North Kordofan, killing 10 people, including 7 children. The city is still controlled by the Sudanese army but besieged by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which advanced in Kordofan, encircling El-Obeid and cutting off routes to Dilling and Kadougli.

NIGERIA

MASSACRE AND ABDUCTIONS IN NIGERIA STATE

On January 3, 2026, armed men raided Kasuwan Daji village in Nigeria State’s Kabe district, killing over 30 people and abducting several others. Attackers burned down a market and looted shops. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the toll, while the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora reported over 40 deaths. Minister of Information Mohammed Idris stated victims included traders, farmers, students, both Christians and Muslims. President Bola Tinubu ordered security forces to pursue the assailants, suspected to be jihadists fleeing US airstrikes in Sokoto and Zamfara. Images showed victims with hands bound. The attack occurred 20 km from Papiri, where 250 students and staff were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic boarding school in November.

NIGER

PREFECT AND FAMILY BURNED ALIVE IN TORODI

On January 5, 2026, at around 2:00 AM, presumed jihadists attacked the residence of Torodi prefect Captain Chaibou Mali, killing him, his wife, their children, and an unidentified person. The assailants fired a rocket at the home. Local sources and the West African Journalists’ Network on Sahel Security attributed the attack to the Al-Qaida-affiliated JNIM. Witnesses reported the jihadists briefly controlled Torodi until 5:00 AM. Civil society figure Maikoul Zodi urged authorities to respond with determination. The attack follows the military junta’s December call for “general mobilization” against jihadist groups.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

POST-ELECTION CLASHES: ARMY AND WAGNER ATTACKED

On December 28, 2025, the Azandé Ani Kpi Gbè (AAKG) armed group launched targeted attacks on security forces and state agents in Bambouti, Haut-Mbomou prefecture, following the presidential election. The militia was dislodged days later by the army and Wagner Group. Fighting then spread to Zemio, near the DRC border, where clashes continue. Alain Tolmo, deputy prosecutor of the Special Criminal Court, reported one election worker killed and the prefect of Zemio taken hostage, causing mass displacement to the local Catholic church. Analyst Fulbert Ngodji noted the AAKG, formed in 2023 by Zandé youth, was briefly integrated into the army before suspension in May 2025.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

ADF REBELS KILL 14 IN NORTH KIVU

On January 1, 2026, ADF rebels attacked Katanga, Maendeleo, and Kilonge villages in Lubero territory, North Kivu, killing 12 civilians, 2 soldiers and burning 13 houses. Local chief Macaire Sivikunula reported panic as gunfire was heard from 8 to 10 PM. Army spokesperson Lieutenant Marc Elongo confirmed the toll and stated that Congolese and Ugandan forces are pursuing the attackers, who disrupted New Year’s celebrations.

DRC ARMY DRONE STRIKE KILLS 6, WOUNDS 41 IN MASISI

On January 2, 2026, a DRC army drone strike hit civilian homes in Masisi-centre, killing 6 and wounding 41, according to local administrator Emmanuel Ndizeye. The town, 80 km from Goma, has been under M23 control since January 2025. M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka condemned the strike as indiscriminate. The attack follows ongoing clashes between pro-Kinshasa forces and M23 in Kivu.

LEBANON

MORE ISRAELI STRIKES SOUTH AND EAST LEBANON

On January 5, 2026, Israel struck villages in south and east Lebanon, warning civilians to evacuate Kfar Hatta, Anane, Al-Manara, and Ain al-Tiné. The army claimed to target Hezbollah and Hamas, including a house allegedly linked to Hamas official Sharhabil Sayed. Dozens fled Kfar Hatta as drones circled. The strikes, north of the Litani River, followed Israel’s ongoing accusations of Hezbollah rearmament.

ISRAELI STRIKES KILL 2 IN THE SOUTH

On January 6, 2026, Israeli airstrikes killed two people in Kfar Dunin, suspected by Israel to be Hezbollah fighters. The strike came ahead of a ceasefire monitoring committee meeting. Israel also hit Ghazieh, causing damage and a fire. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the strikes as undermining de-escalation efforts. The Lebanese army is under US pressure to extend disarmament operations.

ARMY CLAIMS HEZBOLLAH DISARMAMENT, ISRAEL SKEPTICAL

On January 8, 2026, the Lebanese army announced it had completed the first phase of disarming Hezbollah south of the Litani River, as required by the November 2024 ceasefire. The army stated it now controls the area, except for five strategic points still occupied by Israel. Hezbollah refused to disarm north of the Litani. Information Minister Paul Morcos said the government will present a plan for that region in February. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the efforts “encouraging but far from sufficient,” accusing Hezbollah of rearming with Iranian support. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun blamed Israeli occupation and strikes for hindering the plan’s implementation.

PALESTINE

FORMER HAMAS HOSTAGE ALLEGES SEXUAL ABUSE

On January 2, 2026, Romi Gonen, 25, revealed in a TV interview that she suffered multiple sexual assaults by four Hamas captors during her detention in Gaza. She described threats, coercion, and psychological trauma. Gonen was abducted from the Nova festival on October 7, 2023, and released in January 2025.

ISRAEL BANS FOREIGN JOURNALISTS FROM GAZA

On January 5, 2026, Israel reaffirmed its ban on foreign journalists entering Gaza, arguing security risks persist. The Foreign Press Association accused Israel of “delay tactics” to block independent reporting. Since October 7, 2023, only a few embedded reporters have been allowed in.

ELECTRONIC MONITORING ON VIOLENT SETTLERS

On January 5, 2026, Israel approved electronic monitoring for settlers and Palestinians under movement restrictions in the West Bank, following a surge in settler violence. The move, requested by Shin Bet chief David Zini, was criticized by far-right group Honenu as “anti-democratic.” October 2025 was the most violent month for settler attacks since UN records began.

UN ACCUSES ISRAEL OF ‘APARTHEID’ IN WEST BANK

On January 6, 2026, the UN Human Rights Office reported Israel’s “systematic discrimination” against Palestinians in the West Bank has worsened, amounting to a form of apartheid. High Commissioner Volker Türk cited restrictions on movement, water, education, and healthcare. Israel’s UN mission dismissed the allegations as “absurd”.

ULTRA-ORTHODOX PROTEST TURNS DEADLY IN JERUSALEM

On January 6, 2026, an 18-year-old died after a bus struck protesters during a violent ultra-Orthodox demonstration against military conscription in Jerusalem. Three others were injured. Police blamed “rioters” for blocking roads and attacking buses. President Isaac Herzog called for calm. The issue divides Netanyahu’s coalition, as ultra-Orthodox parties resist conscription while Israel faces ongoing military demands.

ISRAELI RAID ON BIR ZEIT UNIVERSITY

On January 6, 2026, Israeli forces raided Bir Zeit University, firing live rounds and tear gas, wounding at least five students. The army claimed it targeted a “terrorism-supporting” gathering. University president Talal Shahwan condemned the “brutal” intervention as part of a pattern to suppress Palestinian education. Since October 7, 2023, over 1,000 Palestinians and 44 Israelis have been killed in West Bank violence.

ISRAEL ADVANCES CONTROVERSIAL SETTLEMENT PROJECT

On January 8, 2026, Israeli anti-settlement NGO Peace Now denounced the launch of tenders for 3,400 homes in the “E1” area, a plan that severs the West Bank and undermines Palestinian territorial continuity. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged accelerating the project and annexing the West Bank. The UN warned E1 violates international law and threatens the two-state solution. Settlement expansion has surged since the Gaza war began.

SETTLERS ATTACK PALESTINIANS IN WEST BANK

On January 8, 2026, dozens of masked Israeli settlers raided the Shavei Shomron area near Nablus, vandalizing Palestinian cars and wounding two. The army arrested three suspects. Beit Lid mayor Hussein Hammadi reported three cars burned and a deaf-mute man seriously injured. The attack lasted 90 minutes before soldiers dispersed the crowd. Yossi Dagan, head of the northern West Bank settlers’ council, called for “zero tolerance” for violence.

DEADLIEST DAY SINCE GAZA CEASEFIRE

On January 8, 2026, Israeli strikes across Gaza killed 13 people, including 5 children. A drone hit a displacement tent in southern Gaza, killing 4 civilians. In northern Gaza, an 11-year-old girl died near Jabalia camp, and a school strike killed one. Two more, including a child, died in other attacks. Four were later killed in an airstrike on a Gaza City house. Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmud Bassal condemned the strikes as a “flagrant violation” of the October 10 ceasefire. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem accused Israel of abandoning the truce. The Israeli army stated it was “checking” the reports.

SYRIA

NINE KILLED IN ALEPPO CLASHES BETWEEN KURDS AND SYRIAN FORCES

On January 6, 2026, clashes between Syrian government forces and Kurdish fighters in Aleppo left nine dead, including civilians and a soldier. The violence prompted a 24-hour airport shutdown and school closures. Both sides accused each other of initiating the attacks, as a March agreement on Kurdish integration remains unfulfilled. The FDS reported four civilians killed by government shelling, while Damascus claimed five deaths from Kurdish fire.

SYRIAN ARMY BOMBARDS KURDISH DISTRICTS

On January 7, 2026, the Syrian army bombarded Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh in Aleppo after a three-hour civilian evacuation window expired. Nine people died in clashes that began January 6, as both sides blamed each other for violating a March agreement on Kurdish integration. Thousands fled, and the airport suspended flights. Kurdish forces accused Damascus of “genocidal war,” while the army warned of further strikes.

TURKEY PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR SYRIAN ARMY AGAINST KURDS

On January 8, 2026, Turkey’s Defense Ministry announced readiness to “support” the Syrian army’s “anti-terrorist operation” against Kurdish fighters in Aleppo, if requested. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed intensive talks with Damascus and Washington. On the same day, the Syrian army shelled Kurdish-held neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh in Aleppo, with a death toll of at least 21 people in 3 days of clashes and16,000 civilians forced to flee through humanitarian corridors. The violence erupted as negotiations stalled over integrating Kurdish institutions into the new Syrian state. Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi warned the assaults undermine peace efforts. Aleppo’s airport remained closed. Kurdish protesters in Qamishli and Turkish Kurds in Diyarbakir demanded international intervention.

FRAGILE CEASEFIRE IN ALEPPO’S KURDISH DISTRICTS

On January 9, 2026, a fragile ceasefire took hold in Aleppo’s Kurdish neighborhoods after four days of clashes that killed 21. The US praised the truce and called for its extension. Syrian forces proposed a passage for Kurdish fighters to withdraw to the northeast. Kurdish fighters entrenched in two neighborhoods of Aleppo refused to leave the city, defying authorities. Civilians used the ceasefire to flee, while regional tensions persist with Turkey backing Damascus and Israel supporting the Kurds.

YEMEN

SAUDI COALITION STRIKES YEMEN, 4 CIVILIANS DEAD

On January 6, 2026, the Saudi-led coalition launched over 15 airstrikes on Yemen’s Dhale province, targeting the stronghold of Southern Transitional Council (STC) leader Aidarous al-Zoubaidi. The strikes, which killed 4 civilians, followed al-Zoubaidi’s refusal to attend Riyadh peace talks and his recent declaration to restore an independent southern state. The coalition called the strikes “preemptive” and accused al-Zoubaidi of fleeing. His STC faction, backed by the UAE, had seized territory in December, but pro-Saudi forces reclaimed it.

IRAN

ECONOMIC WOES SPARK NATIONWIDE UNREST

On January 2, 2026, protests began in Tehran’s mobile phone market over economic collapse, spreading to 20 cities. Students and merchants joined, chanting “Death to the dictator” and “Woman, Life, Freedom.” Six deaths were reported. Authorities closed schools and banks, and named a new central bank governor. The regime faces pressure from inflation, sanctions, and regional conflicts. Exiled opposition figures, including Reza Pahlavi, hailed the protests, but analysts doubt they will topple the government.

4 KURDS KILLED AS PROTESTS SPREAD WEST

On January 4, 2026, Iranian security forces killed at least four Kurdish protesters in Malekshahi, according to Hengaw and Iran Human Rights. Protests, initially over economic hardship, have spread to 30 cities. State media reported one Revolutionary Guard killed.

IRANIAN AUTHORITIES VOWS “NO LENIENCY” FOR “RIOTERS”

On January 5, 2026, Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei ordered prosecutors to show “no leniency” toward “rioters,” as protests spread to 23 provinces. Police seized weapons and explosive materials in Tehran. At least 12 people, including security forces, have died since December 28. Iran accused Israel of seeking to “undermine national unity” after Netanyahu expressed solidarity with protesters.

TWO POLICEMEN KILLED, MOSQUE ATTACKED

On January 7, 2026, protests erupted across Iran, with clashes in Lordegan leaving two police dead and 30 injured. In Bojnourd, protesters attacked the Imam Khomeini mosque and a Quran bookstore. President Massoud Pezeshkian urged restraint, but army chief Amir Hatani warned of a “firm” response to foreign threats. Seven Kurdish opposition parties called for a general strike on January 8. At least 27 protesters have died since the movement began, with over 1,000 arrested.

EASTERN EUROPE

RUSSIAN STRIKE ON KHARKIV CENTER WOUNDS 19

On January 2, 2026, a Russian missile strike on central Kharkiv injured 19 civilians, including a six-month-old baby and elderly residents. The attack destroyed a commercial building and damaged a residential block. Russia denied responsibility. The escalation comes as diplomatic efforts, including a Paris summit, struggle to secure a lasting ceasefire.

UKRAINE ORDERS EVACUATION OF 3,000 CHILDREN FROM FRONTLINE

On January 2, 2026, Ukraine ordered the forced evacuation of over 3,000 children and their parents from 44 frontline communities in Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk, citing worsening security. Since June 2025, 150,000 people, including 18,000 children, have been relocated from combat zones. The move reflects Russian advances in southern and eastern Ukraine.

RUSSIAN STRIKES HIT KYIV CLINIC, KILL 2

On January 5, 2026, Russian drone and missile attacks across Ukraine killed two in Kyiv, including one at a private clinic, and injured three. The strikes, involving 165 drones, caused power outages and damaged homes in Fastiv. Ukraine’s allies prepared for a Paris summit to discuss peace plans, with US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner attending. Russia claimed advances in Sumy and Donetsk regions, while Ukraine vowed to pursue both diplomacy and active defense.

RUSSIA REJECTS EU PLAN FOR MULTINATIONAL FORCE

On January 8, 2026, Russia dismissed a European-led plan to deploy a multinational force in Ukraine after the war, calling it an “axis of war.” Moscow warned that any Western military presence would be considered as a “legitimate target”. Over a million Ukrainians in Dnipropetrovsk lost water and heating after Russian drone strikes. Russia continues to demand Ukraine’s NATO non-membership and withdrawal from occupied Donetsk.

RUSSIAN MISSILE BARRAGE KILLS 4 IN KYIV

On January 9, 2026, Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack across Ukraine, killing at least four in Kyiv, including a rescuer, damaging residential buildings and critical infrastructure. Kyiv’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported 24 injured and widespread power outages. A hypersonic missile, possibly the new Russian Orechnik, struck Lviv, damaging unspecified critical infrastructure. Ukraine retaliated by cutting power to 556,000 people in Russia’s Belgorod region.

MYANMAR

MYANMAR JUNTA FREES 6,000 PRISONERS IN ANNUAL AMNESTY

On January 4, 2026, Myanmar’s junta released 6,134 local and 52 foreign prisoners in an annual amnesty, coinciding with Independence Day. Families gathered outside Yangon’s Insein Prison, hoping for the release of political detainees. The junta claims the amnesty is humanitarian, but critics call it a move ahead of disputed elections. The military-backed USDP party won 90% of announced seats in the first phase, while Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD remains banned. Over 22,000 political prisoners remain detained, according to activists. Western observers and rights groups dismiss the elections as a sham.

LANDMINES KILL ALONG MYANMAR-BANGLADESH BORDER

Bangladesh accuses Myanmar’s military and insurgents of planting mines, which killed 28 people in 2025, including a border guard. Over 2,000 people were victims of AP mines in Myanmar in 2024, double of the 2023 toll. Locals say warning signs and red flags are ineffective as poverty drives them to work near minefields.

THAILAND-CAMBODIA

CAMBODIA ACCUSES THAILAND OF “ANNEXING” FRONTIER VILLAGE

On January 2, 2026, Cambodia accused Thailand of illegally annexing the border village of Chouk Chey, alleging Thai forces had damaged buildings, installed barbed wire, and raised the Thai flag. Thailand denied the claims, stating the area had always been Thai territory and that Cambodian civilians had illegally settled there for over 40 years. The dispute follows a December 27 ceasefire that ended weeks of deadly clashes. Both countries have long contested their 800-kilometer colonial-era border, with recent fighting centered on control of ancient temples.

THAILAND-CAMBODIA CEASEFIRE STRAINED BY MORTAR FIRE

On January 6, 2026, a Thai soldier was injured by Cambodian mortar fire near the disputed Chong Bok border area, just 10 days after a ceasefire was agreed. Thailand initially accused Cambodia of violating the truce, but Cambodia later explained the incident as an accidental explosion during maintenance work, injuring two of its own soldiers. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul called for clarification on accountability, while Cambodia denied intentional targeting.

VENEZUELA

MADURO DECLARES HIMSELF “PRISONER OF WAR”

On January 3, 2026, Nicolás Maduro appeared in a New York court, declaring himself a “prisoner of war” and pleading not guilty to drug trafficking charges. Wearing prison-issued clothes, Maduro claimed he was “kidnapped” from Caracas, while his wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty. Outside the courthouse, supporters and protesters clashed. The UN and EU criticized the U.S. operation as a violation of sovereignty, while Venezuela’s Supreme Court named Delcy Rodriguez interim president. The U.S. plans to “direct” Venezuela’s transition and exploit its oil reserves, the world’s largest. In Caracas, streets were deserted, and Maduro’s supporters rallied near the presidential palace, while exiles celebrated his downfall.

CARACAS RESIDENTS MOURN AFTER U.S. STRIKES KILL CIVILIANS

On January 5, 2026, Wilman Gonzalez described pulling his aunt, Rosa Gonzalez, 78, from the rubble of their home in La Guaira after U.S. airstrikes. Rosa later died in hospital. The strikes, also injured Gonzalez and destroyed eight apartments. Locals compared the devastation to war zones in Palestine and Iraq, as Venezuela’s interim government and the UN warned of worsening instability.

U.S. DEPLOYED NEARLY 200 TROOPS IN CARACAS RAID

On January 5, 2026, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that nearly 200 American troops participated in the overnight raid in Caracas, and over 150 aircraft to capture Nicolás Maduro. The operation, which left 32 Cuban security personnel dead, was the first U.S. military action of its kind in Venezuela.

VENEZUELA’S PROSECUTOR CALLS RAID A “WAR CRIME”

On January 6, 2026, Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab urged New York judges to dismiss Nicolás Maduro’s trial, arguing the U.S. lacks jurisdiction over a sovereign leader. He called the attack an aggression and a war crime. The operation drew global condemnation. The UN and EU criticized the use of force, while Venezuela’s defense minister vowed to document casualties and damages.

COLOMBIAN GUERRILLA LEADERS FLEE VENEZUELA

On January 7, 2026, Colombian guerrilla commanders, including ELN and FARC dissidents, fled Venezuela following U.S. airstrikes that captured Nicolás Maduro and killed 55 Venezuelan and Cuban troops. Bogotá deployed 30,000 soldiers to the 2,200-kilometer border, fearing spillover violence. The U.S. had previously accused Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro of drug ties, prompting Petro to vow armed resistance if threatened.

U.S. RAID IN VENEZUELA KILLS 100

On January 8, 2026, Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello reported 100 deaths, both civilians and combatants, and a similar number of injuries from the U.S. operation that captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were allegedly both wounded. The military displayed funerals of slain soldiers, as Cuba confirmed 32 of its security personnel were killed. The UN warned the intervention undermined international law, while Venezuela’s prosecutor opened investigations into civilian and military casualties, calling the raid a “war crime.”

TRUMP ENVISIONS YEARS OF U.S. CONTROL OVER VENEZUELA’S OIL

On January 8, 2026, Donald Trump told the New York Times that the U.S. could control Venezuela and its oil for “much longer” than a year, with Vice President JD Vance stating Washington will manage Venezuela’s energy resources and finances to serve U.S. national security interests. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez called the oil deal “nothing extraordinary,” while Caracas residents expressed uncertainty.

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

U.S. LIFTS SANCTIONS ON THREE INTELLEXA SPYWARE FIGURES

On January 5, 2026, the U.S. lifted sanctions on three individuals linked to the Israeli spyware consortium Intellexa, including Polish national Sara Aleksandra Fayssal Hamou. The firm remains blacklisted for developing Predator spyware, used to target U.S. officials, journalists, and politicians. Intellexa’s tools were central to a 2022 Greek wiretapping scandal. The sanctions had frozen assets and banned commercial dealings with the individuals.

AMNESTY DENOUNCES “BRUTAL REPRESSION” IN UGANDA

On January 5, 2026, Amnesty International accused Ugandan security forces of torture, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation targeting opposition supporters ahead of the January 15 election. Over 400 people linked to Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform party (NUP) have been detained, and there are fears of an internet shutdown during voting. The government denied plans to restrict internet access, but Amnesty warned of escalating violence. Museveni, in power since 1986, faces Wine, a popular singer-turned-politician, in a repeat of the disputed 2021 election.

TOGO OPPOSITION DEMANDS RELEASE OF 70 “POLITICAL PRISONERS”

On January 5, 2026, Togo’s opposition and civil society groups called for the release of 70 political prisoners still detained after President Faure Gnassingbé’s New Year’s Eve pardon freed 1,500 inmates, including 75 political detainees. The opposition accused the government of maintaining harsh conditions for those arrested during 2025 protests, which left seven dead. French activist Steeve Rouyar, arrested in June, was among those released.

TRUMP CONSIDERS “USING THE MILITARY” TO ACQUIRE GREENLAND

On January 6, 2026, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated Donald Trump is exploring “all options,” including military force, to acquire Greenland, citing national security interests in the Arctic. The announcement sparked alarm in Europe, with Denmark and the EU reaffirming Greenland’s sovereignty. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen dismissed Trump’s claims of Chinese influence in Greenland, while French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian PM Mark Carney condemned any violation of Danish sovereignty. The move follows Trump’s military operation in Venezuela.

ISRAEL’S TOP DIPLOMAT VISITS SOMALILAND

On January 6, 2026, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Hargeisa, Somaliland, following Israel’s recognition. Saar praised Somaliland as a “functional democracy” and pledged aid in water, medicine, education, and defense. Somalia condemned the visit as an “unauthorized incursion” and a violation of its sovereignty. The African Union and Arab League also rejected Israel’s recognition, warning it could destabilize the Red Sea and Horn of Africa. Somaliland is seen as a strategic ally for Israel against Iran-backed Houthis.

ISRAEL DEMINES JORDAN BORDER TO BUILD BARRIER

On January 7, 2026, Israel’s Defense Ministry began clearing landmines along the Jordanian border, removing 500 anti-tank mines laid since the 1960s. The project is the first phase of a 500-kilometer “smart border” with sensors, radars, and cameras to prevent arms smuggling, allegedly orchestrated by Iran to supply Palestinian militants in the West Bank. The barrier follows recent tensions and a temporary closure of the Allenby Crossing after a deadly attack by a Jordanian truck driver.

BNP PARIBAS TO APPEAL SUDAN WAR CRIMES VERDICT

On January 8, 2026, BNP Paribas announced it will appeal a New York jury’s October 2025 verdict finding the bank complicit in Sudanese war crimes. The bank argues the case was tried under an incorrect interpretation of Swiss law and that the verdict, $20.75 million in damages to three Sudanese plaintiffs, should not set a broader precedent. The plaintiffs, now U.S. citizens, testified to torture and property destruction by Sudanese forces and Janjaweed militias, funded by BNP Paribas’ trade transactions during Omar al-Bashir’s regime.

U.S. SUSPENDS ALL FOOD AID TO SOMALIA

On January 8, 2026, the U.S. State Department suspended all food aid to Somalia after reports that Somali officials destroyed a World Food Programme warehouse and seized 76 tons of donor-funded food. The U.S. demanded accountability and future aid will depend on the Somali government addressing the issue. The suspension comes as Somalia faces ongoing conflict with al-Shabaab and diplomatic tensions over Somaliland’s recognition by Israel.

SYRIAN ALLEGED ISIS MEMBER TRIED IN GERMANY FOR WAR CRIMES

On January 8, 2026, a 33-year-old Syrian man, Ahmad A., went on trial in Düsseldorf for war crimes and membership in a foreign terrorist organization (ISIS). Prosecutors allege he participated in the 2014 arrest and execution of Sunni Shaitat tribe members who fought ISIS alongside Kurdish forces. Ahmad A., arrested in 2025, faces charges of complicity in murder and torture. Germany has prosecuted several Syrians for crimes committed during the civil war, including former Assad regime members and ISIS fighters.