WEEKLY INTERNATIONAL NEWS REVIEW – Nov. 22nd-28th 2025

SUDAN

DOCTORS AND DISPLACED TESTIFY ON WAR’S CONSEQUENCES

On November 24, 2025, in Al-Dabbah camp, northern Sudan, doctors, pharmacists, and nurses, all displaced from Darfur, treated civilians in rudimentary clinics set up in tents. The camp, funded by a Sudanese businessman and located near the Nile, hosts hundreds of families fleeing the conflict. Ilham Mohamed, a pharmacist from El-Facher and Dr. Ikhlass Abdallah, who worked at the Saudi hospital in El-Facher, described treating patients in secret to avoid reprisals from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF, according to Abdallah, targeted medics. The camp’s five clinics, staffed by volunteers like Ahmed Al-Tijani (OIM) and Fatima Abdelrahman, struggle with limited resources, treating respiratory and intestinal infections, and assisting over 150 pregnant or breastfeeding women. Abdallah also recounted a drone strike on El-Facher’s last functioning hospital.

UAE SLAMS SUDAN ARMY CHIEF FOR BLOCKING US-BACKED TRUCE

On November 24, 2025, the United Arab Emirates criticized Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhane for rejecting a US-backed truce proposal. UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem al Hashimy accused Burhane of “obstruction” and “stubborn refusal” to accept the ceasefire. Burhane, in a video, called the proposal “the worst” and accused US envoy Massad Boulos of echoing Emirati talking points. The UAE, part of the “Quad” mediation group with the US, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, denied arming the RSF, despite international reports suggesting otherwise.

RSF DECLARES UNILATERAL THREE-MONTH TRUCE

On November 24, 2025, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdane Daglo, announced a unilateral three-month humanitarian truce, following international pressure.

ARMY CLAIMS TO REPEL RSF ATTACK IN STRATEGIC SOUTHERN TOWN

On November 25, 2025, the Sudanese army stated it repelled an RSF attack on its infantry base in Babanusa, Kordofan, a strategic town linking Kordofan to Darfur. The army claimed to have destroyed RSF vehicles and killed several field commanders and “mercenaries.” Communications in Kordofan have been cut for months, preventing independent verification.

GUINEA-BISSAU

MILITARY COUP IN GUINEA-BISSAU: PRESIDENT EMBALO DETAINED, ELECTIONS SUSPENDED

On November 26, 2025, heavy gunfire erupted near the presidential palace in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, as soldiers from the presidential guard and elite gendarmerie units seized control of the main avenue leading to the palace. The shooting caused panic, prompting hundreds to flee the area. By mid-afternoon, calm had returned, but the fate of President Umaro Sissoco Embalo remained unknown. Military officers, led by General Denis N’Canha, announced they had taken “total control of the country,” suspended the electoral process, closed all borders, and imposed a curfew. N’Canha cited national security concerns and alleged plots as justification. Embalo was later confirmed detained at the military headquarters, along with the chief of staff and interior minister. The National Election Commission was also attacked by armed men.

GENERAL HORTA N’TAM NAMED TRANSITION LEADER, EMBALO FLEES

On November 27, 2025, General Horta N’Tam, former army chief of staff, was sworn in as the new strongman of Guinea-Bissau, heading a one-year transition. The capital remained under heavy military surveillance, with checkpoints and patrols. The junta reopened borders, lifted the curfew, and banned all protests. President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, initially detained, left for Senegal “safe and sound” on a flight arranged by the Senegalese government. The UN condemned the coup, calling for the immediate restoration of constitutional order. Opposition candidate Fernando Dias claimed victory. Domingos Simoes Pereira, leader of the historic PAIGC party, was also arrested.

NIGERIA

10 KIDNAPPED IN THE WEST, AS ABDUCTION WAVE CONTINUES

On November 24, 2025, gunmen abducted 10 women and children from Isapa village, Kwara State, western Nigeria. Police Commissioner Adekimi Ojo said the attackers fired sporadically before seizing the victims around 7 p.m. This follows the November 17 abduction of 35 Christians in a church nearby Eruku, Kwara State. Police and locals are searching for the victims.

10 MORE ABDUCTED, KIDNAPPING CRISIS DEEPENS

On November 26, 2025, armed men kidnapped 10 people from Angwan-Kawo and Kuchipa villages, central Nigeria. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the abduction and said rescue efforts were underway. This brings the total number of abducted individuals in Nigeria to over 350 in the past 10 days, including the 315 students and teachers from Saint Mary School of Papiri. President Bola Tinubu declared a national security emergency, ordered the recruitment of 50,000 new police officers, and redeployed personnel from VIP protection to frontline duties. Some victims have been rescued or escaped, but many remain missing.

MALI

RUSSIAN FORCES STRUGGLE TO BREAK JIHADIST FUEL BLOCKADE IN MALI

Mali faced expanding jihadist fuel blockades imposed by the JNIM armed group on the roads from Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, causing national shortages and attacks on convoys. Mali, aligned with Russia since 2021, relied on the Africa Corps, the successor to Wagner, for air support and since late 2025 for ground escorts. According to Maria Zakharova, from the Russian foreign affairs ministry, the group was “actively deployed” to secure fuel convoys, but a European intelligence source said these operations repeatedly failed at high cost. JNIM warned that all tanker drivers would be treated as “military targets.” The article cites accusations by Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime of massacres, torture and rape by Russian PMCs, which jihadists use to present themselves as protectors. Analysts Héni Nsaibia and Ulf Laessing noted Africa Corps’ limited combat engagement, its concentration in northern Mali and its growing role in convoy security. In early November, General Assimi Goïta called the blockade a “diversion” and said real targets included Kidal, Tombouctou, Ber, Ménaka and Gao. Mid-November, Malian troops and Russian soldiers retook the Intahaka mining site in Gao region. ACLED data cited 924 civilians killed in 2024 and 434 since January 2025 in incidents involving Wagner and the Malian army.

LEBANON

ISRAELI STRIKES CONTINUE IN SOUTHERN LEBANON DESPITE CEASEFIRE

On November 22, 2025, an Israeli airstrike killed a man in Zawtar el-Charqiyeh, southern Lebanon. Five more were wounded in a drone attack in Chaqra. Israel’s army said it targeted Hezbollah agents and sites.

HEZBOLLAH MILITARY CHIEF KILLED IN BEIRUT SUBURB

On November 23, 2025, Israel killed Hezbollah’s military chief, Haitham Ali Tabatabai, in a strike on a densely populated building in Beirut’s southern suburb. The attack, which targeted the third and fourth floors of a nine-story building, left 5 dead and 28 wounded, according to Lebanese authorities. Israel’s army confirmed the strike, stating it was ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. Tabatabai, previously responsible for Hezbollah’s Yemen and Syria portfolios, had risen to military chief after the deaths of senior commanders during the 2024 war. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack and called for international intervention.

UN CALLS FOR IMPARTIAL PROBES INTO LEBANON STRIKES

On November 25, 2025, the UN Human Rights Office demanded rapid, impartial investigations into Israeli strikes in Lebanon, especially the November 18 attack on Ain el-Heloue refugee camp, which killed at least 13 civilians, including children. The UN said all documented victims were civilians, raising concerns over potential violations of international humanitarian law. Israel claimed it killed Hamas militants in the camp. The UN also noted that Israeli attacks have killed at least 127 civilians in Lebanon since the ceasefire.

ISRAEL FORTIFIES FIVE POSITIONS IN SOUTHERN LEBANON

As of November 26, 2025, Israel continues to occupy and fortify five military posts in southern Lebanon, despite the ceasefire requiring full withdrawal. Satellite images show expanded access roads and fortifications at sites along the border, overlooking strategic Lebanese villages. Israel justifies its presence by citing Hezbollah’s activity. The UN and Lebanon demand Israel’s withdrawal, while the US and Israel accuse Lebanon of delaying Hezbollah’s disarmament. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned there would be “no calm” in Lebanon until Israel’s security is guaranteed. He vowed to intensify pressure on Hezbollah, citing the recent killing. Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati expressed concern over escalating tensions and pledged efforts to de-escalate. Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun rejected Israeli allegations against the Lebanese army, calling them baseless.

AIRSTRIKES NEAR JEZZINE ON CEASEFIRE ANNIVERSARY

On November 27, 2025, Israel conducted new airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting alleged Hezbollah infrastructure. The strikes hit Al-Mahmoudiya and Al-Jarmak near Jezzine, with smoke seen rising from several villages. Israel denied violating the ceasefire, claiming it acted to prevent Hezbollah’s rearmament.

PALESTINE

ISRAELI STRIKES KILL 21 IN GAZA

On November 22, 2025, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 21 Palestinians in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Nuseirat, according to Mahmoud Bassal, spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense. The Israeli military claimed it targeted Hamas sites in response to an armed attack near its positions in southern Gaza. Khalil Al-Daqran, spokesperson for Gaza’s Health Ministry, reported over 20 victims, mostly women and children, at al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah. Israel stated it killed five senior Hamas operatives, while Hamas accused Israel of expanding its control beyond agreed ceasefire lines.

GAZA CIVIL DEFENSE REPORTS 7 DEAD IN ISRAELI ATTACKS

On November 22, 2025, Gaza’s Civil Defense reported at least 7 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes across Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Nuseirat. Mahmoud Bassal, the organization’s spokesperson, detailed 3 deaths in Gaza City, 3 in Deir al-Balah, and 1 in Nuseirat. The Israeli military simultaneously announced it had killed a terrorist who crossed into its positions in southern Gaza. The attack occurred as the October 10^th ceasefire between Israel and Hamas showed signs of unraveling, with both sides accusing each other of violations.

ISRAELI MILITARY KILLS 3 IN GAZA

On November 24, 2025, Gaza’s Civil Defense reported three Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks: two by a drone in Bani Suheila (east of Khan Younis) and one by a tank shell in al-Touffah (Gaza City). The Civil Defense spokesperson confirmed the deaths. The Israeli military stated it targeted three terrorists near Khan Younis. Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis received two dead and three wounded, one critically. Al-Shifa Hospital’s director, Mohammad Abou Salmiya, confirmed one death and several wounded from tank fire in al-Touffah.

ISRAELI GENERALS DISBANDED OVER OCTOBER 7 ATTACK FAILURES

On November 24, 2025, Israel’s military announced the dismissal of three generals, Aharon Haliva, Oded Basyuk, and Yaron Finkelman, for their roles in the failures leading to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir also imposed disciplinary measures on several other officers, including Tomer Bar and David Saar Salma. Defense Minister Israel Katz demanded a review of the military’s report, deepening tensions with Zamir. The moves follow a committee’s findings of “systemic and organizational failure” in Israel’s military response.

CONTROVERSIAL HUMANITARIAN GROUP ENDS MISSION

On November 24, 2025, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by Israel and the US, announced the end of its emergency mission in Gaza, claiming it distributed 187 million meals “without Hamas diversion.” Director John Acree praised the operation, while the US State Department thanked GHF for pressuring Hamas into ceasefire talks. The UN had criticized GHF for violence at its aid sites, which reportedly killed over 1,000 people.

GAZA RESIDENTS FEAR ISRAELI “YELLOW LINE” SHIFTS

On November 24, 2025, Gaza residents in Shujaiya discovered yellow concrete blocks placed overnight by the Israeli military, marking the contested “yellow line” demarcating Israeli-controlled zones. Local residents Ibrahim Farahat and Fadi Shafiq Hararah reported the blocks’ sudden appearance, sparking fears of further Israeli encroachment. The military denied expanding its zone, but Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem accused Israel of violating the ceasefire by advancing the line westward.

ANTI-HAMAS PALESTINIAN ARMED GROUPS SUPPORT ISRAEL IN GAZA

The Israeli-controlled eastern zone of Gaza, depopulated since the October ceasefire, hosts a few hundred militiamen from at least four groups, all armed and funded by Israel according to Le Monde. Hussam Al-Astal, a former Palestinian Authority officer sentenced to death by Hamas for allegedly assassinating one of its engineers, escaped from Gaza’s Asdaa prison. Now, he leads a pro-Israeli group in the ruins of Khan Younis, just 1 km from an Israeli base, within the so-called “yellow line” dividing Gaza. Al-Astal, 50, claims to protect 25 families and vows to “rid Gaza of Hamas.” His allies include Yasser Abou Shabab, allegedly a gang leader from the Tarabin clan, accused of looting aid convoys and killing drivers. Another key figure is Ashraf Al-Mansi, who commands 50 men in northern Gaza, and Rami Hillis, a former Palestinian Authority security officer based near Gaza City. Israeli military intelligence (Unit 504) reportedly facilitated their rise. Since the ceasefire, these militias have posted videos flaunting new Israeli-supplied buggies and tactical gear, while selling goods at Israeli prices. They have clashed with Hamas twice. Meanwhile, Hamas has reasserted control in western Gaza, executing 7 alleged collaborators in mid-October.

UN WARNS OF GAZA’S “TOTAL RUIN”

On November 25, 2025, the UN warned that Gaza’s survival is at risk, with the territory reduced to “total ruin” by Israeli military operations. The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reported that Gaza’s economy, infrastructure, and governance have collapsed, requiring $70 billion for reconstruction. UNCTAD called for a universal basic income and coordinated international aid to prevent decades of suffering. The war has killed 69,756 Palestinians and 1,221 Israelis according to the UN.

ISRAEL KILLS 5 IN RAFAH TUNNEL

On November 25, 2025, the Israeli military killed five Palestinians emerging from a tunnel in Rafah, southern Gaza. The military stated the fighters were “likely” from a terrorist organization.

OPERATION IN WEST BANK TARGETS ARMED GROUPS

On November 26, 2025, the Israeli military launched an operation in the northern West Bank, targeting armed groups in Tubas, Tammun, Tayassir, and Faraa refugee camp. Governor Ahmad Assaad reported airstrikes and heavy gunfire. The military claimed to have seized terrorist funds and located an observation post, but no arrests were confirmed. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported 10 injured from soldier beatings. Palestinians officials condemned the operation as part of an annexation project.

ISRAELI SETTLER CHARGED WITH TERRORISM

On November 27, 2025, Israeli settler Ariel Dahari, 24, was indicted for terrorism after beating a Palestinian woman with a stick in Turmus Ayya, West Bank. The attack, filmed and widely shared, left the woman with severe injuries. Dahari, from Oz Yair outpost, was also charged with racist vandalism. The UN reported a surge in settler violence in 2025, with over 500,000 Israeli settlers living among 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank.

NEGOTIATIONS OVER TRAPPED HAMAS FIGHTERS IN GAZA TUNNELS

On November 27, 2025, negotiations involving Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, and the US focused on the fate of 60-80 Hamas fighters trapped in tunnels under Israeli-controlled Gaza. A Hamas official confirmed efforts to secure their safe passage to non-Israeli zones, warning that the issue could destabilize the ceasefire. Israel previously rejected safe passage for 200 fighter.

ISRAELI FORCES EXECUTE TWO SURRENDERING PALESTINIANS

On November 27, 2025, Israeli forces shot dead Montasser Billah Mahmoud Abdullah, 26, and Youssef Ali Assassa, 37, in Jenin, West Bank, as they appeared to surrender. Videos showed the men exiting a building with raised arms, lying down, then being shot. The Palestinian Authority called it a “summary execution” and “war crime.” The UN demanded an independent investigation.

FRENCH COURT TO PROBE WAR CRIMES IN GAZA CHILDREN’S DEATHS

On November 28, 2025, French prosecutors requested a judicial investigation into the deaths of two French children, Janna and Abderrahim Abudaher, killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza on October 24, 2023. The prosecutors cited “deliberate attack on civilians” as a war crime. The children’s grandmother LDH had filed the complaint.

UN DEMANDS ISRAEL INVESTIGATE TORTURE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST PALESTINIANS

On November 28, 2025, the UN Committee against Torture called on Israel to establish an independent commission to investigate allegations of systematic torture against Palestinian detainees. The Committee cited reports of severe beatings, electric shocks, stress positions, inhumane detention conditions, and food deprivation. The Committee also expressed concern over settler violence and the use of administrative detention. Israel’s ambassador to the UN rejected the accusations.

SYRIA

ALAWITE PROTESTS FOR JUSTICE ON SYRIAN COAST

On November 25, 2025, thousands protested in Latakia, Jableh, and other coastal cities, strongholds of Syria’s Alawite minority, demanding justice, the release of 9,000 detained former soldiers, and federalism for the region. Clashes with pro-government counter-protesters left several lightly injured. The Alawite Supreme Islamic Council organized the rallies, echoing fears after March massacres killed over 1,700 Alawites and July’s Druze-Sunni violence left 2,000 dead. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) recorded 42 protests, as authorities imposed a curfew in Homs.

SYRIAN PRESIDENT PLEDGES TO ADDRESS ALAWITE DEMANDS BUT FEDERALISM

On November 27, 2025, Syrian President Ahmad al-Chareh acknowledged “legitimate popular demands” from Alawite protesters but rejected calls for coastal federalism, insisting on national unity and Syria’s strategic need for coastal access. The former jihadist leader, in power since December 2024, referenced decades of Assad-era divisions and pledged to examine grievances seriously, while emphasizing the coast’s importance.

ISRAELI KILLS 13, DAMASCUS DENOUNCES “WAR CRIME”

On November 28, 2025, Israeli forces killed 13 people in Beit Jinn, 40 km southwest of Damascus, during a pre-dawn operation targeting alleged Jamaa Islamiya militants. The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the raid as a “war crime,” while survivors Iyad Taher and Ahmad Kamal described Israeli fire hitting homes and a mosque. The Israeli military reported six soldiers wounded in clashes. Beit Jinn’s mayor, Abdel Rahmane al-Hamraoui, said locals resisted the incursion. The SOHR called it the deadliest Israeli operation outside the Golan buffer zone since Assad’s fall. Israel has conducted hundreds of strikes in Syria over the past year, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on demilitarizing southern Syria, despite UN opposition to Israel’s Golan annexation.

YEMEN

HOUTHI COURT SENTENCES 17 TO DEATH FOR ESPIONAGE

On November 22, 2025, a Houthi-run court in Sanaa sentenced 17 people to death by firing squad for spying for Israel, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. The defendants, whose identities were not disclosed, were accused of collaborating with foreign intelligence agencies and providing information on missile sites, official movements, and recruitment activities between 2024 and 2025. The Houthi-controlled Saba news agency stated that these activities led to deadly strikes on military, security, and civilian sites. The sentencing follows a wave of arrests, including UN employees, and comes after the August 2025 Israeli airstrike that killed Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed Ghaleb al-Rahwi and several ministers in Sanaa.

AFGHANISTAN

STRIKES KILL 10 CIVILIANS, KABUL VOWS RETALIATION

On November 25, 2025, Pakistani airstrikes on three Afghan border regions, Khost, Kunar, and Paktika, killed 9 children and 1 woman and injured 4 others, according to Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. In Khost, drones and aircraft targeted a civilian home. The strikes followed a suicide attack on Pakistani security forces, which Pakistan linked to Afghan nationals. The Taliban government denied involvement and vowed a “timely and appropriate” response to the strikes, as tensions escalate amid Kabul’s growing ties with India and stalled Pakistan-Afghan trade.

THREE CHINESE WORKERS KILLED IN CROSS-BORDER ATTACK FROM AFGHANISTAN

On November 26, 2025, three Chinese nationals employed by the company Shohin SM were killed in an armed attack launched from Afghanistan into Tajikistan’s southern Khatlon region. The Tajik Foreign Ministry reported that the assault, involving firearms and a drone carrying grenades, targeted the workers. Authorities did not identify the attackers at this point. Tajikistan urged Afghan officials to ensure border security along the 1,350-kilometer frontier. This incident follows the killing of another Chinese national near the Afghan border in November 2024. Chinese firms in Tajikistan primarily seek natural resources. Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rakhmon, critical of the Taliban, has called for respect for ethnic Tajiks in Afghanistan. Recent months have seen sporadic clashes and meetings between Taliban and Tajik officials, with concerns over jihadist groups operating in the mountainous region.

EASTERN EUROPE

SOVEREIGNTY AS CORE OF FUTURE PEACE DEAL

On November 23, 2025, the US and Ukraine announced that any future peace agreement to end the war with Russia “must fully respect Ukraine’s sovereignty” following “constructive” talks in Geneva. The negotiations, attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ukrainian negotiator Andriï Iermak, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and NATO’s top commander in Europe General Alexus Grynkewich, focused on a revised 28-point plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. The new version, described as “significantly better” for Kiev, allows Ukraine to maintain an 800,000-strong army and leaves territorial issues for presidential-level discussions. Meanwhile, Russia claimed the capture of three villages in eastern Ukraine: Petrivské (Donetsk), Tikhé and Otradné (Dnipropetrovsk).

RUSSIAN DRONE ATTACK KILLS 4, INJURES 17 IN KHARKIV

On November 23, 2025, a Russian drone strike on residential buildings in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, killed 4 people and wounded 17, according to Mayor Igor Terekhov. The attack, which destroyed three apartment blocks and a civilian infrastructure site, occurred despite ongoing peace negotiations in Geneva. Terekhov condemned the strike as a deliberate targeting of civilians. Russia has intensified drone and missile attacks across Ukraine, frequently targeting energy infrastructure.

RUSSIA & UKRAIN STRIKES EACH OTHER, CASUALTIES ON BOTH SIDE

On November 25, 2025, a massive Russian drone and missile barrage on Kiev killed 7 and injured 19. Russia claimed further territorial gains in the East, while Ukraine launched nearly 250 drones at Russian targets, killing 3 in Rostov.

NEW RUSSIAN CONDITIONS TO STOP THE WAR

On November 27, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Poutine declared Moscow would “cease hostilities” if Ukrainian forces withdraw from territories Russia claims as its own, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporijjia. Poutine insisted on international recognition of these regions as Russian, excluding Ukraine’s approval. He also warned of economic retaliation if the West seizes frozen Russian assets. Meanwhile, the Russian Supreme Court labeled Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation a “terrorist” organization, exposing its supporters to life imprisonment. The move was condemned by Amnesty International as an attempt to “erase Navalny’s legacy.” Navalny was the head of the political opposition in Russia until he was arrested and died in prison.

RUSSIA BANS HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH AS CRACKDOWN INTENSIFIES

On November 28, 2025, Russia added Human Rights Watch (HRW) to its list of “undesirable” organizations, effectively banning its operations and exposing anyone associated with it to prosecution. The decision, announced by the Russian Justice Ministry, follows a pattern of repression against critical NGOs since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. HRW, which had already closed its Russian offices in 2022, has repeatedly accused Russian forces of committing abuses in Ukraine.

UKRAINIAN TEENS ESCAPE FORCED RUSSIAN MOBILIZATION IN MARIUPOL

On November 26, 2025, Ukrainian teenagers, recounted to AFP their escape from Russian-occupied Mariupol, where they faced forced conscription into the Russian army. After their school was turned into a recruitment center, they fled the area despite risks of retaliation. They described the city’s devastation, including the 2022 theater bombing that killed dozens, and the systematic pressure on young Ukrainians to join Russian forces. Ukrainian officials claim over 46,000 Ukrainians have been forcibly mobilized in occupied territories.

RUSSIA’S AI PROPAGANDA WAR: FAKE VIDEOS TARGET UKRAINIAN MORALE

On November 26, 2025, AFP revealed a surge in AI-generated fake videos on social media, depicting Ukrainian soldiers in despair or surrendering, as part of a Russian disinformation campaign. These videos, some using the faces of Russian streamers without consent, aim to undermine Ukrainian morale and international support. Analysts warn that such content, spread across platforms like TikTok, Telegram, and Facebook, is becoming harder to detect and is used to “humanize” Russian propaganda. TikTok removed some accounts, but the videos continue to circulate in multiple languages.

JORDAN DEMANDS RUSSIA STOP RECRUITING ITS CITIZENS FOR UKRAINE WAR

On November 27, 2025, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry demanded Russia cease recruiting Jordanians into its army and investigate the deaths of two Jordanian nationals fighting for Russia in Ukraine. The ministry warned against online entities targeting Jordanians for recruitment and vowed to take all necessary measures to stop the practice.

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

CONVICTION FOR SREBRENICA GENOCIDE DENIAL

On November 21, 2025, a Bosnian court upheld the first conviction for denying the Srebrenica genocide, sentencing Vojin Pavlovic, a 49-year-old leader of the pro-Russian nationalist group “Istocna alternativa,” to three and a half years in prison. Pavlovic was found guilty of inciting national, racial, and religious hatred and discord. The appeals court increased his original two-and-a-half-year sentence. In March 2023, Pavlovic displayed a banner in Bratunac featuring Ratko Mladic’s portrait with birthday wishes; in July 2023, he organized a rally and posted flyers thanking the Republika Srpska Army for “liberating” Srebrenica. The 1995 Srebrenica massacre, recognized as genocide by international courts, claimed 8,000 Bosnian Muslim lives.

GERMANY PROBES 100-YEAR-OLD EX-NAZI CAMP GUARD FOR WAR CRIMES

On November 24, 2025, German prosecutors confirmed an ongoing investigation into a 100-year-old former guard at the Stalag VI nazi camp, suspected of involvement in executions between December 6, 1943, and September 22, 1944. Thousands of prisoners died in inhumane conditions at the camp, which held over 100,000 detainees. Recent years have seen several trials of former Nazi camp personnel in Germany, though many accused died before sentencing.

POLAND SUMMONS ISRAELI AMBASSADOR

On November 24, 2025, Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski summoned Israel’s ambassador after Yad Vashem’s X post stated that Poland was the first country to force Jews to wear a distinctive badge in 1939, without clarifying the Nazi occupation. Polish officials, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk, criticized the post as misleading or deliberate. Yad Vashem later clarified that the order came from Nazi governor Hans Frank, but the controversy persisted.

ICC PROSECUTOR REAFFIRMS CENTRAL AFRICAN REBEL’S ROLE IN WAR CRIMES

On November 25, 2025, ICC prosecutors reaffirmed Mahamat Saïd Abdel Kani’s “essential contribution” to war crimes and crimes against humanity as a senior commander in the Séléka rebel coalition during Central African Republic’s 2013 civil war. Saïd is accused of torturing detainees suspected of supporting ousted president François Bozizé. The prosecution stated that victims were targeted for political, ethnic, religious, or gender-based reasons, with most being Christian men.

CONGO WAR CRIMES TRIAL: WITNESS THREATENED

On November 26, 2025, a Congolese customary chief testified at the Paris Assize Court that he was threatened with death in Kisangani, DRC, days before traveling to France to testify against former rebel leader Roger Lumbala. Lumbala, 67, is on trial for complicity in crimes against humanity during the 2002–2003 “Erase the Board” offensive in northeastern DRC. The witness described executions, forced labor, and torture under Lumbala’s RCD-N faction, which sought control of the region’s mineral wealth. Congolese Pygmy leaders testified in Paris about systematic rape. One chief described his sister’s fatal rape by three soldiers; another recounted being forced to watch his sister’s assault. Lumbala denies the charges and refuses to attend the trial.

TAIWAN PRESIDENT PLEDGES $40 BILLION DEFENSE BOOST

On November 26, 2025, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te announced a $40 billion defense spending increase over several years to achieve a “high level of combat readiness” by 2027, aiming to deter Chinese threats. Lai, in a Washington Post editorial, said the plan would fund new U.S. arms purchases and accelerate development of the “T-Dome” air defense system. The proposal follows U.S. approval of a $330 million military sale to Taiwan and comes amid rising tensions with China, which claims the island and has not ruled out forceful reunification.

LAFARGE TRIAL: EXECUTIVES DEFEND PAYMENTS TO JIHADISTS AS “LESSER EVIL”

On November 26, 2025, former Lafarge executives testified in Paris that the company paid millions to ISIS and other jihadist groups in Syria (2013–2014) to keep its Jalabiya cement plant running, calling it the “lesser evil” to protect local staff. Bruno Pescheux, former LCS Syria CEO, and Christian Herrault, ex-deputy CEO, admitted to payments but denied sole responsibility, implicating then-CEO Bruno Lafont. Lafarge and eight ex-executives face terrorism financing and embargo violation charges. The plant was seized by ISIS in September 2014.

RWANDA ACCUSES DRC OF DELAYING PEACE DEAL

On November 27, 2025, Rwandan President Paul Kagame accused DRC authorities of delaying the signing of a Washington-brokered peace agreement aimed at ending the conflict in eastern DRC. The deal, agreed upon by foreign ministers in June, has yet to be signed by both heads of state. Kagame claimed Kinshasa set new conditions after the June agreement, causing the delay. The conflict, marked by M23’s capture of Goma and Bukavu, continues despite ceasefire declarations. Kinshasa and M23 also signed a peace roadmap in Qatar mid-November.

ICC REJECTS DUTERTE’S REQUEST FOR MEDICAL RELEASE

On November 28, 2025, the ICC upheld its decision to deny former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s request for provisional release on medical grounds. The 80-year-old, detained since March 2025, faces charges of crimes against humanity for his “war on drugs,” which killed thousands. The court ruled that Duterte remains a flight risk and could influence witnesses. A separate decision on his fitness to stand trial is pending.