OVERVIEW
Week 51
During the third week of December 2025:
In SUDAN, a drone strike killed six UN peacekeepers in Kadugli, and another killed seven people at a Kordofan hospital. Civilians in Kadugli described living in panic under RSF siege. The WHO reported the unlawful detention of 70 health workers and 5,000 civilians in Nyala. A report accused the RSF of mass killings and evidence concealment in El-Fasher, and the UN documented over 1,000 civilian deaths in a Zamzam camp attack. In the DRC, the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group seized Uvira, displacing 200,000, before announcing a “unilateral” withdrawal. Clashes and shelling forced thousands to flee to neighboring countries and in western DRC, 22 civilians were killed in ethnic violences. In ETHIOPIA and ERITREA, the UN warned of renewed tensions, as both sides accused each other of warmongering. In Amhara, civilians were victims of crossfire between federal forces and Fano militias. The UN demanded the release of 10,000 political prisoners in Eritrea. Sweden confirmed a jailed journalist is alive after 24 years in Eritrean detention.
In PALESTINE, Israel advanced three controversial media bills, sparking condemnation from press freedom groups. Floods in Gaza killed 16, including 3 children, as storms collapsed homes and worsened humanitarian situation. Airstrikes in Gaza also killed and injured several people, including civilians. The WHO reported over 1,000 Gaza patients died awaiting medical evacuation since July 2024, and the UN warned 1.6 million still face acute food insecurity. About 20 Israelis illegally entered Gaza, calling for reoccupation. The UN reported Israel advanced plans for 47,390 new settler housing units in the West Bank in 2025 while settler violence surged. Israel notified the demolition of 25 homes in Nour Shams camp, displacing 100 families, as militaries and settlers killed two Palestinian teens in the West Bank. Netanyahu praised US sanctions on ICC judges. In LEBANON, Israel conducted strikes that killed several persons, bringing the post-ceasefire death toll to about 340, including civilians. Israel also launched raids across southern and eastern Lebanon. In YEMEN, Houthi rebels arrested 10 more UN staff, bringing the total detained to 69, accusing them of spying for foreign services.
In Eastern Europe, RUSSIA convicted ICC prosecutor Karim Khan and judges in absentia for issuing arrest warrants against Russian officials. The EU proposed a multinational force for UKRAINE as Russia claimed control of Kupiansk. Russian strikes wounded 32 in Zaporizhzhia, and a British national was sentenced to 13 years in Russia for mercenary activities. Ukraine conducted a strike in Russia, which killed civilians. BELARUS freed an opposition leader but many other political opponents remain in jail. Belarus also deployed a Russian nuclear-capable missile on its territory and spying systems were discovered on local journalists’ phones. AZERBAIJAN is going to pardon over 20,000 convicts, but the 400 political prisoners are unlikely to benefit.
In MYANMAR, the junta denied killing civilians in a hospital airstrike despite suspicions, and dismissed election criticism. The State’s services charged over 200 for “disrupting” the elections over minor actions. In THAILAND and CAMBODIA, border clashes killed dozens of people and displaced 800.000 of thousands, with China stepping in as a mediator following US failure.
Regarding international justice / relations, the ICC upheld its Gaza war crimes probe. In FRANCE, a former RDC warlord was convicted for complicity in crimes against humanity. GUINEA opened trial for the 2009 stadium massacre. The UN called for a probe into a student leader’s assassination in BANGLADESH. In HONG KONG a pro-democracy media tycoon was convicted under the national security law. In MALI, a colonel was dismissed for reporting military abuses. UK’s MI6 warned of hybrid war with Russia. In the Pacific, the US strikes targeting boats killed eight persons in a “drug trafficking” crackdown, drawing legal criticism.
NEWS BY COUNTRY
SUDAN
6 UN PEACEKEEPERS KILLED IN DRONE STRIKE ON KADUGLI
On December 13, 2025, a drone attack on the UNISFA peacekeeping base in Kadougli, South Kordofan, killed six Bangladeshi soldiers and wounded six others. The Sudanese army blamed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who denied responsibility. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack, while Sudan’s Prime Minister Kamil Idris called for UN action against the “terrorist militia.” The RSF, which has besieged Kadougli for 18 months, recently shifted focus to the Kordofan region after seizing Darfur. Civilians in Kadougli described living in constant fear as the city remains under RSF siege, with food and medical supplies nearly exhausted. Residents reported indiscriminate shelling, drone attacks, and accusations of espionage from both the army and RSF.
7 KILLED IN DRONE STRIKE ON KORDOFAN HOSPITAL
On December 14, 2025, a drone strike on a military hospital in Dilling, South Kordofan, killed seven people and injured twelve. The attack targeted a facility serving both civilians and soldiers in the army-controlled city. The RSF, allied with a SPLM-N faction, has intensified operations in oil and gold-rich Kordofan, aiming to capture Dilling.
W.H.O. ALARMED BY DETENTIONS IN NYALA
On December 16, 2025, the WHO expressed grave concern over the detention of over 70 health workers and 5,000 civilians in Nyala, South Darfur, by RSF and allied SPLM-N factions. Detainees are held in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions, with disease outbreaks reported. The WHO called for their immediate release, noting that attacks on health care agents and facilities have killed 1,620 this year. The conflict has left millions displaced.
POWER OUTAGES HIT MAJOR SUDANESE CITIES
On December 18, 2025, drone strikes on the Al-Muqrin power station in Atbara plunged Khartoum, Port Sudan, and other cities into darkness, and killed two workers. The army blamed the RSF, which has increasingly targeted civilian infrastructure. The strikes disrupted electricity from the Merowe Dam, Sudan’s largest hydroelectric source, affecting millions. The RSF has escalated drone attacks across Sudan.
RSF ACCUSED OF MASSACRE COVER-UP IN EL-FASHER
On December 17, 2025, a Yale University report accused the RSF of mass killings and hiding evidence in El-Fasher, North Darfur, after its October takeover. Satellite imagery revealed 150 potential body clusters, with 60 later removed, suggesting mass grave concealment. The UN and NGOs demand access to investigate. Meanwhile, a Lighthouse Reports investigation documented 59 ethnically motivated attacks by the army and allied militias in Al-Jazira state, targeting non-Arab communities accused of RSF collaboration.
OVER 1,000 CIVILIANS KILLED IN ZAMZAM CAMP ATTACK
On December 18, 2025, the UN Human Rights Office reported that RSF attacks on Zamzam displacement camp (April 11–13) killed at least 1,013 civilians, including 319 summarily executed. Survivors also suffered mass rape, torture and enslavement. The RSF had blocked food, water, and aid before the assault, forcing 400,000 to flee. The UN called for urgent action to end atrocities and ensure accountability.
DRC
M23 SEIZES UVIRA
On December 12, 2025, the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group captured Uvira, a strategic city in eastern DR Congo. The group, which already controlled Goma and Bukavu, now holds the DRC-Burundi border, cutting off Kinshasa’s military support. Residents reported sporadic gunfire as M23 conducted house-to-house searches for pro-government militias. Civilians described forced community labor and a curfew. The Red Cross reported 100 gunshot victims admitted to Uvira’s hospital between December 2-11.
EXODUS TO RWANDA
On December 12, 2025, thousands of Congolese civilians fled after heavy shelling destroyed homes and killed dozens. Refugees in Rwanda’s Nyarushishi refugee camp described indiscriminate bombing by DRC and M23 forces. The UN warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis, with over 200,000 displaced since the M23’s December offensive with abandoned villages and looted homes lining the Ruzizi Plain. The US-brokered “peace accord” between DRC’s Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s Kagame, signed December 4, failed to halt the violence.
M23 ADVANCES DESPITE US CONDEMNATION
On December 13, 2025, the M23 continued its advance in eastern DRC, capturing Kipupu without resistance after Burundian troops withdrew. Clashes erupted between pro-Kinshasa militias and the M23-allied Twirwaneho militia near Fizi and Baraka. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned Rwanda’s “clear violation” of the Washington peace accord, vowing consequences. The UN warned of a potential regional conflagration.
M23 CONTROLS BORDER
On December 15, 2025, Burundian soldiers and M23 rebels faced each other at the Kavimvira border post, as over 500 Burundian civilians returned home under M23 escort. The UN warned of a “conflagration” in the Great Lakes region. Roads between Kamanyola and Uvira were littered with burned military vehicles, abandoned weapons, and deserted villages. Civilians described harrowing escapes, with families separated and homes destroyed.
M23 PLEDGES UVIRA WITHDRAWAL
On December 16, 2025, M23 announced a “unilateral” withdrawal from Uvira, following US pressure. New day, local sources reported columns of M23 vehicles leaving the city but that some fighters remained in the city. In Burundi, 85,000 Congolese refugees faced catastrophic conditions, with officials reporting starvation and a lack of basic supplies. The US accused Rwanda of deploying 5,000 to 7,000 troops in eastern DRC, violating the Washington peace deal. M23’s advance threatens mineral-rich Haut-Katanga, as clashes continued near Baraka and Fizi.
22 CIVILIANS KILLED IN WESTERN DRC
On November 23, 2025, at least 22 civilians, including four women and four children, were killed in Nkana village, Kwamouth territory (Mai-Ndombe province), by “Mobondo” militiamen from the Yaka ethnic group. Armed with guns and machetes, the attackers targeted Teke villagers in retaliation for refusing the installation of a new Yaka customary chief. Human Rights Watch reported that the Mobondo militia has burned Teke villages and killed dozens since June 2023, amid escalating land disputes.
ERYTREA – ETHIOPIA
UN WARNS OF RENEWED ETHIOPIA-ERITREA TENSIONS
On December 12, 2025, the UN urged Ethiopia and Eritrea to respect each other’s territorial integrity, expressing concern over “renewed tensions” 25 years after the Alger Agreement ended their 1998–2000 border war (80,000 dead). Addis Ababa accuses Asmara of funding armed groups and preparing for war, while Eritrea claims Ethiopia covets its Red Sea port of Assab. The UN called for a return to the “vision of lasting peace” that earned Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.
UN DEMANDS RELEASE OF 10,000 ARBITRARILY DETAINED IN ERITREA
On December 15, 2025, the UN called for the unconditional release of an estimated 10,000 political prisoners, journalists, and students held in Eritrea, including the “G11” reformists arrested in 2001. The appeal followed the recent release of 13 detainees after 18 years in Asmara’s Mai Serwan prison, where some were held in extreme conditions. Eritrea, ruled by Issaias Afwerki since 1993, has never held elections and ranks among the world’s worst for human rights.
SWEDEN CONFIRMS JAILED JOURNALIST DAWIT ISAAK ALIVE AFTER 24 YEARS
On December 19, 2025, Sweden’s foreign minister confirmed that Swedish-Eritrean journalist Dawit Isaak, detained without trial since 2001, is still alive. Maria Malmer Stenergard’s visit to Asmara, the first by a Swedish minister since Eritrea’s independence, raised hopes for his release. Isaak, 61, was arrested in a crackdown on dissent. His daughters called the visit a “positive sign,” and Amnesty International continues to demand his immediate freedom. Eritrea has yet to respond to the humanitarian appeal.
LEBANON
ISRAEL HALTS STRIKE AFTER LEBANESE ARMY INTERVENTION
On December 13, 2025, Israel’s military “temporarily” suspended a planned airstrike on alleged Hezbollah infrastructure on Yanouh, southern Lebanon, after the Lebanese army requested access to the site. Lebanese security sources said residents initially blocked army searches but later evacuated, fearing the strike. Israel’s Arab-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated the military “continues to monitor the target” and will not allow Hezbollah to rearm.
ISRAELI STRIKE ON THE SOUTH
On December 14, 2025, Israel’s military announced it killed two Hezbollah members in Yater and Bint Jbeil, southern Lebanon, accusing them of rebuilding military infrastructure in violation of the November 2024 ceasefire. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported 3 deaths in strikes on Yater, Safad Al-Battikh, and Jwaya.
ISRAELI STRIKES KILL 2
On December 16, 2025, Israeli airstrikes hit two vehicles in Sibline and Adaïssé, southern Lebanon, killing 2 people and wounding 5. Israel’s military claimed the targets were Hezbollah members. Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed the casualties.
ISRAEL LAUNCHES RAIDS
On December 18, 2025, Israel’s air force struck multiple sites in southern and eastern Lebanon, targeting alleged Hezbollah weapons depots and operational bases. The raids came ahead of a ceasefire monitoring meeting involving Lebanon, Israel, the US, France, and the UN. Since the November 2024 ceasefire, Israeli operations in Lebanon have killed about 340 people, including civilians.
PALESTINE
NEW LAWS RESTRICT PRESS
On December 12, 2025, Israel’s government advanced three controversial media bills: a reform of public broadcasting, a law to ban foreign TV channels, and the closure of the popular military radio Galei Tsahal. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi’s public broadcasting reform was criticized by government legal advisor Gali Baharav-Miara as endangering press freedom. The Israeli Journalists’ Union and Reporters Without Borders condemned the moves as “muzzling” independent media. The government also seeks to expand its power to ban foreign channels like Al Jazeera, which it accuses of Hamas propaganda. The Foreign Press Association denounced ongoing restrictions on independent media access to Gaza.
GAZA FLOODS: 16 DEAD
On December 12, 2025, at least 16 Palestinians, including 3 children, died in Gaza due to torrential rains and flooding caused by storms. The Civil Defense reported 13 houses collapsed in Bir al-Naja, Nuseirat and Gaza City. Children Hadil Al-Masri (9), Taim Al-Khawaja (months old), and Rahaf Abou Jazar (8 months) died from hypothermia. Residents described sleeping on wet mattresses and lacking dry clothes. The WHO warned of rising respiratory infections due to overcrowded, unsanitary conditions. Over 90% of Gaza’s population remains displaced after two years of war.
SETTLER EXPANSION IN WEST BANK
On December 12, 2025, a UN report revealed that Israel advanced plans for 47,390 settler housing units in the West Bank in 2025, the highest since monitoring began in 2017. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the expansion as illegal and a threat to Palestinian statehood. The report also noted a surge in settler violence, sometimes with Israeli security forces’ support.
ISRAELI STRIKE KILLS 4 PALESTINIANS IN GAZA
On December 13, 2025, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza’s Tal al-Hawa neighborhood killed 4 Palestinians after their car was hit by missiles, according to Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Bassal. The strike followed Israel’s announcement of targeting a Hamas military figure, Raad Saad.
WEST BANK: 25 HOMES SLATED FOR DEMOLITION IN NOUR SHAMS CAMP
On December 15, 2025, Israeli authorities notified the demolition of 25 residential buildings in the Nour Shams refugee camp, displacing 100 families. Governor Abdallah Kamil and camp official Faisal Salama confirmed the order. UNRWA’s Roland Friedrich called the demolitions “unacceptable” and part of a broader strategy to alter the West Bank’s geography.
PALESTINIAN TEENS KILLED
On December 15, 2025, 16-year-old Ammar Yasser Mohammad Taamara was shot dead by Israeli forces during a raid in Tuqua, near Bethlehem. The army said soldiers fired at stone-throwers. Next day, on December 16th, another teen, 16-year-old Mouheeb Ahmed Jibril was shot dead by an Israeli settler near Bethlehem.
ISRAELIS ILLEGALLY ENTER GAZA, CALL FOR REOCCUPATION
On December 18, 2025, about 20 Israelis entered Gaza, raised the Israeli flag in the former Kfar Darom settlement, and called for Gaza’s reoccupation. The army removed them, warning of dangers in combat zones. Settlement leader Daniella Weiss vowed to return Israeli control over Gaza.
OVER 1,000 DIE WAITING FOR MEDICAL EVACUATION
On December 19, 2025, the WHO reported 1,092 patients died in Gaza while awaiting medical evacuation between July 2024 and November 2025. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the figure “likely underestimated” and urged more countries to accept Gaza patients. Over 18,500 patients still need evacuation, with children making up a significant portion.
FOOD CRISIS PERSISTS
On December 19, 2025, the UN announced the end of famine in Gaza but warned 1.6 million still face acute food insecurity. It cited improved aid access post-ceasefire, but noted damaged farmland, destroyed infrastructure, and 80% unemployment. Israel’s foreign ministry disputed the report, claiming it underrepresents aid volumes.
YEMEN
HOUTHIS ARREST 10 MORE UN STAFF
On December 18, 2025, Houthi rebels in Sanaa arrested 10 Yemeni UN employees, bringing the total number of detained UN personnel to 69. The Houthis have repeatedly accused UN staff and aid workers of spying for the US and Israel, charges the UN denies. These arrests follow a pattern of increased detentions since the October 2023 Gaza war. Last month, a Houthi court sentenced 17 people to death for alleged espionage. The UN’s deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, confirmed the latest arrests and said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had raised the issue with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, who mediates in the Yemeni conflict.
EASTERN EUROPE
BELARUS: KOLESNIKOVA FREED, VOWS NO REGRETS
On December 14, 2025, Belarusian opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova, released after over five years in prison, declared she “regrets nothing” about her struggle against President Alexander Lukashenko. She was among 123 political prisoners freed in a deal involving the lifting of US sanctions. Kolesnikova, 43, became a symbol of resistance after tearing up her passport to avoid forced expulsion in 2020. Viktor Babariko, a former banker and 2020 presidential candidate, was also freed. His son Eduard Babariko remains imprisoned. Many political opponents remain in prison as well.
UKRAINE-US TALKS IN PROGRESS, EU PROPOSES MULTINATIONAL FORCE
On December 14, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held talks in Berlin, reporting “much progress” on a 20-point peace plan and economic programs. Zelensky seeks a ceasefire without territorial concessions, while the US pushes for Ukraine to cede parts of Donbass. European leaders later proposed a “multinational force” to guarantee Ukraine’s security, backed by the US, and long-term support for an 800,000-strong Ukrainian army. The Kremlin dismissed the proposals, insisting on Ukraine’s non-NATO status and territorial concessions.
AZERBAIJAN TO PARDON OVER 20,000 CONVICTS
On December 15, 2025, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev proposed pardoning more than 20,000 convicts, the largest such move in the country’s history. However, the 400 political prisoners identified by the European Parliament are unlikely to benefit.
RUSSIA CLAIMS CONTROL OF KUPIANSK, UKRAINIAN COUNTER-CLAIMS
On December 16, 2025, Russia announced it had “full control” of Kupiansk, a key northeastern Ukrainian city, despite Ukrainian claims of recent advances in the area. Russian military spokesman Leonid Charov stated that “all districts are under Russian control,” though Ukrainian groups continue daily attempts to enter the city.
RUSSIA’S CRACKDOWN ON NAVALNY’S ORGANIZATIONS
On December 16, 2025, the European Court of Human Rights ruled unanimously that Russia violated multiple articles of the European Convention on Human Rights by targeting organizations linked to Alexei Navalny. The court found that raids, asset freezes, and the labeling of Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation as “extremist” were part of a concerted effort to eliminate democratic opposition. Russia must pay damages of €5,000 to €30,000 to each applicant, though Moscow no longer recognizes the court’s authority.
RUSSIAN STRIKES WOUND 32 IN ZAPORIZHZHIA
On December 17, 2025, Russian airstrikes on Zaporizhzhia and surrounding areas wounded at least 32 people, including 5 children. Regional official Ivan Fedorov reported damage to a residential building, a house, and an educational facility. The city, home to 710,000 before the war, is regularly shelled as the front line lies less than 30 km away. Russia claims annexation of the Zaporizhzhia region.
NEW SPYWARE TARGETS BELARUSIAN JOURNALISTS
On December 17, 2025, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) revealed that Belarusian security services used a new spyware, “ResidentBat,” to monitor journalists. The software, installed manually during interrogations, grants access to calls, messages, screenshots, and files.
DRONE ATTACKS KILL 3 IN AZOV SEA PORT
On December 18, 2025, a Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian port of Rostov-on-Don killed three people: two crew members on a cargo ship and one civilian in nearby Bataisk. The attack caused a fire that was later contained. Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian ports and oil terminals in response to Russian bombardments.
BELARUSIAN CONVICTED IN RUSSIA FOR SABOTAGE
On December 18, 2025, a Russian military court sentenced Belarusian national Sergei Yeryomeyev to 22 years in prison for sabotaging oil trains in Siberia in November 2023. The FSB accused him of acting on orders from Ukrainian secret services (SBU) and a Belarusian contact in Lithuania. The attacks, which caused fires and disrupted rail traffic, were the first confirmed Ukrainian sabotage operations deep inside Russia. The same day, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced the deployment of Russia’s nuclear-capable Orechnik ballistic missile in Belarus.
LAVROV REJECTS EU MULTINATIONAL FORCE IN UKRAINE
On December 19, 2025, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the European proposal for a multinational force in Ukraine as an “insolent” attempt to establish military control over Ukrainian territory. The EU plan, announced December 15, aims to provide security guarantees and economic support to Ukraine. Lavrov warned that Russia would consider any Western forces in Ukraine as “legitimate targets.”
BRITISH NATIONAL SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS IN RUSSIA FOR “MERCENARY” ACTIVITIES
On December 18, 2025, a Russian court in Donetsk sentenced British national Hayden Davies to 13 years in prison for “mercenary activities” after he fought for Ukraine. Davies, captured in late 2024, told the court he entered Ukraine via Poland in August 2024, received military training, and earned about $500 per month. Russia systematically labels foreign fighters in Ukraine as mercenaries. In recent months, Russian courts have handed similar 13-year sentences to a Czech national in Luhansk and two Colombians in Donetsk. In October 2024, a Moscow court sentenced 70-year-old American Stephen Hubbard to six years and ten months for the same charge.
MYANMAR
CIVILIAN DEATHS IN HOSPITAL AIRSTRIKE
On December 10, 2025, Myanmar’s military junta denied killing civilians in an airstrike on Mrauk U Hospital in Rakhine State, after being accused by the WHO, which said it killed at least 33 people and wounded at least 20, including medical staff, patients, and families. The junta’s media, Global New Light of Myanmar, claimed those killed or injured were “terrorists and their supporters.” The Arakan Army (AA), which controls most of Rakhine, reported 33 dead and 76 wounded. The UN called for investigations, warning such attacks could constitute war crimes.
MYANMAR JUNTA DISMISSES ELECTION CRITICISM
On December 14, 2025, Myanmar’s junta rejected international criticism of its upcoming elections, set to begin on December 28, 2025. Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun stated the elections are “for Myanmar, not the international community,” and dismissed concerns about their fairness. He suggested junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, who has ruled since the 2021 coup, could take a leading role in the new government, citing his “state experience.” The UN, and foreign countries like the UK and Thailand have deemed the elections neither free nor fair. The National League for Democracy (NLD), which won the 2020 election, has been dissolved, and its leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains imprisoned. Residents of Shan State described living “in fear” as junta-organized elections approach. The town, a former rebel stronghold retaken by the military in July 2025 after 11 months of fighting, is surrounded by checkpoints and landmines. Former soldier Hein Htoo Hlaing, now running for office, said, “I want to work for peace,” acknowledging civilians are “caught in the crossfire.” The junta’s elections, starting December 28, are widely seen as a sham to legitimize military rule.
MYANMAR JUNTA CHARGES OVER 200 FOR “DISRUPTING” ELECTIONS
On December 17, 2025, Myanmar’s junta announced it is prosecuting 229 people for “disrupting” the upcoming elections under a law critics say silences dissent. Interior Minister Tun Tun Naung said those charged include activists and rebels, some for minor acts like “liking” critical Facebook posts. Three artists were arrested for “false and misleading” social media posts. The junta’s crackdown adds to over 22,000 political prisoners. The UN’s Tom Andrews called the elections an “imposture,” citing repression and lack of freedom. Results are expected by late January 2026.
THAILAND – CAMBODIA
THAI VOLUNTEERS GUARD VILLAGES ON THE BORDER
On December 15, 2025, Thai farmers patrolled their deserted village in Buriram province, near the Cambodian border, after clashes erupted on December 7. The group, trained by local authorities in first aid, survival, and unexploded ordnance, feeds abandoned livestock, guards homes, and holds checkpoints, all unpaid. Over 800,000 people have fled both sides of the border since fighting resumed.
CAMBODIA ACCUSES THAILAND OF BOMBING SIEM REAP
On December 15, 2025, Cambodia accused Thailand of dropping two bombs near a displaced persons camp in Srei Snam district, Siem Reap province, 70 km from the contested border and close to Angkor Wat. Cambodia’s Defense Ministry claimed a Thai F-16 struck near a school, forcing students to flee. Information Minister Pheaktra Neth called it a violation of international law. Cambodia reported 15 civilian deaths; Thailand confirmed 16 dead (both militaries and at least one civilian). Both sides blame each other for restarting hostilities, despite a US-brokered truce in October.
CLASHES CONTINUE, CHINA STEPS IN AS MEDIATOR
On December 18, 2025, Cambodia accused Thailand of bombing Poipet, a key border crossing and casino hub, as fighting entered its 12th day. China dispatched an envoy to mediate and ASEAN foreign ministers will meet on December 23. Previous US mediation attempts failed.
INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
MALI: COLONEL DISMISSED FOR REPORTING MILITARY ABUSES
On December 12, 2025, Malian Colonel Alpha Yaya Sangaré was dismissed from the army by decree for “disciplinary measures.” Sangaré, imprisoned since March 2024, authored the book Mali: Le défi du terrorisme en Afrique (2023), which cited international reports documenting military abuses against civilians during counterterrorism operations. The ruling junta, led by General Assimi Goïta, accused him of undermining the army’s reputation. Since seizing power in 2020–2021 coups, the junta has pivoted from France to Russia and cracked down on dissent, silencing opposition and civil society.
RUSSIA CONVICTS ICC PROSECUTOR AND JUDGES IN ABSENTIA
On December 12, 2025, a Moscow court sentenced in absentia ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan to 15 years in prison and eight ICC judges, including former president Piotr Hofmanski, to terms ranging from 3.5 to 15 years. The court ruled that Khan had illegally issued arrest warrants against Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, for the alleged war crime of illegally deporting Ukrainian children. The ICC had also issued warrants for former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
HONG KONG PRO-DEMOCRACY MEDIA TYCOON CONVICTED
On December 14, 2025, Hong Kong’s pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, 78, was convicted of sedition and collusion with foreign forces under the national security law imposed by Beijing. The court ruled Lai orchestrated plots to impose sanctions on China and published content inciting disaffection. Judge Esther Toh stated Lai’s “hatred” for China was evident in his writings. Lai faces up to life imprisonment; sentencing is pending. The UK condemned the politically motivated trial, while China defended the verdict as lawful. Lai, founder of the now-banned Apple Daily, has been detained since 2020. Rights groups called the conviction a death knell for press freedom in Hong Kong.
MI6 CHIEF WARNS OF “EVERYWHERE FRONT LINE”
On December 15, 2025, MI6 Director Blaise Metreweli, in her first public speech, warned that Russia’s hybrid threats have made the “front line everywhere.” She emphasized the need for technological mastery in intelligence, from labs to field operations, and pledged unwavering UK support for Ukraine against Russian military operations. Metreweli also highlighted a 50% surge in significant cyberattacks on the UK from 2024–2025, attributed to Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.
CHINESE UYGHUR INVESTIGATOR FACES US DEPORTATION
On December 15, 2025, Chinese national Guan Heng, 38, who filmed suspected Uyghur detention sites in Xinjiang in 2021, faced deportation from the US. His lawyer will contest a plan to send him to Uganda, citing risks of Chinese retaliation. Guan fled China after publishing his footage, entering the US illegally via South America. His mother, Luo Yun, fears for his safety if returned to China, where authorities reportedly interrogated family members. The UN has accused China of detaining over a million Uyghurs in possible crimes against humanity or genocide. Beijing denies the allegations.
CONGOLESE WARLORD LUMBALA SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS FOR WAR CRIMES
On December 15, 2025, a Paris court sentenced former Congolese rebel leader Roger Lumbala to 30 years in prison for complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by his troops in 2002–2003. The “historic” verdict marked the first time a French court used universal jurisdiction to convict for atrocities in eastern DRC. Prosecutors described Lumbala as a “mastermind” behind the “Erase the Board” operation, which included mass rape, torture, mutilation, and forced labor. Victims testified to horrific abuses, including amputations and collective rape. NGOs hailed the ruling as a blow to impunity in DRC’s decades-long conflict.
ICC REJECTS ISRAEL’S APPEAL, UPHOLDS GAZA WAR CRIMES PROBE
On December 15, 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) rejected Israel’s appeal challenging its jurisdiction to investigate alleged war crimes in Gaza. The court upheld its 2021 ruling that its territorial jurisdiction extends to Gaza, despite Israel not being a party to the Rome Statute. The ICC had issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Gaza war has killed over 70,000 Palestinians.
US STRIKES KILL EIGHT IN PACIFIC
On December 16, 2025, the US military struck three vessels in the eastern Pacific, killing eight people allegedly involved in drug trafficking. The US Southern Command stated the boats were on known drug routes, acting under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s orders. Since September, the US has targeted 26 vessels, killing 95 people, without presenting evidence of their involvement. The UN, NGOs, and lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, question the strikes’ legality. A closed-door House hearing is scheduled for December 17. Admiral Alvin Holsey, overseeing the campaign, resigned amid reported tensions with Hegseth. Human Rights Watch and the UN have condemned the strikes as illegal under international law. The US has bolstered its Caribbean military presence.
NETANYAHU PRAISES NEW US SANCTIONS ON ICC
On December 18, 2025, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised new US sanctions on two ICC judges after they rejected Israel’s appeal to halt a Gaza war crimes probe. Netanyahu thanked US leadership for “combating the weaponization of law.”
GUINEA OPEN TRIAL FOR SEVEN IN 2009 STADIUM MASSACRE
On December 18, 2025, a Guinean court began trying seven individuals, including three fugitives, for their roles in the September 28, 2009 stadium massacre in Conakry. At least 156 people were killed and 109 women raped during the crackdown on an opposition rally. Colonel Bienvenu Lamah, a gendarmerie officer detained since 2022, faces charges of murder, rape, and torture. This follows a historic 2023 trial that convicted former dictator Moussa Dadis Camara to 20 years in prison (later pardoned) and sentenced six others to life.
UN CALLS FOR PROBE INTO BANGLADESH STUDENT LEADER’S ASSASSINATION
On December 19, 2025, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged Bangladesh to conduct an “impartial, thorough, and transparent” investigation into the assassination of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi, a candidate in the February 12 elections and a figure in the 2024 student uprising, died from injuries. His death sparked protests in Dhaka.
