WEEKLY INTERNATIONAL NEWS REVIEW – Dec. 27th 2025- Jan. 2nd 2026

SUDAN

EXODUS AS VIOLENCE ESCALATES

On December 25–27, 2025, over 10,000 people fled their homes in North Darfur and South Kordofan due to surging violence. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 7,000 residents left Kernoi and Oum Barou in North Darfur, near the Chad border, while 3,100 fled Kadougli, the besieged capital of South Kordofan, where famine was declared in November. Humanitarian organizations evacuated staff after the UN logistics base withdrawal. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) recently advanced into Zaghawa-inhabited areas, previously held by army-aligned militias.

CHAD DENOUNCES CROSS-BORDER ATTACK BY RSF

On December 26, 2025, Chad’s military condemned an RSF drone strike on Al-Tina, killing 2 Chadian soldiers and wounding a third. The army called it an “unjustified aggression” and a deliberate violation of international law, warning of a possible response under UN Charter Article 51. An anonymous high-ranking officer confirmed it was the first time Chadian troops were killed since the Sudan conflict began in April 2023. The RSF, controlling most of North and West Darfur, had recently seized Abu Qomra and Oum Brou, towns on the route to Al-Tina.

DRC

JOURNALIST TORTURED IN BUKAVU

On December 27, 2025, Honneur-David Safari, editor-in-chief of La Prunelle RDC, was abducted in Bukavu by unidentified men and found three days later near Nyantende, showing signs of torture. His lawyer, Pascal Mupenda confirmed the incident. Reporter sans frontières demanded the M23-led coalition (AFC/M23) to investigate the attack and to ensure press safety. The M23 denied holding Safari. The abduction occurred as the M23 controls Bukavu and Goma, and follows a pattern of press intimidation in eastern DRC.

CONTROVERSY OVER ARMY SPOKESMAN’S ANTI-TUTSI REMARKS

On December 28, 2025, DRC army spokesman General Sylvain Ekenge sparked outrage by warning against “infiltration strategies” by Rwanda, specifically targeting Tutsi women in marriages. He suggested such unions could introduce Rwandan influence and “superiority” ideologies. Critics, including John Nsana Kanyoni and the Lucha movement, condemned the remarks as hate speech and called for sanctions. Former magistrate Frédéric Bola compared the rhetoric to the ideology behind the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Ekenge was suspended following the backlash.

MASS EXODUS AS FIGHTING RAGES NEAR UVIRA

On December 29, 2025, hundreds of families fled to Uvira, escaping clashes between the Congolese army and M23 rebels in Kigongo, Katongo, and Kabimba, less than 10 km from Uvira. Local residents reported the influx, with displaced people hosted by families, worsening economic and food insecurity. The Congolese army claimed to have retaken Luhanga and Kigongo after violent fighting, but this was not independently confirmed. The Congolese government accused the Rwandan army and the M23 rebel group of killing over 1,500 civilians and displacing more than 500,000 people in the Uvira area, South Kivu, since the start of December. The M23, backed by Rwanda, seized Uvira on December 10, despite announcing a withdrawal on December 17. The DRC government denounced the presence of three new Rwandan battalions and their advance towards Fizi and Kalemie. Local sources confirmed M23 elements remained in Uvira, collaborating with some residents.

SURGE IN SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN

The UNICEF report highlights the North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri provinces as epicenters, where armed groups operate with impunity. Between January and September 2025, over 35,000 cases of sexual violence against children were recorded in DRC, with nearly 45,000 in 2024, three times the 2022 figure. Girls represent 47% of survivors, up from 27% in 2022. Adolescents, boys, and disabled children are also targeted. Victims often drop out of school due to stigma or pregnancy. Funding for gender-based violence programs dropped to 23% in 2025, threatening support services.

LEBANON

ISRAELI FIRE WOUNDS UN PEACEKEEPER

On December 26, 2025, a UN peacekeeper of the Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was injured injury by Israeli machine-gun fire near the village of Bastarra, south Lebanon. The incident occurred during a routine patrol inspecting a roadblock, following an explosion nearby. A second UNIFIL patrol reported similar gunfire near Kfarshouba. UNIFIL stated it had previously notified the Israeli army of its operations in the area. This marks the latest in a series of incidents, including November and October attacks where Israeli forces fired on UNIFIL positions, wounding another peacekeeper. UNIFIL condemned the actions as violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and called on Israel to cease aggressive behavior.

PALESTINE

PALESTINIAN ATTACK KILLS TWO IN NORTHERN ISRAEL

On December 26, 2025, a Palestinian man killed a 68-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman in separate ramming and stabbing attacks in Beit Shean and Ein Harod. The attacker, from Qabatiya in the West Bank, was then shot by a civilian. The Israeli army launched an operation in Qabatiya, arresting suspects and preparing to demolish the attacker’s home. The attack followed the killing of a 16-year-old Palestinian by Israeli forces in Qabatiya, sparking local outrage.

GAZA TENTS FLOODED AGAIN, RAINS WORSEN HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

On December 28, 2025, heavy rains flooded makeshift shelters in Gaza, leaving displaced families without dry food or blankets. In Mawassi and Deir al-Balah, residents described tents collapsing and children shivering from cold. The UN reports 80% of Gaza’s infrastructure is damaged or destroyed, with 1.5 million homeless. Only 60,000 of 300,000 needed tents have been delivered, according to Amjad Al-Chawa of the Palestinian NGO Network. Israel’s claims 4,200 aid trucks entered Gaza, but restrictions persist. Earlier storms killed 18 and damaged 42,000 shelters.

ISRAELI FORCES KILL MAN AFTER ALLEGED CAR-RAMMING ATTEMPT

On December 30, 2025, Israeli soldiers shot and killed Qais Sami Jaser Allan, 20, after he allegedly tried to ram his car into troops near Einabus in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported three additional injuries of bystanders nearby: two shot and one beaten.

UN CONDEMNS ISRAELI LAW AGAINST UNRWA

On December 30, 2025, the UN criticized Israel’s new law allowing the cutoff of water and electricity to UNRWA properties, risking essential services for millions of Palestinian refugees. The law also permits Israel to seize UNRWA land. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini called the move “scandalous” and part of a campaign to undermine the agency. Former UNRWA head Filippo Grandi warned of dire consequences if services are cut, as UNRWA provides education and healthcare across Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. Israel previously banned UNRWA in 2024, accusing some staff of involvement in the October 2023 attack.

ISRAEL DEMOLISHES HOMES IN WEST BANK REFUGEE CAMP

On December 31, 2025, Israeli bulldozers began demolishing 25 residential buildings in the Nour Shams refugee camp in the northern West Bank, displacing about 100 families. The army stated the demolitions were necessary for “operational needs” and counter-terrorism. Over 1,500 families remain unable to return home after a January military operation. Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed the operation reduced “terrorist activity” and vowed the army would stay as a “buffer”.

ISRAEL BANS 37 MAJOR AID GROUPS FROM GAZA

On January 1, 2026, Israel confirmed the banning of 37 international humanitarian organizations from Gaza, accusing them of failing to provide employee lists for “security” purposes. The Ministry of Diaspora stated that the NGOs’ licenses expired and they have two months to withdraw staff. Gilad Zwick, ministry spokesperson, warned that if the required documents are submitted by March 1, requests will be reviewed. The move risks further slowing aid to Gaza. Affected NGOs include Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Care, World Vision, and Oxfam. MSF and NRC refused to comply, citing lack of guarantees and concerns over staff safety. The EU and UN condemned the decision, warning of worsening humanitarian conditions. Israel claims the measure aims to prevent terrorism.

SYRIA

DEADLY CLASHES DURING ALAWITE PROTESTS

On December 28, 2025, at least 3 people were killed and 60 injured during protests by thousands of Alawites in Lattakia, Syria. A local NGO reported that security forces killed 2 protesters, while state media (Sana) confirmed 3 deaths. General Abdel Aziz al-Ahmad, regional security chief, claimed both security forces and protesters were targeted by gunfire from unknown sources. Protesters, including Ghazal Ghazal, the head of the Alawite Islamic Council, accused authorities of attacking unarmed civilians. The protests followed a mosque attack in Homs on December 26, claimed by Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, which killed 8 Alawites. Demonstrators demanded federalism and the release of Alawite detainees.

ALAWITE NEIGHBORHOODS TARGETED IN LATTAKIA RIOTS

On December 29, 2025, armed groups vandalized Alawite-majority neighborhoods in Lattakia, Syria, leaving one Alawite man dead and widespread damage. The victim was shot dead in his car by three assailants. Residentsdescribed 40-50 attackers smashing cars, shops, and restaurants, while shouting anti-Alawite slogans. Locals accused security forces of slow response. Authorities imposed a curfew and reinforced security. Since the Islamist coalition took power in late 2024, Alawites, linked to former president Bachar al-Assad, have faced repeated attacks, including March 2025 massacres.

IRAN

MOSSAD CLAIMS TO SUPPORT IRAN PROTESTERS

On December 31, 2025, Israel’s secret services posted a message on X in Farsi, urging Iranian protesters to “take to the streets” and claiming it was supporting them “on the ground.” The statement followed meetings between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump, during which Trump warned Iran against rebuilding its nuclear or missile programs. The Mossad’s call comes as protests over economic hardship spread to at least ten Iranian universities. Iran has repeatedly accused Israel of sabotage and assassinations.

IRAN EXECUTES RECORD 1,500 IN 2025

On January 1, 2026, Iran Human Rights (IHR) reported that Iran executed at least 1,500 people in 2025, the highest annual total in over 35 years. Over 700 executions were for drug-related offenses. IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam linked the surge to the regime’s attempt to suppress dissent following the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests and the war with Israel. Amiry-Moghaddam stated that the regime uses the death penalty as a tool of terror, but that recent protests show the strategy is failing.

6 KILLED IN IRAN PROTESTS OVER COST OF LIVING

On January 1, 2026, clashes between protesters and security forces in western Iran left six dead, including a Basij militiaman and several civilians. The protests, which started on December 28 in Tehran over economic hardship and hyperinflation, spread to universities and smaller cities. In Lordegan, two civilians died after protesters threw stones at government buildings; in Azna, three more were killed during an attack on a police station; and in Hamedan, protesters attempted to set fire to a mosque. Authorities arrested 30 people in Tehran. President Massoud Pezeshkian acknowledged the economic crisis.

IRAN WARNS TRUMP: INTERVENTION WOULD CROSS “RED LINE”

On January 2, 2026, Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, declared that any US intervention in Iran would be a “red line” and would trigger a “response,” following Donald Trump’s statement that the US was ready to “come to the aid” of Iranian protesters. Another Khamenei adviser, Ali Larijani, warned Trump that US interference risked destabilizing the entire Middle East as well as US interests in the region.

EASTERN EUROPE

RUSSIA STRIKES KIEV KILLS 2

On December 26, 2025, Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack on Kiev, killing two people, injuring dozens, and leaving 600,000 households without power. The strike, using 519 drones and 40 missiles, came just before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s planned meeting with Donald Trump in Florida to discuss territorial issues and Western security guarantees. Zelensky accused Russia of undermining peace efforts, while Trump stated he would decide on Ukraine’s fate. The attack also damaged residential buildings, schools, and kindergartens, and caused widespread heating outages.

­STRIKES INJURE PEOPLE IN BOTH UKRAINE AND RUSSIA

On December 31, 2025, Russian drone strikes on Odessa injured six people, including a seven-month-old baby and two other children. The attack also damaged residential buildings and caused water and heating outages. Odessa, Ukraine’s main Black Sea port, has faced weeks of intensified Russian strikes on energy and port infrastructure. In the east, two men were injured by Russian drones in Dnipropetrovsk. In Russia, drone attacks wounded two in Tuapse and three in Belgorod, damaging a refinery and homes.

RUSSIA ACCUSES UKRAINE OF KILLING 27 IN NEW YEAR’S DRONE ATTACK

On January 1, 2026, Russia accused Ukraine of killing 27 people in a drone strike on a café and hotel in the occupied Kherson village of Khorly during New Year’s celebrations. Moscow’s installed governor, Vladimir Saldo, shared images of charred bodies and accused Kiev of sabotaging peace talks. Ukraine did not immediately respond, but President Zelensky later stated that Russia launched over 200 drones at Ukrainian energy infrastructure that night. Ukraine authorities later denied accusations that its drone strike killed civilians. Ukrainian military spokesman Dmytro Lykhoviy stated that Ukraine only targets military sites.

MYANMAR

JUNTA ACCUSES REBELS OF ATTACKS ON ELECTION DAY

On December 28, 2025, Myanmar’s junta accused rebel groups of launching “malicious and brutal” drone, rocket, and bomb attacks during the military-organized elections and the day prior, injuring at least five civilians. The junta claimed attacks occurred in 11 of the 102 townships where the first phase of voting took place. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) claimed a landslide victory, winning 82 of 102 lower house seats, though official results were not yet released. The 2021 coup, which ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, sparked a civil war and led to the dissolution of her party, which was absent from the ballot. Analysts, including Morgan Michaels of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, dismissed the election as neither free nor fair, citing the exclusion of opposition parties and voter intimidation. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing defended the vote as “free and fair,” though elections were canceled in nearly one-fifth of constituencies due to rebel control.

ROHINGYA LEADERS PUSH FOR REPATRIATION FROM BANGLADESH

On December 29, 2025, newly elected leaders of the United Rohingya Council (UCR) in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar camps called for renewed efforts to repatriate over one million Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. The UCR, formed after July’s first-ever refugee elections, aims to represent Rohingya interests in negotiations with Myanmar and Bangladesh. President Mohammad Sayed Ullah urged refugees not to forget the violence in Rakhine State, where many fled a 2017 military crackdown now under genocide investigation at the ICJ. While the UCR offers hope for many, analysts question its independence, noting close oversight by Bangladeshi authorities. Security threats from ongoing civil war in Myanmar complicate repatriation efforts.

THAILAND-CAMBODIA

THAILAND AND CAMBODIA AGREE TO CEASEFIRE

On December 27, 2025, Thailand and Cambodia signed a joint declaration for an immediate ceasefire, effective at 12:00 local time, ending three weeks of deadly border clashes that left at least 47 dead and displaced nearly one million people. The agreement, signed by both countries’ defense ministers, includes freezing military positions, demining border areas, cooperating against cybercrime, and releasing 18 Cambodian soldiers held by Thailand within 72 hours. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the truce as a “positive step,” while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the EU urged both sides to honor the commitment. China, which brokered talks, praised the dialogue. A previous ceasefire in October had collapsed after a mine explosion injured Thai soldiers.

CAMBODIAN POWs FREED BY THAILAND

On December 31, 2025, the 18 Cambodian soldiers released by Thailand after five months in captivity were greeted by jubilant crowds in Phnom Penh. The soldiers, captured on July 29, hours after a US-China-Malaysia-brokered ceasefire, were paraded through the streets in buses. Prime Minister Hun Manet and his wife met the soldiers.

INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

AFGHANISTAN PROBES DEADLY BORDER CLASH WITH TAJIKISTAN

On December 27, 2025, Afghanistan’s Taliban government announced an investigation into a border clash with Tajikistan that left five dead, including two Tajik border guards. The incident, which Tajikistan blamed on “terrorists” crossing from Afghanistan, occurred in Tajikistan’s Khatlon province. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi pledged cooperation with Tajikistan to prevent further violence, warning of “malicious circles” seeking to destabilize relations. Tajikistan, the only Central Asian state openly critical of the Taliban, has faced repeated cross-border attacks, including a December incident that killed five Chinese nationals.

SOMALILAND RECOGNITION: AL-SHABAAB VOWS TO FIGHT ISRAELI PRESENCE

On December 27, 2025, Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist group, vowed to “fight” any Israeli use of Somaliland territory, following Israel’s official recognition of the breakaway republic. Al-Shabaab spokesperson Ali Dheere called the move a “humiliation” and accused Israel of being the “greatest enemy of the Islamic world.” Israel’s recognition, the first by any country, was condemned by Somalia as an “attack on sovereignty.” Analysts suggest the move could secure Israel’s access to the Red Sea. Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991, has functioned autonomously with its own currency, army, and police, but remains internationally isolated. The announcement sparked regional condemnation.

NEPAL’S FORMER INTERIOR MINISTER QUESTIONED OVER SEPTEMBER CRACKDOWN

On December 29, 2025, Nepal’s former Interior Minister Ramesh Lekhak testified before an inquiry commission, denying he ordered the use of force during September protests that left 77 dead and toppled the government. Lekhak, who resigned after 20 protesters were killed outside Parliament, insisted he only urged security forces to avoid casualties. The commission, led by former judge Gauri Bahadur Karki, is investigating the violent suppression of demonstrations against social media bans and elite corruption. Former Prime Minister Sharma Oli, also summoned, called the commission “unconstitutional.” Nepal, now under interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, faces early elections on March 5, 2026.

US STRIKES KILL EIGHT IN ANTI-DRUG OPERATIONS

On December 31, 2025, the US military announced strikes over the past 48 hours targeting vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking, killing at least eight people. The operations, part of a broader campaign launched in September, included strikes on two vessels Wednesday and one Tuesday, with five “narco-terrorists” confirmed dead. The US Southern Command stated that intelligence confirmed the vessels’ involvement in drug routes. Since the campaign’s start, over 100 people have been killed in similar strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific. The UN and legal experts have questioned the legality of these operations, with the UN Human Rights Chief calling for investigations into extrajudicial killings.

128 JOURNALISTS KILLED IN 2025, FEDERATION REPORTS

On December 31, 2025, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) reported that 128 journalists were killed worldwide in 2025, the highest annual toll in years. Over half of the deaths occurred in the Middle East, with 56 journalists killed in the Palestinian territories alone. The IFJ also noted 533 journalists imprisoned globally, a quarter of them in China and Hong Kong. IFJ Secretary-General Anthony Bellanger condemned the “red alert” for press freedom, citing impunity as the main driver of violence against journalists. The IFJ’s count, which includes accidental deaths, exceeds that of Reporters Without Borders (67 killed in 2025). The UN recorded 93 journalist deaths for the year.

VIETNAM CONVICTS TWO DISSIDENTS IN ABSENTIA

On December 31, 2025, a Vietnamese court sentenced in absentia two prominent dissidents, lawyer Nguyen Van Dai and journalist Le Trung Khoa, to 17 years in prison each for “anti-state activities.” Both men, living in exile in Germany, were convicted of producing and distributing materials critical of Vietnam’s Communist government. Dai, a longtime democracy advocate, had previously served prison terms for similar charges. Khoa was accused of using his website to attack Vietnamese leaders and distort press freedom. The trial, condemned as a “judicial farce” by Dai, reflects Vietnam’s ongoing crackdown on dissent.

UGANDA ARRESTS PROMINENT HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER

On December 31, 2025, Ugandan police arrested Sarah Bireete, a leading human rights lawyer and director of the Center for Constitutional Governance, just weeks before the January 15 presidential and legislative elections. Bireete, whose home was surrounded by security forces, was detained without formal charges. The arrest was seen as an attempt to silence criticism of President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, and to intimidate civil society ahead of the vote. Opposition leader Bobi Wine condemned the move, linking it to a pattern of repression against activists, journalists, and opposition figures. Uganda recently restricted Starlink and satellite internet imports, raising fears of election-related internet shutdowns, as seen in neighboring Tanzania.

TAIWAN PRESIDENT VOWS TO DEFEND SOVEREIGNTY AMID CHINESE DRILLS

On January 1, 2026, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te pledged to “firmly defend national sovereignty” after China concluded two days of large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, simulating a blockade and live-fire strikes. China’s drills, involving dozens of aircraft and warships, followed a $11.1 billion US arms sale to Taiwan, the largest since 2001. Lai, in his New Year’s address, called for unity and a strong defense to deter Chinese aggression, warning that internal disputes weaken Taiwan’s position. He also highlighted international support, including Japan’s suggestion of potential military intervention in case of a Chinese attack.