The conflict in Myanmar is escalating, with the military battling both youth-led "People's Defence Forces" and long-established ethnic minority armed groups such as the AA, which control large areas of territory along the country's borders. The situation has led to a humanitarian crisis, with over 3.5 million people displaced, including an increase of 1.5 million from last year. The UN Development Programme warned that Rakhine is heading towards famine due to the conflict's impact on commerce and agricultural production. The UN humanitarian agency OCHA predicts a grim outlook for 2025, with 19.9 million people - more than a third of the population - likely to need aid.
https://channelnewsasia.com/asia/myanmar-junta-air-strike-kills-40-ethnic-armed-group-rescue-worker-4847826The Israel-Hamas war has resulted in a devastating loss of life, with Gaza's Health Ministry reporting that more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 109,000 wounded. The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, has caused widespread destruction in Gaza, displacing around 90% of its 2.3 million residents. Women and children make up more than half the fatalities, with many killed in residential areas or while seeking shelter in hospitals. The Israeli military claims to have killed over 17,000 militants, but this figure is disputed. Despite indirect talks mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, a ceasefire remains elusive, with major obstacles hindering progress.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/gazas-health-ministry-says-the-palestinian-death-toll-from-war-surpassed-46000/article69080476.eceViolence has erupted in Myanmar as a military vehicle dropped an explosive near a house, amidst ongoing conflict that began after the military seized power in a 2021 coup. The situation is part of a larger struggle between the military and pro-democracy forces, which have led to widespread displacement of civilians.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/01/09/world/myanmar-military-adopts-anti-junta-fighters-drone-tactics/2036066The Houthis have been enforcing a maritime blockade in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November, attacking US and other vessels, citing solidarity with Palestinians killed in Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. The Houthi attacks have numbered over 130, prompting the US to launch Operation Prosperity Guardian in December 2023 to protect vessels in the region. In response, the US has also launched strikes into Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, targeting the group's military capabilities.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2025/01/08/yemen-Central-Command-Houthi-attack/1501736390238/The Houthi group, which controls northern Yemen, has been launching rocket and drone attacks against Israel and disrupting Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea since November 2023 to show solidarity with Palestinians in their conflict with Israel. In response, a US-led navy coalition has conducted regular air raids on Houthi targets, prompting the Houthis to expand their attacks to include US warships. The US-led coalition also launched airstrikes on a military site of the Houthi group in Yemen's northern province of Saada on January 5, according to reports from residents on social media.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/international/us-british-coalition-launches-more-airstrikes-on-yemen/The Israeli military has launched airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, resulting in at least five deaths, including two babies, according to medics. The US has denied allegations of genocide in Gaza, despite Secretary of State Antony Blinken's recent declaration that a genocide is occurring in Sudan. Meanwhile, a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas remains "very close," with Blinken stating as much. In other news, Saudi Arabia is experiencing severe flooding due to torrential rains. Additionally, activists are criticizing the US for its role in what they claim is a genocide in Gaza, following Blinken's comments on Sudan.
https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/live-blog-israel-kills-9-palestinians-in-gaza-air-strikes-18251814Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibikha urged the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to expand its efforts to document war crimes committed by Russia, specifically focusing on the deportation of children, capture of civilians, and the fate of three Ukrainian OSCE employees held captive. He also highlighted the need for the OSCE to address the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war as a priority. Sibikha met with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, who holds the rotating chairmanship of the organization, in Kiev to discuss these issues and potential new initiatives to strengthen international support for Ukraine.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/940261-ukraine-to-osce-expand-investigations-into-russian-crimesTurkish-backed factions in northern Syria have been fighting with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Islamist-led rebels. The conflict has resulted in mounting casualties despite US efforts to establish a truce in the Manbij area. Turkish authorities have threatened a military operation against Kurdish forces unless they accept Ankara's conditions for a "bloodless" transition after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. In response, Turkey's imprisoned Kurdish rebel leader has expressed willingness to work with authorities towards peace. The US has called for a resolution that includes the departure of "foreign terrorist fighters", including those affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is considered a terrorist organisation by several countries.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/nearly-37-killed-in-north-syria-clashes-between-pro-turkey-kurdish-forces-in-manbij-region-war-monitor/article69080029.eceThe Ukrainian Ministry emphasized that Iran's actions pose a significant threat to regional security, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. The country is accused of violating international aviation laws after the downing of PS752, an incident for which Ukraine, Canada, Sweden, and the UK have submitted evidence to the International Court of Justice. The Ministry also highlighted Iran's ongoing support for Russia's aggression against Ukraine, further solidifying its status as a perpetrator in the eyes of the international community.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3946206-ukrainian-mfa-on-fifth-anniversary-of-uia-ps752-tragedy-impunity-encourages-irans-continued-violations-of-international-law.html