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.eceChina's Permanent Mission to the United Nations has called for increased international cooperation to support Syria in achieving stability and development, emphasizing the need for a Syrian-led and owned political process aligned with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202501/1326549.shtmlViolence 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-18251814India's permanent representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, presented a six-point plan at the UN Security Council to support African efforts in silencing guns by the end of this decade. The plan was discussed during a debate on Friday, which was led by Mozambique, whose presidency was congratulated by Kamboj for its success. The six-point plan aims to address conflict-ridden regions in Africa, including the Sahel, Central Africa and the Horn of Africa, where instability is driven by factors such as chronic political instability, ethnic divisions, and exploitation by terrorist and armed groups.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/international/ruchira-kamboj-lays-down-6-point-plan-on-silencing-the-guns-in-africa-at-un-security-council/Pakistan's security experts have recommended that the country engage with the Taliban leadership in Kandahar to address concerns about the presence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts in Afghanistan. The experts believe that talking directly to the Taliban supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, can help resolve issues such as cross-border terrorism and trade. They argue that this channel of communication is crucial for resolving outstanding issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The experts also noted that the TTP has changed its operational strategy by reducing attacks on civilians and increasing attacks on security forces. They suggested that Pakistan's counter-terrorism policy needs to be holistic, involving local communities in addition to kinetic operations. Some experts argued that there was no harm in restarting the dialogue process with the TTP. However, not all experts agreed on this approach. The President of the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), Muhammad Amir Rana, opposed the idea of restarting talks with the TTP, arguing that it would give legitimacy to militancy and provide fuel to it. He emphasized that the TTP is an existential threat to Pakistan and there should be zero tolerance for the group. The experts also discussed other issues such as the negative role of social media in intensifying conflict in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the need for Pakistan to work with China to evolve projects that benefit local communities. They highlighted the importance of a civilian-led approach to resolving conflicts in Pakistan. Overall, the experts emphasized the need for a comprehensive and holistic approach to addressing security challenges in Pakistan, involving both military and civilian efforts, as well as engagement with regional stakeholders.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40341795/country-should-engage-with-kandahar-based-taliban-leadership-suggest-experts