The Southern Transitional Council (STC), a UAE-backed separatist group in Yemen, has announced its dissolution following meetings in Saudi Arabia. Representatives of the STC were in Riyadh for discussions aimed at resolving unrest in southern Yemen, according to Al Jazeera. The group declared that all its main and subsidiary bodies would be disbanded and its offices inside and outside the country closed.

The Saudi-led coalition claimed that STC leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi fled to the United Arab Emirates instead of attending scheduled peace talks in Riyadh. The coalition stated that al-Zubaidi traveled by boat from Yemen’s Aden port to Berbera in Somaliland late Wednesday night. The STC praised Saudi Arabia for organizing the talks, saying the initiative could help ease tensions with the UAE.

Recent weeks have seen escalating violence between STC forces and Saudi-backed troops around Aden, the seat of Yemen’s internationally recognized government. Tensions intensified after a Saudi-led airstrike targeted a UAE arms shipment at Mukalla port in southern Yemen.

Saudi Arabia on Friday strongly condemned the recent visit of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to Somaliland, a self-declared breakaway region of Somalia. In a joint statement with 21 other countries, Saudi Arabia described the visit as “illegal,” calling it a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia and contrary to international norms and the UN Charter.

The statement reaffirmed full support for Somalia’s sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity. It also emphasized adherence to international law, non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states, and respect for diplomatic conventions to maintain regional and international stability. The joint declaration urged Israel to fully respect Somalia’s sovereignty and withdraw its recognition of Somaliland immediately.

Israel had formally recognized Somaliland as a sovereign state on December 26, 2025. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but Israel remains the only country to have officially recognized it, a move that has drawn widespread criticism from Somalia and other members of the international community.

Syria’s Defense Ministry has announced a ceasefire in several districts of Aleppo following deadly clashes between government forces and Kurdish fighters. The truce took effect early Friday after days of violence that forced thousands of civilians to flee. At least 21 people were killed in what observers described as the worst fighting since Islamist authorities took power over a year ago. The clashes, which began Tuesday, pitted the Syrian army against the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with both sides blaming each other for the escalation.

The ministry said the ceasefire covers Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafiyeh, and Bani Zeid districts from 3 a.m., aiming to prevent further military tension in residential areas. Kurdish fighters were ordered to withdraw by 9 a.m. local time to allow displaced civilians to return home safely. According to state television, around 16,000 people had already left the affected neighborhoods. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi warned that attacks on Kurdish areas undermine reconciliation efforts, noting that talks on integrating Kurdish structures into the new government remain stalled.

Analysts said Aleppo is a vulnerable area for the SDF, and any wider conflict could draw in Turkey and Israel, posing a serious threat to Syria’s stability.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, accusing the American administration of destroying the global order. Speaking at an event in Berlin on Wednesday night, Steinmeier urged the international community to prevent the world from turning into a “den of robbers,” where lawless powers seize whatever they want. He warned that global democracy is under unprecedented attack.

Referring to recent U.S. actions such as efforts to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Steinmeier described them as a “historic rupture.” He compared the current behavior of the United States to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, calling both major threats to the world order. He emphasized that the practice of powerful nations treating other regions as their private property must end immediately.

Although the German presidency is largely ceremonial, Steinmeier’s strong remarks have drawn significant attention within Germany, highlighting growing concern over U.S. foreign conduct and its implications for international stability.

Russia carried out airstrikes on Kyiv and its outskirts on Friday, killing at least three people and injuring thirteen, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Residential buildings were damaged, and a doctor was killed in a second drone strike on one of the buildings. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the doctor is included in the official casualty list.

Regional Governor Mykola Kalashnyk urged residents to remain in shelters until air raid sirens stop. Ukraine’s Air Force warned that the presence of Russian bombers in the sky means the entire country remains under missile threat. In the western city of Lviv, a ballistic missile struck infrastructure sites just before midnight. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said the military is determining whether a nuclear-capable missile was used, though radiation levels remain within normal limits.

The attack followed a warning from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv on Thursday, which had cautioned of possible severe airstrikes in the coming days.

The United States has threatened to use military force to take control of Greenland, a territory under Denmark’s sovereignty in the Arctic region. The White House issued the warning on Tuesday, prompting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to announce a meeting with Danish officials next week to discuss the escalating situation. Rubio said President Trump’s threat to seize Greenland has created a serious crisis among NATO member states.

Following Trump’s remarks, the foreign ministers of Greenland and Denmark requested an emergency meeting with Rubio. When asked whether Trump would risk dividing NATO by pursuing military control of Greenland, Rubio declined to answer, stating only that every U.S. president keeps military options open to address national security threats. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told France Inter radio that France is coordinating with allies on how to respond if the U.S. attacks Greenland.

Rubio added that Trump has been interested in acquiring Greenland since his first term, though he is not the first U.S. president to explore such a possibility.

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported on Wednesday that Israel’s policies in the occupied West Bank have created a suffocating environment for Palestinians. The report stated that Israel has systematically implemented discriminatory measures targeting Palestinians, including severe restrictions on their movement, disrupting normal life across the territory. It called on Israel to withdraw all Jewish settlements from the West Bank, comparing the situation to apartheid-era racial segregation in South Africa.

The report highlighted that two separate legal systems are applied to Jewish settlers and Palestinians, resulting in land confiscation and deprivation of resources for Palestinians. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said Palestinians’ rights in the West Bank are being systematically suppressed, and that Israel’s discriminatory laws and practices have imposed control over all aspects of life in the occupied territory.

The report also noted that since Israel’s military actions in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has intensified, leaving over 1,100 Palestinians dead and at least 21,000 arrested. Israel has also approved plans for 19 new Jewish settlements in December.

Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard has rejected the notion that powerful nations can act as they please. Speaking to Swedish Radio News, she said Sweden opposes a world order where major powers operate without restraint. Her remarks came in response to the U.S. president’s new threat to acquire Greenland and the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela. According to the report, the operation involved the abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro late Saturday night.

Stenergard criticized Washington’s statements about acquiring Greenland, calling them concerning and emphasizing that the island is not for sale. She noted that Greenland is an autonomous region within Denmark. She also stated that Sweden believes the recent U.S. military actions in Venezuela are inconsistent with international law.

Referring to a United Nations Security Council meeting, Stenergard mentioned that Denmark described the U.S. actions as a dangerous precedent, underscoring growing European unease over unilateral military interventions.

Israeli forces carried out multiple airstrikes across Gaza on Thursday despite an ongoing ceasefire, killing at least 14 Palestinians, including five children, according to a Friday report by Al Jazeera. The attacks targeted several areas, including Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza, where four displaced Palestinians living in tents were killed. Four more deaths were reported in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood, while additional strikes in Bureij and Nuseirat in central Gaza killed four others. In northern Gaza’s Jabalia area, an 11-year-old boy named Hamsa Hausu was shot dead.

The ceasefire agreement has been in effect since October 10, but Israeli military operations have continued. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) condemned Thursday’s attacks on displaced Palestinians, calling them war crimes. The group accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and pursuing a plan to displace and eliminate Palestinians under false security pretexts.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since October 11 have killed at least 425 Palestinians and injured 1,206 others.

Heavy clashes between the Syrian Army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have intensified in Aleppo, prompting thousands of residents to flee. To control the situation, local authorities have imposed a curfew across several neighborhoods, including Ashrafieh, Sheikh Maqsoud, Bani Zeid, Al-Sirian, Al-Hulok, and Al-Midan, effective until further notice, according to Al Jazeera.

The Aleppo Internal Security Command stated that the curfew aims to ensure public safety, maintain order, and prevent further casualties. During the curfew, all civilian movement is prohibited. The city’s media department reported that since fighting began earlier in the week, large numbers of people have fled from Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud.

The Syrian Army accused the SDF of shelling civilian areas with artillery and mortars, resulting in at least 22 deaths and 173 injuries this week. The SDF denied the allegations, claiming that casualties were caused by attacks from groups linked to the Damascus government.

Mobile phone services across Iran have been severely disrupted following the country’s recent internet shutdown. According to Turkey-based TRT World, many regions have been without mobile network access since Friday, January 9. International media reports indicate that the mobile service disruptions began soon after the internet was cut off, though the Iranian government has not issued any official statement on the matter.

The disruptions come amid widespread anti-government protests that began on December 28 over rising living costs. The demonstrations started when traders at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar closed their shops in protest and were later joined by people from various professions. The protests, ongoing for 12 days, intensified on Thursday night as thousands took to the streets in Tehran and other cities.

Human rights organizations report that at least 38 people have been killed during the unrest. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that if the Iranian government continues killing protesters, the United States may intervene directly with strong military action.

The United States Embassy in India has issued a warning that foreign students studying in the US could face visa cancellation if they are arrested or violate American laws. The embassy stated on social media platform X that such individuals may be deported and could become ineligible for future US visas. The post emphasized that a US visa is a privilege, not a right, urging students to follow the law and avoid jeopardizing their travel status.

The embassy had previously announced in December that visa applications could be denied if consular officers believe an applicant intends to travel to the US primarily to give birth so that their child obtains US citizenship. According to Gulf News, the latest advisory has increased uncertainty among Indian visa holders, including professionals, and led to the rescheduling of some visa interviews in India.

Indian government data cited in the report shows that around 2.1 million Indians live in the United States. The report also noted that President Trump has intensified actions against illegal immigration since returning to power last year.

The United Kingdom has assisted the United States in seizing a Russian-flagged oil tanker named ‘Bela-1’ in the North Atlantic Ocean, between Britain and Iceland. The British Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force supported the US operation at Washington’s request. The tanker, recently renamed ‘Marinera,’ was reportedly under US sanctions and had previously evaded capture near Venezuela. Russia has strongly protested the seizure.

According to the British Defence Ministry, the operation was conducted in accordance with international law. The ministry stated that the vessel had used a false flag and was linked to international terrorism and criminal networks, including alleged ties to the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah. The tanker had turned off its tracking systems and attempted to change its flag during the pursuit.

Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK would continue to act against “shadow fleets” that threaten global stability. He clarified that no British troops boarded the vessel and praised US forces for their professionalism despite adverse weather. Britain also allowed the US to use its military bases for the operation.

The Lebanese Army announced that it has successfully completed the first phase of its plan to disarm Hezbollah. In a statement released on Thursday, the army said the operation covered the area from the Israeli border to the Litani River and achieved its set objectives. The army added that future phases will expand the disarmament effort to other parts of Lebanon.

According to the statement, the army now controls the entire area south of the Litani River, except for several positions still held by Israel near the border. Despite being weakened by the November 2024 war with Israel, the Iran-backed Hezbollah has refused to surrender its weapons in other parts of the country. Under a ceasefire agreement in effect for over a year, Israel was expected to withdraw from Lebanese territory but continues to hold five strategic border positions.

The Lebanese Army said it will continue operations in the south to neutralize unexploded ordnance and locate tunnels dug by Hezbollah, while taking permanent measures to prevent armed groups from rebuilding their military capabilities.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced that it has laid off 571 Palestinian employees due to a severe financial crisis. The agency, which has supported Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria for over seven decades, said the layoffs were unavoidable as donations have sharply declined. UNRWA’s spokesperson described the financial situation as unprecedented.

According to the agency, it spent about 880 million dollars in 2025 but received only 570 million in donations, leading to a major deficit. The spokesperson warned that a significant shortfall is expected in 2026 as well. All dismissed employees were based in Gaza but had left before the war began on October 7, 2023, and had been unpaid for more than ten months. The spokesperson said it was impossible to predict when or if they could resume their duties.

Since the war began, more than 300 UNRWA staff members have been killed in Gaza, while about 12,000 continue to work in Palestinian territories. Israel has accused the agency of harboring Hamas members and obstructed its operations in Palestine.