At least two people were killed and thirteen others injured in clashes between the Syrian Army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo on December 22. The fighting erupted near the Sheikh Maqsoud and Lairamoun roundabouts, involving heavy machine guns and mortar fire. According to state media, several families fled the area, while the Syrian Civil Defense reported injuries among rescue workers and children.

The Syrian Interior Ministry accused the SDF of attacking joint checkpoints, labeling the group as 'traitors.' In contrast, the SDF blamed pro-government militias for targeting civilians. After hours of fighting, both sides agreed late Monday night to cease fire following orders from their respective commands.

The confrontation occurred as Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Damascus to discuss integrating the U.S.-backed SDF into the Syrian Army—a process stalled since a March agreement. Analysts warn that the issue remains one of Syria’s most sensitive national unity challenges, with Turkey’s classification of the SDF as a terrorist organization further complicating regional diplomacy.

A Mexican Navy aircraft on a medical mission crashed near Galveston, Texas, killing at least five people, officials confirmed Monday. The King Air model plane was carrying eight passengers, including one minor, when it went down during a humanitarian flight. Two individuals survived unharmed, while one person remains missing.

According to the Mexican Navy, the aircraft was part of a medical transport mission supported by the Mishu y Mau Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides treatment for severely burned children. Among the passengers were four naval officers and four civilians. The minor patient being transported for medical care was among those killed.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, while rescue teams continue searching for the missing person. The incident has drawn condolences from both U.S. and Mexican officials, highlighting the risks faced by humanitarian and medical transport missions operating across borders.

A 65-year-old Palestinian gravedigger, Yusuf Abu Hatab, from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, has described the overwhelming toll of the ongoing conflict. He claims to have buried between 17,000 and 18,000 people during Israel’s military operations, often under extreme conditions with limited tools and materials. Many of the dead were unidentified, forcing mass and improvised burials in courtyards, hospitals, and even sports fields.

According to Gaza’s media office, around 71,000 people have been killed and more than 171,000 injured since the war began in October 2023, most of them women and children. Despite a ceasefire declared in October, reports of violations and continued airstrikes persist, leaving hundreds more dead. Abu Hatab said he often worked from dawn until after sunset, sometimes burying up to 100 bodies a day.

The account underscores Gaza’s deep humanitarian collapse, with destroyed cemeteries, blocked aid routes, and psychological trauma among survivors. Humanitarian groups continue to warn that without open crossings and reconstruction materials, the crisis will worsen further.

The Gaza Government Media Office has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement 875 times since it took effect on October 10, 2025. According to the office’s statement released Monday, Israeli attacks have killed at least 411 Palestinians and injured 1,112 others during this period. The reported violations include 265 incidents of direct gunfire at civilians, 49 military incursions into residential areas, 421 shelling operations, and the destruction of 150 homes.

The office further alleged that Israel has failed to meet its humanitarian obligations under the truce. Only 17,819 of the 42,800 aid trucks agreed upon have entered Gaza, averaging 244 per day instead of the expected 600. Fuel deliveries have reached just 10% of the agreed amount, with only 394 trucks allowed in. Officials warned that hospitals, bakeries, and water systems are near collapse, creating an “unprecedented humanitarian crisis.”

The statement urged mediating nations and the international community to ensure safe delivery of aid and fuel, warning that without immediate action, Gaza’s humanitarian disaster will deepen further.

U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that Greenland is essential to American national security and should come under U.S. control, following his appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy for Greenland affairs. The move has sparked renewed diplomatic tension with Denmark, which retains sovereignty over the Arctic island.

Copenhagen reacted sharply, summoning the U.S. ambassador for an explanation. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen called the appointment 'deeply concerning,' warning that Denmark would not accept any action undermining its territorial integrity. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen emphasized that only Greenlanders can decide their future, expressing openness to cooperation with the U.S. based on mutual respect.

The controversy revives Trump’s earlier 2019 attempt to purchase Greenland, rejected by both Denmark and Greenland. Analysts see the latest step as part of Washington’s growing strategic focus on the Arctic amid rising competition with Russia and China. The European Union has voiced full solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, underscoring the geopolitical stakes of the unfolding dispute.

U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly called on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to relinquish power, describing such a move as the most “intelligent decision” for the long-time leader. Speaking from his Florida residence, Trump warned that Maduro’s continued grip on power could worsen his political situation. The remarks come amid Washington’s tightening naval blockade targeting Venezuela’s oil sector, which the U.S. accuses of funding criminal activities including narcotics trafficking and human rights abuses.

Russia has strongly condemned the U.S. actions, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov labeling the naval operations and oil tanker seizures as threats to international maritime freedom and regional stability. Venezuela, backed by Russia and China, has requested a United Nations Security Council meeting, accusing the U.S. of “international piracy” and attempts at regime change. Maduro, in a letter to UN member states, warned that the blockade could disrupt global energy supplies. The escalating standoff underscores deepening geopolitical friction between Washington and Moscow over Latin America’s strategic oil resources.

A draft report from the U.S. Department of Defense alleges that China has deployed more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) across three newly built silo fields near its border with Mongolia. The report, cited by Reuters, suggests Beijing shows little interest in arms control talks despite Washington’s calls for renewed disarmament dialogue.

According to the Pentagon, China is modernizing and expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other nuclear power. Beijing has rejected the allegations, calling them an attempt to tarnish its image and mislead the international community. The report estimates China’s nuclear warhead count exceeded 600 in 2024 and could surpass 1,000 by 2030 if current trends continue.

The document also raises concerns about China’s military ambitions toward Taiwan, suggesting Beijing aims to achieve the capability to prevail in a potential conflict by 2027. China maintains that its nuclear policy remains defensive and adheres to a “no first use” principle.

Cambodia has accused Thailand of launching airstrikes on its territory just hours after a regional ASEAN meeting in Malaysia. Phnom Penh’s defense ministry stated that Thai F-16 fighter jets bombed several areas in Siem Reap and Preah Vihear provinces on Monday, despite both countries agreeing earlier in the week to hold ceasefire talks aimed at ending deadly border clashes.

The Cambodian statement described the strikes as a violation of the spirit of regional diplomacy, coming immediately after ASEAN discussions on border stability. Thailand has not yet issued an official response to the allegations. The two nations have long disputed sections of their shared border, with tensions periodically flaring into violence.

Regional observers warn that the latest incident could undermine ASEAN’s efforts to mediate peace and may further destabilize the border region. Diplomatic sources suggest emergency consultations could follow if the situation escalates further.

Russia has sharply escalated its attacks on Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, targeting key port and maritime infrastructure. The latest strikes have caused widespread power outages affecting over 120,000 residents and damaged a civilian vessel, according to local officials. Fires broke out at a major port, destroying containers of flour and cooking oil, while earlier missile attacks killed at least eight people and injured dozens.

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said Moscow is conducting “systematic” strikes on Odesa, warning that the war’s focal point may shift toward the region. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia aims to sever Ukraine’s maritime logistics, following threats from President Vladimir Putin to restrict Kyiv’s access to the Black Sea in response to drone attacks on Russia’s “shadow fleet.”

Odesa’s strategic importance has grown as other southern ports remain under Russian control. Zelensky announced plans to appoint a new air force commander after dismissing Dmytro Karpenko, signaling a potential shift in Ukraine’s defensive strategy in the region.

Malaysia has called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to take all necessary measures to de-escalate the ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. The appeal was made during a special meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers held in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, following renewed clashes earlier this month in disputed frontier areas.

According to official reports, the fighting has displaced more than 500,000 people across both countries, with at least 22 killed in Thailand and 19 in Cambodia. Both Bangkok and Phnom Penh have accused each other of provoking violence and targeting civilians, while heavy weaponry, including tanks, drones, and artillery, has reportedly been used.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan emphasized that the conflict poses not only a regional but also a global security concern, urging ASEAN to safeguard peace and stability. He stressed that the goal should extend beyond reducing tensions to building trust and maintaining dialogue between the two sides despite ongoing disputes.

Russia has declared its full support and solidarity with Venezuela as tensions escalate with the United States over naval operations in the Caribbean Sea. Moscow’s announcement came ahead of a key UN Security Council meeting set to discuss the growing crisis between Washington and Caracas. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Venezuelan counterpart Yván Gil condemned recent U.S. actions, calling them a threat to international maritime security and regional stability.

The statement follows a series of U.S. naval operations targeting vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking, which have resulted in numerous deaths. On December 16, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a blockade on Venezuelan oil tankers under sanctions, accusing President Nicolás Maduro’s government of using oil revenues to fund criminal activities. Caracas denounced the move as “international piracy,” while Russia and China backed Venezuela’s call for a UN discussion on sovereignty and non-interference.

Analysts warn that the standoff could further strain global energy markets. Maduro has cautioned that U.S. sanctions may disrupt international oil supply chains, adding another layer of uncertainty to global energy stability.

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has stated that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro 'needs to go,' reinforcing Washington’s stance for leadership change in Caracas. In an interview with Fox News, Noem linked the recent seizure of Venezuela-bound oil tankers to a broader message against Maduro’s alleged illicit activities. Her remarks come as the US intensifies sanctions and maritime enforcement targeting Venezuela’s oil trade.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump ordered a blockade on sanctioned oil vessels connected to Venezuela. The US has already seized two ships and is pursuing another. Washington has accused Maduro of leading the 'Cartel of the Suns,' labeling it a narco-terrorist organization, and offered a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest. Meanwhile, US naval forces have increased their presence in the Caribbean, conducting operations that have destroyed several vessels and caused over a hundred deaths.

International legal experts have questioned the legitimacy of these operations, suggesting possible violations of international law. Analysts view the actions as part of a broader effort to pressure Maduro’s government rather than solely targeting narcotics trafficking.

An Israeli drone attack in southern Lebanon’s Sidon district killed three people on Monday, according to Lebanon’s state news agency NNA. The strike targeted a vehicle on the Aktnit–Quneitra road and was described by Lebanese officials as a new violation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Israel has not issued any immediate comment on the incident.

Tensions have been escalating along the border in recent weeks, with reports of near-daily Israeli air raids inside Lebanon. Israel claims its operations are aimed at Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure. The two countries reached a ceasefire in November 2024 after more than a year of cross-border clashes linked to the Gaza conflict, which left over 4,000 dead and 17,000 injured.

Despite the truce, Israeli forces have reportedly maintained positions at five border posts that were due to be vacated in January, raising concerns among Lebanese authorities and international observers about the durability of the ceasefire and the risk of renewed hostilities.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has reiterated that its missile program is purely defensive and not open for negotiation, dismissing external criticism over its growing arsenal. Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated at a weekly press briefing that the program was designed solely to deter attacks and protect Iran’s territorial integrity.

The statement follows heightened Israeli alarm after the June 12-day conflict, during which Israel labeled Iran’s ballistic and nuclear programs as major threats. Tehran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israeli cities following what it described as unprecedented Israeli assaults that killed over 1,000 people in Iran. Israel, in turn, reported more than 50 Iranian missile strikes that left 28 dead.

According to NBC, Iran is now rebuilding and expanding its missile production capacity, prompting fears that Israel could launch preemptive strikes to disrupt these efforts. The United States briefly joined Israel in targeting Iranian nuclear facilities before a ceasefire was declared, underscoring the fragile regional balance and the potential for renewed escalation.

Bangladesh has indefinitely suspended visa services for Indian citizens following a series of violent attacks and threats against its diplomatic missions in India. The decision, confirmed by multiple sources at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, comes after repeated security breaches, including vandalism and arson at mission offices in Delhi, Siliguri, and Guwahati. Dhaka cited inadequate protection for its diplomats and accused Indian authorities of failing to ensure safety despite repeated requests.

The violence, reportedly led by Hindu nationalist groups such as the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Hindu Jagaran Manch, has intensified amid political mobilization in several Indian states. Demonstrators, some linked to opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, attempted to storm the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata and burned effigies of interim government adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain rejected India’s explanation of the incidents, calling them unacceptable breaches of diplomatic norms.

Analysts warn that the escalating hostility could push Dhaka to further reduce its diplomatic presence in India if security conditions do not improve, marking one of the most strained phases in bilateral relations in recent years.