Good morning! It’s Saturday, January 4, 2025, and we’re here with your weekend update on defense and global affairs. Here’s what’s shaping the news today.
Biden Proposes $8 Billion Arms Sale to Israel Despite Criticism
The Biden administration has notified Congress of an $8 billion arms sale to Israel, a move that underscores unwavering US support for its ally despite mounting criticism over the ongoing Gaza war.
The deal, according to a US official Friday, which includes munitions for fighter jets, attack helicopters, artillery shells, small-diameter bombs, and warheads, still requires approval from Congressional committees.
Scoop: Biden notifies Congress of $8 billion arms sale to Israel https://t.co/atOpvs0vVP
— Axios (@axios) January 4, 2025
While protesters continue to call for an arms embargo, US policy remains unchanged, citing the need to counter Iran-backed groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
Washington has faced international backlash for its steadfast support of Israel, whose Gaza offensive has displaced nearly all 2.3 million residents and caused over 45,000 deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Good morning! It’s Saturday, January 4, 2025, and we’re here with your weekend update on defense and global affairs. Here’s what’s shaping the news today.
Biden Proposes $8 Billion Arms Sale to Israel Despite Criticism
The Biden administration has notified Congress of an $8 billion arms sale to Israel, a move that underscores unwavering US support for its ally despite mounting criticism over the ongoing Gaza war.
The deal, according to a US official Friday, which includes munitions for fighter jets, attack helicopters, artillery shells, small-diameter bombs, and warheads, still requires approval from Congressional committees.
Scoop: Biden notifies Congress of $8 billion arms sale to Israel https://t.co/atOpvs0vVP
— Axios (@axios) January 4, 2025
While protesters continue to call for an arms embargo, US policy remains unchanged, citing the need to counter Iran-backed groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
Washington has faced international backlash for its steadfast support of Israel, whose Gaza offensive has displaced nearly all 2.3 million residents and caused over 45,000 deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
The war, triggered by an October 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages, has dragged on for over a year.
Diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire have failed, with the US repeatedly vetoing related UN resolutions. As Biden’s term nears its end, both he and incoming President-elect Donald Trump remain strong supporters of Israel.
Israel Pounds Gaza as Ceasefire Talks Stall Again
Israel has ramped up its airstrikes on Gaza, targeting dozens of Hamas sites over the past two days and killing more than 110 people, according to Gaza health officials on Friday.
The surge in violence comes as ceasefire negotiations mediated by the US, Egypt, and Qatar face yet another stalemate.
🚨 Five humanitarian aid security personnel were killed last night in an Israeli airstrike targeting a civilian vehicle on Salah Al-Din Street in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/6jLBlUcIKC
— Gaza Notifications (@gazanotice) January 4, 2025
Both sides remain locked in a bitter standoff: Hamas demands a complete ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops, while Israel insists it won’t stop until Hamas is destroyed.
Efforts to secure a deal before US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration are gaining urgency, with Trump warning that “all hell is going to break out“ if hostages aren’t released.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue battling Hamas fighters entrenched in Gaza’s ruins, uncovering weapons and underground tunnels.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, with winter weather compounding the suffering of displaced families sheltering in makeshift camps.
Turkey-Brokered Deal Ends Rift Between Ethiopia and Somalia
After months of tension, Ethiopia and Somalia reached a deal Friday to collaborate on a new African Union (AU) mission aimed at tackling the persistent threat of Al-Shabaab in Somalia.
Initially, Mogadishu was against Ethiopian involvement due to a maritime agreement Ethiopia signed with Somaliland, straining relations.
But thanks to Turkey’s mediation, the two nations have smoothed things over, agreeing to deploy Ethiopian troops under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Ethiopian Defence Minister Aisha Mohammed recently visited Somalia, delivering a message from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
The discussions emphasized strengthening bilateral ties and working together for regional stability.
Ethiopia joins the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) while Burundi is asked to pack up!
Burundian soldiers have been criticized for being poorly equipped and inadequately trained. On May 3, 2022, during an Al-Shabaab attack on their base in El… pic.twitter.com/Jacw8LaaW8
— Noel Kambanda (@NoelKambanda) January 4, 2025
AUSSOM will replace the previous AU peacekeeping mission, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which had a force of up to 12,000 troops before its withdrawal late last year.
The UN Security Council had approved the new mission, with Somalia’s representative noting a planned deployment of 11,000 troops from partner countries.
Despite challenges, including recent deadly strikes near the Ethiopia-Somalia border, both nations appear committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Czech Diplomacy Resumes in Syria to Navigate Post-Assad Era
The Czech Republic is back in action in Syria, reopening its embassy after briefly shutting down following the coup that ousted Bashar al-Assad.
Since 2012, Prague has represented the US and Western interests in Syria after the civil war forced many countries to close their embassies.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky confirmed late Thursday the reopening, noting that their diplomat handling US affairs has returned to work.
He also revealed that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reached out to ensure the Czech Republic continues its role in Syria.
Lipavsky described the current situation as delicate, with new Syrian leaders tied to sanctions but expressing a desire to rebuild ties with the global community.
He also hinted at a strategic opportunity to reduce Russian influence in the region, as Moscow’s troops have maintained a presence in Syria since intervening in 2015.
For now, the Czech Republic is moving cautiously, balancing its support for allies like Israel and Ukraine with the complexities of Syria’s evolving political landscape.
M23 Rebels Advance Toward Key Town in Eastern Congo
Things are heating up in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels recently captured the strategic Katale area, moving closer to the key town of Masisi.
Since 2021, M23 has taken control of vast regions in the mineral-rich east, displacing thousands and worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Efforts for peace hit another snag in December when Angola-mediated talks between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame fell apart over unresolved terms.
Now, the rebels are pressing forward, with Masisi residents fleeing for safety. Civil society leaders have reported casualties in the recent fighting, though exact numbers remain unclear.
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have moved closer to Masisi, the administrative capital of the Masisi territory and a key town in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, capturing the nearby Katale area, security sources said pic.twitter.com/jeH4WyZph2
— The Sudan Times (@thesudantimes) January 4, 2025
The M23 offensive, launched just before a planned peace summit in Angola, has kept pressure on the region. With the rebels now within striking distance of Masisi and other key towns like Lubero and Butembo, the situation underscores decades of violence in the DRC’s east, stemming from conflicts that trace back to the 1990s. The cycle of conflict shows no signs of slowing down.
Myanmar’s Humanitarian Crisis Worsens, Millions Seek Aid
The conflict in Myanmar has forced over 3.5 million people—about 6 percent of the country’s population—to flee their homes, marking an increase of 1.5 million from last year, according to the latest UN report.
Since the military coup in 2021, fighting between the army and ethnic rebel groups has spread across the country, pushing the humanitarian crisis to unprecedented levels.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) described the end of 2024 as particularly brutal, with airstrikes, drone attacks, and raids displacing families, many of whom are children.
📢Our new Humanitarian Update is out!
As 2024 ends, #Myanmar faces record displacement, deepening crises & rising needs.
🔴 3.5M displaced by year-end
⚠️Protection risks, food insecurity, & collapsing services
📉 2024 HNRP funded at just 36%
Read more: https://t.co/RkPl5CDPKX pic.twitter.com/uNK3sOGW5z— OCHA Myanmar (@ochamyanmar) January 3, 2025
As the crisis escalates, 2025 looks bleak, with nearly 20 million people—over a third of Myanmar’s population—expected to need humanitarian aid.
The UN has launched a $1.1 billion appeal to help 5.5 million people with essential assistance next year, but funding shortfalls remain a challenge.
With the ongoing violence and economic collapse, the country’s humanitarian needs are only growing, leaving millions in dire straits.
Kenyan-Led Multinational Force Expands Amid Haiti’s Gang Crisis
Haiti welcomed over 80 soldiers from Guatemala and El Salvador on Friday as part of a Kenyan-led multinational mission aimed at supporting the national police in their fight against rampant gang violence.
These troops join the existing force of 400 officers, primarily from Kenya, along with contingents from Jamaica and Belize.
The mission, which began last year, plans to expand to 2,500 personnel, but it faces challenges due to limited equipment.
The situation in Haiti remains dire, with gangs controlling around 85 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and violence continuing to escalate.
Recent attacks include the killing of two journalists, a police officer, and over 200 people targeted by gangs in December alone.
Even the airport in Port-au-Prince has faced disruptions from gunfire.
Haiti’s transitional government has asked the UN to upgrade the Kenyan-led mission to a full peacekeeping operation. However, the proposal has hit roadblocks, with China and Russia opposing the move in the UN Security Council.
For now, the mission soldiers are on despite significant obstacles in tackling Haiti’s worsening security crisis.
Russia Targets Pokrovsk Supply Routes to Squeeze Ukrainian Forces
Russian forces are ramping up their attacks near Pokrovsk, a strategic road and rail hub in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, aiming to cut off supply routes to Ukrainian troops.
The city, once home to 60,000 people and a critical supplier of coking coal to Ukraine’s steel industry, has become a focal point in the ongoing conflict.
Rather than engaging in urban combat, Russian troops are trying to bypass Pokrovsk from the south, targeting smaller settlements to disrupt logistics.
Ukraine’s military, however, is fighting back using drones and precision strikes to hold the line.
NEW: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky outlined the conditions that must be met to push Russia to agree to a “just peace.” Ukrainian officials continue to signal that Ukraine is working to further increase its drone and missile capabilities in support of this goal. 🧵(1/5) pic.twitter.com/WVcFOezSiq
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) January 4, 2025
According to Viktor Trehubov, a Ukrainian military spokesman, the Pokrovsk area has seen 34 Russian attacks in just the past 24 hours.
If Russia succeeds, it could seriously hinder Ukraine’s operations on the eastern front and bolster Russian advances westward.
For now, Kyiv’s forces are doing everything they can to keep supply lines open and hold the city.
5/ Russian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Vuhledar.
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 3, 2025: https://t.co/S5WOUgDR5G pic.twitter.com/ye6rjTTIZ2
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) January 4, 2025
Russia Claims Victory in Luhansk and Downs ATACMS Missiles
Russia’s defense ministry announced Saturday that its forces have captured the village of Nadiya in Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region and claimed to have shot down eight US-made ATACMS missiles.
While sources couldn’t independently verify the reports, the announcement marks another development in the ongoing conflict.
🚨🇷🇺RUSSIA: WE DOWNED 8 US-SUPPLIED ATACMS MISSILES
Russia says it shot down 8 US-made ATACMS missiles and 72 drones, warning Kyiv of hypersonic retaliation.
Moscow accuses outgoing Biden of stoking conflict by supplying Ukraine with long-range missiles capable of striking deep… pic.twitter.com/4HmO44lmys
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 4, 2025
The ministry also reported intercepting 10 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory, including three near the Leningrad region.
The drone activity briefly disrupted operations at St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo airport, halting flights on Saturday morning.
With air defenses active and battles continuing in eastern Ukraine, the situation remains tense as both sides press on in the conflict.
Sources: News Agencies
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