Good morning! It’s Sunday, February 23, 2025. Stay informed with your essential briefing on defense and global affairs. Let’s dive in.
UN Demands Rwanda End Support for M23 as Crisis Deepens
M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda’s military, have rapidly advanced across eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), capturing key cities like Bukavu and Goma and displacing over 50,000 people.
The United Nations (UN) Security Council has, for the first time, directly condemned Rwanda for supporting M23 and demanded an immediate withdrawal.
The European Union and the United States have also pressured Kigali to halt its involvement.
Meanwhile, Congolese troops have largely retreated, leaving local militias like the Wazalendo as the primary resistance.
Chaos has erupted in towns like Uvira and Lubero, with reports of looting, prison escapes, and mass soldier desertions.
Uncertainty looms over Uganda’s role, as it has been accused of maintaining ties with M23 while also deploying troops in the region.
Palestinian Militants Release Hostages as Truce Holds
Palestinian militants released two Israeli hostages, among the last eligible for release under a temporary truce that also includes Palestinian prisoner exchanges.
The emotional moment came as Israel confirmed the death of hostage Shiri Bibas, whose family had become a symbol of the ongoing crisis.
The hostage release was marked by highly staged ceremonies by Hamas, while Israel continues to retrieve bodies of deceased captives.
In total, 21 live hostages have been freed since the ceasefire began, while Israel has released over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners.
Tensions remain high, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu vowing retribution for what he calls Hamas’s “cruel and evil” violations of the agreement.
Meanwhile, accusations continue over the fate of the Bibas children, with Israel claiming they were killed by Hamas and Hamas insisting they died in an Israeli airstrike.
The war, triggered by Hamas’s October 7 attack, has resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and more than 48,000 casualties in Gaza.
Sudan’s Army Reclaims City as Life Slowly Returns
Wad Madani, once a war-torn city in central Sudan, is slowly coming back to life after the Sudanese Army reclaimed it from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Markets are reopening, hospitals are resuming services despite shortages, and displaced residents are cautiously returning.
However, scars of war remain—buildings are damaged, electricity and water services are unreliable, and many fear what they will find upon their return.
Sudan’s ongoing war, which has displaced over 11.5 million people, continues to fuel a humanitarian crisis, with reports of food shortages, medical supply deficits, and alleged abuses following the city’s recapture. Despite the challenges, residents are hopeful, calling for those who fled to return and help rebuild their city.
Separatists Escalate Violence as Seven Killed in Pakistan
A separatist group, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), has claimed responsibility for a brutal attack in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, where seven bus passengers from Punjab were lined up and shot dead.
The attack, which occurred late Tuesday, is part of a long-running insurgency by Baloch separatists who demand greater autonomy and claim the region’s natural resources are being exploited by outsiders.
Violence has surged in recent years, particularly against laborers and security forces, with Pakistan witnessing over 1,600 militant-related deaths in 2023 alone.
The attack highlights the ongoing instability in the resource-rich but volatile region bordering Afghanistan and Iran.
Netanyahu Delays Prisoner Release Over Hamas Ceremonies
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a delay in the release of Palestinian prisoners under the Gaza ceasefire deal, citing Hamas’s “humiliating ceremonies” during hostage handovers.
Hamas has released 25 living Israeli hostages in highly publicized events, prompting Israel to withhold the scheduled release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas condemned the move as a violation of the agreement, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Hamas of its destruction if it did not release all remaining captives.
The ceasefire’s first phase is set to expire in early March, with no negotiations yet for a second phase.
Meanwhile, the return of deceased hostages has sparked further tensions, with Hamas admitting a “mix-up” in bodies, including that of Israeli captive Shiri Bibas.
The ongoing war, triggered by Hamas’s October 7 attack, has led to over 1,200 Israeli deaths and more than 48,000 casualties in Gaza, according to official figures from both sides.
Russia Launches Record Drone Attack on Ukraine
Russia launched a record-breaking 267 drones on Ukraine overnight, marking the largest drone attack since the invasion began in February 2022, according to Ukrainian officials.
Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 138 drones, while 119 were lost without causing damage.
However, some strikes hit multiple regions, including Kyiv.
Meanwhile, a Russian missile attack on the central town of Kryvyi Rih killed one person and injured five others.
In response, Ukraine targeted Russian military bases and industrial sites, with Russia claiming to have destroyed 20 incoming Ukrainian drones.
The war continues with escalating aerial assaults on both sides.
Switzerland Considers Sending Peacekeepers to Ukraine
Switzerland is considering sending up to 200 peacekeeping troops to Ukraine if a truce is reached and the UN requests a peacekeeping mission, according to Swiss Armed Forces chief Thomas Suessli.
He emphasized the distinction between peace-enforcement, which requires military intervention, and peacekeeping, which only occurs with the consent of both Russia and Ukraine.
If approved, the Swiss military would take up to a year to recruit and train personnel for deployment.
However, Suessli noted that the decision remains hypothetical, as no ceasefire has been reached and no official UN request has been made.
China Defends Naval Drills as Australia Raises Alarm
Beijing has accused Australia of “deliberately hyping” recent Chinese naval exercises near the Australian coast after Canberra raised concerns over a live-fire drill that forced commercial planes to reroute.
China’s defense ministry confirmed its navy had used live ammunition but insisted the drills were conducted lawfully with prior safety notices.
The incident has further strained relations between the two nations, which have been slowly improving under Australia’s Labor government.
This latest friction follows an earlier dispute over a Chinese fighter jet allegedly endangering an Australian military plane in the South China Sea.
Sources: News Agencies
