Fighting has surged in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the past four days between Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and the Congolese army, despite an existing ceasefire agreement, according to local and military sources. The M23 militia, which has been claiming to protect ethnic Tutsis, has been supported by Kigali and has captured large territories in eastern DRC since 2021, resulting in the displacement of thousands and leading to a significant humanitarian crisis. As tensions mount, the group has nearly surrounded Goma, the provincial capital.

In early August, Angola facilitated a fragile truce that helped stabilize the front lines temporarily; however, exchanges of gunfire continued. By late October, the M23 had escalated localized offensives, disregarding calls for restraint from the Congolese military and allied pro-Kinshasa militias. Remarkably, despite these breaches of the ceasefire, diplomatic discussions between the DRC and Rwanda, mediated by Angola, have continued. An M23 spokesperson dismissed concerns over the agreement between DRC and Rwanda, asserting their detachment from the negotiations.

Recently, clashes intensified in the Lubero territory, located north of the M23’s main operational area. The current frontline stretches along the road leading to Butembo, an essential commercial center under the control of Kinshasa, situated about 60 kilometers from the fighting. Reports indicate that hostilities have surged westwards into opposition territory, with both sides accusing each other of aggression.

Despite claims from both factions of capturing and defending various positions and villages, concrete advancements on the battlefield remain unclear. The hostilities were still ongoing as of Thursday, according to the Congolese armed forces, though the overall situation appeared chaotic and uncertain. Reinforcements have been deployed to the northern front by both parties, which had previously been comparatively stable since the ceasefire, raising alarms about a potential escalation in violence. In a separate confrontation, M23 militants have also been engaging pro-Kinshasa armed groups in the Masisi area of North Kivu province.

As the conflict continues, displaced residents have started to seek refuge in Kitsambiro, a town located north of the active combat zones, according to Colonel Alain Kiwewa, the Lubero territory administrator. In a forthcoming development, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi are scheduled to meet on December 15 in Luanda, Angola, to engage in discussions aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict and seeking solutions to restore peace in the region.

Islamist-led rebels have successfully captured the central Syrian city of Hama, marking a significant setback for President Bashar al-Assad’s forces just days after they lost the critical commercial hub of Aleppo. The offensive, spearheaded by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), began little more than a week ago amidst a ceasefire between Israel and Assad’s ally, Hezbollah, in neighboring Lebanon.

Following intense overnight clashes, HTS forces stormed Hama “from several sides,” engaging in fierce street battles with government troops, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor. Shortly thereafter, the rebels declared “the complete liberation of the city” on their Telegram channel. Videos and images circulated on social media showed rebel fighters celebrating their victory by kissing the ground and unleashing gunfire into the air, while jubilant residents welcomed them. In a striking symbol of their dissent, some locals set fire to a large poster of Assad outside city hall.

In acknowledging the loss, the Syrian Army admitted they had lost control of Hama, a strategic city located between the fortified stronghold of Aleppo and Assad’s seat of power in Damascus. Nevertheless, Defence Minister Ali Abbas characterized the army’s withdrawal as a “temporary tactical measure,” asserting that government forces remain in the vicinity.

Aron Lund, a fellow at the Century International think tank, emphasized the gravity of Hama’s loss, labeling it “a massive, massive blow to the Syrian government.” He noted that the army had a strategic advantage in the city, making its inability to counter the rebels’ advance particularly troubling. HTS is expected to push further south toward Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, prompting fear among residents of possible repercussions. Eyewitness accounts reported a mass exodus of members from Assad’s Alawite minority community seeking refuge along the Mediterranean coast, where they form a majority.

A civil servant who identified himself only as Abbas expressed palpable fear of retribution from rebel forces, noting, “We are afraid and worried that what happened in Hama will be repeated in Homs.” Recognizing the conflict’s potential resurgence, UN chief Antonio Guterres remarked that the escalations are a reflection of the “bitter fruits of a chronic collective failure of previous de-escalation arrangements.”

As rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani took to social media to address the liberation of Hama, he referenced the long-standing grievances stemming from the 1982 crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, which resulted in thousands of deaths. He expressed hope for a victory devoid of retribution and concluded with a personal acknowledgment using his real name for the first time.

Since the beginning of the recent violence, casualties have mounted significantly, with reports indicating at least 826 people killed, predominantly combatants but including 111 civilians. This marks the most intense fighting observed in Syria’s protracted civil war since 2020.

The ongoing turmoil has placed additional strain on Assad, who recently ordered a 50-percent raise in pay for military personnel as part of efforts to reinforce his combat forces amid these challenging circumstances. HTS launched its northern offensive in tandem with geopolitical shifts and ongoing military engagements involving Hezbollah and Russia—key allies of the Assad regime currently distracted by their own conflicts.

As the situation develops, concerns persist regarding potential human rights abuses against civilians, with warnings issued by organizations such as Human Rights Watch highlighting the risks posed both by opposition armed groups and the Syrian government. Despite HTS’s efforts to present a moderated image, experts remain skeptical about the group’s capacity to fully dissociate from its roots in Al-Qaeda, particularly in the eyes of Western governments. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to maintain a presence in eastern Syria, focusing its efforts on countering the Islamic State group.

Germany’s defense minister expressed serious concerns on Thursday about an alarming incident involving a Russian cargo ship that fired a signal flare directed at a German military helicopter in the Baltic Sea. This occurrence heightens existing tensions in the region, particularly in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius characterized the act as reminiscent of the “classic provocative behavior” seen during the Cold War, signaling a worrying trend in military interactions.

According to reports from AFP, the incident took place last week and involved the crew of the Russian ship discharging red signal flares towards the German helicopter without any direct impact. While Pistorius refrained from divulging extensive details about the event, he stated that “in this case, no one was hurt and no one was in danger,” which may provide some reassurance amidst the escalating tensions.

In his comments to public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk, Pistorius noted that there have been multiple incidents in the Baltic Sea where Russian vessels have discharged warning shots into the air or into the water. With this context in mind, he emphasized the importance of prudent conduct by German and allied vessels in the region. “We can never exclude,” he cautioned, “the possibility that such incidents would lead to direct escalation.” Nevertheless, he praised the approach taken by German forces, highlighting their commitment to reporting such incidents and responding with de-escalatory measures, asserting that they refuse to be provoked by this type of behavior.

The Baltic Sea has emerged as a focal point of concern lately, particularly with suspicions of sabotage activity, including the recent cutting of undersea data cables thought to involve a Chinese vessel. This backdrop of anxiety has been underscored by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who alluded to the recent flare incident in remarks on Wednesday, describing how “helicopters from Germany suddenly being fired upon by tankers” adds to the urgency of the situation.

Germany has positioned itself as Ukraine’s second-largest provider of military support, and officials in Berlin have continuously alerted the international community to the ongoing threats of Russian “hybrid warfare,” which encompasses not only conventional military actions but also sabotage and other disruptive tactics. As tensions continue to mount in the region, both the government and defense officials are keenly aware of the delicate balance required to navigate interactions with Russian military assets.

Raytheon has successfully completed a design review for its Advanced Electronic Warfare (ADVEW) system prototype, which is aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the US Navy’s F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet fleet. This key development comes under an $80 million contract awarded last year, which stipulates the replacement of existing electronic warfare components aboard the aircraft.

The primary goal of the ADVEW system is to develop a new electronic warfare solution that will replace the current AN/ALQ-214 Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasure and the AN/ALR-67(V)3 Radar Warning Receiver systems. By focusing on improving threat detection capabilities, the ADVEW system is positioned to enhance the Super Hornets’ operational effectiveness in increasingly complex and hostile environments.

Bryan Rosselli, President of Advanced Products & Solutions at Raytheon, emphasized the significance of this review, stating, “It demonstrates our multi-function approach of integrating electronic support and electronic attack to revolutionize modern electronic warfare systems.” He emphasized that the solution aims to equip the fleet with the necessary tools to counteract evolving threats posed by some of the world’s most dangerous adversaries both now and in the future.

Following the successful completion of the design review, the ADVEW program is set to proceed into its next phase. This will involve extensive testing within a US government laboratory to ensure the system meets established Open Mission Systems standards—a crucial benchmark for interoperability and functionality.

In the development of the ADVEW system, Raytheon has employed advanced digital and model-based systems engineering tools that aim to significantly boost the operational performance of the Super Hornet. The incorporation of these tools has facilitated a smoother system integration process throughout the developmental phase, which in turn mitigates risks during the rapid deployment of the system onto the aircraft.

Moreover, Raytheon’s design strategy leverages a shared material base and optimized manufacturing processes, contributing to a reduction in costs and enabling faster production timelines. This keen focus on operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness will be vital as the Navy continues to modernize and enhance its aerial capabilities.