Intelligence and law enforcement agencies from the Western “Five Eyes” alliance have expressed growing concern over the increasing radicalization of children online by violent extremist groups. This alarming trend was highlighted in a joint paper released on Friday, marking the first time the coalition, which includes the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, has issued a united call for a comprehensive societal response to the issue.

The report emphasizes a disturbing rise in the involvement of minors and young individuals under the age of 25 in terrorism-related activities. Over recent years, the proportion of these young people engaged in counter-terrorism situations has noticeably increased. The intelligence-sharing group has underscored that the threat posed to children through online extremist content is becoming more significant, warranting urgent attention.

Australia’s intelligence agency has revealed that approximately 20 percent of its key counter-terrorism investigations involve young individuals. A particularly notable incident reported in April involved a 16-year-old charged with a terrorist act following the stabbing of a bishop during a live-streamed service in Sydney. Mike Burgess, director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, underscored the gravity of the situation, stating that in every case of terrorism or suspected terrorist activity in Australia this year, the alleged perpetrator was a young person. He remarked that the statistics are distressing for parents and concerning for intelligence officials alike.

Burgess also highlighted an important point regarding the timeline of intervention; once authorities are engaged, it often indicates that the individual has already descended into a perilous mindset. The report from the Five Eyes alliance attributes this trend largely to the online habits of young people, who have essentially “grown up online.” The study notes that social media and gaming platforms such as Discord, Instagram, Roblox, and TikTok serve as gateways for initial contact with minors, creating an environment where violent extremism can thrive.

Minors are increasingly normalizing violent behaviors in their online interactions, including making jokes about terrorist attacks and creating extremist content. The report urges parents, guardians, and those close to young people to be vigilant for signs of potential radicalization. This includes paying attention to their minors’ online activities, as the early stages of radicalization can begin with seemingly innocuous material that gradually escalates into more extreme narratives.

One specific case highlighted in the UK involved a schoolchild found in possession of alarming pro-Islamic State content on their phone. Investigators believed this minor had been manipulated into radicalization by a member of the Islamic State and by Al-Muhajiroun, a group that seeks to establish an Islamic caliphate in the UK. The child had since been referred to the UK’s multi-agency “Prevent” program, which aims to intervene before individuals are fully drawn into violent extremism.

In conclusion, the Five Eyes alliance has issued a collective call for increased awareness and intervention to combat the radicalization of youth, arguing that it is crucial for society as a whole to engage in preventive measures to safeguard the future of young individuals against the dangers of online extremism.

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.