Afghanistan
The food crisis following aid cuts and sanctions upon Afghanistan continues to worsen, with roughly half of the 15 million Afghans who are in ‘acute need of food’ have not received rations over the winter. Food insecurity, coupled with the harsh winters has led to a multi-faceted humanitarian crisis to worsen severely.
Armenia
Armenia, in an attempt to alienate itself further from Russia, has signed a United States agreement to expand security into Armenia, which involves a “strategic partnership commission” building ties in defence, economy and democracy.
Cambodia
Former opposition MP Lim Kimya, from the exiled Cambodia National Rescue Party, was shot dead in Thailand, being deemed as an ‘assassination’ by Al Jazeera, and ‘alarming’ by Amnesty International.
Lebanon
Israel withdrew its army from the state of Lebanon on the 25th of January, not before firing upon civilians returning to their homes, injuring at least 124 civilians and killing 22 according to health officials.
State of Palestine
The official end to the genocide in Gaza was agreed upon on the 15th of January, wherein, as well as armistice, hostage and prisoner exchange deals were agreed upon by Hamas and Israel. Some estimates put the death toll at over 100,000 Palestinian lives lost. The deal includes the Israeli military ‘withdrawing from populated areas of Gaza’ and allowing the return of civilians to their homes, as well as Hamas releasing Israeli captives. Israel released 183 Palestinians from prison in exchange for 3 captives.