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Israeli operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah: December 29, 2025–January 4, 2026
Israel continued military operations in Lebanon between December 29, 2025, and January 4, 2026. Israeli activities included strikes on Hezbollah assets and personnel north and south of the Litani River.
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Turkey’s extensive ties with Venezuela bolstered Maduro’s regime despite sanctions and criminal activity
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan long served as a key external backer of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, providing diplomatic protection, economic engagement, and sanctions-evasion pathways that helped sustain Maduro’s regime amid international isolation. Following Maduro’s capture by US forces on January 3, Turkey’s past role as a potential haven and logistical lifeline may come under sharper scrutiny, though Erdogan has notably avoided public criticism of Washington.
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Somali intelligence claims death of senior Shabaab leader
Somali authorities have announced the death of Abdullahi Osman, better known as Engineer Ismail, one of Shabaab’s most senior leaders. Osman was believed to be responsible for overseeing the group’s explosive engineering and its vast media apparatus. Shabaab has yet to comment on his alleged death.
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United States strikes Venezuela, captures President Maduro (Updated)
On January 3, at around 2 am, the United States military began a wave of airstrikes on the Venezuelan capital of Caracas and surrounding areas. Major military installations were targeted, including Venezuela’s largest army base, Fuerte Tiuna, and the La Carlota airfield. At around 4:30 am, US President Donald Trump wrote that “The United States of America successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.”
