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Date:  21/02/2025 Where:  Israel Who’s involved: Israel, Gaza, West Bank, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria What happened? Israel-Palestine: Israel and Hamas reached a Gaza ceasefire deal that took effect on 19/01/2025. The agreement is aimed at increasing humanitarian aid, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. On the first day of the ceasefire, Hamas released the first three Israeli hostages as part of the agreement, while Israel freed 90 Palestinian prisoners. By 22/01/2025 , more than 2,400 aid trucks had entered Gaza.  On 21/01/2025 , Israeli security forces raided the West Bank city of Jenin,  killing at least nine Palestinians. Additionally, thousands of Palestinians waited at roadblocks to return home to northern Gaza on 26/01/2025 , following a refusal to open crossing points by Israel.  Hamas agreed to hand over three Israeli hostages, and Israel opened roadblocks the following day. On 09/02/2025 ,  the Israeli military completed its withdrawal from Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor  as part of the ceasefire deal. On  10/02/2025,  the Israeli military continued attacks on Jenin , in the West Bank, resulting in the deaths of three Palestinians, including a pregnant woman. On the same day, Hamas temporarily suspended the release of 76 hostages , citing Israeli violations of the ceasefire by allowing heavy machinery back into Gaza.  On  13/02/2025, Hamas announced   that it would proceed with the planned releases, after threats from Trump and Netanyahu to escalate violence if hostages were not freed by 15/02/2025. On 17/02/2025, Netanyahu instructed Israeli negotiators to travel to Cairo to discuss the stalled second phase of the ceasefire . The delegation will be led by Secretary of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, replacing Mossad chief David Barnea, who led the January negotiations that resulted in the current deal. Whether Barnea will continue as part of the Israeli negotiating team remains unclear. So far, no progress has been reported , and  Israel continues to block the entry of tens of thousands of mobile homes and tents  into Gaza, despite this being a condition of the truce. On 17/02/2025, threats of a direct attack on Israel were revived  by senior commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), also known as the Iranian Revolutionary Guards , likely in an attempt to deter a potential Israeli strike on Iran and influence Israeli decision-making. On 18/02/2025 , Hamas proposed releasing all Israeli captives at once in exchange for a complete end to the war.  Israel has not yet issued an official response to this permanent truce. Syria: Since the fall of Assad’s regime on 08/12/2024, Al-Sharaa has been named Syria’s interim president  on 29/01/2025. Since then, Al-Sharaa has met with Saudi-Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud ( 02/02/2025 ), Turkey’s president Erdoğan ( 04/02/2025 ) and had  a phone conversation with Russian president Putin to establish support (12/02/2025). Additionally, the EU has agreed to lift some of the sanctions against Syria  to help stabilize Damascus  ( 27/01/2025). As of 18/02/2025,  the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) , the last major armed group not to have integrated with Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) forces, appears  willing to do so soon. However, there are still several unresolved issues in the negotiations between the SDF and the Syrian interim government, especially regarding the scope of the SDF dissolution.  On 24/01/2025 , satellite imagery showing a new construction   by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the demilitarised buffer zone with Syria was released. It is also reported three Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) brigades are set to remain indefinitely in southern Syria  near the Golan Heights-Jordan border. Lebanon: On 9/01/2025 , Joseph Anon was elected as Lebanon’s president, ending a three-year power vacuum. On 02/02/2025,  Israel announced plans to establish  permanent military outposts adjacent to each northern community along the Lebanon border , as part of a new defense strategy against Hezbollah. Despite a renewed withdrawal deadline for  18/02/2025 , the IDF has announced it will keep soldiers stationed in 5 locations in southern Lebanon . On 02/02/2025, Hezbollah’s leader Naim Qassem announced that a funeral for former Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safiedine will be held in Beirut on   23/02/2025 . The high-profile funeral is expected to draw officials from Hezbollah’s allies, including Iran, Hamas, and the Houthis, as well as Hezbollah fighters and civilian supporters. The first visitors attending the funeral have been documented, and many Baghdad-Beirut flights are fully booked ahead of the Hezbollah leader's funeral, prompting MEA to schedule additional flights. As previously advised, avoid Beirut and southern Lebanon on the days around the funeral for precautionary measures. If possible, temporarily relocate to northern Lebanon until 25/02/2025. On 13/02/2025 , Lebanon denied an Iranian plane permission to land at Rafic Hariri International Airport following Israeli accusations that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was using civilian flights to funnel funds to Hezbollah. This decision led to pro-Hezbollah protests on 15/02/2025 . On  21/02/2025 ,  the Israeli army launched air strikes on sites along the Syria-Lebanon border, claiming that Hezbollah was using them to transfer weapons into Lebanon. Egypt: On 27/01/2025 , President Trump suggested that Jordan and Egypt take in large numbers of Palestinians from besieged Gaza. Both countries have rejected this idea.  The Egyptian government is formulating a plan to rebuild Gaza while ensuring the Palestinian population remains in place, offering an alternative to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to forcibly relocate its residents and take over the territory. The leaders of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the Palestinian Authority will gather in Saudi Arabia on 04/03/2025  to discuss the proposal.

Date: 14/02/2025 Location:   Goma, North Kivu Province, DRC; Nyabibwe, South Kivu Province, DRC; Kalehe, South Kivu Province, DRC; Bukavu, South Kivu Province, DRC. Kinshasa, Kinshasa Province, DRC.  Ground Security: For those in Goma  and the Kivu Lake regions  (North and South Kivu) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): pay extreme caution and try to relocate outside the country as soon as possible . The same applies to those in Kinshasa; pay extreme caution and leave the country as soon as possible. If you are unable to leave or have to stay in-country, stay indoors as much as possible and monitor local media for updates. Do not trust ceasefires at face value, especially unilaterally announced ones. If one is announced, monitor the news for updates and keep a cautious approach.  Note: The Dutch embassy in Kinshasa is temporarily closed to the public. If in need of help, contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at  +31 247 247 247. Airport/Overflight Security: Goma International Airport (GOM; FZNA) has been  seized by M23, rendering Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Airfield Services unavailable.  It is NOT  possible to land/takeoff or divert to Goma International Airport. The airport and runways were damaged during the fighting. Thus, landing on Goma Airport runways should be avoided even in emergencies. There are two NOTAMS issued related to FIR KINSHASA (FZZA): United Kingdom (NOTAM EGTT V0046/24): it is recommended not to enter FIR KINSHASA (FZZA) within 100 NM of the eastern boundary, between the 1st parallel north and the 2nd parallel south, below FL250. Canada (NOTAM CZUL H0401/25): it is recommended not to enter FIR KINSHASA (FZZA) below FL260. This means that overflying traffic at higher altitudes is generally not at risk under normal operations. However, those descending or diverting below FL260 within FIR KINSHASA face significant exposure to small-arms fire and MANPADS. Therefore, it is recommended to take precautionary measures by planning the route, avoiding alternate airports in the DRC in case of an emergency, and maintaining an altitude above FL260 in FIR KINSHASA .  On 11/02/2025, the DRC prohibited any aircraft registered in Rwanda from overflying, landing or otherwise utilising Congolese airspace.  What happened? On 25/01/2025, The DRC Armed Forces ( Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo, hereafter FARDC) announced that the governor of North Kivu province, Maj. Gen. Peter Cirimwami Nkuba, was killed by an M23 sniper in Sake, close to the local frontline.  On Monday, 27/01/2025 , March 23 Movement ( Mouvement du 23 Mars, hereafter M23) fighters captured the eastern city of Goma , North Kivu Province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking a significant escalation of the decades-long conflict which reignited in 2022.  M23 is one of several armed groups operating in eastern DRC , seeking control over mineral mines. The UN accused both Rwanda and Uganda of supporting M23 with claims of Rwandan and Ugandan troops present in eastern DRC.  On 28/01/2025 , protesters demanding action against M23 attacked several embassies in Kinshasa , the DRC’s capital. The affected embassies are those of the United States, France, Belgium, Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya, as well as the UN’s Permanent Mission of the DRC.  On Monday, 03/02/2025 , M23 announced a unilateral ceasefire to start on Tuesday, 04/02/2025 , citing "humanitarian reasons." However, on Wednesday, 05/02/2025 , M23 violated the ceasefire   and captured the town of Nyabibwe.  On 04/02/2025 , Reuters reported that Uganda had sent 1,000 more soldiers to the east Congo , north of Goma. This deployment brings the total number of Ugandan soldiers in the region to an estimated 4,000 to 5,000. However, Uganda’s involvement extends beyond confronting the M23 rebel group. The troops are mainly supporting the Congolese government in addressing a separate security threat by pursuing militants of Ugandan origin with ties to the Islamic State group , suggesting that not all of these forces will be directly engaged in the fight against M23. On 07/02/2025, The Guardian reported, citing diplomatic and high-ranking intelligence sources, that the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) have suffered hundreds of casualties since they began actively supporting M23 in 2022.  The same report, citing UN experts, states that the RDF is in “de-facto control” of M23 . Rwanda keeps denying that its forces have crossed into the DRC.  On 08/02/2025, the DRC and Rwanda signed an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” agreement.  The DRC also agreed to begin direct negotiations with M23. The DRC has previously refused to directly negotiate with M23 after designating them a terrorist group in January 2025. On 09/02/2025, Reuters reported that at least 75 FARDC soldiers are to stand trial for desertion, looting and violence against civilians, including murder and rape. This incident points to   On 10/02/2025, Reuters reported that South Africa had added 700-800 soldiers to the garrison already present in DRC. South African troops in DRC are now believed to be around 2000 personnel strong.  On 11/02/2025, the DRC prohibited any aircraft registered in Rwanda from overflying, landing or otherwise utilising Congolese airspace.  On 12/02/2025 , M23 captured Ihusi and Kalehe. M23 is swiftly approaching the capital of South Kivu province, Bukavu .  Conclusion The situation in eastern DRC is dire. Rwanda’s support of M23 is resilient, and the group’s advance does not appear to be slowing down. The group’s advance is getting dangerously close to the Burundian border. If the Tutsi-led M23 were to violate the Burundian border - a state with a social and political Hutu majority -  the risk of reviving the ethnic-based conflict between Hutu and Tutsi would reach levels not seen in 30 years. Despite the DRC-Rwanda agreement on a ceasefire, M23 has kept its advance going, further undermining the swift and stable crisis resolution.

Date: 19/02/2025 Location:   Goma, North Kivu Province, DRC; Nyabibwe, South Kivu Province, DRC; Kalehe, South Kivu Province, DRC; Bukavu, South Kivu Province, DRC. Kinshasa, Kinshasa Province, DRC. Bunia, Ituri, DRC. Ground Security: For those in North and South Kivu  in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): pay extreme caution and try to relocate outside the country as soon as possible . The same applies to those in Kinshasa; pay extreme caution and leave the country as soon as possible. If you are unable to leave or have to stay in-country, stay indoors as much as possible and monitor local media for updates. Do not trust ceasefires at face value, especially unilaterally announced ones. If one is announced, monitor the news for updates and keep a cautious approach.  Note: The Dutch embassy in Kinshasa is temporarily closed to the public. If in need of help, contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at  +31 247 247 247. Airport/Overflight Security: Goma International Airport (GOM/FZNA) and Bukavu Kuvumu Airport (BKY/FZMA) have been  seized by M23, rendering Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Airfield Services unavailable.  It is NOT  possible to land/takeoff or divert to Goma International Airport. The airport and runways were damaged during the fighting. Avoid landing in Goma Airport and Bukavu Kavumu Airport, even in emergencies. There are two NOTAMS issued related to FIR KINSHASA (FZZA): United Kingdom: it is recommended not to enter FIR KINSHASA (FZZA) within 100 NM of the eastern boundary, between the 1st parallel north and the 2nd parallel south, below FL250. Canada: it is recommended not to enter FIR KINSHASA (FZZA) below FL260. This means that overflying traffic at higher altitudes is generally not at risk under normal operations. However, those descending or diverting below FL260 within FIR KINSHASA face significant exposure to small-arms fire and MANPADS. Therefore, it is recommended to take precautionary measures by planning the route, avoiding alternate airports in the DRC in case of an emergency, and maintaining an altitude above FL260 in FIR KINSHASA (FZZA) .  On 11/02/2025, the DRC prohibited any aircraft registered in Rwanda from overflying, landing or otherwise utilizing Congolese airspace.  Latest update: On 17/02/2025 Eastern Congo’s second largest city, Bukavu, fell to M23 . They also gained control over Kavumu Airport in the north of the city. On 18/02/2025, in response to growing instability along their border, Ugandan forces entered Bunia, the capital of Ituri province , north of the Kivu region, citing growing border instability as a reason. At the same time, M23 appears to be regaining momentum in its northward advance, an offensive that had previously seemed to stall.  Meanwhile, in the south, reports suggest that the Burundian army is retreating from the DRC following M23’s continued advance  in that direction. Its official spokesman denies these claims at the time of writing. Conclusion The situation in eastern DRC is growing increasingly dire, with Rwanda’s support for M23 remaining unwavering and the group’s advance continuing unchecked. Reports indicate that M23 is nearing the Burundian border, likely escalating tensions with Burundian authorities, as Bujumbura—the country’s economic powerhouse and former capital—lies in close proximity. Meanwhile, Uganda is also feeling the strain of the conflict and has deployed troops to the Congolese city of Bunia, north of Goma. To access more updates and our analysis of the situation, please contact info@dyami.services or peter@dyami.services .

Date: 07/02/2025 Where: Lebanon, Beirut - Sports City Stadium Lebanon, Beirut, near the Imam Khomeini Center (33° 50’ 45” N, 35° 29’ 45” E) Lebanon, Deir Qanoun En Nahr Who’s involved: Lebanon, Hezbollah, Israel, Iran, Hamas,  Houthis What happened: On 02/02/2025, Hezbollah announced that it would hold the funeral of Hassan Nasrallah  on 23/02/2025 in Beirut . Beirut will also be Nasrallah's burial location. The former leader of Hezbollah was killed by an Israeli airstrike on 27/09/2024, but a formal funeral was delayed due to the extent of the hostilities at the time. Hezbollah had, until now, only resorted to a temporary burial due to security concerns. The planned funeral procession will be held for both Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine , another senior Hezbollah official who replaced Nasrallah after his death. Safieddine was himself killed by an Israeli airstrike on 03/10/2024.  Saffieddine will instead be buried in his hometown, Deir Qanoun En Nahr . This was also announced on 02/02/2025. A previously agreed-upon ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel is supposed to begin on 18/02/2025. Analysis : Given the high profile of the funeral, several officials from Hezbollah’s allies are to be expected . The speech given by current Hezbollah leader Nair Qassem  suggests that the group expects a large gathering of “political forces, parties, officials and other concerned parties”. Iran  has announced it will send a delegation to the funeral , but it has yet to disclose who is going to be a part of the delegation. Hamas and Houthis officials are also expected to attend . Given past Hezbollah funerals, it is also expected that the procession will be attended by Hezbollah fighters as well as civilian supporters. The likely presence of a large number of armed Hezbollah fighters and the magnitude of this funeral could make for a particularly volatile situation . Unconfirmed images place the burial location in southern Beirut , near the Imam Khomeini Center (33° 50’ 45” N, 35° 29’ 45” E). The most recent ceasefire deadline between Israel and Hezbollah is 18/02/2025,  meaning that the procession will take place five days after the truce is to commence. This delay could likely serve as a buffer period to see if the ceasefire holds. Crucially, the ceasefire deal requires  Hezbollah to surrender its weapons . This is unlikely to happen, meaning that the ceasefire’s observance is already at risk.  Given the expected significant presence of senior officials  from Hezbollah’s state and non-state allies, Israel will likely hold off from attacking the procession. The risk of killing state officials  is significantly high  and could lead to an escalation that Israel is unprepared and/or unwilling to explore. Nevertheless, Israel will likely observe and follow  the procession closely. There could be a strategic reason behind Hezbollah’s information disclosure regarding the funeral as well as the disclosure occurring so far in advance. Hezbollah’s aim could be to create enough media coverage and attention so as to nullify any Israeli covert attempt to strike or otherwise interfere with the procession. Moreover, the disclosure and its timing could serve as a way of making sure that the event is as big as possible. The funeral marks a crucial opportunity for Hezbollah’s leadership to rally support for the group and make sure that they will retain political and military relevance. Since the death of Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s power has progressively waned. This power vacuum has opened the opportunity for the Lebanese Armed Forces and Parliament to properly challenge Hezbollah’s dominance for the first time in years. The recent appointment of President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is a testament to the Lebanese Parliament's will to challenge Hezbollah.  It is likely that if Hezbollah does not prevent this from happening now, it may not gain back its power. Conclusion:  The funerals of former long-standing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and his immediate successor, Hashem Safieddine , will be held on  23/02/2025 in Beirut. For precautionary measures, it is advisable to avoid Beirut and southern Lebanon on the days around the funeral. If possible,  temporarily relocate to northern Lebanon until 25/02/2025. Given the alleged burial location’s vicinity to the airport, it is also advised to  avoid flying to and from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY/OLBA) on the days around the funeral.

Date Published: 04/02/2025 Location:   Goma, North Kivu Province, Eastern DRC; Kinshasa. What happened? On Monday 27/01/2025 , M23 armed group rebels captured the eastern city of Goma , in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking a major escalation of the decades-long conflict which reignited in 2022. Hundreds of thousands of people fled Goma. The M23 is one of several armed groups operating in eastern DRC, seeking control over mineral mines. The DRC and the UN accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, with claims of Rwandan troops present in Goma. In a new development, on Monday 03/02/2025 , the AFC/M23 rebel coalition announced a unilateral ceasefire starting Tuesday 04/02/2025, citing "humanitarian reasons."  This decision comes after a week of intense fighting and territorial gains. The DRC government in Kinshasa has not yet commented on the ceasefire announcement , and it remains unclear if the country's military will respect it. Despite earlier statements of marching on to the capital, the M23 rebels, following their capture of Goma, stated they have no intention of capturing further settlements such as Bukavu  (a city some 100 km away from Goma and around 200 accounting for road limitations) or other areas.  In Goma, some economic activities are resuming, but schools and banks remain closed, and food shortages persist. The situation on the ground remains tense, with ongoing health risks and humanitarian concerns. On 04/02/2025 , Reuters reports that Uganda has sent 1,000 more soldiers to east Congo , north of Goma. This would raise the number of the Ugandan troops deployed to about 4,000-5,000. Uganda also reportedly backs M23. In Kinshasa, the U.S. reduced its embassy staff and urged all American citizens to leave the country following last week's attacks on embassies  of nations accused of collaborating with Rwanda. The targeted embassies included those of France, the United States, Belgium, the Netherlands, Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda itself. What to do  The UK and Canada have issued formal airspace warnings so far. Overflying traffic at higher altitudes is generally not at risk under normal operations. However, descending or diverting aircraft face significant exposure. Avoid flying in the region, especially below FL260. FZNA/Goma airport has been captured. For those in Kinshasa, remain vigilant and stay informed about potential protests or unrest. Stay indoors, seek shelter, and monitor local media for updates. All individuals in affected areas should closely monitor the implementation of the ceasefire and follow instructions from local authorities and international organizations providing humanitarian assistance. For Dutch citizens in Kinshasa, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at +31 247 247 247

Date Published: 01/02/2025 Location:   North Kivu, DRC. On Monday, 27/01/2025, the M23 rebel group  announced it had captured Goma , a key city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) . The takeover prompted hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee , worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis. Goma serves as a critical security and humanitarian hub , hosting thousands of displaced people who had previously fled conflict elsewhere. The M23 is one of many armed groups  operating in eastern DRC, competing for control over mineral-rich territories . The Congolese government and the United Nations  have accused Rwanda  of backing M23, with reports indicating the presence of Rwandan troops in Goma . On Sunday, January 26 , DRC’s Foreign Minister declared that Rwanda’s military crossing into Congolese territory was a "declaration of war,"  further announcing that Kinshasa was severing all diplomatic ties with Kigali . The situation is still developing. M23 rebels have seized control of Goma and they are reportedly moving rapidly south toward Bukavu. The DRC military has set up a defensive line on the road to Bukavu.   DRC President Félix Tshisekedi has vowed a strong military response but refuses to negotiate directly with M23, insisting on engaging only with Rwanda. President Paul Kagame warned that Rwanda is ready for confrontation if necessary. The international community calls for a peaceful de-escalation of tensions. UN, EU, US, and China calling on Rwanda to withdraw from the DRC. The UK and Germany have threatened to cut aid to Rwanda over its alleged support for M23. Further scenarios Military Escalation . The Congolese army (FARDC), backed by Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces, launches a counteroffensive to reclaim Goma, resulting in heavy clashes. Rwanda officially deploys troops to reinforce M23, turning the conflict into a regional war involving multiple nations. Cross-border attacks escalate, with increased shelling between DRC and Rwanda, potentially drawing in Uganda and Burundi. Prolonged stalemate . M23 consolidates control over Goma and southern areas but faces resistance near Bukavu. The DRC fails to dislodge M23, leading to a de facto partition of eastern Congo, similar to past conflicts. Diplomatic efforts intensify, but without a clear resolution, a prolonged stalemate leads to increased militia activity. A peace agreement . Under mounting international pressure, Tshisekedi agrees to engage in direct talks with M23, mediated by Angola or an international body. A ceasefire is brokered, and M23 gains some political concessions. Regional tensions ease, and humanitarian aid flows resume, but the peace remains fragile. In the past, there have been numerous failures of previous deals and for an agreement to come into place, significant diplomatic pressure would be required. Considering Tshisekedi’s stance and the DRC military’s recent actions (including cross-border shelling into Rwanda), the military escalation scenario  seems more probable in the immediate future. However, if M23 successfully holds Goma and advances further south, Kinshasa may be forced into negotiations under duress  in the coming months. Impact on Resources and Trade The DRC is one of the world’s most resource-rich nations, particularly in minerals like cobalt, coltan and gold, essential to the global technology supply chains. With the ongoing conflict, illegal mining and smuggling is likely to increase, with non-state armed groups using mineral wealth to fund their operations.  The conflict escalation could also lead to border closures and heightened insecurity which could reduce the movement of goods, affecting economies dependent on cross-border trade. Food prices have already risen in Goma, as food is scarce. Humanitarian Impact The civilian population is heavily affected by the ongoing conflict. The United Nations estimates that at least 700 people have been killed since Sunday 26/01. Over 500,000 people have already been displaced and this number could grow with an increase in the conflict's escalation. Refugee camps are also plagued by sexual violence, hunger, and disease, and hospital are overwhelmed and under equipped. Multiple human rights agencies call warring parties to prioritize civilian protection.

Date Published: 28/01/2025 Updated: 29/01/2025 Location:   Goma, North Kivu Province, Eastern DRC; Kinshasa. What happened? On Monday 27/01/2025 , M23 armed group rebels said they had captured the eastern city of Goma, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo . This signals a major escalation of the decades-long conflict which reignited in 2022. Hundreds of thousands of people fled Goma on Monday. Goma is a humanitarian and security hub of the region where several people displaced by fighting elsewhere sought refuge. The M23 is one of several armed groups operating in the east of the DRC in the search for control over mineral mines. The DRC and the United Nations accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group and have said Rwandan troops were present in Goma . The Foreign Minister of the DRC said on Sunday 26/01 that the Rwandan troops crossing the border was a ‘declaration of war’ from Rwanda. The Minister also said the DRC was severing all diplomatic ties with Kigali. The M23 intensified the offensive late last year, capturing nearby towns. At the beginning of 2025, they took control of Sake and Minova towns. On Sunday, 26/01/2025, the UN Security Council condemned the advance and confirmed 13 peacekeepers, three Malawian and one Uruguayan soldiers were killed in the attacks. As of 29/01/2025 , the situation is developing. M23 rebels control most of the city. Gunfire can still be heard, electricity is cut off, and hospitals are overwhelmed . Dozens of troops have surrendered but some soldiers and pro-government militias are still holding out. The M23 are gathering DRC troops and allied groups to take their weapons. There are also reports of looting and raping committed by fighters. A medicines warehouse has been looted and one laboratory in which dangerous germs were kept has been hit.  The M23 rebels have declared that FZNA/Goma and its airspace is closed . No flights are departing from the airport at the moment. The roads in and out of the city are blocked. The M23 rebels launched several mortar bombs in the direction of the airport that landed on the nearby SANDF base. Fighting continues near the border with Rwanda. M23 is also reported to be advancing towards the capital of South Kivu, Bukavu. International pressure on Rwanda is increasing. Meanwhile, about 1.600 kilometers away in the capital Kinshasa, protests are taking place . The demonstrators targeted the embassies of the countries they accuse of collaborating with Rwanda . These include France, the United States, Belgium, the Netherlands, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda itself. Protestors and police also clashed, and authorities fired tear gas to disperse demonstrations. What to do  The situation on the ground is dangerous. If you are in Goma, seek shelter until you can identify how to safely leave the country, be prepared to leave at a short notice, register/notify your embassy of your location and make sure your contact details are up-to-date. If you are in the capital, seek shelter, stay indoors, and monitor local media for information regarding ongoing protests.  For Dutch citizens in Kinshasa, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at +31 247 247 247

Nieuwegein, 18 december 2024 – Dyami B.V., specialist in security intelligence en reisveiligheid, maakt een doorstart onder de nieuwe naam Dyami International B.V.  na een recent uitgesproken faillissement. Dit faillissement werd veroorzaakt door een opgebouwde coronabelastingschuld, mede ontstaan vanwege de startdatum van Dyami, vijf jaar geleden, slechts twee maanden voor de wereldwijde lockdowns. Nu de doorstart een feit is kan Dyami International zich weer volledig inzetten voor haar onveranderde missie: klanten ondersteunen om weerbaar en veilig te opereren in een wereld vol geopolitieke onrust en dreigingen. Binnen drie weken na het faillissement bereikte Dyami International overeenstemming met curator Gielen van Splendor Advocaten over de doorstart. Deze snelle doorstart stelt ons in staat onze dienstverlening zonder noemenswaardige onderbreking voort te zetten en verder uit te bouwen.  Een nieuwe strategische investeerder die de missie van Dyami International volledig onderschrijft, zorgt bovendien voor de benodigde financiële ondersteuning. De doorstart wordt verder versterkt door het vertrouwen dat klanten hebben uitgesproken in de toekomst van Dyami International. "Het vertrouwen van onze klanten in onze expertise en dienstverlening is voor ons een enorme drijfveer geweest tijdens dit proces," aldus de directie van Dyami International B.V. "Hun steun onderstreept de waarde van onze missie en ons werk in deze uitdagende tijden." Met deze steun en een vernieuwde basis blijft Dyami International zich richten op het bieden van hoogwaardige diensten en oplossingen. De komende maanden zal het team zich concentreren op het optimaliseren van haar dienstverlening en het uitbreiden van haar netwerk. “Deze periode is enorm uitdagend geweest, maar het vertrouwen en de visie van onze nieuwe investeerder én onze klanten hebben ons de kracht gegeven om opnieuw op te bouwen. Samen blijven we gefocust op het bieden van hoogwaardige oplossingen om onze klanten te helpen omgaan met complexe en veranderende dreigingslandschappen,” aldus de directie van Dyami International B.V. Dyami zal ook blijven opereren onder de handelsnaam Dyami Security Intelligence.  Daarnaast zal via Dyami Academy  een nieuw trainingsprogramma worden aangeboden. Contactinformatie Dyami International B.V. Zoomstede 27-L 3431 HK Nieuwegein The Netherlands T: +31 (0)30 207 2120 E: info@dyami.services W: www.dyami.services Curator mw. mr. A. Gielen Splendor Advocaten Postbus 14188 3508 SG Utrecht T: +31 30 200 11 76 E: agielen@splendoradvocaten.nl W:   www.splendoradvocaten.nl

Date :   21/11/2024 Where :  Lebanon, Israel, Gaza, Turkey, Qatar Who’s   involved : Hamas, Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, Qatar, US  What   happened? Israel-Hamas On 19/11/24  the government of Qatar and a Palestinian official announced that senior Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya as well as several other leaders are no longer in Doha, Qatar. Their current location is kept secret although some are suspected to have left for Turkey. The US warned Turkey against hosting the Hamas’ organization in light of speculations that Hamas was opening up a new office there.   On 18/11/24 the   Turkish   government   dismissed reports that Hamas had moved its political office to Turkey from Qatar after it was reported that Qatar had agreed to remove Hamas from its territory. Turkish officials explained that Hamas members would merely visit the country occasionally. On 17/11/24  Israeli airstrikes on Beit Lahia   in northern Gaza killed and injured dozens of Palestinians. In the south of Gaza, in Rafah five people were killed by an Israeli drone attack and 15 people were killed by attacks on refugee camps in central Gaza. Israel's ground offensive has displaced roughly 130,000 people in northern Gaza. In the towns of Jabalia, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun 75,000 people are under siege according to the UN.     On  14/11/24 a series of agreements concerning trade, military and technical cooperation were signed by Qatar and Turkey in Ankara during a visit of Qatar's Emir to President Erdogan. On 09/11/24  Qatar terminated its role as a mediator between Hamas and Israel after concluding that both sides were no longer engaging ‘constructively’ in the ceasefire negotiations. At the same time Qatar stated that it would be willing to restart mediation efforts if both Israel and Hamas demonstrate readiness to end the war. On 09/11/24  Qatar was reported to have agreed to remove Hamas from its territory, following pressure from the US after Hamas had rejected the latest ceasefire proposal. However, the statement leaves open on whether the office in Doha would be closed. It merely stated that the Hamas office no longer has a reason to be there. Israel-Hezbollah On 20/11/2024  Hezbollah political official Mahmoud Qmati said that any US-brokered ceasefire deal between the group and Israel must end fighting and preserve Lebanon’s sovereignty. The statement comes after Israel's PM stance on 18/11/2024 that the country will keep striking Hezbollah even with a truce in place. On 20/11/2024  Israel’s military struck a Lebanese military vehicle in southern Lebanon, killing a soldier. The Israeli attack follows an attack in the southern town of Sarafand, which killed three Lebanese soldiers. On the same day, the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported that Hezbollah fighters clashed with Israeli troops trying to advance in the South Lebanon governorate. Hezbollah fighters fired rockets and missiles at the invading troops and destroyed a Merkava tank. On 19/11/2024  US envoy Amos Hochstein landed in Beirut for talks on a ceasefire between the Hezbollah group and Israel. The US envoy stated that there is a real opportunity to bring the conflict to an end. On 19/11/2024  Lebanon and Hezbollah agreed to a US proposal for a ceasefire with Israel, which refers to the UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a previous war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006. The deal would see Hezbollah withdrawing armed presence in the area between the Lebanese-Israeli border and the Litani River. In addition, the ceasefire agreement states that Israeli forces must withdraw from Lebanese soil, and the Lebanese army should deploy in the south of the country alongside UN peacekeepers. Analysis: Israel-Hamas ceasefire Following the increasingly challenging negotiations of the past months Qatar’s step to resign from its role as mediator demonstrates the lack of willingness of the involved parties to find a solution to this conflict.   At the same time the historically good ties between Qatar and the Hamas, seem to be deteriorating. The announcement that Hamas officials left Qatar poses questions as to what happens with the Hamas office in Doha existing since 2012. Representatives of Hamas continue to deny that they were requested to leave the country and reports that a new office is to be established in Turkey have so far been dismissed by Turkish officials, although the presence of Hamas members in the country is openly admitted. The Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari merely stated that the Hamas office had lost its function as the negotiation process had been stopped due to Qatar's retreat as mediator. This action reflects Qatar’s strategy as a country trying to navigate the pressure put on it by the US to expel Hamas leaders, its own frustration with Hamas over their unwillingness to constructively participate in the negotiations as well as its own historical support for and relationship with Hamas.  Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire The past days has seen progress on the ceasefire talks between Israel and Hezbollah. The US ambassador proposed a deal to the Lebanese government together with the Hezbollah group that said it was willing to accept on the condition that Hezbollah’s group retire its forces from southern Lebanon. Nevertheless, there are still profound differences over the future of a ceasefire deal. Israel could ask for additional concessions that the Hezbollah group might not be willing to accept. The Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is also demanding the ability to act with its military to enforce the deal. However, Hezbollah will likely not accept the ceasefire if the attacks do not stop, nor will it accept freedom of movement for the Israeli military within Lebanon.  The Iranian support to the deal will likely accelerate the process, and might help the Lebanese front being more flexible regarding the possible Israeli requests in the final talks on the ceasefire. However, it might also create a stronger front against Israeli conditions, if those will be too stringent for the Iranian-backed group.  The consequences of the talks that are currently happening in Beirut will likely influence the talks between Israel and Hamas as well, and will impact the future of the region overall. Conclusion The ceasefire talks on the Hezbollah front seemed to be progressing, given the Lebanese government and the Hezbollah group showed positivity regarding the sign of a ceasefire. However, there are still vital unresolved issues concerning the Israeli military’s role in Lebanon and the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces from southern Lebanon.  Negotiations on a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas have frozen since Qatar stepped down from its role as a mediator. Whether or not Qatar's incentive for both parties to focus on resolving the conflict will be fruitful remains to be seen. This applies as well for the question of the location of the Hamas office in Qatar. However, the situation is growing increasingly dire without Qatar at the negotiation table since valuable time is lost while the parties may or may not gather their will to engage constructively in the negotiations.

Date :  14/11/2024 Where :  Mozambique  Who’s involved : Frelimo (Front for the Liberation of Mozambique), Podemos (Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique), Mozambicans, Mozambique security forces What happened?  On 9/10/2024  national elections took place in Mozambique. On 24/10/2024 , the final results were validated by the Supreme Court and led to a landslide victory for Mozambique’s ruling party Frelimo with more than 70% of the vote. The emergent opposition party   Podemos won 20% of the vote and the Renamo party came third with just over 5% of the votes. H owever, this landslide win from the Frelimo party led to a wave of protests, with opposition groups arguing that the elections were unfair and rigged in favor of Frelimo. The leader of Frelimo, Daniel Chapo, will be sworn into office as the new president of Mozambique in January 2025. On 28/10/2024 , the leader of Podemos Venancio Mondlane   called for organized nationwide demonstrations against the final result . This comes after the election campaign was marked by allegations of electoral fraud, voter intimidation, ballot stuffing, staffing polling stations with officials loyal to the Frelimo party and election-related violence, particularly the death of Mondlane’s lawyer and the party official spokesperson, who were shot dead on   19/10/2024 . The Mais Integridade election observer   said that the killings were designed to intimidate anyone demanding transparency in the polls. On 31/10/2024 , the authorities in the country turned off social media access for the population for the second time and internet access was cut across the country amid the escalating unrest. On  6/11/2024   South Africa closed the Lebombo border with Mozambique  as post-election protests escalated and Mozambican authorities threatened to deploy soldiers. South African authorities warned its  citizens to avoid non-essential visits to Mozambique. The border was reopened on 11/11/2024 . On 7/11/2024 , thousands of Mozambican’s gathered in Maputo for the biggest protest yet against the ruling party. Heavily armed police responded with rubber bullets, tear gas and live ammunition which reportedly killed one person. Later that day the army was deployed with the Frelimo claiming that the protests were part of a ‘coup’. On 12/11/2024 , Mondlane urged protesters through social media to target parts of Mozambique’s economy and trade routes with South Africa and Zimbabwe . Analysis : The 2024 elections in Mozambique were marked by widespread allegations of electoral tampering and violent protests. This echoed similar unrest that had occurred a year before in the 2023 local elections . However, the emergence of the Podemos party has added a new dynamic into Mozambique’s politics. The two traditional parties which have dominated Mozambique’s politics since the end of the bloody civil war in 1992, the Frelimo and Renamo, were unable to address the rise of the opposition Podemos party. Mondlane, the leader of the party, was able to capitalize on the grievances of the younger population, who feel the system fails to represent their interests . The Frelimo party, despite being in power now for nearly half a century, has been unable to tackle pressing challenges facing the country such as unemployment rates, corruption, failure to resolve the insurgency in Cabo Delgado and public service infrastructure. As a key figure for further protests, Mondlane fled to South Africa following the election and he continues to call for protests against the contested results . This instability can be predicted to continue in the near future, especially given the support for Mondlane’s party which has a political agenda favored by many young Mozambicans as it aims to eradicate poverty, unemployment, corruption and reduce extremist violence in the country.   There are continuing human rights concerns in the authorities response to the protests. The riots have to lead to the death of at least 20 people  according to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The police used rubber bullets and tear gas to quell the riots and in early November, Mozambican authorities deployed the army  as the scale of the riots and social unrest had significantly increased. Such human rights violations are likely to continue in the form of excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests and the repression of their freedom of speech and assembly.  The post-election protests are affecting  foreign and domestic investment  in Mozambique. South Africa’s Border Management Agency closed its side of one of the region’s busiest border crossings after 15 employees from the Mozambican border post crossed over seeking refuge and protection  and the agency had warned South Africans to postpone non-essential travel to Mozambique. South African logistics company, Grindrod, also claimed it had suspended port and terminal operations in Mozambique. The protests may delay projects such as the $20 billion natural gas export project led by Total Energies SE . Detrimental to Mozambique’s economy would be the relocation of such businesses which they heavily rely on due to the disruptions.  The protests have drawn the attention of the international community and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) has called for an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis in Mozambique. The unrest and interruption across Mozambique’s ports is a threat to landlocked countries including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo who rely on its ports for trade.  Conclusion: The ongoing protests in Mozambique are likely to have far-reaching consequences for the country. Despite Mondlane being in exile, he continues to utilize public dissatisfaction to call on the population for more disruptions to take place. The protests are expected to persist and potentially escalate in intensity. The authorities and the Frelimo party continue to crackdown on protesters. If left unaddressed, the combination of economic challenges and social discontent could lead to prolonged instability, hindering Mozambique's long-term development prospects.

Date: 12/11/2024 Where :  Kazan, Russia Who’s involved : BRICS+ (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates) What happened? From 22-24 October 2024 ,   the 16th BRICS+ summit was held in Kazan, Russia. Following their accession to the BRICS bloc in January 2024, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) attended for the first time. A total of 29 other country leaders and attendees included the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Various topics were discussed during the summit, including  the conflict escalation in the Middle East, alternatives to the dominant U.S. dollar, a BRICS payment system, and endorsement of reform of the UN and Security Council. The summit did not result in actionable plans to end the ongoing conflicts in either the Middle East nor Ukraine.   Additionally, thirteen additional countries were added to the list of partners to the BRICS+ bloc, including: Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. China’s president, Xi Jinping, re-introduced what is predominantly  China’s vision of a more Sino-centric global order, also known as ‘The Great Rejuvenation’ or ‘The Chinese Dream’. China’s president Xi Jinping spoke  multiple times about this vision, extending its reach to the BRICS+ bloc’s leaders.  Xi Jinping during the summit focused mostly on the CCP’s Global Security Initiative (GSI) . The GSI covers various areas such as counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, biosecurity, emerging technologies and international policing. The GSI serves as a framework for the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) norms in terms of diplomacy, governance and security. Additionally, the GSI outlines the ways in which China would play the most important role in the new global governance system.  During the summit, Xi raised the motive for the newest members of the BRICS  group, namely Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE, to also implement the GSI framework in their own governance.   Initiatives as a result of China’s Global Security Initiative can already be seen. For example, China and Brazil’s six ‘common understandings’ – or the so-called ‘peace plan’ – strategizing a peaceful solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict that was agreed upon prior to the summit.  Analysis : BRICS+ is an increasingly disparate group of countries representing at times polar opposite ideals, societies, and political systems, that nonetheless have a shared message to challenge what they see as a Western dominance in the world’s political and economic institutions such as United Nations Security Council as well as major development banks such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The GSI follows these ideas by objecting to the U.S.-led global security system. The GSI was Xi Jinping’s main message in his 2024 BRICS+ summit opening speech. The GSI is a diplomatic tool for the CCP to help China be at the forefront of the several and serious challenges the world is undergoing, such as climate change, terrorism, escalating conflicts and worsening geopolitical tension. As a result, the GSI is expected to have a strong influence on Chinese foreign and security policy. The GSI further attempts to unify the Global South through its focus on peace in the region. For example, Xi Jinping voted for a cease fire in the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza conflicts. China is also re-establishing its ties with India, despite years of disputes, and both have withdrawn their troops from their shared border. Although India and China are far from close allies, these steps show the CCP’s willingness to make the GSI succeed.  Xi’s focus on the GSI during the BRICS+ summit shows the CCP’s eagerness to instill the GSI as an ideological framework within the BRICS+ nations and their institutions, and introduce Chinese security norms into their operational practices. International policing for example, is already implemented in different (western) countries , sometimes without permission from the local government.  Other BRICS+ nations did not directly respond to the GSI, however Xi Jinping stated that: “Many parties have responded warmly to my Global Security Initiative.”  Even though the specifics of the GSI remain vague, there are some similarities between it and the BRI in terms of cooperation between China and other nations in the Global South. Both the GSI and the BRI create new opportunities for the Global South to develop critical processes away from U.S. and EU help and influence, creating more independence from the U.S. and the EU, and more cooperation between nations within the Global South.  During the summit, Xi Jinping also expressed his view on the future development of the BRICS+ bloc, and included five suggestions for a united Global South. He recommended steering BRICS+ towards a group of nations that is committed to peace, innovation, green development, justice and closer people-to-people exchanges. Not only do these goals overlap with the GSI, some of these goals are very similar to ‘Xi Jinping Thought’, the ideology that drives the rejuvenation of China.  Conclusion Although the BRICS+ bloc has few tangible results, the bloc is growing and the message of the bloc remains strong and uniting. The 2024 summit held in Kazan, Russia, gave Xi Jinping a platform to promote the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) GSI to several leaders from across the world, including the latest nations to join the BRICS+ bloc. The GSI provides the CCP with a framework for ways in which China can be at the center of the new global governance system, as an alternative to the current U.S. and western hegemony, assisted by the Global South. With initiatives such as the BRICS+ summit, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the GSI, China’s aim to unify countries within the Global South and present itself as their leader appears more within reach, challenging the current global order in which the U.S. plays the major role.

In this report: A detailed assessment of the latest Chinese Chinese cyber campaigns A breakdown of the various threat actors and their subsequent toolsets and tactics A timeline of significant events throughout the Fall of 2024 related to these threat actors In a statement released on September 23rd , the United States Department of Commerce proposed a ban on importing and selling internet-connected vehicles that incorporate software or hardware from foreign adversaries, particularly China. The ban would go in effect for the 2027 model year, and is focused on Vehicle Connectivity Systems (VCS) and Automated Driving Systems (ADS) used in such cars. The concerns cited are that such technology could enable adversaries to collect sensitive data or remotely control vehicles on U.S. roads. While the European Union hasn’t adopted a similar approach , there are growing concerns  that there is a significant cybersecurity risk to critical European infrastructure from such Internet-of-Things (IoT) attack vectors. The DoC’s decision came just a few days after an announcement by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  that the Bureau, with the help of several international partners, dismantled a botnet consisting of over 260,000 devices, including 60,000 or more from Europe, controlled by China-based cyber threat actors. If undiscovered, it would have enabled such threat actors to conduct various cyberattacks all over the world. This latest sequence of policy moves and cyber defense actions reflects a growing, global consensus on the urgent need to counteract cybersecurity risks posed by Chinese threat actors. As Chinese cyber campaigns increasingly target critical infrastructure and exploit IoT vulnerabilities, European agencies and their allies are playing catch-up with their defenses and various investigations.  It can be easy to dismiss the Chinese cyber campaign as a type of brinksmanship between US and Chinese interests, however, the massive implications on global trade between China, Southeast Asia, and Europe cannot be understated.