The breakaway nation is thrown into a larger regional power struggle as a result of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.
Published On 6 Jan 2026
What does Israel’s recognition of Somaliland mean for the region?
Deadly clashes between Syrian troops and Kurdish-led fighters in Aleppo
At least four people, three of whom were civilians, were killed when Syrian government forces clashed with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Aleppo on Tuesday. There haven’t been any significant improvements made in the SDF’s efforts to combine with the national army.
Published On 6 Jan 2026
Birzeit University raid seen as warning against Palestinian defiance
More than 40 people were injured when Israeli forces stormed Birzeit University in the occupied West Bank as part of a solidarity event for Palestinian prisoners. Staff and students described the attack as a warning against Palestinian defiance, according to Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim.
Published On 6 Jan 2026
Dramatic late Algeria winner sets up Nigeria quarterfinal at 2025 AFCON
Published On 6 Jan 2026
Algeria defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) last-16 tie thanks to a thunderous strike from substitute Adil Boulbina deep in extra time.
When Boulbina, a forward who plays club football in Qatar, was released on the left in the 119th minute and advanced into the area before unleashing a vicious strike into the net, the game at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, was on the verge of a penalty shootout.
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The stadium’s 18, 837 fans, who overwhelmingly support Algeria, threw wild celebrations after the magic occurred.
The 2019 champions, who won all of their group games, are now in a fascinating quarterfinal showdown with Victor Osimhen’s Nigeria in Marrakech on Saturday, with a serious chance of winning a third continental title.
The Congolese, who had big ambitions going into the AFCON and had already lost to the Super Eagles on penalties in a play-off qualifying match in November, is dealing with the outcome.
The Leopards will now at least be able to accept that they will be able to rest in the middle of their first World Cup since 1974 with a win over either New Caledonia or Jamaica in the intercontinental playoff that will take place in March.
Algeria will continue to concentrate on Morocco for the moment, having already been guaranteed a spot in the North American finals.
The actual match, which pitted two of the continent’s leading nations, had the potential to be the final game, but it never quite lived up to its name.
Despite Vladimir Petkovic’s Algerian team’s impressive attacking talent, neither Riyad Mahrez nor Ibrahim Maza, who had 90 minutes to play, managed to maintain quality in the final third.
Axel Tuanzebe, a defensive partner for Burnley, fired just wide from a corner for DR Congo, and Maza fired a close, narrow-fire shot past the goal at the other end of the box at the other end of the first half.
Both teams came within a few seconds of each other when an Edo Kaymbe shot fizzed in from range and caused Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane to make a good save as extra time dragged on.
Algeria, however, started to turn things around in the extra-hundai when Lionel Mpasi, the country’s goalkeeper, saved well from Fares Chaibi and Baghdad Bounedjah quickly in the 111th minute.
However, a shootout appeared to be inevitable until Ramiz Zerrouki and Boulbina combined for the winning goal in the second half of extra time.
Israel, Syria agree to dedicated communication line in US-brokered talks
Under the supervision of the United States, Israel and Syria agreed to establish a joint system for sharing intelligence and coordinating military de-escalation.
The “dedicated communication cell,” as the mechanism was called in Tuesday’s joint statement, will also facilitate “diplomatic engagement and commercial opportunities.”
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In an effort to reach a security agreement that would stop Israel’s repeated attacks on its neighbor in the northeast, Israel and Syria have been engaged in intermittent talks for the past year.
The most recent statement comes after meetings between Israeli and Syrian officials, including the foreign minister, in Paris on Monday and Tuesday as the US tries to restart talks.
The statement read, “The mechanism will act as a platform to resolve any disputes as quickly as possible and stop misunderstandings.”
Without a clear and binding deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Syrian territory seized since the former president’s overthrow in December 2024, a Syrian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed it would be impossible to proceed with “strategic files” with Israel.
The official added that the discussions ended with an Israeli-issued resolution to halt all military action against Syria.
“De-escalation in the military”
Since 1967, Israel has illegally occupied parts of the Syrian Golan Heights, expanding even further into Syrian territory in recent years, including the secluded Jabal al-Sheikh mountain, which borders Syria and Israel.
Israel has also carried out numerous attacks in Damascus, including one against the Syrian Ministry of Defense.
Despite US President Donald Trump’s overt support for the new Syrian government, the Israelis have attempted to portray the new Syrian government as an “extremist” force.
Israel is under some pressure from the US to reach a deal with Syria, but it doesn’t seem like a comprehensive agreement is in order.
Somalia condemns Israel’s visit to Somaliland
Days after Israel became the only nation to grant the self-declared republic its first formal recognition as a sovereign state, the foreign minister of Israel traveled to Somaliland. The move was viewed as unlawful interference and a violation of Somalia’s territorial integrity.
Published On 6 Jan 2026