News Links - January 25, 2026

January 25, 2026

SYRIA

Humanitarian corridors open to Kobane as ceasefire extended — Syria's military opened two humanitarian corridors Sunday to allow aid delivery to Kurdish-majority Kobane and areas in Hasakeh province as UN convoy with life-saving supplies arrived in the besieged town. The move came as Syrian government and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces extended their ceasefire by 15 days from January 24. Kobane residents reported dire conditions including lack of food, water, electricity, and deaths from cold, with five children reportedly freezing to death on Saturday as the town remained surrounded by government forces and Turkish border. Click here

UN takes control of al-Hol camp after SDF withdrawal — UNHCR assumed camp management at al-Hol detention facility in northeast Syria after Kurdish forces withdrew amid Syrian government advance, triggering unrest and forcing aid agencies to suspend operations. Syrian security forces established security perimeter around the camp holding approximately 42,500 people with alleged ISIS links, primarily women and children from over 60 countries. Residents rushed perimeters in apparent escape attempts causing looting, with humanitarian operations remaining suspended despite UN takeover. Click here

Rights groups warn of deteriorating camp conditions — Human Rights Watch reported tens of thousands remain trapped in life-threatening conditions at al-Hol and Roj camps two months after Assad's fall, with US funding freeze to NGOs exacerbating crisis. Blumont, organization managing camps, received stop-work order January 24 before receiving two-week exemption January 28, but uncertainty continues. About 18,000 foreign detainees from 60+ countries have been held arbitrarily without judicial process for six years since ISIS territorial defeat, with repatriation efforts remaining sporadic as most European countries refuse to accept nationals. Click here

SOUTH SUDAN

MSF evacuates staff from Akobo citing deplorable security — Médecins Sans Frontières evacuated critical staff from facility in Jonglei State's Akobo County on January 24 following deteriorating security and instructions from opposition authorities, reducing activities to minimum levels.  MSF pulled out from Lankien earlier this month. Group called decision deplorable given scale of needs amidst ongoing conflict between government forces and SPLA-IO opposition. Click here

Rebel forces make substantial gains in resurgent civil war — Opposition forces and aligned militias made lightning advances in Upper Nile and Jonglei states following President Salva Kiir's March 2025 decision to dismantle 2018 peace deal and place First Vice President Riek Machar under house arresst. Opposition took towns of Waat (December 24), Yuai (January 2), and Pajut (January 16), and is now threatening state capital Bor 200km north of Juba, Crisis Group analyst Daniel Akech warned conflict will stoke Dinka-Nuer ethnic grievances and likely draw in neighbors including Uganda backing Kiir's regime and potential Sudanese Armed Forces support for rebels. Click here