Air defence is active in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Expect explosions soon.

One is headed for Pavlohrad, the other is flying to Dnipro/Kamianske.

Explosions in Dnipro

There were two explosions in the suburbs of Dnipro. The missile that was flying to Pavlohrad flew back to Dnipro.

The Su-34s return in the direction of Akhtubinsk airbase in Astrakhan Oblast.

The IDF has announced new evacuation orders for parts of central Gaza (red polygon).

The areas include part of the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, and areas east of Al-Zawaida and north of Al-Masdar village. Civilians have been ordered to evacuate to Deir Al Balah city.

Interestingly, most of the area that has been ordered to evacuate is a part of the Al-Mawasi humanitarian zone (yellow polygon), which Israel claims it won't target.

In my opinion, this area is likely being evacuated due to the presence of Hamas rocket launchers, as last night 4 rockets were launched from central Gaza towards Israel.

Last week, evacuation orders were issued for the northern suburbs of Khan Younis, also apparently due to the presence of Hamas rocket launchers.

Somalia appears to have entered a new phase of its civil war as heavy fighting is reported by regional officials between Government and Jubaland forces in the southern part of the country. Each side has accused the other of starting the fight.

Jubaland security officials claimed that dozens of government soldiers have surrendered during the clashes so far. There are also reports of drones being used.

This comes as the Somali government sent additional troops to the town of Raskamboni, south of Jubaland State B last week amid rising tensions with Juabland's leadership over the legality of a recent election which led to the re-election of President Madobe.

Jubaland reportedly cut off telephone services in the vicinity of Raskamboni and reinforced its security personnel in the area before the battles broke out.

For those who don't know much about the situation in Somalia, the government of Somalia is backed by Turkey and western nations in Somalia's fight against the terrorist organisation Al Shabaab, while Jubaland - a semi-autonomous state of Somalia - is Pro-Ethiopia.

Russian forces reportedly crossed the Oskil river and entered the village of Senkove. It is unclear if they were able to gain a foothold or not.

A new report states that Russian forces have advanced into Dachne, and established control of around half of the village. Originally, there were reports of assault operations on the livestock farm in the south of the village. If this report is true, it would indicate that Russian forces have captured this, and some of the eastern houses.

Ukraine is apparently putting up more resistance than usual here but is still being forced to slowly retreat towards the highway.

Russian forces have reportedly restarted offensive operations from Dalnje. A Ukrainian source reported that a column of 9 vehicles is advancing from the settlement.

If I had to guess, it is probably headed west, to bypass the Ukrainian garrison in Upsenivka.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu: "We are fighting on 7 fronts, and another front may join it".

A reliable source reported that the refractory plant in Chasiv Yar has been practically captured by the Russians, although there are still some Ukrainians in the western buildings.

Fighting is reportedly gradually shifting towards the high-rise buildings in the city centre.

The remaining SDF forces on the western bank of the Euphretes river, southeast of Madan have evacuated their positions. This means that the cities of Al Bukamal, Al-Mayadin and Deir Ezzor are now under HTS control.

This will further test the US' support for the SDF and may further escalate tensions between the US and HTS.

In Kursk Oblast, Russian forces have reportedly entered Makhnovka and are now fighting for the village. It is unclear if they were able to gain a foothold, however.

Makhnovka is located right next to Sudzha.

A new report states that Russian forces have captured the village of Sontsivka and are now attacking westwards towards the nearby treelines.

This puts any remaining Ukrainian formations southeast of the village even more at risk of encirclement.

This is what Pokrovsk sounds like today...

Russian forces are now approximately 35% of the way from Donetsk city to Pavlohrad.

A reliable source reported that Russian forces are just 1.5km from Pokrovsk. The battle for the city is going to start very soon.

I was just wondering, has anyone seen any proof of North Korean soldiers in Kursk yet? Any at all?? I mean it’s been like a month now and I haven’t seen any.

It's looking more and more likely that under Trump, the US will recognise the state of Somaliland. For those who don't know, Somaliland is a breakaway state from Somalia that declared its independence in 1991. It is widely regarded as one of the more successful unrecognised states, as it has held 6 successful democratic elections since 1991.

Support for Somaliland has reportedly grown strong among Republican US-Africa policy leaders on Capitol Hill, right-leaning Washington DC think tanks, and Africa advisors of Trump’s incoming White House. Semafor - a political-based website - said that many of these people told them that they would "encourage Trump to recognize Somaliland even if it wasn’t on Day One."

Peter Pham, a former Africa envoy in Trump’s first term, said Somaliland’s democratic process had "demonstrated its attractiveness as a partner for the United States and other countries."

Opinions range on whether Somaliland should be recognised or not. Some regard recognising it as an action that will destablise the Horn of Africa and elicit a sharp rebuke from the African Union. Others say that Somaliland has proved that they can run their own country and that there's no plausible scenario where they would willingly return to Somalia.

However, one of the main players with a vested interest in Somaliland is Ethiopia. Ethiopia signed a controversial maritime agreement with the territory. As Ethiopia is the most populous land-locked country in the world, they are very keen to have access to Somaliland's Berbera port for trade, and other reasons. This has sparked diplomatic tensions with Somalia, but if Trump were to recognise Somaliland, Ethiopia's gamble could pay off.