International News
Multiple Deaths In Goma’s Mass Jailbreak As Fighting Escalates In DR Congo
DR Congo – A violent jailbreak unfolded early Monday morning at a prison in Goma, just hours after fighters from the M23 armed group and Rwandan troops entered the city.
According to a security source, the prison, which housed around 3,000 inmates, was “totally torched” during the massive escape, leading to “deaths,” though details remain limited.
Fleeing prisoners were seen running through the surrounding streets, witnesses reported to AFP.
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The chaos erupted as gunfire and large explosions shook the city center of Goma on the night of January 26, 2025, as M23 fighters, bolstered by Rwandan forces, clashed with the Congolese army on the outskirts of the city.
Large explosions continued after nightfall, causing panic among residents in this mineral-rich region, which is also home to over a million people and as many displaced by the ongoing violence.
The battle for Goma, a critical strategic location, marks a new chapter in the decade-long instability plaguing eastern DRC.
It highlights the deepening tensions involving Rwanda and the DRC, fueled by long-standing regional rivalries, ethnic tensions, and armed militia confrontations.
International calls for an end to the fighting have grown louder, as Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Sunday that a summit would be convened in the coming days between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame to address the crisis.
Fighters from the M23, with support from Rwandan troops, have been clashing with Congolese forces near Goma for several days. Despite calls for an end to the violence, Rwanda has continued to reinforce its position.
On Sunday, between 500 and 1,000 additional Rwandan soldiers were reported to have crossed into DRC, strengthening M23’s offensive.
The DRC government has strongly condemned Rwanda’s actions, accusing Kigali of violating its sovereignty.
“This is a frontal assault, a declaration of war that no longer hides behind diplomatic artifice,” Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner stated during an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Sunday.
In response, Rwanda’s foreign ministry defended its military presence, asserting it was necessary to maintain a “sustained defensive posture” due to the ongoing fighting near the border.
“This fighting close to the Rwandan border continues to present a serious threat to Rwanda’s security and territorial integrity,” a Rwandan statement said.
The United Nations Security Council has urged the withdrawal of foreign forces, but avoided naming Rwanda directly.
However, the UN has expressed concern over Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict, with a report alleging that Rwanda is using the M23 to secure access to the DRC’s vast mineral wealth, which it then exports for its own gain. UN sources confirmed that up to 4,000 Rwandan troops are currently backing the M23.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the violence continues to claim the lives of both local civilians and foreign peacekeepers.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Rwanda to cease its support for the M23 and withdraw its troops from the DRC, though these calls have been rejected by Kigali.
With diplomatic relations between Rwanda and the DRC deteriorating rapidly, both countries have recalled their ambassadors, and tensions remain high.
Federal agents raided the Washington, D.C., home of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar early Monday morning as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed.
Homeland Security Investigations agents arrived at the Minnesota congresswoman’s residence at about 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, according to a report by Fox News.
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The report said both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the DOJ are involved in the investigation.
A DOJ spokesperson confirmed the operation, stating: “Today in the Washington, D.C. area, Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the Department of Justice.”
The spokesperson added: “This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.”
Details later……….
Heavy rains have triggered severe flooding across parts of Bangkok, Thailand, forcing nearly 4,900 residents to evacuate to shelters as floodwaters swept through roads and residential areas.
The flooding has disrupted movement across parts of the Thai capital, with motorists and pedestrians forced to navigate submerged roads and seek alternative routes.
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According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, about 52,000 households have been affected by the flooding, prompting authorities to declare a flood disaster and intensify emergency response efforts.
Emergency teams have been deployed to assist affected communities and move residents from vulnerable areas to safer locations as water levels rise.
Bangkok is accustomed to seasonal heavy rainfall, but intense downpours can overwhelm drainage systems, particularly in low-lying areas, resulting in widespread flooding and disruption.
Authorities are continuing to monitor affected locations while coordinating evacuations and other emergency measures.
For thousands of residents, the immediate priority remains securing safe shelter and protecting homes and livelihoods as authorities work to manage the situation and restore normal activities once the floodwaters recede.
US President Donald Trump has explained his decision to reject Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran was seeking an agreement because it was losing revenue.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Iran wanted to immediately reopen the strategically important waterway but argued that the proposal was not acceptable to his administration.
“They want to make a deal, and I think that’s fine. I like making a deal, too, but that deal would not be acceptable,” Trump said.
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According to the US president, Iran’s push to reopen the strait was driven by the economic pressure it was facing.
“What they want to do is immediately open the Hormuz Strait. Do you know why? Because they are dying,” Trump said.
“You know why they’re dying? Because they have no money coming in, because they get their money from the Hormuz Strait.”
Trump also claimed that the US had established an unprecedented naval blockade against Iran, describing it as “a wall of steel.”
“So they outsmarted themselves. We put up the greatest blockade ever in military history. It’s a wall of steel,” he said.
“And guess what? They don’t have any money now because they wanted to close the strait.”
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy shipping route, and disruption to traffic through the waterway has significant implications for international oil markets and countries that depend on energy imports.
Trump’s remarks came amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran over the reopening of the strategic waterway and negotiations involving Iran.
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