Tuesday

February 18, 2025

Armed conflicts and attacks

Kivu conflict

M23 campaign

2025 Uvira offensive

Rwandan-backed M23 rebels advance on the city of Butembo, North Kivu, and capture Kamanyola in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo after defeating Congolese forces. Local officials say M23 forces are now preparing to advance on Uvira. (AP)

Burundi initiates the withdrawal of its military forces from the eastern DRC following M23 advances. Between 10,000 and 15,000 Congolese civilians cross into Burundi to avoid violence, with several drowning in the Ruzizi River. (Reuters)

Gaza war, Middle Eastern crisis

2025 Gaza war ceasefire

Hamas accuses Israel of carrying out at least 266 attacks in the Gaza Strip since the agreed ceasefire on January 19, killing at least 132 Palestinians and wounding 900 others. (Newsweek)

Sudanese civil war

Al-Kadaris and Al-Khelwat massacres

Rapid Support Forces militants kill at least 433 people in the villages of Al-Kadaris and Al-Khelwat, White Nile State, Sudan. (Reuters)

Israeli invasion of Lebanon

Israel partially withdraws troops from Lebanon as the deadline for their withdrawal expires. (Reuters)

Arts and culture

Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 amasses a total box office of ¥12.3 billion (US$1.69 billion), surpassing Inside Out 2 as the highest-grossing animated film globally. (Reuters)

Tomb of Thutmose II

A joint Egyptian-British archaeological mission announces the discovery of the tomb of King Thutmose II. (CBS News)