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Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for December 22, 2024.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Saturday was a busy day and we have 50
events to cover, so let's get started.
Terrorism Events
"Germany
The attack on a Christmas market in
Magdeburg, Germany, has resulted in
five deaths and over 200 injuries.
The perpetrator, a Saudi
doctor, intentionally drove
a black BMW into the market.
Many of the injured are
in serious condition."
"India
On Saturday, a clerk working for a
Gujarat High Court advocate and his
brother were injured when an Improvised
Explosive Device (IED) delivered to
the clerk's home in Ahmedabad exploded.
The police arrested the individual
who delivered the homemade bomb
and stated that the incident
stemmed from a personal dispute."
"India
In two separate incidents, fishermen
from Tamil Nadu were attacked and
robbed by Sri Lankan pirates while
fishing near Vedaranyam and Kodiyakarai.
The pirates used sticks and knives
to injure the fishermen and stole
fishing equipment worth Rs 3
lakh and Rs 1 lakh, respectively.
The injured fishermen sought
medical assistance and reported
the incidents to their community."
"Israel
The Israeli Air Force intercepted
a drone that entered Israeli
airspace in southern Israel.
The drone was likely launched from Yemen
and crossed the border via Egypt, a route
previously used by Iran-backed Houthis."
"Israel
The Israeli Air Force launched
several types of interceptor
missiles in response to a Houthi
ballistic missile attack on Tel Aviv.
However, all the interceptors failed to
knock down the missile, which hit a park,
causing damage and injuring 16 people.
The Israeli Air Force is currently
investigating the reasons behind
the failed interception attempts."
"Mali
On Friday, jihadist terrorists attacked
six villages in the Bandiagara area
of central Mali, killing at least
21 people and wounding many others."
"Nigeria
On Saturday, a Nigerian Army spokesman
stated that troops arrested four
suspected Ambazonian rebels at a hotel
in the town of Takum, Taraba State.
Ambazonia is a rebel group operating
in the neighboring Cameroon Republic."
"Nigeria
On Friday, the Nigerian military stated
that a terrorist leader was wounded
and later died after being captured
during an operation in Sokoto State.
The terrorist was linked to the
murder of a monarch in Sokoto.
Troops also arrested two other
high-profile terrorists during
separate operations in the region."
"Pakistan
Between Wednesday and Thursday, a
Pakistani soldier and four terrorists
died during a gun battle in the
area of Rajgal, Khyber district.
The clash took place when
the terrorists attempted to
infiltrate Pakistan from Iran."
"Pakistan
Early Saturday morning, at least
30 Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
terrorists attacked an army outpost in
the Makin area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
province, killing 16 soldiers and
critically injuring five others.
The terrorists also set fire
to the wireless communication
equipment, documents, and
other items at the checkpoint."
"Philippines
On Thursday, gunmen ambushed and
killed the widow of a Dulangan-Manobo
chieftain and her driver as they
drove through Barangay Sayap,
Datu Hofer Maguindanao del Sur.
It is believed her husband was
tortured and executed by the
same assailants two weeks ago."
"United States
An Iranian-American man living
in Natick, Massachusetts, was
arrested on Monday afternoon.
He was one of two men wanted by
the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) for their alleged role in a
fatal drone strike earlier this year.
On Thursday, the U.S.
Department of Justice announced
that the man and his accomplice had
been indicted on charges related
to a scheme to illegally export
sophisticated electronic components
from the United States to Iran."
Political Conflict Events
"Chad
According to the Chadian Defense
Ministry, France began withdrawing
troops from Chad on Friday.
This development follows N'Djamena's
abrupt termination of military cooperation
with the former colonial power last month.
Chad had given Paris a six-week
deadline to remove 1,000 soldiers
and their equipment by January 31."
"Syria
The Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian
Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazloum Abdi, has
stated in multiple recent statements that
the SDF has information regarding ISIS'
plans to launch attacks on facilities
housing ISIS detainees in detention
centers across northeastern Syria.
Additionally, Iraqi officials have
also reported intelligence about ISIS
seeking to target areas in northeast
Syria, particularly the detention
centers holding their operatives
under the Autonomous Administration."
"United States
A Chinese national named Sun was arrested
on Thursday and charged with acting as an
illegal agent for the Chinese government.
Prosecutors allege that Sun served as
the campaign manager for an unnamed
politician elected to a city council
in Southern California two years ago.
This charge is connected to the case
of Chen Jun, a 71-year-old Chinese
national who was sentenced to 20 months
in prison last month for acting as an
illegal agent of the Chinese government.
Chen pleaded guilty in July to
using Chinese money to bribe federal
agents to undermine the anti-Beijing
spiritual group, Falun Gong.
The charges against Sun indicate
that he conspired with Chen to
interfere in local elections."
Military Conflict Events
"Gaza Strip
Five people, including two children,
were killed in an Israeli airstrike
on a house in the Nuseirat refugee
camp in the central Gaza Strip."
"Iran
Iranian forces arrested an unspecified
number of Takfiri terrorists during
a raid in the city of Sarpol-e
Zahab in Kermanshah province."
"Myanmar
Arakan Army (AA) insurgents have
intensified operations in their push to
capture Gwa Township in Rakhine State.
The Arakan Army (AA) seizure of
Taungup and Thandwe townships in
Rakhine State and the offensive for
Gwam have resulted in the remaining
civilian residents of towns in the
region fleeing the ongoing fighting."
"Pakistan
On Friday, security forces
raided an improvised explosive
device (IED) manufacturing
facility in Kharan, Balochistan.
During the operation, two
suspects sustained injuries in
an exchange with security forces.
Troops recovered a motorcycle laden
with 30 kilograms of explosives,
weapons, and other materials."
"Russia
Explosions were reported in
Sochi, Russia, with air defense
systems intercepting drones.
The Lazarevsky district experienced seven
to ten explosions that caused damage.
Similar noises were heard in Tuapse.
Air defense systems were activated over
the Black Sea, but no official information
on damage or casualties has been released.
In Tatarstan, eight drone strikes were
recorded, with one hitting an industrial
site and six striking a residential area.
No casualties were reported.
Mass events in Tatarstan were
canceled due to security concerns."
"Russia
Eight drones attacked residential and
industrial areas in Kazan, Tatarstan.
No casualties were reported.
Flights were suspended, and mass
gatherings were canceled as a result.
Ukraine has not officially claimed
responsibility for the attack.
This comes after a Ukrainian
strike on Russia's Kursk region
and a Russian strike on Kyiv."
"Sudan
Between Wednesday and Thursday,
Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked
villages in the Abu Zureiga area
of North Darfur State, killing
more than 50 civilians, including
people abducted from their farms.
The RSF reportedly attacked the villages
inhabited by the Zaghawa ethnic group,
who they believe are supporting a rival
force fighting the RSF in El Fasher."
"Sudan
Para-military Rapid Support Forces
(RSF) reported having advanced into
several villages north of Ed Dueim.
RSF fighters established a base in
the village of Tayba and additional
positions in Seleik and Marraakh.
Furthermore, RSF has set up bases in some
villages approximately 10.5 miles from
the Sudanese base in Jebel Al Arshkool."
"Syria
Turkish forces and their factions launched
heavy artillery shells on Qorqozak
Bridge in the eastern Aleppo countryside.
Violent clashes with heavy and medium
weapons occurred between Turkish
forces and their factions and the
SDF on the Tuwaziya line in the
Al-Raqqa countryside and in Sakiro,
Om Baramil, and Huwaija Villages.
Five members of pro-Turkey factions were
killed in an infiltration operation into
SDF positions in Deir Hafer village in
eastern Aleppo countryside, resulting
in violent clashes between both sides."
"Syria
Three civilians were killed
in northeastern Syria when a
Turkish drone targeted a car.
The attack was attributed to the Turkish
military and is part of Turkey's ongoing
offensive against the Kurdish-led
administration in the region."
"Syria
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces
(SDF) reported that five of their fighters
died in Turkish-backed strikes on Manbij."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked nine Chinese
military aircraft and five vessels
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Friday and Saturday.
Six aircraft crossed over the
median line of the Taiwan Strait
and entered the countryâs northern,
southwestern, and southeastern Air
Defense Identification Zones (ADIZ)."
"Ukraine
In Kharkiv, 20 buildings were
damaged in a drone attack in the
Saltovsky and Kyivsky districts.
About 200 windows were smashed, and
utility workers cleaned the area.
Eight civilians, including a 12-year-old
girl, were injured in Russian
shelling in the Kharkiv region."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces successfully downed
57 Russian drones overnight, with an
additional 56 failing to reach their
targets due to electronic jamming.
Russia carried out the attack using an
S-400 missile and Shahed strike drones.
Damage was caused to private homes,
apartment buildings, and vehicles in
the Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions."
"Ukraine
Russian forces killed one civilian and
injured eight others in the Donetsk region
on December 20, according to Donetsk
Regional Governor Vadym Filashkin."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,860 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Around 250 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
A 13-year-old girl was injured in Kherson
due to shelling in the Korabelny district.
The girl is currently in the
hospital in stable condition.
The shelling caused damage to nearby
houses, including broken windows."
"Ukraine
Russian forces have attacked the
village of Stanislav in the Kherson
region, injuring two people.
The injured individuals, a 68-year-old
woman and a 58-year-old man,
sought medical care independently."
"Ukraine
Russian forces shelled the village
of Bilozerka in the Kherson
region, injuring a 22-year-old man.
The victim suffered blast injuries,
craniocerebral trauma, and a concussion."
"Ukraine
As a result of shelling in the
Pokrovsk district of the Donetsk
region, a 25-year-old man was killed,
and a 66-year-old woman was wounded.
The Russian army fired on a
residential area of Pokrovsk,
injuring the woman's arm.
They also shelled the village
of Udachne, resulting in the
death of a 25-year-old resident.
The type of weapon used is
still being determined."
"Ukraine
Russian troops fired 42 times at
the border areas and settlements
of the Sumy region, with a
total of 93 explosions recorded.
The Khotyn, Yunakivka, Bilopilia,
Krasnopilia, Velyka Pysarivka,
Hlukhiv, Esman, Shalyhyne,
Znob-Novgorod communities were shelled.
The Russians used mines, UAVs, artillery,
mortars, and FPV drones in their attacks.
The attacks caused damage to
infrastructure and private property."
"Yemen
US Central Command confirmed conducting
airstrikes in Sana'a, Yemen, targeting
a missile storage facility and a
command-and-control site operated
by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The attack aimed to degrade Houthi
capabilities to target US warships and
merchant vessels in the Southern Red
Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden.
CENTCOM also shot down multiple
Houthi drones and an anti-ship
cruise missile over the Red Sea."
Civil Unrest Events
"Cuba
On Friday, thousands of individuals
marched outside the U.S.
Embassy in Havana, demanding an
end to Washington's decades-long
embargo against Cuba and calling for
the country's removal from the U.S.
State Department's list of
state sponsors of terrorism."
"Israel
Hundreds of people are protesting
outside Kishon prison in northern Israel,
demanding the release of four suspects
accused of launching flares at Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's home.
The prosecution has requested that
the suspects remain in custody
until the end of legal proceedings.
The judge will make a decision next week."
"Israel
Thousands of Israelis have gathered in
Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for the weekly
Saturday night protests, demanding
the government to release hostages."
"South Korea
Thousands of demonstrators, both
supporting and opposing South
Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol,
held rival protests in Seoul on
Saturday, with the groups situated
several hundred meters apart.
The demonstrations came just a week
after Yoon was impeached over his
brief declaration of martial law."
Accident Events
"China
Three people have died in a coal mine
accident in Yunnan province, China.
The incident occurred at the
Hengda coal mine in Fuyuan County.
The collapse of a coal bunker
is believed to be the cause.
Underground operations have been stopped,
and an investigation is ongoing."
"Democratic Republic of Congo
A ferry carrying people returning
home for Christmas capsized in
northeastern Congo, resulting in 38
confirmed deaths and over 100 missing.
The ferry was part of a convoy
and primarily carried merchants."
"Iran
Thursday evening, an accidental
detonation of a grenade found by a
family member in the village of Murtan
in Rask County killed three Baloch
family members and injured another.
The family member found the grenade
in an area recently used for
military drills and brought it home.
Unaware of the danger it posed,
he pulled the grenade pin,
resulting in its detonation."
"Iran
On Saturday in Lorestan province,
western Iran, a tragic bus accident
claimed the lives of seven soldiers
and left 16 others injured.
The incident occurred around 12:39 PM
local time on the Andimeshk-Poldokhtar
road when the passenger bus veered off
course and plunged into a deep ravine
after colliding with a guardrail."
"Nigeria
A tragic incident at the Holy Trinity
Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja,
resulted in the deaths of ten individuals,
including four children, following
a stampede that occurred during the
early hours of Saturday morning.
The incident happened as the church
was distributing food items and
other relief supplies to vulnerable
members of the community."
"Nigeria
At least 27 people were feared dead after
a stampede incident in Okija, Ihiala
Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The tragic event occurred during a
Christmas rice distribution program
organized by a local foundation
to assist the underprivileged."
"United States
On Friday, a US Marine's CH53-E
Super Stallion military helicopter
at Camp Pendleton was forced to make
an emergency landing when it caught
fire during a training mission.
All four people aboard the helicopter
got out safely after the landing.
Unable to extinguish the fire, marine
officials requested firefighting
assistance from local agencies."
Other Events
"France
On Friday, France's anti-terrorism court
in Paris convicted eight individuals
for their involvement in the October
2020 beheading of teacher Samuel Paty.
Paty was killed outside his school near
Paris, an act that horrified the nation.
The defendants were accused of
either assisting the perpetrator
or orchestrating an online hate
campaign that preceded the murder."
"India
The National Investigation Agency (NIA)
has filed charges against two accused
in a J&K arms and explosives seizure
case linked with the banned terrorist
organization Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM).
The accused were in contact with
their Pakistan-based HM handlers.
The seizure took place during a
security forces operation in Baramulla,
where the driver of the vehicle,
Waheed Ul Zahoor, was apprehended."
Thanks for joining us for the December
22, 2024 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
casualty information, interactive
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