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Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for March 16, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Saturday, we collected 59 events,
including the US targeting Houthi
rebels in Yemen as a warning
to Iran, so let's get started.
"Yemen
US strikes on Yemen's Sanaa have resulted
in the deaths of at least nine civilians
and injuries to 9 others, according
to the Houthi-run health ministry.
US President Donald Trump announced
the launch of ""decisive and powerful
military action"" against Yemen's Houthi
rebels, with the goal of restoring
navigational freedom and protecting
American shipping and naval assets.
Trump warned Iran to stop supporting
the Houthis, threatening severe
consequences if it fails to comply."
"Afghanistan
Sirajuddin Haqqani, the interior minister
of the Afghan Taliban-led government, has
resigned amid a growing rift with Taliban
Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
The resignation is reportedly due
to Haqqani's opposition to several
Taliban policies, including a ban on
women's education and an uncompromising
attitude toward international relations.
This development reflects a
deepening mutiny within the
Afghan Taliban leadership, with
a power struggle reportedly
surging between Taliban factions."
"China
China has responded strongly to a
joint statement by the Group of 7 (G7)
industrialized democracies, condemning
what it calls ""arrogance, prejudice and
malicious intentions"" in the statement.
The G7 accused China of ""illicit,
provocative, coercive and dangerous
actions"" in the South China Sea
and Taiwan Strait, which China
claims as its own territory.
China has rejected the G7's criticism,
calling it a gross interference in its
internal affairs and a smear campaign.
The tensions highlight China's
increasing assertiveness in the
region and its sensitivity to
criticism of its territorial claims."
"Gaza Strip
Hamas has announced that it will only
release an American-Israeli citizen, Edan
Alexander, and the bodies of four other
hostages if Israel implements the existing
ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
The proposed deal would require
Israel to stop barring the entry of
humanitarian aid, withdraw from a
strategic corridor along Gaza's border
with Egypt, and release more Palestinian
prisoners in exchange for hostages.
Additionally, long-delayed talks over the
ceasefire's second phase would need to"
"South Korea
The U.S.
government has designated South Korea
as a ""sensitive country"" in the
energy sector, which is viewed as a
subtle warning amid growing domestic
calls within South Korea to develop its
nuclear arsenal, according to analysts.
Diplomatic sources indicate that the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) is reviewing
whether to classify South Korea as a
sensitive country on its internal list,
a measure set to take effect on April 15.
The DOE defines a ""sensitive
country"" as requiring ""particular
consideration for policy reasons,
including national security, nuclear
nonproliferation, regional instability,
threats to national economic
security, or support for terrorism."""
"Turkey
The Turkish defense minister has
demanded that the Kurdistan Workers'
Party (PKK) surrender its weapons
following the group's declaration
of a unilateral ceasefire.
The PKK claims that a one-sided ceasefire
is not enough and accuses Turkey
of continuing to carry out attacks.
The conflict, which has lasted over four
decades, has claimed the lives of tens of
thousands of people and the PKK has been
designated as a terrorist organization
by Turkey and its Western allies."
"United States
US President Donald Trump has accused
media outlets such as CNN and MSNBC
of being ""corrupt"" and ""illegal""
for their critical coverage of him.
He claims that they write 97.6%
negative stories about
him and are ""influencing
judges"" and ""changing law.""
Trump has made similar attacks on the
media a central part of his message
since his first election in 2016."
"United States
The South African presidency
has described the US decision
to expel their ambassador, Mr.
Ebrahim Rasool, as ""regrettable.""
They have urged for ""diplomatic decorum""
between the two nations, following
comments from US Secretary of State Marco
Rubio that the ambassador was no longer
welcome due to his alleged racist views
and hatred for the US and its president."
"Gaza Strip
An Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza's
Beit Lahiya has reportedly killed five
people, according to Palestinian media.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has
not yet commented on the incident."
"Gaza Strip
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
carried out a strike against
three terror operatives attempting
to plant bombs in the Netzarim
Corridor area of the Gaza Strip.
The operation took place near where
Israeli troops are operating, and the IDF
has warned Palestinians to stay away from
the buffer zone along the Gaza border."
"Iraq
The Iraqi government and US-led
coalition announced on Friday that
US airstrikes in Al Anbar Province
resulted in the death of Abdallah
Makki Muslih al-Rufay'i, also known
as Abu Khadija, the second-in-command
of ISIS and another terrorist.
Abu Khadija was responsible for
the group's global operations,
logistics, and finance.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia
al-Sudani and US Central Command
confirmed the death of the terrorists.
After the airstrikes, coalition forces
went to the site and found the dead
terrorists who were wearing unexploded
'suicide vests' and multiple weapons."
"Lebanon
An Israeli drone strike has reportedly
hit a car in the southern Lebanese
town of Borj al-Mlouk, near the
Israeli border town of Metula.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has
not commented on the incident yet."
"Myanmar
On Friday, a junta airstrike hit a crowded
market in the village of Let Pan Hla in
the Mandalay Region, killing at least
nine people, including two children.
Junta airstrikes also targeted
Singu Township, approximately
five miles from the village."
"Myanmar
On Friday, an airstrike by Myanmar's
military in Let Pan Hla village killed
at least 27 civilians, including
six children, and injured 30 others.
The attack targeted a crowded
market area, according to the
Mandalay People's Defense Force."
"Nigeria
On Thursday, the Nigerian Air Force
carried out airstrikes in Katsina
State, targeting the fortified camps
of two notorious bandit kingpins, Gero
(Alhaji) and Alhaji Riga, in Unguwar Goga
Hillforest, Ruwan Godiya Ward, the Faskari
Local Government Area of the state.
The operation resulted in the
neutralization of over 20 bandits
and additional casualties in
the surrounding rocky hills."
"Nigeria
The Nigerian Army's 151 Task Force
Battalion, in collaboration with the
Civilian Joint Task Force and Hybrid
forces, conducted a successful raid on an
Islamic State of the West African Province
(ISWAP) enclave in Dalari, Borno State.
The operation resulted in the
neutralization of 4 insurgents
and the seizure of arms,
ammunition, and explosive devices."
"Pakistan
Security forces in Dera Ismail Khan
carried out an intelligence-based
operation, resulting in the
death of two terrorists.
This operation is part of an
ongoing effort to combat terrorism,
with 156 terrorists killed in
similar operations last month."
"Russia
Russia was attacked by dozens of
drones on March 15, with the Ministry
of Defense reporting that 126 were
allegedly ""intercepted and destroyed.""
The attacks targeted various regions,
including Volgograd, Belgorod,
Bryansk, Rostov, and Kursk, and
restrictions were imposed at
airports in Volgograd and Saratov."
"Sudan
On Friday, Sudanese paramilitary
Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shelled
the city of El-Obeid, killing six
people and wounding eight civilians.
The city has been under relentless RSF
bombardment for eight consecutive days."
"Syria
A kamikaze drone attack by the
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) near
Teshreen Dam in the eastern Aleppo
countryside has resulted in two
fatalities, three injuries, and the
destruction of a military vehicle."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked three Chinese
military aircraft, nine naval
vessels, and one official ship
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Friday and Saturday.
All three aircraft were reported
to have crossed the median line
of the Taiwan Strait and entered
the countryâs southwestern Air
Defense Identification Zone."
"Ukraine
Russian aggression has resulted in
the deaths of two people and injuries
to 18 others in the Kherson region.
The shelling targeted critical
infrastructure, social facilities, and
residential areas, causing significant
damage to buildings and destruction
of gas pipelines, agricultural
structures, and private vehicles.
Multiple villages and towns,
including Kherson city, were
affected by the airstrikes."
"Ukraine
Russia launched a drone attack on Ukraine,
sending 178 Shahed-type UAVs and other
types of drones from various directions.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces
successfully countered the attack,
downing 130 Russian drones and losing
38 drone decoys without causing harm.
The impact of the attack was
registered in several regions,
including Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv,
Odesa, Sumy, Chernihiv, and Kyiv."
"Ukraine
A residential building in Chernihiv
was hit by a Russian strike drone
during an air raid alert, causing
a fire in a nearby parking lot.
Fortunately, there are
no reported casualties.
Emergency services are working
at the scene to eliminate the
consequences of the attack."
"Ukraine
A missile strike in Kryvyi Rih
injured 14 people, including two
children, and damaged infrastructure,
buildings, and vehicles.
Drone attacks in Synelnykove and
Pavlohrad districts disrupted
water supplies in several areas.
Additionally, Russian forces shelled
Nikopol, Marhanets, and Myrove
communities with artillery and drones,
although no casualties were reported."
"Ukraine
Russian forces have attacked Nikopol
with heavy artillery, resulting in
the death of a 70-year-old woman
and injuries to an 11-year-old girl.
The attack also damaged a
religious institution, two
private homes, and power lines."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,180 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Around 245 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
Russian forces have attacked
railway energy supply
infrastructure in Dnipropetrovsk
and Zaporizhzhia regions, Ukraine.
Despite this, train delays remain
minimal due to the deployment
of backup diesel locomotives.
Passengers are advised to check
for delayed trains and possible
changes in suburban train schedules."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched strikes on the
Kharkiv region using drones, aviation,
and multiple rocket launcher systems.
The attacks resulted in four people
being injured, including three women
and a 53-year-old man, and caused
significant damage to 18 private homes,
five school buses, and one private
house, which was completely destroyed.
Fires also broke out in several
areas due to shelling, including
grasslands and forest underbrush."
"United States
The Pelham School District has been
affected by a cyberattack, which has
caused the internet, phone lines, and
email to be down for at least two weeks.
According to Superintendent Chip McGee,
the district's incident response plan
was implemented after an employee
experienced trouble with their computer.
The attack has impacted students'
access to Chromebooks and teachers'
access to Google Drive and email."
"Netherlands
A demonstration in support of Alawites
in Syria turned violent on Saturday
when clashes broke out between
protesters and counterprotesters.
The incident occurred outside the
International Criminal Court (ICC)
in The Hague, where a group of around
100-150 demonstrators gathered to
protest the escalating violence against
Alawites and Christians in Syria.
Police intervened to restore
order, but no arrests were made."
"Serbia
On Saturday, a significant anti-corruption
rally occurred in Belgrade, Serbia, with
tens of thousands of protesters, mostly
students, gathering to demand change.
The protest is seen as a culmination
of months-long anti-graft
demonstrations, which have posed
a challenge to President Alexander
Vucic's decade-long grip on power.
The rally has been met with tensions,
with Vucic's supporters camping in the
city center and the authorities taking
security measures to prevent clashes."
"Serbia
Over 107,000 protesters gathered in
Belgrade, Serbia's capital, to demand
anti-corruption reforms and greater
accountability from the government.
The protests, led by students,
were sparked by a November railway
disaster that killed 15 people and
exposed alleged corruption and lax
oversight in construction projects.
The movement has been gaining momentum,
with protests held in major cities
and rural areas across the country.
Government supporters, including
ultranationalists and militia members,
also gathered in Belgrade, leading
to concerns about potential clashes.
However, the protests remained largely
peaceful, with organizers taking
steps to prevent confrontations
and ensure a dignified atmosphere."
"United Kingdom
Thousands of protesters marched
through central London on Saturday
in support of Palestinians.
The pro-Palestine protest, organized
by the Palestine Coalition, began
at Piccadilly and made its way to
Whitehall, where a rally was held.
The march passed without incident,
according to the Met Police, who had
imposed conditions on the demonstration.
A smaller counter-protest was also held in
Coventry Street, near Piccadilly Circus.
Meanwhile, a separate demonstration near
the Tower of London protested plans to
build a new Chinese embassy, citing human
rights concerns and security risks."
"India
The Manipur Police, with the help of
central security forces, conducted
a massive security operation at a
hilltop of Dampi in the Churachandpur
district, successfully identifying and
dismantling two Improvised Explosive
Devices (IEDs) laid by insurgents
along the Manipur-Myanmar border ridge.
The operation also resulted
in the recovery of a large
number of arms, ammunition, and
explosives, including a .303
Rifle with a magazine, a single-barrel
gun locally manufactured, a.22
rifle locally manufactured, and two Pumpi
(locally manufactured long-range mortars).
In addition, they also confiscated
two 70 mm live rounds, four live
Pumpi rounds, eight anti-riot stun
shells, and two SMC carbine magazines."
"Israel
Israeli troops in southern Israel have
downed a drone attempting to smuggle
an AK-47 assault rifle from Egypt.
The military successfully confiscated the
weapon, thwarting the smuggling attempt."
"India
Early Saturday morning, two
unidentified people on a motorcycle
threw a grenade outside the Thakur
Dwar temple in Amritsar, damaging
its walls and shattering its windows.
No one was injured in the incident.
A search for the assailants was underway."
"Iran
On Monday, March 10, a 17-year-old Afghan
man, Rohullah, was killed by Iranian
security forces in Sistan and Baluchestan
province, with two others injured.
The shootings occurred after Iranian
troops chased a vehicle carrying
Afghan citizens near the village
of Shamshabad in Baluchistan."
"Iraq
Iraqi authorities have arrested three
Syrian nationals for distributing
materials promoting militant groups,
including Syria's Jabhat al-Nusra.
The individuals were detained in
Baghdad al-Jadida for possessing
printed and digital materials promoting
extremist ideology, which posed a
potential threat to public security."
"Nigeria
On Friday, security forces in
Zamfara State successfully thwarted a
terrorist attack on Mada town in Gusau
Local Government Area, eliminating
four assailants in the process.
The latest assault is believed to be
part of ongoing retaliatory strikes by
bandits following the neutralization of a
notorious criminal leader in the region."
"Pakistan
On Friday, the Punjab Counter-Terrorism
Department (CTD) arrested a suicide
bomber affiliated with the banned
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
in Lahore after a fierce gun
battle with several terrorists.
The bomber was captured during an
intelligence-based operation, and
authorities recovered a suicide
jacket, safety fuse wire, and
explosives from his possession.
Another terrorist managed
to escape the area."
"Pakistan
On Friday, an IED blast hit a police
vehicle in the Dadiwala area of Lakki
Marat, injuring three police officers.
After the blast, police engaged terrorists
in a gun battle, killing one of them."
"Pakistan
There was a roadside blast in Quetta that
killed a policeman and injured six others.
The incident occurred when a
vehicle of the Anti-Terrorism Force
(ATF) was patrolling the area."
"Pakistan
Friday night, terrorists riding
motorcycles threw two hand grenades at a
police post in the Khojri, Bannu district.
Police stated there were no
casualties in the attack."
"Pakistan
On Friday, terrorists attacked and
exchanged gunfire with security forces
during simultaneous attacks in Baka Khel
and Ghoriwala in the Bannu District.
A search for the assailants was underway."
"Philippines
Four members of the Dawlah Islamiya-Maute
Group (DI-MG) surrendered to government
authorities in Lanao del Sur, Philippines.
The individuals turned over high-powered
firearms, including a rocket-propelled
grenade launcher and several pistols."
"Philippines
Government forces killed a suspected
New People's Army (NPA) rebel during a
15-minute clash with several militants
in the village of Panaytayan, Mansalay,
Oriental Mindoro, Friday afternoon.
Troops recovered an M16 rifle
from the dead militant."
"Philippines
Sixteen members of the Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered
to the Philippine Army in Datu Piang,
Maguindanao del Sur, on Friday.
The extremists, who were operating
in three municipalities, surrendered
16 high-powered firearms."
"Syria
The General Security forces have made an
arrest in connection with a grenade attack
on a security patrol in Baniyas city.
Reports also suggest that two of
the attackers may have been killed.
Additionally, security forces are
surrounding Talfita town in Rif
Dimashq after an ambush on their
colleagues, resulting in two injuries."
"United States
An active shooter incident occurred
at the Lewis and Clark County
Courthouse in Helena, Montana.
A woman made threats with a pistol,
prompting a response from law enforcement.
After leaving the building, she
was confronted by officers and
deputies who used deadly force when
she failed to comply with commands.
The woman died from her injuries.
The Montana Department of
Criminal Investigation is handling
the ongoing investigation."
"China
A Chinese naval fighter jet crashed
during a training exercise near the
town of Jialai on the southern island
of Hainan, south China, on Saturday.
The pilot safely ejected.
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is
investigating the cause of the accident."
"Syria
Three civilians have been killed
in separate incidents involving
landmine explosions in eastern Syria.
In Homs, two civilians died due to the
explosion of a landmine in the eastern
countryside, while in Al-Raqqa, a child
died from shrapnel in an explosion
of a landmine in the Maâadan Desert.
These incidents demonstrate the
ongoing risks posed by unexploded
war remnants in the region."
"Syria
A 65-year-old civilian was killed in
Tal'areen village in eastern Aleppo
after an old landmine exploded.
This incident highlights the growing
concern about landmines scattered
across the area, emphasizing the need
for urgent action from authorities to
mitigate the humanitarian disaster."
"Syria
In the Idlib countryside,
two separate incidents have
occurred involving war remnants.
A child tragically lost their life
due to shrapnel from a 23-caliber
artillery shell in Al-Fawa'a Village.
Additionally, a civilian from Babolin
Village suffered severe injuries,
including the amputation of their
leg, from a landmine explosion."
"Syria
Multiple civilians have lost their
lives in Syria due to landmine
explosions in various regions.
The explosions occurred in Adman Village
in the northern Deir Ezzor countryside,
Ma'abatly district in the northern Aleppo
countryside, and Al-Mahsanly Village
in the eastern Aleppo countryside.
At least three civilians have been
reported dead, with the incidents
taking place in areas controlled by
both the Syrian Democratic Forces
(SDF) and the National Army."
"Syria
A blast from unexploded ordnance
in Latakia, Syria, has killed at
least three people and injured
12, with the cause still unclear.
The incident occurred in the Al-Rimal
neighborhood, and civil defense
teams are searching for others
who may be injured or missing."
"Thailand
Saturday morning, a bridge collapsed
in Bangkok, killing seven people
and injuring dozens of others.
The bridge was part of a
highway construction project."
"United States
An ultralight glider plane crashed into
woods near Cedar Lake Road in Deep River
on Friday afternoon, around 4:15 p.m.
Witnesses reported that the
plane was struggling to maintain
altitude before it went down in a
heavily wooded area near a house.
Injuries were reported, but the
extent is currently unknown.
First responders, including LIFE STAR,
arrived quickly and began performing
chest compressions on the pilot.
The investigation is in its preliminary
stages, according to state police."
"United States
A small plane, a Piper PA-31,
crashed at LaBelle Municipal
Airport on Friday afternoon.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
reported that the landing gear collapsed
after landing at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Fortunately, the two people on board
were uninjured, according to the
Hendry County Sheriff's Office."
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16, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
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