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Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for December 28, 2024.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
The team mapped 52 incidents on
Friday, so let's get started.
Terrorism
"India
Friday morning, an intense clash between
security forces and armed terrorists
erupted in the Sana Sabi area near
the Kangpokpi District of Imphal East.
Earlier in the week, attacks
occurred in Sinam Kom, Thamnapokpi,
Yaingangpokpi, and Sarbungkhok Khunou.
The terrorists managed to escape
the areas during the clashes."
"India
On Thursday, police arrested two
Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP-People's
War Group) militants during an
operation in the Awang Wanagai Lamkhai
area of the district of Imphal West.
The individuals were involved in
extortion activities in the area."
"Indonesia
Counter-terrorism forces arrested a
suspected terrorist during an operation
in the village of Jayaratu, Sariwangi
District, of West Java, on Friday."
"Israel
A rocket launched from the northern Gaza
Strip struck an open area near Sderot,
causing no injuries or major damage.
Sirens had sounded in the border
community of Nir Am during the attack."
"Israel
A Palestinian stabbed and killed an
elderly woman in Herzliya and was a former
Shin Bet informant involved in uncovering
terror networks in the West Bank.
His cover was blown, and he was
transferred to Israel for rehabilitation.
He was shot and detained at the scene
and will be questioned by the Shin
Bet regarding the terror attack."
"Mexico
On Thursday, Mexican officials announced
the discovery of 12 bodies buried
in clandestine graves located in the
Ascension municipality near the U.S.
border in the northern Chihuahua State.
For years, the state of Chihuahua has
endured violence stemming from its role
as a trafficking route for organized
criminal networks engaged in drug
smuggling and the illegal transport
of migrants to the United States."
"Nigeria
On Wednesday, a Boko Haram suicide bomber
attack killed two people and wounded
three others in the Dalori area of the
Konduga Local Government Area (LGA).
Residents were grieving the loss of
a community member killed in a Boko
Haram assault on the town the previous
day when the suicide bomber struck."
"Nigeria
On Friday, Nigerian forces arrested
a suspected Boko Haram terrorist
during an operation in the village
of Garba Chede, Taraba State.
The individual was involved in harboring
Boko Haram terrorists deployed to
Taraba State for terrorist activities."
"Pakistan
On Thursday, a woman was killed when
an artillery shell struck her house
in Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan.
The incident occurred during heavy
exchanges of fire between terrorists
and security forces in the area."
"Pakistan
On Thursday, a clash between Pakistani
troops and terrorists in Datta Khel in
North Waziristan resulted in the death
of one soldier and five militants and
the wounding of eight other terrorists.
The terrorists were members of
the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group."
"Pakistan
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) killed
11 Pakistani security forces members
and wounded 16 other personnel in
the Mirali area, specifically in
the Haider Khel and Khadki regions."
"Pakistan
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists
attacked a checkpoint in South Waziristan,
killing 16 Pakistani security forces."
"Somalia
On Thursday, gunmen ambushed a
Somali military vehicle near El
Baraf in the Middle Shabelle region,
killing at least six soldiers.
The attack appeared clan-related,
targeting the men based
on their clan identity."
"South Sudan
On Wednesday evening, a deadly
encounter occurred in Ngboko Boma,
Source Yubu Payam, as a group
of armed assailants attempted to
loot a food aid truck destined for
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The incident took place around 7 PM when
18 gunmen ambushed a truck transporting
supplies to the Ave Maria Parish compound.
One soldier from the South Sudan
People's Defense Forces (SSPDF) lost
his life during the ensuing gun battle."
"South Sudan
On Wednesday, Murle gunmen ambushed
and killed three youths and wounded
six others as they patrolled near
their farms on the outskirts of
Duk Fadiet, in Jonglei State."
"Syria
ISIS militants targeted Syrian Democratic
Forces (SDF) in Deir Ezzor, killing two
SDF members in two separate attacks.
The terrorists also attacked
a water station in Dhiban."
"Syria
A kamikaze drone attacked a US
base in northern Al-Hasakah but
was intercepted and shot down.
US forces are now on high
alert for similar attacks."
Military Conflict
"Afghanistan
On Friday, local sources reported
that intense clashes had broken
out late Thursday night between
Taliban and Pakistani border troops
in the Dand-e-Patan district of
Afghanistan's Paktia province.
Some rockets fired by Pakistani forces
had struck civilian homes, but no
detailed information on casualties or
damage on either side had been released.
The Taliban had yet to
comment on the incident.
This clash came just three days after
Pakistani airstrikes targeted the
Barmal district of the neighboring
Paktika province, killing 46 people."
"Gaza Strip
The IDF has launched a new operation
at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern
Gaza's Jabalia after identifying
the presence of Hamas operatives.
The hospital is claimed to serve as
a Hamas terrorist stronghold, and the
IDF has conducted targeted operations
while mitigating harm to civilians,
patients, and medical personnel."
"Iraq
On Friday, the Turkish National
Defense Ministry stated that its forces
neutralized 15 PKK terrorists during
operations in the Hakurk, Metina,
and Gara regions of northern Iraq.
Turkish authorities use the
term ""neutralize"" to imply the
terrorists in question surrendered
or were killed or captured."
"Israel
The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
claimed responsibility for a ballistic
missile attack on Israel, specifically
targeting Ben Gurion Airport.
The missile was reportedly downed by air
defenses, with no impacts at the airport.
The Houthis also claimed a drone attack on
a target in the Tel Aviv area and targeted
a container ship in the Arabian Sea."
"Myanmar
On Tuesday, at least 25 Arakan Rohingya
Salvation Army (ARSA) insurgents
attacked a civilian vehicle carrying 16
women in Maungdaw Township, killing one
civilian and wounding several others."
"Myanmar
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA)
reported that a junta battalion commander
of the 319th Light Infantry Battalion
fled his post in the town of Mansi in
Kachin State during intense fighting
by the insurgents to seize the town.
Junta forces have conducted repeated air
and artillery strikes on KIA positions
around the township to defend Mansi."
"Myanmar
On Thursday, junta forces razed
eight villages in Madaya Township
and one in nearby Thabeikkyin
Township after insurgents threatened
to attack the city of Mandalay.
Insurgents abandoned the villages
before the junta attacks."
"Nigeria
On Thursday, Nigerian forces killed
a notorious terrorist kingpin and
several other rebels during an operation
in the village of Mai Sheka, near
Kunchin Kalgo town in Zamfara State."
"Pakistan
On Thursday, Pakistani forces killed
two terrorists during an operation
in Jani Khel, Bannu District."
"Sudan
Late Wednesday night, a Rapid
Support Forces (RSF) drone strike
on a Central Reserve Police base
in El Fasher killed eight police
officers, including two lieutenants."
"Syria
Fierce clashes broke out between
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and
factions of the National Army near
Najm fortress and Teshreen dam.
The clashes involved heavy and medium
weapons, but no casualties were reported."
"Syria
The IDF launched airstrikes
against Hezbollah's infrastructure
on the Syria-Lebanon border.
Israeli Air Force fighter jets
targeted sites at the Janta
crossing in eastern Lebanon.
The military claims that Hezbollah uses
civilian infrastructure to carry out
terror activities and transfer weapons
for attacks against Israeli citizens."
"Syria
On Friday, a Turkish drone strike
in the rural Ain al-Arab (Kobani)
region injured five Syrian
Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters.
The drone targeted three military
vehicles carrying rocket launchers
in the villages of Manif and Karak
within the Ain al-Arab area."
"Syria
On Friday, the Turkish Defense
Ministry announced that its forces
killed six PKK/YPG terrorists
during operations in the Operation
Euphrates Shield and Operation Peace
Spring Zones of northern Syria."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked five Chinese military
aircraft and five naval vessels
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Thursday and 6 a.m.
on Friday.
Five aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line in the nationâs
northern and southwestern Air
Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)."
"Ukraine
Russian forces killed three civilians
and injured two others in Ukraine's
eastern Donetsk region on December 26.
Vadym Filashkin, head of the Donetsk
Regional Military Administration,
reported this on Facebook."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,650 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 165 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces successfully
downed 13 Russian drones, and
electronic jamming caused 11 others
to fail to reach their targets.
Ukrainian forces shot down the drones
across multiple regions, while 11
Russian simulator drones disappeared
from radar due to electronic jamming."
"Ukraine
Russian strikes in the Kharkiv
region on December 26 resulted
in two deaths and four injuries.
The attacks caused damage to
cars, buildings, and homes in
various villages and districts."
"Ukraine
A Russian drone attacked the
Dniprovsky district of Kherson,
injuring a 60-year-old man.
The shelling also damaged the
power supply to a boiler house
in the Korabelny district."
"Ukraine
On December 27, the Russian army
fired cannon artillery at civilian
houses in Semenivka, Chernihiv region.
The attack resulted in damage to
houses, outbuildings, and a car,
but no injuries were reported."
"Ukraine
Three Russian officers were killed
in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region
during a precision strike operation.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry's
Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR)
conducted the successful operation
with the help of the Security Service
of Ukraine (SBU), the Unmanned Systems
Forces, and the Tavria Group of Forces.
Ukrainian intelligence obtained
information about a planned
meeting of Russian officers from
the 4th Guards Military Base, and
military intelligence devised a
coordinated plan to target them."
"Ukraine
Russian forces carried out 169 shelling
attacks on border areas and settlements
in Sumy region on December 26.
A total of 311 explosions were recorded.
Multiple communities, including Sumy,
Hotyn, Bilopillia, Krasnopillia,
Velykopysarivka, Novoslobidske,
Putyvl, Berezivka, Esman, Shalyhyne,
Druzhba, and Seredyna-Buda.
The attacks included mortar shelling,
drone attacks, grenade drops, guided
bomb strikes, and artillery shelling.
One civilian was killed, and several
buildings were damaged or destroyed."
Civil Unrest
"Serbia
Serbian university students continued
to protest for accountability
over the collapse of a concrete
canopy that killed 15 people.
Traffic blockades are held every Friday
at the exact time of the collapse.
The protests reflect anger at the
accident and discontent with President
Aleksandar Vucic's government.
13 people, including a government
minister, have been arrested in
connection with the tragedy."
"Yemen
Tens of thousands of people gathered
in rebel-held Sanaa for a large-scale
demonstration against Israel.
The protest followed recent
hostilities between the Iran-backed
Houthis and Israel, resulting in
casualties and attacks on both sides.
The Houthis fired a missile at Tel
Aviv airport and launched drones at
the city and a ship in the Arabian Sea.
Israel intercepted one missile but
did not comment on the other attacks."
Political Conflict
"Germany
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
dissolved the lower house of parliament
for snap elections on February 23.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition
collapsed after losing a confidence vote
due to the departure of Finance Minister
Christian Lindner's Free Democrats.
The conservatives have a comfortable
lead in polls, with the far-right
Alternative for Germany slightly
ahead of Scholz's party."
"Malawi
Thousands of Mozambicans have fled ongoing
violence in their country to neighboring
Malawi following months of unrest over
disputed presidential election results,
government officials reported on Thursday.
Dominic Mwandira, a senior civil
official in Malawi's Nsanje district,
which borders Mozambique, stated that
approximately 2,000 households have
entered the territory since Monday."
"Philippines
In Basilan province's Bangsamoro region,
the last four Abu Sayyaf terrorists
surrendered to the government on Thursday
in Barangay Guiong, Sumisip town.
The individuals turned over their
firearms during the surrender."
"Senegal
Senegal has announced the closure of all
foreign military bases, with no specified
timeline for the exit of foreign troops.
The decision appears to primarily
target France, which has faced
opposition from African leaders
over its approach to the continent.
France has already withdrawn troops from
Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad.
Senegal's new government is taking
a hardline stance against the
presence of French troops as part
of a regional backlash against
the legacy of colonialism."
"South Korea
South Korea's lawmakers have voted
to impeach acting President Han
Duck-soo, making it the second
head-of-state ousting this month.
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is next
in line to become the acting president.
Han's impeachment was brought about by
opposition lawmakers who accused him
of delaying the appointment of three
justices in the Constitutional Court.
The court is currently deliberating on
whether to uphold the impeachment of Han's
predecessor, President Yoon Suk Yeol."
Accidents
"India
On Wednesday, a truck collided with a
train car at the Fazilka Railway Station,
causing the train bogie to derail.
The truck driver fled the area
after the collision, but the
Railway Protection Force (RPF)
officer arrested the individual."
"Pakistan
On Thursday, the Pakistan Maritime
Security Agency (PMSA) and the Indian
Coast Guard rescued nine Indian crew
members after their cargo ship sank
in the Arabian Sea approximately 120
nautical miles south of Karachi."
"Singapore
Shell has shut down an oil processing unit
at Pulau Bukom due to a suspected leak.
A few tonnes of refined oil
products and cooling water discharge
were leaked into the water.
Shell has taken measures to contain the
leak and clean up the affected area.
The authorities are closely monitoring the
situation and investigating the incident.
The incident has not affected navigational
traffic or bunkering operations."
"United States
An investigation is underway
after a plane crashed into a
power line near Melbourne Airport.
The plane had a mechanical issue while
attempting to return to the airport.
One person had minor injuries.
The Federal Aviation Administration and
the National Transportation Safety Board
will conduct further investigations."
Other Events
"Pakistan
Earlier this week, a Pakistani
military court sentenced 60 Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters to
jail terms for attacking military
installations following the 2023 arrest
of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The convicted individuals included
notable figures, such as Khan's nephew
and two retired military officers."
Thanks for joining us for the December
28, 2024 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
casualty information, interactive
web maps, and our IntelHub dashboard
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