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Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for January 5, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Saturday was busy, and we mapped 68 events
including friction between China and
India in Ladakh, so let's get started.
Terrorism,
"Cameroon
Early Friday morning, hundreds of
Fulani gunmen from Nigeria attacked a
Cameroonian military post in the village
of Bakinjaw in the Akwaya district,
killing at least five Cameroonian
soldiers and wounding several others.
The attack is believed to be a retaliation
after Cameroonian soldiers killed
several herdsmen the day before."
"Democratic Republic of Congo
The M23 rebels, a militia supported
by neighboring Rwanda and its
army, have moved closer to a key
town in the eastern Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC), killing
an unspecified number of civilians.
On Friday, sources reported the M23 had
taken control of the Katale area, which
is the last place the rebels must pass
before entering Masisi, the administrative
capital of the Masisi territory."
"India
Friday night, Assam police arrested
a suspected United Liberation
Front of Asom-Independent
(UFLA-I) associate in Duliajan.
Police recovered a 7.65 mm pistol
and an IED from the militant."
"Iraq
On Friday, Iraqi forces conducted
raids on terrorist hideouts in the
districts of Ramadi, Fallujah, Ameriyat
al-Samoud, and al-Karma, east of
Fallujah city, in Anbar Province.
During the operations, troops
arrested 15 militants."
"Iraq
On Friday, Iraqi security authorities
announced the arrest of an ISIS
terrorist who was planning a terrorist
operation in the Tuz Khurmatu
district of Salah al-Din province."
"Iraq
On Saturday, the Iraqi National
Security Service (INSS) announced the
capture of four terrorists, including
specialists in manufacturing ISIS
weapons in the Kurdistan Region.
This operation was in coordination
with the Asayish, the Kurdish Internal
Security Forces of the Kurdistan Region."
"Israel
A rocket launched from the northern Gaza
Strip hit the Erez Border Crossing, but
the extent of the damage is unknown.
No injuries have been reported.
Sirens were heard in the
nearby town of Netiv Haâasara.
The crossing is used for
aid delivery to Gaza."
"Israel
The IDF confirmed the successful
interception of a ballistic missile
launched from Yemen towards Israel.
The missile was shot down before
reaching Israeli territory.
Sirens were activated in Talmei
Elazar, but not across wide
areas of the country, suggesting
fragments did not reach Israel."
"Nigeria
On Friday, a communal clash in
the village of Gululu, Miga Local
Government Area (LGA) of Jigawa State,
resulted in the deaths of at least
nine people and injured four others.
The clash reportedly started with a theft
at a shop and escalated into violence
between villagers and Fulani settlers.
The police have deployed officers to
the area to restore peace and order."
"Nigeria
A violent attack by gunmen occurred
in the village of Mararraba Mazuga,
Kachia Local Government Area of
Kaduna State, between 11 p.m.
and midnight on Friday night.
The bandits abducted 16
people during the raid.
According to a resident, Wayas Musa,
two victims managed to escape, while the
kidnappers later released seven others to
gather ransom for the remaining hostages."
"Nigeria
On Friday, two police officers
were killed in a gun battle with
bandits suspected to be members of
the Lakurawa clan in Kebbi State.
The incident occurred when the bandits
attacked Alhaji Lawal Block Farm and
nearby Fulani settlements in Natsini
village along the Argungu-Kangiwa road.
The bandits fled the area
during the fighting."
"Pakistan
On Wednesday, a bomb attack on an
Oil and Gas Development Corporation
Limited vehicle on the outskirts of
Qila Saifullah injured one person."
"Pakistan
On Saturday, counter-terrorism
forces arrested two terrorists in
the Al-Manzar area of Hyderabad.
The rebels aimed to attack
military forces in the area."
"Pakistan
On Saturday, gunmen stopped a
vehicle carrying soldiers on a
road near Banda Gulapa, Lakki
Marwa, and abducted two soldiers.
The soldiers from the Karak district
were on their way to Mianwali.
One of the soldiers managed to
escape from the kidnappers."
"Pakistan
On Saturday, gunmen ambushed a
Pakistan aid convoy traveling to
bring assistance to the Kurram region
affected by sectarian fighting.
The attack resulted in injuries to
several individuals, including Kurram's
deputy commissioner, two administration
officials, two police officers,
and two Frontier Corps soldiers.
This incident occurred despite
a previously established
sectarian truce in the area.
Sectarian tensions and violence
remain significant issues in
Pakistan, with various regions
experiencing ongoing conflicts."
"Pakistan
A late-night mini-rocket attack
targeted the I-9 Police Station
in Islamabad on Saturday.
The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m.
when the stationâs duty officer
reportedly heard an explosion.
Initially, the sound was
dismissed as a tire burst, and
no immediate action was taken.
However, it was not until the morning that
the damage to a structure became evident."
"Pakistan
On Saturday, a suspected terrorist bomb
blast killed at least four people and
injured 32 others in the city of Turbat.
An investigation was underway."
"Philippines
Friday afternoon, two individuals
riding a motorcycle ambushed and killed
a retired police officer as he was
riding on a motorcycle with his wife in
Barangay Simbo, South Cotabato province."
"Philippines
On Tuesday, a policeman was
wounded, and two gunmen were killed
during a gun battle in the village
of Ayala, Zamboanga del Sur."
"Russia
Russia's Federal Security Service
(FSB) has prevented a significant
attack in Yekaterinburg and arrested
four teenagers who were planning to
detonate a bomb in a crowded area.
The FSB seized components for
a homemade explosive device
and has opened a criminal case.
The teenagers, born in 2007 and
2008, shared the ideas of a banned
terrorist organization and had
also been involved in an arson
attack on an interior ministry car.
The arson attack took place
on December 22, 2024."
"Somalia
On Friday, a locally mobilized clan
militia known as Ma'wisley attacked an
al-Shabab hideout in the Adow Gurey area
of Buloburde district, Hiiraan region.
The assault targeted the area where
al-Shabab members had reportedly gathered
in preparation for attacks against
government troops and local forces.
Local sources claimed the ambush
killed or wounded several al-Shabab
fighters, though exact casualty figures
have not been independently verified.
The Ma'wisley militia said it seized
control of the area and inflicted
significant losses on the militants."
Military Conflict
"Afghanistan
The Taliban governor's spokesman in
Khost reported that Pakistani forces
conducted rocket strikes on three border
villages in the Alisher district of
the province early Thursday morning.
The Taliban claims to have responded to
the Pakistani attacks, though no details
have been released regarding potential
casualties or damage from the conflict.
Pakistani officials have not
issued any comments on the matter."
"Gaza Strip
Overnight, the IDF conducted an
airstrike on armed Hamas operatives
in the southern Gaza Strip.
The operatives were involved in
""terror activity"" and were using
routes for delivering humanitarian aid.
The strike did not disrupt the
entrance of humanitarian aid.
In a separate airstrike, four armed Hamas
operatives were hit in central Gaza."
"Gaza Strip
IDF troops demolished a neighborhood
in northern Gaza that was used
as a hideout and command center
by senior Hamas commanders.
The neighborhood had high-rise
buildings serving as a central
terror complex with anti-tank firing
positions, booby traps, tunnels, and
rocket launchers aimed at Israel.
Combat engineers destroyed the entire
complex and its terror infrastructure."
"Iraq
Iraqi F-16 jets conducted
an airstrike on a terrorist
hideout in the Hamrin Mountains.
The Counter-Terrorism Service
(CTS) identified the hideout during
a search operation and provided
precise intelligence for the strike.
The hideout was completely destroyed."
"Iraq
On Saturday, the Turkish National Defense
Ministry announced its forces neutralized
10 PKK terrorists during operations
in the Operation Claw-Lock zone in
northern Iraqâs Hakurk and Gara regions.
Turkish authorities use the
term ""neutralize"" to imply the
terrorists in question surrendered
or were killed or captured."
"Myanmar
On Wednesday, Arakan Army (AA) insurgents
attacked the Taung Pon Gyi junta
camp, close to the boundary of Taungup
Township and Bago Region in Arakan State.
Junta forces conducted airstrikes on
AA positions encircling the camp."
"Myanmar
On Thursday, AA insurgents clashed
with junta forces at the Meik Tal
Lin camp along the Gwa-Ngathainggyaun
road in the Ayeyarwady Region.
Junta forces launched artillery
attacks from Ngathainggyaung toward
the locations of the clashes.
Casualties and damage to
the camp were unknown."
"Myanmar
According to a military source on
the ground, fierce clashes persist
at the Myanmar junta's Kataingti
camp along the Hpapun-Kamamaung road
in Hpapun Township, Karen State.
The battle, which began in
mid-December, escalated after the
Karen National Liberation Army
(KNLA) launched attacks on the camp.
By the end of December, the daily
fighting had intensified, prompting the
junta to rely heavily on airstrikes.
Ground support to junta forces has been
cut off due to the intense clashes."
"Myanmar
On Wednesday, junta forces
conducted airstrikes on the Myanmar
National Democratic Alliance Army
(MNDAA)-held in the town of Hseni.
The airstrikes damaged residential
properties in the township.
The air strikes occurred despite ongoing
Chinese-facilitated negotiations between
MNDAA insurgents and the junta regime."
"Nigeria
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) conducted
airstrikes on terrorist hideouts in the
Alawa Forests, located in the Shiroro
Local Government Area of Niger State.
The strikes resulted in the
elimination of several terrorists and
the destruction of their weaponry.
Specifically, the attacks destroyed
weapons, technical vehicles, and eight
motorcycles used by the extremists.
The counter-terrorism operations
have forced the militants to
flee to the Birnin Gwari Local
Government Area of Kaduna State.
This relocation signals a strategic shift
in the terrorists' base of operations."
"Nigeria
On Saturday, the Imo State Police
Commandâs Anti-Kidnapping Unit
successfully killed two suspected
terrorists of a notorious kidnapping
syndicate operating in the Ohaji Egbema
Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
During the operation, police rescued
four hostages, of which two were
injured during an ensuing clash.
Troops recovered an AK-47 rifle and
ammunition after the encounter."
"Pakistan
Pakistani forces killed six
terrorists during a cash in
the Lakki Marwat district."
"Pakistan
On Thursday, Pakistani forces killed
two Khwariz terrorists, including a
ringleader, during an operation in
the Saraogha area of South Waziristan.
Troops also arrested two other
terrorists during the operation."
"Russia
Unidentified drones attacked Russia's
largest seaport, Ust-Luga, which plays a
key role in Russia's war against Ukraine.
The port is a logistics hub to
circumvent sanctions and finance the war.
It also helps militarize the Baltic
region and is a strategic naval presence."
"Russia
On January 4, the Russian Federal
Air Transport Agency announced flight
traffic restrictions, suspending
inbound and outbound flights.
The airport was shut down earlier
due to a UAV attack, but no damage
or casualties were reported.
Six planes were left waiting
in the Ladoga Lake area."
"Somalia
On Tuesday, Somali forces supported by
US airstrikes targeted ISIS positions
in the Cal Miskaad mountains, killing an
unspecified number of ISIS terrorists.
The attack came after earlier ISIS attacks
on the village of Darjali in the Bari
region that killed more than 20 people,
including soldiers and civilians."
"Syria
Clashes persist between SDF and
Turkish-backed factions near the
Teshreen dam in the Manbij countryside.
Eight SDF members were injured
in bombardments and clashes, with
unconfirmed reports of casualties
among Turkish-backed factions."
"Syria
Turkish drones carried out airstrikes
on a power station in Al-Jarniyah,
causing significant damage.
These attacks are part of an
ongoing escalation by Turkey,
targeting infrastructure in
northern and eastern Syria."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked five Chinese
military aircraft and seven vessels
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Friday and Saturday.
One aircraft crossed the median
line of the Taiwan Strait and
entered the countryâs southwestern
Air Defense Identification Zone."
"Ukraine
In the village of Antonivka, a 45-year-old
man in Kherson was hit by a Russian drone.
The man suffered mine-blast and open
craniocerebral injuries and is currently
in serious condition in the hospital.
Five other people were injured
in drone attacks in Antonivka."
"Ukraine
Two people were injured in the
Kharkiv region due to Russian attacks.
A 56-year-old man was hit by an
FPV drone and hospitalized, while
a 55-year-old man was wounded in
the shelling of Kozacha Lopan.
Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled
two Russian attacks near Vovchansk.
In the Kupiansk sector, the Russians
stormed Ukrainian positions six times.
A fire broke out at an enterprise in
Bohodukhiv due to a Russian attack."
"Ukraine
Over the past day, the Russian army
launched 32 attacks on the Chernihiv
region using various weapons,
including artillery, mortars, UAVs,
KAB glide bombs, and missiles.
The attacks resulted in damage to houses."
"Ukraine
A 48-year-old man in the village
of Kindiyka, a suburb of Kherson,
was wounded by an explosive
dropped from a Russian drone.
The man suffered mine-blast injuries
and shrapnel wounds to both legs."
"Ukraine
A Russian drone attacked a 65-year-old
civilian man in the suburbs of
Kherson, causing moderate injuries.
Another person in Antonivka also
sought medical attention due to a
mine-explosive injury and shrapnel
wounds from the same attack."
"Ukraine
The Russians attacked Nikopol with
artillery, resulting in three injuries.
A 71-year-old man was hospitalized
and is in moderate condition,
while two women aged 61 and 68 are
undergoing outpatient treatment.
Private houses and an outbuilding
in the town were also damaged.
In Synelnykove, Dnipropetrovsk region,
another injured man is in the hospital."
"Ukraine
On January 3, the Russian military wounded
five residents of the Donetsk region.
Four were wounded in Sloviansk
and one in Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka."
"Ukraine
Russians dropped a bomb on a
high-rise building in the Sveska
village community in the Sumy region,
injuring two children and an adult.
The attack destroyed one entrance
of the apartment building.
An emergency rescue operation is underway
to search for people under the rubble."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,510 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 230 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
Air defense forces in the Sumy
region shot down 18 Russian UAVs.
In addition, there were three
attacks on the border in Sumy region,
resulting in eight explosions."
"Ukraine
The Ukrainian Defense Forces have
successfully shot down 34 Russian Shahed
attack drones and other types of drones.
Additionally, 47 imitator
drones were lost in the area.
The attack took place from multiple
directions, and the Ukrainian Air Force
and Defense Forces were able to repel
the air attack using various units.
The downed drones caused damage to private
houses in Chernihiv and Sumy regions."
"Ukraine
The Russian military shelled
Nikopol with heavy artillery and
a drone, damaging a fire station.
No casualties were reported.
Attacks were limited to Nikopol, and
no hostile attacks were made in other
areas of the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Air defense forces also destroyed
three missiles in the sky over
the Dnipropetrovsk region."
"Ukraine
The Ukrainian military successfully
destroyed a Russian UAV in the
sky over the Dnipro region.
The head of the Dnipropetrovsk
Regional Military Administration,
Serhiy Lysak, reported the incident.
A unit of the East military
group shot down the Russian UAV."
"Ukraine
Air defense forces in Ukraine shot
down 14 Russian drones, and 16
decoy UAVs disappeared from radar.
The attack consisted of 30 Shahed-type
one-way attack UAVs and decoy drones
from the north-eastern direction.
The Ukrainian military also destroyed a
Russian UAV in the Dnipropetrovsk region."
"Ukraine
On the Donetsk-Horlivka highway, a
freelance correspondent for the Russian
propaganda publication Izvestia, Alexander
Martemyanov, was killed in a drone strike.
According to Russian sources, a
correspondent for RIA Novosti and four
other media staffers were also injured.
The incident occurred during a
drone strike on a civilian car."
"West Bank
The Palestinian Authority health ministry
reported one person killed and nine
injured during an IDF raid on the Balata
Refugee Camp in the northern West Bank.
The IDF stated that terrorists had
placed explosives and attacked the
forces, leading to the use of force.
The raid triggered violent clashes and
involved snipers on surrounding rooftops."
Political Conflict
"India
On Saturday, India protested with China
over the creation of two new counties
in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Region that include parts of the Aksai
Chin area in northeastern Ladakh.
The Ministry of External Affairs
spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal,
stated that India has never accepted
the illegal Chinese occupation
of Indian territory in this area.
China announced the new counties,
Hean and Hekang, and parts of
their jurisdictions fall within
Indiaâs Union Territory of Ladakh."
"Myanmar
Myanmar's military government has enacted
a cybersecurity law that regulates digital
communication and penalizes cyber crimes.
The law requires service providers to
store user data for up to three years
and grants authorities broad powers
to surveil and control online content.
It also includes penalties for
disseminating disinformation and rumors.
Failure to comply with the law can result
in severe sanctions for digital platforms,
putting pressure on companies and
potentially leading to self-censorship."
Civil Unrest
"Israel
Police detained four people at a
demonstration outside Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahuâs home in Jerusalem.
The protesters are calling on
him to reach a deal to free
the hostages held by Hamas."
"Slovakia
Thousands of Slovaks protested in
Bratislava against Prime Minister Robert
Ficoâs pro-Russian stance, with around
4,000 participants gathering in front
of the government office on Friday.
The demonstration was sparked by Ficoâs
recent foreign policy decisions, including
his criticism of Ukraine and the threat to
cut electricity supplies to the country."
"South Korea
On Saturday, thousands of South Korean
protesters rallied in Seoul, a day
after a failed attempt to arrest
suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol.
The protests were divided into two
camps: supporters and opponents of Yoon."
Weapons
"Gaza Strip
An underground Hamas weapons
manufacturing plant in central
Gaza was recently demolished by
troops, according to the military.
The Yahalom combat engineering unit
located and destroyed the tunnel
based on precise intelligence.
Inside the tunnel, troops found
lathes, machines, and materials
used for weapon production.
The military also recovered
documents and electronic devices."
Cyber
"Russia
A cyberattack was launched on
the Russian RegionTransService
LLC, disabling all servers.
78 servers and 211 workstations
were affected, erasing backups
and disabling workstations.
RegionTransService LLC plays a key
role in supporting Russian Railways
and the transportation of military
cargo for operations against Ukraine."
Accidents
"Australia
Saturday afternoon, a small plane
crashed into the ocean near Nambucca
Heads in the Gaagal Wanggaan National
Park, killing the pilot and a passenger.
An investigation of the
crash was underway."
"Syria
Three young men were injured by an
explosion of an old landmine in an
area between Al-Lahaf and Al-Majdal
villages in Al-Suwaidaa countryside.
The injured civilians were
taken to the hospital."
"Syria
Three children were injured by shrapnel
from a landmine explosion while
playing in an agricultural land in
Khasham Town, Deir Ezzor countryside.
They were taken to Al-Hasakah
due to the lack of neurologists
and ophthalmologists."
"Ukraine
Russia-appointed officials in
Moscow-occupied Crimea have declared
a regional emergency due to oil
detected on the shores of Sevastopol.
Fuel oil spilled from two tankers in
the Kerch Strait, and the oil has been
found on four beaches in the region.
Local authorities and volunteers are
working to eliminate the oil, and there is
no widespread pollution of the coastline."
"United States
On Friday, ten Norfolk Southern
train cars derailed in Roanoke.
A railroad spokesman said there were
no injuries or leaks of hazardous
materials in the derailment."
Thanks for joining us for the January
5, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
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