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Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for March 18, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Monday, we collected 57 events,
including the Philippines inflicting
casualties on NPA rebels and Maute
militants, so let's get started.
"Philippines
Over the weekend, Philippine forces
killed three suspected New People's
Army (NPA) rebels during a series
of clashes in the Barangay San Jose
area of Mapanas town, North Samar.
After the encounters, troops
recovered one M14 rifle,
one International Humanitarian
Law (IHL)-banned anti-personnel
mine, two blasting caps, one M16
rifle, assorted ammunition, one M4
rifle, and other war materials."
"Philippines
Four members of the Dawlah Islamiya
terror group were killed in a clash
with Philippine Marine troops on
Monday in Sitio Palao in Barira
village, Barira, Maguindanao del Norte.
The clash occurred during a combat
operation, resulting in the recovery
of various war materials, including
two improvised explosive devices
(IEDs) fashioned out as landmines,
a flag of the Islamic State for Iraq
and Syria (ISIS), two M16 rifles, an
M203 Grenade Launcher, two caliber .45
pistols, various types of ammunition,
magazines, two bandoliers,
and three cellular phones."
"India
On Monday, personnel from the Central
Reserve Police Force (CRPF) discovered
an improvised explosive device (IED)
weighing 3 kg near their camp in the
Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.
The IED had a pressure mechanism and could
have caused severe harm or loss of life."
"India
On Monday, security forces in
Krumbhoora (Zachaldara) village in
the Rajwar area, Kupwara district,
engaged in a gun battle that resulted
in the killing of a terrorist.
During the encounter, an AK-47
rifle and ammunition were recovered.
As the security forces closed in
on the area, terrorists opened
fire, triggering the gun battle.
Officials report that two to three
terrorists are still holed up in
the cordoned-off area, and the exact
identity and affiliation of the slain
terrorist is being ascertained."
"India
One of the accused in the Amritsar
Thakurdwara Temple grenade attack on
Sunday, identified as Gursidak, was
killed in a police encounter on Monday.
The other accused, Vishal,
managed to escape the scene."
"India
Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's
Kulgam district have detected a suspected
improvised explosive device (IED) at
Qaimoh on the Shopian Anantnag road."
"Kenya
On Saturday, armed Al-Shabab militants
stormed the remote village of Mangai in
Kenya's Lamu County, gathering residents
and delivering a sermon as well as
distributing food to residents before
disappearing into the Boni Forest.
On Sunday, additional security personnel
were deployed to the Mangai and
surrounding villages and placed on alert."
"Nigeria
There have been two separate
attacks in Katsina State, Nigeria.
On Saturday night, bandits attacked
the Yar Tsakuwa community, killing
five people and injuring three others.
In a separate incident, bandits
invaded the Kaware Community,
abducting one person, rustling
cattle, and looting shops."
"Pakistan
A grenade attack by unknown assailants
on the house of Hub City Station
House Officer (SHO) Qadir Sheikh in
the Kaushik area of Balochistan's
Khuzdar district injured five
people, including four children."
"Pakistan
In a counter-operation in Tank, police
forces killed one terrorist and injured
several others in retaliation for
an attack on the Nasran checkpost.
Separately, in Karak, security
forces eliminated the terrorist
commander Kashif Shakar Khel, who
was linked to the Kaleemullah group.
A sniper killed a police officer
during the Karak operation."
"Pakistan
In the Jamrud Bypass area of Khyber,
militants attacked a security checkpoint
manned by Bara Rifles personnel.
However, the security forces
successfully repelled the assault.
The firefight resulted in injuries
to two security personnel,
prompting the launch of a search
operation in the surrounding area."
"Pakistan
Terrorists targeted the Gambila
Police Station in Lakki Marwat
from two directions and exchanged
fire for at least 15 minutes.
Quick Response Force (QRF)
members retaliated swiftly
forcing the attackers to flee.
There were no casualties in the attack."
"Pakistan
Unidentified terrorists hurled a grenade
at the Regi police station in Malazai.
No one was injured in the attack, and a
search was underway for the attackers."
"Russia
Three minors suspected of planning
a terrorist attack on an Orthodox
Church in Ingushetia were arrested.
According to the Investigative
Committee, the teenagers joined a
terrorist organization in August
2024, acquired weapons, and planned
to use them to attack the church."
"South Sudan
A passenger vehicle was ambushed by
gunmen between Riimenze and Makpandu Camp
along the YambioâJuba road, resulting
in one death and seven injuries.
The attack occurred around 6 a.m.
on Monday, approximately 30
kilometers from Yambio Town.
The assailants fled the
area after the attack."
"Sudan
On Sunday, Sudanese police accused
the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces
(RSF) of killing 11 people, including
women and children, who were found
at the bottom of a well in Khartoum.
The RSF allegedly killed the
victims before being thrown into
the well when the paramilitary
force was in control of the area.
The Sudanese military retook control
of the area earlier this month."
"Syria
Three Syrian military personnel from
Luwaa Ali Bin Aby Taleb were ambushed
and killed by gunmen believed to
be from Lebanese smuggling gangs,
possibly affiliated with Hezbollah.
The incident occurred on
the Lebanese-Syrian border
near Al-Qasr Village.
A fight between Syrian military
members and local Lebanese tribes
also broke out, resulting in a
member of the tribes being stabbed."
"Thailand
On Monday, a car bomb blast in the Kapho
district of Pattani, Thailand, injured
a female Volunteer Defence Corps member.
The incident is still under
investigation, and authorities are
working to determine the cause and
identify suspects in the attack."
"West Bank
Palestinians in Susiya, southern West
Bank, were attacked with stones by
eight masked men and one known settler,
resulting in the light injuries of a
60-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman.
The attackers also
destroyed a few olive trees.
Initially, police and IDF forces were
not present during the attack, but
when they arrived, the attackers fled."
"Yemen
Yemen's Houthi rebels have
claimed responsibility for a
second attack on the USS Harry S.
Truman and its warships in
the northern Red Sea, citing
retaliation for US strikes.
The US confirmed an earlier attempt,
where missiles landed in the Red Sea."
"Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo's
government is participating in
peace talks with the Rwanda-backed
M23 rebel group in Angola.
The talks come after the M23 rebels
captured key areas in Congo's mineral-rich
east, displacing over 7 million people.
The conflict has been ongoing for months,
with the M23 rebels supported by around
4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda.
The United Nations has launched
an investigation into atrocities
committed by both sides, and the US
has expressed interest in a mining
partnership in Congo, pending a
peaceful resolution to the conflict."
"Democratic Republic of Congo
The Southern African Development
Community (SADC) has announced the
withdrawal of its military forces from
the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
following the loss of at least a dozen
soldiers in conflict during January.
The SADC decision was made during
an extraordinary virtual summit,
where SADC leaders directed the
commencement of a phased pullout
of their troops from the DRC."
"Rwanda
Rwanda has severed diplomatic ties with
Belgium, accusing its former colonizer
of undermining its sovereignty and
pushing for international sanctions.
The move follows a speech by President
Paul Kagame, who criticized Belgium's
efforts to impose sanctions on Rwanda
over its alleged support for the
M23 rebel group in eastern Congo.
In response, Belgium's Foreign
Minister Maxime Prevot announced
reciprocal measures, including
expelling Rwandan diplomats."
"China
The Chinese People's Liberation Army
(PLA) Navy recently conducted multi-day,
around-the-clock combat drills in the
Yellow Sea with a fleet of landing ships.
The exercises involved the
Tianzhu Shan and Daqing Shan tank
landing ships practicing formation
maneuvers and simulated attacks."
"Slovakia
The suspect in the attempted assassination
of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico
has been indicted on terror charges.
Fico was shot in the abdomen
on May 15, 2024, while greeting
supporters in Handlova.
The suspect, identified as J.C.,
was immediately arrested and is awaiting
trial, although a date has not been set."
"Democratic Republic of Congo
The M23 rebels have continued
their offensive in the eastern
Democratic Republic of the Congo
ahead of peace talks in Angola.
The fighting has approached
the territorial capital of
Walikale in North Kivu province.
The Congolese government and the M23
rebel group are scheduled to meet
for peace talks on Tuesday, brokered
by Angolan President Joao Lourenco.
The conflict has led to the displacement
of thousands of residents and allegations
of Rwandan support for the M23 rebels."
"Gaza Strip
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
carried out an airstrike in the
Bureij area, targeting two terrorists
attempting to plant a bomb.
According to reports, two
Palestinians were killed in the
strike, which is the second such
incident in the area earlier today."
"Gaza Strip
The Israeli military has carried out
two drone strikes in the Gaza Strip.
In the central Gaza Strip, a strike
killed three terror operatives who were
trying to plant a bomb near troops.
In southern Gaza's Rafah, another strike
wounded several terror operatives who
were also attempting to plant a bomb."
"Israel
Israeli troops killed a suspected
smuggler on the Egyptian border after
spotting two suspects attempting
to use a drone for smuggling.
The troops opened fire on the
suspects, who suspiciously approached
them, resulting in one death."
"Lebanon
Reports from Lebanon indicate
that at least four Israeli strikes
occurred in the Beqaa area of
eastern Lebanon earlier this evening.
There are no reported casualties, and
the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have
not yet commented on the incident.
This follows an earlier strike
in southern Lebanon that resulted
in the deaths of two people."
"Lebanon
Clashes erupted on the Syrian-Lebanese
border on March 16, with Syrian
forces launching heavy shelling and
rockets on Lebanese border towns.
The Lebanese army responded, and
shelling continued, resulting in civilian
casualties, including at least one child."
"Lebanon
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
and Defense Minister Israel Katz
have confirmed a drone strike in
southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah
operatives in the Yohmor area.
The strike killed at least one person and
was carried out in response to Hezbollah's
""terror activity"" against Israel.
According to Katz, Israel's policy is to
have ""zero tolerance"" for violations
of the ceasefire and will not allow
Hezbollah to restore its capabilities."
"Myanmar
Arakan Army (AA) insurgents and its
allies are attacking a crucial Junta
military base in Bago Region, a strategic
location for the regime to defend its
arms factories from rebel advances.
Intense fighting is raging in Padaung
Township along the Irrawaddy River as
AA troops and allied forces attempt
to capture the Junta's Nyaungyo base.
Despite heavy airstrikes by the Junta, the
AA and its allies have seized most of the
outposts surrounding the Nyaungyo base."
"Myanmar
A Sunday night regime airstrike on the
village of Sint Kaing in the Sagaing
Township area resulted in the death
of an infant, a woman, and two elderly
villagers and destroyed many houses."
"Myanmar
On Sunday, junta airstrikes on the Sein
Yadanar monastery in Nawnghkio town, Shan
State, killed 13 civilians, including
six monks, four of them young novices.
The strikes also wounded 17 other
people, including 13 monks."
"Nigeria
A fierce gun battle between operatives
of the CP-Special Assignment Team
and suspected kidnappers in Agbarho
Community, Delta State, resulted
in the deaths of four suspects.
The police recovered one AK-47 rifle
and a magazine during the operation.
The suspects were taken to the General
Hospital, Ughelli, for treatment
but were later pronounced dead."
"Russia
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
have attacked a fuel and energy
complex in Russia's Astrakhan region.
According to Andrii Kovalenko,
Head of the Center for Countering
Disinformation, the intensity of
drone activity is increasing."
"South Korea
The Seoul Metropolitan Police
Agency has called in over 3,000 riot
officers from across the country
to replace those who have been
working non-stop since December 3.
This move aims to ensure the rest
of the Seoul riot officers get
some rest and facilitate rotation
duties, considering the uncertainty
of the impeachment trial ruling."
"South Sudan
An airstrike in Mathiang Village, Upper
Nile State, South Sudan, on Sunday
evening resulted in one death and eight
injuries, with properties including
at least seven houses destroyed.
The Executive Director of Longechuk
County suspects that the airstrike
was carried out by either the
Government of South Sudan or the
Sudanese Armed Forces, causing
panic among the civilian population,
with many fleeing to the bush."
"South Sudan
On Sunday, South Sudanese airstrikes
hit the town of Nasir in Upper Nile
State, causing civilian casualties
and fires, amid escalating tensions
between forces loyal to President
Salva Kiir and rival groups aligned
with First Vice President Riek Machar.
The airstrikes hit the town's
airstrip and surrounding areas."
"Sudan
According to Sudanese local authorities,
an artillery shelling by the Rapid
Support Forces (RSF) on Omdurman City in
Khartoum resulted in the deaths of four
civilians and injuries to 30 others.
The attack, which occurred during
Sunday night prayer, specifically
targeted the western districts
of the Al-Thawra neighborhood."
"Sudan
On Sunday, the Sudanese army stated
its forces seized strategic locations
in central Khartoum, including the
Nile Towers and Al Mansheiya Bridge,
from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The army also secured the Sherwani Bus
Station, the largest transportation
hub in central Khartoum."
"Syria
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are
currently conducting airstrikes on
military targets in southern Syria.
The targets include headquarters
and facilities used to store
weapons and equipment belonging
to the former Syrian regime.
The IDF has identified attempts by unknown
groups to use these weapons, which they
consider a threat to Israel's security.
The IDF has stated that they
will not allow a military threat
to exist in southern Syria and
will take action to address it."
"Syria
A Turkish fighter jet has carried out an
airstrike in the Kobane region of Syria,
killing at least nine civilians, including
five children, and injuring two others.
The attack occurred in a residential
area, targeting a family's home."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked 13 Chinese military
aircraft and nine naval vessels
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Sunday and 6 a.m.
on Monday.
Seven aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line in the countryâs
northern and southwestern Air Defense
Identification Zone, according to the MND.
The MND also tracked
two Chinese balloons."
"Taiwan
On Monday, March 17, 2025, Taiwan's
Ministry of National Defence (MND)
reported that 26 sorties of People's
Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft were
detected, with 20 of these sorties
crossing the median line of the Taiwan
Strait and entering Taiwan's northern,
central, southwestern, and eastern Air
Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)."
"Ukraine
On March 16, a Russian drone
attacked a city hospital in
Kherson, damaging a service vehicle.
Fortunately, no injuries were
reported as a result of the attack."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,210 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 220 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
Russian troops have shelled several
areas in the Kharkiv region, resulting
in injuries to at least seven people.
The affected areas include Kupiansk,
Velyka Shapkivka, and other
communities in the Kupiansk district.
A residential building was
destroyed in Kupiansk."
"Ukraine
Russia launched 174 strike drones and
decoy drones from various directions.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces
successfully repelled the attack,
downing 90 Russian drones and
losing 70 decoy drones from radar.
The consequences of the attack
were recorded in several regions,
including Odesa, Kharkiv, and Kyiv,
with one person injured and over 500
households affected by power outages."
"Yemen
The US Air Force shot down
11 Houthi drones fired from
Yemen at the USS Harry S.
Truman and its supporting ships
over the Red Sea on Sunday.
The engagements started shortly
after midnight local time on Sunday
and lasted approximately 12 hours.
The Houthis launched the drones and one
ballistic missile in response to a day of
US strikes on Houthi targets in western
Yemen, which killed at least 98 people.
The ballistic missile splashed
into the water and was not on a
trajectory to threaten the US ships.
This marks the first time in over
two months that Houthis have targeted
US Navy ships, and it comes as the
US continues to go after the group
until it stops targeting ships."
"Yemen
On Monday, the US reportedly conducted
new airstrikes on Houthi targets in
Yemen's port city of Hodeidah and the
Al Jawf governorate north of Sanaa."
"Yemen
The US has launched two strikes
targeting Hodeidah in Yemen,
according to Al Masirah TV, a channel
affiliated with the Houthi rebels.
Casualty figures and damage assessments
were not reported in the attack."
"Syria
Protesters at the Tishrin Dam issued
a statement condemning Turkish
attacks and massacres in the region.
They specifically mentioned the recent
massacre in the village of Birkh Botan,
where nine individuals from one family
were killed, and two others were injured."
"Yemen
Tens of thousands of people are
demonstrating in Houthi-controlled areas
of Yemen two days after US airstrikes
killed dozens across the country.
The protests, called by Houthi leader
Abdulmalik al-Houthi, are against the
US airstrikes and are also anti-Israel.
The demonstrations are taking place
in various cities, including Sanaa,
Saada, Dhamar, Hodeida, and Amran.
The protesters are waving placards and
assault rifles and chanting slogans such
as ""Death to America, death to Israel."""
"Cyprus
A boat carrying Syrian migrants sank
in international waters off Cyprus,
resulting in the rescue of one survivor
and the recovery of two bodies.
A search and rescue operation is
underway to locate the remaining
missing persons, led by the Joint
Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC)
with assistance from a helicopter.
The Maritime Police are investigating the
circumstances surrounding the incident."
"Syria
Two incidents have occurred in Syria,
resulting in the death of a 15-year-old
child and serious injury to another child.
The incidents were caused by the
explosion of old landmines in Yalda
in Rif Dimashq and Theiban town
in the Deir Ezzor countryside."
Thanks for joining us for the March
18, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
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