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Cedric: Merry Christmas
and Happy Holidays.
Welcome to the Geopolitical Report
Daily for December 25, 2024.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
There was no slowdown in events
on Tuesday, and we mapped 50
incidents, so let's get started.
Terrorism Events
"Afghanistan
Monday evening, a suspected
bomb blast targeted a Taliban
checkpoint in District 7 of Kabul.
There were no immediate
reports of casualties.
No group has claimed
responsibility for the incident."
"India
On Monday, National Investigation
Agency (NIA) operatives arrested a
key Khalistani terrorist, Jatinder
Singh, during an operation in Mumbai.
Singh was providing weapons to on-ground
operatives of Landa and Batala in Punjab."
"Iran
Last Friday, December 20, a landmine
blast in the Kalgan border area of
Sistan and Baluchistan Province in
eastern Iran killed two Afghan refugees
as they attempted to cross into Iran.
Iranian border forces allegedly
planted the landmine."
"Israel
The IDF successfully intercepted a
missile launched from Yemen before
it entered Israel's airspace.
Red alert sirens were triggered
in central Israel as a precaution.
No injuries or damage have been reported."
"Italy
On Tuesday, Italian police in Bologna
arrested four suspects, including
their leader, a Pakistani woman,
accused of forming a terrorist
association with Al-Qaeda and ISIS.
A fifth individual escaped before the
arrest of the other four individuals."
"Niger
On Saturday, the Islam and Muslims Support
Group, JNIM-AQMI, claimed responsibility
for bomb attacks on Niger military
forces vehicles in three different
locations in the Tillaberi Region.
The blast destroyed two military
vehicles and six motorcycles."
"Nigeria
On Sunday, gunmen ambushed an
18-passenger bus at Emure Ile,
near Emure-Owo, and abducted
passengers, including the bus driver.
The kidnappers abandoned several children
on the bus, and two passengers managed
to escape while being led into the bush
before police arrived after being alerted.
The kidnapper demanded a ransom of N30
million for the release of each hostage."
"Nigeria
Around midnight on Sunday, suspected
terrorists attacked the hamlet of Ri Do
in the Riyom Local Government Area (LGA),
killing 14 people and injuring another."
"Pakistan
On Monday evening, two unknown
assailants on motorcycles threw a
hand grenade into a barber shop in the
Sariab area of Balochistan, wounding
two people, including the barber."
"Syria
Two people were killed, and two others
were injured in a car bomb attack
in central Manbij, northern Syria.
The attack was carried out by
the PKK terrorist group's Syrian
branch, YPG, which has been trying
to expand its territory since
the fall of the Assad regime."
Military Conflict Events
"Gaza Strip
The IDF has completed a ""limited
operation"" against Hamas
at the Indonesian Hospital
in the northern Gaza Strip.
The operation resulted in the
deaths of five gunmen and the
detention of several operatives.
The IDF claims that the hospital was
used as a launching point for attacks
against troops and that explosive devices
were planted in the surrounding area.
The operation was conducted with
the aim of mitigating harm to
civilians and allowing the hospital
to continue its activities.
The Gaza health ministry reported that
Israeli troops forced the evacuation
of the hospital, relocating patients
to another facility in Gaza City."
"Gaza Strip
A Hamas rocket launcher near a UN
building in Gaza City's Shati camp
was targeted by Israeli fighter jets.
The IDF called for civilians
to evacuate before the strike.
IDF footage shows a rocket leaving
the site after the attack."
"Iraq
On Tuesday, Turkey's National Defense
Ministry announced that its forces
conducted airstrikes on PKK/YPG positions
in the Kurdish region of northern
Iraq, neutralizing two terrorists.
Turkish authorities use the
term ""neutralize"" to imply the
terrorists in question surrendered
or were killed or captured."
"Myanmar
On Monday, junta airstrikes targeted
Thandwe and a nearby village, killing
a man and wounding six others."
"Myanmar
This week, the People's Defence
Forces (PDF) advised civilians in the
Mandalay Region to minimize travel on
certain sections of the Yangon-Mandalay
highway, anticipating imminent
clashes with the Myanmar military.
The Natogyi Township PDF membersâpart
of the larger Myingyan District
PDFâverbally issued these warnings
while stopping and inspecting
vehicles at a resistance-controlled
checkpoint at milepost 318.
They urged commuters and visitors to
limit the use of the route, especially
at night, and to remain in nearby safe
shelters if fighting were to break out."
"Somalia
According to Somalia's Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation, Ethiopian forces reportedly
launched attacks on Somali troop
positions in Doolow, Gedo Region.
The ministry claimed the attacks
resulted in an unspecified
number of deaths and injuries.
After nearly a year of heightened
tensions between Ethiopia and
Somalia, which triggered new regional
alliances, the two countries signed
the Ankara Declaration on December 11.
In this agreement, they pledged to
move past their longstanding hostility.
However, the declaration failed to take
hold, and the two nations have reverted
to a tense relationship once more."
"Sudan
On Monday, Sudanese airstrikes on the
Kutum weekly market killed at least
11 civilians and wounded 10 others."
"Sudan
On Monday, Sundanese forces made further
advancements in the Khartoum Bahri
against Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Sudanese troops reached the northeastern
edge of Sambat, advancing from
Halfaya north of Khartoum Bahri."
"Syria
Fierce clashes broke out between
the SDF and Turkish-backed factions
in Deir Hafer and southern Aleppo.
The SDF gained control of Babiri
station, which supplies water to Aleppo
and advanced towards Al-Khafsah town.
The clashes were accompanied by artillery
and rocket fire near Teshreen Dam."
"Syria
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic
Forces (SDF) announced on Tuesday that
they had launched a counter-offensive
against the Ankara-backed Syrian
National Army (SNA) to reclaim areas
near Syria's northern border with Turkey.
According to SDF spokesperson Farhad
Shami, on Monday, the SDF's forces were
able to push back the Turkish-backed
rebels from areas surrounding the
Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates River, a
critical source of hydroelectric power.
The SDF destroyed a tank
belonging to the rebel forces
southeast of the city of Manbij.
Additionally, the British-based war
monitor reported on Tuesday that following
overnight fighting, the Kurdish-led group
has regained control of four villages in
the areas near the strategic Tishrin Dam."
"Syria
On Tuesday, Turkey's National
Defense Ministry announced that
its forces conducted airstrikes
on PKK/YPG positions in northern
Syria, neutralizing two terrorists.
Turkish authorities use the
term ""neutralize"" to imply the
terrorists in question surrendered
or were killed or captured."
"Syria
On Monday, the United States Central
Command (CENTCOM) reported that
a targeted airstrike in Syria's
Deir Ezzor region had killed two
ISIS members and injured another.
According to CENTCOM's statement, the
militants were transporting a weapons
shipment when the strike occurred."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked eight Chinese military
aircraft and five naval vessels
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Monday and 6 a.m.
on Tuesday.
Six aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line in the nationâs
northern and southwestern Air
Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)."
"Ukraine
In Kryvyi Rih, a Russian ballistic missile
struck a four-story apartment building.
Authorities are hopeful that survivors
may still be trapped under the rubble."
"Ukraine
Over the past day, Russian troops fired
20 times along the border of Chernihiv and
Sumy regions, resulting in 75 explosions.
The attacks targeted several
settlements in both regions using
various weapons, including mortars,
UAVs, MLRS, and cannon artillery.
No civilian casualties were reported,
but private houses were damaged."
"Ukraine
In Beryslav, Kherson region, two
civilians were injured when explosives
were dropped from a Russian drone.
One man, 41, suffered blast injuries,
a concussion, and a leg wound,
while a 48-year-old resident had
blast injuries, shrapnel wounds,
a broken leg, and a concussion.
They are currently receiving
medical care in the hospital."
"Ukraine
In the Khmelnytsky region, Russian
drones attacked and damaged a
house, car, and outbuilding.
The head of the Khmelnytsky Regional
Military Administration reported that air
defense forces destroyed two Russian UAVs.
The attack resulted in smashed windows,
damaged roofs, and other property.
Fortunately, there were
no injuries or deaths."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,630 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 140 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
In Krolivka, Sumy region, an
emergency response team was attacked
by a Russian kamikaze drone while
putting out a fire at a local farm.
The team heard the sound of an
incoming drone and retreated to a safer
distance, but the drone hit the area
near the site of the previous strike.
The fire was extinguished, but
animals at the farm were killed.
No casualties were reported.
Russian troops have carried out 20
attacks on border communities in Chernihiv
and Sumy regions in the past day."
"Ukraine
In the Mykolaiv region, a Russian
drone attacked the Kutsurubska
community, setting a car on fire.
Ochakiv firefighters extinguished
the fire caused by the Russian drone.
No one was injured, but the rescuers
had to move to a safe distance due
to repeated Russian UAV activity."
"Ukraine
As a result of a rocket attack on
Kryvyi Rih, 11 people were injured,
including a 16-year-old girl.
Three of the wounded are in
serious condition, and seven
people have been hospitalized.
The rescue operation is currently underway
following the explosion in a residential
building caused by a Russian missile."
"Ukraine
The Russian army attacked the Nikopol
district of the Dnipropetrovsk region
35 times, using artillery and drones.
Several communities were hit,
resulting in one person being
wounded and damage to buildings,
power lines, and other structures."
"West Bank
The Israel Defense Forces conducted
an anti-terror operation in Tulkarem,
killing at least one person engaged
in face-to-face battles with troops.
In Nablus, a terror suspect
was shot and neutralized while
trying to escape capture.
Additionally, 18 suspects were
arrested, and weapons were
confiscated across the West Bank."
"West Bank
The IDF conducted a drone strike
on Palestinian gunmen in the
Nur Shams Camp near Tulkarem.
The strike is part of an ongoing
IDF operation in the area.
No further details were provided."
Political Conflict Events
"China
China has appointed General
Chen Hui as the new political
commissar for its ground forces.
Chen's appointment is surprising
because he has no ground forces
experience and has only served in the
Aerospace Force for less than a year.
The departure of the previous commissar,
Qin Shutong, was not officially explained.
President Xi has been consolidating
his control over the army
through reorganization and
political work conferences."
"Israel
The Knesset has voted to extend the state
of emergency until December 16, 2025,
as recommended by the security cabinet.
Twenty-nine MKs voted in favor,
while seven voted against.
The state of emergency grants the
cabinet the power to issue regulations
superseding Knesset legislation."
"Syria
Syria's de facto leader, Ahmed
al-Sharaa, has agreed with former
rebel faction chiefs to dissolve all
groups and consolidate them under
the Defense Ministry, according to a
statement from the new administration.
The Syrian Prime Minister had previously
announced plans to restructure
the ministry using former rebel
factions and defected officers."
Civil Unrest Events
"Panama
Protesters in Panama burned an
image of Donald Trump in response
to his threat to demand control of
the country's interoceanic canal.
Demonstrators gathered outside the US
embassy, chanting against Trump while
police officers guarded the compound.
The canal was handed over to Panama
in 1999, and protesters emphasized
that it is Panamanian territory.
Trump criticized fees for US ships
passing through the canal and suggested
the possibility of reclaiming control.
However, Panama's president stated that
the status of the canal is non-negotiable.
"
"Syria
Early Tuesday, hundreds of
Christians demonstrated in the
Christian area of Damascus to
protest the burning of A Christmas
tree near Hama in central Syria."
Weapons Events
"India
On Monday, Indian forces recovered
and defused an IED near the
contentious Anglo-Kuki War Memorial
Gate in the Churachandpur district."
"India
Security forces seized a weapons cache
on Monday during a search operation in
Ngariyan hill ranges along the Maring
Sandangsengba in the Imphal East district.
The cache included a 7.62mm LMG
with a magazine, a single-barrel
gun, a 9mm pistol, two
grenades, and other cartridges."
"India
On Monday, security forces seized
a weapons cache during a search
operation in the village of
Teijang, Churachandupr district.
The cache included three country-made
rockets, a .303 rifle, four pistols,
six country-made bombs, 45 sticks of
low-grade explosives, and ammunition."
Accident Events
"Canada
A rock slide in the Fraser Canyan north
of Boston Bar Sunday evening resulted
in the derailment of 12 grain cars.
There were no injuries in the incident."
"India
The 19015 Dadar-Porbandar
Saurashtra Express train derailed
on Tuesday while departing from
the Kim station in Surat, Gujarat.
No injuries or damage to passengers
or railway employees were reported."
"Spain
On Monday, a Russian cargo ship
sank in the Mediterranean Sea
between Spain and Algeria after
an explosion in its engine room.
Two of the 24 crew members were
reported missing after the incident.
The Russian embassy in Spain was
investigating the cause of the explosion."
"Syria
A civilian and his son were injured
in a landmine explosion while riding
a motorbike in western Deir Ezzor.
In a separate incident, a young man died
in a landmine explosion in Khasham Town.
Both incidents occurred in
areas controlled by the SDF."
"Turkey
On Tuesday, an explosion at a
munitions plant located north
of Balikesir killed at least 12
employees and wounded four others.
The Turkish Interior Minister stated
the cause was not immediately known, but
authorities have ruled out sabotage."
"United States
An investigation is underway after a
Union Pacific train derailed in Carson.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene.
Union Pacific officials stated that the
derailment damaged rail infrastructure,
and access to the ports of Los Angeles
and Long Beach is currently shut down.
No injuries or hazardous
material spills were reported."
Other Events
"Netherlands
A Dutch court has convicted five
people for participating in violence
against Israeli soccer fans.
The sentences range from six months
in prison to community service.
The attacks were condemned as
antisemitic, and Israelis had to
hide in their hotels and leave
the city under heavy protection."
"Russia
A US citizen, Eugene Spector, has
been sentenced to 15 years in jail
by a Russian court for espionage.
Spector, who was already serving a
3-1/2-year sentence for bribery, was
charged with espionage in August.
The details of the case
have not been made public.
Spector will serve a 13-year
sentence for spying, in addition
to his existing bribery sentence.
Before his arrest, Spector
was the chairman of a company
specializing in cancer-curing drugs."
Thanks for joining us for the December
25, 2024 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
casualty information, interactive
web maps, and our IntelHub dashboard
are available with a Geopolitical
Report Pro subscription, which you
can try with a seven-day-free-trial
at www.geopolitical.report.
I hope you and your family have a
Merry Christmas, and don't forget to
tune in again tomorrow for the most
recent events from around the world.