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Cedric: Happy New Year!
Welcome to the Geopolitical Report Daily
New Years edition for January 1, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Tuesday we collected and mapped
65 events, so let's get started.
Terrorism,
"Afghanistan
On Tuesday, the National Resistance Front
(NRF) announced that it had targeted
the convoy of Abdul Latif Mansour, the
Taliban's Minister of Energy and Water,
in the Khair Khana area of northern Kabul.
According to an NRF statement,
the attack resulted in the death
of one of the minister's guards
and injuries to two others."
"Germany
Two people were wounded in a
knife attack in western Berlin.
The attack took place in the
district of Charlottenburg.
The suspect, a Syrian national living
in Sweden, stabbed his victims with
a knife he stole from a supermarket.
Passers-by intervened and overpowered
the attacker until the police arrived.
The attack does not appear to be
terrorist-related, and the suspect is
believed to have mental health issues."
"Israel
Debris from a Houthi missile
launched at central Israel was
found on a balcony in Beit Shemesh.
Local news service Beit Shemesh Hadashot
published an image of the shrapnel
being handled by a police sapper.
Parts of the missile landed in three
places in the ultra-Orthodox city.
The largest piece landed on Nahal
Hakishon Street, attracting a large crowd.
The public is advised to avoid the
debris and contact law enforcement."
"Israel
Two rockets were launched from
the central Gaza Strip at the
southern Israeli city of Netivot.
The IDF reports that one rocket
was intercepted while the
second struck an open area.
There are no reports of injuries.
Hamas has claimed
responsibility for the attack."
"Nigeria
At least seven members of the Islamic
State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were
killed in an explosion while preparing
improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
in the Lake Chad Basin of Borno State.
The incident occurred on December 30,
2024, between Baâanfani and Koleram."
"Pakistan
On Tuesday, a group of terrorists armed
with assault rifles attacked a security
post in the volatile northwestern region
of Pakistan, killing a police officer and
a civilian and wounding another officer.
The assault occurred at the
Daraban Post in Dera Ismail Khan.
Security forces engaged the assailants,
leading the insurgents to flee the scene.
No group claimed
responsibility for the attack."
"Philippines
On Monday, New Peopleâs Army (NPA)
rebels wounded a soldier during a clash
in Barangay Canhandugan in Jaro, Leyte.
After the clash, troops
recovered a .45 caliber pistol,
three IEDs, and ammunition."
"Somalia
Early Tuesday morning, ISIS terrorists
attacked a Puntland Defense Forces
(PDF) base in Dharjaale, killing four
soldiers and wounding several others.
The attack commenced with a vehicle-borne
explosive device, succeeded by a
direct assault from armed militants.
This assault was countered
with resistance from the PDF.
Somali forces killed at least two
terrorists and captured others
during the fighting and subsequent
search for other fleeing insurgents."
"Somalia
On Tuesday morning, Puntland Defense
Forces (PDF) killed over 10 ISIS
terrorists, including three foreign
fighters of Arab and African origins,
during an attack on a PDF base in
Dharjaale and follow-up clashes
in the Dharjaale, Isku Shuban
districts of the Bari Region."
"Syria
The Ashrafiyeh neighborhood in Aleppo,
predominantly Kurdish, experienced an
attack on an Internal Security Forces
checkpoint by unidentified gunmen.
Two combatants were killed
and seven others injured.
This is the first attack of
its kind in the area since the
fall of Al-Assad's regime."
"Syria
Gunmen from ISIS cells attacked
a checkpoint in Al-Qamishli city,
but no casualties were reported.
Asayish Forces launched a combing
campaign to apprehend the attackers
but have been unsuccessful so far."
"Syria
A booby-trapped car exploded in Tel Refaat
City in northern Aleppo countryside,
injuring four people, including a child.
The city experienced a security
mobilization, with ambulance
vehicles rushing to the scene.
This is the third attack of
its kind in areas controlled
by Turkish-backed factions."
"Syria
Members of ISIS cells attacked
the Iskandrun checkpoint of
the Internal Security Forces
in the Al-Hasakah countryside.
One member of the Internal Security
Forces was killed in the gunfire."
"Turkey
On Monday, a Turkish court in
Istanbul ordered the arrest of a
suspected member of the Islamic State
in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) from
Chechnya, who was detained in a police
operation in Ä°stanbul last week.
He was charged with involvement
in political and military
espionage in Turkey."
Military Conflict,
"Afghanistan
According to local Afghan media reports,
the Taliban killed Sayed Mullah, an ISIS
intelligence and targeted assassination
official, in Kunar Province on Monday.
Sayed Mullah, also known as Hamas,
recently arrived in Afghanistan from
Pakistan's Balochistan province.
The reports indicate that two women and
a child associated with Sayed Mullah
were also injured in the incident."
"Gaza Strip
A senior commander in the Palestinian
Islamic Jihad terror group, Anas
Muhammad Saadi Masri, was killed in
a drone strike in the Gaza Strip.
Masri was responsible for numerous attacks
on Israel and IDF troops, including
rocket fire from the northern Gaza Strip.
The IDF took steps to minimize
civilian harm in the strike."
"Iraq
On Tuesday, Turkey announced that its
forces killed a senior Kurdistan Workers'
Party (PKK) commander, Nusrettin Demir,
and another terrorist in an operation
in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Sources reported the militant was
preparing attacks along with other rebels
on Turkish forces in the same area."
"Iraq
On Tuesday, the Turkish Ministry of
Defense reported its forces killed
six PKK terrorists during operations
in the Hakurk and Gara regions of the
Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq."
"Iraq
On Tuesday, an Iraqi security source
announced that the Turkish army had
fired heavy artillery shells at a gravel
and sand factory in Duhok Province.
The shelling resulted in a minor
injury to a Kurdish-Syrian worker.
The source also stated that Turkish
artillery had targeted positions belonging
to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on
the slopes of Mount Gara, near Al-Amadiya.
Additionally, the nearby village of Maji
was heavily shelled despite its residents
having fled the area a year prior."
"Myanmar
On Monday, insurgents raided the village
of Sin Hpyu, targeting the home of a Pyu
Saw Htee junta militia commander, Win Ko,
according to local resistance sources.
Pyu Saw Htee members in the area fled the
village and abandoned their weapons after
hearing the gunfire during the attack."
"Myanmar
Myanmarâs junta has blocked public
access to Mandalay Regionâs Mount
Popa after Myingyan Black Tiger
(MBT) resistance fighters raided the
militaryâs telecoms stations on the
dormant volcano, reportedly taking two
prisoners who later died in their custody.
The raid took place last
Friday, December 27."
"Pakistan
On Monday, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan
(TTP) insurgents released a video
claiming to show the capture of a
Pakistani check post near the Afghanistan
border in the Bajaur district.
However, a senior security official from
Pakistan clarified that the checkpost
had been abandoned before the alleged
capture and moved to newer, more
fortified locations in the district."
"Russia
Following a drone attack, an oil depot
in the Smolensk region of Russia caught
fire, and Vladikavkaz airport was closed.
The head of the district confirmed
the attack and the fire, with the
Emergency Situations Ministry working
to eliminate the consequences.
The wreckage of a UAV fell on the oil
depot, causing fuel spillage and fires.
In Kazan, the airport was temporarily
suspended for safety reasons.
The head of the North Ossetia region
also announced the downing of a UAV and
the closure of Vladikavkaz airport."
"Somalia
On Monday, officials reported that
Somali National Army (SNA) forces,
in collaboration with the Walawayn
District Police Force, conducted a
coordinated operation targeting al-Shabab
militants in the Lower Shabelle region.
The operation, aimed at enhancing
security, was carried out in several
villages, including Aybuley, Isgaad,
Hoo Hook, Fulaaley, Garfaale, Dibati,
Qabiibiyow, Tuhur Qaboobey, Waraxley, Ali
Bonad, Lugud Jiliwayne, and Baladul Amin."
"Sudan
On Saturday, Sunanes airstrikes targeted
Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targets in
Nyala, including the Nyala airport.
During the Sudanese strikes at
the airport, an Emirate cargo
plane was hit while it was
taking off, causing it to crash.
Sudan claimed the aircraft
was supplying the RSF.
Sudanese forces also reportedly
destroyed RSF drones west of Nyala
and killed foreign nationals who
were on the roof of a building
near the Nyala Technical College.
The RSF stated that the
airstrikes killed numerou"
"Sudan
Sudanese forces allegedly shot
down six Rapid Support Forces
(RSF) drones targeting El Fasher
and shelled neighborhoods in
the southern area of the city."
"Syria
Fierce clashes broke out between Syrian
Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkish-backed
factions in Abu Qalqal, eastern Aleppo.
SDF launched an infiltration operation
into the positions of the Turkish-backed
faction, resulting in their advancement
and control of Shash Al-Bobanna village.
In response, Turkish forces
conducted heavy artillery fire on
positions in Beir Hissu village and
Al-Majbal area, causing material
damage and panic among residents."
"Syria
France conducted missile strikes
in Syria, specifically targeting
Islamic State sites in the country.
The French Armed Forces Minister,
Sebastien Lecornu, confirmed the
strikes on social media platform X."
"Syria
SDF launched heavy artillery
attacks on Abo Qalqak Town and
Shash Al-Bubna Village, leading to
clashes with Turkish-backed factions.
Turkish artillery also
targeted Beir Hassu Village.
No casualties have been reported so far."
"Syria
Groups of gunmen from the general security
service of the Military Operations
Administration stormed Ras Al-Maarrah
town in western Qalamoun in Rif Dimashq.
The raid resulted in the death of Ahmed
Al-Rifa'i, the town's elder, and the
serious injury of two of his sons.
Nearly 30 people were arrested
for previously cooperating
with the former regime."
"Syria
On Monday, the Turkish Ministry
of National Defense stated that
its forces neutralized 10 PKK/YPG
terrorists during operations in the
Operation Euphrates Shield/Peace
Spring Zones of northern Syria.
Turkey uses the term neutralize
to indicate that a PKK member has
been killed, injured, or captured."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked six Chinese naval
vessels and five military aircraft
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Monday and 6 a.m.
on Tuesday.
Three fighter jets crossed the
Taiwan Strait median line in the
nationâs northern and southwestern
Air Defense Identification Zone."
"Ukraine
Over the past day, Russian troops
fired 36 times at the border
of Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv
regions, resulting in 106 explosions.
The attacks included cannon
artillery, mortars, FPV drones,
and unexploded ordnance from UAVs.
No civilian casualties or damage to
infrastructure were reported, but
information is constantly being updated."
"Ukraine
Russian forces killed a resident of
the Kharkiv region on December 30.
The Russians attempted to advance
16 times towards Ukrainian
troops in the Kupiansk sector.
Twenty-eight people were evacuated
from Kupiansk and Borivske directions."
"Ukraine
A missile fragment fell in the
Darnytsia district of Kyiv, damaging
three private buildings and two cars.
No injuries were reported.
This occurred as a result of a
morning missile strike in Kyiv.
An air alert was declared throughout
Ukraine due to the threat of
Russian use of ballistic weapons."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched 240 attacks on
eight settlements in Zaporizhzhia region.
141 UAVs targeted various locations,
while 11 MLRS attacks and 88 shelling
attacks were also carried out.
There were reports of damage to
residential buildings and infrastructure,
but no civilian casualties were reported."
"Ukraine
Russian troops shelled the border
community of Semenivka in the Chernihiv
region, damaging houses and cars.
The head of the Chernihiv
Regional Military Administration
reported the incident on Facebook.
No people were injured in the attack."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,610 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 150 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
The Russian forces shelled a
residential area in the village of
Textylne in the Dniprovskyi district
of Kherson, causing destruction.
The strikes resulted in significant
damage to homes, including destroyed
roofs and shattered windows.
Russians also used drones to attack two
public buses, injuring a bus driver."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched a missile
strike on the city of Shostka in the
Sumy region on December 31, damaging
three boiler rooms and leaving 43
apartment buildings without heating.
The strike damaged apartment buildings,
schools, a clinic, and boiler rooms.
Sumy Regional Governor Volodymyr
Artiukh confirmed the missile
strike on Ukrainian television."
"Ukraine
Ukraine's air defense forces have
successfully shot down one Russian
Kinzhal missile, five Kh-69 guided air
missiles, and 16 Shahed strike drones.
Since December 30, Russian forces
have launched a total of 61 drones and
missiles targeting Ukraine, including
ballistic missiles, hypersonic
missiles, guided air missiles,
cruise missiles, and strike drones."
"Ukraine
For the first time, the Defence
Intelligence of Ukraine destroyed a
Russian Mi-8 helicopter in the Black Sea
using a Magura V5 maritime strike drone.
The drone was equipped with
R-73 SeeDragon missiles.
Another Russian helicopter of the
same type was also hit but managed
to reach its home airfield."
"Ukraine
Russians attacked a suburb of
Kherson, Ukraine, with a drone,
injuring a man born in 1993.
The drone dropped explosives, causing
explosive injuries and shrapnel
wounds to both of the man's legs."
"Ukraine
During the day, the Russian army
launched almost 20 attacks on the Nikopol
district of the Dnipropetrovsk region.
They used heavy artillery, kamikaze
drones, and dropped ammunition from a UAV.
The attacks damaged high-rise buildings,
infrastructure, gas stations, and
administrative buildings in Nikopol,
Marhanets, Pokrovsk, Chervonohryhorivka,
and Myrivka communities.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported."
"Ukraine
Russian forces attacked Kherson's
Dniprovskyi district, causing a fire
and injuring a 71-year-old woman.
The victim suffered blast and
craniocerebral injuries and
is currently hospitalized."
"Ukraine
On December 31, Russian troops shelled
the village of Shliakhove in the Kherson
region, damaging residential buildings.
No casualties were
reported in the attack."
"Yemen
The US and the UK reportedly
conducted three airstrikes on
Houthi military targets in the
capital of Sanaa on Tuesday."
Political Conflict
"South Korea
On Tuesday, South Korean Corruption
Investigation Office investigators
raided the army's counterintelligence
offices as part of a widening probe
into potential martial law abuses.
The investigation has also resulted
in an arrest warrant being issued for
impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol."
"United States
The United States has imposed sanctions on
entities in Iran and Russia for attempting
to interfere in the 2024 US election.
The entities include a subsidiary
of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps
and an organization affiliated with
Russia's military intelligence agency.
The US Treasury Department stated that
these entities aimed to stoke tensions
and influence the US electorate.
The Treasury also mentioned the
Cognitive Design Production Center's
influence operations and the Center for
Geopolitical Expertise's dissemination of
disinformation and creation of deepfakes.
The Treasury did not specify
which candidate was targeted."
"United States
The U.S.
Department of State has issued a
Level 2 Travel Advisory for American
citizens traveling abroad due to
anticipated sudden terrorist attacks
and ongoing civil unrest in Spain.
The advisory urges travelers to
""exercise increased caution"" as
terrorist groups continue plotting
potential surprise attacks within the
country and potential for civil unrest."
Cyber Events,
"India
Thomas Cook (India) Ltd experienced
a cyber attack on its IT
infrastructure and took immediate
action to secure its systems.
The company shut down compromised
systems and is working with cyber
security experts to assess the breach and
implement necessary remedial measures."
"Sri Lanka
Several Sri Lankan government
institutions, including the Sri Lanka
Police Department and the Sri Lanka
Department of Government Printing, have
been hacked and their data altered.
The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency
Readiness Team (SLCERT) and the police
are investigating the cyber attacks."
"United States
On Monday, the U.S.
Treasury Department announced that
Chinese hackers had remotely accessed
several of its workstations and
unclassified documents after compromising
a third-party software service provider.
The agency stated that it is
investigating the hack as a
""major cybersecurity event."
Civil Unrest,
"Bangladesh
On Tuesday, thousands of Bangladeshis
gathered in the capital city of Dhaka
for a ""March for Unity"" rally.
The march commemorated the student-led
uprising five months prior, which had
resulted in the ousting of long-serving
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Participants also honored the over
1,000 individuals who lost their
lives during the ensuing violence."
"Sudan
Dozens of Sudanese protested outside
the government offices in Port Sudan
against a partial currency swap.
The army-backed government had
set a deadline for residents to
exchange old banknotes for new
ones, but the deadline was extended.
The Sudanese pound has significantly
depreciated due to the ongoing war.
The government claims the currency swap is
to protect the economy, but it has caused
disruptions in transportation and trade.
The RSF has banned the use of
the new notes in its controlled
areas and accused the army of
conspiring to divide the country."
Active Shooting Event,
"United States
A manhunt is underway for a gunman who
injured two people in a shooting at a
shopping mall in downtown Los Angeles.
The shooting occurred near the
Target store in the Figat7th mall.
The victims, one of whom is a security
guard, were taken to nearby hospitals.
The suspect, described as a
white male, fled the scene.
Another shooting incident occurred nearby,
but it is unclear if it is related.
No further details are
available at this time."
Accidents,
"Pakistan
On Monday, a bus carrying 20 members
of a wedding party collided with a
trailer near Moro, in southern Sindh
Province, killing at least 12 people,
including eight members of the same
family and injuring five others.
The driver of the bus fled
the area after the collision."
"Syria
A civilian was injured by shrapnel
from an old landmine explosion near
a paper factory in Al-Husseiniyah
village in Deir Ezzor city."
"Syria
Five children from the Sulouk
district in the northern Al-Raqqa
countryside were injured in an
explosion caused by a landmine of
war remnants in agricultural lands."
"Tunisia
Two Tunisian migrants, including
a five-year-old child, died
after their boat broke down off
the northern Tunisian coast.
17 others were rescued."
"United States
Monday afternoon, a twin-engine
plane crashed in Bratton
Township, killing the pilot.
An investigation was underway."
"United States
The FAA will investigate a
helicopter crash in Galveston.
The crash occurred near
Fifth Street at the Seawall.
The pilot was preparing the helicopter
when the rotor blade hit the ground,
causing the helicopter to flip.
The pilot was not injured.
A piece of a blade was found
in a nearby parking lot.
No injuries were reported."
Weapons Events,
"Lebanon
IDF troops discovered a large cache
of Hezbollah weapons in the Wadi
Saluki area of southern Lebanon.
The weapons included rocket launchers,
missiles, explosives, assault rifles,
grenades, mines, and other military gear.
The IDF confiscated the weapons
and demolished the sites."
Other Events,
"India
On Monday, a special court of the
National Investigation Agency (NIA) in
Bengaluru sentenced Bangladeshi national
Jahidul Islam to seven years in prison.
Islam was convicted for promoting
terrorist activities in India on
behalf of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen
Bangladesh (JMB - India)."
"India
On Monday, a special court of the
National Investigation Agency (NIA) in
Bengaluru sentenced Bangladeshi national
Jahidul Islam to seven years in prison.
Islam was convicted for promoting
terrorist activities in India on
behalf of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen
Bangladesh (JMB - India)."
Thanks for joining us for the January
1, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
casualty information, interactive
web maps, and our IntelHub dashboard
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Don't forget to tune in again
tomorrow for the most recent
events from around the world.
Happy New Year and I hope
you have a great 2025.