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Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for January 6, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
We had a lighter Sunday, and mapped
51 events including a Chinese
ship cutting a telecom cable off
Taiwan, so let's get started.
Terrorism,
"Brazil
Four Indigenous people, including a child,
were shot during an attack on the Ava
Guarani community near the city of Guaira
in southern Brazil late on Friday night.
A search for the assailants was underway.
Two members of the Ava Guarani people
were shot and injured in the last
days of 2024 in the same area."
"Democratic Republic of Congo
On Sunday, M23 rebels captured
the strategic town of Masisi.
The insurgents reportedly held a
meeting of the town's residents, saying
they came to liberate the country."
"India
On Saturday, District Reserve Guard
(DRG) forces clashed with Maoist rebels
in the Abujhmad region of the Narayanpur
district of Chhattisgarh, resulting in
the death of a soldier and four militants.
Troops recovered AK-47
rifles from the dead rebels."
"Nigeria
On Friday, the Katsina State Police
Command thwarted a kidnapping
attempt along the Funtua-Gusau
highway in Zamfara State.
The assailants, armed with AK-47
rifles, ambushed four vehicles
to kidnap 18 passengers on board.
Police successfully rescued
all 18 hostages unharmed."
"Nigeria
Late Saturday night into early Sunday,
suspected terrorists killed four
people and injured several others
during an attack on the village
of Mai Rana in the Kusada Local
Government Area of Katsina State.
Among those killed was the acting
Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle
Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
The assailants also abducted the
Chairman's first and second wives,
along with one of his daughters.
The first wife was later released."
"Pakistan
Counter-terrorism forces arrested
two suspected terrorists during an
operation in the Al Manzor recreational
area of Jamshoro District on Saturday.
Troops recovered two hand grenades,
a Kalashnikov rifle, two pistols,
and ammunition from the militants.
The terrorists were associated with the
Sindhu Desh Liberation Army and Jeay
Sindh Muttahida Mahaz militant group."
"Pakistan
The separatist Baloch Liberation
Army (BLA) terrorist group claimed
responsibility for the suicide bomb
attack that targeted a passenger van and
police vehicle in Turbat on Saturday,
which killed at least eight security
personnel and injured over 40 others."
"Pakistan
A team from the Counter Terrorism
Department (CTD) arrested two
suspected terrorists associated
with the Sindh Revolutionary Army
(SRA) in a raid in Sikandrabad
Colony in Kotri, Jamshoro district.
One suspect, Muhammad Ameen Solangi,
worked for the SRA, while the other
suspect, Ayaz Khan, supplied arms
and ammunition to the banned outfit.
The CTD foiled their plan to attack a law
enforcement agency vehicle on Monday."
"Syria
The Internal Security Forces
Al-Asayish have arrested seven
individuals in Al-Baseera Town for
their affiliation with ISIS cells.
These individuals originated from Ras
Al-Ain City in the Al-Hasakah countryside
and had infiltrated SDF-held areas
while carrying weapons and ammunition."
"Taiwan
The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) and
Chunghwa Telecom confirmed that a Chinese
ship, the Shunxin-39, cut an international
undersea cable near Keelung Harbor.
The cable has backup equipment,
so telecommunications in
Taiwan are not affected.
The CGA located the Shunxin-39
and demanded an investigation.
Kuma Academy CEO Ho Cheng-hui believes
this incident is part of China's
history of sabotaging Taiwanese
infrastructure and testing the
international community's response."
"West Bank
A Palestinian woman attempted
to stab Israeli civilians in the
West Bank village of Dayr Qadis.
No injuries were reported, and IDF
troops are currently surrounding the
village in pursuit of the suspect."
"West Bank
A Palestinian woman attempted
to stab Israeli civilians in the
West Bank village of Dayr Qadis.
No injuries were reported, and IDF
troops are currently surrounding the
village in pursuit of the suspect."
Military Conflict
"Gaza Strip
Over the weekend, the Israeli Air Force,
in collaboration with the Southern
Command, conducted strikes in the Gaza
Strip, targeting over 100 locations
and killing multiple Hamas operatives.
The strikes were based on intelligence
from the Military Intelligence Directorate
and the Shin Bet security agency.
Rockets launching sites in
Gaza were also targeted."
"Gaza Strip
Earlier today, the IDF conducted
a drone strike on a group of Hamas
operatives at a command center in the
humanitarian zone in southern Gaza.
The operatives used the compound
to plan and carry out attacks
against troops in Gaza and Israel.
The IDF also targeted a
Palestinian Islamic Jihad
operative in a separate strike.
In both cases, the IDF took precautions
to minimize civilian casualties."
"Iraq
The Turkish Ministry of Defense, on
Monday, announced that its forces
killed four Kurdistan Workers Party
(PKK) terrorists during operations in
the Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq."
"Mali
On Saturday, the Malian Army announced
the arrest of the leader of the
Islamic State in the Greater Sahara
(EIGS) terrorist group and another
militant during an operation in the
northern Sahel region of the country.
The troops also killed several other
terrorists during the operation."
"Pakistan
On Saturday, Pakistani counter-terrorism
forces and police conducted
raids on terrorist hideouts in
the mountainous areas near Ali
Khan Khel and Jata Ismailkhel
localities in the Karak district.
Officials stated that troops destroyed
several hideouts during the operations."
"Russia
Russia claims to have shot down eight
US-made ATACMS missiles fired by Ukraine,
which it sees as a major escalation.
The country's air defenses also
destroyed 72 unmanned aerial vehicles.
Russia vowed retaliation, and President
Putin has threatened to respond
with Russia's new nuclear-capable
ballistic missile ""Oreshnik."""
"Somalia
Somali and U.S.
forces conducted an airstrike near
Kismayo, resulting in the death of 10
militants from the Al-Shabaab group.
This operation is part of ongoing efforts
to combat terrorism in the region."
"Sudan
On Saturday, Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
shelled the Sudanese Army-held suburb
of Wad al-Bakhit in Ormdurman, killing
four civilians and wounding 43 others."
"Sudan
On Saturday, Rapid Support
Forces (RSF) shelled the Saudi
Hospital in El Fasher, killing two
people and wounding two others.
It was the fourteenth
attack on the hospital."
"Sudan
An airstrike in Khartoum killed 10
civilians and wounded 30 others.
It targeted the al-Sahrij station, used
by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), marking
the third attack in less than a month."
"Syria
Violent clashes broke out between
two factions of the Al-Hamzat
group in Ras Al-Ain City.
The clashes were triggered when a
commander and seven others tried to
leave the city through SDF-held areas.
The commander was kidnapped and killed
by another group from the same faction,
leading to further clashes in the
silos area near the National Hospital."
"Syria
Frontlines in the eastern Aleppo
countryside witnessed violent
clashes between SDF and factions
of the National Army backed by
Turkish artillery and drones.
Fifteen members of the National
Army were killed, and military
machineries were destroyed.
Turkish drones also carried
out airstrikes, killing
four members of the SDF.
Turkish forces fired artillery
shells from Al-Hushariya Town in
Jarablus City, targeting positions
of SDF and Manbij Military Council.
Ongoing battles continue in the area."
"Syria
More than 100 combatants were killed in
clashes between Turkish-backed groups and
Syrian Kurdish forces in northern Syria.
The fighting took place in several
villages around the city of
Manbij, resulting in 85 deaths
among pro-Turkish groups and 16
deaths among the Kurdish-dominated
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The SDF claims to have repelled
attacks from Turkish mercenaries with
the support of drones and aviation."
"Syria
A Turkish drone attacked a vehicle in
the eastern Tishreen dam area and a
house in Sarrin town Ain Al-Arab (Kobane)
countryside in eastern Aleppo countryside.
No casualties were reported
in either incident."
"Syria
The Turkish Defense Ministry announced
on Sunday that its forces killed at least
32 PKK terrorists during operations in
the Operation Euphrates Shield/Peace
Spring Zones of northern Syria."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked six Chinese naval vessels
and five military aircraft operating
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Saturday and 6 a.m.
on Sunday.
Four aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line, entering the
nationâs northern and southwestern Air
Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)."
"Ukraine
In Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region,
a 43-year-old man was killed,
and a 40-year-old woman was
injured in an artillery strike.
The town experienced damage to
buildings, garages, and cars."
"Ukraine
In the Zaporizhzhia district, a
Russian kamikaze UAV damaged an
energy infrastructure facility.
No casualties were reported.
The police recorded Russian shells
hitting various structures and vehicles."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,730 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Around 250 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
Two individuals were injured in
Kherson's Dniprovskyi and Korabelnyi
districts due to Russian shelling.
A 56-year-old woman suffered
blast and head injuries, a
concussion, and shrapnel wounds.
A 49-year-old man also sustained
blast injuries and a concussion."
"Ukraine
Russian forces attacked Kharkiv
with a Molniya-type drone, causing
damage to a private household.
There were no casualties reported.
In a separate incident, three people
were injured and houses were damaged
in the village of Krasnokutsk
due to a downed Geran drone."
"Ukraine
The Pokrovsk community in the Donetsk
region was attacked by the Russians,
resulting in five locals being injured.
The Russians wounded three people
in Pokrovsk, damaging a shop
and an administrative building.
In Nadiivka, two houses were damaged,
and two more people were injured."
"Ukraine
A Russian drone dropped an explosive
payload on a Kherson resident riding a
motorcycle, causing multiple injuries.
The man was taken to the hospital
with explosive and craniocerebral
injuries, contusion, eye damage,
and shrapnel wounds to his legs."
"Ukraine
The Russian strike on the town
of Semenivka in the Chernihiv
region resulted in nine injuries,
including two children aged 8 and 13.
The damage includes administrative
buildings, a local hospital,
apartment blocks, private households,
and infrastructure facilities."
"Ukraine
On January 5, Ukraine's Defense
Forces shot down 61 Russian Shahed
attack UAVs and other drones.
The attack consisted of 103 UAVs
launched from Russia, with 42 decoy
drones veering off course and crashing.
No infrastructure damage occurred, but
some households were damaged by debris.
The air raid was repelled by Ukraine's
aviation, air defense forces, electronic
warfare units, and mobile fire groups."
"Ukraine
The Russian forces attacked infrastructure
in the Sumy community using Shahed drones.
No casualties were reported.
Restoration work is ongoing in
the village of Svesa in the Sumy
region following a Russian strike."
"Ukraine
Throughout the day, the Russians attacked
the Nikopol district and communities
in the Kryvyi Rih district of the
Dnipropetrovsk region, resulting in one
fatality and significant destruction.
The Russian forces targeted
Nikopol, Marhanets, and
Pokrovske communities, damaging
infrastructure and three businesses.
In addition, four apartment buildings,
three private houses, a store, garages, an
outbuilding, and vehicles were destroyed.
The Russians also launched a kamikaze
drone attack on the Zelenodolsk community,
damaging an infrastructure facility."
"Ukraine
Two people were injured in the
Zarichne, Lyman community of the
Donetsk region due to Russian shelling.
The victims, both 64-year-old
women, were injured in the village."
"West Bank
A Palestinian Islamic Jihad company
commander, Saad Said Zaki Dahnon, was
killed by IDF troops during recent
operations in northern Gaza's Jabalia.
Dahnon had participated in the October 7
attack and was involved in other attacks
against troops in the Beit Lahiya area.
Dahnon was killed, while the second
operative surrendered and was
found carrying an explosive device.
He was taken to Israel for
further interrogation."
"West Bank
Border Police, IDF, and Shin Bet conducted
a joint operation in Meithalun, West Bank.
They attempted to detain Hassan
Rabia'a, a wanted Palestinian
gunman involved in terror activity.
Rabia'a opened fire and tried to flee
but was killed by Border Police officers.
Two handguns were found on his body, and
a search of his home revealed a hunting
rifle, pipe bombs, gun parts, and cash.
The IDF also discovered an
explosives lab at his property.
In a separate operation, the IDF
seized 20 handguns and detained 19
wanted Palestinians near Nablus.
No soldiers were injured
in these operations."
"Yemen
Early Sunday morning, the US and UK
reportedly conducted three airstrikes
on Houthi targets in the city of Saada.
Details of the attacks and
casualty figures were unknown."
Civil Unrest
"Montenegro
Several thousand people rallied in
Montenegro, demanding the resignations
of top security officials over a
recent shooting that left 12 people
dead, including two children.
Protesters chanted and called
for the Interior Minister
and Deputy Prime Minister for
Security and Defense to step down.
The shooting occurred during a bar
brawl and raised concerns about
violence and gun control in Montenegro."
"South Korea
Thousands of South Koreans rallied in
support or opposition to President Yoon
Suk Yeol, who is suspended over a failed
martial law bid and resisting arrest.
Yoon has been holed up in the
presidential residence, surrounded
by loyal security officers.
Attempts to arrest him have
failed, leading to tense
standoffs with his supporters."
Weapons
"Cameroon
On Sunday, the Cameroon military
announced that its forces seized several
hundred weapons and other war-like
materials being smuggled into the
country by Boko Haram militants during
an operation in the town of Maroua.
The cache included long-barreled firearms,
military uniforms, over 400 packets of
tear gas, and more than 100 gallons of
oxidizing agents used to make explosives.
According to the regional governor,
the militants were smuggling
the weapons to the Sambisa
forest in Borno State, Nigeria."
"Syria
The IDF's 810th Mountains Regional
Brigade discovered and destroyed
weapons caches during targeted raids
on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon.
The operation aimed to strengthen
border defenses and protect
Israeli Golan Heights residents."
Active Shooting
"United States
Gwinnett County Police are investigating
a shooting at the Mall of Georgia that
resulted in one person being injured.
An officer on mall security
heard the gunfire and apprehended
a suspect attempting to flee.
The victim was taken to a
local hospital for treatment.
Detectives are canvassing the area
for witnesses and reviewing evidence."
Accidents
"India
On Sunday, three crew members were
killed after a helicopter of the
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) crashed
and caught fire while trying to
land at a Coast Guard airport on the
outskirts of Gujaratâs Porbandar city."
"Syria
Four civilians from the same
family were killed in an explosion
caused by a landmine in Has
Town, southern Idlib countryside.
Additionally, a 15-year-old child
was injured by a landmine explosion
near Khalkhala Airport in Al-Suwaydaa
countryside, sustaining shrapnel wounds to
the stomach and minor external fractures."
"United States
A train derailment occurred in
Corvallis on Saturday, submerging
one car in the Marys River.
The incident happened when a railroad
trestle collapsed while a freight train
crossed it, causing at least one railcar
carrying urea to fall into the river.
There were no injuries."
Thanks for joining us for the January
6, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
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