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Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for January 12, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Saturday was busy, with 52 events
logged, including more Maoist
IEDs in India, and Sudanese forces
retaking territory from the RSF.
We have a lot to cover,
so let's get started.
Terrorism,
"India
A suspected Maoist rebel IED
blast injured a Central Reserve
Police Force (CRPF) soldier in
the Bijapur district on Saturday."
"India
On Friday, security forces recovered
and defused four Maoist IEDs along the
Kachchapa-Toke Road in the Kohkamet
area of the Narayanpur district.
Earlier Friday, a Maoist IED blast injured
two villagers in the same location."
"Iran
On Saturday, the Iranian Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed
to have arrested an unspecified number
of spies on suspicion of gathering
intelligence on sensitive sites for
an unspecified Persian Gulf country."
"Israel
One rocket launched from the southern
Gaza Strip at the Kerem Shalom area
was intercepted by air defenses.
Sirens had sounded in the border
community of Kerem Shalom amid the attack.
There are no reports
of injuries or damage."
"Nigeria
On Friday, police reported that
terrorists ambushed a government
militia convoy in Baure, Katsina
State, killing at least 21 militiamen.
A search for the assailants was underway."
"Pakistan
On Saturday, gunfire erupted during a
meeting of male elders (jirga) in Gandi,
Chowk, Sarai Naurang Tehsil, killing
two people and wounding three others.
Among those killed was
a police sub-inspector."
"Pakistan
A militant missile attack on a
house in the village of Moski,
Mir Ali Tehsil, North Waziristan,
injured four women and children."
"Somalia
On Thursday, Somalia security forces
captured an ISIS operative during a
counter-terrorism operation in the
remote mountainous region of Bari."
"Syria
On Saturday, security forces thwarted
an ISIL terrorist bombing attempt inside
the Sayyida Zainab shrine in Damascus.
Security forces arrested several people
allegedly linked to the incident."
"Turkey
On Saturday, Turkey's interior minister
announced that a 10-day nationwide
operation against the Kurdistan
Workers' Party (PKK) had resulted in
the detention of nearly 150 people.
The raids carried out across 41 provinces,
led to charges of terror-related offenses
for 30 of the 147 suspects, while 17
others were placed under house arrest.
The suspects are accused of actively
participating in PKK activities,
providing financial support to the
group, engaging with its youth structure,
and disseminating propaganda for
the organization on social media."
"United States
U.S.
Border Patrol apprehended a former
mercenary, Timur Praliev, who crossed
the Rio Grande on foot near Roma, Texas.
Praliev, a member of Russia's
Wagner Group, was found with two
passports, $4,000, and a drone.
The Wagner Group is classified as
a criminal organization by the U.S.
Treasury Department and has been
involved in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Praliev pleaded guilty to
illegally entering the U.S.
and was sentenced to time served
but will remain in custody due
to his ties to the Wagner Group.
The investigation into his motives
and connections is ongoing."
"West Bank
The Palestinian Authority's Wafa
news agency has reported that several
injuries occurred after masked settlers
attacked residents and property in
the West Bank town of Turmus Ayya.
The IDF has not yet commented on the
incident, but Army Radio states that
troops were sent to the scene to stop
the rock-throwing between the two sides."
"West Bank
Israeli settlers reportedly raided
Yatma in the West Bank, resulting
in clashes with Palestinian youths
and Israeli security forces.
A young man was shot in the
foot during the incident.
The settlers' actions appear to
be in retaliation for a recent
terror shooting that killed two
elderly women and an off-duty cop,
as well as wounding eight others."
Military Conflict
"Gaza Strip
The IDF conducted a drone strike on a
group of Hamas operatives in a former
school in northern Gaza's Jabalia.
Hamas was using the school
to plan and carry out attacks
against troops in Gaza and Israel.
Palestinian media claims the strike
killed at least eight people, including
two children, and injured over 30 others.
The IDF took measures to minimize
civilian casualties during the strike."
"Gaza Strip
Four IDF soldiers were killed, and
six were wounded during fighting
in the northern Gaza Strip.
The soldiers were hit by an
explosive device and gunfire."
"Iraq
A senior Iraqi security official
confirmed on Saturday that its forces
launched a large-scale security
operation in the Wadi ash Shay area
near Kirkuk to eliminate any presence
of ISIS terrorist cells in the area."
"Iraq
On Saturday, the Turkish National
Defense Ministry announced that its
forces neutralized 11 PKK terrorists
during an operation in Hakur, Netina,
and the Gara regions of northern Iraq.
Turkish authorities use the
term ""neutralize"" to imply the
terrorists in question surrendered
or were killed or captured."
"Lebanon
The IDF conducted a drone
strike in southern Lebanon,
targeting Hezbollah operatives.
The village of Kounine was the location
of the strike, resulting in two injuries."
"Lebanon
The IDF conducted a drone strike
on three suspects near the Israeli
border in the Mount Dov area.
The suspects were killed, but
it is unknown if they were
armed or their intentions."
"Myanmar
On Thursday, Arakan Army (AA)
insurgents seized a police station
in the Shwethaungyan sub-township
of Pathein despite junta airstrikes
on insurgent positions in the area.
AA insurgents now control the village
of M Gyi Zin and surrounding areas in
the northernmost part of Shwethaungyan.
Junta airstrikes resulted in an
unspecified number of casualties."
"Myanmar
Arakan Army (AA) insurgents reported
the junta conducted more airstrikes
on the villages of Shan Wra and
the Ba Dein Tan areas and outside
the Mya Sein Youn guesthouse in
Kyauktaw Township on Saturday,
resulting in multiple casualties."
"Russia
On January 11, drones attacked
several regions of Russia, temporarily
suspending flights at airports in
Kazan, Nizhnekamsk, and Ulyanovsk.
In the Tambov region, drones
crashed into apartment buildings,
causing minor damage and injuries.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed
to have intercepted and destroyed 85
Ukrainian drones over Russian territory."
"Russia
In Tatarstan, the Taneko oil
refinery in Nizhnekamsk was evacuated
due to a drone strike threat.
The refinery was hit, but
no casualties were reported.
Taneko is a significant oil
refinery in Russia, supplying
fuel to the Russian army.
Drones also attacked other regions
of Russia, causing temporary
flight suspensions and damage
to residential buildings."
"Sudan
On Friday, Sudanese forces
recaptured the town of Um al-Qura
from Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
after three days of fighting."
"Sudan
On Saturday afternoon, the Sudanese
Armed Forces (SAF) regained control of
Wad Madani, the capital of Al Jazira
State, delivering a significant blow
to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The RSF had held the strategic
central Sudanese city since late 2023.
In a coordinated assault from the
east, west, and south, the SAF's
strategy overwhelmed RSF defenses
and capitalized on recent momentum.
The SAF also captured Wad El
Mehedi in the east, tightening
the noose around RSF positions."
"Sudan
Sudanese forces took control of the
Wadi al Abyaá¸ani area on Friday.
The area is approximately 12 miles
from the strategic Hantoub Bridge."
"Syria
Two sibling children, aged 13 and 16, were
injured due to Turkish forces' artillery
fire on a house in Bir Hassou village
in Ain Al-Arab (Kobane) countryside."
"Syria
A Turkish drone attacked an electricity
station in Karkandal in the Al-Malkiya
countryside north of Al-Haskah,
but no casualties were reported.
In another incident, two unidentified
people were killed in an attack on
a vehicle in Khan Al-Jabal Village.
The Turkish drone also carried out
airstrikes on a tunnel gate of the ""SDF""
in the vicinity of Qorah Gaukh Mountain.
Additionally, a water tank of a civilian
in Abo Raseen Town was targeted,
but no casualties were reported.
In eastern Aleppo countryside,
a Turkish drone attacked the
outskirts of Teshrin Dam while
civilians were present in the area."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked eight Chinese
military aircraft and five vessels
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Friday and Saturday.
Four aircraft crossed the median
line of the Taiwan Strait and
entered the countryâs southwestern
Air Defense Identification Zone."
"Ukraine
On January 10, Russian troops
attacked 38 settlements in the Kherson
region, causing injuries and damage.
Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported
the attacks and stated that two people
were injured, and 21 private houses, a
gas pipeline, and a car were damaged.
Additionally, the air defense forces
destroyed two Russian drones."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,570 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Around 195 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
A Russian drone attack in Prymorske,
Zaporizhzhia region, resulted in the death
of a woman and injuries to four others.
The attack targeted a civilian
car carrying five people.
The injured individuals, two men, and
two women are receiving medical care,
with one man in critical condition."
"Ukraine
The Ukrainian Defense Forces shot
down 47 Russian Shahed attack UAVs
and other types of drones, and another
27 drones disappeared from radar.
The attack occurred on January 10,
with 74 UAVs and decoy drones coming
from various directions in Russia.
The Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile
troops, EW units, and mobile fire
groups successfully repelled the attack.
The downed drones caused damage to
buildings, institutions, houses, and
vehicles in seven regions of Ukraine,
but there were no reported fatalities."
"Ukraine
On January 10, Russian occupiers
attacked 15 towns and villages in
the Zaporizhzhia region 377 times.
The attacks included air
strikes, UAV attacks, MLRS
attacks, and artillery attacks.
There were reports of destruction
and damage to residential buildings
and infrastructure, and two people
were wounded in the attack."
"Ukraine
On Saturday, a man was killed, and
five others were wounded in Russia's
strikes on the Donetsk region.
The head of the Donetsk Regional
Military Administration confirmed
the casualties on Facebook.
The shelling occurred in Hryshyne and
Pokrovsk, resulting in the death of a
78-year-old man and damage to two houses.
In Bilytske, four people were injured, and
multiple buildings and a car were damaged.
Another person was wounded
in Kostiantynivka."
"Ukraine
One civilian was killed in Russia's
strikes on the Donetsk region on
January 10, according to Vadym
Filashkin, the head of the Donetsk
Regional Military Administration.
Damage assessments were not
reported in the attacks."
"Ukraine
Russian forces attacked a man
with a drone in Antonivka.
The victim sustained injuries
from a mine and blast, as well
as shrapnel wounds to his legs."
"Ukraine
The Russian shelling of the Donetsk
region on January 11 resulted in six
people injured and one person killed.
The village of Hryshyne in Pokrovsk
district was targeted, and a 78-year-old
pensioner died from the impact.
The type of weapon used
is still being determined.
Airstrikes were also carried out in the
town of Bilytske, causing injuries to four
men and two women in different locations.
Apartment buildings, vehicles,
houses, and power lines were damaged."
"Ukraine
Russian forces carried out 29
attacks on border communities in
the Sumy region on January 11.
The attacks included shelling
and drone strikes, with a total
of 57 explosions recorded.
No casualties were reported."
"Ukraine
The Russian forces launched
multiple attacks with kamikaze
drones in the Nikopol district
of the Dnipropetrovsk region.
The district center, as
well as the communities of
Marhanets, Chervonohryhorivka,
and Pokrovske, were targeted.
A gas station was damaged, but
no casualties were reported."
Civil Unrest
"Germany
Protesters disrupted the election campaign
launch for Germany's far-Right AfD
party by launching fireworks at police.
The party is holding a gathering
to nominate Alice Weidel as
its candidate for chancellor."
"Israel
Hundreds of demonstrators in
Jerusalem are marching to Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's
home, demanding a hostage deal.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has sent
negotiators to Qatar to reach
a ceasefire deal with Hamas.
The protesters are urging the
government not to return without a deal.
Police are redirecting traffic
as the march continues to Paris
Square, where speeches from hostage
family members will be heard."
"Israel
Tel Aviv police forcefully remove
anti-government, pro-hostage
deal protesters from the road
outside IDF headquarters.
The protesters chanted against the
national security minister and demanded
the release of Hamas hostages."
"Netherlands
Dutch police detained hundreds of
climate activists from Extinction
Rebellion (XR) who blocked a main
highway in protest against fossil
fuel subsidies and climate change.
The protest caused traffic jams and longer
travel times for emergency services.
Police used water cannons and
drones to maintain control.
Two protesters climbed a signboard
beam and unfurled an XR flag.
Most activists were later released."
"South Korea
On Saturday, thousands of South
Koreans gathered in Seoul for rival
demonstrations as investigators
prepared another attempt to arrest
suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol over
his short-lived martial law decree.
Yoon had declared martial law on
December 3, 2024, accusing the
opposition of being pro-North Korean
and conducting anti-state activities."
Accidents
"Benin
On Friday, a civilian-piloted
helicopter chartered by the U.S.
Africa Command (AFRICOM) experienced
a partial mechanical failure,
resulting in a forced crash-landing in
Sedje-Denou District in Southern Benin.
At the time of the incident,
the helicopter had provided
medical evacuation support to
the Beninese Armed Forces (FAB).
No injuries were reported."
"France
Friday night, a Syrian migrant died
during an attempt by 30 migrants to
cross the English Channel from France.
The migrant was reportedly crushed
to death when he tried to get
into the water from a leaking
dinghy on the beach in Sangatte."
"Pakistan
A tragic explosion occurred in Mandi
Bahauddin, Pakistan, resulting in
the deaths of at least six people,
including four women and a minor
child, and injuring seven others.
The incident happened when fireworks
stored in a house caught fire and
exploded, causing the roof to collapse.
According to rescue officials, the
explosion occurred due to a short
circuit when two people were making
fireworks on the house's first floor."
"Pakistan
A deadly road accident occurred on
Saturday, January 11, 2025, near
Karakâs Ambeeri Chowk, resulting in
at least 12 deaths and 25 injuries.
The incident involved a trailer
truck whose brake failure led to a
collision with a passenger coach and
other vehicles on the Indus Highway."
"United States
A drone collided with a firefighting
aircraft over the Palisades fire
on January 9, 2025, prompting
an investigation by the FAA.
The incident damaged the Super Scooper
aircraft, which is now grounded.
The FAA emphasized that flying drones in
restricted airspace during firefighting
operations is a federal crime,
punishable by up to 12 months in prison
and civil penalties of up to $75,000.
Despite warnings, several drone pilots
have been capturing images of the fire,
leading to backlash on social media.
The FAA has extended flight
restrictions until January 23, 2025,
due to ongoing wildfire efforts."
"United States
A small plane clipped a fence
Friday afternoon and crashed while
practicing emergency landings at
the Plum Island Airport in Newbury.
Two people on board the
aircraft were uninjured."
"United States
The Purcell Police Department responded
to a train derailment involving
four overturned train cars carrying
hazardous materials and alcohol.
The containers remain intact,
and there is no immediate risk.
Specialized hazardous materials
teams are on-site for evaluation.
Cleanup is expected to
be completed by Sunday."
Thanks for joining us for the January
12, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
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