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Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for March 1, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
On Friday, we collected and mapped
41 events, including another Chinese
combat patrol around Scarborough
Shoal and a heated conversation in
the Oval Office, so let's get started.
"Philippines
China's Southern Theater Command conducted
a new combat readiness exercise near
Scarborough Shoal in the South China
Sea, deploying naval and air forces in
what China calls ""Huangyan Island.""
This disputed area, known as ""Bajo
de Masinloc"" in the Philippines,
has been a traditional fishing ground
for Filipino fishermen and lies 125
nautical miles from Luzon, within
Manila's exclusive economic zone.
China claims historical rights to
the shoal based on its ""nine-dash
line"" territorial claim."
"United States
President Trump and Ukrainian President
Zelenskyy had a heated Oval Office
confrontation that ended with Zelenskyy
being told to leave the White House.
The meeting deteriorated after
VP Vance accused Zelenskyy of
being ""disrespectful"" and
not showing gratitude for U.S.
support.
Trump told Zelenskyy ""you're gambling
with World War III"" and that Ukraine
is ""not in a good position.""
Zelenskyy left without signing a
planned minerals-for-military-aid deal.
Trump later stated Zelenskyy
""disrespected the United
States"" and ""can come back
when he is ready for Peace.""
This marks a dramatic
shift from previous U.S.
policy toward Ukraine."
"Gaza Strip
Hamas is calling on the international
community to pressure Israel to move
forward with the second phase of the
Gaza ceasefire agreement without delay.
This statement comes one day
before the first phase of the
ceasefire is scheduled to expire.
Hamas specifically urges international
actors to ensure Israel ""fully adheres
to its obligations"" under the agreement."
"Lebanon
Authorities at Lebanon's
Beirut airport have seized $2.5
million in cash that was
allegedly intended for Hezbollah.
The money was found concealed by
a passenger arriving from Turkey.
According to three sources, this marks the
first time such a seizure has been made.
Hezbollah has not yet
commented on the incident."
"Syria
SDF commander Mazloum Abdi clarified
that PKK leader Abdullah Ãcalan's call
to dissolve the militant group does not
apply to the Syrian Democratic Forces.
While welcoming the announcement as
potentially positive for regional peace,
Abdi emphasized that his Kurdish-led
forces in northeastern Syria operate
independently from the PKK, despite
Turkey's view that the YPG (core of the
SDF) and PKK are indistinguishable."
"Iraq
Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS)
conducted operations across multiple
provinces, including Saladin, Al-Anbar,
and Nineveh, where they dismantled
ISIS hideouts and destroyed explosives.
They arrested a senior ISIS military
leader in Al-Anbar and captured a
high-profile drug trafficker in Dhi Qar."
"Pakistan
A suicide bomber attacked a mosque in
a pro-Taliban seminary in northwestern
Pakistan, killing five people, including
Hamidul Haq, a prominent cleric and
son of the ""father of the Taliban.""
Haq led a faction of the
Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam party and
ran the Jamia Haqqania seminary,
where many Afghan Taliban studied.
The bombing occurred just before Ramadan,
with no group claiming responsibility."
"Philippines
Forty-one members of the Bangsamoro
Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) from the
Bungos and Karialan factions surrendered
to the 92nd Infantry Battalion in Datu
Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur.
The surrenderers, who came from various
municipalities in Maguindanao del Sur
and the Special Geographic Area of
BARMM, handed over their firearms as a
symbol of their commitment to peace."
"Russia
Russia's FSB claims it thwarted a
Ukrainian plot to assassinate Tikhon
Shevkunov, a senior Orthodox priest
known as ""Putin's confessor.""
Two suspects were detainedâa Ukrainian
who worked as Shevkunov's secretary
and a Russian seminary graduate.
They allegedly planned to plant
explosives in the priest's
monastery apartment in Moscow.
The FSB seized bomb-making materials
and fake Ukrainian passports,
claiming the operation was directed by
Ukrainian intelligence via Telegram.
Shevkunov, 66, has been close to Putin
for 30 years and recently became a church
official in Russian-annexed Crimea."
"Somalia
The excerpt reports that mortar shells
struck near Aden Adde International
Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, on
Thursday, triggering warning sirens.
The attack occurred as security
forces implemented heightened measures
for Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy
Ahmed's planned visit to the city.
Officials closed several roads in
preparation for his arrival, though
it remains unclear if the mortar
attack caused any casualties."
"Syria
A mass grave was discovered that
contains the remains of nearly
1,000 people who died from torture
during a former regime's rule.
These individuals had been detained at
Al-Mazzah military airbase, where they
were subjected to various atrocities,
including executions and both
physical and psychological torture."
"Iraq
Violent clashes between the PKK
(Kurdistan Workers' Party) and
Turkish forces in the northern Duhok
province of the Kurdistan Region
occurred Thursday night into Friday.
These clashes, involving light and
medium weapons near villages on
Matin Mountain, represent the first
violation of PKK leader Abdullah
Ãcalan's recent call from prison for
his group to disarm and dissolve.
Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, the we, and
others had welcomed Ãcalan's appeal."
"Lebanon
The IDF conducted a drone strike in
northern Lebanon's Hermel District
that killed Mohammed Mahdi Ali
Shaheen, a Hezbollah operative
involved in weapons procurement.
According to the IDF, Shaheen was
coordinating weapons purchases
on the Syria-Lebanon border
despite the current ceasefire.
He was described as a prominent member
of Hezbollah's regional division in the
Beqaa Valley who facilitated weapons
smuggling from Syria to Lebanon."
"Nigeria
Nigerian troops are conducting intensified
operations against terrorists in
the Northeast and Northwest regions.
Recent successes include overrunning
terrorist positions in Sambisa
Forest, neutralizing insurgents
in ambush operations, and
recovering weapons and ammunition.
Forces have arrested Boko Haram
financiers, a terrorist logistics
supplier, and a kidnap kingpin
connected to the abduction of
a local government official.
In Plateau State, troops recovered
57 stolen cows following reports
of murder and cattle rustling."
"North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised
a strategic cruise missile test and
ordered full nuclear readiness, calling
it essential for national defense.
State media KCNA reported the Wednesday
launch was meant to warn ""enemies""
and demonstrate nuclear preparedness.
South Korea confirmed tracking
the missiles over the sea."
"Philippines
Philippine Army troops engaged NPA
insurgents in Tapaz, Capiz, on February
26, 2025, killing one rebel identified
as Peter Agudez and seizing weapons.
The brief firefight ended when the
insurgents retreated, leaving behind
firearms, ammunition, and supplies.
Brigadier General Michael Samson credited
local civilian cooperation for the
successful operation against remnants of
the dismantled Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay."
"Russia
Ukrainian Defense Forces conducted several
strikes on February 28, destroying a
Russian thermobaric ammunition storage
facility near Selydove in the Donetsk
region and targeting the Ilsky oil
refinery in Russia's Krasnodar territory,
which supplies the Russian military.
Three additional key Russian
military sites were also struck."
"Syria
Syrian Democratic Forces successfully
shot down four Turkish drones as they
were approaching the airspace near
Teshreen Dam and Qarquzaq Bridge.
No casualties or damage were
reported from the debris."
"Syria
A Turkish drone attack was reported on
Qarfal Village and Lafarge Company near
Ain Al-Arab (Kobane), rocket fire on
Khirbat Kawer Village in the same area,
and artillery shelling of SDF positions
near Ain Eissa in northern Al-Raqqa.
No casualties were reported
from these incidents."
"Taiwan
Eight Chinese military aircraft
(with six crossing the Taiwan Strait
median line), eight naval vessels,
and one official ship were tracked
around Taiwan over the past day.
Taiwan responded by deploying aircraft,
naval ships, and coastal missile
systems to monitor the PLA activity in
its air defense identification zone."
"Ukraine
A 55-year-old civilian was
injured in a Russian drone attack
in Beryslav, Kherson region.
The man was on the street when
the attack occurred around 11:00,
resulting in an explosive injury
and shrapnel wounds to his legs.
He is currently receiving medical care."
"Ukraine
A Russian airstrike hit the
village of Bezruky in Ukraine's
Kharkiv region, damaging a private
house and igniting dry grass over
approximately 800 square meters.
The attack targeted the outskirts of
the village, according to Vyacheslav
Zadorenko, head of the Derhachiv
Community Military Administration."
"Ukraine
Russian forces killed three residents in
the Donetsk region on February 27, with
victims from Kostiantynivka, Pokrovsk,
and Torske, according to regional military
administration head Vadym Filashkin.
Seven others were injured
in these attacks."
"Ukraine
According to Oleksandr Prokudin,
head of the Kherson Regional Military
Administration, Russian forces conducted
shelling and air strikes across numerous
settlements in the Kherson region.
The attacks damaged 24 private
houses, infrastructure (including
a gas pipeline and gas station), an
agricultural enterprise, and vehicles.
Seven civilians were
injured in the attacks.
Ukrainian air defense forces
reportedly destroyed one Russian
Shahed-131/136 drone overnight."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces shot down 107 Russian
Shahed drones during a massive attack
that began February 27, with another 97
decoy drones disappearing from radar.
The attack involved 208 UAVs
launched from six Russian locations.
Ukrainian anti-aircraft units successfully
intercepted drones across 13 regions,
including Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Zaporizhzhia.
Despite the defense efforts, some
drones reached their targets, damaging
apartments and buildings in Zaporizhzhia.
The affected regions included Kharkiv,
Sumy, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched multiple drone
attacks on the Sumy region on February
27, 2025, targeting residential areas.
Five drone strikes hit Sumy city
within an hour, injuring a 68-year-old
woman and an 18-year-old girl while
damaging eight apartment buildings.
Across the region, five apartment
buildings and 19 private
houses were damaged, with four
civilians injured in total.
Russians also used aerial bombs and
artillery against other settlements."
"Ukraine
Two people were injured when Russian
drones struck Sumy, Ukraine, on
February 27, causing damage to
residential buildings and forcing
the evacuation of 40 residents.
The attack shattered windows and
damaged roofs in multiple buildings.
The same evening, Russian forces
also launched an airstrike on the
Krasnopillia community using guided
aerial bombs, damaging an apartment
building and ten private homes, though
no casualties were reported there.
Additionally, shelling in the
Hlukhiv community damaged a
low-pressure gas pipeline.
Emergency services are working at all
impact sites, and authorities are still
assessing the full extent of the damage."
"Ukraine
Russian forces conducted drone strikes on
Ukraine's Kharkiv region, with at least
12 Shahed-type drones reportedly deployed.
One drone struck a private residence
in Kharkiv district, causing damage
and resulting in two injuries.
Additional UAVs were reported
moving toward Kharkiv."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched 483 strikes
on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region on
February 27, targeting nine settlements
with a combination of airstrikes, drone
attacks, MLRS strikes, and artillery fire.
Regional head Ivan Fedorov reported
30 instances of damage to residential
buildings, with an 82-year-old
woman injured in Zaporizhzhia.
The affected settlements included
Kamianske, Huliaipole, Shcherbaky,
Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne,
Novodarivka, Stepnohirsk, and Dolynka."
"Ukraine
Three people were wounded in Russian
attacks on Dnipropetrovsk region.
In the Synelnykove district, two
men (48 and 35) were injured,
while in the Nikopol district,
an 84-year-old woman was wounded.
The Russian forces targeted multiple
communities using drones and guided aerial
bombs, damaging a kindergarten, 13 private
houses, a car, power lines, and a truck.
Communities affected included
Mezhivska, Velykomykhailivska, Nikopol,
Myrivska, Pokrovska, and Marhanets."
"Ukraine
Russian forces attacked three
communities in the Donetsk region on
February 28, 2025, resulting in three
civilian deaths and two injuries.
In Lyman, two elderly men (61 and 62)
were killed by an FPV drone while cycling.
A 53-year-old woman died in
Myrnohrad from artillery shelling.
Drone and artillery attacks in Stavky and
Kostiantynivka injured two more civilians.
The attacks damaged homes,
a store, and power lines."
"Ukraine
Russian forces attacked Kramatorsk
in Ukraine's Donetsk region,
specifically hitting a residential area.
According to Oleksandr Honcharenko,
head of the Kramatorsk city military
administration, the attack caused
property damage, but there's currently
no information about casualties.
Authorities are still assessing the
full consequences of the shelling."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,060 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 380 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
Russian forces attacked Zaporizhzhia
with Shahed strike drones, causing
damage to residential apartments,
private homes, and garages.
The attack injured at least one
person and started fires on the upper
floors of a multi-story building.
According to Ivan Fedorov, Head of
the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military
Administration, emergency services were
dispatched to assist affected residents."
"United States
The Cleveland Municipal Court
has been closed for three days
due to a cybersecurity incident
affecting its internal systems.
Officials have shut down all
affected systems as a precautionary
measure while they work to secure
and restore services safely.
The court has released limited
information about the nature of the
incident and has not specified whether
it involves ransomware, a data breach,
or another type of cyberattack."
"Armenia
Demonstrators gathered outside
Armenia's foreign ministry, demanding
officials meet with diplomats to
address Azerbaijan's detention and
mock trials of Armenian prisoners,
including former Karabakh officials.
Azerbaijan acknowledges holding 23
Armenian prisoners, among them former
presidents and State Minister Ruben
Vardanyan, who recently began a hunger
strike and whose health has deteriorated.
The protesters criticized the
international community's silence
and called for action through
international platforms to
secure the prisoners' release."
"Greece
Thousands protested across Greece
on the second anniversary of a train
crash that killed 57 people in 2023.
Workers held a 24-hour strike,
halting flights, trains, and ships.
Demonstrators demanded justice,
as safety issues remain unfixed,
investigations are incomplete,
and no convictions have been made.
Protesters accused PM Mitsotakis'
government of avoiding responsibility,
with signs calling them ""murderers."""
"Syria
Syrian security forces arrested
Farouq Qassem Al-Hamadi, a former
member of the People's Assembly
under Bashar al-Assad's regime.
He was detained in Daraa city
on charges of extortion, drug
trafficking, and abuse of power.
According to Arab media, Al-Hamadi
allegedly exploited families searching
for detained relatives by promising
their release in exchange for money."
"Syria
An engineer from the Military Operations
Administration died when a landmine
exploded while they were attempting
to dismantle it in Jabal Al-Akrad,
located in the Latakia countryside.
The mine was described as being from
""war remnants,"" suggesting it was left
over from previous conflict in the area."
"United States
A Robinson R44 helicopter crashed near
the Kinney County and Uvalde County line
in Southwest Texas around 1:20 p.m.,
according to the FAA.
The crash occurred near U.S.
Highway 90 by Harris Ranch.
Both occupants of the helicopter died
from injuries sustained in the crash.
The National Transportation Safety
Board has begun an investigation, with a
preliminary report expected on Friday that
will include the aircraft registration
number and operator information."
"Germany
A Syrian man identified as Issa Al H.
has been charged with three counts
of murder, ten counts of attempted
murder, and membership in a terrorist
organization following a stabbing
attack in Solingen, Germany, in August.
Prosecutors allege he acted on behalf
of the Islamic State (IS), targeting
""nonbelievers"" at a street festival to
take revenge for Western military actions.
Before the attack, he reportedly
contacted an IS member who encouraged
him and promised the group would claim
responsibility, which they later did."
Thanks for joining us for the March
1, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
casualty information, interactive web
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