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Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for January 10, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Thursday we collected and mapped 72
events, including a deadly airstrike in
Myanmar that killed dozens of civilians.
We have a lot to cover,
so let's get started.
Terrorism,
"Chad
Gunmen attempted to storm the presidential
complex in Chad's capital, N'Djamena,
resulting in a battle that left 18
attackers and one security personnel dead.
The government later confirmed that
19 people were killed, with 18 of
them being members of the commando
unit that launched the assault.
The attackers were initially believed
to be members of the Boko Haram group,
but the government later described
them as drunken individuals."
"India
On Thursday, police recovered two Maoist
IEDs planted in beer bottles along a
footpath of Murdanda in the Awapali
area during a de-mining operation."
"Indonesia
On Wednesday, gunmen ambushed and
killed civilian immigrants in the Bumi
Cendrawasih in the Papua mountains.
A spokesperson for the West Papua
National Liberation Army of the Free Papua
Organization (TPNPB-OPM) alleged that the
attack was perpetrated by a former member
of the National Police named Askem Mabel."
"Iran
Gunmen killed a border guard in Mirjaveh
County, Sistan-Baluchestan, Iran.
The province, bordering Afghanistan
and Pakistan, experiences clashes
involving militant groups, drug
traffickers, and security forces.
Jaish al-Adl is active in the
region, advocating for an independent
Baluchestan and carrying out attacks."
"Israel
The IDF intercepted a drone
launched at Israel from the east.
Sirens sounded in Gvulot
during the incident.
Initial assessments suggest the
drone was launched from Yemen, but
further investigation is needed."
"Israel
The Israeli Air Force intercepted
a third drone launched from Yemen.
It was shot down over the Mediterranean
Sea before reaching Israel.
Earlier, two more drones were
shot down over southern Israel
and the Mediterranean Sea."
"Nigeria
Two officers of the Borno State Police
Command were killed in an attack
by suspected Boko Haram terrorists
at the Nganzai Police Division.
The terrorists threw hand grenades,
causing fatal injuries to the officers.
The police also recovered explosives
belonging to the terrorists."
"Nigeria
On Sunday, no fewer than 18 people
were killed in coordinated machete
attacks across several communities
in the Orsu Local Government
Area of Imo State, Nigeria.
The attacks occurred in Umukabia, Eziawa,
Ihitte Nasa, Umuhu, Amaoku, and Amaebe.
Victims were found with deep
machete wounds, causing fear and
outrage among the local population."
"Nigeria
A clash between Hausa and Fulani
communities in Gululu village, Jigawa
State, led to the death of 11 people
and the destruction of 31 huts.
The incident, which happened last
Friday, has caused tension and
grief in the affected communities."
"Philippines
On Wednesday, gunmen ambushed and killed
a Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
commander and wounded four others,
including two MILF officials, as they were
traveling in a pick-up in Cotabato City."
"Philippines
The New People's Army (NPA) claimed
responsibility for the shooting
incident in San Carlos City,
Negros Occidental, where Elberito
Ancero, a chief tanod, was killed.
The NPA alleged that Ancero was
a military intelligence asset and
stated that their action was in
response to his counter-revolutionary
acts and alleged rape cases.
The police are currently
investigating the incident."
"Syria
Unidentified gunmen attacked a
military post in Jableh City, Latakia
countryside, injuring a member of Hayyaat
Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) with a headshot.
The injured person was taken
to a hospital in Latakia city."
"West Bank
The Palestinian Authority has arrested
247 outlaws in a counterterror
raid in the Jenin refugee camp.
They have defused 245 explosive devices
and confiscated weapons and ammunition.
Eight of those arrested are
suspected of financing terror groups.
The PA also seized funds that were
meant for the families of ""martyrs and
prisoners"" but had been misappropriated."
"West Bank
For the second consecutive night, Israeli
settlers have reportedly set fire to a
Palestinian vehicle in the West Bank.
This incident occurred in the village
of Wadi Rahhal near Bethlehem.
It is worth noting that arrests
in such cases are extremely rare,
prompting Western countries to impose
sanctions on violent settlers."
Military Conflict
"Gaza Strip
The Hamas-run health ministry in
Gaza reports that 70 Palestinians
were killed and 104 were wounded
by Israeli strikes in the past day.
However, these figures are
unverified and do not distinguish
between civilians and combatants."
"Gaza Strip
Hamas officials claim Israeli
strikes in Gaza have killed at least
12 people, including three girls.
A house in the Nuseirat refugee camp was
hit, killing three girls and their father.
In a separate strike, eight
people were killed in Jabalia.
Israel emphasizes that it aims to minimize
civilian casualties and accuses Hamas
of using civilians as human shields."
"Gaza Strip
The commander of Hamas's Sabra
Battalion and its deputy commander
were killed in separate airstrikes,
according to the IDF and Shin Bet.
The commander, Osama Abu Namus, was a
significant source of knowledge in Hamas
and responsible for attacks on Israel and
IDF troops in the Netzarim Corridor area.
The deputy commander, Mohammed
al-Tarq, was also responsible
for attacks in the same area.
The airstrikes also eliminated
two commanders in the
battalion's Nukhba force company.
The Sabra Battalion operates in
the neighborhood of Gaza City."
"India
Chhattisgarh Deputy CM Vijay
Sharma announced that three bodies
of Maoists were recovered after
a successful operation in Sukma.
The search operation is
still ongoing in the region."
"Iran
A young Kurdish kolbar was shot and
seriously injured by Iranian border
guards in the Sardasht district.
The incident is part of a series
of shootings involving Iranian
border guards and kolbar workers.
Kolbars are porters who transport goods
across Iran's borders, particularly
in the impoverished Kurdish regions."
"Iraq
On Thursday, Abu Ubaida, the
Deputy Assistant Governor of ISIS,
and six associates were killed
in an airstrike south of Kirkuk.
The Iraqi Air Force targeted an ISIS
hideout in the Hamrin Mountains, leading
to the recovery of weapons and equipment."
"Lebanon
The IDF conducted a drone strike in
southern Lebanon, targeting suspects
loading a vehicle with weapons.
The weapons were being taken
from buildings used by Hezbollah.
The Israeli Air Force drone
successfully neutralized the
threat by striking the vehicle."
"Myanmar
On Wednesday, junta airstrikes on an
Arakan Army (AA) in the village of
Kyauknimaw in Ramree Township killed
more than 40 civilians, including
children, and wounded at least 20 others.
The airstrikes also destroyed around
500 homes in its northern, southern, and
central wards and near the main market."
"Myanmar
On Wednesday, the junta launched
ten airstrikes on the eastern area
of the Taâang National Liberation
Army (TNLA) held township of Mogok.
There were no immediate reports
of casualties or damage."
"Pakistan
Counter-terrorism forces killed three
dangerous Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan
(TTP) terrorists during an operation near
Malang Adda, Lakki Marwat, on Thursday.
Troops recovered weapons and
ammunition from the dead militants."
"Russia
Soldiers from Ukraine's 47th Magura
Separate Mechanized Brigade, along
with other units of Ukraine's Defense
Forces, successfully repelled a Russian
assault in Russia's Kursk region.
The Russian army deployed equipment
and personnel, but the Ukrainian
brigade destroyed Russian tens of
millions of dollars worth of equipment.
The Russians suffered casualties, with
45 Russians killed and 53 wounded."
"Sudan
On Wednesday, Sudanese forces announced
that they had encircled Rapid Support
Forces (RSF) in the town of Umm
Al-Qura in Western Al Jazirah State."
"Syria
A worker in a car repair shop was
killed, and five others were injured
by a Turkish drone in Ain Al-Arab
(Kobane) in the Aleppo countryside."
"Syria
A Turkish drone conducted airstrikes
on Khatouniyah silos and the power
station in Al-Jarniyah town in the
northern Al-Raqqah countryside.
Two explosions occurred, causing
smoke to rise from the targeted site.
No casualties have been reported."
"Syria
Two Turkish fighter jets carried
out airstrikes on the outskirts
of the Teshreen Dam in the Manbij
countryside in eastern Aleppo.
The airstrikes were in response to
the failure of pro-Turkey factions
to make progress on the ground.
Turkish forces are escalating their
airstrikes using drones, fighter jets,
and heavy artillery, raising concerns
about a potential humanitarian disaster.
Earlier, a Turkish fighter jet attacked
a position near a sit-in protest near
Teshreen dam, causing panic among
residents but no reported casualties."
"Syria
Fierce clashes broke out between
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and
factions of the National Army in
the Manbij countryside, Aleppo.
The factions, supported by Turkish
aircraft, aimed to seize strategic
sites, including Teshreen Dam
and Qarrah Qarquzaq Bridge.
The clashes resulted in 32
deaths, with 26 from the National
Army and 6 SDF fighters."
"Syria
Two members of Jaysh Al-Majd were killed
and seven others injured in an attack by
an SDF kamikaze drone on the Deir Hafer
frontline in eastern Aleppo countryside.
The area is a conflict zone between
National Army factions and SDF,
resulting in casualties among fighters."
"Syria
Turkish forces launched heavy artillery
shells on Al-Qanayah and Al-Sheokh
Tahtani districts in Ain Al-Arab (Kobane),
causing smoke but no reported casualties.
The attacks are part of ongoing
ground and air operations in
northern and eastern Syria."
"Syria
A Turkish soldier was killed and
another injured in an attack by an
SDF kamikaze drone on Al-Arishah
base in Ras Al-Ain countryside.
The soldiers were taken to
Turkish territory for treatment."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked 11 Chinese military
aircraft and nine naval vessels
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Wednesday and 6 a.m.
on Thursday.
Five aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line in the nationâs
northern and southwestern Air
Defense Identification Zone.
Taiwan also tracked two Chinese
surveillance balloons, one north
of Taiwan and another drifting over
the country's southern region."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched an
airstrike on Kherson, hitting
a business, an educational
institution, and a kindergarten
with three guided aerial bombs.
The attack caused destruction,
injuries, and fires.
Rescuers pulled two people from under
the rubble, one of whom sustained a
concussion and explosive injuries.
Two additional victims were reported
later, one with explosive injuries
and facial trauma and another with
explosive injuries and shrapnel wounds."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched attacks on
40 settlements in the Kherson region,
resulting in four deaths and ten injuries.
The attacks caused damage to
buildings, houses, agricultural
machinery, and vehicles.
The head of the Kherson Regional
Military Administration reported
the death of a resident due to
explosives dropped from a drone."
"Ukraine
The Russian army conducted five
attacks on the Velyka Pysarivka
community in the Sumy region.
Explosive ordnance was dumped from
a UAV, and mortar shelling occurred.
Air defense units shot down 11
Russian Shahed drones in the region."
"Ukraine
Five Russian drones were shot down in
the Cherkasy district of the Cherkasy
region, damaging 11 buildings and a car.
There were no casualties.
The debris damaged the windows of
residential buildings, a shop, and a car."
"Ukraine
The Defense Forces of Ukraine shot down 46
Russian UAVs and lost 24 drones locally.
The attack consisted of 70 Shahed attack
UAVs and imitator drones from Russia.
The downed UAVs were confirmed in
multiple regions, damaging private houses.
Various units of Ukraine's Air Force and
Defense Forces repelled the air attack."
"Ukraine
Two women were injured in Nove
Pekelne, Kharkiv region, due to
the fall of a downed Russian UAV.
A car, a private house,
and two outbuildings were
damaged in the incident."
"Ukraine
Russian forces dropped explosives
from a drone on a cyclist in
Novoraysk, Kherson region.
The 64-year-old woman sustained
shrapnel wounds to her
shoulder, lower back, and leg.
She was taken to a
hospital for treatment."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,430 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Around 240 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian
fortifications in Bilohorivka were
attacked, destroying some positions.
The Khortytsia Operational Strategic
Group of Troops (OSGT) is taking
measures to prevent the tactical
situation from further deteriorating."
"Ukraine
In the morning, a woman was killed in the
Kherson region due to Russian shelling.
The village of Neslamne in the Bilozerka
community was attacked, resulting in
the woman sustaining fatal injuries.
The regional prosecutor's
office has initiated a pre-trial
investigation into war crimes.
Additionally, on the same morning,
Russian troops attacked the city
of Beryslav, injuring a 71-year-old
woman and a 60-year-old man.
In another incident, a cyclist
in Novoraysk was injured by
explosives dropped from a drone.
"
"Ukraine
In the aftermath of a Russian strike
on Zaporizhzhia, 113 people were
injured, with 59 of them hospitalized.
Ten individuals are in serious condition.
Thirteen people were
killed in the attack."
"Ukraine
The Ukrainian Defense Forces
successfully shot down three Iskander-K
ground-launched cruise missiles that
Russia used to attack Kryvyi Rih.
The Air Force of Ukraine confirmed this
and stated that units of the Vostok Air
Command intercepted all three missiles.
The attack caused an explosion in
Kryvyi Rih, and earlier, the Air
Force had reported a high-speed
target in the direction of the city."
"Ukraine
In the Kherson region, two civilians
were killed, and 14 others were
injured due to Russian shelling.
The Russian military used aircraft
bombs, artillery, mortars, and drones
to attack settlements in the region.
The victims include a 54-year-old
man from Beryslav and a
60-year-old woman from Neslamne."
"Ukraine
A person was injured in a drone
attack in the Korabelny district
of Mykolaiv, according to Mykolaiv
Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych.
The attack caused damage
in the residential sector."
"Yemen
On Thursday, the US and UK conducted
multiple airstrikes on Houthi
targets across Sanaa, as well as
Hodeidah and Amran governorates.
The strikes hit the Jarban area
in the Sanhan district, south
of Sanaa, and the Harf Sufyan
district in the Amran governorate.
Another strike hit al-Luhayyah district in
the Hodeidah governorate, western Yemen.
Furthermore, on Wednesday, the
coalition launched additional raids,
including missile strikes from
warships stationed in the Red Sea.
These strikes targeted the cities of
Sanaa and Harf Sufyan, further escalating
the toll on Yemen's northern regions."
Political Conflict
"Iran
In a recent speech, Iran's top general
in Syria admitted that the Islamic
Republic was ""defeated very badly""
by the fall of Bashar Assad in Syria.
This contradicts the public statements
made by Iranian leaders, downplaying
the significance of the loss.
The general also revealed that ties
with Assad had been strained due to his
refusal to allow Iran-backed militias
to open a new front against Israel.
He accused Russia of misleadingly
claiming to bomb rebel forces when they
were actually targeting open fields."
"Lebanon
Lebanese lawmakers elect army
chief Joseph Aoun as president,
ending a two-year vacancy.
The election reflects the diminished
influence of Iran-backed Hezbollah
after the war with Israel."
"Philippines
On Tuesday, New People's Army (NPA)
rebels surrendered to government
forces in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.
The militants turned over five firearms,
including one AK-47 rifle, two Carbine
rifles, and two Garand rifles."
"Sudan
The Sudanese army has regained control
of the town of Al-Hajj Abdullah in
central Sudan after fierce fighting
with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
They destroyed combat vehicles,
seized seven others, and
killed dozens of RSF fighters.
The RSF had held the town
since December 2023."
"Ukraine
US Defense Secretary Lloyd
Austin announced a $500 million
military aid package for Ukraine.
The package includes additional
air defense missiles, ammunition,
air-to-ground munitions, and
equipment for Ukraine's F-16s."
Civil Unrest
"Austria
Various nongovernmental organizations
protested with over 10,000 people in
Vienna against the threat of an extreme
right-wing chancellor in Austria.
They expressed concerns about the
potential attack on democracy, human
rights, judiciary, independent media,
and social cohesion in the country."
"Democratic Republic of Congo
Thousands of Congolese protested in
various cities, including Bukavu,
Kisangani, and Buniaies, against
the M23 rebel group's advances
in various areas of the country.
Residents expressed anger and frustration
over the rebel group's actions."
"Israel
Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators from
the Jerusalem Faction are blocking
traffic on Route 4 in Bnei Brak to
protest against IDF conscription.
The protest comes after a High
Court ruling ended blanket
exemptions for yeshiva students."
"Mozambique
On Thursday, police dispersed a crowd of
supporters who had gathered to listen to
presidential candidate Venâncio Mondlane
in the Mercado Estrela area of central
Maputo using gunfire and tear gas.
This occurred about an hour after
Mondlane had returned to Mozambique.
Addressing supporters, Mondlane once
again asserted his victory in the October
9 general elections, vowing to ""restore
electoral truth"" by any means necessary.
After speaking from atop a sound
truck, where he symbolically swore
an oath of office, police fired
several shots and launched tear
gas into the surrounding area."
"Syria
Residents in Ain Al-Sharqiyah in
Jabblah countryside held a funeral
for three farmers, including a child,
who non-Syrian members of the Military
Operations Administration killed.
The incident sparked anger among the
Alawite community, leading to a mass
demonstration calling for the removal
of Ahmad Al-Sharâa and the expulsion
of foreign fighters from the region."
"Venezuela
Riot police were deployed in
Venezuela's capital to suppress
protesters opposing President Maduro's
attempt to stay in power despite
evidence of his electoral defeat.
The National Assembly, controlled by
the ruling socialist party, is set
to swear in Maduro for another term.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado
called for mass protests to block this.
The turnout was relatively
small due to fear and previous
crackdowns by security forces.
Demonstrators blocked a main avenue,
wearing the colors of the Venezuelan
flag and recognizing Edmundo González
as the legitimate president."
"Venezuela
Venezuela opposition leader Maria
Corina Machado was arrested during an
anti-government protest in Caracas.
Security forces fired upon her motorcycle
convoy as it was leaving the protest.
Machado had reappeared in public
to try and block President Nicolás
Maduro from staying in power.
The arrest has sparked calls for her
release from across Latin America."
Cyber
"Japan
The Japan Weather Association has been
targeted by a cyberattack, causing its
website tenki.jp to be inaccessible.
The attack is a distributed
denial-of-service (DDoS) attack,
similar to recent attacks
on other Japanese companies.
The association has not provided
an estimate for when the service
will be restored and has apologized
to users for the disruption."
"United Kingdom
The UK internet domain registry,
Nominet, confirmed an ""unauthorized
intrusion"" after hackers exploited
a ""zero-day vulnerability"" in their
VPN software supplied by Ivanti.
The National Cyber Security Centre issued
an urgent bulletin urging organizations
to take immediate action to mitigate
vulnerabilities affecting Ivanti Connect
Secure, Policy Secure, and ZTA Gateways.
Ivanti acknowledged active exploitation
of their software, but the extent
of the targeting is unknown.
The intrusion began in mid-December 2024."
"United States
Education software company PowerSchool
has confirmed a cybersecurity incident
where personal information of students and
teachers was stolen from school districts
using its PowerSchool SIS platform.
PowerSchool provides cloud-based
software solutions for K-12 schools
and districts, offering services
such as enrollment, communication,
attendance, staff management, learning
systems, analytics, and finance.
PowerSchool also operates Naviance, a
platform used by K-12 districts in the US
for college and career planning tools."
Weapons
"Syria
IDF troops in southern Syria have
discovered a BMP-1 infantry fighting
vehicle filled with ammunition.
The 474th Golan Regional Brigade
made the find in the buffer zone
on the Syrian side of the border.
Along with the vehicle, additional
weapons caches were found and
either captured or destroyed."
Accidents
"Brazil
A small plane crashed at the Ubatuba
Airport in Brazil, killing the pilot
and injuring a person on the beach.
The Cessna overshot the runway
and crashed into the ocean.
Four passengers, including a
couple and their two children, were
rescued and taken to a hospital.
The plane encountered poor weather
conditions and was owned by the
family of one of the survivors.
The Brazilian Air Force is
investigating the crash."
"Syria
Two civilians from the Al-Omour Tribe
were killed in an explosion caused
by a landmine in the Jazl area, west
of Palmyra City in Homs countryside.
The landmine was a remnant
of Iranian militias."
"United States
A small plane veered off the taxiway
and crashed into a hangar at the
Dacy Airport in McHenry Country.
The pilot of the plane was not injured."
"United States
Some freight train cars
derailed in Johnson County
between Gardner and Edgerton.
No injuries were reported, and the line
was reopened before noon on Thursday."
Other Events
"Israel
An Israeli civilian from the
town of Kabul has been charged
with planning a bombing attack.
The suspect, Mahmoud Hussein Muhammad
Bushkar, was detained by Border
Police officers and admitted to
planning to build suicide belts.
He purchased equipment and materials
to conduct experiments and planned
to carry out attacks in Israel.
The suspect tried to recruit
others but was unsuccessful.
An indictment has been filed against
him at the Haifa District Court."
"Taiwan
Taiwanâs navy simulated tactics in its
annual military exercise on Thursday,
showcasing its combat readiness.
The exercise involved the navyâs newest
and most advanced warships, including
two Tuo Chiang-class corvettes, which
led a flotilla into the Taiwan Strait.
The drill simulated an aggressive
defensive movement to counter
any approach of enemy ships."
"United States
On Wednesday, 60-year-old Japanese
national and alleged leader of Japan's
Yakuza crime syndicate pleaded guilty
in the Southern District Court of
New York to conspiring with a network
of associates to traffic nuclear
materials, including uranium and
weapons-grade plutonium, out of Myanmar."
Thanks for joining us for the January
10, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
casualty information, interactive
web maps, and our IntelHub dashboard
are available with a Geopolitical
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