Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for March 22, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Friday, we collected 60 events,
including heavy Al-Shabab casualties
in Somalia, so let's get started.
"Somalia
On Friday, the Somali Air Force,
in coordination with the National
Intelligence and Security Agency
(NISA), conducted six airstrikes in
the Lower Shabelle region, killing 82
al-Shabaab terrorists and wounding 19.
The airstrikes took place in the
Sabiid and Canoole areas of the region.
The airstrikes took place after
Al-Shabab rebels attacked a Somali
military base in the village of Sabiid."
"Somalia
Somali forces, backed by international
allies, carried out a coordinated
airstrike in the Galgadud region, killing
several senior Al-Shabaab commanders.
The strike targeted a gathering of
top militants in Dibdheere, EL-Buur
district, and was aimed at disrupting
the extremist group's command
structure and operational planning.
Among those killed were Ahmed Moalim,
the Al-Shabaab commander for El-Buur, and
Abu Salman, a senior figure overseeing
militant operations in EL-Garas, Galgadud.
Hussein Ali Badal, Budul Farah Geedi,
and Zakariye were also eliminated.
The strikes were a direct response
to Al-Shabaab's March 13 attack
on local self-defense forces known
as Ma'awisley in Bay-Caadle."
"Kosovo
A citizen in Lipjan, Kosovo, reported
finding two hand grenades in a black bag.
The police sealed off the scene
until the Kosovo Security Force
(KSF) and KFOR demining team arrived
to safely detonate the grenades."
"India
A grenade blast occurred near a
Special Operations Group (SOG) convoy
in the Thanamandi area of Rajouri,
according to the Kashmir Media Service.
Fortunately, there were no reports of
damage or injuries to police personnel."
"India
On Thursday, at least 30 Maoists and
a security force member were killed
in two encounters in the Bastar
region of southern Chhattisgarh.
The first encounter resulted in the
deaths of 26 Maoists and a soldier in the
Gangaloor area of the Bijapur district.
Troops recovered explosives and
weapons from the dead rebels.
The second clash occurred along the
Kanker-Narayanpur border in north Bastar.
The bodies of four
Maoists were recovered."
"India
On Thursday, police recovered three 1.5
kg Maoist IEDs, packed with shrapnel
and glass shards, during an operation
in the Palnar area of Bijapur district."
"India
Thursday night, the Guwahati city police
arrested two Kangleipak Communist Party
(People's War Group - KCP PWG) Maoist
separatist militants involved in extortion
and arms-related crimes in Manipur."
"Iraq
On Friday, Iraqi security forces
thwarted an ISIS plot and arrested
two key terrorist operatives in
Sulaiman Beg, disrupting an imminent
terrorist plot targeting the region.
The arrested suspects were part
of a larger ISIS cell responsible
for coordinating recent attacks,
including two suicide bombings
that claimed several lives."
"Israel
Two rockets were launched from the
Gaza Strip at Ashkelon but were
intercepted by Israeli air defenses.
This marks the second consecutive day
of Hamas rocket attacks on Israel since
the IDF resumed military operations
in the Gaza Strip earlier this week.
There are no immediate reports
of injuries or damage."
"Philippines
An ambush occurred along Maharlika
Highway in Barangay Capihan, resulting
in the deaths of three people.
Bryan Villaflor, the IT staff of
congressional candidate Victor Silverio,
his girlfriend Jam, and bodyguard Jayvee
Mariano were shot by unidentified armed
men after being blocked by two vehicles.
The victims were in a black Ford Everest
and were en route to a supermarket in
Baliwag City when the incident happened."
"Spain
On Thursday, Spanish authorities, in
cooperation with Morocco's General
Directorate of Territorial Surveillance
(DGST), arrested a suspected
ISIS supporter in Cordoba, Spain.
The individual was involved in
""intense activity"" on social
media supporting Daesh propaganda."
"Syria
A member of the Internal Security Forces
was injured in an attack by ISIS gunmen
on security headquarters in Al-Daweer
Town, eastern Deir Ezzor countryside.
This marks the first time ISIS has
targeted members of the General Security
since the fall of the former regime."
"Syria
In Damascus City, five preachers were
kidnapped by unidentified gunmen.
Civilians initially assaulted
the preachers, believed to be
Christians, while broadcasting
Islamic messages in a car.
After the General Security arrived, the
civilians stopped beating the preachers,
but the gunmen later took them away."
"Syria
Members of the general security forces
in Deir Ezzor arrested Mu'ayad Abdulsamad
Al-Duwaihi, the founder and leader of
the Sayeda Zeinab militia, a military
formation affiliated with the Iranian
Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Al-Duwaihi was born in Al-Mayadeen,
acquired Iranian citizenship, and had
significant influence in the area.
He was involved in various crimes,
including blackmailing, kidnapping, and
looting, while leading the militia."
"Syria
Unidentified gunmen killed a civilian
secretary of the Al-Baath Party in Ezrae
City in the northern part of Daraa."
"India
The National Investigation Agency
(NIA) has filed a chargesheet in
the Chandigarh grenade attack case.
The chargesheet names US-based
gangster-turned-terrorist Harpreet
Singh, alias Happy Passia, and
Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder
Singh Rinda as the accused.
Two others, Rohan Masih and Vishal
Masih, have also been charged.
The grenade attack occurred on
September 11, 2024, at a residence
in Sector 10D, Chandigarh.
The Chandigarh Police conducted
initial investigations, but the case
was later transferred to the NIA."
"United States
Two men have been convicted of plotting
to assassinate Iranian-American
journalist Masih Alinejad in New
York City in a murder-for-hire
scheme financed by Iran's government.
The verdict brings relief to Alinejad,
who was targeted for her criticism
of Iran's human rights record."
"Gaza Strip
According to Gaza's Hamas-run civil
defense agency, 11 people were
killed in Israeli strikes today,
with three deaths in pre-dawn strikes
and eight more during the daytime.
The exact circumstances of the
deaths, including whether they
were civilians or combatants, are
unclear due to unverified reports."
"Myanmar
On Monday, more than 1,000 people
from the villages of Le Khon Gyi, Wut
Kone, and San Kone in Ayeyarwadyâs
Lemyethna township, about 20 miles to
the west of Myanmarâs main river, were
forced to flee from their homes when
fighting erupted between junta forces
and Arakan Army (AA) rebels on Monday.
It was the first time fighting
was reported in the area."
"Myanmar
On Wednesday, following a skirmish in
Sagaing Region's Myaung Township, junta
forces conducted two paramotor aircraft
dropped bombs on a boarding school
in the Taung Ward of Myang Township,
resulting in the deaths of at least four
civilians and injured three othersâanother
paramotor attack on the same day damaged
at least eight houses in the town."
"Myanmar
Since Wednesday, Arakan insurgents have
battled with 100-strong junta forces in
the village of Hnanpeltaung, Kyaukphyu
Township, resulting in the death or
wounding of many regime soldiers.
The fighting has displaced 20,000
residents of the township."
"Myanmar
The Myanmar military conducted
airstrikes in two northern Magway Region
townships, resulting in the deaths of
four people and injuring many others.
The attacks targeted the village
of Ahlelban in Htilin Township,
with 12 houses destroyed and
approximately 40 homes damaged.
The incident occurred while
residents were sleeping, leading
to a high number of casualties."
"Nigeria
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has
conducted airstrikes against terrorist
hideouts in Borno and Katsina states,
killing several terrorists and
crippling their operational networks.
The strikes, carried out between
March 17 and 19, targeted locations in
Chiralia, Grazah, Yuwe, and Zango Hill,
disrupting terrorist activities across
the North-East and North-West regions.
The NAF claims that the airstrikes
have significantly disrupted terrorist
operations, neutralized high-value
targets, and destroyed critical
infrastructure used by the terrorists
for logistics and coordination."
"North Korea
North Korea has successfully tested a
new anti-aircraft missile system, with
leader Kim Jong Un overseeing the test.
The system was launched at
an undisclosed location.
The missile system is reportedly
highly reliable and has
advantageous combat fast response.
This development comes amid tensions
between North Korea and the US-South
Korea alliance, with Pyongyang condemning
the joint military exercise Freedom
Shield as a rehearsal for invasion."
"Pakistan
On Thursday, Pakistani forces killed
at least ten terrorists during an
operation in the Dera Ismail Khan
district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
During an exchange of fire, a
Pakistani officer was also killed.
After the encounter, troops
recovered weapons and ammunition
from the dead terrorists."
"Sudan
On Friday, Sudanese forces regained
control of the Republican Presidential
Palace in Khartoum, which had been
held by the paramilitary Rapid
Support Forces since mid-April 2023.
The palace's recapture represents a
significant strategic and symbolic
win for the Sudanese military.
During the fighting, an RSF drone
attack killed some Sudanese soldiers and
journalists gathering inside the palace.
The RSF stated on Friday that the
battle for the palace is ""not
over yet,"" and its forces remain
in the area to continue fighting."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked 18 Chinese military
aircraft and seven naval vessels
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Thursday and 6 a.m.
on Friday.
13 aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line and entered
the nationâs southwestern Air
Defense Identification Zone."
"Ukraine
A 54-year-old woman from the
village of Kachkarivka in the
Kherson region was injured in a
Russian drone attack, suffering
from explosive and craniocerebral
injuries, a brain contusion,
shrapnel wounds, and a cerebral coma.
She was taken to the hospital
in serious condition.
Additionally, a 61-year-old
local resident was injured in
Kherson due to Russian shelling."
"Ukraine
A 70-year-old man was killed in
the village of Bilozerka, Kherson
region, as a result of a UAV attack
by Russian military personnel.
The incident occurred on
the morning of March 21."
"Ukraine
A Molniia-2 drone damaged an industrial
enterprise in Prykolotne while shelling
in Stetskivka and Tsyrkuny caused
fires and damaged homes and buildings.
In the Kupiansk sector, the Defense
Forces repelled eight Russian
attacks, but Russian forces were
able to inflict damage, leaving 12
settlements without electricity and
over 20 apartment buildings damaged.
Additionally, Russian forces
attempted to break through defensive
lines near several villages but
were ultimately unsuccessful."
"Ukraine
A Russian attack destroyed an inactive
children's camp in the Odesa region.
The State Emergency Service reported
that the camp's buildings were
damaged and caught fire, but the
fire was quickly extinguished.
This incident occurred alongside a
larger Russian attack in the area, which
also injured three teenagers and caused
fires at a shopping center and shops."
"Ukraine
A Russian attack in Zaporizhzhia
resulted in six casualties,
including a 4-year-old boy.
Two houses were destroyed, and
three were damaged, with fires
breaking out at the impact sites.
Emergency services are working to
eliminate the consequences of the attack
and provide assistance to those affected."
"Ukraine
At least two houses were damaged, and
two people, including a child, were
wounded in the shelling of Zaporizhzhia.
The attack also damaged four residential
buildings and a dacha cooperative.
Emergency services are working
at the scene, and the threat
of further attacks remains."
"Ukraine
On March 20, Russian forces attacked the
Donetsk region, injuring seven residents.
The attacks occurred in Kramatorsk and
Dobropillia, with four people wounded
in Kramatorsk and 3 in Dobropillia.
The attacks also caused significant
damage to residential areas, schools,
and other buildings in Kramatorsk."
"Ukraine
On the night of March 21, 2025,
Ukraine's Defense Forces shot down
114 Russian UAVs and 81 imitator
drones during a Russian air attack.
The attack involved 214 Shahed-type
attack UAVs and imitator
drones from various directions.
The Ukrainian forces successfully
repelled the attack using aviation,
anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic
warfare units, and mobile fire groups."
"Ukraine
Russian drones attacked Odesa overnight,
causing fires, damaging infrastructure,
and resulting in casualties.
Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov reported
the attack, stating that civil
infrastructure and commercial facilities
were damaged and medics are providing
assistance to those affected."
"Ukraine
Russian drones attacked the Kyiv region,
causing damage to four districts.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported
among the population, and no critical
infrastructure facilities were hit.
The damage was limited to private
houses, cars, and outbuildings,
with air defense forces successfully
destroying 27 Russian drones."
"Ukraine
Russian forces have continued their
shelling in Ukraine's Donetsk region,
resulting in one death and three injuries.
The attacks targeted three settlements,
with significant damage reported
in Lyman, where five Smerch rockets
hit, injuring two people and
damaging 23 houses, power lines, a
gas pipeline, a car, and a garage.
In Kostiantynivka, a civilian vehicle
was struck by an FPV drone, killing
a 52-year-old man, and another
person was wounded in Pokrovsk.
The head of the Donetsk Regional
Military Administration, Vadym
Filashkin, has urged residents to
evacuate and protect themselves."
"Ukraine
Russian troops have launched an air
strike on the village of Krasnopillia in
the Sumy region, resulting in the death
of one person and injury to another.
The attack damaged a cultural center."
"Ukraine
Russian troops have launched several
attacks in the Kherson region using
drones, resulting in multiple casualties.
In Bilozerka, a 36-year-old man
and a 45-year-old woman were
injured after a drone dropped
explosives on their civilian car."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,330 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Around 500 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"West Bank
An IDF reserve soldier was seriously
wounded during an overnight operation
in Nablus, West Bank, after coming
under fire from a Palestinian gunman.
The soldier was taken to
a hospital for treatment.
The military responded with fire to
the source of the shooting, but it
is unclear if the gunman was hit."
"United States
Thursday evening, DHR Health
in Edinburg, Texas, confirmed
it was hit by a cyber attack.
IT teams are working to
restore full functionality."
"Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's
cabinet has unanimously voted to
dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar,
with his final day set for April 10.
This marks the first time in
Israel's history that a government
has fired the Shin Bet's leader.
Bar had expressed opposition to
the move, stating it was ""entirely
tainted by conflicts of interest"" and
aimed at undermining the Shin Bet's
investigations into Qatar's influence
at the Prime Minister's Office."
"Israel
Protesters are gathered near Prime
Minister Netanyahu's residence in
Jerusalem for the fourth consecutive
day, demonstrating against the
government's judicial overhaul
legislation and the collapse of
the ceasefire-hostage deal in Gaza.
The protesters are also calling for the
resignation of Prime Minister Netanyahu.
A key point of contention is
the dismissal of Shin Bet chief
Ronen Bar, which has added to the
growing tensions in the region."
"Slovakia
Slovakia is at a critical crossroads
as massive anti-government protests
continue to voice discontent with
Prime Minister Robert Fico's turn
away from the EU and towards Moscow.
The protests, which began in late
December and continued on Friday, have
been ongoing for three months and have
seen tens of thousands of people rally
every fortnight in Bratislava and
beyond, demanding Fico's resignation.
The demonstrations have spread to smaller
towns, even in areas where support for
Fico's ruling party is strong, and have
been described as a ""systematic movement
aimed at maintaining pressure on the
government and keeping public debate
alive about the country's direction."""
"Turkey
At least 10,000 protesters are
marching towards Istanbul city hall
in a third night of rallies in support
of arrested opposition Mayor Ekrem
Imamoglu, defying Turkish President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's warnings.
The main opposition CHP party called
the protest despite Erdogan's warnings,
who considers it a ""dead end""
and a form of ""street terror."""
"Turkey
Turkish protesters clashed with police
for a second night on Thursday in
Istanbul following the detention of
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Ä°mamoÄlu on charges
of graft and aiding a terrorist group.
The move, which sparked widespread
demonstrations, has been condemned by
the opposition as a ""coup attempt""
and is seen as part of a broader
crackdown on opposition figures.
Protesters in Ä°zmir and Ankara
faced water cannons, baton rounds,
and tear gas, highlighting the
escalating tensions in the country."
"Australia
A light plane, a Cessna 150, has
crashed in a remote area of Western
Australia's Mid West region,
killing the pilot, a man in his 60s.
The incident occurred near Ogilvie,
approximately 517km north of Perth.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau
(ATSB) is investigating the cause
of the crash, which will involve
gathering evidence, interviewing
witnesses, and analyzing flight
tracking data and maintenance records."
"Pakistan
A collision between a factory bus
and a passenger van near Lalian
Toll Plaza in Pakistan resulted
in five deaths and 16 injuries.
The bus driver has been registered
for negligence and recklessness
under the Pakistan Penal Code."
"Saudi Arabia
A tragic bus accident occurred on
Thursday, March 20, in Wadi Al Aqeeq,
Saudi Arabia, killing 6 Indonesian
citizens and injuring 14 others.
The accident involved a bus
carrying Umrah pilgrims and their
entourage, which overturned and
caught fire after a collision."
"Syria
A civilian was killed in Al-Sanmin City,
northern Daraa countryside, due to a
landmine explosion from war remnants."
"Syria
There have been several incidents
involving old landmines and
unexploded objects in Syria.
The explosions resulted in at least three
deaths and two serious injuries in the
provinces of Aleppo, Hama, and Latakia.
The victims included a young
man, a civilian, his 12-year-old
daughter, and a child, as well as
two civilians collecting scrap."
"United Kingdom
Heathrow Airport has been closed due to
a fire at a nearby electrical substation,
causing significant disruption to flights
and power outages in the surrounding area.
Over 1,300 flights have been affected,
with passengers advised not to travel
to the airport until further notice."
"United States
A helicopter crashed near the French
Valley Airport in Murrieta on Thursday,
causing major damage and a small gas leak.
The solo occupant was assessed by
emergency crews and released at the
scene with no reported injuries.
The incident occurred near the
intersection of Auld and Briggs
roads, north of the airport."
"United States
A plane crashed at the Barwick
LaFayette Airport, killing two people.
The Cirrus SR22 plane crashed while
attempting to land on Thursday,
resulting in a post-crash fire.
The NTSB will document the scene,
recover the aircraft, and conduct
further evaluation at a secure facility."
"United States
A single-engine Maule M-7 plane crashed
in Robeson Township while attempting
to land on a private airstrip.
The pilot, who lives on the property,
was not injured, but the aircraft
suffered significant damage.
The Federal Aviation Administration is
investigating the cause of the crash."
"United States
A single-engine Piper PA-28 Cherokee
Challenger made an emergency landing
near Flagstaff, Arizona, after the pilot
reported hearing a loud noise and oil
spraying from the engine compartment.
The pilot was uninjured and landed
the plane in a nearby open field.
The National Transportation Safety
Board (NTSB) will investigate the
cause of the crash, which is the second
single-engine airplane to crash-land in
the vicinity of Flagstaff this year."
"United States
A train derailment occurred in
Greene County on Thursday afternoon
near Highway 39 and County Road 20.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported
and no hazardous materials were involved."
"United States
Thursday night, three rail
cars of a CSX train derailed
in Connellsville, Pennsylvania.
The derailment left multiple
homes in the area without power.
What caused the incident was unclear."
Thanks for joining us for the March
22, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
casualty information, interactive
web maps, and our IntelHub dashboard
are available with a Geopolitical
Report Pro subscription, which you
can try with a seven-day-free-trial
at geopolitical.report.
Thanks again for listening, and don't
forget to tune in again tomorrow.