Another top Chinese general fired
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for April 14, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Sunday, we collected 69 events, including
another high-ranking Chinese general
being fired, so let's get started.
Xi Jinping fired General He Weidong,
the number two general in the
People's Liberation Army (PLA),
due to alleged corruption charges.
Weidong's removal follows the
suspension of Miao Hua six months
earlier for similar violations.
Weidong also missed important events,
including a Politburo bureau meeting
and a high-profile tree-planting
ceremony led by President Xi."
"Greece
Riots occurred overnight in
Exarchia, Athens, with individuals
throwing petrol bombs, fireworks,
and stones at the police station.
Over 70 arrests were made, and
one person was slightly injured.
The unrest may be related to a
protest over a 2-year-old train
accident that resulted in 57
deaths or a recent bomb attack on
the Hellenic Train headquarters."
"Israel
Hundreds of protesters gathered near
the home of Strategic Affairs Minister
Ron Dermer, accusing him of working
to sabotage a ceasefire deal for the
release of hostages held by Hamas.
The mother of hostage Einav Zangauker,
whose son is also a captive, addressed
the protest, criticizing Dermer's handling
of the negotiations and warning that
the hostages' time was running out."
"Nepal
On Saturday, violent clashes erupted
during a Hanuman Jayanti procession
in Birgunj, injuring 41 people,
including police personnel and locals.
The incident occurred after unidentified
individuals hurled stones at the
procession near Shreeram Hall Chowk.
The injured have been
discharged from hospital.
At least 40 people were arrested
on Sunday for breaking a curfew
in place due to the violence."
"Serbia
Tens of thousands of supporters of
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic
gathered in Belgrade for a rally following
months of unrest across the country.
The rally was held to launch a
new movement, ""Movement for the
People and the State"", which aims
to ""save"" Serbia from forces
working to ""destroy"" the country.
Vucic accused student-led protests
of threatening Serbia's peace and
stability, and criticized national
broadcaster RTS for its alleged role
in an attempted ""colour revolution""."
"Gaza Strip
IDF troops in the northern
Gaza Strip discovered and
destroyed a 1.2-kilometer-long
Hamas tunnel, which reached
depths of 20 meters below ground.
The elite Yahalom combat engineering
unit demolished the tunnel, and nearby,
a weapons depot containing explosives
and other arms was also found.
Additionally, an Israeli Air
Force drone killed a cell of
terror operatives attempting to
plant a bomb near the forces."
"Germany
A tear gas incident occurred at
Miniatur Wunderland, a popular tourist
attraction in Hamburg, on Saturday.
The Hamburg Fire Department responded
to an alert after several visitors
complained of eye and respiratory
irritation and evacuated over
1,000 people from the building.
46 people were treated at the scene, and
one person was taken to a nearby hospital.
The cause of the leak is currently
unknown, and a used canister was
found at the scene, with the police
taking over the investigation."
"Burkina Faso
Last Thursday, April 10, jihadist
rebels affiliated with the Group
for the Support of Islam and Muslims
(JNIM) attacked civilian areas and
military installations in the town
of Djibo in northern Burkina Faso.
The attacks reportedly resulted
in numerous casualties."
"Cameroon
Between Friday and Saturday, Cameroon
forces killed nine separatist rebels
and injured many others during
clashes in war-torn Cameroon's
English-speaking region of Northwest.
Saturday's encounter took place
when separatists attempted to attack
a military outpost in the region.
Soldiers repelled the
assault, killing four of them.
On Friday, security forces
ambushed a group of rebels in
the region, killing five others."
"Ethiopia
Last Wednesday, April 9, suspected Fano
militia gunmen attacked a public transport
vehicle in the Abe Dongoro district of
the Horo Guduru Wollega zone, Oromia
region, killing at least seven people.
The attack came just a week after
a similar incident in the same
area left more than 20 people dead
and three others abducted, raising
the total death toll to 27."
"India
On Sunday, a gun attack on an Excise
Department patrol in the Pabbi area
of Nowshera district resulted in the
deaths of three people, including two
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) police officers.
The incident occurred when
unidentified assailants opened fire
on the patrol, killing Constables
Mujahid Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed,
and fatally wounding their driver.
Sub-Inspector Farooq Bacha was
critically injured and taken to
Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar."
"India
On Friday, six militants were arrested
in separate operations across Manipur.
The arrests were made in various
districts, including Bishnupur, Imphal
East, Imphal West, and Kangpokpi.
The individuals were allegedly
involved in extortion, recruiting
youth, and transporting arms and
ammunition for banned groups such
as the Kanglei Yaowl Kanna Lup
(KYKL/SOREPA), Kangleipak Communist
Party (KCP-Noyon), and PREPAK (Pro)."
"India
On Saturday, security forces arrested
a Kangleipak Communist Party (Peopleâs
War Group)âKCP (PWG) militant in the
Sangakpham Bazar area of Imphal East."
"India
On Sunday, Punjab police arrested two
operatives of a terror module with a 2.8
kg IED containing 1.6
kg of RDX and a remote control.
The IED was intended for a targeted
terrorist attack in the region."
"Iran
On Saturday, Balochistan National
Army (BNA) rebels attacked and
killed eight workers from Pakistan's
Punjab province at a workshop in a
village in the Meharistan district
of the Sistan-Baluchestan province.
The assailants fled the
area after the attack."
"Israel
One rocket launched from the
Gaza Strip was intercepted by air
defenses, with sirens sounding
in the border community of Re'im.
Fortunately, there are no reports
of injuries in the attack."
"Nigeria
A father and his two children were killed
in an attack by suspected bandits in Zogu
Community, Miango District, Plateau State.
This incident is part of a larger wave
of violence in the region, with over 60
people killed in coordinated attacks on
villages in Bokkos LGA just a week ago."
"Nigeria
Last Friday, militants ambushed a
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
(NSCDC) patrol team in the Igbomotoru
community in the Southern Ijaw Local
Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa
State, resulting in the death of one
officer and injuring several others."
"Nigeria
On Saturday, Niger State Police
operatives arrested four suspected
kidnappers during an operation in the
Rijau Local Government Area (LGA).
The individuals had two locally
fabricated pistols and a Dane gun.
The individuals reportedly were
linked to a March abduction
of a man who later escaped."
"Nigeria
Last Friday, April 11, Nigerian forces
captured two Islamic Stateâs West
Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists
during an operation around the Yelwa
axis in Shendam Local Government
Area (LGA) of Plateau State.
The militants posed as tailors to
facilitate the establishment of ISWAP
bases in Plateau and Bauchi States."
"Nigeria
Last Friday, Nigerian forces ambushed
bandits along the Pinau Road in Wase
LGA of Plateau State, killing one rebel
and wounding another that fled the area.
Troops recovered one fabricated
pistol during the encounter."
"Nigeria
Nigerian police arrested four hunters
from Kano State in Benin City, Edo
State, after being found in possession
of three Dane guns, ammunition,
four cutlasses, and two daggers.
The suspects claimed to be
heading to the Uvbe Community in
Orhionmwon Local Government Area
to celebrate the Sallah holiday.
The arrest follows the recent
mob killing of 16 hunters from
Kano State in Uromi, Edo State,
which sparked nationwide outrage."
"Nigeria
Oando Plc, a Nigerian oil producer,
has reported three sabotage
attacks on its pipelines in
Bayelsa state over the past week.
The affected pipelines are the 18-inch
Tepidaba-Brass crude oil pipeline and
the 24-inch Ogboinbiri/Obiobi gas link.
Oando has activated emergency response
and is working with authorities to
investigate the incidents and resume
operations as soon as possible."
"Philippines
A reelection candidate for provincial
board member in Maguindanao del Sur,
Datu Baba Omar, survived an ambush by
unidentified gunmen on Sunday afternoon.
Omar and his driver were injured in
the incident, which occurred along
the borders of Datu Odin Sinsuat
and Datu Anggal Midtimbang towns."
"Syria
A member of the SDF was killed, and
three others were injured in an attack
by unidentified gunmen, believed to be
ISIS cells, on their vehicle in Al-Hawayj
village in eastern Deir Ezzor countryside.
The attackers fled to
an unknown destination."
"Syria
A businessman was kidnapped and
killed by an unknown gang in Aleppo
province one month after being taken.
The victim was a local trader and
owner of an asphalt mixing plant."
"Thailand
On Sunday, a bomb blast injured four
volunteer rangers outside a temple outside
of Wat Chairattanaram, Narathiwat's Rangae
district, with local officials suspecting
an insurgent group was responsible.
The insurgents planted the bomb in
a parked motorcycle with a sidecar."
"West Bank
The IDF reports that a single missile
launched by the Iran-backed Houthis
at Israel was successfully intercepted
by air defenses, resulting in no
reported injuries or major damage.
However, shrapnel from the
intercepted missile fell in the
Hebron area of the West Bank."
"France
Algeria has lodged a strong protest
with France after an Algerian consular
official was placed under pre-trial
detention on suspicion of involvement
in the April 2024 abduction of a popular
TikTok influencer, Amir Boukhors.
Algeria claims the arrest is
politically motivated and is calling
for the official's immediate release,
warning that the move will severely
damage Algerian-French relations."
"Gaza Strip
The Israeli military (IDF) has issued
a final warning for Palestinians in
the Khan Younis area following rocket
fire from the southern Gaza Strip
at the Re'im area near the border.
The warning comes after one rocket was
intercepted, and five rockets were fired
from Gaza at Israel over the past day."
"Indonesia
On Saturday, the West Papua National
Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization
(TPNPB-OPM) called non-Papuans to
leave the Yahukimo Regency, citing
concerns over mining activities.
The group's spokesman, Sebby Sambom,
referred to non-Papuan newcomers as
""immigrants"" from Indonesia and
urged them to exit the area, claiming
that small-scale mining is solely
for the welfare of indigenous people.
The statement comes after the
group executed 17 illegal gold
miners in the Yahukimo Regency."
"Iran
Iran's foreign ministry has announced
that upcoming talks with the United
States, scheduled for next weekend,
will be indirect and mediated by Oman.
The talks will focus solely on the
nuclear issue and lifting sanctions,
with negotiations taking place
separately from direct meetings."
"South Sudan
According to Brig.
Gen.
Ibrahim Samir David, SSOA's Greater
Equatoria commander and a member of
the Joint Defense Board media unit,
more than 2,000 active South Sudan
Opposition Alliance (SSOA) personnel
have defected to the South Sudan
People's Defense Forces (SSPDF).
The defections included 105 army
officers, 650 police officers, 668
prison service officers, 400 wildlife
officers, and 506 fire brigade officers.
The forces came from training centers in
Lologo, Rejaf, Owinykibul, Muni, Gutmakur,
Maridi, and Rambur in Central Equatoria.
The group renounced all duties
assigned to them under SSOA."
"Syria
A powerful armed faction in southern
Syria, led by defected military
officer Ahmed al-Awda, has announced
its dissolution and will integrate
its members and capabilities into
the government's armed forces.
The faction, known as the Eighth Brigade,
will hand over its military and human
resources to the defense ministry."
"Afghanistan
The Taliban have increased security
measures in Kandahar province
following a suspected Pakistani
airstrike last Thursday, April 10, that
resulted in at least 12 fatalities.
The strike targeted a gathering of
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and
Baloch Liberation Movement members.
The Taliban have denied it was
an airstrike, claiming it was
caused by unexploded ordnance.
The heightened security includes
checkpoints along the Spin Boldak-Kandahar
route, where individuals lacking
identification documents are detained.
This attack marks the first reported
airstrike in Kandahar since the Taliban's
return to power in 2021, amid tensions
between the Taliban and Pakistan over
militant activity along the border."
"Democratic Republic of Congo
At least 50 people were killed
in weekend attacks in Congo's
conflict-battered east, with both the
government and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels
blaming each other for the violence.
The attacks have escalated the conflict,
threatening ongoing peace efforts and
worsening a humanitarian crisis that
has displaced around 7 million people."
"Gaza City
A Hamas command center in Deir al-Balah,
central Gaza, was targeted in an
airstrike by the IDF and Shin Bet.
The strike hit the Deir al-Balah
municipality building, resulting
in at least three deaths.
The military claims that numerous Hamas
operatives were present at the site,
which was used to plan and execute attacks
against Israeli troops and civilians."
"Gaza Strip
The IDF launched an overnight strike
targeting a Hamas command center
housed in the Al-Ahli hospital in Gaza.
The military claims the center was
used to plan and execute attacks
against Israeli forces and civilians.
The IDF took steps to minimize civilian
casualties, including providing early
warnings and using precision weapons, and
accused Hamas of violating international
law by using civilian buildings as
shields for terrorist operations."
"Gaza Strip
The IDF carried out an airstrike in
Gaza, targeting a Hamas operative and
deputy commander of a sniper cell.
The strike resulted in the deaths of
seven people, with the IDF claiming it
took steps to minimize civilian harm."
"Gaza Strip
The Israeli military (IDF) has struck
over 90 targets in the Gaza Strip in the
past 48 hours, including a Hamas command
center in Gaza City and a rocket launching
site used to fire at southern Israel.
The strikes also targeted weapon
depots, cells of operatives,
and other Hamas infrastructure.
The IDF says the operations are ongoing,
with troops continuing ground operations
in Gaza, destroying additional Hamas
infrastructure and killing operatives."
"Indonesia
The TPNPB, a separatist group in West
Papua, has confirmed the addition of
troops from the Meepago region to join
forces in the Intan Jaya region to
fight against the Indonesian military.
The move follows bomb attacks allegedly
carried out by the Indonesian military
against civilian settlements, which
the TPNPB claims as a reason for
their increased military presence.
The TPNPB has urged residents to
temporarily cease activities, citing
the presence of snipers and potential
military targets in the area.
The Indonesian National Armed Forces
have denied troop additions and stated
that activities are proceeding as usual."
"Indonesia
On Sunday, the West Papua National
Liberation Army-Free Papua Movement
(TPNPB-OPM) claimed a covert deployment
of Indonesian forces has been taking place
through civilian vessels and aircraft.
However, the Indonesian National
Armed Forces Information Center head
denies this claim, stating that the
forces currently in Papua are those
routinely assigned to guard the
Indonesian-Papua New Guinea border."
"Iraq
On Sunday, Iraq counter-terrorism
forces arrested three ISIS terrorists.
They destroyed six ISIS hideouts,
six mud houses, and a cave containing
explosives materials during operations
across five provinces, including Nineveh,
Baghdad, Diyala, and Salah al-Din."
"Iraq
The Kurdish Peshmerga 4th Infantry
Division conducted a security operation
in Iraq's Diyala province, targeting areas
suspected of harboring ISIS remnants.
The operation, supervised by
the US-led Global Coalition,
took place from 5:00 a.m.
to 10:30 a.m.
and resulted in the destruction
of militant sites and hideouts."
"Iraq
Last Wednesday, April 9, Turkey
conducted airstrikes on the Warte
subdistrict of Rawanduz district,
killing one person and injuring another.
The airstrikes are targeting
suspected positions of the Kurdistan
Workers' Party (PKK) militants."
"Nigeria
Last Wednesday, April 10, Nigerian
airstrikes targeted terrorist
strongholds in Mununu Bakai, Zango,
Jeka Arera, Malali, and Ruwan Godiya
areas spanning Kankara and Faskari
Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
The strikes killed at least
101 terrorists, including a top
ISWAP second-in-command leader."
"Nigeria
Last Wednesday, April 10, Nigerian
airstrikes targeted terrorist
strongholds in Mununu Bakai, Zango,
Jeka Arera, Malali, and Ruwan Godiya
areas spanning Kankara and Faskari
Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
The strikes killed at least
101 terrorists, including a top
ISWAP second-in-command leader."
"Pakistan
On Sunday, police in Pakistan's
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province killed
three terrorists during a search
operation in Lakki Marwat district.
The police successfully eliminated
the terrorists without suffering
any losses, and a search operation
was launched to apprehend any
injured or fleeing terrorists."
"Syria
Two members of the Turkish-backed National
Army were killed in an ambush by the
General Security in Aleppo countryside.
The victims were accused of
kidnapping a young man and
demanding ransom from his family.
They had arrived in the area a few
days prior, claiming to be part
of the Syrian Government Forces."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked six Chinese naval
vessels around Taiwan between 6 a.m.
on Saturday and Sunday.
No military aircraft were
detected during the same period."
"Ukraine
A Russian artillery strike in Kherson's
Central district has resulted in
the death of a 62-year-old woman
and injury of a 47-year-old man.
The woman's injuries were
fatal, while the man sustained
a blast injury and a leg wound."
"Ukraine
A Russian missile attack on the
northeastern Ukrainian city of
Sumy has killed at least 31 people,
including two children, and wounded
84 others, including seven children.
The attack, which occurred on Palm
Sunday, is the deadliest single attack
on Ukrainian civilians since 2023.
Ukrainian officials have condemned
the attack, calling it ""absolute
evil"" and urging the international
community to provide Ukraine with
additional air defense capabilities
and increase pressure on Russia."
"Ukraine
On April 12, Ukraine's air defense
forces successfully shot down 43 drones
launched by Russian forces, while 12 decoy
drones failed to reach their targets.
The attack, which began at 20:30
on Saturday, involved 55 Shahed
one-way attack drones and various
decoy UAVs launched from Oryol,
Kursk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk.
Ukrainian forces countered the attack
with aviation, anti-aircraft missile
forces, electronic warfare units,
and mobile fire teams, effectively
repelling the Russian invasion."
"Ukraine
Russian forces carried out 511 attacks
on 11 settlements in the Zaporizhzhia
region, targeting areas such as
Huliaipole, Prymorske, and Kamianske.
The attacks included airstrikes,
UAV strikes, MLRS strikes, and
artillery shells, resulting in seven
reported cases of damage to private
homes, outbuildings, and vehicles."
"Ukraine
Russian troops launched a strike on
Kupiansk using multiple rocket launchers,
resulting in the deaths of two women.
The attack also caused a fire in a
garage, and eight civilians were injured
in the Kharkiv region over the past
day due to Russian forces' attacks."
"Ukraine
The Russian military carried out an
airstrike on the village of Novokhatske
in the Donetsk region, killing one
civilian and injuring three others.
The victims, including a 67-year-old woman
and three civilians aged 51, 58, and 87,
sustained shrapnel wounds and contusions."
"Ukraine
On April 12, Russian forces killed
three residents and injured five
others in the Donetsk region.
The victims were from Pokrovsk,
Lyman, Myrne, Oleksandro-Kalynove,
and Kostiantynivka."
"Ukraine
Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces
launched attacks on 31 settlements
in the Kherson region, resulting
in three deaths and seven injuries.
The affected settlements include various
residential areas, social facilities,
and critical infrastructure, with
reported damage to 12 buildings, a
warehouse, and a private vehicle."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,220 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 300 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
Russian forces shelled several communities
in the Donetsk region on Sunday,
resulting in one death and five injuries.
The affected areas include Komar, where
a 67-year-old woman was killed in a
residential building, and Pokrovsk, where
a civilian was wounded in a vehicle.
Additionally, civilians were
injured in the village of Malynivka,
and the Kostiantynivka and Lyman
communities also came under fire.
The head of the Donetsk Regional Military
Administration, Vadym Filashkin, urged
residents of frontline communities
to evacuate to safer regions."
"Ukraine
Russian forces shelled the village
of Kivsharivka in the Kupiansk
district, injuring a 71-year-old man.
The attack was carried out using a
Uragan multiple-launch rocket system
and damaged an apartment building."
"Yemen
US air strikes have targeted multiple
locations in Yemen, including a vocational
institute in the al-Sawma'ah district and
the al-Salheen area of Saada governorate.
The strikes occurred in central
and western parts of the country."
"Yemen
Yemeni government forces conducted a
targeted operation against an al-Qaeda
hideout in the Shabwa province, resulting
in the arrest of a mid-level commander
and the death of another militant.
However, the operation came
at a cost, with six soldiers
wounded during intense clashes.
The action is part of a broader effort
to dismantle al-Qaeda in the Arabian
Peninsula (AQAP) and mitigate the group's
influence within Yemen and beyond."
"Bangladesh
A train coach derailed on the
Dhaka-Tangail rail route in Gazipur,
disrupting rail communication between
Dhaka and northern parts of the country.
The incident occurred around 2:30 pm
on the Dhaka-bound Chilahati Express
train, but no casualties were reported.
Train services through the northern
parts of the country have been suspended
until a relief train arrives from
Dhaka to recover the derailed coach."
"Germany
A small plane crashed on a
factory site in northern Germany,
killing the pilot and co-pilot.
The plane, which took off from
Salzgitter-Drütte, crashed
on the Salzgitter steel plant
site after a short flight.
The cause of the crash is still unknown,
but it is assumed to be an accident.
The emergency services responded quickly,
and paramedics pronounced the two men
dead after extinguishing the fire.
The investigation into the
cause of the crash is ongoing."
"Iraq
On Saturday, a landmine exploded in
Erbil's Soran district, wounding three
people, including a man, woman, and
child, who were foraging for wild plants.
The injured were taken to Soran
General Hospital, where they
received initial medical aid.
This incident highlights the
ongoing issue of landmines in the
Kurdistan Region, which has been
affected by decades of conflict."
"Morocco
On April 11, 2025, a Hawker 800XPi
executive jet (CN-TKC) operated by
Air Ocean Maroc veered off the runway
during landing at Fez's Saiss airport,
colliding with the airport perimeter wall.
Three crew members and one individual
on the ground were injured.
The Moroccan transport
ministry has initiated an
investigation into the accident."
"South Africa
A pilot died in a plane crash
on Saturday, April 12, 2025,
in Pretoria East, South Africa.
The Slick 540 aircraft, registration
ZU-TNT, crashed about 5km from the Kitty
Hawk Airfield shortly after takeoff.
The pilot was declared dead at the
scene, and police and a private
security company secured the crash site.
The Accident and Incident Investigations
Division (AIID) is investigating
the incident and will publish a
preliminary report on the SA Civil
Aviation Authority website in 30 days."
"Syria
A civilian was killed in a car explosion
in the Al-Kamonat area of the Syrian
Desert, near the border with Iraq.
The victim died due to shrapnel from
a landmine, which is a war remnant."
"Syria
Two children were injured in
an explosion of an old landmine
in Marrat Fuqani, a town in the
northern countryside of Deir Ezzor.
The incident occurred near train
trucks in the SDF-controlled area,
resulting in various injuries to
the children, who were subsequently
taken to the hospital for treatment."
Thanks for joining us for the April
14, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
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