Colombia declares state of emergency, and Hamas says four more hostages to be released this weekend
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for January 22, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Tuesday we collected 55 events, including
Colombia's declaration of a state of
emergency, and Hamas saying four more
hostages will be released this weekend.
It was a busy day, so lets get started.
Terrorism,
"Australia
A childcare center was set on fire and
vandalized with antisemitic graffiti
in Sydney, the second attack in four
days targeting the Jewish community.
Authorities promise to increase
resources to investigate hate crimes."
"Democratic Republic of Congo
On Tuesday, M23 rebels captured
the eastern town of Minova in the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Minova, located in the northeastern
part of Kalehe Territory at the head
of Kabuno Bay on the western shore of
Lake Kivu, serves as a critical supply
route for the provincial capital, Goma.
The capture of Minova by the M23
rebels could put Goma, approximately
40 km away, in their sights."
"Democratic Republic of Congo
On Sunday, the Masisi General
Referral Hospital in North Kivu
province, Democratic Republic of
Congo, was hit by gunfire, leaving
two Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
staff members slightly injured.
The incident occurred when a rocket hit
the MSF garage next to the hospital,
and another rocket hit a latrine nearby.
Gunshots also hit the hospital
and the MSF staff base."
"Democratic Republic of Congo
On Sunday, Ugandan forces captured
an Islamic State-allied rebel group
commander during an operation in
the jungles of the Ituri province
of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The individual is an
expert in making IEDs.
During the operations, troops rescued nine
people, including children, and recovered
an assortment of IED-making materials."
"India
A bomb disposal squad recovered
and defused 21 IEDs in a
forest near Serengda village.
Additionally, 55 gelatine sticks
were seized and destroyed.
The IEDs were planted by suspected
CPI (Maoist) members to target
security personnel involved
in anti-Naxal operations."
"Iran
Iranian authorities reportedly
arrested several people in connection
with the Saturday assassination of
two Supreme Court judges in Tehran."
"Iraq
The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)
conducted a pursuit operation that led
to the arrest of an ISIS terrorist.
The operation started in Anbar
Governorate and ended in Baghdad.
The PMF, with the support of local
intelligence and security forces,
tracked and apprehended the suspect as
part of their ongoing efforts to combat
terrorism and maintain security in Iraq."
"Israel
The Magen David Adom ambulance service
reports that four people were injured
in a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv.
The victims include two men aged 24
and 28 in moderate condition and two
men aged 24 and 59 in good condition.
The attacker was killed at the scene."
"Niger
Four Moroccan truck drivers who
were kidnapped in West Africa over
the weekend have been released
in Niger, according to officials.
The drivers were transporting electrical
equipment from Casablanca to Niamey,
the capital city of Niger, and had been
on the road for more than 20 days when
they were reported missing on Saturday.
An unnamed armed group took them to
a remote forest, but they have now
been freed and are safe in Niamey."
"Nigeria
Gunmen suspected to be bandits invaded
the Ngalda cattle and central market
in Fika Local Government Area of Yobe
State on Monday evening, killing at least
seven traders and injuring eleven others.
The attack occurred around 6 pm when
the suspected bandits shot sporadically
and robbed shops and cattle markets."
"Syria
Armed groups affiliated with
Al-Hafl attacked the headquarters of
Al-Asayish in the Zaiban district,
resulting in violent clashes.
Members of the SDF initially
withdrew but later regained control
and brought in reinforcements.
The attackers also targeted a checkpoint
in Al-Tayana Town and two checkpoints
of the Autonomous Administration.
Six civilians were injured in
the clashes and received medical
treatment at a hospital."
"Syria
Members of an ISIS cell attacked a
checkpoint of the Internal Security Forces
(Asayish) in the Salimah area in Al-Jazâah
town in the south-eastern countryside of
Al-Qamishli in Al-Hasakah countryside.
One attacker was killed in the clash.
In a separate incident, five ISIS
members opened fire on Asayish
Forces at the Al-Gharb checkpoint
on the 47th road connecting
Al-Hasakah and Al-Shaddadi cities.
One ISIS member was injured and
arrested, while the others escaped."
"West Bank
An IDF investigation into a
settler attack on two West Bank
Palestinian villages found that
dozens of assailants were involved.
The IDF dispatched soldiers and
police officers to the scene.
The attackers threw stones and
attacked the security forces.
The IDF is also investigating an
incident where a police officer
opened fire on two settlers.
Palestinians report that 21 people
were wounded in the attacks."
Military Conflict
"India
Twelve more Maoists were
killed in a gunfight along the
Odisha-Chhattisgarh border.
This brings the total number of Maoists
killed in the inter-state operation to 14.
The operation is being conducted
by the police forces of Odisha and
Chhattisgarh, along with the CRPF.
The gunfight took place in the Kularighat
reserve forest, just 5 km from the
border of Nuapada district in Odisha.
The police have seized a significant
amount of arms and ammunition."
"Iraq
On Tuesday, a security source reported
that Turkey conducted airstrikes
on PKK terrorist targets around
the village of Dershi, located deep
within the slopes of Mount Gara,
overlooking the Al-Amadiya district.
The extent of losses and
damage were unknown."
"Iraq
The Turkish Ministry of Defence
announced on Tuesday that its forces
neutralized six PKK terrorists during
an operation in the Operation Claw-Lock
Zone and Gara in Northern Iraq.
Turkish authorities use the term
'neutralize' to indicate the
terrorists were either killed,
surrendered, or captured."
"Myanmar
Over the past week, Arakan Army (AA)
insurgents launched attacks outside
Rakhine State on junta forces, including
the village of Baw Mi in Pathein Township.
The attacks included drone strikes."
"Russia
The Ukrainian Defense Forces have
conducted airstrikes on the Liskinskaya
oil depot in Russia's Voronezh
region for the second time this week.
They also targeted the infrastructure
of the Smolensk Aviation Plant.
The strikes resulted in fuel tanks
supplying Russian forces catching fire.
The oil depot is owned by Rosneft, one of
Russia's largest state-owned corporations.
Explosions were recorded at the
aviation plant in the Smolensk
region, where military aircraft
are being modernized and produced."
"Somalia
Over 20 people were killed and more than
10 others wounded in clashes between
Islamic State fighters and security
forces in Somalia's Puntland region.
The fighting resulted in the deaths
of 15 militants and seven soldiers.
The IS fighters used improvised explosive
devices to protect their hideouts,
resulting in the deaths of 6 soldiers.
The military operation focused on
dislodging IS militants from mountainous
areas and continued through Monday.
The group has a relatively small presence
in Somalia compared to al-Shabab, but
their numbers have been increasing."
"Sudan
Sudanese forces and allied factions
reportedly thwarted a Rapid
Support Forces attack from Libya
in the strategic tri-border region
between Sudan, Libya, and Chad.
The Sudanese coalition forces claimed
to have killed 680 RSF fighters
and mercenaries in the ambush.
The forces also captured 65 RSF
troops and destroyed 37 RSF vehicles."
"Sudan
Since last Thursday, January 16, Rapid
Support Forces (RSF) artillery attacks
on the Abu Adam area and the Mayo
neighborhood of Khartoum killed at
least 17 people and injured two others."
"Sudan
On Monday, RSF troops renewed
shelling on the Abu Shouk refugee
camp in El Fasher, killing 11
civilians and injuring 18 others.
The RSF issued a 48-hour ultimatum
for the Sudanese army and allied
forces to leave the city."
"Syria
Two civilians were killed and 70
others injured in two airstrikes near
Teshreen dam in Manbij countryside.
The death toll is expected to
rise due to serious injuries."
"Syria
Five members of the National Army
factions were killed in clashes
with SDF in eastern Aleppo.
Meanwhile, SDF members were injured
in airstrikes and artillery fire by
Turkish forces and their proxy factions."
"Syria
Syrian Democratic Forces launched
missiles on a Turkish base in Manakh
village, injuring three soldiers.
The soldiers were taken to a hospital
in Turkey, and Turkish forces at the
attacked post are on high alert."
"Syria
Turkish fighter jets attacked
Al-Qashlah village and an oil
press near silos in Sarrin town.
No casualties were reported.
Turkish forces and National Army
factions are escalating their
military actions, using warplanes and
drones to target strategic points.
Thirteen members of National Army factions
were killed in drone attacks by SDF
near Teshreen dam in eastern Aleppo."
"Taiwan
On Tuesday, the Taiwan Coast Guard
intercepted and drove away four Chinese
Coast Guard ships that had approached a
restricted area near the island of Kinmen.
The Chinese ships were spotted by
Taiwanese authorities around 7 a.m.
south of the island and then split
into two groups of two ships each.
The Coast Guard's local division promptly
dispatched four patrol boats to collect
evidence and prevent the Chinese vessels
from entering the restricted waters.
While broadcasting warnings in Mandarin
and English, the Taiwanese crews made
two attempts to force the Chinese
ships to retreat from the area."
"Ukraine
The Russian army injured three residents
of the Donetsk region, according
to Vadym Filashkin, the head of the
Donetsk regional state administration.
The incidents occurred in Lyman,
Kostiantynivka, and Druzhkivka."
"Ukraine
Russian forces attacked several
communities in the Dnipropetrovsk
region, damaging a warehouse,
an enterprise, and homes.
One man was injured and
is in moderate condition.
The Russian forces also struck
Chervonohryhorivka and Pokrovske
communities using heavy artillery.
No casualties were reported.
Air defense forces destroyed
seven Russian drones.
Additionally, railway infrastructure in
the Dnipropetrovsk region was attacked,
injuring two railway workers and
damaging buildings and rolling stock.
Explosions were heard in Dnipro
during an air raid alert."
"Ukraine
The Ukrainian Defense Forces shot down 72
Russian drones and lost 59 decoy drones.
Russian forces launched 131 strike
UAVs and four ballistic missiles.
Various units of the Ukrainian Air Force
and Defense Forces countered the air raid.
Some damage was caused to institutions,
agricultural facilities, and
private homes, but no casualties
or injuries were reported."
"Ukraine
Three police officers and two civilians
were injured in Kupiansk, Kharkiv region,
due to a Molniya-2 UAV attack by Russia.
The attack resulted in shrapnel wounds of
varying severity for the police officers
and injuries to a civilian couple."
"Ukraine
Russian troops attacked Kharkiv
with a Shahed UAV, causing damage
to garages and a dormitory car.
There were no reported casualties, but
one person was injured and sought medical
attention for an acute stress reaction.
The attack occurred in a densely populated
area of the Shevchenkivskyi district."
"Ukraine
Russian forces attacked Kherson with
a UAV, injuring a woman and three men.
The victims are currently in the
hospital receiving medical assistance."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,600 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 420 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"West Bank
The ongoing IDF operation in the West
Bank city of Jenin has resulted in six
deaths and 35 injuries, according to the
Palestinian Authority health ministry."
"West Bank
The Palestinian Authority health ministry
has reported one death in a drone strike
by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
in the city of Jenin in the West Bank.
This strike is part of a larger
Israeli operation targeting
terror groups in Jenin.
Gunfire can be heard in the city."
Political Conflict
"Afghanistan
On Tuesday, the United States traded
a Taliban fighter named Khan Mohammed
for two American detainees, Ryan
Corbett and William Wallace McKenty.
Mr.
Corbett had lived in Afghanistan for many
years with his family and was detained
by the Taliban more than two years ago
when he returned on a business trip.
There are few details about Mr McKenty,
whose family have asked for privacy.
The Taliban fighter was serving a
life sentence in California on drug
trafficking and terrorism charges."
"Colombia
On Monday, Colombian President Gustavo
Petro declared a state of emergency
in the Catatumbo Region, citing the
humanitarian crisis after the recent
attacks by the National Liberation
Army (ELN) guerrillas that left at
least 80 dead and 11,000 displaced."
"Cuba
US President Donald Trump reinstated Cuba
as a state sponsor of terrorism, reversing
a decision made by his predecessor,
Joe Biden, just days earlier."
"Democratic Republic of Congo
On Monday, the United Nations mission
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
known as MONUSCO, announced that over
600 combatants from the Zaire armed group
had laid down their arms and surrendered
during a recent ceremony held in Bunia.
The mission received more than
85 weapons and munitions from
the surrendered fighters."
"Gaza Strip
Hamas official Taher al-Nunu
announced that four Israeli women
hostages would be released in
exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The names of the hostages
were not mentioned.
Currently, seven female hostages are
remaining from the original list of 33."
"United States
On Monday, President Donald Trump signed
an executive order designating Mexican
drug cartels and other foreign terrorist
groups as foreign terrorist organizations.
This action aims to expedite the
removal of members of groups like Tren
de Aragua, a transnational criminal
organization from Venezuela, and MS-13.
The designation could lead to
harsher financial penalties and legal
ramifications in the US against those
involved, but it could also strain the
relationship between the US and Mexico."
"Venezuela
On January 20, 2025, President
Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela deployed
troops to the border with Colombia
in response to violence between
armed factions in the region.
This deployment followed a
state of emergency declared by
Colombiaâs President Gustavo Petro.
The violence has led to the
displacement of at least 11,000
people and over 80 deaths."
"West Bank
US President Donald Trump has revoked an
executive order signed by his predecessor,
Joe Biden, to impose sanctions on violent
Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
This decision is part of a series of
executive orders signed by Trump on
his first day in office, which aim
to roll back policies implemented
by the Biden administration.
The order signed by Biden was
a response to Israel's failure
to address settler violence."
Civil Unrest
"Israel
Israeli Defense Forces
(IDF) Chief of Staff Lt.
Gen.
Herzi Halevi plans to resign on
March 6, according to a letter sent
to Defense Minister Israel Katz."
"South Sudan
On Tuesday, authorities in Warrap
State, South Sudan, arrested 22
youths who had protested over the
alleged killing of South Sudanese
nationals in Wad Medani, Sudan.
The protesting youths vandalized
and looted Sudanese businesses
in Turalei, Kuajok, and Mayen
Abun markets in Twic County."
Weapons
"Iraq
The Turkish Ministry of Defence announced
the seizure of weapons and ammunition
from the PKK during the Claw-Lock
operation in the Kurdistan Region.
Troops discovered a cave used by PKK
fighters and found weapons, ammunition,
living supplies, and electronic
equipment, which were destroyed."
Accidents
"Cote d'Ivoire
A crash involving a freight truck and
a passenger bus carrying 70 people
in Ivory Coast on Tuesday killed at
least 15 people and injured 23 more.
The collision occurred in Ponan-Ouinlo."
"Slovenia
On Monday, one miner was killed,
and two others were trapped
after water and mud poured into
underground tunnels at the Velenje
coal mine in northeastern Slovenia.
11 other miners managed to escape.
The cause of the accident was underway."
"Syria
A civilian was killed and another
injured in an explosion while
removing landmines in the Jubas area.
Another civilian was killed in a
grenade explosion in Al-Duraiham Field.
In Kurhayok Village, a civilian
was killed and his father
injured in a landmine explosion.
A woman was killed by shrapnel from a
landmine explosion near Teshrin Dam."
"Turkey
A fire at a ski resort hotel
in Turkey's Bolu mountains
killed 66 people and injured 51.
Guests were forced to jump
out of windows to escape.
The fire started on the restaurant floor
of the 11-story Grand Kartal Hotel."
"United States
Last Wednesday, January 15, a
train collided with a semi-truck in
Aurora, injuring the truck driver.
An investigation of the
accident was undertaken."
"United States
Investigations are underway in
Atchison, Kansas, after six rail
cars derailed near the downtown area.
The incident occurred at the 4th
and 5th Streets rail crossing.
No injuries, fire, hazards, or
property damages were reported.
The cause of the derailment
is still unknown."
"Yemen
Twenty Ethiopian migrants, including
nine women and 11 men, were killed
when their boat capsized off
Yemen's southwest Taiz Governorate.
The vessel, carrying 35 Ethiopian
migrants, departed from Djibouti.taiz"
"Zimbabwe
On Saturday, January 18, a gold
shaft collapse occurred in Bindura,
Zimbabwe, approximately 85 kilometers
north of Harare, resulting in the
deaths of seven artisanal miners."
"Thanks for joining us for the January
22, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
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