Deadly attack in the DRC and Ocalan calls for the PKK to disarm
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for February 28, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
On Thursday, we collected and mapped
50 events, including a deadly attack
in the DRC and a call for the PKK
to disarm, so let's get started.
Terrorism
"Democratic Republic of Congo
Two bombs exploded at an M23 rebel
rally in Bukavu, eastern DRC,
killing 11 people and injuring 65.
The attack happened after Alliance
Fleuve coordinator Corneille
Nangaa addressed the crowd.
Congo President Tshisekedi
condemned it as a ""terrorist
act,"" blaming Rwanda's military,
while M23 blamed government forces.
The M23 rebels have expanded their
control in eastern Congo since
December, capturing provincial
capitals, including Bukavu and Goma."
"India
Security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma
district successfully defused a 5 kg IED
bomb during a joint operation by CRPF
and police on the Konta-Golapalli route.
This operation is part of ongoing
anti-Maoist efforts in the region,
where security forces regularly
recover explosive devices."
"Israel
A suspected terror attack involving
stabbing and car-ramming at Karkur
Junction near Pardes Hanna has
left ten people injured, including
one in critical condition.
Police killed the suspect
shortly after the incident."
"Israel
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) notified
the families of four individualsâOhad
Yahalomi, Tzahi Idan, Shlomo
Mantzur, and Itzik Elgaratâthat their
remains had been returned to Israel.
According to the Prime Minister's Office,
three of them (Yahalomi, Idan, and
Elgarat) were murdered while being held
hostage in Gaza, while Mantzur was killed
during the October 7, 2023 attack, with
his body subsequently taken to Gaza.
The identification of the remains was
conducted by the Health Ministry's
National Forensic Medicine Center
in collaboration with the police."
"Israel
Israeli authorities arrested 26-year-old
Daniel Kitov for allegedly working
with Iran, planning to charge him
with contacting a foreign agent.
He spray-painted areas in Petah Tikvah
and Rosh HaAyin for money but didn't
follow through on requests to photograph
military bases or officials' homes.
Police warn that Iran is increasingly
recruiting Israelis through social
media, starting with small tasks
that escalate to serious espionage."
"Kenya
Suspected bandits attacked a bus on
the Maralal-Baragoi route in Samburu
County, killing two conductors and
injuring ten others who are being treated
at Samburu County Referral Hospital.
Two patients remain in
critical condition."
"Russia
A man was arrested in Russia's Samara
region for attacking a government
building with a Soviet-era grenade.
The explosion occurred at 5:30 a.m.,
damaging only a section of pavement
with no injuries reported."
"Syria
Somali National Army forces
repelled an Al-Shabab attack near
Bal'ad district, inflicting heavy
casualties on the militants.
Somalia's government has intensified
operations to reclaim territories
from the extremist group, particularly
in south-central regions."
"Syria
A suspected Houthi landmine and
IED explosion in Yemen's Taiz
province killed two people and
injured two others on Wednesday.
The attack occurred in the Maqbanah
Directorate, with Yemen's Ministry of
Interior Security Media Center identifying
the deceased as Fathi Abdulraqeeb
Al-Humairi and Abdulnour Mohammed Hael."
"United States
A 33-year-old Tajikistan national,
Mansuri Manuchekhri, has been
arrested for allegedly supporting ISIS
while living illegally in Brooklyn.
According to the indictment, he
facilitated $70,000 in payments to ISIS
affiliates in Turkey and Syria, trained
at New Jersey shooting ranges despite
his illegal status, and expressed
support for ISIS attacks on the U.S.
Manuchekhri entered the U.S.
on a tourist visa in 2016, overstayed
it in 2017, and allegedly arranged a
sham marriage to gain legal status."
Political Conflict
"Egypt
According to a Hamas source and
Egyptian media reports from early
Thursday, 97 Palestinian prisoners
have been transferred to Egypt.
This is a temporary arrangement, as the
prisoners may eventually be relocated to
other countries willing to accept them."
"Gaza Strip
Hamas has issued a statement
declaring that the release of
remaining hostages depends on Israel's
commitment to the ceasefire agreement.
The group claims it is adhering to
the deal and is prepared to begin
discussions on a second phase.
In their Telegram message, Hamas
emphasized they've linked the exchange of
Israeli hostages' bodies with the release
of Palestinian prisoners, asserting
that Israel must enter negotiations
for the next phase of the agreement."
"Israel
Palestinian medics say Israel has
returned the body of an unidentified
Gazan woman to a hospital in Gaza.
This woman's body was initially provided
by Hamas instead of slain hostage Shiri
Bibas, whose actual remains were later
returned to Israel over the weekend."
"Israel
Israel has completed the first
phase of the ceasefire deal,
receiving all 33 hostages agreed
upon - 25 alive and eight deceased.
The identification of the
final four bodies marks the
conclusion of this initial phase.
Any additional hostage releases will
require new negotiations with Hamas to
either extend the current agreement or
advance to a second phase of the deal."
"Philippines
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
has maintained his stance regarding
China's demand to remove US Typhon
missiles from the South China Sea.
According to Palace Press Officer
Undersecretary Claire Castro, the
President's position remains unchanged.
Marcos previously stated he would
withdraw the Typhon missiles only if
China stopped its aggressive actions
in the West Philippine Sea, including
territorial claims, harassment of
Filipino fishermen, ramming boats,
using water cannons, and firing lasers."
"Russia
The Kremlin has firmly rejected
any negotiations regarding the
status of five Ukrainian regions
it claims to have annexed.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared
these territories as ""inseparable""
parts of Russia that are protected by
the Russian constitution, calling their
status ""undeniable and non-negotiable.""
Notably, Russia does not fully control
four of these five claimed regions
despite its annexation claims."
"Russia
President Vladimir Putin has informed
the FSB security service that cyber
attacks against Russia are increasing,
and Moscow needs to improve its
counterintelligence activities."
"South Africa
South African President Ramaphosa wants
to ""do a deal"" with US President
Trump to resolve disputes over South
Africa's land policy and its genocide
case against Israel at the ICJ.
This follows Trump's recent executive
order cutting US aid to South Africa.
Rather than simply explaining South
Africa's positions, Ramaphosa aims to
visit Washington to negotiate on trade,
diplomatic, and political matters.
While not heavily dependent on US
aid, South Africa worries about
its trade status under AGOA."
"Thailand
Thailand has deported 40 Uyghur asylum
seekers to China despite warnings from
human rights advocates and US officials
about potential torture and imprisonment.
These individuals were part
of a group of over 300 Uyghurs
detained in Thailand since 2014.
Thai police chief Kitrat Phanphet stated
that Chinese officials had committed
to caring for the deported Uyghurs.
China's Ministry of Public Security
confirmed the deportation of 40
""illegal immigrants"" without
specifying their ethnicity.
Human rights organizations and
Thai legislators criticized the
action, especially given Thailand's
previous statement that there
were no plans for deportation."
"Turkey
Senior officials from Turkey's pro-Kurdish
DEM party met with imprisoned PKK leader
Abdullah Ocalan, likely seeking his
call for the militant group to disarm.
This could end a 40-year conflict
that has claimed thousands of lives.
The peace initiative began in October when
a nationalist politician suggested Ocalan
could receive parole if the PKK disbanded.
The timing is significant as President
Erdogan may need DEM support to change
the constitution and extend his rule."
"Turkey
Abdullah Ocalan, jailed leader of the PKK,
has called for his followers to lay down
arms and dissolve the group, potentially
ending a decades-long conflict with
Turkey that has killed 40,000 people.
He emphasized restoring Turkish-Kurdish
relations through democratic means."
"Turkey
Russian and US diplomats met in
Istanbul to normalize embassy operations
after years of mutual expulsions.
The talks, following a Trump-Putin
call, lasted six hours and aimed
to restore diplomatic staffing.
Putin expressed optimism about the
""pragmatism"" of the Trump administration
compared to its predecessors.
The meeting is part of broader efforts
initiated in Riyadh to work toward ending
the Ukraine war and improving relations.
Russian officials expect a return
to ""civilized communication.""
No Ukrainian representatives attended
these discussions, which Moscow described
as focused on restoring US-Russia
dialogue before eventual peace talks."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
has been invited to a special EU meeting
on March 6 to discuss the Russia-Ukraine
conflict and European security.
European Council President Antonio
Costa mentioned a ""new momentum""
toward peace and noted that potential
European security guarantees for
any peace accord would be discussed.
Additionally, Russian and US officials
have begun diplomatic talks in Istanbul,
marking continued high-level engagement
between the two powers following
their first significant meeting since
Russia's offensive in Ukraine began."
"West Bank
A Red Cross bus is transporting
Palestinian security prisoners from
Ofer Prison to the Beitunia checkpoint
near Ramallah for their release, with
hundreds of Palestinians waiting at the
Ramallah Cultural Palace to welcome them.
According to Arabic media,
prisoners designated for release
to Jerusalem are being escorted
directly to their homes from the
Russian Compound detention center."
Military Conflict
"Lebanon
The IDF conducted a drone strike
on a Hezbollah observation post
in Aynata, southern Lebanon, after
detecting activity at the location.
The military stated that the
observation post violated existing
agreements between Israel and Lebanon."
"Myanmar
Myanmar's military junta has occupied
numerous monasteries throughout
Naypyitaw, converting these religious
buildings into military barracks.
Troops stationed in village monasteries
are reportedly forcing locals to
provide food while also extorting
money from businesses and civilians.
This practice appears to be part of
a broader pattern, as the junta has
previously used religious buildings for
military purposes, including detaining
protesting monks and occupying a
Catholic church in southern Shan State."
"Russia
South Korean intelligence reports North
Korea has sent additional troops to
support Russia in Ukraine, with forces
returning to the Kursk region frontline in
early February after a month-long pause.
Between 1,000-3,000 new North Korean
troops were reportedly transported to
Russia in early 2025, adding to the
approximately 11,000 deployed last year.
The previous deployment
suffered significant casualties
(300 killed, 2,700 wounded).
Recent satellite imagery shows
activity at North Korea's Rason
Port, suggesting possible military
cargo transfers to Russia."
"Syria
Six civilian workers were killed at
an SDF military position, four SDF
members died in a Turkish drone strike
in the Al-Ruwaishad area in northern
Deir Ezzor, and two civilians were
killed when a Turkish drone targeted
their vehicle on Al-Khurafy road
between Deir Ezzor and Al-Hasakah."
"Syria
A deadly attack was reported at the
Al-Rijah checkpoint in Latakia, where
members of the Military Operations
Administration fired RPGs at a vehicle,
killing four people (a former naval
officer who had previously reconciled
with the current regime, his nephew,
and two others) and injuring four
more, with some in serious condition."
"Syria
A Military Operations Administration
campaign in Ain Shams village (Hama
province) resulted in three civilian
deaths and seven injuries despite
previous reconciliation efforts.
The operation, filmed by media and
monitored by drones, led to the arrest
of 52 civilians, including children and
elderly, while six others went missing."
"Syria
Turkish forces and allied factions
clashed with Syrian Democratic Forces
(SDF) in the eastern Aleppo countryside.
Turkish airstrikes and artillery targeted
areas near Teshreen Dam and Qarrah
Quzaq bridge, causing damage to civilian
properties across multiple villages.
Turkish-backed militias launched attacks
on SDF positions at both locations,
but the SDF reportedly repelled these
assaults, destroying military vehicles and
inflicting casualties on the attackers.
Turkish drone surveillance was observed
over Deir Hafer throughout the day."
"Syria
Turkish forces launched multiple
attacks against Syrian Democratic
Forces (SDF) across eastern
Aleppo and northeastern Syria.
Operations included drone strikes on a
civilian convoy vehicle near Teshreen
Dam, artillery fire, and kamikaze drone
attacks at various frontlines, including
Deir Hafer and Qarrah Quzaq bridge.
Turkish forces also shelled Abu
Rasin town and nearby villages,
damaging civilian infrastructure,
including a bread bakery (now out of
service) and security headquarters.
While no civilian casualties
were reported, the attacks caused
significant damage to civilian
homes in several villages."
"Syria
Turkish forces in the Peace
Spring area shelled Abu Rasin town
and nearby villages, damaging a
bakery and security headquarters.
They also targeted Al-Rabi'at and Al-Boubi
villages without reported casualties.
Earlier, there were exchanges of attacks
between Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and
Turkish forces with their proxy factions
in eastern Aleppo and northeast Syria,
including artillery fire near Teshreen
Dam and kamikaze drone attacks, which led
to direct clashes between the two sides."
"Taiwan
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense
reported tracking significant Chinese
military activity over a 24-hour period,
including 45 military aircraft, 14
naval vessels, and one official ship.
Of these aircraft, 34 crossed the
Taiwan Strait median line into Taiwan's
air defense identification zone.
China announced unscheduled
live-fire exercises 74 km off
Taiwan's southern coast, involving
coordinated air and naval operations.
Taiwan responded by deploying its
own aircraft, naval vessels, and
coastal missile systems to monitor
the Chinese military activity."
"Ukraine
Russian forces killed seven residents
and injured eleven others in
Ukraine's Donetsk region on Wednesday.
Six of the fatalities occurred in
Kostiantynivka and one in Pokrovsk,
according to Vadym Filashkin, head of the
Donetsk Regional Military Administration."
"Ukraine
A Russian drone attacked an ambulance in
Kherson that was responding to a call.
The attack caused the ambulance
to catch fire, though fortunately,
the medical crew was unharmed."
"Ukraine
A fire broke out at an industrial
facility in the Kyiv region last
night, caused by falling debris
from downed Russian attack drones.
Emergency services responded with 81
rescuers and 24 pieces of equipment.
The fire has been extinguished, and
no casualties have been reported."
"Ukraine
Russian forces conducted a drone
strike on the village of Hatne in the
Kharkiv region, which caused a house
fire that spread to 120 square meters.
Emergency services successfully
extinguished the fire despite
the risk of additional attacks,
and no casualties were reported."
"Ukraine
Russian forces conducted over 25
attacks on the Nikopol district
in the Dnipropetrovsk region
using heavy artillery and drones.
The attacks resulted in one man killed
and two people injured, including a
woman whose condition is critical.
The bombardment damaged infrastructure,
three enterprises, an apartment building,
11 private houses, four outbuildings, a
car, a gas pipeline, and a power line."
"Ukraine
A Russian drone attack in the
Nikopol district of Ukraine's
Dnipropetrovsk region resulted in
one civilian death and one injury.
According to Serhiy Lysak, head of
the Regional Military Administration,
a 51-year-old man was killed by
a kamikaze drone in the Marhanets
community, while a 52-year-old woman
was critically injured and hospitalized.
A vehicle was also damaged in the attack."
"Ukraine
Russian forces attacked the
Kherson region, resulting in
one death and two injuries.
According to Oleksandr Prokudin,
head of the Kherson Regional Military
Administration, Russian forces conducted
shelling and air strikes across
numerous settlements in the region.
The attacks damaged two multi-story
buildings, 12 private houses,
outbuildings, a garage, and vehicles."
"Ukraine
Russian drone attacks caused damage
across three districts in the Kyiv
region during a 7-hour air raid alert.
In Boryspil, an industrial facility
caught fire, damaging warehouses,
an elevator, and two vehicles.
Brovary district saw damage to two
private homes while falling debris
in Obukhiv ignited a reed fire.
Ukrainian air defenses successfully
intercepted Russian targets,
and no casualties were reported.
Emergency services continue working to
address the aftermath of the attack."
"Ukraine
Russian forces conducted two strikes
on Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region.
The attacks targeted both a private
residential area and an industrial zone.
One civilian suffered minor injuries
and received medical treatment.
Preliminary reports indicate that
more than 20 residential buildings
were damaged, with authorities
still collecting data on the
full extent of the destruction."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,150 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 370 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
Russian forces shelled Kostiantynivka
in Ukraine's Donetsk region using
Smerch MLRS and artillery, killing
one 32-year-old civilian and
injuring four others aged 48 to 82.
According to Vadym Filashkin, head of the
Donetsk Regional Military Administration,
the attack damaged multiple buildings,
infrastructure, and a vehicle."
"Ukraine
Six separate attacks targeted Sumy border
areas and settlements overnight and in
the morning, resulting in 12 explosions.
Multiple communities were
shelled, including Yunakivka,
Lypovodolynska, Hlukhiv, Shalyhine,
Khutir-Mykhailivka, and Yampil.
The attacks involved various
weapons, including UAVs (drones),
with at least three houses damaged
in the Lypovodolynska community."
Civil Unrest
"Czech Republic
Czech farmers protested nationwide
against non-EU food imports,
joined by counterparts from
Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria.
They blocked roads, demanding the EU
cancel its Mercosur deal or exclude
agriculture, citing unfair standards.
Concerns extend to duty-free
Ukrainian imports, which they
say harm European agriculture.
Farmers seek a new EU-Ukraine
agreement for fair competition.
Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný
acknowledged the issue but stated
that Mercosur imports are minimal."
"United States
Pro-Palestinian protesters who occupied
Barnard College's Milbank Hall (which
houses the dean's offices) and allegedly
assaulted a school employee have
departed without further incident.
Barnard President Laura Rosenbury
condemned their actions as
""completely unacceptable.""
The protesters left after
the administration reportedly
agreed to meet with them.
Their demands included amnesty for
disciplined students, a meeting
with administration officials, and
reversal of two student expulsions.
The protest group stated they ""will
not stop until our demands are met."""
Accidents
"Syria
Two civilians from the Al-Bo Ezzdein
tribe were killed when a landmine,
described as a remnant of war, exploded
in the Abo Haya area, located in the
southwestern part of Deir Ezzor."
Other Events
"France
Brahim Aouissaoui, a 25-year-old
Tunisian national, was sentenced to
life imprisonment without parole for a
2020 terrorist attack in Nice, France.
Aouissaoui killed three people in a
basilica and admitted to the crime during
trial, claiming he wanted to avenge
Muslims killed by Western nations."
Thanks for joining us for the February
28, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
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