March 2, 2025 22:08 E71

Fallout from the Oval Office argument continues

Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for March 2, 2025.

Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and

our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.

On Saturday, we collected and
mapped 46 events, including more

fallout from Friday's Oval Office
argument, so let's get started.

"Ukraine

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
expressed regret after a contentious

Oval Office meeting with President
Trump, where he was berated for

""gambling with World War Three.""

The planned minerals deal announcement
was canceled, and Zelenskyy left early.

In a Fox News interview, he avoided
directly answering whether he owed Trump

an apology, instead thanking Americans for
their support during the war with Russia.

Trump later stated Ukraine ""doesn't
win"" without US backing, while European

leaders pledged continued support.

Despite the diplomatic incident,
Zelenskyy expressed confidence that

the relationship could be salvaged."

"United Kingdom

Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting the
UK on Saturday to meet with Prime

Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street.

The Ukrainian President arrived
from the US, where he had a tense

meeting with President Trump.

After his UK visit, Zelensky is
scheduled to attend a European summit

on Sunday where leaders will discuss
continued support for Ukraine."

"United States

US President Donald Trump claimed that
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

""overplayed his hand"" during their
contentious Oval Office meeting.

Speaking to reporters as he departed
the White House for Florida,

Trump emphasized his desire for
an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine,

stating, ""I want a ceasefire now.""

Trump also accused Zelensky of
opposing a truce and insisted

that he wants the fighting in
Ukraine to end ""immediately."""

"Gaza Strip

Hamas has rejected Israel's proposal
to extend the first phase of the Gaza

ceasefire on the day it is set to expire.

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem
told Al-Araby TV that there are

currently no discussions taking place
regarding a potential second phase

of the ceasefire with the group."

"Gaza Strip

Hamas official Basem Naim reports no
progress in the latest talks for phase

two of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, with
uncertainty about future negotiations.

Phase one expires today, though fighting
should pause while talks continue.

Phase two aims to end the Gaza
war, withdraw Israeli troops, and

return the remaining hostages (at
least 35 of 59 are confirmed dead).

Officials from Israel, Qatar,
Egypt, and the US met in Cairo

without Hamas's direct presence.

Naim indicated Israel had largely refused
to engage in phase two discussions until

recently, despite these negotiations being
scheduled to begin almost a month ago."

"Israel

The US State Department has notified
Congress of plans to sell nearly

$3 billion in weapons to Israel
across three separate packages.

The sales include $2.04

billion for over 35,000 heavy
bombs and 4,000 penetrator warheads

(expected delivery next year), $675.7

million for various bombs and guidance
kits (expected delivery in 2028), and

$295 million for D9 Caterpillar bulldozers
(expected delivery beginning in 2027).

The Defense Security Cooperation
Agency states these sales will improve

Israel's defensive capabilities
and serve as a regional deterrent.

Notably, the previous US administration
had reportedly delayed the bulldozer

sale over concerns about their use
in destroying homes in Gaza, which

Israel claims are used by Hamas."

"Lebanon

President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon
asserted that the Lebanese state

must control ""decisions of
war and peace"" by restricting

weapons to state authorities only.

He emphasized that only the state
should determine how to respond

to aggression and mobilize forces.

Aoun confirmed Lebanon's commitment to UN
Resolution 1701 (banning Hezbollah from

south Lebanon) and expressed fatigue with
conflict, preferring diplomatic solutions.

He criticized Israel for failing to
fully withdraw from south Lebanon,

maintaining forces in five strategic
positions despite a signed agreement,

and noted that Lebanon is working with
French and American allies to pressure

Israel to complete its withdrawal."

"Turkey

Kurdish militants from the outlawed
PKK have declared a ceasefire with

Turkey following a significant call
from their imprisoned leader, Abdullah

Ocalan, who urged the group to disband.

The PKK executive committee announced
the immediate ceasefire in a statement

quoted by the pro-PKK ANF news agency,
stating it was intended to facilitate

the implementation of Ocalan's call
for peace and a democratic society."

"Guyana

A Venezuelan Coast Guard vessel entered
Guyana's waters on March 1, approaching

oil production vessels and claiming
they operated in ""disputed waters.""

President Ali called this a
""grave concern,"" emphasizing

Guyana's internationally
recognized maritime boundaries.

Guyana alerted CARICOM Chair Mia
Mottley and international partners,

summoned Venezuela's ambassador, and
increased monitoring in the area."

"India

BSF personnel clashed with 20-25
Bangladeshi intruders at the

Indo-Bangladesh border in Tripura,
leaving three jawans injured.

The incident occurred in Sepahijala
district when smuggling-linked

intruders entered Indian territory
and attacked a BSF patrol.

Some attempted to snatch weapons,
prompting a jawan to fire a non-lethal

round, injuring one Bangladeshi national."

"India

Two Maoists were killed during an
encounter with security forces in

Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Saturday.

The gunfight occurred in a forest
area under Kistaram police station

jurisdiction during an anti-Naxalite
operation conducted by a joint team

of the District Reserve Guard (DRG)
and CoBRA (an elite CRPF unit).

The operation began Friday
based on intelligence about

Maoist presence in the area."

"Pakistan

Six terrorists were killed by security
forces during an intelligence-based

operation in Ghulam Khan village,
North Waziristan, on Friday.

According to Pakistan's military media
wing (ISPR), weapons and ammunition

were seized during the operation.

The terrorists were reportedly
involved in attacks against

civilians and security forces.

An operation is ongoing to clear the
area of any remaining militants."

"Syria

Turkish forces and their proxies
have intensified military operations

in Aleppo countryside, particularly
around western Kobane and Tishreen Dam.

They conducted heavy artillery
shelling against multiple villages

with no reported casualties.

Fierce clashes between pro-Turkey forces
and SDF occurred at Tal Syriatel, while a

landmine explosion in Al-Sa'adyah village
killed three faction members and injured

seven others, including two SDF members.

One pro-Turkey fighter was captured
during the confrontations."

"Syria

Turkish forces conducted artillery
strikes on several villages in

the western countryside of Kobane,
specifically targeting Ashmah, Turman,

and Zur Maghar villages, as well
as a warehouse near Sarin junction.

The bombardment reportedly caused
material damage to civilian properties."

"Syria

US Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced
conducting a precision airstrike in

Syria that killed Muhammed Yusuf Ziya
Talay, a senior military leader of Hurras

al-Din (HaD), an Al-Qaeda affiliate.

CENTCOM Commander General Michael Erik
Kurilla emphasized the US commitment

to pursuing terrorists to protect the
homeland and personnel in the region."

"Taiwan

The Taiwanese defense ministry reported
significant Chinese military activity

around Taiwan over a 24-hour period,
including 17 military aircraft, eight

naval vessels, and three official ships.

Fifteen aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait's median line, entering

Taiwan's air defense identification
zone from multiple directions.

Taiwan responded by deploying
its own aircraft, naval vessels,

and coastal missile systems to
monitor the Chinese presence."

"Ukraine

Russian forces launched six attacks
on Ukraine's Sumy region border

areas, causing 11 explosions
across multiple communities.

Aerial bombs and artillery,
damaging administrative buildings

and homes, hit Krasnopilska.

Yunakivska faced two aerial bomb
strikes, while Velykopysarivska and

Sadivska suffered drone attacks.

In Romny, a drone strike damaged
three houses around 1:45 AM.

The attacks damaged civilian
infrastructure, including private

homes, farm buildings, and vehicles.

Ukrainian air defense shot down
11 Russian drones over the region.

Despite the extensive property damage,
no civilian casualties were reported."

"Ukraine

Russian shelling in Ukraine's Donetsk
region killed four civilians and

injured six others on February 28.

According to Vadym Filashkin, Head of the
Donetsk Regional Military Administration,

the fatalities occurred in three different
locations: two people in Lyman, one

in Myrnohrad, and one in Siversk."

"Ukraine

A Russian attack drone hit an
apartment building in Zaporizhzhia,

Ukraine, causing a fire.

Emergency services were immediately
dispatched to the scene.

Local authorities are establishing a
resilience center for affected residents,

though its location will not be
publicly disclosed for security reasons.

According to initial reports,
no casualties have been

reported from the attack."

"Ukraine

Russian forces launched a massive
drone attack on three districts

of Kharkiv on March 1, injuring
12 people, including two children.

Nine strike drones targeted the
Shevchenkivskyi, Kyivskyi, and

Novobavarskyi districts, hitting
residential areas, a medical facility,

commercial buildings, and a gas station.

Damage was reported to apartment
buildings, pharmacies, cafes,

and other establishments."

"Ukraine

Explosions were reported
during an air raid in Kharkiv.

The strikes impacted two areas
of the city, the central part

and the Shevchenkivskyi district,
both near residential buildings.

According to Oleh Syniehubov, head
of the Kharkiv Regional Military

Administration, there were no
casualties from these strikes."

"Ukraine

Russian forces launched nine
Shahed drones at Kharkiv overnight.

Though all were shot down, falling debris
damaged three medical facilities (dental

hospital, genetic center, and regional
clinical hospital), six high-rises,

and two administrative buildings.

Officials evacuated 54 immobile patients
from a psychoneurological dispensary.

The regional hospital remains
operational despite being

targeted for the fourth time.

International partners will help
restore the damaged medical facilities."

"Ukraine

Russian forces launched a
ballistic missile strike on

Odesa's port infrastructure,
damaging both port facilities

and a Panamanian-flagged civilian
vessel owned by a European company.

Two port employees were
injured in the attack.

Emergency and medical services are
currently responding to the incident.

This follows earlier reports of an
explosion in Odesa during an air raid

alert and a previous Russian strike
in the Odesa region that killed one

civilian and injured three others."

"Ukraine

Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,050 Russian

soldiers over the past day.

Over 320 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."

"Ukraine

Russian forces attacked Darivka
in Ukraine's Kherson region with a

drone-dropped explosive, critically
injuring an 11-year-old child.

According to Oleksandr Prokudin,
head of the Kherson Regional Military

Administration, the child suffered a
traumatic brain injury, concussion, and

shrapnel wounds to the face and abdomen.

The victim was transported to
a hospital where doctors are

working to save their life."

"Ukraine

A Russian drone strike in the
Odesa region killed one person

and injured three others.

The attack damaged a private house
and caused fires at an enterprise

where vehicles were damaged.

The State Emergency Service
deployed 58 rescuers and 14

equipment units to extinguish the
fires and manage the aftermath."

"Ukraine

A Russian drone attack in the
Romny district of Ukraine's Sumy

region has damaged 14 private homes
and three municipal buildings,

including an educational institution.

Local authorities have received
11 damage reports, with emergency

response efforts underway involving
rescue teams, municipal workers, and

the Ukrainian Red Cross Society."

"Ukraine

Russian forces shelled a residential
house in Beryslav, Kherson region, killing

a 63-year-old woman on March 1, 2025.

No other damage was
reported in the attack."

"Ukraine

Russian forces shelled the village of
Stetskivka in the Sumy community, causing

a private residence to catch fire.

Acting mayor Artem Kobzar reported
the attack on Facebook, noting

there were no casualties reported."

"Democratic Republic of Congo

At least 23 people were killed
and approximately 20 others taken

hostage in northeastern DRC by the
Allied Democratic Forces (ADF),

a group linked to Islamic State.

The attacks occurred Tuesday and
Wednesday in Ituri province near

the Uganda border, targeting the
villages of Matolo and Samboko.

Victims were primarily farmers working
in fields, and hostages included

the son of Matolo's village chief."

"India

Pakistani law enforcement arrested
20 terrorists allegedly linked

to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan
(TTP) in Punjab province.

The Counter-Terrorism Department conducted
162 intelligence-led operations, capturing

three ""extremely dangerous"" TTP members
identified as Manmohan Singh, Naqeebullah,

and Riyaz from different cities.

Authorities seized explosives,
detonators, and IED bombs and prohibited

literature from the suspects, who
allegedly planned to target important

buildings in Lahore and other cities."

"Nigeria

Eight people were killed and several
others abducted when armed bandits

attacked a food trailer at Matashayi Zaki
community along the Dansadau/Gusau road.

The attack occurred around
6:00 pm after military escorts

had left the trailer behind.

Despite a military station established in
Dansadau town by the Federal Government

to reduce bandit activity, attacks
continue on this dangerous road."

"Pakistan

A bomb explosion in Pakistan's
Balochistan province injured 10

people, including a security officer.

The blast appears to have been
caused by a remotely detonated IED

containing 2-3 kg of explosives.

The explosion occurred near a Frontier
Corps convoy in Quetta, damaging five

shops and a paramilitary vehicle."

"Syria

ISIS gunmen on a motorbike fired at an SDF
post on Al-Marashedah bridge in Al-Susah

town, causing only material damage.

In addition, ISIS gunmen attacked
SDF headquarters on the road

between Al-Namliyah and Al-Suwar
in northern Deir Ezzor, with no

reported casualties in either attack."

"Ukraine

An FSB officer was injured when his
vehicle was blown up in Russian-occupied

Mariupol around 1:00 AM on February 28.

According to the Mariupol City
Council (via Telegram), the attack

was carried out by the local
Ukrainian resistance movement.

The officer is currently
in intensive care.

Following the attack, Russian FSB
forces intensified security measures

and began extensive search operations."

"United States

A Minnesota man, Abdisatar
Ahmed Hassan, has been arrested

for attempting to join ISIS.

The FBI began investigating him after
he tried to buy tickets to Somalia twice

in December 2024, claiming to visit
family despite having no relatives there.

Authorities found social media posts
where Hassan praised ISIS, including the

New Orleans New Year's Day attack, and
displayed an ISIS flag in his vehicle.

He was arrested Thursday and charged
with attempting to provide material

support to a designated foreign
terrorist organization, with a detention

hearing scheduled for March 5th."

"West Bank

Palestinian media reports that
Israeli settlers set fire to a

Palestinian-owned vehicle near the
village of Silwad, north of Ramallah.

No injuries have been
reported in the attack."

"Israel

Protesters gathered in multiple
Israeli cities on Saturday, including

Ness Ziona, Haifa, Hadera, and Tel
Aviv's Habima Square, to demonstrate

in support of completing a deal."

"Kenya

Refugees in Kakuma protested for
food aid, marching with cooking

pots and water bottles while
chanting ""Haki yetu"" (our rights).

Spokesperson Garang Bull said
they only want basic necessities

from Kenya's government.

Protesters opposed integration with
the Turkana community and stated

they'd rather return to their home
countries and face violence than starve.

One refugee emphasized they aren't
asking for education or healthcare

- just food to survive, saying: ""We
cannot accept to die of hunger.

We better go and die of bullets."""

"Romania

Far-right protesters gathered in
Bucharest to oppose the government after

Romania's Constitutional Court canceled
last year's presidential election.

Demonstrators supported Calin Georgescu,
who surprisingly won the first round

before the election was annulled.

The Alliance for the Unity of
Romanians organized the protest,

claiming votes were ""stolen.""

Prosecutors have launched a
criminal investigation against

Georgescu for allegedly supporting
fascist groups and making false

campaign finance declarations.

A recent no-confidence vote against Prime
Minister Ciolacu's government failed.

The election has been rescheduled
for May 4, though Georgescu's

participation remains uncertain."

"Serbia

Thousands protested in Nis, Serbia,
on Saturday in ongoing student-led

anti-corruption demonstrations sparked
by last year's fatal train station

collapse that killed 15 people.

The movement has forced several officials
to resign, including the prime minister.

Protesters observed 15 minutes of
silence, marking the tragedy's timing.

The demonstrations began after a
renovated station roof collapsed in

November, fueling public anger over
corruption in construction projects."

"Spain

Thousands protested in Valencia,
demanding regional leader Carlos Mazon's

resignation over his handling of October's
devastating floods that killed 232 people.

Four months after Spain's worst natural
disaster in decades, demonstrators

carried photos of deceased loved
ones and signs with slogans like

""Mazon resign"" and ""murderers.""

Criticism centers on the delayed
emergency response, with alerts sent

after flooding began and inadequate
aid for stranded residents."

"Syria

In Tel Abyad, residents attacked
a military police prison demanding

the release of a prisoner
accused of killing Turkish-backed

fighters, leading to clashes.

This came after military police
conducted home raids allegedly

searching for suspects and weapons,
harassing women, confiscating phones

to check for SDF communications, and
arresting three men whose whereabouts

remain unknown in Ras Al-Ain."

"Syria

A child was injured by an exploding
remnant landmine in Maarrat Harmah town,

located in the southern Idlib countryside.

The injured child was transported to
a hospital for medical treatment."

"United States

A small aircraft crashed Saturday
morning near the west side of New Smyrna

Beach Municipal Airport in Florida.

According to the New Smyrna Beach
Fire Department's social media

post around noon, no injuries
were reported in the incident.

The fire department shared an
image showing the plane overturned

beside a roadway and advised
drivers to avoid the area.

No additional details about the crash
were available at the time of the report."

"Vietnam

A cargo train collided with a stalled
truck at a railway crossing in Vietnam's

The truck driver escaped before
impact, but the collision caused

three train carriages to derail,
damaged several meters of track,

and completely halted traffic on
the vital North-South railway line.

The truck was severely damaged, while the
train driver sustained minor injuries.

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