Hostages and prisoners released, while the Rafah Crossing reopens in Gaza
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for February 2, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
We collected and mapped 51 events
on Saturday, including more
releases of hostages and prisoners.
Terrorism
"Gaza Strip
Hamas militants released three
male hostages held for over
a year in the Gaza Strip.
In exchange, Israel released
183 Palestinian prisoners.
The hostage release was orderly,
unlike a previous chaotic incident.
Thousands of people gathered in
Tel Aviv to watch the releases.
After the release, a bus departed
with 32 prisoners bound for the West
Bank, greeted by cheering crowds.
The Israeli Prison Authority confirmed
the release of all 183 Palestinian
prisoners, with most going to Gaza
and a few returning to the West Bank.
Seven prisoners with life sentences were
transferred to Egypt for deportation."
"India
Between Friday night and Saturday morning,
Indian forces thwarted a Lashkar-e-Taiba
(LeT) affiliated terrorist infiltration
along the Line of Control (LoC) in
the Khari Karmara area of Poonch.
During an ensuing clash, troops
killed two of the terrorists.
Troops recovered three AK assault
rifles and a large quantity of
ammunition from the slain terrorists."
"India
On Saturday, police recovered and
safely destroyed a nine-kg Maoist IED
during a search operation in a forest
area of Dudhia, Palamu district.
Police also found a locally made
firearm hidden in nearby bushes.
Police launched the search operation
following a tip-off about three top
Maoist rebels roaming in the area."
"Nigeria
On Wednesday, the Ogun State Police
Command killed five suspected
kidnappers in a gun battle and
rescued three abducted victims.
The incident occurred along the
Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway, where the
kidnappers had set up a roadblock and
abducted the victims from two vehicles.
Several other kidnappers
managed to escape the area.
Police recovered one AK-47
rifle, ten rounds of 5.6mm
caliber ammunition, N5.2
million suspected to be proceeds of crime,
and three mobile phones from the scene."
"Nigeria
Late Friday night, suspected terrorists
attacked the village of Lighitlubang
in the Mangu Local Government Area of
Plateau State, killing a family of five."
"Pakistan
Police thwarted an attack by 15-20
terrorists on the Jhangi checkpost in
the Vahowa area of Dera Ghazi Khan.
The terrorists attacked the checkpost
with rockets, hand grenades, and advanced
weaponry but were forced to flee the
area after the police retaliated.
Police launched a search
operation for the assailants."
"Pakistan
On Friday, a terrorist attack in pakistans
southwest Balochistan province resulted
in the deaths of 18 paramilitary soldiers,
with three others seriously wounded.
The attack occurred when 70-80 gunmen
blocked a road near the town of
Mangochar and ambushed a vehicle carrying
unarmed Frontier Corps paramilitaries.
Security Forces and Law Enforcement
Agencies were immediately mobilized,
killing 12 of the terrorists.
No group has claimed
responsibility for the attack."
"Philippines
Saturday morning, unknown gunmen ambushed
and killed a man, his son, and his
nephew as they were riding a motorcycle
together in Barangay General Luna, Carmen.
The gunmen managed to escape the area."
"South Sudan
At least 12 people were killed
and 11 others injured in an attack
by armed cattle raiders on three
camps belonging to the Dinka Bor
herders in Nyolo Boma, Magwi County.
The herders were relocating their cattle
following an order from local authorities.
The attackers are believed to
be armed groups from the Acholi
community, possibly with involvement
from other criminal groups."
"Syria
A member of the Military Operations
Administration was killed, two others
were injured, and a fourth one went
missing in an ambush on the Latakia-Aleppo
highway near Al-Mukhtariyah village.
The attackers are believed to be
affiliated with the former regime."
"Syria
Unknown gunmen on a motorcycle
attacked civilians near a
bakery in Jaramana, Rif Dimashq.
Two civilians were injured, and the
perpetrators have not been identified."
"Syria
On Friday, militants abducted and
later executed 15 civilians after they
attacked the Shia-populated village of
Arza in syrias central Hama province.
The gunmen fled the area
after the executions."
"Syria
The Syrian Resistance, an organization
linked to the former Syrian
regime, has claimed responsibility
for firing at Israeli Defense
Forces troops in the buffer zone.
They have announced their operations
against Israel and terrorist groups.
The IDF responded to the shooting,
but there were no Israeli casualties.
This is the first incident since Israeli
forces were deployed to the buffer zone
after the fall of the Assad regime."
"Ukraine
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has
dismantled a pro-Kremlin subversive group
called the ""Workers' Front of Ukraine""
that was operating under Russian orders.
The group disguised their activities
as promoting neo-communist
ideology and encouraged opposition
to the Ukrainian government.
They spread pro-Russian narratives through
social media and propaganda leaflets
and set up underground printing shops.
Five key organizers were arrested,
and evidence was seized during
raids in multiple regions.
The suspects have been charged,
and some are under house arrest."
"Ukraine
Counterintelligence officers have
apprehended a 22-year-old Russian
agent who was planning to detonate an
explosive device near a unit of the
Security Service of Ukraine (SSU).
The attack was intended to cause
civilian casualties in the city center.
The suspect was recruited
by Russian forces and had
set up surveillance in Kyiv.
The SSU officers arrested her as she
picked up the bag with explosives.
The suspect has been charged with high
treason, preparation for a terrorist
act, and illegal handling of weapons.
She faces life imprisonment."
"Venezuela
On Friday, six American citizens who
had been detained in Venezuela were
freed after a meeting between President
Nicolás Maduro and a senior Trump
administration official, Richard Grenell.
The details of the agreement remain
unclear, but it is reported that
Venezuela agreed to accept the
release of the American hostages and
also agreed to take in Venezuelan
migrants from the US in exchange
for certain concessions from the US.
However, the White House emphasized
that this visit did not mean
that the US recognized Maduro as
venezuelas legitimate leader."
Military Conflict
"Ethiopia
More than eight people were killed and
several others injured in a drone attack
near the Ethiopia-Djibouti border.
The Djiboutian government allegedly
attacked under the pretext of
attacking an armed group called FRUD.
The Djiboutian League for Human Rights
claimed that 14 people died in the
attack and condemned it as a war crime.
Tensions between the Djiboutian
government and FRUD have been
escalating in recent years."
"India
Indian commandos killed eight Maoist
rebels in central indias dense jungles.
The rebels have been fighting for the
rights of marginalized Indigenous people.
The gunfight took place in Bijapur
district, the heartland of the insurgency.
Weapons recovered included a
grenade launcher and rifles."
"Iraq
On Saturday, Iraqi security forces
launched a comprehensive operation in
southern Saladin province to recover
the bodies of ISIS militants killed
during recent Iraqi airstrikes.
According to a security source,
a joint force initiated a mission
in the Al-Zarka region of Tuz
Khurmatu District, approximately
55 km south of Kirkuk, following
targeted strikes on ISIS hideouts.
The Military Intelligence Directorate
had tracked four ISIS militants to a
hideout within Al-Zarka before Iraqi
F-16 jets targeted and eliminated them."
"Myanmar
On Thursday, insurgents killed at least
22 junta soldiers and captured eight
others during an ambush on a column
of approximately 50 Light Infantry
Division 99 forces in Natogyi Township.
Insurgents also seized a large quantity
of arms and ammunition despite junta
air support for its ground forces."
"Myanmar
On Friday, the Karen National Union
(KNU) claimed that two junta drone
strikes during the 76th Karen Revolution
Day event at Brigade 7 camp in the
Hpa-An District of Karen State killed
one person and injured another."
"Myanmar
On Thursday, local insurgents reported
junta forces conducted artillery attacks
on several villages near the juntas No
22 Weapons Factory in Seikphyu Township.
Junta shelling had been going on almost
daily since Sunday, forcing at least
1,000 residents to flee the area."
"Myanmar
The military junta plans to relocate
the Defense Services Academy (DSA) and
Defense Services Technological Academy
(DSTA) from Mandalay regions Pyin Oo
Lwin as the fighting from the neighboring
Shan State advances in the area.
The academies will be moved to the
Agricultural University campus in
naypyitaws Zeyathiri Township."
"Myanmar
According to residents, more than
1,000 civilians have fled Sittwe, the
capital of Rakhine state in western
Myanmar, as well as nearby areas
due to regime artillery attacks and
clashes between junta forces and Arakan
Army (AA) insurgents in the area.
14 of the townships in Rakhine state
are now under the control of the Arakan
Army, leaving only three townships
- Sittwe, the military councils regional
headquarters, as well as Kyaukphyu and
Munaung in the hands of the junta forces."
"Somalia
The U.S.
military conducted airstrikes against
Islamic State operatives in Somalia,
the first attacks in the country
during President trumps second term.
The strikes were directed by Trump and
coordinated with somalias government.
The Pentagon assessed that
multiple operatives were killed,
and no civilians were harmed.
Trump stated that a senior IS planner and
recruits were targeted in the operation."
"Sudan
At least 54 people were killed
and 158 wounded in a Rapid Support
Forces (RSF) paramilitary strike
at a market in greater Khartoum.
The attack on the Sabrein Market caused
widespread destruction and violated
international humanitarian law."
"Syria
Four members of the SDF were injured
in an airstrike by an anonymous
drone on the military headquarters
in Al-Ghasaniya Village, eastern
Al-Karama, in Al-Raqqa countryside.
The injured individuals were taken
to a hospital for treatment."
"Syria
Turkish fighter jets conducted airstrikes
on several locations in the Ain Al-Arab
(Kobane) countryside, including Sarin
Town, the vicinity of Teshrin Dam,
Qarqozak, and a school in Khoros Village.
Fortunately, no casualties were reported."
"Syria
Violent clashes broke out between the
SDF and members of the National Army
Factions in the Al-Raqqa countryside.
The clashes occurred after an
infiltration attempt by the
latter on the Turwaziya frontline.
One member was killed, another was
injured, and the rest withdrew."
"Syria
A Turkish drone attacked civilian
watchmen at Teshreen dam in
Manbij countryside, killing one
person and injuring three others.
The injured individuals were
transported to the hospital."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked one Chinese
military aircraft and six
vessels around it between 6 a.m.
Friday and Saturday.
No aircraft crossed the median line
of the Taiwan Strait and entered the
countrys Air Defense Identification Zone."
"Ukraine
Three patrol police officers were
killed in a Russian airstrike on the
Yunakivka community in the Sumy region.
The officers were protecting civilians
and maintaining order in border areas
facing daily shelling by Russian forces.
Russian troops attacked the Sumy
region five times overnight,
with 12 explosions recorded."
"Ukraine
A Russian missile attack on January
31 caused significant damage to
historical buildings in odesas
UNESCO-listed Historic Center.
The Bristol Hotel sustained severe
destruction, and about 15 cultural
heritage sites were affected.
Notable landmarks such as the Odesa
Philharmonic, Vuchini House, Museum of
Western and Eastern Art, and a branch
of the Literary Museum were damaged.
Stained-glass windows and wooden
structures in the Union of Architects
of Ukraine and the Porto-Franco
Bank buildings were also impacted.
The Philharmonic building, under UNESCO
protection since 2023, suffered damage to
its main entrance woodwork, stained-glass
windows, and interior decor."
"Ukraine
An explosion at the Rivne Territorial
Recruitment and Social Support
Center in Ukraine has resulted
in one death and six injuries.
Law enforcement officers and emergency
responders are currently at the scene.
An investigative team, employees
of the State Security Service
(SBU), and emergency services are
conducting operations at the site."
"Ukraine
The number of people injured
in the Russian missile attack
on Odesa has increased to 7,
all with moderate injuries.
The victims are receiving
necessary assistance.
Emergency services are
still working at the scene.
The attack targeted the historic center
of Odesa, damaging buildings in the
UNESCO protection zone and hitting a
hotel with three ballistic missiles."
"Ukraine
A morning attack in the Kholodnohirskyi
district of Kharkiv resulted in one
woman dead and five others injured.
A Shahed-type UAV carried out the strike.
Overnight missile strikes also
targeted the villages of Kopanky and
Hlazunivka in the Izium district,
with no reported casualties."
"Ukraine
The number of fatalities from russias
missile strike on a residential building
in Poltava has increased to four.
Twenty-two people have been rescued,
while 13 people, including three
children, have been injured.
Rescue operations are still ongoing, with
all city emergency services involved.
Over 400 municipal workers and
emergency personnel were deployed
to clear the debris and mitigate
the consequences of the strike."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,430 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Around 280 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
During the day, the Russian military fired
40 times at the border communities of Sumy
region, with over 100 explosions recorded.
The attacks included artillery fire,
drone strikes, and mortar attacks,
causing damage to houses and cars.
Three people were injured in the attacks."
"Ukraine
Russian shelling in Pokrovsk resulted in
one civilian death and another injury.
The head of the Donetsk Regional
Military Administration, Vadym Filashkin,
reported the incident on Facebook."
"West Bank
The IDF conducted a drone strike on armed
Palestinian terror operatives in the
Jenin area of the northern West Bank.
This strike is part of a larger
counterterrorism operation.
No additional information
is currently available."
Political Conflict
"Gaza Strip
The Rafah border crossing, the main
entry and exit point for the Gaza
Strip, reopened for the first time
since May 2024 to allow Palestinian
patients to cross over from Gaza
to Egypt for medical treatment.
Fifty sick and wounded children and
61 companions were the first to cross.
Additionally, 50 wounded Hamas
operatives are expected to cross as
part of a hostage-ceasefire deal."
"Norway
Norway released a cargo ship with an
all-Russian crew that was seized at
the request of Latvian authorities
due to suspected involvement in
damaging a Baltic Sea telecoms cable.
After an investigation, the ship,
Silver Dania, was found to have
no connection to the incident."
"West Bank
The Israel Prison Service has
released 183 Palestinian prisoners.
Some were transferred from Ofer prison
to the West Bank, while others were sent
from Ketziot prison to the Gaza Strip."
Civil Unrest
"Serbia
Hundreds of students in Serbia have
completed a two-day march from the
capital, Belgrade, to Novi Sad to
protest against corruption, which
they blame for the recent collapse
of a concrete canopy that killed 15
people on November 1 in Novi Sad.
Fellow students and thousands of
residents welcomed the protesters
upon their arrival in the town.
On Saturday, students plan to
block three Danube River bridges
in Novi Sad over the death of those
killed in the canopy collapse."
"Turkey
On Saturday, the DEM Party, DBP, and
TJA held a demonstration in Siirt,
demanding the government reverse the
decision to remove elected co-mayors.
DEM Party MP Newroz Uysal Aslan
highlighted the Kurdish peoples resistance
and desire for an honorable peace."
"United Kindom
Thousands of protesters have gathered
in central London for a march in support
of Tommy Robinson, while a separate
counter-demonstration organized by
Stand Up To Racism is also taking place.
The pro-Robinson protest, called
""Stop the Isolation"" or ""Unite the
Kingdom,"" started at Waterloo station
and marched towards Westminster,
ending at Parliament Square.
The counter-protest began at St jamess
Street and will go through Piccadilly
Circus and Haymarket before rallying at
the Trafalgar Square end of Whitehall."
Accidents
"Mali
Thirteen artisanal miners, including women
and three children, died in Mali after a
tunnel they were digging for gold flooded.
The incident occurred at an open-pit
gold mine near the village of Danga.
The sluice gates of a water reservoir
broke, causing the tunnel to flood.
Artisanal mining is common in West
Africa and can be dangerous due
to unregulated digging methods."
"Pakistan
On Friday, three coaches of a Shalimar
Express train derailed near Shahdara,
injuring several passengers."
"Syria
A young man died from wounds
sustained in a landmine explosion
in Al-Qoriya, Deir Ezzor.
Another young man died, and a
woman was injured while collecting
truffles in western Deir Ezzor.
In eastern Hama, a young man
died, and two others were
injured in a landmine explosion.
In SDF-held areas, two people were
killed in a car explosion in Abo
Kubra Village, Al-Raqqa City."
"United States
A West Virginia coal miner named Steven
Fields died in a mining accident at
the Progress Surface Mine in Twilight.
The cause of the accident is currently
unknown, and an investigation will be
conducted by the West Virginia Office
of Minersâ Health, Safety and Training."
"Thanks for joining us for the February
2, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
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