Houthis redesignated as FTOs, and the US reaffirms its commitment to the Philippines
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for January 24, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
We collected 46 events on Thursday,
including some more moves by
the Trump administration in the
Middle East and the Indo-Pacific.
Terrorism...
"India
On Thursday, security forces in
Chhattisgarhâs Bijapur district
successfully recovered and neutralized
a 50 kg improvised explosive device
(IED) planted by Naxalites/Maoists
under a culvert near the Timapur Durga
temple on Basaguda-Awapalli Road."
"Nigeria
Nigerian troops captured a high-ranking
member of Boko Haram, identified as Abu
Iklima, during a battle that resulted in
the killing of several other fighters.
The operation took place in the Konduga
Local Government Area of Borno State."
"Nigeria
On Wednesday, a gun battle between
security operatives and kidnappers in Kogi
State led to the rescue of three pastors
and 13 other kidnapped individuals.
The incident took place in the Ofu Local
Government Area (LGA) after the victims
were abducted on Monday, January 20, 2025,
while returning from a crusade event.
During the gun battle, the
kidnappers managed to flee the
area with gunshot injuries."
"Nigeria
At least 20 fishermen have been
killed in Nigeria's northeastern
state of Borno after Boko Haram
insurgents attacked their village.
The attack took place in the fishing
community of Gadan Gari, where the
insurgents opened fire on the fishermen.
The military and Borno state officials
have not yet commented on the attacks."
"Pakistan
On Wednesday, two unidentified
motorcyclists hurled a hand
grenade at a police checkpost
in Peshawar and fled the scene.
As a result, two policemen were
injured and rushed to the hospital.
A manhunt for the attackers was
launched, and the police have
increased security in the area."
"Philippines
On Wednesday, an ambush in Barangay
Lower Cabengbeng, Sumisip, Basilan
province, resulted in the deaths of two
soldiers and the wounding of 12 others.
Troops killed two rebels and wounded
an unspecified number of others.
The clash occurred during a security
operation conducted by the 32nd Infantry
Battalion in support of a United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) initiative.
The soldiers engaged with lawless
elements backed by members of the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)."
"South Sudan
On Wednesday, clashes between members
of the Joth and Monytiek communities
in Rumbek Center County, Lakes State,
resulted in at least five fatalities and
three injuries, according to officials.
The violence stemmed from a
dispute over a young woman."
"Thailand
On Thursday morning, a bomb explosion in
the pavilion of a monastery in Ra-ngae
district, Narathiwat province, injured
five paramilitary rangers, with four
of them sustaining serious injuries.
The rangers had been resting in the
pavilion of the Chulabhorn Pattana
5 monastery when the improvised
explosive device, planted within
the structure, was detonated."
"Yemen
Yemen's pro-government forces
successfully defended against an
attack by al-Qaeda militants in
the southern province of Abyan.
The intense clashes resulted
in casualties for the terrorist
group, forcing them to retreat.
Six soldiers from the
pro-government forces were injured."
Military Conflict
"Gaza Strip
Over the past day, the IDF
reports that troops in Gaza
opened fire on several threats.
Suspects approaching troops were fired
upon, armed operatives in southern Gaza
were engaged, and an armed Palestinian
in Rafah was shot as he posed a threat."
"Gaza Strip
The Hamas-run civil defense agency in
Gaza reported that an Israeli tank killed
two Palestinians during the ceasefire.
The IDF has not provided
any immediate comment."
"Myanmar
Last Friday, January 21, junta forces
conducted air and naval attacks on
the village of Baw Mi, destroying
houses and injuring civilians.
Despite the attacks, Arakan Army (AA)
insurgents still control the village."
"Myanmar
On Monday, a junta airstrike on the
village of Ton Long, Tigyaing Township,
killed one child and injured another."
"Myanmar
On Tuesday, junta forces conducted
two airstrikes on the village
of Nankateik, Khampat Town, in
Tamu Township, Sagaing Region.
The attacks followed three airstrikes
on Monday on the same village.
Damage and casualties were unknown."
"Myanmar
On Wednesday, a junta airstrike
targeting the fire department office
in Kyeikdon Town, Ward 5, killed
a woman living in a nearby house.
The woman was killed by shrapnel after
the bomb hit the fire department office."
"Myanmar
On Wednesday, a Karenni insurgent
was killed, and another was wounded
during a clash with junta forces in
the Village of Mobye, Pekhon Township.
Furthermore, junta forces conducted
an airstrike on a village about
three miles west of Mobye."
"Myanmar
The Arakan Army (AA) has captured two
junta camps in the Arakan mountains,
Kyet Yae San and Pain Yae San.
The junta deployed over 300 soldiers
but could not prevent the AA fighters.
The fighting is still ongoing near
Kan Myint Kan camp, with airstrikes
and artillery shells being used.
The AA seized a large volume of arms
and ammunition, detained soldiers, and
recovered bodies during the fighting."
"Nigeria
On Tuesday, Nigerian forces conducted
airstrikes on terrorist hideous in
the Alawa Forest area of Shiroro Local
Government Area (LGA), killing scores
of rebels and destroying their hideouts.
The terrorists had links to
widespread terrorist attacks,
including IED attacks in Bassa,
Shiroro LGA on Sunday that resulted
in the death of several civilians."
"Sudan
As fighting between M23 rebels
and the Congolese army neared the
provincial capital of Goma in the
eastern Democratic Republic of
Congo, civilians on Wednesday began
evacuating the Nzulo camp for displaced
people located outside the city."
"Sudan
On Wednesday, Sudanese forces conducted
a series of airstrikes on Rapid
Support Forces (RSF) in the eastern
and southeastern parts of El Fasher.
The airstrikes took place after the
end of a 48-hour ultimatum by the RSF
for Sudanese forces to surrender their
weapons and withdraw from the city.
The RSF continued to launch artillery
strikes against Sudanese troops and
its allies in the western, northern,
and southern parts of El Fasher.
The artillery attacks destroyed a
mosque in the Al-Thawra neighborhood.
They damaged dozens of homes in one
district and locations near the airport
and the University of El Fasher."
"Sudan
The Sudanese army is battling with the
Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to control the
al-Jaili oil Petroleum Refinery located
about 70 kilometers north of Khartoum.
The refinery has been a strategic
target since the beginning of the
conflict in April 2023, with the
RSF controlling it despite attempts
by the army to dislodge them."
"Syria
Fierce clashes occurred between the Syrian
Democratic Forces (SDF) and factions of
the Turkish-backed National Army near the
Teshreen Dam in the Manbij countryside.
One Turkish-backed militiaman was
killed, and four militiamen and
two SDF fighters were injured.
The SDF also launched military battles
in several villages, resulting in
the deaths of five Turkish-backed
militiamen and injuries to others.
The conflict involved an
escalating exchange of artillery
fire and drone attacks."
"Syria
Turkish drones conducted an airstrike
on an SDF military checkpoint in
Laqta, but no casualties were reported.
Armed clashes between SDF and the National
Army factions, supported by Turkish
drones and fighter jets, are ongoing.
Earlier, a Turkish drone
attacked civilians at Teshrin
Dam, resulting in injuries."
"Syria
Turkish fighter jets attacked the
vicinity of Tishreen dam in Manbij
countryside in eastern Aleppo.
Explosions were heard, and smoke was
seen, but no casualties were reported.
Turkish forces also fired artillery
shells at villages in Ain Al-Arab,
but no casualties were reported.
Additionally, seven civilians,
including two children, were injured
in a rocket attack on Jarablus city.
They were taken to the
hospital for treatment."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked 35 Chinese military
aircraft and six naval vessels
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Wednesday and 6 a.m.
on Thursday.
27 aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line in the countryâs
northern, southwestern, and eastern
Air Defense Identification Zone."
"Ukraine
A 27-year-old civilian was injured
in a drone attack in Kherson.
The man was diagnosed with an explosive
injury and shrapnel wounds to his leg.
The attack was carried out by a
Russian UAV in the Dnipro district.
Another woman was also
wounded in a separate attack
in the Korabelny district."
"Ukraine
A Russian Shahed UAV damaged a power
line near the village of Lytvynove in
the Zolochiv community of Kharkiv region.
Casualty figures were not
reported in the attack."
"Ukraine
A Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia
on January 23 resulted in
45 injuries and one death.
The Russians initially
attacked with drones and later
launched four missile strikes."
"Ukraine
In the Donetsk region, one person was
killed, and two others were wounded
due to shelling and air strikes.
Kostiantynivka and Pokrovsk were
targeted, causing significant damage
to buildings and infrastructure.
A Russian drone also damaged a house
and power line in Vyroliubivka.
Earlier, a guided bomb injured
two people in Kramatorsk."
"Ukraine
In the Kyiv region, several private
houses, a car, a power line, and a cafe
building were damaged due to the fall
of wreckage from downed Russian drones.
The Russian targets were destroyed,
and there were no civilian casualties
or damage to critical infrastructure."
"Ukraine
Russian forces are targeting the
refractory plant in Chasiv Yar,
Donetsk region, with mortar strikes.
The Russians attempted to
destroy positions on the plant's
premises using drone systems.
One building was hit, leading to
a reduction in Russian activity.
Ukrainian Defense Forces have
reclaimed positions at the site."
"Ukraine
Russian forces targeted the private
sector in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region,
with a guided FAB-250 aerial bomb
equipped with a control module.
The bomb landed near a roadway, completely
destroying three houses and causing
significant damage to two others.
Sixteen additional houses suffered
damage to their roofs and windows.
Infrastructure, including power line
poles, street lighting, internet
communications, an overhead gas pipeline,
and one vehicle, was also damaged.
Two people were wounded in the attack."
"Ukraine
Russian troops carried out nine strikes
on the border communities of the Sumy
region, resulting in 14 explosions.
The Khotyn, Bilopilia, Seredyno-Buda, and
Znob-Novgorod communities were targeted.
The Russians dropped six mines in
Bilopilia and launched guided aerial
bombs in Khotyn (4 explosions),
Seredyno-Buda (2 explosions), and
Znob-Novgorod (2 explosions)."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,340 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 220 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"West Bank
Israeli troops have conducted a major raid
in the Jenin area, killing 13 Palestinian
gunmen affiliated with terror groups.
The operation, called Iron Wall, aims
to neutralize the Jenin Battalion.
Special forces units, Border Police
officers, and other IDF units are involved
in scanning homes, capturing weapons,
and eliminating terror operatives."
Political Conflict
"Lebanon
Israel has requested an additional 30 days
from the US to complete the withdrawal
of its troops from southern Lebanon.
The IDF is required to cede its positions
to the Lebanese Armed Forces by January
26, but Israel believes the Lebanese
forces have been deploying too slowly.
The US and France are discussing the
extension, and France is likely to agree
as long as all parties are on board."
"Philippines
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
reaffirmed the United States'
commitment to the defense of the
Philippines during a call with his
Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo.
Rubio expressed concerns about
China's actions in the South China
Sea, stating that they undermine
regional peace and stability and are
inconsistent with international law."
"South Korea
South Korea's anti-corruption officials
have requested that prosecutors indict
impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol for
insurrection and abuse of power over
his short-lived martial law declaration.
Yoon, the first sitting president
to be arrested in South Korea's
history, is accused of being the
ringleader of an insurrection."
"Yemen
President Donald J.
Trump issued an Executive Order to
re-designate the Yemen Houthi rebel
group, also known as Ansar Allah, as a
Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO)."
Civil Unrest
"Greece
Farmers in Greece are protesting
against rising production costs
and inadequate infrastructure.
Tensions have arisen between farmers and
the police near Karditsa, with plans to
close the E-65 highway in the future.
The Panhellenic Committee of Farmers at
Blockades has issued a statement demanding
government action on production costs,
natural disaster protection, and changes
in agricultural insurance regulations."
"South Sudan
Sporadic gunfire broke out at the Giada
military barrack in Juba after 600
suspects escaped from the facility.
The detainees were involved in violent
protests following the killing of
South Sudanese nationals in Sudan.
Authorities are conducting a
manhunt to recapture the escapees.
The military police fired warning
shots and pursued the detainees,
recapturing 410 of them."
"West Bank
The Palestinian Authority arrested
Al Jazeera correspondent Mohamad
Alatrash in Jenin for covering the
IDF counterterrorism operation.
The arrest follows the temporary
suspension of Al Jazeera broadcasts in
the West Bank due to critical coverage
of Ramallah's crackdown on terror groups.
The PA accused the outlet of broadcasting
inciting content and interfering
in Palestinian internal affairs."
Weapons
"India
On Wednesday, a joint team of 203 Cobra
Battalion and 131 Battalion CRPF recovered
a significant amount of explosive material
and weapon manufacturing equipment in
the forest area between Metagudem and
Duler villages in Bijapur district.
The recovered arsenal included 21
improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
packed in soap cases, multiple barrel
grenade launcher (BGL) bombs, a generator
set, lathe machine accessories, a
large quantity of explosive-making
material, gun manufacturing equipment,
and essential medical supplies.
Each recovered IED
weighed around 250 grams."
"Lebanon
IDF soldiers in southern Lebanon
continue to discover weapons
and Hezbollah infrastructure.
The 7th Armored Brigade found
anti-tank missiles, grenades,
and assault rifles during scans.
In a joint operation with the Yahalom
combat engineering unit, troops
uncovered tunnels used as weapon depots.
The weapons were seized, and the
infrastructure was destroyed."
Accidents
"Democratic Republic of Congo
An Antonov An-26 operated by
Air Kasai had a runway overrun
incident at Kongolo Airfield in
the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The aircraft deviated from the
normal landing path, causing
damage to engine #2 and a fire.
However, there were no casualties,
and the cargo remained intact.
The cause of the incident is
still under investigation.
Air Kasai has not released
an official statement yet."
"Syria
Three civilians were killed and two
others injured by an old landmine while
searching for truffles in the Kabajeb
area in southern Deir Ezzor city.
In a separate incident, three
civilians were killed by a landmine
explosion in a car in Al-Sahl
town in Al-Qalamoun countryside."
"Thanks for joining us for the January
24, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
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