Israel works to finalize a deal and Boko Haram continues attacks in Nigeria
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for January 17, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Thursday was a busy day, as
we monitored the outcomes from
the Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal.
We collected 61 events and have
a lot to cover, so let's go.
Terrorism,
"Afghanistan
Wednesday evening, an explosion
in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif
resulted in the deaths of two
people and wounding eight others.
No group has claimed
responsibility for the attack."
"India
On Wednesday, a Central Reserve Police
Force (CRPF) canine accompanying
troops during an anti-Naxal patrol
in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district was
seriously injured in an Improvised
Explosive Device (IED) blast.
Endro, a 3-year-old male Belgian Shepherd
tracker dog, suffered a fracture in
his right leg from the explosion,
which occurred around 1:30 pm near
Chhinagelur village in the district.
CRPF officials reported that the
dog saved the lives of troops from
the 'Alpha' company of the 229th
battalion during a patrol as part of an
anti-Naxal/Maoist operation in the area."
"India
On Thursday, a Maoist pressure IED
blast in the Basaguda area of the
Bijapur district wounded two Central
Reserve Police Force (CRPF) commandos."
"Iran
On Thursday, the Islamic Revolutionary
Guard Corp (IRGC) forces arrested
15 terrorists during an operation
in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.
The IRGC stated the terrorists
were planning to carry out
sabotage attacks in the region.
Troops recovered weapons and
ammunition from the militants."
"Israel
One projectile struck an open
area in the Gaza border community
of Nir Am after sirens sounded.
The IDF says further details
are under investigation."
"Nigeria
On Tuesday, Boko Haram terrorists
ambushed and killed nine soldiers and
injured another near the town of Baga.
Five other soldiers went
missing after the attack."
"Nigeria
Five Nigerian soldiers are missing, and
nine have been killed following an ambush
by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The attack occurred when the
soldiers were on patrol in the
region, which has been plagued by
violence from the militant group."
"Nigeria
On Tuesday, Boko Haram terrorists attacked
Nigerian troops and at least 50 villagers
near Lake Chad in Baga, Nigeria, leading
to the disappearance of an unspecified
number of troops and civilians.
According to an army source, the
soldiers and civilians were targeted
while attempting to recover the
bodies of 40 civilians killed in a
previous assault by the insurgents.
The ensuing exchange of gunfire
resulted in the death of
several soldiers and civilians."
"Nigeria
Early Tuesday morning, 10 gunmen attacked
the Odo-Eku community in the Isin
Local Government Area (LGA), abducting
five people, including a woman, her
daughter, a visitor, and two men.
A search for the assailants
and hostages was underway."
"Nigeria
Nigerian forces killed 20
terrorists during a clash
in Sarma Ruga, Sokoto State.
Several other militants fled the area,
after which troops destroyed abandoned
weapons, hideouts, and supplies.
Troops also raided terrorist enclaves in
Tsauna, Bauni, and Sarma forest areas."
"Nigeria
On Wednesday, suspected Boko Haram
terrorists attacked the Kankara General
Hospital in the Kankara Government
Area of Katsina State, killing a
doctor and wounding another person.
The gunmen also abducted five other
people before fleeing the scene."
"Pakistan
On Thursday, unknown assailants threw
a grenade at an under-construction
site in the Lari area of Karachi,
wounding one construction worker.
An investigation of the
attack was underway."
"Pakistan
On Wednesday, a mortar shell
struck a house in the Salarzai
subdivision of Malased Banda, Bajaur
district, injuring three children.
An investigation of the
attack was underway."
"Pakistan
A deadly gunfight erupted on
Wednesday between two rival groups
near the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC)
in Rawalpindi, resulting in the
death of a housing society owner and
leaving two others critically injured.
The clash occurred between members of the
Metro City Group (MC Group) and the Danial
Group just outside the court premises,
stemming from a longstanding dispute over
land ownership between the two housing
societies, according to police sources."
"Pakistan
Late night Wednesday, dozens of
terrorists attacked a police checkpoint
in Puran Tehsil, in the Shangla
district, injuring two police officers.
Police thwarted the attack and forced
the militants to flee the area."
"Pakistan
On Thursday, terrorists attacked an aid
convoy in the Kurram district, killing
one soldier and injuring four others.
Security forces returned fire
on the militants, killing six
terrorists and wounding 10 others.
Three vehicles in the convoy
were destroyed in the attack.
A search operation was underway for
other terrorists who fled the area."
"Papua New Guinea
On Tuesday, gunmen ambushed a police
vehicle near Tende, in Mendi, Southern
Highlands Province, killing a policeman.
Two other policemen were seriously
injured when their vehicle rolled over,
while another one escaped uninjured.
The attack occurred when two men opened
fire on the vehicle while attempting
to stop them at an illegal roadblock.
The police officers then shot at
the two suspects, injuring them.
Angry relatives of the two suspects
then retaliated and shot the
driver, killing him and causing
the police vehicle to roll over.
The relatives then attacked the two
officers in the back of the vehicle
with bush knives while the other
police officer escaped the area.
A search for the assailants was underway."
"Slovakia
Two women, aged 18 and 51, were
killed, and a third woman was injured
in a knife attack at a school in
Spisska Stara Ves in eastern Slovakia.
The suspect, an 18-year-old
student, was initially on the
run but was later apprehended.
The victims were fellow
students and a teacher.
The interior ministry assured the public
that there is no immediate danger."
"South Sudan
Tuesday morning, a grenade
explosion in the town of Yambio in
Western Equatoria State wounded a
pregnant woman and three children.
An investigation of the incident was
underway; however, there was a lack of
witnesses to explain how the grenade
ended up in the compound and exploded."
"South Sudan
On Thursday, unidentified gunmen ambushed
and wounded a South Sudan Peopleâs
Defense Forces (SSPDF) officer while he
was leaving Agok Market, Warrap State."
"South Sudan
On Wednesday, gunmen opened fire
on two Médecins Sans Frontières
(MSF) boats in Nasir County,
injuring one MSF staff member.
Five other personnel jumped into the river
and swam safely to a nearby village."
"Ukraine
The Security Service of Ukraine
(SBU) has arrested two Russian agents
who detonated explosives on railway
tracks during the movement of a
military cargo train in Rivne Oblast.
The suspects, who a Russian spy
agency recruited through Telegram
channels, planted explosives under
the rails and activated them remotely
as the military train approached.
The investigation found evidence
of their subversive activities
for Russia on their mobile phones.
The suspects have been charged
with sabotage and face maximum
sentences of life imprisonment
with property confiscation."
"West Bank
Israeli settlers broke into the
Palestinian town of Huwara in the
West Bank and attacked its residents.
Video footage shows the settlers fleeing
as residents throw stones at them.
The settlers attempted to
attack homes, resulting in a
Palestinian child being injured.
Huwara has experienced previous violence
from Israeli settlers, including
arson and a fatal shooting in 2023."
Military Conflict
"Gaza Strip
Seven individuals were reportedly killed
in airstrikes in Gaza overnight, just
hours before an Israeli cabinet meeting
to vote on a potential hostage deal.
The strikes are part of ongoing tensions
in the region, with the cabinet's decision
expected to address the complex situation
surrounding hostages held by Hamas."
"Gaza Strip
A Hamas terrorist involved in the Nova
music festival massacre was killed
in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip.
The strike was part of a series of
over 50 strikes targeting Hamas and
Palestinian Islamic Jihad members,
as well as their buildings, weapon
depots, rocket launchers, manufacturing
sites, and observation posts."
"Iraq
Turkish forces opened fire on a
drone belonging to the PKK (Kurdistan
Workers' Party) in Duhok, Iraq.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions
in the region as Turkey continues its
military operations against the PKK, which
it designates as a terrorist organization.
The drone was reportedly engaged
while conducting surveillance."
"Iraq
On Thursday, a Turkish security source
reported that Turkish forces shelled
PKK positions in several areas of the
al-Amadiya district, including the
villages of Mze, Spindari, and Kefna Mze,
located at the foothills of Mount Gara.
Casualty figures and damage
from the strikes were unknown."
"Myanmar
On Wednesday, junta airstrikes on an
internally displaced persons (IDP)
camp in the village of Daw Hup, Demoso
Township, killed three civilians."
"Myanmar
On Tuesday night, junta forces
conducted air and artillery strikes
near the villages of Padanyay
and Phayarni in Loikaw Township.
However, U Ba Nyar, the Deputy Secretary-2
of the Interim Executive Council (IEC)
of Karenni State, stated that details
of the attacks are not yet available.
Before the airstrikes, the Brave
Warriors for Myanmar (BWM) had
launched short-range rocket attacks
on two locations in Loikaw."
"Nigeria
Nigerian forces raided a newly established
terrorist camp near Mai Hills, where
abandoned terrorist logistics, including
essential supplies, were discovered."
"Russia
An oil depot in Voronezh caught
fire due to a drone attack.
The governor of Voronezh reported
that over 10 drones attacked
three districts, with the majority
of strikes on the oil depot.
The protective mesh surrounding
the tanks was breached.
Firefighters are currently
working to extinguish the fire.
No injuries or threats to the
population have been reported.
In addition, explosions were
reported in Kotovsk, Tambov, where
a gunpowder plant is located.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated
that a total of 27 drones were
intercepted and destroyed, with
seven being shot down in Voronezh."
"Syria
Turkish fighter jets conducted airstrikes
on two positions in the northern and
western countryside of Al-Raqqah.
They also fired artillery on a
village in the Ain Issa countryside.
No casualties have been reported."
"Syria
A civilian was killed, and ten others,
including children and women, were
injured in Turkish airstrikes near the
Teshreen Dam in the Manbij countryside.
The injured were taken to the hospital.
Turkish fighter jets also targeted
positions near the Ain Al-Arab
countryside in eastern Aleppo,
causing explosions and smoke."
"Syria
Turkish forces stationed in the
Peace Spring area launched artillery
attacks on several villages and the
vicinity of the fuel station, including
Al-Khadeawy, Dada, Abdal, Tel Hermal,
Al-Asadiya, and Al-Bobi Villages."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked 10 Chinese military
aircraft and six naval vessels
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Wednesday and 6 a.m.
on Thursday.
Six aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line in the countryâs
northern and southwestern Air
Defense Identification Zone."
"Ukraine
On January 15, Russian forces
killed three people and injured
ten others in the Kherson region.
Multiple locations were targeted by
artillery and airstrikes, resulting
in damage to buildings, homes,
a farming enterprise, a public
transport bus, and private vehicles."
"Ukraine
In the Donetsk region, 15
civilians were wounded due to
Russia's shelling on January 15.
The head of the Donetsk Regional
Military Administration, Vadym Filashkin,
shared this information on Facebook.
The post mentioned that ten
residents were injured in Kramatorsk,
two in Kostiantynopil, and one
each in Oleksiyevo-Druzhkivka,
Stinky, and Chernihivka."
"Ukraine
On January 15, a drone attack by Russia
targeted an agricultural enterprise
in the Pryluky district of the
Chernihiv region, causing significant
damage to buildings and machinery.
A grain storage facility containing over
2,000 tonnes of grain was also affected.
No injuries were reported."
"Ukraine
In Kyiv's Solomyansky district,
a car was damaged by debris
from a downed Russian drone.
In the Dniprovsky district,
a building was also damaged.
There were no casualties
in either district.
Air defense systems were deployed
in Kyiv during the incident."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,480 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Around 360 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
On January 16, Russian forces
launched drone attacks on
Kharkiv, resulting in injuries.
The mayor confirmed that drone debris
fell in the Slobidskyi district, injuring
three people and damaging four vehicles.
The attack was likely carried
out using a Molniya drone."
"Ukraine
Russian drone attacks on the
suburbs of Kherson resulted
in injuries to two civilians.
A 62-year-old man was wounded by
explosives in Kindiytsia around
09:40, while a 68-year-old woman
suffered injuries in the Dniprovsky
district at approximately 10:30.
Both victims were hospitalized
with moderate injuries."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces successfully shot
down 34 Russian drones, with an
additional 18 drones disappearing
from radar during recent operations.
No casualties were
reported from the debris."
"Ukraine
On January 16, Russian troops fired on
the village of Yantarne in the Kherson
region, injuring a 92-year-old resident.
The victim suffered explosive trauma and
concussion but is in stable condition."
"Ukraine
Russian military forces targeted
utility workers in Kherson using drones.
The attack occurred while the workers
restored electricity to the region.
Casualty figures and damage assessments
were not reported in the attacks."
Political Conflict
"Turkey
Syria's top diplomat stated that the
country will not allow its territory
to be used as a threat against Turkey.
The statement was made during a visit by
a Syrian delegation to Ankara, the first
since the start of the civil war in 2011.
The delegation discussed the presence
of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic
Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria,
which Turkey sees as a security threat
due to its links to the outlawed PKK.
Turkey has been threatening military
action against the SDF, prompting dipl"
Civil Unrest
"Germany
German authorities have arrested a
Moroccan man named Youssef El A.,
who is accused of spying on supporters
of a Moroccan protest group.
He was initially detained in Spain
before being transferred to a holding
facility at Frankfurt airport.
El A.
is suspected of working for the Moroccan
secret service since January 2022.
Another man, Mohamed A.,
who was involved in spying on
supporters of the same protest group,
received a suspended sentence and
a fine after being found guilty.
The protest group, known as Al-Hirak
al-Shaabi, emerged in 2016 as a
response to the death of a fishmonger
and subsequently sparked protests and
arrests in Morocco's Berber region."
"Israel
A demonstration against the Israel-Hamas
hostage deal has reached the Knesset.
Families of slain soldiers are protesting,
claiming the deal is a surrender.
Demonstrators carried coffins representing
the soldiers killed in the war.
They chanted slogans urging Prime
Minister Netanyahu to take action."
"Serbia
A student protester in Belgrade
was hit by a car during an
anti-government demonstration.
The 20-year-old woman suffered severe
trauma and has been taken to the hospital.
The driver, a 38-year-old man,
has been apprehended and is
suspected of attempted murder.
Other students have called for a ""total
blockade"" on social media in response.
The demonstration is part of a series of
protests against the Serbian government,
sparked by various issues, including
a crackdown on civil liberties and a
deadly collapse of a concrete awning."
Cyber
"United Kingdom
Personal data was stolen in a
cyberattack on Gateshead Council.
The council is unsure of the
number of affected residents.
They have advised people to watch out for
phishing emails or fraudulent activity
and to change passwords if necessary.
The council will contact those
impacted by the data loss."
Weapons
"Sudan
The US has accused Sudan's military of
using chemical weapons against the Rapid
Support Forces in the ongoing civil war.
Officials expressed concerns that
these weapons could be deployed in
densely populated areas like Khartoum.
This revelation precedes expected
sanctions against military chief Gen.
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for
war crimes, including civilian
bombings and starvation tactics.
The civil war, ongoing since April 2023,
has resulted in over 150,000 deaths
and 11 million displaced, exacerbating
a severe humanitarian crisis."
Accidents
"Israel
Last night, 10 IDF soldiers were
wounded in an accidental blast at
a training base in southern Israel.
Three soldiers are in moderate
condition, and seven are lightly hurt.
The explosion happened
during a presentation of
explosive weapons to trainees.
The IDF Military Police will
investigate the incident."
"Morocco
On Wednesday, Moroccan authorities rescued
36 people from a boat that had departed
from Mauritania on January 2, according
to a group based in Madrid and Navarra.
50 other migrants on the
boat may have drowned during
the attempt to reach Spain."
"Nigeria
On Wednesday, a mining truck crashed
into a bus carrying six people in the
village of Okete, Benue, killing them.
The bus then crashed into a
residential building, killing
four family members in the town.
An investigation of
the crash was underway.
Several other people were
also injured in the crash."
"Syria
An explosive ordnance disposal
specialist was killed while attempting
to dismantle a remnant landmine in the
vicinity of Kafr Nubl town near Maâart
Al-Nuâaman in Idlib countryside."
"Syria
A civilian from Al-Buwaitiya
Village in the western Deir Ezzor
countryside was killed in the
explosion of a landmine while herding
sheep in the Deir Ezzor Desert."
"United States
On Tuesday, a small plane crashed
near Little Mountain, southwest of
Rock Springs, killing the pilot.
The Wyoming Army National Guard recovered
the body of the pilot on Wednesday."
"United States
On Wednesday, an experimental plane
crash-landed in a bean field in Byron.
Authorities said the pilot was
later identified and contacted.
Van Vickle said the pilot was not
injured and did make contact with the
property owner before leaving the scene."
"United States
Emergency crews are responding to
a small plane crash in El Cajon.
The incident occurred near Gillespie
Field at 1960 Joe Crosson Dr.
The cause of the crash and details
about the aircraft, passengers, and
injuries are currently unknown."
Other Events
"Israel
A 16-year-old from southern Israel
has been indicted for allegedly
planning attacks inspired by ISIS.
The indictment includes charges of
conspiracy to commit a crime and
support for a terrorist organization.
Authorities claim the teenager expressed
intentions to carry out violent acts
and had been in contact with individuals
promoting extremist ideologies."
"Malaysia
Nine nations, including India, France,
and the USA, have begun an eight-day
naval exercise called La Perouse 25
in critical sea lanes of communication
between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
The exercise is being held in the
Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok straits,
which are vital for global trade
and are of strategic significance.
The drill aims to strengthen maritime
safety, develop interoperability,
and improve the ability to respond
collectively to maritime crises."
Thanks for joining us for the January
17, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
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