More Israeli hostage releases and large protests in Munich
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for February 9, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
We collected 63 events on Saturday,
including the release of more
hostages by Hamas, and large protests
in Germany, so let's get started.
Terrorism
"Afghanistan
A blast occurred on Saturday evening in
Taloqan, the capital of Takhar province,
targeting a Taliban intelligence
forces vehicle using a magnetic bomb.
No details are available about
possible casualties, and the Taliban
have not commented on the incident."
"Gaza Strip
Three hostages, Eli Sharabi, Or Levy,
and Ohad Ben Ami, have been released
by Hamas after 491 days in captivity.
They were handed over to Israeli
special forces by the Red Cross and
have now crossed the border into Israel.
The IDF is providing them with a physical
and mental checkup and facilitating
a reunion with their families."
"India
Between Tuesday and Wednesday, the
Indian Army foiled an ambush by Pakistani
infiltrators on its post along the Line of
Control (LoC) in the Krishna Ghati sector
of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district.
Sources reported that the Indian
forces gunned down seven of the
infiltrators, including 2-3 Pakistan
Army personnel, during the incident."
"India
Soldiers patrolling near the Line of
Control (LoC) near the Keri sector
in Rajouri, Jammu, and Kashmir
were fired upon by terrorists.
The troops retaliated, and a massive
search operation was launched in the
area, but no casualties were reported."
"Mali
Terrorists ambushed a convoy and its
army escort near the village of Kobe,
northeastern Mali, resulting in at
least 56 deaths and multiple injuries.
The attack occurred in an area
known for activity from Islamic
State and Al Qaeda affiliates.
The incident has raised concerns about
ongoing instability in the region."
"Nigeria
Late Friday night, suspected bandits
attacked the Kware community in
Sokoto State, killing two residents."
"Nigeria
On Thursday, a group of armed
bandits attacked Maibakko village
in Katsina State, killing two people
and abducting several residents.
However, police operatives responded
swiftly and engaged the bandits in a
fierce gun battle, rescuing 13 victims."
"Nigeria
On Wednesday night, bandits
attacked the Pandogari community
in the Rafi Local Government Area
(LGA) of Niger State, killing a
vigilante and kidnapping six girls.
The attackers, reportedly in large
numbers, entered through the Birnin
Gwari axis and took the girls to
Kwangel Forest, a known hideout.
This was the third terrorist attack
in the last two weeks, with 122
people kidnapped and two killed in
Rafi LGA within the past month."
"Pakistan
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD)
Punjab has arrested 15 alleged terrorists
from various cities in the province.
According to the CTD spokesman,
explosives and detonators were recovered
during the operations in multiple
cities, including Lahore, Sialkot,
Gujarat, Attock, Sargodha, Bahawalpur,
Jhang, Mianwali, and Chiniot."
"Pakistan
A terrorist attack occurred on
the Fatah Khel police post in
Bannu, Pakistan, resulting in the
martyrdom of two police officers.
It was the second terrorist attack on the
same checkpoint within 48 hours, following
a failed attempt the previous day."
"Philippines
On Friday, government forces
killed a New Peopleâs Army (NPA)
rebel during two separate clashes
with militants in Sangay Village,
Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat province.
Several other militants fled
the area during the fighting.
Troops recovered an M-16 Armalite
rifle and four magazines of
ammunition from the dead rebel."
"Philippines
On Friday, Johnson Endil, an official
of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) and employee of the Bangsamoro
Land Transportation Office, was
killed in a gun attack outside his
residential yard in Pikit, Cotabato.
The gunmen approached Endil from behind
and opened fire, causing his death.
Senior MILF officials have condemned
the attack and urged witnesses to
help identify the perpetrators."
"Spain
Spanish police have arrested four
foreigners, including two Russians, for
plotting terrorist attacks on government
installations and institutions supporting
Ukraine in multiple European countries.
The suspects, described as ""pro-Russia
terrorists,"" were allegedly acting
on the orders of a Russian citizen.
They will face charges of terrorism
and membership in a terrorist
organization in Madrid's National Court."
"Syria
Fierce clashes broke out in Jarmash
village on the Syria-Lebanon border
between the Military Operations
Administration and Hezbollah loyalists.
Four tribesmen were killed.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has sent military
reinforcements to Hawik town to
regain control after losing it to the
Military Operations Administration."
Military Conflict
"Democratic Republic of Congo
According to local aid organizations,
a bombing on Thursday in the town
of Nyabibwe, situated approximately
60 kilometers north of Bukavu,
injured three civilians and
damaged power infrastructure.
The intensifying conflict between
M23 rebels and Congolese forces
has prompted thousands of people to
flee, with many seeking refuge in the
provincial capital of Bukavu, where
UN humanitarian agencies have now
established operations in the eastern
region following the fall of Goma."
"Iraq
Iraqi security forces conducted a
high-precision airstrike on an ISIS
hideout in the al-Zarka region of Salah
al-Din operations sector, resulting
in the elimination of three senior
militants, including Daham Mohammed
Alawi, the ISIS Wali of Kirkuk."
"Iraq
According to Kamaran Osman of the
Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT), a
US-based human rights organization that
monitors Turkish and Iranian operations
in the Kurdistan Region, three villages in
the Dinarta subdistrict of Akre district
have been evacuated due to intensified
Turkish army bombardments and operations.
Osman identified the affected villages
as Npakhe, Berkakure, and Kafia,
located on the slopes of Mount Gara.
He stated that relentless Turkish
drone strikes and the threat of
a ground operation have forced
people to flee their homes."""
"Iraq
On Friday, a Turkish airstrike hit a home
in the village of Maje, Amedi district,
wounding at least two civilians and
causing significant damage to the house."
"Iraq
On Friday, Turkish warplanes conducted
airstrikes targeting Kurdistan Workers'
Party (PKK) positions in northern Duhok,
Iraq, specifically hitting mountain
peaks overlooking the village of Helori.
The strikes also damaged homes in the
town of Mezê, which had previously
been evacuated due to armed clashes."
"Kenya
The governments of Ethiopia and Kenya
have launched a coordinated military
operation on Oromo Liberation Army
(OLA) militant hideouts in Marsabit
and Isiolo counties within southern
Oromia, along their shared border.
The operation aims to dismantle the
group's activities, including terrorism,
contraband trade, and human trafficking."
"Lebanon
The IDF conducted an airstrike
in Lebanon's Beqaa Valley,
targeting Hezbollah operatives.
The strike was in response to
the terrorists operating at
a site for manufacturing and
storing strategic weapons.
Six people were killed and
two wounded in the strike."
"Myanmar
Between Tuesday and Wednesday, Karenni
Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF)
insurgents clashed with junta forces
in Mobye town in southern Shan state.
The KNDF carried out operations
to retake the town and further
advance to capture Pekon Township."
"Nigeria
Thursday night, Nigerian forces killed
two top commanders of the notorious
terrorist kingpin Bello Turji during
an operation in Zamfara State."
"Pakistan
The Pakistan Army reported the death
of an Afghan national terrorist
during a counter-terrorism operation
in the Datta Khel area of North
Waziristan on Thursday, February 6.
The operation also resulted in the
killing of at least three other
terrorists who attempted to flee
while wearing women's clothing."
"Sudan
On Friday, Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
attacked a town near the Zamzam refugee
camp in the town of Saluma, in North
Darfur, killing at least three people and
detaining dozens of displaced individuals.
The RSF accuses the displaced of
smuggling goods to the Sudanese Armed
Forces (SAF) and the Joint Force.
This attack is part of the RSF's ongoing
siege on the city of El Fasher, which has
been under blockade for nearly a year.
The situation has led to violent clashes
and forced residents to flee their homes."
"Sudan
On Friday, the Sudanese army regained
control of the key district of Kafouri
and other areas in Sharq El Nil in
Khartoum North, a significant blow
to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The recapture of Kafouri has further
eroded the RSF grip on the capital,
signaling the Sudanese army's ongoing
push to regain full control of Khartoum
North, a densely populated region
home to over one million residents."
"Sudan
On Friday, Sudan's army claimed
control of Abu Quta, a town northwest
of Al Jazirah state, after a military
operation to pressure the Rapid Support
Forces (RSF) in Khartoum's capital.
The RSF has held the
town since December 2023.
The army's recapture of Abu Quta is
part of a broader military operation,
which also includes fierce battles on
the outskirts and within Khartoum."
"Syria
Turkish forces launched a
bombardment on Ashmah village, west
of Ain Al-Arab city, injuring 11
people, including two children.
The attack resulted in significant
damage to houses and civilian properties,
causing panic among residents."
"Syria
Areas in the countryside of Manbij
and Ain Al-Arab (Kobane) have seen a
significant increase in military activity.
SDF rocket launchers attacked
Turkish bases in Manbij, while
Turkish fighter jets carried out
airstrikes in eastern Kobani.
Turkish forces also fired artillery
shells on several villages in Ain
Al-Arab, causing residents to flee.
In Tel Abyad countryside, Turkish
fighter jets attacked a position
near Abdi Koudi village and fired
artillery on several other locations.
Similar bombardments occurred in
the eastern countryside of Ain
Issa and Tel Tamr countryside."
"Syria
Israeli fighter jets have struck a
Hamas weapons depot near Deir Ali, south
of Damascus, in an operation aimed at
preventing attacks on Israeli troops.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
stated that the depot was being used
to stockpile weapons for attacks and
that they would continue to operate
against Hamas in any location where
they attempted to establish a presence."
"Syria
Syrian Democratic Forces
(SDF) launched attacks on
Turkish-backed factions in Aleppo.
SDF drones targeted positions on the Deir
Hafer frontline, killing one militiaman
and destroying a military vehicle.
SDF rocket launchers attacked positions
on the Qarrah Quzaq hill frontline,
resulting in the destruction of a military
post, the death of ten militiamen,
and injuries to over 15 others.
SDF also successfully repelled an
attack by factions of the ""National
Army,"" killing four militiamen
and injuring three others."
"Syria
Turkish security forces have
""neutralized"" 13 PKK/YPG terrorists
in the Operation Peace Spring zone
in northern Syria, according to
the National Defense Ministry.
Turkey uses the term ""neutralized""
to indicate that the terrorists were
killed, captured, or surrendered."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked 11 Chinese military
aircraft and eight naval vessels
around its country between 6 a.m.
Friday and 6 a.m.
Saturday.
Nine aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line and entered
the northern and southwestern
Air Defense Identification Zone.
One Chinese balloon was detected
moving east from the median line and
entering Taiwan's west contiguous zone
before disappearing at the boundary
of Taiwan's territorial waters."
"Taiwan
Seven Chinese balloons were detected
around Taiwan within 24 hours.
Six balloons, with altitudes ranging
from 4,876 to 6,096 meters, were
tracked over waters off Taiwan's
western and northern coasts on Thursday.
One balloon flew across central Taiwan
before disappearing near Hualien,
while another was detected heading
east in Taiwan's west contiguous zone.
A seventh balloon was detected on
Friday, moving east from the median
line and disappearing at the western
boundary of Taiwan's territorial waters."
"Ukraine
Russian forces used guided aerial
bombs, drones, and artillery against
civilians in Kharkiv and the region.
A police officer and two
civilians were wounded."
"Ukraine
Russian troops fired 16
times at the border areas and
settlements of the Sumy region.
The attacks included the use of an
FPV drone, explosive devices dropped
from a UAV, and guided aerial bombs.
One attack resulted in the destruction
of a private house and a fire.
Air defense units shot
down eight Russian UAVs."
"Ukraine
A 55-year-old woman was injured in
the village of Blahovishchenske in
Kherson due to Russian shelling.
She suffered an explosive injury,
contusion, and hypertensive crisis."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have killed
1,210 Russian soldiers over the past day.
Over 260 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
Two people were injured in Lyman
and Ivanopillia, Donetsk region,
due to Russian shelling.14
more people were evacuated from the
frontline communities of Donetsk region."
"Ukraine
A Russian drone attacked a
civilian production facility in
the Sumy region, but there is no
information about any victims.
The Sumy Regional Military Administration
reported the incident on Telegram,
stating that no one was injured.
The consequences of the attack
are currently being assessed."
"Ukraine
In Kyiv, debris from a downed
Russian drone caused damage
in the Darnytskyi district.
Air defense units intercepted Russian
targets during the nighttime drone attack.
The debris damaged a residential
building, windows, vehicles, and a fence.
Thankfully, there were no casualties."
"Ukraine
In the morning, Russian troops attacked
the central district of Kherson,
causing damage to homes and warehouses.
A fire broke out in a private house,
but a mother and child were rescued,
and their lives were not in danger.
The victims were taken to the hospital,
where the woman was diagnosed with
injuries and will receive further
treatment on an outpatient basis."
"Ukraine
Russian forces attacked Huliaipole
in the Zaporizhzhia region,
injuring a family with two children.
The family's house was destroyed by
guided aerial bombs, causing shrapnel
wounds and head injuries to the parents
and contusions to the children."
"Ukraine
Russian troops have launched multiple
attacks on the town of Huliaipole in
the Zaporizhzhia region, resulting
in at least two people being wounded.
According to reports, at least six
strikes were carried out, with a total
of 342 attacks reported on 12 towns and
villages in the region on February 7."
"Ukraine
During the day, Russians attacked the
Nikopol district of Dnipropetrovsk
region 20 times, using heavy
artillery and kamikaze drones.
A woman was injured, and several
buildings and cars were damaged.
The attacks targeted the district center,
Marhanets, Pokrovsk, Chervonohryhorivsk,
and Myrivska communities."
"Ukraine
An air alert has been declared in
the Zaporizhzhia region as Russian
forces are launching guided aerial
bombs at frontline communities.
The head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional
Military Administration, Ivan
Fedorov, urged people to stay in safe
places until the attack is over."
"Ukraine
Ukraine's defense forces have
shot down 67 Russian drones and
lost another 71 from tracking.
Russian troops launched 139 attack UAVs
and decoy drones from various locations.
Ukraine's anti-aircraft missile
troops and other units successfully
repelled the air attack.
The downed drones were
confirmed in multiple regions."
Political Conflict
"China
China has criticized the US
for pressuring Panama to end an
infrastructure agreement with Beijing.
The agreement was part of China's Belt
and Road Initiative, which aims to
strengthen ties with other countries
through infrastructure projects.
Panama's decision to end the agreement
is seen as a concession to the US, which
threatened retaliation over Chinese
influence in the Panama Canal area."
"Colombia
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has
stated that the Mexican Sinaloa drug
cartel is the current head of the ELN
(National Liberation Army) guerilla group.
This comes after a turf war between
the ELN and ex-members of the FARC
guerilla force has killed dozens and
displaced tens of thousands in Colombia.
The conflict is linked to
international alliances between the
ELN and the Sinaloa Cartel, with the
exchange of cocaine for weaponry."
"Estonia
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have
begun a two-day process to disconnect
from Russia's electricity grid, known
as Brell, and join the EU's network.
This transition is a significant step
towards reducing their energy dependence
on Russia, which has been a concern
since the countries joined NATO.
The move comes after a series of suspected
sabotage incidents and cyber-attacks,
prompting fears of Russian retaliation.
The three countries have been preparing
for this moment, carrying out frequency
tests and international cooperation
to ensure a smooth transition.
"Lebanon
Lebanon's new prime minister, Nawaf
Salam, has formed the country's first
full-fledged government since 2022.
The cabinet consists of 24
ministers, evenly split between
Christian and Muslim sects.
This development comes as Lebanon
focuses on rebuilding its southern
region and ensuring security along
its southern border after the
war with Israel and Hezbollah.
A US-brokered ceasefire deal
ended the conflict in November."
"West Bank
Israeli forces are transporting a group
of Palestinian prisoners from Ofer Prison
in the West Bank to be freed in Ramallah.
Another group of prisoners is
being released from Keziot Prison
in the Negev into the Gaza Strip.
This fifth batch of prisoners includes
111 captured in Gaza during the war
and 72 arrested in previous years."
Civil Unrest
"Germany
More than 200,000 protesters
rallied in Munich, Germany, against
far-right extremism ahead of
the country's general election.
The protest was supported
by various activist groups,
churches, and soccer clubs.
Similar protests occurred in
other cities across Germany.
The demonstrators also opposed
center-right leader Friedrich Merz
and his Christian Democrats for their
collaboration with the far-right
Alternative for Germany (AfD) party."
"Hungary
Thousands of people participated in
an annual WWII-linked commemoration
held by far-right groups in Budapest.
Anti-fascist activists also
gathered nearby to protest the
rise of the far right globally.
The commemoration included a ""memorial
hike,"" while some events, like
neo-Nazi concerts, were banned."
"Israel
Police detained at least two
people at an anti-government,
pro-hostage deal protest in Tel Aviv.
The arrests occurred as the
protest was winding down.
Demonstrators were calling for
the release of Israeli hostages
held in the Gaza Strip."
"Slovakia
Tens of thousands of Slovaks gathered
in Bratislava's Freedom Square on
Friday, opposing Prime Minister Robert
Fico's policy shift towards Russia.
The protesters, who also gathered in
dozens of other cities, called for
Fico's resignation, citing concerns
about weakening democratic values and
foreign policy alignment with Russia."
"Syria
Civilians in the Al-Tadamon neighborhood
in Damascus protested for the trial
of former National Defence militia
official Fady Saqr, who entered
the neighborhood under security
protection after reconciliation."
Weapons
"India
On Friday, security forces seized a
large weapons and ammunition cache
during a search operation in the
Aigejang area of the Bishnupur district.
The cache included one .303
rifle, one bolt action rifle, one .22
pistol with magazine, a 9 mm pistol,
two SBBL rifles, Five hand grenades,
one Chinese hand grenade, four 40
mm Lethod grenades, one long-range
modified mortar shell, two 2-inch
mortar shells with carrier, two tear
gas grenades and one smoke grenade."
Accidents
"Syria
A child was killed and another
injured by an explosion in the
Kabajeb desert in Deir Ezzor.
Four men from Al-Dumayr city were
also injured in a separate incident
in Al-Ruhaybah city in Rif Dimashq.
Both incidents involved old landmines."
"Syria
Four children were injured by shrapnel
from a landmine explosion in Hatla
Village in Deir Ezzor countryside.
They have been taken to a
hospital for treatment."
"United States
On Friday, a helicopter crashed
near the Roberts County line
in northern Hutchinson County.
There were no injuries in the crash."
"United States
On Friday, the Bering Air Flight
445, carrying 10 people, was found
approximately 34 miles southeast of
Nome in Alaska with no survivors.
The aircraft, which was traveling
from Unalakleet to Nome, disappeared
on Thursday during a winter storm.
Authorities stated that
three bodies were recovered."
"Zimbabwe
An Air Force of Zimbabwe pilot,
Air Lieutenant Nesbert Tambudza,
died in a plane crash near Gweru.
He was flying a Karakorum-8
trainer aircraft solo when it
went down near Guinea Fowl.
The cause of the accident
is under investigation."
"Thanks for joining us for the February
9, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
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