North Korea continues to take heavy losses, and the Philippines lodges a complaint against China in the South China Sea
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for January 14, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Monday we collected 62 incidents,
including North Korea taking
heavy losses and more positioning
in the South China Sea.
We have a lot to cover,
so let's get started.
Terrorism,
"Democratic Republic of Congo
On Sunday, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)
terrorists attacked the Bapakombe-Bakondo
area of the Virunga National Park of
the Beni Region, killing three farmers."
"India
On Sunday, a suspected Maoist IED
blast injured a 10-year-old girl in the
village of Timmapuram, Sukma District."
"Iran
On Monday, the Information Center
of the Mazandaran Police Command
announced the identification and arrest
of an ISIS terrorist in the northern
city of Juybar, Mazandaran province.
The terrorist, affiliated with the
ISIS Takfiri group, was apprehended
during a joint operation between
the Intelligence Organization of
the Mazandaran and Golestan Police
Commands' counter-terrorism units."
"Iraq
On Monday, the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism
Service (ICTS) announced its forces
captured a Daesh/ISIS terrorist during
an operation in Kirkuk Province."
"Israel
Air defenses intercepted one missile
launched from Yemen at Israel.
Sirens sounded in various areas, but there
were no reports of injuries or damage."
"Nigeria
On Sunday, Boko Haram insurgents
attacked the village of Kayakura
in the Doron Baga Ward of the
Kukawa Local Government Area (LGA).
Authorities reported that scores
of other farmers were missing."
"Somalia
On Monday, the Chinese Embassy in Somalia
announced that a Chinese-owned fishing
vessel, which had been hijacked off
the Somali coast in November, has been
freed along with its 18-member crew.
After its seizure, the pirates took
the ship and crew to the Xaafuun
district in Puntland, where the
pirates demanded a $10 million ransom.
However, whether any payment
was made to secure the vessel's
release remains unclear."
"Sudan
Last Friday, January 10, unknown
gunmen opened fire on a Medicines
San Frontiers (MSF) ambulance in
El Fasher, killing one person."
"Syria
Three members of the General Security
Force and a driver were injured in
an armed attack by members of the
Al-Jafaifah tribe in Al-Bukamal city.
The injured were taken to
the hospital for treatment.
In response, the General Security
set fire to a vehicle loaded with
ammunition belonging to the tribe."
"Thailand
A bomb explosion near the Mueang Pattani
District Police Station in Pattani
Province, Southern Thailand, on Monday
morning injured a total of 10 individuals.
Among the wounded are a Malaysian man,
nine policemen, and defense volunteers.
Police believe the bomb was
attached to a motorcycle parked
near the police station."
"Turkey
On Monday, Turkish Interior Minister
Ali Yerlikaya announced the arrest
of 13 out of 23 Daesh/ISIS suspects
apprehended during nationwide raids.
The detained individuals, who were wanted
for their involvement with the Daesh
terrorist organization, were captured in
the western provinces of Manisa and Izmir,
as well as the southern province of Adana.
The suspects were accused of plotting
attacks and procuring weapons on
behalf of the terrorist group.
The ten other suspects were
released on probation."
"Ukraine
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has
detained a female operative of Russia's
GRU who provided coordinates for a drone
strike on state institutions in Kyiv.
The agent used GPS coordinates
and geolocation data to send
information to her Russian handler.
She also conducted reconnaissance
near air defense positions.
The agent was apprehended in her rented
apartment in Kyiv while attempting
to send more intelligence data.
She is facing charges and
potential life imprisonment.
The SBU also neutralized an FSB
spy network gathering information
on officials and volunteers
in Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa."
"Yemen
An operation to salvage an oil
tanker attacked by Houthis in the
Red Sea and prevent a major oil spill
has been successfully completed.
The Greek-registered MT Sounion,
carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil,
was hit by missiles and drones,
causing it to catch fire in August.
The vessel has now been declared
safe, and its cargo has been removed.
Greece sought assistance from various
nations, including Saudi Arabia, and
the ship was eventually towed to a safe
location by a flotilla of salvage vessels.
It took three weeks to extinguish
the fires on board, and the
vessel was then towed to Suez
for the cargo to be removed."
Military Conflict
"Gaza Strip
Five IDF soldiers were killed,
and 10 others were wounded
in the northern Gaza Strip.
The soldiers who were killed served with
the Nahal Brigade's Reconnaissance Unit.
The IDF has not yet released
the details of the incident."
"Iraq
On Monday, the Turkish National Defense
Ministry announced that its forces
neutralized three PKK terrorists
during operations in the Operation
Claw-Lock Zone in northern Iraq.
Turkish authorities use the
term ""neutralize"" to imply the
terrorists in question surrendered
or were killed or captured."
"Israel
A drone launched from Yemen towards Israel
was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force.
An IAF helicopter shot down the drone
near the southern community of Gvulot.
No sirens were sounded in
towns, as per protocol."
"Lebanon
The IDF has conducted strikes on
Hezbollah targets, including a rocket
launcher, a military site, and smuggling
routes along the Syria-Lebanon border.
The military claims to have informed
an international mechanism established
for the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire,
but the threats were not addressed."
"Myanmar
Last Thursday, January 9, insurgents
ambushed a junta military convoy
in Ayadaw Township, capturing seven
soldiers and seizing a stockpile
of firearms and ammunition."
"Myanmar
According to local and resistance
sources, junta artillery fire and
arson attacks killed a civilian
man in Sagaing Township last week.
The artillery attack followed an
ambush by anti-junta forces on
junta militia vehicles last Tuesday,
January 7, near Let Pan village.
The ambush resulted in the
death of nine militia members,
including a notorious commander."
"Myanmar
The junta airstrike on a market and
downtown wards in Kyauktaw Township
on Saturday, January 11, killed eight
civilians and wounded 27 others.
The town is under Arakan
Army (AA) control."
"Pakistan
On Sunday, Pakistani forces killed
27 terrorists during an operation in
the Kacchi District of Balochistan.
Troops also destroyed multiple terrorist
hideouts, arms caches, ammunition,
and explosives during the operations."
"Pakistan
On Saturday, security forces killed a
suspected Afghan spy linked to terrorism
in Pakistan as he attempted to flee into
Afghanistan from the Baluchistan region.
The individual engaged in the illicit
trafficking of weapons and ammunition
from Afghanistan into Pakistan.
These unlawful arms were then supplied
to terrorist operatives based in the
regions of Qila Saifullah, Zhob, and
Loralai and were subsequently utilized in
attacks against the people of Pakistan."
"Pakistan
On Sunday, the Pakistani military
announced that its forces killed
six Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan
(TTP) terrorists and arrested two
others during an operation in the
Dosali region of North Waziristan."
"Pakistan
The Pakistani military announced on
Sunday that its forces killed three
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants
and injured two others during an operation
in the Esham area of North Waziristan."
"Russia
Around 300 North Korean soldiers have
been killed and 2,700 injured while
fighting in Russia's war against Ukraine.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
has reportedly sent over 10,000
soldiers to help Moscow in
exchange for technical assistance.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelensky says Ukraine has captured
two North Korean soldiers and
is considering a prisoner swap.
The soldiers have been ordered to kill
themselves rather than be captured,
and they have a lack of understanding
of modern warfare, which is likely
driving the high number of casualties."
"South Sudan
On Sunday, Sudanese forces clashed
with Sudan Peopleâs Liberation
Movement/Army-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO)
militias in the town of Mupoi, in Western
Equatoria State, resulting in the deaths
of 15 civilians and five SPLA-IO soldiers.
The SPLM-IO blamed the Sudanese
forces for the clashes.
However, South Sudan Peopleâs Defence
Forces (SSPDF) Spokesperson, Maj.
Gen.
Lul Ruai Koang, who also serves as
the Director of Media and Press,
denied the allegations and accused
SPLM-IO forces of initiating the"
"Sudan
On Saturday, Rapid Support Forces
(RSF) shelled the Zamzam refugee
camp in El Fasher, killing at least
16 people and injuring 42 others."
"Sudan
The Sudanese army has made significant
advances against the paramilitary
Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the
capital, Khartoum, taking control
of parts of the city center.
On Sunday, the Sudanese army
stated it gained control over the
Al-Ruwad residential complex in
central Khartoum after inflicting
âheavy lossesâ on the RSF militia."
"Sudan
The Sudanese Army has reportedly
made significant advances to regain
control of the El-Jaili oil refinery
from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The oil refinery is located approximately
70 kilometers north of Khartoum."
"Sudan
On Sunday, the Sudanese army regained
control of Tambul, Al-Jazira State.
During the fighting, the Rapid Support
Forces (RSF) suffered heavy losses
in terms of lives and equipment."
"Syria
A Turkish drone attack in Jabal Abd
Al-Aziz resulted in the death of
a civilian and injuries to others.
The injured individuals were
transported to hospitals in Al-Hasakah."
"Syria
Turkish drones conducted an
airstrike near Teshrin Dam in
Manbij countryside, resulting in
an explosion but no casualties.
In a separate incident, an SDF drone
attacked faction checkpoints in villages
of Manbij countryside, killing three
members and injuring seven others.
A public convoy of residents from
Al-Tabaka and Al-Raqqs protested the
Turkish attacks near Teshrin Dam and was
targeted by Turkish artillery shelling."
"Syria
Turkish forces and their proxies
launched heavy artillery and mortar
attacks on several villages in the
northern Al-Hasakah countryside,
including Al-Khadrawiyah, Umm
Al-Kheir, Al-Asadiyah, and Tal Harmal.
However, no casualties have been reported.
Additionally, pro-Turkey factions fired
mortar shells on a fuel station near Abu
Rasin (Zarkan) town in the same region."
"Syria
Turkish forces reportedly conducted a
drone strike on Mount Qasioun on Sunday.
Further details of the
attack were unknown."
"Syria
The Turkish National Defense Ministry
announced on Monday that its forces
neutralized three PKK terrorists
during operations in the Operation
Peace Spring Zone of northern Syria.
Turkish authorities use the
term ""neutralize"" to imply the
terrorists in question surrendered
or were killed or captured."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked six Chinese military
aircraft and six naval vessels
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Sunday and 6 a.m.
on Monday.
Four aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait
median line in the nationâs southwest
Air Defense Identification Zone."
"Ukraine
On Monday evening, Russian troops
attacked Chuhuiv in the Kharkiv
region, damaging an apartment building.
The attack resulted in damage to a car
and the windows of a residential building.
No casualties have been reported."
"Ukraine
In the village of Rozlyv, Kherson
region, a civilian car was attacked
by Russian forces using a drone,
resulting in two people being injured.
A 61-year-old woman sustained a
shrapnel wound to the face, while a
63-year-old man suffered a leg injury."
"Ukraine
The Russian forces attacked Chasiv
Yar in the Donetsk region, resulting
in the deaths of two civilians.
The town was targeted by Russian
artillery, and two women,
aged 60 and 66, were killed.
Additionally, the Russian forces
shelled the town of Chuhuiv, causing
damage to a five-story building."
"Ukraine
Falling debris from downed Russian
drones damaged several buildings
and vehicles in the Kyiv region.
The attack lasted for almost five hours,
but there were no civilian casualties.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces shot
down 78 Russian attack drones, and 31
decoy drones disappeared from radar."
"Ukraine
In the Sumy region, a Russian
drone crashed into a critical
infrastructure facility, causing
a power outage in 185 settlements.
No casualties were reported.
Emergency repair work is ongoing,
and backup power is being used."
"Ukraine
The Defense Forces of Ukraine
shot down 78 Russian Shahed attack
UAVs and other types of drones.
31 decoy drones
disappeared from the radar.
The attack took place on January
12 from multiple directions.
The Ukrainian Air Force successfully
repelled the enemy air attack.
The downed drones were confirmed
in various regions of Ukraine.
Some commercial buildings and
vehicles were damaged, but
no casualties were reported."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have killed
or wounded 1,510 Russian soldiers.
Over 365 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched kamikaze
drone attacks on the Nikopol
district of the Dnipropetrovsk
region three times in one day.
The head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional
Military Administration, Serhiy Lysak,
confirmed the attacks on Facebook,
stating that no injuries were reported.
In a separate incident, the Russian
army shelled the village of Komyshany
in the Kherson region, resulting in
a 57-year-old woman being wounded."
"Ukraine
Russian troops injured one civilian in the
Donetsk region on January 12, according
to Vadym Filashkin, the head of the
Donetsk Regional Military Administration.
Additionally, on January 12, Russian
troops shelled a hospital building
in Myrnohrad, Donetsk region."
"Ukraine
On January 12, Russia's strikes
on the Kherson region resulted
in ten civilian injuries.
Several towns and villages were targeted,
causing damage to buildings and a car."
"Ukraine
A Russian FPV drone strike on
the village of Vesele in Kharkiv
region on January 13 injured a man.
The attack damaged a residential house.
The police also documented shelling
in the Zolochiv community on January
12, which destroyed a private
house and damaged other buildings.
Fortunately, no injuries were
reported in that incident."
"Ukraine
In Zaporizhzhia, a fire broke out in
a private house due to a drone attack,
resulting in two civilian injuries.
The head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional
Military Administration, Ivan
Fedorov, confirmed the incident and
stated that both injured individuals
had been taken to the hospital.
The photos shared by Fedorov depict
a destroyed private house, as
well as damaged houses and cars."
Political Conflict
"Iran
A thousand new drones have been delivered
to Iran's army, equipped with high
stealth and anti-fortification abilities.
These drones have a range of over 2,000
kilometers and can pass through defense
layers with low Radar Cross Section.
They enhance reconnaissance, border
monitoring, and combat capability.
Iran has recently conducted military
exercises, including defending key nuclear
installations against mock attacks."
"Israel
Far-right Israeli Finance Minister
Bezalel Smotrich said he opposes
the emerging hostage-ceasefire deal,
calling it a ""catastrophe for Israel's
national security."" He refused
to be part of a deal that included
releasing terrorists and abandoning the
achievements made through bloodshed.
Smotrich advocated for continuing the
military operation, taking control
of humanitarian aid from Hamas, and
pressuring Hamas until they surrender
and all hostages are returned."
"Lebanon
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has
chosen Nawaf Salam, the presiding
judge at the International Court of
Justice, as the new prime minister.
Salam is currently abroad but will return
tomorrow to begin forming a government."
"Philippines
The Philippines has lodged a
diplomatic protest over the presence
of Chinese coast guard vessels,
including a ""monster ship,"" in
its claimed exclusive economic zone.
This action comes amid concerns
that Beijing aims to alter the
status quo in the South China Sea.
On Monday, the National Maritime
Council stated that Manila ""strongly
opposes"" the illegal presence of
two Chinese coast guard vessels and
navy helicopters in its waters off
the western province of Zambales."
"Russia
Russia and Iran are set to sign a
""comprehensive strategic partnership""
treaty during Iranian President
Masoud Pezeshkian's visit to Moscow.
The treaty will be signed
by the two leaders, Vladimir
Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian."
Civil Unrest
"Bangladesh
An activist of Jamaat-e-Islami was
killed, and 18 others were injured
in a clash between supporters of BNP
and Jamaat-e-Islami over the election
of the school managing committee
president in Kushtia district.
The deceased was
identified as Khokon Molla.
The clash occurred during a
meeting on the school premises,
leaving 19 people injured.
Khokon died while being transferred
to Dhaka Ibn Sina Hospital.
Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and activists
condemned the killing and demanded
punishment for the killers."
"Mozambique
Mozambique's new parliament was sworn in
amidst a deserted capital city after the
opposition leader called for a strike to
protest the disputed election results.
Two smaller opposition parties boycotted
the opening ceremony while the incoming
president called for calm and unity.
The opposition leader claims the results
were rigged in favor of the ruling party
that has been in power for 50 years.
He urged supporters to demonstrate
their refusal of the election
result with a national strike."
Weapons
"Iraq
On Monday, the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism
Service (ICTS) announced its forces
seized significant quantities of
explosive materials during a raid on
an ISIS hideout in Anbar Province."
"Philippines
On Sunday, government troops recovered
a New Peopleâs Army (NPA) arms
cache during an operation in the
village of Mahilum in Hindang, Leyte.
The cache included one M60 machine
gun, one M16 rifle, and one M14 rifle."
"Bangladesh
Monday morning, a coach of the
Titumir Express derailed near
Belpukur in Rajshahi, disrupting
train movements in the area."
"Pakistan
A coal mine collapsed in the
Harnai district of the Khost area
on Sunday, killing two miners.
Six other miners were immediately
rescued after the mine collapsed."
"Singapore
On Sunday, eight crewmembers of
a Malaysia-registered tanker were
rescued after it sank near Pedra Branca
Island off the coast of Singapore."
"United States
Sunday afternoon, a plane crashed
after becoming tangled in power
lines about four to five miles north
of Batesville, injuring the pilot."
"United States
A small plane made a 'gear-up'
landing at the Essex County
Airport in Fairfield on Sunday.
The pilot and passenger were
unharmed in the incident.
An investigation of the
crash was underway."
Thanks for joining us for the January
14, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
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