March 28, 2025 19:34 E97

Protests continue in Turkey

Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for March 28, 2025.

Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and

our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.

Thursday, we collected 53 events,
including ongoing protests in Turkey,

Gaza, and Romania, so let's get started.

"Turkey

Turkey has rejected international
criticism over the arrest of Istanbul

Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who is a key
rival to President Tayyip Erdogan.

The arrest has led to nationwide
protests, with nearly 1,900 people

detained and 260 jailed pending trial.

The government claims the judiciary
is independent and that Imamoglu's

arrest was necessary due to the gravity
of the allegations against him."

"Romania

Thousands of Romanians gathered in
Bucharest to protest the cancellation

of a presidential election and the
banning of far-right frontrunner

Calin Georgescu from running again.

The election will be repeated on May
4 and 18 after the Constitutional

Court voided the initial ballot due
to accusations of Russian meddling.

The protests saw two competing rallies,
one in support of Georgescu and the

other in support of his replacement
candidate, George Simion, who is poised

to make it into the run-off vote."

"Gaza Strip

Dozens of demonstrators have gathered
in Jabalia, northern Gaza, calling

for the overthrow of Hamas's rule.

The protesters, carrying signs that
read ""Hamas out"" and ""The people

want to overthrow Hamas,"" are
demanding an end to Hamas's control.

This marks the third consecutive
day of rare protests in Gaza."

"Gaza Strip

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) troops
have located a multiple rocket launcher

with 25 barrels in the Tel Sultan
neighborhood of Rafah in southern Gaza."

"India

On Thursday, police and army troops
recovered ammunition and a grenade

during a search operation in the
Manyal Gali forest of the Thanamandi

area of the Rajouri district."

"Haiti

Haiti authorities confirmed the death of
a Kenyan officer reported as âunaccounted

forâ by the Multinational Security Support
(MSS) mission in Haiti following an ambush

in Savien, near Pont-SondÃ© on Tuesday."

"Israel

The Israeli military has successfully
intercepted two ballistic missiles

launched by the Iran-backed
Houthis in Yemen, preventing

them from crossing into Israel.

The incident occurred after sirens
sounded across central Israel and

the West Bank, with no immediate
reports of injuries or damage."

"Israel

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad claims
to have launched a rocket attack

from the Gaza Strip, targeting the
Hatzerim Airbase near Beersheba.

However, the Israeli military
believes the rocket was likely

intercepted by air defenses."

"Nigeria

Boko Haram terrorists attacked the village
of Wulgo, Borno State, killing at least

12 Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF)
soldiers and injuring several others.

The MJTF includes Nigerian
and Cameroonian forces."

"Nigeria

On Monday, Boko Haram and ISWAP
terrorists attacked a Nigerian army base

in Wajiroko, Borno State, killing four
soldiers and wounding several others.

The militants set military equipment
on fire during the attack."

"Nigeria

On Wednesday, Delta State Police
operatives shot and killed five

suspected kidnappers during
a gunbattle in Delta State.

After the clash, police arrested three
other kidnappers and recovered weapons and

ammunition, including one AK-47 rifle, one
pump action gun, three locally made guns,

two magazines, 60 rounds of AK-47 live
ammunition, and seventeen rounds of live

cartridges, in the Lyanmugo forest area."

"Pakistan

At least five passengers were killed
after being offloaded from a bus by

militants in Gwadar, Balochistan province.

The attackers blocked a highway,
checked the passengers' identification

cards, and sprayed them with bullets.

The victims were from northeastern
Punjab province, and no group has

claimed responsibility for the
attack, which bears similarities to

previous incidents by the outlawed
Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)."

"Pakistan

A violent confrontation between two rival
groups in Dora Budhal village resulted

in the deaths of two young men, Shahzeb
and Ehtesham, and injured two others.

The incident occurred on Wednesday,
and police have initiated an

investigation led by SP Saddar
Division, Muhammad Nabil Khokhar."

"Pakistan

An explosion near a police van in
Quetta's Double Road resulted in the

deaths of 3 people and injuries to 21
individuals, including police officers.

The blast caused damage to the police
vehicle, and the injured were transported

to Civil Hospital for medical treatment.

Four injured people are
in critical condition."

"Syria

An armed group stormed Al-Jabriya
Village in eastern Homs, arresting

several civilians without providing
information on the charges against them.

The civilians were subjected
to insults and other forms of

violence during the arrest."

"Syria

A former commander of the National
Defence Forces was found dead with a

gunshot wound near Al-Najih junction
in Daraa's northern countryside.

The body was discovered hours after the
commander was kidnapped in Qarfa town,

also in Daraa's middle countryside."

"Syria

Gunmen affiliated with the
former regime attacked a security

checkpoint near the villa of Munzer
Al-Assad in Salanfah town, Latakia.

The attack left one security forces member
injured, and the perpetrators escaped."

"Brazil

The Brazilian Supreme Court has
ruled that former President Jair

Bolsonaro will face trial for allegedly
attempting to overthrow the result

of the 2022 presidential election.

The court found sufficient evidence
to proceed with the trial, which could

result in Bolsonaro being sentenced to
over 40 years in prison if convicted.

Bolsonaro denies the allegations
and claims the trial is politically

motivated to prevent him from running
in the next general election in 2026."

"Myanmar

A Myanmar rebel group, the Kachin
Independence Army (KIA), has announced

that it will allow the export of
existing rare earth minerals to China

starting from Thursday, March 27.

The KIA will impose a tax of 35,000
yuan ($4,800) per ton on these exports.

This decision comes after the KIA took
control of a key rare earth mining

region in Myanmar last October, leading
to a sharp decline in China's imports

of rare earth minerals from Myanmar
and a resulting price increase."

"Philippines

On Tuesday, an alleged NPA
rebel commander and his wife

surrendered to police in Cebu City.

The suspect is considered a ""national
level most wanted person."""

"Democratic Republic of Congo

Violent clashes have resumed between the
Ugandan army (UPDF) and CODECO militiamen

in Djugu territory, Ituri Province.

The fighting has resulted in the death
of a Ugandan colonel and at least six

civilians, including four children.

The clashes have caused a massive
displacement of the civilian

population, with traffic on the
RN27 temporarily suspended."

"Democratic Republic of Congo

The Congolese military has accused
the M23/AFC rebel alliance of

attacking its positions in the
eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

despite a ceasefire declaration.

The military claims that Rwandan forces
and M23/AFC troops continue to reinforce

their positions, targeting government
forces in several territories."

"Gaza Strip

Hamas has announced that its spokesman,
Abdul Latif al-Qanou, was killed in

an Israeli airstrike in the Jabalia
neighborhood of northern Gaza."

"India

A police officer was injured in a
gunfight with terrorists in Kathua

district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The incident occurred during a
massive anti-terror operation that

has been underway for four days.

The security forces are tracking down
the terrorists, who are believed to have

infiltrated from Pakistan on Saturday.

The operation involves multiple
agencies, including the police, army,

and CRPF, and has led to the recovery
of various arms and ammunition."

"India

The National Investigation Agency (NIA)
conducted raids at three locations in

Rajbagh, Srinagar, in connection with a
grenade attack near the Tourism Reception

Centre (TRC) that occurred last year."

"Lebanon

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
has confirmed a drone strike in

the Tyre District of southern
Lebanon, killing a senior Hezbollah

commander, Ahmed Adnan Bajija.

Bajija was a battalion commander
in Hezbollah's elite Radwan force

and had been involved in directing
attacks on Israel and IDF troops."

"Lebanon

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
has carried out a drone strike on

two Hezbollah operatives in the
Baraashit area of southern Lebanon."

"Lebanon

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)
carried out an airstrike in southern

Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah operatives
moving weapons in the Yohmor area.

The strike reportedly
resulted in casualties.

This follows a separate strike in
Maaroub last night, which killed

one person, although the IDF has
not commented on that incident."

"Lebanon

An Israeli drone strike in the Yohmor
area of southern Lebanon has killed

three people, according to Lebanon's
state-run National News Agency.

The Israeli military has not
commented on the incident."

"Myanmar

On March 24, 2025, junta aircraft
bombed oil palm plantations in

Chaunglamu Village, Tanintharyi
Region's Tanintharyi Township,

killing two workers and injuring six.

This is the third airstrike
in the village this month."

"Myanmar

On Wednesday, the Karen National Union
(KNU) announced that its forces had seized

a key junta outpost near the Thai-Myanmar
border, marking a significant victory.

The camp, located in Kha Lel Day Village,
Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State, fell on

Tuesday evening after a prolonged siege.

KNU forces seized weapons and
ammunition from junta troops

after the base was captured."

"Myanmar

On Wednesday, Arakan Army (AA) and
regional Peopleâs Defense Forces (PDFs)

insurgents reportedly seized several
villages in Lemyethna township after

intense clashes in the past week.

A resident reported that the
rebel forces still have a daunting

task reaching Lemyethn township."

"Myanmar

On Tuesday evening, junta airstrikes
on Aung Phyu Pyin village in Ponnagyun

Township resulted in the deaths of five
individuals, including a family of three.

It injured 12 others, four of whom
were children under the age of 10.

The strike occurred on a hillside
close to a monastery housing more

than 120 displaced individuals was
also hit resulting in casualties

among the displaced refugees.

The strikes also damaged multiple
temples, schools, and a nearby house."

"Myanmar

On March 25, Myanmar junta forces took
control of Me Poke Village in northern

Shan State, advancing closer to the
military stronghold of Tawng Hkam Village.

The village, which is approximately
14 miles northeast of Tawng Hkam,

is a strategic location that
hosts artillery battalions."

"Myanmar

On 25 March, a rocket-propelled
grenade attack occurred at the Aung

Zeya market in Shwebo, Sagaing Region.

The attack, reportedly carried out by PDF
members, injured five civilians, including

a 5-year-old child and four women.

The injured individuals were
taken to the Shwebo Township

People's Hospital for treatment."

"Nigeria

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has
conducted airstrikes against suspected

terrorists in the Mandara Mountains
area of Borno, eliminating scores of

fighters and destroying their assets.

The airstrikes, which were guided by
intelligence and surveillance missions,

targeted terrorist logistics hubs, gun
trucks, and improvised explosive devices.

The NAF claims to have neutralized
scores of terrorists, destroyed

four gun trucks, and degraded
their operational capabilities."

"Russia

North Korea sent at least 3,000 more
soldiers to Russia in January and

February, adding to the approximately
11,000 troops already deployed.

This move demonstrates
Pyongyang's continued support

for Moscow's war on Ukraine.

The North Korean military has also
sent a significant amount of military

equipment, including short-range ballistic
missiles and self-propelled howitzers."

"Sudan

The Sudanese army has recaptured
the national capital, Khartoum,

from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
militia, marking a significant turning

point in the two-year civil war.

The RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo,
has lost control of major Nile Valley

cities, including Sudan's farming
heartland and the Red Sea coastline.

However, the militia still controls much
of the western territory of Darfur, making

an imminent end to the war unlikely."

"Sudan

The Sudanese army has declared victory
over the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in a

two-year battle for the capital, Khartoum.

The army ousted the RSF from its last
footholds in Khartoum on Wednesday,

but the RSF still holds some areas
in Omdurman, the city's twin, and

has consolidated in western Sudan.

The conflict has resulted in significant
humanitarian disaster, with over

12 million people displaced, half
of the population suffering acute

hunger, and estimated deaths reaching
61,000 in Khartoum state alone."

"Syria

The Syrian National News Agency
reports that Israeli airstrikes have

targeted the northwestern Syrian
coastal city of Latakia, with no

immediate information on casualties."

"Taiwan

Taiwan tracked 20 Chinese
military aircraft, seven naval

vessels, and one official ship
around its country between 6 a.m.

Wednesday and 6 a.m.

Thursday.

Twelve aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line in the countryâs

northern and southwestern Air
Defense Identification Zone."

"Ukraine

On the night and morning of March 27, the
Russian army carried out 48 strikes on the

Sumy region, resulting in 99 explosions.

The attacks targeted several
communities, including Bezdrytska,

Yunakivka, Miropilia, Krasnopilia,
Velykopysarivka, Putivl, Popiv, and Esman.

The strikes destroyed a residential
building, injured one person, and damaged

several non-residential buildings."

"Ukraine

A massive drone attack by the
Russian army in Kharkiv on the

evening of March 26 resulted in
significant damage and casualties.

Thirteen people, including two children,
were injured in the attack, which

targeted two districts of the city.

At least 29 buildings were damaged,
and over 1,100 windows were smashed

in residential and public areas.

The attack also caused fires
to break out in the city."

"Ukraine

Russia launched 86 drones and an
Iskander-M ballistic missile during

overnight attacks on Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Air Force shot down
42 drones, with another 26 either

destroyed or failed to reach their
targets due to electronic warfare,

leaving the fate of 18 drones unknown."

"Ukraine

Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,670 Russian

soldiers over the past day.

Over 360 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."

"Ukraine

Russian troops have attacked the
Nikopol district in the Dnipropetrovsk

region, injuring four men.

The attacks, which included artillery
and kamikaze drones, targeted several

communities and damaged multiple
buildings, including private homes,

greenhouses, and a sports facility."

"Ukraine

The situation in Kherson remains dire
as the Russian military continues to

shell the central part of the city.

A 56-year-old man was hospitalized
with blast injuries, while a Russian

strike drone killed an elderly
woman and injured an 82-year-old

woman in separate incidents."

"Ukraine

A drone attack in Dnipro has left three
civilians injured and damaged over a dozen

buildings, including apartment complexes,
businesses, and cultural institutions.

The attack also damaged over 60 cars,
with several completely destroyed.

Ukrainian air defense forces
successfully shot down six

Russian drones over the region."

"Ukraine

Three local residents in Kherson were
injured as a result of Russian shelling.

A 61-year-old man suffered an explosive
injury and shrapnel wound to his leg,

while a 56-year-old woman sustained
a shrapnel wound to her shoulder.

Additionally, a 53-year-old man was
hit by a Russian drone and received

treatment for a mine-blast injury and
shrapnel wounds to his abdomen and leg."

"Yemen

The Houthi group reported that US
airstrikes on the Yemeni capital, Sanaa,

killed two people and injured two others.

This comes after the group had halted
its attacks on Israeli-linked ships

in January due to a ceasefire between
Israel and Hamas but threatened to

resume them after Israel blocked
humanitarian aid into Gaza on March 2."

"United States

A hacker took control of New York
University's website over the

weekend, exposing the personal
information of over 1 million students.

The data breach included names,
addresses, phone numbers, grade point

averages, email addresses, and more.

The hacker claimed to be part of a group
retaliating against the Supreme Court's

2023 decision to strike down affirmative
action, but cybersecurity experts say

the breach is reckless and puts the
affected students' privacy at risk."

"Egypt

A tourist submarine accident occurred
in the Red Sea, off the coast of

Hurghada, Egypt, resulting in the
deaths of at least four people.

The incident involved a submarine
carrying 45 Russian tourists and crew

members, with five patients receiving
treatment at the Royal Hospital Hurghada.

The cause of the accident and the number
of injured individuals remain unclear."

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