South Korea prepares for the Yoon decision
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for April 4, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Thursday, we collected 61 events,
including South Korea preparing
for an important court decision
on Friday, so let's get started.
"South Korea
South Korean police have raised their
security levels ahead of a Constitutional
Court ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's
impeachment, scheduled for April 4.
The move comes as multiple embassies
have issued warnings to their citizens
to avoid political rallies or mass
gatherings due to concerns of violence.
Authorities have sealed off
areas around the court, deployed
riot police, and are monitoring
YouTubers for possible violations.
The court's ruling will determine
whether President Yoon is removed
from office or reinstated."
"France
Students in Paris clashed with police in
riot gear during a demonstration against
budget cuts to French education programs.
The protest, organized by Stand Up
For Science France, turned violent
when protesters lit smoke bombs and
threw flares at police, leading to a
vigorous response from the riot police.
The situation escalated further when
a cardboard Tesla was set on fire."
"Haiti
Thousands of protesters in
Port-au-Prince have clashed with
police, demanding the government
provide safety from gang violence.
The protests come as gangs control
85% of the city, forcing over 60,000
people to flee their homes in a month.
The situation has been described as
an ""open-air prison"" by the U.N.
human rights commissioner's expert on
Haiti, with gangs killing, raping, and
burning homes, businesses, and schools."
"Zambia
A protest march was held in Lusaka,
Zambia's capital, against recent
child rape cases, including one
where a father allegedly raped his
7-year-old daughter while she was in
the hospital for cancer treatment.
The protesters, including civil society
organizations and musicians, demanded the
government to amend the law to introduce
tougher punishments for child rapists,
including denying bail to suspects.
Zambia's Justice Minister has called for
the castration of child rapists as an
extreme measure to deter perpetrators."
"Israel
A rocket launched from the Gaza Strip
was intercepted by Israeli air defenses,
with sirens sounding in the nearby
border community of Kibbutz Nahal Oz.
Fortunately, there are no
reports of injuries or damage."
"Israel
Two Bedouin Israeli teenagers, aged 17
and 18, have been arrested by police
and Shin Bet agents for allegedly
plotting to steal weapons from IDF
bases to carry out a terror attack.
The suspects planned to sell some
of the stolen weapons to terrorist
operatives in the West Bank and use
the rest to attack Israeli targets.
A ""very serious"" indictment has
been filed against the pair in the
Beersheba District Juvenile Court."
"Israel
Two rockets launched from Gaza were
intercepted by air defenses near Sderot,
with no reported injuries or damage."
"Mozambique
On Monday, Islamic State insurgents
reportedly attacked two villages in
the Ancuabe district of Cabo Delgado
province, killing at least one person.
The attacks are part of a recent increase
in terrorist activity in the area."
"Nigeria
Armed assailants attacked two
soldiers from the 312 Battalion
at Babar Saura in Kaduna State.
One soldier, Corporal James,
was killed, and another, Private
Ibrahim Bazalla, was injured.
The assailants stole two AK-47
rifles and a white Toyota Venza
from a civilian before being tracked
to Degel 2, Kaduna, where they
abandoned a silver Toyota Corolla."
"Nigeria
Fulani herdsmen allegedly killed
a man named Godwin Anuka in front
of his wife and two children
in Ubulu-Uku, Delta State.
The incident occurred after Anuka
and his family were abducted from
their farm on March 29, 2025."
"Nigeria
According to multiple sources, at least
12 people were killed by terrorists led
by Bello Turji in Lugu town, Sokoto state.
The attack allegedly occurred when the
bandits returned from a Sallah visit,
but a local lawmaker disputes the
claim that Turji visited any community.
It is reported that the prompt action
of community members, who informed
security personnel of Turji's
planned visit, may have prevented a
larger attack and led to the bandits
targeting innocent farmers instead."
"Syria
A former fighter in the Hezbollah Syrian
militia and official of the Iranian
Cultural Centre in Al-Bokamal City
was arrested by the General Security
for promoting Wali Al-Faqh ideology.
He was taken to a security branch."
"United Kingdom
British counter-terrorism police
have arrested two men, aged 39 and
35, on suspicion of being linked to
the banned terror group Hezbollah.
The investigation, which involves
alleged activity in both the UK and
overseas, has resulted in the men being
released on police bail until mid-July."
"West Bank
The Israeli military shot a
Palestinian suspect wielding a knife
after approaching the IDF's Gilboa
post in the northern West Bank.
Fortunately, no Israeli troops
were injured in the incident."
"West Bank
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have
reported a counterterrorism operation
in the northern West Bank near Jenin,
where a Palestinian suspect was
killed and two others were injured
after hurling explosives at troops.
The incident occurred in the village
of Silat al-Harithiya, and the IDF
says it will continue its operations to
ensure the security of Israeli citizens.
Additionally, security forces arrested
eight wanted individuals and seized
two Carlo submachine guns, handing
them over for further investigation."
"West Bank
Dozens of Israeli settlers from the
Givat Habaladim outpost attacked
police officers and set fire to a
police car in the northern West Bank.
The incident began with a noise
complaint, and police arrested
17 wedding attendees who were
allegedly involved in the assault.
A joint investigation has been launched
by the Shin Bet and local authorities."
"China
Chinese authorities have arrested three
Filipino nationals for engaging in
espionage activities in the country.
According to CCTV, the suspects accessed
Chinese military facilities and conducted
confidential takeover activities.
This move comes amid a broader
controversy over Chinese espionage
in the Philippines, with Philippine
officials announcing the arrest of over
eight Chinese spies this year and the
detection of a Chinese spy organization
consisting of hundreds of people."
"Czech Republic
Czech counterintelligence has uncovered
a Belarusian journalist, Natalia
Sudliankova, working as a covert
agent for Russia's GRU in Prague.
Sudliankova was granted political
asylum in 1999, has been ordered
to leave the country, and placed on
the Czech national sanctions list.
The agent allegedly worked for several
Russian organizations, including the GRU,
and received tens of thousands of euros
in cryptocurrencies for her services."
"Gaza Strip
The Israeli military has issued an
evacuation warning for the Shejaiya
neighborhood in eastern Gaza City and
nearby areas, warning civilians to
head to shelters in western Gaza City.
The IDF has announced plans to
""destroy terror infrastructure""
in the area with ""great force."""
"Hungary
Hungary has announced its withdrawal
from the International Criminal Court,
effective immediately, just before Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
The move is in line with
Hungary's constitutional and
international legal obligations."
"Myanmar
Myanmar's junta has declared a
temporary ceasefire to facilitate
earthquake relief efforts.
This is seen as a response to
ceasefires announced by armed
resistance groups earlier this week.
The ceasefire will run until April 22.
Both sides stated they
reserved the right to fight in
self-defense during the truce."
"North Korea
North Korea has condemned a recent
agreement between the US and Japan
to co-produce air-to-air missiles,
calling it a ""new element of strategic
instability"" in the Asia-Pacific region.
The criticism comes from an unnamed
vice general director of the North's
defense ministry, who claims the deal is
aimed at militarizing Japan and poses a
security threat to regional countries."
"South Korea
South Korea's Defense Counterintelligence
Command arrested a Chinese national
in Seoul for allegedly spying on
South Korea's military by luring
active-duty soldiers with cash in
exchange for classified information.
The suspect infiltrated open
chat rooms used by soldiers and
extracted sensitive information,
including details on South Korea-U.S.
joint drills.
A South Korean soldier who shared
restricted data, including more
details of South Korea-U.S.
joint drills, via the military
intranet has also been arrested.
Authorities are investigating the full
scope of classified data leaks and
potential accomplices within South Korea."
"South Sudan
On Wednesday, over 600 fighters from
the Sudan People's Liberation Army-In
Opposition (SPLA-IO) defected to the South
Sudan People's Defence Forces (SSPDF).
The defections occurred in several
locations, including Panyier, Lologo,
the Rejaf training centers, and Gutmakur.
The defectors, led by Brigadier
General Gabriel Bol Anuer, cited
dissatisfaction with the SPLA-IO's
leadership as the primary reason
for their switch of allegiance.
This significant defection
is crucial for enhancing the
country's stability and security."
"Sudan
On Monday, Doctors Without Borders
(MSF) suspended its operations
in Sudan's Zamzam refugee camp
approximately 15 kilometers (9.3
mi) south of Al-Fashir in North
Darfur due to escalating attacks and
fighting between the Sudanese military
and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
MSF teams had 139 patients with gunshot
and shrapnel wounds in its field hospital
this month, though 11 died because the
facility lacked the necessary equipment."
"Syria
A deal has been reached between the
Syrian government and the YPG (Syrian
wing of the PKK) to withdraw YPG
elements from northern Aleppo province.
Under the agreement, YPG forces will
pull out of the Sheikh Maqsoud and
Ashrafieh neighborhoods, with their
""internal security forces"" being
integrated into the Interior Ministry.
The deal also includes the establishment
of security checkpoints and removal of
barricades in the neighborhoods, as well
as the release of detainees arrested
after the liberation of Aleppo province.
The agreement aims to bring most
of Syria under the control of the
government and is expected to be
implemented by the end of the year."
"United States
US President Donald Trump has
announced a series of tariffs targeting
countries including China, the
European Union, Japan, and others.
Trump claims the tariffs will ""make
America wealthy again"" and is seen
as a move to spark a trade war.
The tariffs range from 10% to 34%
on various countries, with the
US imposing half the amount that
those countries tax US exports."
"Gaza Strip
The Israeli military has carried out
an airstrike in Gaza City, targeting
several ""key Hamas terrorists""
who were planning and carrying out
attacks on Israel and its troops.
The strike hit a former school
in the Tuffah neighborhood, and
the IDF claims to have taken
steps to minimize civilian harm."
"Gaza Strip
Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip
overnight have reportedly killed
at least 55 people, including
23 children and 21 women.
The victims include members of
a family and a pregnant woman.
The numbers could not be verified,
and it is unclear how many of the
victims were combatants or civilians."
"India
A Pakistan army soldier was martyred,
and two others were injured in an
accidental explosion of an ""old
explosive device"" along the Line of
Control (LoC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The incident occurred during a routine
patrol and coincided with an exchange
of fire between Pakistani and Indian
troops in the same area, marking the
first ceasefire violation of 2025."
"India
The Pakistan Army intruded into
India's Poonch district in Jammu
and Kashmir on April 1, 2025,
violating the ceasefire agreement.
The Indian Army responded with
""controlled and calibrated"" retaliation.
This incident comes amidst ongoing
operations in the Panjtirthi area of
Kathua, where security forces have
been conducting a search-and-destroy
operation since April 1 following an
exchange of fire with terrorists."
"Iraq
The Turkish military has launched
airstrikes on Mount Matina, near the
village of Balava in Amedi district,
despite the PKK's unilateral ceasefire
and a new peace process in Turkey.
The airstrikes have caused fear and
anxiety among villagers and tourists,
but no civilians have been killed.
The situation along the border remains
unstable, with ongoing gunfire,
explosions, and airstrikes forcing
residents to flee their homes.
This escalation of military
operations has cast doubt on the
future of the peace process."
"Lebanon
An Israeli airstrike reportedly
hit a car near Bint Jbeil, southern
Lebanon, injuring two people, according
to the Lebanese health ministry.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has
not commented on the incident yet."
"Lebanon
Israeli forces carried out a
drone strike against a Hezbollah
terrorist in Aalma ash-Shaab.
At least one person was
wounded in the strike."
"Myanmar
Myanmar's military junta has declared
a three-week ceasefire amid growing
criticism of its military operations
following a massive earthquake
that killed at least 3,000 people.
However, the ceasefire has been met
with skepticism, as fighting has
continued in Kachin State with reports
of airstrikes and ground offensives.
Anti-regime forces have also accused
the junta of using the ceasefire to
strengthen its hold over a strategically
important road, with reports of
junta forces reinforcing checkpoints
and conducting raids on villages."
"Sudan
Over the past seven days, Rapid Support
Forces (RSF) were responsible for
killing at least 85 people and wounding
hundreds of others during attacks
on at least 15 villages south of the
capital city of Khartoum and west of
Jebel Awilya, according to an activist
group statement released on Wednesday."
"Sudan
On Monday, March 31, indiscriminate
shelling by the paramilitary Rapid
Support Forces (RSF) struck the
Abu Shouk camp for the displaced in
El Fasher, killing at least seven
people and injuring nine others."
"Syria
A violent confrontation occurred in
Al-Nairab Palestinian Camp, Aleppo,
between former regime supporters
and General Security forces.
One gunman was killed, while General
Security members were stabbed, disarmed,
and their vehicles destroyed, resulting
in a state of chaos and tension."
"Syria
Israeli forces have reportedly advanced
into southern Syria's Daraa province,
with the provincial government stating
that nine civilians were killed and
several injured in Israeli bombardment.
The shelling occurred after an ""Israeli
incursion"" in the area, with the
military saying that troops came
under fire from gunmen and retaliated
with ground and aerial strikes.
This marks the deepest Israeli
incursion into Syria to date,
with the incident occurring near
the city of Nawa, approximately 9
kilometers from the town of Tasil."
"Syria
Israel has stepped up airstrikes
on Syria, targeting the area
of Kiswah south of Damascus.
The attacks are seen as a warning to
the new Islamist rulers in Damascus,
with Israel accusing Turkey of trying to
turn Syria into a Turkish protectorate."
"Syria
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has
launched a series of airstrikes in Syria,
targeting military capabilities at the
Hama military airport and T-4 airbase.
The strikes also hit the Barzeh
scientific research center near Damascus.
The IDF claims the attacks aimed
to disable remaining military
capabilities in the area, with
sources stating that runways, fuel
depots, and radars were targeted."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked 59 Chinese military
aircraft, 23 naval vessels,
and eight official ships around
its country between 6 a.m.
on Wednesday and 6 a.m.
on Thursday.
31 aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait
median line and entered the countryâs
northern, central, southwestern, and
eastern Air Defense Identification Zone."
"Ukraine
There was an explosion at a market
in Kyiv's Desnianskyi district,
resulting in the deaths of two people.
The Kyiv police are investigating the
circumstances surrounding the incident
and have dispatched a team to the scene."
"Ukraine
Russian attacks in the Kherson
region on April 2 resulted in
injuries to four civilians.
The attacks, consisting of shelling and
airstrikes, targeted multiple areas,
causing damage to an apartment building,
eight private houses, and a store.
The affected regions include Antonivka,
Beryslav, Bilozerka, and 16 other
areas in and around Kherson."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,390 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 250 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
Russia launched 39 Shahed attack UAVs and
decoys from various locations in Russia.
Ukraine's air defense successfully
intercepted 28 drones, with seven
decoy drones disappearing from radar
without causing damage or casualties.
The attack affected the Kharkiv,
Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk regions,
but was repelled through a joint
effort by Ukraine's air defense units."
"West Bank
One Palestinian man, Hamza Muhammad
Saeed Khammash, was killed during a
raid in the West Bank by Israeli forces.
The incident is under review
by the Israeli military.
Hundreds of Palestinians
marched through the streets of
Nablus for Khammash's funeral."
"Yemen
The United States has increased
its military campaign against the
Houthis in Yemen, conducting 27
airstrikes in the northern province
of Saada over the past 12 hours."
"United States
The Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel
in Minnesota has been impacted by a
cyberattack that occurred on March 27.
As of April 3, over 1,200 slot machines
remain offline, but table games and
some restaurants are still operational.
The casino's online hotel room
reservation system is also unavailable.
A spokesperson stated that the tribe
is working with third-party experts
to resolve the incident and restore
operations as soon as possible."
"Greece
At least seven migrants have
died after their boat sank off
the Greek island of Lesbos.
A coastguard vessel detected the
boat in the early hours of Thursday.
Twenty-three migrants
have been rescued so far."
"India
On Tuesday, an explosion and
fire at a fireworks factory in
Gujarat killed at least 21 people.
The incident occurred at an illegally
operating warehouse in the Banaskantha
industrial area, where workers from
neighboring Madhya Pradesh were employed.
The explosion caused significant
damage, destroying the warehouse
and nearby residential homes."
"India
On Tuesday, a Jaguar fighter jet of
the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed near
Jamnagar, resulting in the death of one
pilot and the safe ejection of the other.
The incident occurred on a
routine training mission."
"Iraq
A 35-year-old tradesman, Nazim
Salihi, was killed in a landmine
blast while collecting spring herbs
in the mountainous area of Soran.
The incident occurred when Salihi, a
married father of two, was forced to
venture into the minefield due to poverty.
Thousands of landmines are
scattered in the area, making such
accidents a significant risk."
"Russia
On Wednesday, a Tu-22M3 strategic
bomber crashed near the village of
Buret in the Bokhanski district, Irkutsk
region, during a training flight,
resulting in the death of the pilot.
At the same time, the other four
crew members ejected safely.
A technical malfunction was
reportedly the cause of the crash."
"Syria
In Syria, two separate incidents
involving old landmines have occurred.
A civilian in the Hama countryside
suffered serious injuries, including
the loss of a foot, after a landmine
exploded near Al-Ankar village.
Additionally, a civilian in the western
countryside of Al-Raqqah was injured by
a landmine explosion in Anbah village,
which the Damascus government controls."
"Syria
Two separate incidents
involving old landmines have
occurred in Idlib countryside.
A 12-year-old girl was tragically
killed, and a young man sustained
serious injuries in the explosions."
"Turkey
Thursday morning, a migrant boat
started sinking off the coast of
Ayvacik, Turkey, killing nine migrants.
Search teams rescued 25 other migrants.
A search for another person was underway."
"United States
A CSX train derailed two locomotives
on Wednesday afternoon after coming
into contact with on-track equipment
near the Rankin Bridge in Braddock.
Fortunately, there were no injuries,
leaks, or spills and no threat to
the surrounding community's safety."
"United States
A plane crash in Lafourche Parish
has resulted in two fatalities.
The plane, which was traveling from New
Orleans, had gone missing overnight.
The wreckage was located in the water
near the intersection of Highways 90
and 182, between Raceland and Houma."
"United States
A train derailed near Fostoria on
Wednesday night due to strong winds.
The incident has resulted in
the closure of Township Roads
261 and 262 near State Road 613.
Fortunately, there is no hazardous
material involved and no danger
to the public, according to the
Hancock County Sheriff's Office."
Thanks for joining us for the April
4, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
casualty information, interactive
web maps, and our IntelHub dashboard
are available with a Geopolitical
Report Pro subscription, which you
can try with a seven-day-free-trial
at geopolitical.report.
Thanks again for listening, and don't
forget to tune in again tomorrow.