Trudeau resigns and US to ease restrictions in Syria
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for January 7, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Monday, we collected 51 events, including
Trudeau's resignation in Canada,
and the US plan to ease restrictions
on Syria, so let's get started.
Terrorism,
"India
On Monday, a vehicle carrying security
personnel was blown up by a Naxal/Maoist
insurgent IED blast in Chhattisgarhâs
Bijapur district, resulting in the
deaths of eight District Reserve
Guard (DRG) jawans and one driver.
The incident occurred on the
Bedre-Kutru Road in the district
when the security personnel were
returning from a joint operation of
Dantewada, Narayanpur, and Bijapur.
The attack was the biggest strike on
security personnel by Naxalites in the
last two years, according to officials."
"Israel
Three rockets were launched from
the northern Gaza Strip at the
southern border city of Sderot.
One rocket was intercepted,
another struck a home causing
slight damage, and the third hit
an open area without major damage.
No injuries were reported."
"Myanmar
On Sunday, the military junta
arrested at least seven individuals,
including two women, for allegedly
participating in urban guerrilla warfare
against military officers in Yangon.
The regime claims the detainees were
members of an urban guerrilla group
called ""Together Urban Force,"" which
it alleges attempted to assassinate
a military officer in Yangon's
Mayangone Township on December 22."
"Nigeria
On Saturday, Boko Haram insurgents
attacked a Nigerian Forward Operating
Base (FOB) in Sabon Gari in the
Damboa Local Government Area, killing
an unspecified number of soldiers.
The terrorists also razed many
buildings and military vehicles
during the two-hour attack."
"Nigeria
A suspected improvised explosive
device (IED) detonated at an
Islamiyyah school in Abuja, killing
one student and injuring four others.
The explosion occurred during a
resumption assembly and has raised
concerns about school security.
Authorities are investigating how the
student obtained the explosive device."
"Nigeria
Two improvised explosive devices
(IEDs) suspected to have been
planted by terrorists were discovered
and destroyed in Bassa community,
Shiroro LGA of Niger State.
This comes after three separate
explosions in the same area, resulting
in casualties and panic among residents."
"Pakistan
On Monday, unknown gunmen ambushed
and killed two policemen while they
were riding a motorcycle in the
town of Kharu Khel Paccu, Lakki
Marwat District, killing them.
Police launched a search
operation for the assailants."
"Philippines
Joemar Requilme, a councilor
from Barangay Lantawan, was shot
multiple times while riding his
motorcycle on a secluded stretch of
the highway in Barangay Poblacion.
Barangay Upper Dumalinao councilor
Michael Virallo was killed in
an ambush in Dumalinao town.
The police have been directed to
investigate and apprehend the assailants."
"Philippines
In Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district,
the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
successfully detected and defused a 20-22
kg improvised explosive device (IED).
The hidden IED was found encased
in a blue plastic drum during
an anti-Maoist operation.
The CRPF used a JCB machine
to excavate and deactivate the
device, restoring traffic flow."
"Syria
Two members of the security
forces of the Military Operations
Administration were killed in the
Al-Uwaina neighborhood in Lattakia.
A wanted suspect accused of ""committing
war crimes"" threw a grenade at them.
Members of the Military
Operations Administration
subsequently killed the suspect."
"Syria
A former member of Iranian militias was
killed by unidentified gunmen in the
Al-Tubiya neighborhood in Al-Bokamal
City in Deir Ezzor countryside."
"Syria
ISIS members on motorcycles attacked
a military checkpoint in Al-Tayyanah
town in eastern Deir Ezzor countryside
using RPGs and machine guns.
The SDF retaliated, but
there were no casualties."
"Ukraine
Counterintelligence operatives in Ukraine
have detained four members of a Russian
human intelligence network, including a
minor, who were planning to carry out a
terrorist attack at a military facility.
The Russians intended to use the
minor as a suicide bomber, but the
SBU counterintelligence foiled their
plans and apprehended the suspects.
The objective of the attack was to provoke
conflict among the Ukrainian military."
"West Bank
Israeli settlers have raided the
Palestinian village of Hajja in
retaliation for a shooting attack nearby.
Settlers set fire to
a vehicle in the town.
Israeli security forces have not made
any arrests, raising concerns about
impunity for settler extremists."
"West Bank
At least two Palestinian terrorists
carried out a shooting attack in
the West Bank village of al-Funduq,
targeting a bus and two cars on Route 55.
Three civilians were killed,
and seven others, including
the bus driver, were wounded.
The IDF has deployed forces
to search for the gunmen."
Military Conflict
"Gaza Strip
Two IDF soldiers from the Nahal Brigade's
reconnaissance unit were seriously injured
in a battle in the northern Gaza Strip.
They have been transported to a
hospital in Israel for medical care."
"Gaza Strip
Two IDF soldiers were killed, and two
others were seriously wounded during
fighting in the northern Gaza Strip.
One of the slain soldiers is named as Cpt.
Eitan Israel Shiknazi, 24, a
deputy company commander in the
Nahal Brigadeâs 932nd Battalion.
The name of the second slain
soldier will be released later.
Two other soldiers of the 932nd Brigade
were seriously wounded in the same
incident in northern Gazaâs Beit Hanoun."
"Iraq
On Monday, Turkey's National Intelligence
Organization (MIT) announced that a
Turkish airstrike killed two top PKK
terrorists during an operation in
the Hakurk region of northern Iraq."
"Libya
Libya's UN-recognized authorities
have conducted air strikes on drug
trafficking and fuel smuggling hubs near
the capital, targeting sites in Zawiya.
The strikes aim to disrupt the
activities of armed groups that
exploit the chaotic situation in
Libya to fund their operations
through smuggling and trafficking.
The Libyan Army has called on
locals to clear areas known
for criminal activities."
"Myanmar
On January 3, the Arakan Army (AA) and
the People's Defense Forces (PDF) engaged
with junta troops in Thabaung Township.
The conflict took place near a Chinese
paper and pulp factory, and the AA
intends to take over the factory."
"Myanmar
Last Thursday, January 3, a junta
airstrike on the village of Chaunggyi,
Thabeikkyin Township, killed two
civilians and injured 27 others.
The airstrikes damaged a fire
station, a humanitarian relief
office, and nearby shops."
"Myanmar
According to local sources, on Friday, an
airstrike on Myin Se village in Sagaing
Township killed two men and a woman."
"Nigeria
On Sunday, Nigerian troops ambushed a
group of terrorists at Kwanar Jollof
in the Shinkafi Local Government Area
(LGA) of Zamfara state, killing several
and wounding an unspecified number.
The troops also recovered one AK47
rifle and one G3 rifle, alongside eight
rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition,
four rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition,
three magazines, and three motorcycles."
"Nigeria
Nigerian troops killed a
notorious terrorist kingpin,
Sani Rusu, in Zamfara state.
The operation, which took place
over the weekend, involved a
fighting patrol in Bamamu Village
in Tsafe Local Government Area."
"North Korea
North Korea conducted another
ballistic missile test on Monday.
According to South Korean media,
at least one medium-range ballistic
missile was launched early in the
morning from an area near Pyongyang.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff
stated that monitoring and readiness
measures have been implemented
to address further launches.
Japanâs Ministry of Defense
confirmed the missile fell outside
its exclusive economic zone."
"Russia
Ukrainian forces have launched
a new offensive inside Russia's
Kursk border region, with reports
of substantial forces involved.
The attack began on Sunday
morning, with Ukrainian troops
attacking in three directions.
Ukrainian troops made small
advances but did not achieve
significant breakthroughs."
"Sudan
On Sunday, clashes between Sudanese and
Rapid Support Forces (RSF) resumed in El
Fasher after a lull for several weeks.
Sudanese troops reportedly repelled
a new RSF attack on two fronts, from
the east and southeast of the city.
Both sides employed heavy weapons,
and the Sudanese Air Force carried out
several airstrikes on RSF positions
in the eastern part of El Fasher."
"Syria
Clashes and artillery fire resumed
between Syrian Democratic Forces
(SDF) and Turkish-backed factions
in the Manbij countryside.
The factions are attempting to
advance into the region while
Turkish drones carry out airstrikes.
Four Turkish-backed militiamen were killed
in an SDF drone strike, and an SDF member
was killed in Turkish artillery fire.
A Turkish drone also attacked an SDF
military vehicle, injuring the driver."
"Syria
On Monday, Turkish-backed factions
launched artillery strikes on a village
in northern Syria, targeting Al-Tarwaziya
in the countryside of Tal Abyad.
Clashes between Syrian Democratic
Forces (SDF) and Turkish-backed factions
also continued around the Tishrin Dam
and villages southeast of Manbij."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked seven Chinese
military aircraft, seven naval
vessels, and one official ship
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Sunday and 6 a.m.
on Monday.
Six aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line in the nationâs
southwestern and eastern Air
Defense Identification Zone."
"Taiwan
On Monday, the Taiwan Coast Guard drove
away a Mongolian-flagged freighter
with the Mandarin name âBao Shunâ
that was spotted taking an erratic
course over Taiwanâs undersea cables
off the shores in the Shilin District.
The ship is suspected to be of
Chinese origin, and its presence
near the cables has raised concerns.
The incident sparked further national
security concerns after a Chinese ship
allegedly damaged a subsea cable Friday."
"Ukraine
One civilian was killed, and 13
others were injured in Russian
strikes in the Kherson region.
Several towns and villages were
targeted, resulting in damage to
buildings and private property."
"Ukraine
Three civilians have been
injured in the Kherson region
due to Russian drone attacks.
A 43-year-old man was injured in
Kherson, a 58-year-old resident
of Kherson was injured in the
Tsentralyi district, and a 45-year-old
man was injured in Veletenske."
"Ukraine
The Russian army attacked Kholodnohirsk
and Kyivskyi districts of Kharkiv
with Molniya-1 drones, causing damage.
In Kholodnohirsk, a drone fell on the
roof of an administrative building
without exploding, damaging the roof.
In the Kyiv district, a drone damaged
the windows of three houses and a car."
"Ukraine
A 45-year-old man was injured in
a drone attack in the village of
Zelenivka in the Kherson community.
Russian troops also fired artillery
and drones at the village, damaging
residential areas and infrastructure.
In total, at least two high-rise buildings
and 10 private houses were damaged."
"Ukraine
On Sunday, the IAEA staff at Zaporizhzhia
NPP reported two loud explosions near
the plant, coinciding with reports of
a drone attack on the training center.
The IAEA has not confirmed any impact yet,
but they also heard machine gun bursts.
There were no casualties or injuries
and no impact on NPP equipment."
"Ukraine
In the Kyiv region, a Russian drone
attack on January 6 damaged two private
houses, a car, and a power line.
There were no casualties reported.
The attack lasted for almost 5 hours,
and air defense forces were deployed."
"Ukraine
In Kherson, Russians opened
fire on a minibus, resulting
in one death and nine injuries.
The attack was carried out using
a UAV in the Shumensky district.
Additionally, Russian forces attacked
public transport in the Korabelny district
using a drone, injuring three civilians."
"Ukraine
On January 6, the Russian army attacked
the Nikopol district of the Dnipro region.
The attack included artillery fire
and the use of a kamikaze drone.
Fortunately, there were no casualties.
In response, the air defense forces
successfully shot down five Russian
drones in the Dnipro region."
"Ukraine
Russian troops injured seven
residents of the Donetsk region.
Three people were wounded in Pokrovsk,
two each in Nadiyivka and Zarichne."
"Ukraine
Russian troops attacked a
crossing over the Oskil River in
the Kupiansk district at night.
The Russians are attempting to
disrupt logistics and destroy
civilian infrastructure."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,550 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 400 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
Two civilians were killed and
11 others injured in the Kherson
region due to Russian shelling.
The Russian military used artillery,
mortars, and drones to attack settlements.
At least 10 civilian
objects were damaged."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched 542 attacks on 12
settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region,
including air strikes, UAV attacks,
MLRS attacks, and artillery strikes.
Five reports of damage or
destruction were made to residential
buildings and infrastructure,
but no civilians were injured."
"West Bank
The Israeli Air Force conducted an
airstrike in the West Bank, targeting
an armed terrorist cell in the
Tamun area of the Jordan Valley.
Casualty figures were not
reported in the strike."
Political Conflict
"Canada
Canadian Prime Minister Justin
Trudeau announced his resignation
due to rising discontent and
turmoil within his government.
He will remain in office until a new
leader of the Liberal Party is chosen.
Trudeau's popularity has declined in
recent years, and this political upheaval
comes at a challenging time for Canada."
"Syria
The US plans to ease restrictions
on providing humanitarian aid
and basic services to Syria
while maintaining sanctions.
This decision aims to improve living
conditions while keeping US leverage.
The Biden administration wants
Syria's new Islamist rulers to
cooperate on counterterrorism
and form an inclusive government.
The easing of aid restrictions
authorizes the Treasury Department
to issue waivers for essentials
like water and electricity."
Civil Unrest
"France
French farmers from the Coordination
Rurale union staged protests near
Paris on Monday, January 6, 2025,
opposing the Mercosur trade agreement
and demanding better compensation
for their agricultural products.
Despite their efforts to reach Paris
and Lyon, law enforcement blocked
them, causing significant disruptions.
Tractors were reported in areas
such as Rambouillet, Orveau, Meaux,
and the RN4 highway east of Paris."
"Guinea
Security forces in Guinea's
capital, Conakry, were deployed
to prevent a planned opposition
protest against the ruling junta.
The opposition alliance, the Living Forces
of Guinea (FVG), called for the junta to
hand over power to a civilian government."
Accidents
"Ukraine
An unknown explosive device injured
two 11-year-old boys in the Pokrovsk
district of the Donetsk region.
The incident occurred when the children
discovered an unexploded ordnance while
walking on the outskirts of Dobropillia.
The victims were hospitalized
with leg injuries, and an
investigation is underway."
"United States
A small plane crashed into
a home in Temple City, but
no injuries were reported.
The home was not damaged.
The cause of the crash is unknown."
Thanks for joining us for the January
7, 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 www.geopolitical.report.
Don't forget to tune in again
tomorrow for the most recent
events from around the world.