Turkey threatens an operation against Kurdish forces in Syria, and protests continue in South Korea
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for January 9, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Wednesday we mapped 54 events,
including continuing protests in
South Korea, so let's get started.
Terrorism,
"Afghanistan
On Tuesday evening, unidentified
gunmen fatally shot Abdul Razzaq,
the imam of a mosque and a religious
teacher, and severely wounded
Hamdullah Mohammadi, the imam of a
mosque in Baghlan Markazi district.
Mohammadi's condition is
reported to be critical.
The Islamic State (ISIS) claimed
responsibility for the attack."
"Chad
Chad's security forces have neutralized
several Boko Haram fighters who
attacked Chad's presidential palace.
The situation is now under control, and
some attackers have been captured alive.
The Chadian authorities have not yet
disclosed details about the casualties.
Security has been heightened, with
networks being switched off to prevent
any suspected breach of security."
"Democratic Republic of Congo
According to reports, Congolese forces
have clashed with M23 rebels in the
Numbi highland of Minova, South Kivu.
At least 84 civilians are being treated
at the Numbi and Minova hospitals."
"Gaza Strip
The body of hostage Youssef
Ziyadne was recovered from a
tunnel in southern Gaza's Rafah.
The IDF returned to the area
based on new intelligence.
Two Hamas operatives were found
alongside Ziyadne's remains,
believed to have been guarding him.
Inside the tunnel, the IDF found
items raising concerns for the
life of Youssef's son, Hamza,
and other intelligence materials.
The cause of Youssef's death is still
being investigated, but it is not
believed to have occurred recently."
"Iraq
Counter-terrorism forces arrested several
ISIS terrorists in the Sharazur district.
The suspects were involved in terrorist
acts and human rights violations."
"Israel
A rocket launched from the southern
Gaza Strip at the Kerem Shalom area
was intercepted by air defenses.
No injuries were reported."
"Niger
On Wednesday, suspected members
of the Jamaâa Nusrat ul-Islam wa
al-Muslimin (JNIM), also known as
the Lakurawa terror group in Nigeria,
attacked Tafouka, a town in the
Konni area of Nigerâs Tahoua region.
The attack resulted in the deaths
of four soldiers and a civilian,
with two others critically injured.
The attackers, who are believed to have
infiltrated northern Sokoto and Kebbi
states from Niger Republic and Mali."
"Nigeria
On Wednesday, the Nigerian Army
stated that six Nigerian troops
and 34 Boko Haram terrorists were
killed during the terrorist attack
on the Foward Operating Base (FOB) at
Sabon Gari last Saturday, January 4.
Furthermore, an IED blast injured a
vigilante commander during the attack.
Nigerian airstrikes on fleeing militants
resulted in further rebel casualties."
"Pakistan
On Tuesday, militants threw a
hand grenade at the main gate of
the Kalat Deputy Commissioner's
Office, wounding a police officer.
The militants fled the
area after the attack."
"Philippines
Four members of the New People's
Army (NPA) in Bicol voluntarily
surrendered to authorities.
They surrendered in Masbate and Sorsogon.
One of the surrenderers turned
over a .45 caliber pistol."
"Singapore
On Tuesday, four individuals armed
with knives boarded a bulk carrier
while it was traveling through
the Philip Channel in Singapore.
Further details were not available."
"Syria
Two gunmen of ISIS cells attacked
a military checkpoint of SDF
in the Jazara Mashhour area in
western Deir Ezzor countryside.
Four members of SDF were
killed before the gunmen fled."
"Syria
A member of the Military Operations
Administration was killed by supporters
of the former regime while working as a
guard in Al-Kaswa City in Rif Dimashq."
"Thailand
A former Cambodian opposition politician,
Lim Kimya, was shot dead by a gunman
on a motorcycle in Bangkok on Tuesday.
As of Wednesday, Thai police have issued
an arrest warrant for the suspected
shooter, believed to be a former Thai
marine and a motorcycle taxi driver.
The killing has sparked accusations
from the opposition that the Cambodian
government, led by Hun Manet, was
behind the attack, although the
government has denied any involvement."
Military Conflict
"Gaza Strip
An Israeli Air Force attack helicopter
targeted a group of Hamas operatives at a
former school in northern Gaza's Jabalia.
The Hamas operatives were using the school
as a command center to plan and carry out
attacks against troops in Gaza and Israel.
The strike resulted in the
death of at least nine people,
including displaced Gazans who had
sought shelter in the building.
The IDF claims to have taken measures
to minimize civilian casualties."
"Gaza Strip
Three IDF soldiers were killed,
and three were wounded during
fighting in the northern Gaza Strip.
Two of the slain troops
are named as Staff Sgt.
Matityahu Yaâakov Perel and Staff Sgt.
Kanaoo Kasa.
The name of the third soldier
will be announced later.
The troops all served with the 401st
Armored Brigadeâs 46th Battalion.
In the same incident, three other
soldiers were wounded, including
an officer in serious condition."
"Iraq
On Wednesday, a security source
announced that Turkish forces shelled
PKK rebel positions around the old
village of Sigiri, located in the
Matin Mountain range of Duhok Province.
The source did not disclose casualties
or damage from the shelling."
"Myanmar
The Arakan Army (AA) insurgent group
stated they took control of the
China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline
station in the village of Taung Zauk,
Ann Township, Rakhine State, this week.
The capture leaves Kyaukphyu as the only
section of the pipeline in the state
that is still outside its control."
"Myanmar
On Sunday, a junta airstrike on the
village of Aung Zon Pyin, Ponnagyun
Township, killed three members of the
ethnic Rohingya community, including
a child and a female resident.
Another airstrike hit the
nearby village of Taung Pauk."
"Myanmar
On Wednesday, Kachin Independence
Army (KIA) insurgents claimed to
have captured the town of Mansi.
A spokesperson stated they captured
the Light Infantry Battalion 319
and 601 and Artillery Unit 532 bases
in Mansi early Wednesday morning."
"Myanmar
Kachin Independence Army (KIA) insurgents
took control of parts of downtown Bhamo,
the second-largest city in Kachin State,
amid ongoing clashes with junta forces.
On Tuesday, KIA spokesperson
Colonel Naw Bu confirmed that their
troops have entered and secured
positions in some parts of the town.
Fighting is still ongoing,
particularly around Military
Operations Command (MOC) No.
21, where junta forces are
regrouping and resisting."
"Russia
The Ukrainian Defense Forces targeted an
oil storage facility in Engels, causing
explosions and a large-scale fire.
The strike was carried out by units
of the Main Intelligence Directorate
of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine
and the AFU Unmanned Systems Forces.
The oil depot supplied fuel to a military
airfield, and its destruction hampers
Russia's strategic aviation capabilities."
"Sudan
On Wednesday, fighting between
Sudanese troops and Rapid Support
Forces (RSF) raged for the second day
in Omdurman, with Sudan claiming it
made significant advances in the city.
RSF troops have employed
drones in an attempt to halt
the Sudanese military gains.
During the push, three Sudanese army
officers were freed from captivity,
and 20 RSF fighters were killed.
Troops seized an RSF weapons
and ammunition depot, as well
as food storage facilities."
"Syria
A Turkish drone attacked a civil
car near Dejlah rest-house in Karak
village in Ain Al-Arab (Kobane) in
the eastern countryside of Aleppo.
Smoke was seen rising from the
targeted site, and there are reports of
injured people taken to the hospital.
Additionally, a Turkish fighter
jet conducted two airstrikes
on the surrounding areas of
Teshreen Dam and Qarrah Qarquzaq
Bridge, causing material damage.
Turkish fighter jets have been
frequently flying over the region.
In another incident, two military
vehicles belonging to factions of
the National Army were destroyed by
SDF bombardment near Teshreen dam."
"Syria
Three members of Turkish-backed
factions were killed in an
infiltration attempt on positions
of SDF on the Deir Hafer frontline
in the eastern Aleppo countryside.
Armed clashes erupted between both
parties with medium and heavy weapons.
SDF managed to retrieve the bodies
of the victims and their weapons.
Armed clashes also renewed between
SDF and members of the Turkish-backed
National Army in positions near Sad
Teshrin (Dam) and Jisr Qorah Qozak
(Bridge) after a period of calm."
"Syria
The SDF shot down a Turkish Bayraktar
drone in the area of Teshrin Dam.
The incident happened while there
were ongoing shelling and clashes
between the SDF and Turkish forces."
"Syria
A Turkish drone destroyed a communication
tower and cut off internet access
to some villages in Qarako Village,
Ain Al-Arab (Kobane), Aleppo."
"Syria
A civilian was killed and six others
injured, including two women and two
media workers, in an attack by Turkish
drones on an ambulance and a civil car.
The attack occurred near Teshreen dam in
Manbij countryside in eastern Aleppo."
"Syria
Turkish forces in the Peace Spring
area fired heavy artillery shells
on several locations in the Tel
Tamr and Abo Raseen countryside.
No casualties were reported."
"Syria
Turkish aircraft conducted three
airstrikes in the Al-Qamishli countryside.
The targets were a car and a position.
No casualties were reported."
"Syria
Turkish forces and their proxy factions
are escalating their military actions
in Manbij, targeting the Teshreen
dam and Qarrah Qarquzaq bridge.
They are aiming to advance into the
eastern bank of the Euphrates River.
Turkish ground forces and fighter
jets have launched artillery fire
and airstrikes in the area, but
no casualties have been reported."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked 25 Chinese military
aircraft and nine naval ships
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Tuesday and 6 a.m.
on Wednesday.
19 aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line in the countryâs
northern, southwestern, and eastern
Air Defense Identification Zone.
One Chinese balloon was also
tracked northwest of Keelung."
"Ukraine
Russian forces attacked 37 settlements
in the Kherson region, resulting
in two deaths and nine injuries.
The targeted areas include
Beryslav, Tomyna Balka, Tiahynka,
Chervonyi Mayak, and others.
Residential areas and critical
infrastructure were damaged, including
apartment buildings, private houses,
a gas pipeline, and vehicles."
"Ukraine
Ukraine's Defense Forces shot down
41 Russian strike UAVs, including
Shahed drones, while 22 additional
drones were lost from tracking.
The attack was countered by aviation,
anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic
warfare units, and mobile fire groups.
The UAVs were launched from
multiple directions in Russia.
The attack prompted air raid
alerts in several regions."
"Ukraine
Russian forces targeted an industrial
infrastructure facility in Zaporizhzhia,
resulting in one death and three injuries.
The Ukrainian Air Force warned of a
potential strike using KAB glide bombs.
As a result of the attack, four
municipal trams have ceased operations.
Russian troops have attacked 12
settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region."
"Ukraine
Russian troops are shelling
Kherson, injuring two civilians.
A 23-year-old man has been hospitalized
with explosive injuries and shrapnel
wounds, while a 34-year-old man
received medical assistance for an
explosive injury and a foot wound."
"Ukraine
A 71-year-old man was killed in
the village of Naddnipryanske
in the Kherson community due to
shelling by Russian terrorists.
The incident occurred at around 10:40 a.m.
The attackers used a drone
to carry out the attack.
In addition to the man who was
killed, a 57-year-old man was
also wounded in the same attack."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,660 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Around 130 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
Russian forces shelled Kherson, resulting
in a 75-year-old man being wounded.
The man suffered an explosive
injury, contusion, and
shrapnel wound to the chest.
Additionally, a 62-year-old
woman sustained a concussion,
mine-blast, and closed head
injury in Dniprovsky district."
"Ukraine
A Russian guided bomb attack in
Ukraine's city of Zaporizhzhia killed
13 people and injured 29 others.
The attack caused damage to
infrastructure and public transport."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched attacks on
the Dnipropetrovsk region, damaging
infrastructure and private homes.
The districts of Nikopol, Marganets,
Myrivsk, and Pokrovsk were targeted.
Fortunately, there were no casualties.
In a separate incident, the
Synelnykove district was also attacked,
resulting in damage to around 20
private homes and a school building.
These attacks caused significant damage
to residential buildings in the region."
"Ukraine
The Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia
has resulted in 63 victims,
with 13 confirmed deaths.
The National Police reported this on
Facebook, stating that some victims
received treatment on-site while others
sought medical help independently.
The attack involved guided aerial
bombs in the Shevchenkivskyi district."
"Ukraine
The bodies of two women were
found under the rubble of a house
destroyed by Russian shelling in
Stepnohirsk, Zaporizhzhia region.
Two more people were rescued."
"West Bank
At least three Palestinians, including
two children, were killed in an IDF
drone strike in Tamun, West Bank.
The victims were identified as
Reda Basharat (9), Hamza Basharat
(10), and Adam Basharat (23).
The IDF targeted a cell of gunmen
but has not commented on the
reported deaths of the children."
"Yemen
US Central Command conducted strikes
against two Houthi underground
weapon storage facilities in Yemen.
These facilities were used in attacks
against US Navy warships and merchant
vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
No injuries or damage to US personnel
or equipment were reported."
Political Conflict
"Iran
An Italian journalist who was arrested in
Iran and imprisoned for three weeks has
been released and is returning to Italy.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's office
confirms that the journalist, Cecilia
Sala, is on a plane back to Italy after
diplomatic and intelligence efforts."
"Taiwan
On Wednesday, the Taiwan High Prosecutors
Office, Taichung Branch, charged
seven retired military officers for
allegedly receiving funds to spy for
the Chinese People's Liberation Army."
"Turkey
Turkey has threatened to launch a military
operation against Kurdish forces in
Syria if they do not agree to Ankara's
conditions for a ""bloodless"" transition
after the fall of President Bashar Assad.
Turkey considers the Kurdish-led
People's Protection Units (YPG) as
a terrorist outfit linked to the
Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Turkey has conducted multiple
ground operations in Syria over
the past nine years to push Kurdish
forces away from its border."
"Venezuela
President Nicolás Maduro of
Venezuela has arrested two U.S.
citizens as part of a group of
seven individuals he described as
âmercenaries.â This arrest occurred
on Tuesday, ahead of Maduroâs expected
inauguration for a third term on Friday.
Maduro claimed that the two U.S.
citizens were âvery high level,â
but he did not provide further
details or evidence of the arrests.
The group also includes two Colombians
and three individuals from Ukraine."
Civil Unrest
"Democratic Republic of Congo
Several hundred people in the Democratic
Republic of Congo protested against
illegal mining in the country's east,
particularly involving Chinese nationals.
The arrest of three Chinese
individuals with gold bars and
cash prompted the demonstration.
Many mining companies, mostly Chinese,
extract gold without declaring
profits or having valid permits.
The local government has cracked
down on non-compliant companies
and suspended their activities."
"South Korea
Hundreds of supporters gathered
outside the home of South Korea's
impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol
in Seoul on Wednesday, aiming
to shield him as investigators
readied a new arrest attempt."
"Syria
The IDF detained a French journalist
and his fixer in southern Syria.
They were found close to troops in the
buffer zone between Israel and Syria.
The IDF interrogated them and then
released them with their belongings.
The journalist claims they were
mistreated and had their belongings
stolen by the Israeli military."
Weapons
"Lebanon
The IDF has located and
destroyed five Hezbollah weapon
depots in southern Lebanon.
The depots contained over 200
mortars, rocket launchers,
and other military equipment.
A truck-mounted rocket
launcher was also found.
The weapons were confiscated,
and the sites were demolished."
Accidents
"Syria
A civilian was killed by an explosion
in Tel Al-Laban village in Al-Hasakah.
Another civilian died from wounds
sustained while plowing his
farm near Afes village in Idlib.
Both incidents involved old landmines."
Thanks for joining us for the January
9, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
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