US and Iran to meet in Rome
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for April 15, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Monday, we collected 58 events, including
the planned location for the next
US-Iran talks, so let's get started.
A second round of nuclear talks
between the United States and Iran
is scheduled to take place in Rome.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani
confirmed the development, citing a
positive response from the US and Iran
after their previous meeting in Oman.
US President Donald Trump expects
a quick decision on the talks but
has not provided further details.
The talks aim to resolve the
nuclear issue and promote peace."
"Algeria
Algeria has ordered 12 French embassy
officials to leave the country within
48 hours in response to the arrest of
three Algerian nationals in France,
including a consular official.
The incident has intensified fragile
relations between the two countries,
with Algeria accusing France of violating
diplomatic immunity and ignoring
extradition requests for a vocal
critic of the Algerian government."
"Gaza Strip
Hamas is willing to release all Israeli
hostages in exchange for a ""serious
prisoner swap"" deal, guarantees that
Israel will end the war in Gaza, and
withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip.
However, Hamas accuses Israel
of obstructing progress toward a
ceasefire and demands guarantees for
Israel's commitment to the agreement.
A new proposal suggests releasing
10 living hostages in exchange
for US guarantees that Israel
will enter negotiations for a
second phase of the ceasefire."
"Indonesia
On Sunday, the West Papua National
Liberation Army-Free Papua Organization
(TPNPB-OPM) insurgent group claimed
to have an intelligence body called
the Papua Intelligence Service (PIS),
which provides on-ground information
faster than Indonesian security forces."
"Iran
The European Union has adopted sanctions
against seven Iranian individuals
and two organizations, including the
director of Tehran's Evin prison, in
response to the detention of EU citizens,
which the bloc considers a policy
of state-sponsored hostage-taking."
"Turkey
On Sunday, senior Iraqi and Turkish
officials gathered in Antalya to discuss
cooperation against the Kurdistan Workers'
Party (PKK) and Syria's Kurdish-held
camps housing families of ISIS fighters.
The meeting emphasized the importance
of implementing Abdullah Ocalan's
call to resolve the PKK and disarm it.
The two sides also discussed the situation
in northeast Syria's al-Hol and Roj camps,
housing tens of thousands of individuals
with ties to ISIS, and the need to
find a solution for detainees there."
"Israel
Prosecutors will file an indictment
against two people suspected of leaving
a hand grenade on the doorstep of a
local politician in northern Israel,
accompanied by a threatening note.
The suspects were arrested earlier this
month, and one of them was apprehended
attempting to cross the border into Egypt.
The police claim the threat
was an attempt to influence the
politician's decision-making."
"Pakistan
The Nasirabad police in Pakistan
foiled a potential terror attack
in Dera Murad Jamali by seizing 14
kg of explosives that were hidden
underground in the White Choki area."
"Afghanistan
An explosion occurred in Mazar-i-Sharif,
Afghanistan, near the Shia
""Seh Dokan"" mosque on Monday.
The blast has raised concerns about
sectarian tensions, particularly
affecting the Hazara community.
The Taliban authorities have not
commented on the incident, and the
potential casualties are unknown."
"Ethiopia
The Ethiopian Defense Force (EDF) has
announced significant military gains
against Oromo Liberation Army (OLA)
rebels in Amhara and Oromia regions.
A high-ranking military official
announced that decisive actions have
been implemented against armed groups
active in several districts, including
North Shoa (Menth Mama), North Wollo
(Raya Kobo), Lasta, South Wollo (Saynet
Ajibar, Amhara Saynet, Woreily),
North Gojjam, East Gojjam (Debre
Elias, Enarge Enawuga), and Enebse.
The EDF also claimed to ha"
"Greece
A previously unknown 'urban guerrilla
group' called 'Revolutionary
Class Self-defence' claimed
responsibility for the bomb attack
on the Hellenic Train office in
Athens last Friday night, April 11.
There were no casualties in the attack."
"India
Police recovered five IEDs, suspected
to be planted by Naxalites/Maoists
to target security personnel,
in Bijapur district, on Monday.
A police representative reported
that IEDs were discovered on a
dirt path close to Mankeli village.
The three IEDs, each weighing 2 kg, were
concealed in beer bottles, while two
devices, each weighing between 3 kg and 5
kg, were contained in steel tiffin boxes."
"India
On Sunday, Manipur Police arrested a
United National Liberation Front (UNLF)
militant during an operation in the
Wangkhei area of the Imphal East district.
Police recovered a Beretta pistol
and ammunition from the individual.
Later in the day, police raided the
militant's home, seizing one SMG
carbine gun, one 9 mm pistol, four
magazines, one hand grenade, 66 sniper
live rounds, and Rs 69,000 in cash."
"India
On Sunday, police arrested a
United National Liberation Front
(UNLF) militant during an operation
in the Khundrakpam Awang Leikai
area of Imphal East district."
"Iran
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard
Navy seized a Portuguese-flagged
cargo vessel, MSC Ariz, in the Gulf,
reportedly near the Strait of Hormuz.
Initial reports suggested the ship
was Israeli-owned but later clarified
it was Portuguese-registered.
After the vessel was seized,
it was towed to Iranian shores.
The incident marks an escalation
in regional tensions, with Iranian
authorities asserting control
over maritime activities in the
strategic waterways of the Gulf."
"Iraq
According to the Military Intelligence
Agency, four ISIS terrorists
have been arrested in Salahuddin
province, including the legitimate
governor of Suleiman Bek district.
The operation was carried out after
gathering accurate information and
technical follow-up, and the suspects
confessed to belonging to ISIS and
carrying out terrorist attacks."
"Nigeria
On Sunday night, gunmen attacked the
Zike and Kimakpa communities in the
Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau,
resulting in the deaths of at least 47
people and injuries to many others."
"Nigeria
Troops from Operation Safe Haven have
successfully rescued 16 kidnapped
victims, including six children,
along the Jos-Mangu road in Plateau.
The victims were rescued after the
troops encountered an empty vehicle
abandoned by the roadside, leading
them to search the nearby bushes and
engage the kidnappers in a firefight.
The kidnappers were forced to abandon
the victims and flee, allowing the
troops to rescue all 16 passengers."
"Pakistan
The Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department
(CTD) has successfully prevented
terror attacks in the province
through intelligence-based operations.
Ten suspects were arrested for belonging
to banned terrorist outfits, including
Fitna Khawarij and Al-Zainabiyoun.
The operations were conducted in
Rawalpindi, Lahore, Rawalpindi,
Gujranwala, Jhelum, and Bahawalpur.
During the operations, troops recovered
2,645 grams of explosives, 16 detonators,
and 37 feet of safety fuse wire."
"South Sudan
On April 14, armed men stormed the
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital
in Ulang County, Upper Nile State,
looting medical supplies and forcing
the suspension of all services.
The hospital, the only functioning
health center in the area, had been
providing critical care to over
100 patients, including trauma,
maternity, and pediatric cases."
"Sudan
A mass grave containing over 500
people was discovered in Khartoum,
Sudan, which could be one of the worst
war crimes in the ongoing conflict.
The site is believed to be a
burial ground from the Sudanese
civil war that started in 2023.
The discovery is linked to a
Rapid Support Forces base, where
prisoners were subjected to
horrific torture and starvation.
Authorities also found a massive
burial site with at least 550 unmarked
graves, some of which were freshly
dug, and others had multiple bodies."
"Syria
Multiple attacks have occurred in
Daraa province, leaving several people
injured and causing material damage.
In Al-Sanamayn city, a civilian was
injured in gunfire, while in Sheikh Maskin
city, grenades were thrown at a lawyer's
house, causing only material damage.
Additionally, two civilians were
injured in gunfire at a barber
shop in Sheikh Saad town."
"Syria
A member of the Syrian Democratic Forces
(SDF) was killed in an attack by ISIS
militants on their position in Al-Shahel
Town, eastern Deir Ezzor countryside.
The attackers fled to
an unknown destination."
"United States
A 38-year-old man, identified as Cody
Balmer, scaled the security fence of the
Pennsylvania governor's mansion in the
middle of the night, broke in, and set a
fire that forced Governor Josh Shapiro,
his family, and guests to evacuate.
The fire caused significant damage to
the building, but no one was injured.
Balmer was later arrested and will face
charges of attempted murder, terrorism,
aggravated arson, and aggravated assault.
The motive behind the attack is still
unknown, but Governor Shapiro emphasized
that such acts of violence will not deter
him and will continue to do his job."
"Gaza Strip
An Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis,
southern Gaza Strip, resulted in
the deaths of five Palestinians
and injuries to several others.
Israeli artillery also hit eastern
areas of Gaza City, and gunboats
opened fire on fishing boats."
"Gaza Strip
The Israeli Air Force struck over 35
targets across the Gaza Strip over
the past day, including a weapons
manufacturing site, a primed rocket
launching site, and a Hamas tunnel.
The IDF also conducted airstrikes
on Hamas operatives and located
caches of weapons in a former
school and the Morag Corridor area."
"Myanmar
A junta airstrike on Kyauktaw
Township in Rakhine State
injured three people on Sunday."
"Myanmar
On Sunday, junta airstrikes on the
village of Nyaung Kone in Kawlin
Township wounded at least two people."
"Myanmar
On Saturday, April 12, junta airstrikes
hit the village Ywar Mar, eight
miles southwest of Taze Township.
One bomb struck houses, killing
one woman and injuring four others.
Another bomb damaged a pagoda,
while another destroyed a
two-story monastery building."
"Myanmar
On Saturday, a Myanmar junta airstrike
on a monastery outside the village
of Kya Khat, Tabayin Township, Sagain
Region, killed five people, including
three child monks, one student, and
a civilian, and wounded nine others."
"Myanmar
On Saturday, a junta airstrike hit a
monastic school in Kya Khat, located
roughly nine miles south of Depayin in
Sagaing, resulting in the deaths of at
least five individuals, including three
novice monks, and injuring nine more."
"Myanmar
On Sunday, junta airstrikes on the village
of Chaung Gyi, Thabeikkyin Township,
resulted in the death of a man and a woman
and the wounding of eight other civilians.
The strikes also destroyed
14 houses in the villages."
"Myanmar
On Sunday, junta airstrikes on several
villages, including Tha Min Chan,
Mu Htaw, and Su Lay Kone, in Kani
Township, killed two monks and a woman.
According to sources, there was no
ongoing fighting between junta forces and
insurgents at the time of the attacks."
"Myanmar
On Sunday, junta airstrikes on
Mindat Township destroyed buildings,
including the Myoma Baptist Church.
Mindat is currently under the control
of the Chin Brotherhood alliance."
"Myanmar
Last Wednesday, April 9, an aerial
assault on the village of Hpwi
in Mindat Township killed six
civilians, including two children.
On Sunday, April 13, another junta
airstrike on Mindat damaged a church."
"Myanmar
An airstrike on the village
of Zin Ka Le, Mingin Township,
on Saturday killed two women."
"Sudan
On Sunday, Sudan's Rapid Support
Forces (RSF) declared their control
over the Zamzam camp for internally
displaced persons in El Fasher,
the capital of North Darfur, after
three days of continuous assaults
on Zamzam and the Abu Shouk camps.
While the RSF asserts they have secured
the region and safeguarded civilians,
this action has faced international
backlash, with the UN and various
nations condemning the violence.
The fighting to take the camps
resulted in many dead and wounded."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked seven Chinese naval
vessels and six military aircraft
around its country between 6 a.m.
on Sunday and 6 a.m.
on Monday.
Two aircraft entered the southwest
corner of the countryâs air defense
identification zone, but none crossed
the Taiwan Strait median line."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched a drone
attack on Ukraine using 62
Shahed-type combat drones and decoys.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces
successfully repelled the attack,
downing 40 Russian drones and losing
11 decoy drones from radar tracking.
The attack caused damage in several
regions, including Odesa, Donetsk,
Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv."
"Ukraine
A Russian Shahed drone hit a parking
lot in Sumy, injuring one person.
The acting mayor, Artem Kobzar,
reported that there were no fatalities
and that the injured person is
currently receiving medical attention.
Relevant services are working at the
scene to respond to the incident."
"Ukraine
Russian drones attacked Zaporizhzhia
in the morning, resulting in
a fire at a local gas station.
According to Ivan Fedorov, head of
the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military
Administration, emergency workers
were able to quickly extinguish
the fire, and fortunately, no
one was injured in the attack.
This incident occurred during a morning
air alert in the Zaporizhzhia region,
where explosions were also reported."
"Ukraine
Russians fired 105 times at the
Sumy region, resulting in 285
explosions across various communities.
The most affected areas include
Krasnopilia, with 89 explosions,
and Yunakivka, with 47 explosions.
Other communities, such as Myropilia,
Esman, Shalyhine, Bilopilia,
Velykopysarivka, Novoslobidska,
Hlukhiv, and Seredyno-Buda, also
experienced significant shelling.
The death toll from a Russian
missile strike on April 13 has
increased to 34, with 117 people
injured, including 15 children."
"Ukraine
A drone attack in Odesa resulted in
damage to a hospital, residential
buildings, infrastructure, and
vehicles, injuring five people.
The mayor, Hennadiy Trukhanov,
reported that patients in the
hospital were not injured, but
the operating room was damaged.
Operational services are working at the
scene to eliminate the consequences of
the attack and restore the roadway."
"Ukraine
Russian forces used strike drones to
attack a passenger train in Semenivka,
Chernihiv region, and a business
facility in Novhorod-Siverskyi.
Fortunately, there were no passengers
on the train at the time of the attack,
and no casualties were reported.
However, one carriage was damaged."
"Ukraine
A 63-year-old man was killed by
a Russian FPV drone while working
in a field near the village of
Novoyakovlivka, Zaporizhzhia region.
The drone attack resulted in
the man's immediate death."
"Ukraine
A Russian drone attack on Odesa
has caused damage to civilian
infrastructure, vehicles, and fires,
with at least four people injured.
Emergency services are working
to contain the fires and mitigate
the consequences of the attack."
"Ukraine
Russian troops fired on the Dnipro region
on April 14, injuring a 53-year-old man.
The Russians used Grad multiple rocket
launchers, heavy artillery, and kamikaze
drones, causing fires and damaging private
houses, outbuildings, and power lines.
The Russian army also attacked the
Rayivsk community in the Synelnyk
district with drones, starting
a fire in an unused building."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,310 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 420 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
Russian forces targeted the settlement
of Stepnohirsk and the city of
Zaporizhzhia with FPV drones on April
14, causing fires in both locations.
In Zaporizhzhia, a gas module at a gas
station caught fire, covering 20 square
meters, while in Stepnohirsk, apartments
in a multi-story residential building
caught fire, burning 100 square meters."
"Yemen
Suspected US airstrikes in Yemen's
rebel-held capital, Sanaa, have
killed at least six people and
wounded 30, according to the Houthis.
The US military's Central Command has
not acknowledged the strikes, which
are part of a campaign that has seen
over 200 strikes conducted so far."
"United States
DaVita has reported a ransomware
incident that has encrypted
some elements of its network.
The company discovered the
cyberattack on Saturday and is taking
measures to limit the disruption.
The extent and duration of the breach
cannot be estimated at this time."
"Iran
'Defiant Youth' in Iran carried out
20 acts of resistance last Thursday,
April 10, 2025, targeting centers
of repression and regime symbols
in 14 cities, including Tehran.
The protests were in response to the
execution of five political prisoners
and a new wave of hangings, which
saw 33 prisoners, including three
women, hanged between April 7 and 10.
The protests also destroyed
billboards and banners bearing
images of top Iranian officials,
as well as setting fire to various
regime military bases and centers."
"Senegal
Hundreds of demonstrators took to
the streets of Dakar, Senegal's
capital, to protest Israel's
military campaign in Gaza.
The march, organized by the Senegal
Alliance for the Palestinian Cause, saw
politicians, civil society organizations,
and activists demand an end to the
occupation, respect for international
law, and the implementation of UN
resolutions for a free Palestinian state."
"China
On Sunday, a carbon dioxide outburst
accident at a coal mine in Lanzhou, the
capital of Gansu Province in northwest
China, resulted in the deaths of five
workers and injuries to nine others.
The incident occurred while the
workers were on an excavation
platform within the mine."
"Greece
Greek authorities have found 39
survivors and two bodies on the
island of Farmakonisi after a
suspected migrant boat sinking.
The incident occurred on a small,
remote island near the Turkish
coast, where many migrants attempt
to reach the European Union."
"Syria
In Syria, two separate incidents
involving landmine explosions have
resulted in injuries to children.
In the first incident, two children
were injured in a landmine explosion
near a train station in the northern
Deir Ezzor countryside and were
taken to the hospital for treatment.
A second incident occurred in the eastern
Idlib countryside, where two children were
severely injured by a landmine explosion
while returning from school on a road
between Maâarshamarin and Jarjanaz."
"United States
On Sunday morning, a small aircraft
with four passengers crashed
south of the Las Vegas Valley.
One passenger was transported
to the local hospital with
non-life-threatening injuries.
An investigation was underway."
"United States
A train has derailed in downtown
Shreveport near Clyde Fant and E.
Crockett.
Fortunately, no one has been reported
injured, and authorities say the train
is not carrying any hazardous materials.
First responders are on the scene,
and local news crews are en route
to provide further updates."
Thanks for joining us for the April
15, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
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