US says China is providing imagery to the Houthi rebels
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for April 18, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Thursday, we collected 57 events,
including the United States accusing
China of providing satellite imagery to
the Houthi rebels, so let's get started.
The US State Department has
accused a Chinese firm, Chang Guang
Satellite Technology, of directly
supporting attacks on US interests
by Iran-backed Houthi fighters.
The company, linked to China's military,
is alleged to be supplying Houthi rebels
with imagery to target US warships and
international vessels in the Red Sea."
The United States has issued new sanctions
against the International Bank of
Yemen (IBY) for its financial support
of the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group.
The Treasury Department statement
cites IBY's role in supporting
attacks on commercial ships in
the Red Sea and against Israel."
"North Korea
North Korea has threatened unspecified
retaliation after the US flew B-1B
long-range bombers over South Korea during
joint training exercises on Tuesday.
The US and South Korea conducted the
drills to demonstrate their combined
deterrence capability against North
Korea's advancing nuclear program."
"South Sudan
A senior commander in the SPLA-IO,
Major General Edward Razig Joseph,
has defected to President Salva
Kiir's side with over 1,280 soldiers.
This move comes amid heightened
tensions following the house
arrest of opposition leader Dr.
Riek Machar.
The defection is seen as a blow to
Machar's faction and a step towards
lasting peace in South Sudan."
"India
The National Investigation Agency
(NIA) has filed a fourth supplementary
chargesheet in the 2022 Coimbatore car
bomb explosion case, charging five more
individuals with terror financing and
other activities linked to the attack.
The accused, including Sheikh
Hidayathullah and Umar Faaruq, allegedly
orchestrated a fake COVID-19 vaccine
certificate scam to fund the attack.
The case is linked to ISIS-inspired
extremist ideology and an attempt
to avenge the imprisonment of
their leader, Mohammed Azharuddin,
who was arrested in 2019."
"Syria
The General Security Administration
arrested a retired Brigadier
General Salem Dajestany in Latakia.
He holds Russian citizenship and
is accused of committing violations
against civilians during his time
in various security positions.
He has been referred to the
Public Prosecution Office
for further legal measures."
"Gaza Strip
The IDF has demolished a Hamas training
camp in the southern Gaza Strip,
located in the Morag Corridor area.
The facility, which belonged to
Hamas's Shaboura Battalion, included
a mock Israeli tank and was destroyed
by troops from the Golani Brigade.
Additionally, the IDF captured a
cache of weapons and destroyed other
Hamas infrastructure in the area."
"India
On Wednesday, police seized a .303
rifle with a magazine, a 9mm pistol,
one modified carbine with a magazine,
a country-made single-barrel gun,
and a modified 81mm long-range mortar
during an operation in the village of
Saidan, the Churachandpur district."
"India
Officials reported on Wednesday that
in the past 24 hours, Manipur Police
apprehended 14 militants from various
groups and seized weapons, ammunition,
cash, and incriminating documents.
A senior police officer confirmed
that the arrests occurred across six
districts: Thoubal, Imphal East, Imphal
West, Tengnoupal, Bishnupur, and Jiribam.
The militants belonged to the Kangleipak
Communist Party (KCP), the United
National Liberation Front (UNLF), the
PREPAK, and the Socialist Revolutionary
Party of Kangleipak (SOREPA) groups."
"India
On Wednesday, police arrested a
Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) militant
during an operation in the village of
Phayeng in the Imphal West district."
"India
On Wednesday, police arrested a
Kangleipak Communist Party- Lalumba
(KCP-Lalumba) militant during an
operation in the Laiharobam Leirak
area of the Imphal East district."
"India
On Wednesday, police clashed
with terrorists in the Sanyal and
Safiyan area of the Kathua district,
resulting in the death of two
terrorists and four police officers.
Police searched for at least four
other militants after the encounter.
Police seized material, including
sophisticated weapons and explosives."
"Nigeria
Three Nigerian Customs Service
(NCS) officers were killed by ISWAP
terrorists in Bashaka, Kebbi State.
The terrorists also burnt the patrol
vehicles used by the officials and
seized 500 jerricans of smuggled
Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
According to the Comptroller General
of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, the
smuggled fuel is often used by bandits
and terrorists to carry out attacks,
highlighting the need for collaboration
with sister security agencies and
vigilance among NCS officers."
"Pakistan
An unknown armed man on a motorcycle
attacked a police station in Bhag town
with a hand grenade, causing damage
to a vehicle and the station's walls.
Fortunately, no one was
injured or killed in the blast.
An investigation is underway,
and police have sealed the area
and launched a search operation."
"Somalia
Heavy fighting broke out on
Wednesday in the town of Adan Yabaal.
The battle's outcome was unclear,
with government forces and al
Shabaab giving conflicting accounts
of who controlled the city."
"South Sudan
The South Sudan People's Defence
Force (SSPDF) has detained five
young men accused of engaging in
gunfire with military personnel in
Gogrial East County, Warrap State.
The incident follows a violent clash
between the SSPDF and armed youths
in Ayen Angol village, which has
heightened tensions in the region.
The SSPDF claims the arrests are necessary
to contain the situation and facilitate
investigations, but the move has been
criticized by some communities who accuse
the military of heavy-handed tactics."
"Syria
A car carrying a member of the General
Security forces was attacked in Al-Sheikh
Meskein, northern Daraa countryside.
The incident led to armed clashes between
the security forces and unidentified
gunmen, resulting in the death of
one attacker and injuries to others.
The attackers fled
towards nearby villages."
"West Bank
A Palestinian man, reportedly
in his seventies, was shot in
the leg by a settler in the West
Bank's southern Hebron Hills.
The incident occurred in the area of
Khirbet al-Rakiz, with footage showing
the wounded man and soldiers at the scene.
The Israeli military has yet
to respond to the incident."
"Gaza Strip
According to a Hamas-controlled civil
defense agency, Israeli airstrikes have
hit multiple encampments for displaced
Palestinians in Gaza, resulting in at
least 25 deaths and numerous injuries.
The agency claims that two
Israeli missiles struck tents in
the Al-Mawasi area, killing 16
people, mostly women and children.
Additional strikes in other areas have
killed nine more people, with the Israeli
military yet to comment on the incident."
"Gaza Strip
The IDF and Shin Bet say a Hamas
operative was targeted in an airstrike
in northern Gaza's Jabalia, which
allegedly hit a school serving as
a shelter for displaced Gazans.
The strike resulted in the deaths of six
people and injuries to several others.
The IDF claims to have taken precautions
to minimize civilian harm, using
precision munitions and intelligence."
"Gaza Strip
The IDF has announced the killing
of two high-ranking members of
Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic
Jihad in airstrikes in Gaza.
The chief of Hamas's smuggling unit, Yahya
Fathi Abd al-Qader Abu Shaar, was killed
in an airstrike in Khan Younis, while
a prominent member of the Palestinian
Islamic Jihad, Mazen Ibraheem Mahfouz
Farah, was killed in a separate strike.
The IDF says it took steps to minimize
civilian harm and has struck a total
of 110 targets in Gaza over the past
two days, including cells of terror
operatives and infrastructure used
by Hamas and other terror groups."
"Iraq
Turkish forces have attacked
positions of the Kurdistan Workers'
Party (PKK) in villages in northern
Duhok province, Kurdistan Region.
The attack, which involved artillery
shelling, destroyed several
civilian homes in the villages
of Mze, Kefnah Mze, and Spindari.
This is not the first time these
villages have faced attacks, with over
20 similar incidents in recent years,
leading to the destruction of over 25
homes and prompting residents to flee."
"Lebanon
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
has carried out an overnight
strike on Hezbollah infrastructure
in southern Lebanon, without
providing further details.
The IDF claims that Hezbollah is using
civilian infrastructure for terror
purposes and putting Lebanese residents at
risk, and will continue to act against the
group's military entrenchment efforts."
"Lebanon
The Israeli military (IDF) has confirmed
that a drone strike in southern
Lebanon's Blida killed Ali Ibar
al-Nabi Khadi, the deputy commander of
Hezbollah's forces in the Mhaibib area."
"Myanmar
On the last day of Myanmar's
traditional New Year's holiday,
Thingyan, airstrikes carried out by
the military killed at least seven
people, including two children.
The attacks occurred in various
regions, including Sagaing,
Mandalay, and Chin State, which are
considered resistance strongholds."
"Pakistan
On Thursday, Pakistanâs Special
Services Group (SSG) killed four
suspected Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan
(TTP) terrorists and injured two
others during an operation in the
Kallachi district of Dera Ismail Khan.
Troops recovered a significant amount
of weapons and ammunition from the
militants during the operation."
"Russia
A group of drones attacked the 112th
Guards Missile Brigade of the Russian
army in Ivanovo region on Thursday,
April 17, following a similar attack
on the same brigade on April 16.
The 112th brigade was previously linked
to a missile strike on Sumy, Ukraine,
on April 13, which resulted in 36
fatalities and injured 130 people."
"Somalia
Late Wednesday night, Somali forces,
assisted by the United States
Africa Command (AFRICOM), conducted
a targeted airstrike against al
Shabab militants in the Adan Yabaal
district of central Somalia, resulting
in the deaths of 12 terrorists.
Senior terrorist commanders
were among those killed."
"Somalia
On Thursday, Somali troops killed at
least 35 Al-Shabab terrorists during
an operation near the city of Baidoa."
"Somalia
On Wednesday, Somali forces, in
conjunction with US forces, conducted
an airstrike on an unidentified and
unflagged ship and smaller support
vessels transporting weapons for
al Shabaab within Somali waters.
The strikes destroyed the ships
and killed their occupants."
"Somalia
On Wednesday, Somali government forces,
along with allied local militias, thwarted
an Al-Shabab attack in the Gasarta region,
situated between Baidoa and Deynuunay,
resulting in the deaths of at least ten
militants, military officials reported."
"South Sudan
Violent clashes broke out in Maiwut
County, South Sudan's Upper Nile
State, between the South Sudan People's
Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the local
armed youth, known as the White Army.
The attack, which resulted in the
deaths of at least five soldiers, was
reportedly a response to the SSPDF's
alleged harassment of civilians and plans
to expand their presence in the region.
According to General Dickson Gatluak,
leader of the South Sudan United
Front (SSUF), the White Army launched
a surprise attack to prevent further
military movements by the SSPDF, and
is now rallying additional forces
for a more significant offensive,
warning that the war will continue."
"Sudan
The situation in Sudan remains
dire as the conflict between the
Sudanese army and the Rapid Support
Forces (RSF) continues to escalate.
Recent artillery shelling by the RSF
in El-Fasher, North Darfur State,
resulted in the deaths of at least 62
civilians and injuries to 75 others.
The Sudanese army responded, killing
70 rebels and reclaiming territory."
"Syria
The US military has conducted airstrikes
in multiple governorates across
Yemen, targeting Houthi rebel sites.
At least one person was reportedly
killed in the capital, Sanaa."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked 34 Chinese military
aircraft, six naval vessels,
and two official ships around
its country between 6 a.m.
on Wednesday and 6 a.m.
on Thursday.
Fourteen of the 34 Peopleâs Liberation
Army aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line in the countryâs
northern, central, and southwestern
Air Defense Identification Zones."
"Ukraine
According to Oleksandr Pivnenko,
National Guard Commander, the
14th Brigade 'Chervona Kalyna'
successfully counterattacked a
large-scale mechanized assault by
Russian forces in the Pokrovsk sector.
The Ukrainian forces suffered
minimal losses while inflicting
significant damage on the Russian
army, destroying over 240 personnel,
96 motorcycles, 21 armored combat
vehicles, and two artillery systems."
"Ukraine
On April 16, Russian forces
killed one resident and injured
six others in the Donetsk region.
Damage assessments were not
reported in the attacks."
"Ukraine
On April 16, Russian strikes on
the Kherson region resulted in the
death of one person and injuries
to 15 others, including a child.
The attacks targeted critical
infrastructure, residential
neighborhoods, and private homes,
causing significant damage to 20
apartment buildings, 17 private
homes, and various other structures."
"Ukraine
On the night of April 16-17, Ukraine's
air defense forces shot down 25
Russian drones, while another 30
disappeared from radar screens.
The Ukrainian Air Force countered an
air assault by Russia, which launched
75 Shahed combat drones and other types
of decoy drones from various locations."
"Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky has
expressed condolences to the families
of those killed in a Russian drone
attack on Dnipro, which injured 28
people, including four children.
The attack also damaged residential
buildings, a pharmacy, and a
church in Odesa, and hit the Sumy
region with aerial bomb attacks."
"Ukraine
Russian forces attacked settlements in the
Kherson region, resulting in the deaths
of four people and injuries to 17 others.
The incident involved airstrikes,
artillery shelling, and drone
attacks, with most civilian casualties
caused by drone-dropped munitions."
"Ukraine
Russian forces attacked the city
of Mykolaiv with a rocket-boosted
drone on April 17, causing a fire.
Preliminary reports indicate no
casualties, but emergency services
are working to extinguish the fire."
"Ukraine
Russian forces attacked the
Hlukhiv community in the Sumy
region using drones and UAVs,
targeting critical infrastructure.
Fortunately, there were
no reported casualties."
"Ukraine
Russian forces have launched strikes in
several districts of the Dnipropetrovsk
region in Ukraine, including
Nikopol, Synelnykove, and Kryvyi Rih.
The attacks, which involved drones and
artillery, resulted in reported deaths
and injuries, as well as damage to
infrastructure, homes, and businesses."
"Ukraine
Russian forces have shelled the
Kramatorsk district in the Donetsk region,
resulting in two deaths and two injuries.
The attack caused significant damage to
residential areas, including apartment
blocks, private houses, and vehicles.
The head of the Donetsk Regional
Military Administration, Vadym Filashkin,
has called for residents to evacuate
the region to avoid further danger."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched a combined
attack on Kherson on April 17, 2025,
resulting in civilian casualties.
The attack, which included
guided aerial bombs and artillery
strikes, targeted civilian areas
in the Tsentralnyi district.
Two civilian casualties have been
confirmed, with one being a 15-year-old
girl who sustained mine-blast
injuries and an open head wound, and
is currently in critical condition."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched a significant
attack on the Zaporizhzhia region,
carrying out 350 strikes at 15
settlements over the course of one day.
The attacks involved 220 unmanned
aerial vehicles (UAVs), 12 multiple
launch rocket system (MLRS) strikes,
and 111 artillery strikes, targeting
multiple locations, including residential
areas and infrastructure facilities.
As a result, six reports of damage to
houses, apartments, and infrastructure
facilities have been received,
with at least one injury reported."
"Ukraine
The Russian army shelled the village of
Novooleksandrivka in Ukraine's Kherson
region, damaging around 10 private houses.
Fortunately, no local residents were
injured in the attack, which involved
at least 20 artillery strikes."
"Ukraine
Ukraine's Defense Forces successfully
repelled two Russian assaults near the
settlements of Vovchansk and Zapadne.
Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian forces
eliminated 76 Russian troops, destroyed 87
units of weaponry and military equipment,
and took out 98 personnel shelters.
The operational situation remains
difficult, with Russian forces
conducting 811 shelling attacks
and deploying 118 kamikaze drones."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,230 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 400 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Yemen
The United States military has struck
the western Yemeni fuel port of Ras Isa,
citing the ""destruction"" of the port.
The goal of the strike was to
eliminate a key source of fuel for the
Iran-backed Houthi terrorists, with
the aim of hitting them economically
without harming the people of Yemen."
"Israel
Approximately 1,000 protesters gathered
outside Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu's private residence in
Jerusalem, calling for a hostage deal
and an end to the ongoing conflict.
The protesters, who waved signs
referencing the Passover holiday's
theme of freedom, were addressed by
the Democrats party chairman Yair
Golan, who urged them to ""fight
this government with all of our
power"" and build an alternative.
Police maintained crowd control,
but no arrests were reported."
"Syria
A former member of the National
Defence militia was arrested in the
Al-Tadamon neighbourhood of Damascus.
The individual, who previously
worked as a war correspondent, was
found in possession of ammunition,
military gear, and filming equipment."
"Australia
A helicopter carrying two people crashed
at the Moorabbin Airport in Melbourne
just minutes after taking off on
Thursday, leaving one person injured."
"Democratic Republic of Congo
A motorized wooden boat, HB Kongolo,
caught fire and capsized on the
Congo River, resulting in at least 50
deaths and hundreds of people missing.
The incident occurred near Mbandaka, with
about 100 survivors taken to a shelter.
The cause of the fire is attributed
to a woman cooking on board."
"Syria
A civilian was killed in an explosion
that occurred while they were playing
with a hand grenade in a commercial store
in Al-Qarya Town, Daraa countryside.
The victim was taken to a
hospital for medical treatment."
"Syria
Two girls tragically lost their lives in
an explosion caused by an old landmine
in the Al-Salakheib area of the Palmyra
desert in eastern Homs countryside."
Thanks for joining us for the April
18, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
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