Wittkoff meets with Putin
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for April 12, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
Friday, we collected 48 events,
including US envoy Steve Wittkoff
meeting with Russian President
Vladimir Putin, so let's get started.
US President Donald Trump's special
envoy Steve Witkoff held talks
with President Vladimir Putin in St
Petersburg about a peace deal on Ukraine.
However, the talks have stalled
due to disagreements over
conditions for a full ceasefire.
Trump has threatened to impose
secondary sanctions on countries
buying Russian oil if Moscow does
not move forward with the deal.
Putin is ready to agree on a ceasefire
but wants Ukraine to meet certain
conditions, including not joining NATO
and limiting the size of its army."
US presidential envoy Steven
Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, head
of the Russian Direct Investment
Fund, met at a hotel in St.
Petersburg on Friday.
They reportedly left together,
with unconfirmed media suggesting
they were heading to a meeting with
Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This meeting comes after the second round
of Russian-American talks on normalizing
diplomatic relations in Istanbul."
"China
China has increased tariffs on US
imports to 125% in response to the US
imposing a 145% tariff on Chinese goods.
The move escalates the trade
war between the two countries,
threatening global supply chains.
China's Finance Ministry has
criticized the US tariffs as
a violation of international
trade rules and economic laws."
"Estonia
Estonia has detained a Russian oil
tanker, the Kiwala, near Tallinn
for violating maritime laws.
The tanker is reportedly part of
Moscow's ""shadow fleet"" and has
already been sanctioned by the
European Union and other countries."
"Gaza Strip
Israeli forces issued an evacuation
order for eastern Gaza City.
This comes ahead of an expected
operation in the area."
"Iran
Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Foreign
Minister, will attend indirect talks with
the US in Oman with ""full authority""
to secure a ""real and fair"" nuclear
agreement, according to a senior adviser
to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei."
"Tunisia
A group of 11 Russians detained in
Tunisia in November on suspicion
of ""involvement in terrorist
activities"" has been released.
They were initially detained near
the border with Algeria, but Russian
media reported they were sightseers
visiting Roman monuments in Haidra.
The group will leave Tunisia on Friday,
with tickets purchased for two flights."
"United States
The US has reversed cuts to emergency
food aid in several countries, including
Somalia, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan,
Iraq, and Ecuador, but has maintained
the cuts in Afghanistan and Yemen.
The reversal comes after intense lobbying
by the United Nations and US officials,
who argue that the aid is crucial
for millions of vulnerable people.
However, the State Department claims
that the cuts in Afghanistan and Yemen
are necessary to prevent funding from
benefiting terrorist groups despite
evidence showing that contractors
have already paid millions of dollars
in taxes and fees to these groups."
"Gaza Strip
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have
discovered a Hamas tunnel built under
a kindergarten in Rafah, southern Gaza.
The tunnel, which was booby-trapped
with explosives, was located in the
yard of the daycare and led to a
key Hamas underground passageway.
The tunnel was demolished by the IDF's
elite Yahalom combat engineering unit."
"Israel
The Israeli Air Force shot down a
drone launched from Yemen, which was
heading towards Israel from the east.
The drone was shot down near the
Dead Sea, but no sirens were sounded
as no towns were under threat."
"Israel
Israel Police have arrested two residents
of the Galilee region, Nur Shabaat and
Amir Kaywan, for planning attacks with
the Tulkarem Brigades terror group.
The suspects made contact with the
group and planned stabbing attacks
against security forces on the Temple
Mount in Jerusalem during Ramadan.
Indictments have been filed
against both men, charging them
with several security offenses."
"Nigeria
Eight former refugees who returned
to Borno State from Chad were
abducted by Boko Haram insurgents
while fishing on April 9.
The abductors have demanded
a ransom of N300,000 (~ $650
USD) for each person's release.
This is not the first time insurgents
have targeted fishermen in the area,
with over a dozen fishermen abducted
in the same region late last year."
"Nigeria
Nigerian troops in Borno State
successfully repelled a terrorist ambush
attack in Gwoza LGA, neutralizing several
terrorists and recovering some weapons.
The troops successfully defended
themselves against the attack,
which resulted in a firefight."
"Syria
A former mayor in Aleppo's Salah
Al-Dein neighborhood was shot and
killed by unidentified gunmen.
The victim was accused of
coordinating with the Military
Security Department in Aleppo City."
"Syria
Security forces have imposed a curfew
in Busra Al-Sham City and carried
out an armed attack on a group of
the Ministry of Defence, leaving
three members severely injured.
The victims include a former commander of
opposition factions of the former regime.
Residents have accused members of
the Eighth Brigade and its commanders
of attempting to assassinate and
arrest Ministry of Defence members."
"Syria
A member of the internal security
forces from Masikah village was
injured in gunfire by unidentified
gunmen in Izraa city, northern Daraa.
The motive behind the attack is
believed to be a tribal dispute.
The injured security member
was taken to the hospital."
"Gaza Strip
A pre-dawn Israeli airstrike in
Khan Younis, southern Gaza, has
killed 10 members of the al-Farra
family, including seven children.
The strike targeted the family's home,
with the exact circumstances and IDF
response pending further investigation."
"Gaza Strip
The Israeli military has carried out
strikes in Gaza, killing the commander of
Hamas's sniper forces, Ahmad Iyad Muhammad
Farhat, and several other operatives.
The IDF has also destroyed
booby-trapped buildings, underground
infrastructure, and other Hamas
targets, including cells of operatives
and buildings used by terror groups."
"Gaza Strip
A soldier from the Golani Brigade's
12th Battalion was seriously
injured in an accidental misfire
in the southern Gaza Strip.
This is the first reported serious
injury to an Israeli soldier in Gaza
since Israel resumed its military
offensive in the area last month."
"Gaza Strip
IDF officer was moderately wounded in
an exchange of fire with Palestinian
gunmen in the southern Gaza Strip.
The IDF returned fire, killing
two of the gunmen, and a drone
later struck and killed a third."
"Myanmar
Recent airstrikes in Myanmar have
resulted in the deaths of at least two
civilians, including a 13-year-old girl.
In Mandalay Region's Madaya Township,
a village was bombed, killing one
civilian and destroying a house.
In Sagaing Region's Kawlin Township, a
school was targeted, killing a 13-year-old
girl and injuring at least five others."
"Myanmar
The Church of Christ the King
in Falam, Myanmar, was destroyed
in airstrikes on April 8.
Casualty figures were not
reported in the attack."
"Pakistan
A wanted terrorist commander, Hafeezullah
alias ""Kochwan,"" was killed in
an intelligence-based operation in
Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Hafeezullah, a trained militant with
a degree in computer science, was
involved in major terror attacks and had
a bounty of PKR 5 million on his head.
He was a high-ranking member of the
Tehreek e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
and is believed to have orchestrated
several deadly attacks against
security forces between 2009 and 2014.
One other militant was
killed in the operation."
"Sudan
A displacement camp in the El
Fasher area was hit by artillery
shelling on Thursday, resulting
in over 16 deaths and 25 injuries.
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is
suspected of launching the attack."
"Sudan
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have
captured the capital of Um Kadada locality
in North Darfur State, marking their
second military garrison to fall to the
RSF in North Darfur in less than a month.
The RSF claims to have killed hundreds
of Sudanese soldiers and seized combat
vehicles, weapons, and ammunition.
This victory bolsters the RSF's
position in Darfur, where they
have held a dominant military
presence since the conflict began.
The RSF's control in the region
comes despite recent setbacks in the
central Sudan region, including a
military defeat in Khartoum in March."
"Taiwan
Between Thursday and Friday, the
Ministry of National Defense tracked
six Chinese naval vessels and two
military aircraft near Taiwan.
Two Chinese aircraft entered
Taiwan's air defense identification
zone but did not cross the
median line of the Taiwan Strait.
In response, Taiwan deployed aircraft,
naval ships, and coastal missile
systems to monitor the situation."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,210 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 365 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
Russian drones have attacked the Polohiv
and Zaporizhzhia districts in Ukraine,
causing damage to cars and houses.
The attacks resulted in broken
windows and damaged roofing, but
fortunately, no injuries were reported."
"Ukraine
On April 10-11, Russian forces
launched an attack on Ukraine using a
ballistic missile and 39 strike UAVs.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully
repelled the air assault, shooting
down 24 Russian drones and losing
13 decoy drones from radar tracking.
The attack caused consequences in the
Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Zhytomyr
regions, resulting in one fatality
and five injuries, including a child."
"Ukraine
Russian glide bombs have reportedly
caused injuries and damage in
Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, Ukraine.
Preliminary reports indicate that
three people were injured, and a
private residence and a medical
facility building were damaged, with
fires and significant property loss.
Rescue workers and medical teams are
on-site to assist with the situation."
"Ukraine
A missile strike in Dnipro, Ukraine,
caused a large-scale fire that
was extinguished in the morning.
According to the head of the Dnipro
Regional Military Administration, nine
people were injured in the rocket attack.
The Russian troops also hit the
Nikopol district with a kamikaze
drone, but no casualties were reported.
Meanwhile, air defense
destroyed six Russian drones
in the Dnipropetrovsk region."
"Ukraine
Russian forces launched approximately
15 kamikaze drone attacks in the
Nikopol district of Ukraine's
Dnipropetrovsk region, injuring one
civilian and damaging infrastructure.
The attacks targeted Nikopol,
Chervonohryhorivka, and Pokrovske
communities, resulting in damage to
administrative buildings and vehicles."
"Ukraine
According to Oleh Syniehubov, head
of the Kharkiv regional military
administration, Russian aviation
has struck the border community of
Zolochiv with guided aerial bombs.
The attacks occurred in multiple
locations, including near
villages of Kalynove, Karasivka,
Sosnivka, and Baranivka.
Fortunately, preliminary
reports indicate no casualties."
"Ukraine
On April 11, the Russian military
attacked the Shostka community
in the Sumy region with drones,
causing damage to an agricultural
enterprise, equipment, and power lines.
Two explosions were recorded,
and an emergency rescue
team is working at the site.
The situation is being investigated
for damage and casualties."
"Ukraine
Ukraine's SOF has captured 14
Russian military personnel,
including three officers, during
missions in Russia's Kursk region.
The operations involved
firefights with Russian troops,
resulting in the elimination of
around 30 Russian combatants.
The Ukrainian forces reported no losses
and are currently obtaining testimony
from the captured Russian personnel."
"Yemen
The United States conducted 11
airstrikes in Sana'a, Yemen, on Friday.
The attacks targeted areas in
Bani Hushaysh, Jabal Nuqum, Faj
Attan, and Al-Maâamar, but no
casualties have been confirmed.
This comes after the US military
announced the arrival of a second
aircraft carrier in the Middle East to
protect commercial shipping routes."
"Kenya
A controversy has erupted in Kenya
over the national high school drama
competition, where a play called ""Echoes
of War"" was initially disqualified and
later reinstated by a High Court ruling.
The play, written by Cleophas Malala,
features themes of youth activism and
protests against government leaders.
However, police fired tear gas
to disperse a crowd gathered
to watch the play, leading to a
boycott by the student performers.
The incident has sparked public outcry,
with rights groups and opposition figures
condemning the police action and calling
for the play to be allowed to proceed."
"Nigeria
A group of women in Port Harcourt
staged a protest march on Friday,
calling for the reinstatement of
suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
They expressed dissatisfaction with
the ongoing situation in Rivers
State, describing the suspension as
""unconstitutional military rule.""
The protesters appealed directly to
President Bola Tinubu to reinstate
democratic institutions, including the
return of the duly elected governor."
"Pakistan
Rallies were held in various parts
of Pakistan to express support
for the people of Palestine.
Participants from different segments
of society condemned the Israeli
government's actions against innocent
civilians, carrying banners and
chanting slogans against Israel."
"South Korea
A subway tunnel under construction
near Seoul has collapsed,
potentially trapping two workers.
Authorities have mobilized a rescue team
with 55 workers and 18 vehicles to assist.
The collapse occurred at the
Gwangmyeong site, where workers had
been withdrawn earlier due to concerns
over a ventilation shaft's stability."
"Syria
A civilian was injured by shrapnel
from a landmine explosion in the Peace
Spring area near Al-Raqqa, specifically
near Al-Hajo Village and the M4 road."
"Syria
A civilian was killed, and another
was injured in an explosion caused by
an old landmine near the entrance of
Basanqoul town in Idlib countryside.
The injured individual was taken
to the hospital for treatment."
"United States
On Thursday afternoon, a tourist
helicopter carrying a family from
Spain crashed into the Hudson River,
killing six people, including the
pilot and four members of the family.
The helicopter, operated by New
York Helicopters, took off from
the Downtown Manhattan Heliport
and went off radar at 3:25 p.m.
Witnesses described the helicopter
breaking apart and crashing into
the water, with some reporting
hearing loud noises and seeing pieces
fall off before it hit the river."
"United States
On Thursday, a plane
carrying at least six U.S.
House members was clipped by another
aircraft on the ground at Ronald Reagan
National Airport near Washington, D.C.
The affected plane, American
Eagle flight 5490, was headed for
Charleston, South Carolina, with
76 customers and four crew members.
Fortunately, there were
no reported injuries."
"United States
On Thursday afternoon, a single-engine
plane crashed at Davis Field in
Folkston, GA, injuring four people.
Six people were on board,
including two children.
The plane reportedly went off the runway
while attempting to land, with the left
wing hitting a tree and breaking off.
Four adults were taken to a
hospital in Jacksonville for
treatment, with two being airlifted.
The National Transportation Safety
Board (NTSB) will investigate the
crash to determine the cause."
"United States
A plane crash occurred at
North Little Rock Municipal
Airport on Thursday afternoon.
A Key Lime Air Swearingen Metroliner
III aircraft experienced a landing
gear collapse during landing,
but thankfully, the two pilots on
board exited safely without injury.
There were no passengers on board, and
no injuries were reported on the ground.
The incident is currently under
investigation by the FAA and NTSB,
with Key Lime Air cooperating
fully and prioritizing safety."
"United States
A Cessna 310R plane crashed in Boca Raton,
Florida, on Friday morning, resulting in
the deaths of all three people on board.
The plane, which took off from Boca
Raton Airport and was heading to
Tallahassee International Airport,
experienced mechanical issues and crashed
approximately 20 minutes into the flight.
One person in a car on the ground
suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses described the plane flying
extremely low and then crashing, causing
a fire that had been extinguished."
"United States
A small plane crash occurred
in Jeanerette on Wednesday.
The plane, a tail dragger, landed off
the runway and nosed over at 11:40 am.
The pilot was transported to a
local hospital with minor injuries."
Thanks for joining us for the April
11, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
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