World reacts to Trump's Gaza plans, while M23 appears to keep fighting
Cedric: Welcome to the Geopolitical
Report Daily for February 6, 2025.
Complete reports with casualty
information, interactive web maps, and
our IntelHub dashboard are available with
a Geopolitical Report Pro subscription.
We collected 59 events on Wednesday,
including reactions over Trump's
plans in Gaza, so let's get started.
Terrorism
"Democratic Republic of Congo
Hundreds of Congolese women were
raped and burnt alive by M23
rebels during a prison raid.
The rebels set fire to the women's
wing of the prison, resulting in
the death of all the female inmates.
Exact casualty figures were not released,
and the UN warned that sexual violence
is being used as a weapon of war in Goma.
The city is now under the control
of M23 forces, but the rebels
recently announced a ceasefire."
"India
On Wednesday, a Naxalite/Maoist-planted
IED exploded at a mining site
in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur
district, injuring a laborer.
The incident occurred at the Aamdai Ghati
iron ore mine in the Chhotedongar area."
"India
A blast occurred outside a non-operational
police post in Amritsar on Monday,
triggering panic in the area.
The incident, which took place around
8:20 pm near the Fatehgarh Churian
bypass, is the tenth such explosion
to rock police installations in
Punjab since November last year.
No casualties or injuries have
been reported, and the police
are investigating the matter."
"Indonesia
The National Police's counter-terrorism
unit, Densus 88, arrested a man in
Tasikmalaya, West Java, for alleged
involvement in terrorism activities.
The suspect, identified as TE, is
described as a reserved individual who
rarely interacts with the community.
The police have not released an
official statement regarding TE's
alleged involvement in terrorism or
his connections to any networks."
"Iraq
A mass grave in Sinjar, Iraq,
has been excavated, revealing the
remains of 15 to 20 individuals.
The discovery is part of ongoing
efforts to identify victims of
ISIS, which committed atrocities
against the Yezidi community during
its occupation of northern Iraq."
"Nigeria
On Tuesday, Edo State police rescued
an Assistant Superintendent of
Police (ASP), Elisha Jeremiah, and
three others during an operation
who were kidnapped on January 29.
Police stated that the kidnappers
abandoned the hostages as
the police approached them
during the search operation."
"Nigeria
On Tuesday, troops from Operation Safe
Haven arrested two suspected armed militia
members in Angwan Mata, Mangu Local
Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.
The suspects were found in possession of
a fabricated rifle and four cartridges."
"Turkey
According to Interior Minister
Ali Yerlikaya, 164 Daesh/ISIS
suspects were arrested across 21
provinces over the past week as
part of the ""Gurz-44"" operations.
The suspects are involved in
financing terrorist activities.
Troops recovered firearms and digital
evidence linked to terrorist activities.
The operations occurred in Adana,
Amasya, Antalya, Artvin, Balikesir,
Batman, Burdur, Bursa, Corum, Erzincan,
Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Istanbul, Kocaeli,
Konya, Malatya, Mersin, Nevsehir,
Sakarya, Samsun, and Sanliurfa."
Military Conflict
"Democratic Republic of Congo
Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in
eastern Congo have gained ground
despite declaring a ceasefire.
They have taken control of the
city of Nyabibwe, moving closer to
the provincial capital of Bukavu.
The rebels initially announced the
ceasefire for humanitarian reasons,
but the Congolese government
and the United Nations have
reported ongoing heavy fighting."
"Gaza Strip
The IDF fired warning shots to
disperse suspects approaching forces
in multiple areas of the Gaza Strip.
In one incident, suspects were
identified as an ""imminent
threat"" and were fired upon.
Palestinian media reports
four deaths in the Rafah area.
The IDF urges Gaza residents
to follow instructions and
avoid approaching troops."
"Myanmar
Last Friday, January 31, insurgents
ambushed and killed eight junta
soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee militia
members north of Nyaung Pin Seik
Village in Kanbalu Township.
Four other junta soldiers managed
to escape during the fighting."
"Myanmar
According to sources close to the
Ta'ang National Liberation Army
(TNLA), major clashes have erupted
in Nawnghkio Township, northern Shan
State, as regime forces attempt to
expel the TNLA from a strategic village.
The village of Tawnghkam, situated at the
southern edge of the township, has been
the site of intense fighting since the
TNLA and its allies seized control of the
nearby town of Nawnghkio, approximately 20
miles to the north, in July of last year."
"Myanmar
On Tuesday afternoon, a landmine
blast hit a military convoy traveling
from Sagaing Town to Monywa City.
Following the explosion, a junta
ambush patrol unit in Kyay Mon
Village shot a young woman in the
back of the head, killing her.
Junta casualty figures in
the attack were unknown."
"Myanmar
On Monday morning, approximately 300
junta troops advanced from the No.
2 Industrial Zone in Myaing Town,
proceeding through southeastern areas of
Myaing Township, seizing nearly 45 million
kyat worth of ammunition and related
equipment from a Myaing Underground
Defense Force (MUGDF) insurgent camp.
A coalition information officer
reported that only three soldiers
were at the camp during the raid.
All three escaped with their
weapons and other essential
items, though some ammunition
and related equipment were lost.
The junta troops destroyed houses and
arrested and interrogated everyone
they encountered during the raid.
A woman riding a cart was
injured during the fighting."
"Nigeria
The Bauchi State Police Command
has announced the death of two
terrorists during a successful
operation in the state.
The Alkaleri Divisional Police
Headquarters, in collaboration
with Special Hunters,
carried out the operation.
The security team encountered and clashed
with the rebels in the Dajin Madan Forest
and recovered one AK-49 assault rifle
and nine rounds of live ammunition.
Several other terrorists fled into
nearby bushes after sustaining injuries."
"Nigeria
On Tuesday, troops of Operation Hadin
Kai, in collaboration with the Civilian
Joint Task Force (CJTF), successfully
killed seven terrorists and recovered a
cache of weapons in Gura Ba, Bama Local
Government Area (LGA), Borno State.
Troops recovered significant
arms and ammunition, including
AK-47 rifles and RPG bombs.
There were no casualties among the
forces involved in the operation."
"Russia
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU)
coordinated with the Armed Forces and
other Defense Forces components to
strike the Albashneft oil refinery
in Russia's Krasnodar Territory.
The facility, which supplies gasoline
and diesel fuel to the Russian
military, was hit and caught fire."
"Somalia
On Wednesday, Somali authorities
announced that a counter-terrorism
operation in the Cal Miskaad mountains
of Puntland State, northeastern Somalia,
had resulted in the deaths of 40 ISIS
members and the wounding of others.
Somalia officers leading the
military operation stated that
most of those killed were foreign
fighters within the ranks of ISIS."
"Sudan
On Tuesday, the Rapid Support Forces
(RSF) militia shelled the Al-Naw
Teaching Hospital in Omdurman, Khartoum
State, resulting in the deaths of 6
civilians and injuries to 38 others.
The Director General of the Health
Ministry strongly condemned targeting
hospitals and health institutions,
stating that it is a clear
violation of international laws."
"Sudan
On Tuesday, the Sudanese army
regained control of Al Kamlin, the
largest city in northern Al-Jazirah
State, from the Rapid Support
Forces (RSF) amid ongoing fighting.
This advance came after the army
retook several cities in the region,
including Al-Hasahisa and Rufaa, as
well as the state capital, Wad Madani."
"Syria
Turkish fighter jets conducted
airstrikes on Kherbet Al-Zamalah
village and Sarin town in Syria.
Explosions were heard,
causing panic among residents.
Casualties and damage
details are not yet known.
Fierce clashes occurred between
National Army factions and SDF near
Teshreen Dam and Qarrah Quzaq bridge,
accompanied by heavy artillery fire."
"Syria
SDF launched an attack on three Turkish
bases in the Peace Spring area in Tel
Tammer countryside in northern Al-Hasakah.
The attack involved missiles and
drones and targeted Al-Salehyah,
Manakh, and Imam bases.
No casualties were reported."
"Syria
A Turkish drone attacked the 93rd Brigade
in the Ain Eissa district of Al-Raqqa,
but there were no casualties reported."
"Syria
Six members of the Turkish-backed
Al-Hamzat Division were arrested
by military police in the
Mabrukah area of Ras Al-Ain.
They were attempting to sneak into
SDF-controlled areas to return
to their hometowns in Syria."
"Taiwan
Taiwan tracked 12 Chinese military
aircraft and seven naval vessels
around its country between 6 a.m.
Tuesday and 6 a.m.
Wednesday.
Eight aircraft crossed the Taiwan
Strait median line in the southwestern
Air Defense Identification Zone."
"Ukraine
A 53-year-old resident in
Antonivka, Kherson region,
died due to Russian shelling.
The head of the Kherson RMA,
Roman Mrochko, confirmed
the incident on Facebook.
In a separate attack, a 30-year-old
man in Kherson sustained a mine-blast
injury from a Russian drone.
Three police officers were also injured in
Antonivka during a second drone attack."
"Ukraine
Russian troops shelled the Dniprovsky
district of Kherson with artillery,
injuring two elderly people.
An 87-year-old woman and an
88-year-old man sustained
concussion and mine-blast injuries."
"Ukraine
One person was killed, and eight
others were injured in Russian strikes
in the Kherson region on Tuesday.
Multiple locations were targeted
with artillery and airstrikes,
causing damage to homes, gas
stations, outbuildings, and vehicles.
On February 5, Russian forces
attacked Kherson with drones,
injuring four people."
"Ukraine
In the village of Zelenivka in the
Kherson community, a Russian drone
attacked a utility company's transport,
injuring two utility workers.
The workers, aged 40 and 53, sustained
concussion and mine-blast trauma."
"Ukraine
Russian forces have attacked Kherson
with drones, injuring three people.
Two residents suffered blast injuries
and shrapnel wounds, with one also
sustaining an open shinbone fracture.
Another person was injured by
explosives dropped from a drone."
"Ukraine
In Romny, Sumy region, 13 private
houses and five apartments were damaged
in a night attack by Russian drones.
No injuries were reported,
and affected residents were
offered temporary accommodation.
Air defense units shot down three
Russian UAVs and lost three more
targets after being fired upon.
Ukraine successfully defended
against 57 Russian drones, with
42 being lost in the area."
"Ukraine
Ukrainian forces claimed to have
killed or wounded 1,140 Russian
soldiers over the past day.
Over 330 pieces of military equipment
were destroyed in the fighting."
"Ukraine
Ukraine's Defense Forces shot down 57
Russian drones, and 42 UAVs disappeared
from radar without causing damage.
The Russians launched missiles and
attacked UAVs from various regions,
but Ukraine's aviation, air defense,
electronic warfare units, and mobile
fire groups repelled the air raid.
The attack affected Kyiv, Kirovohrad,
Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk.
Some residential buildings were
damaged by downed drone debris
in the Kirovohrad region."
"Ukraine
In Zaporizhzhia, an unfinished multi-story
building was damaged by a Russian drone
strike, resulting in an explosion.
The head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional
Military Administration, Ivan
Fedorov, confirmed the incident.
No casualties were reported."
Political Conflict
"Afghanistan
The Taliban has ordered residents in the
Bahram Chah district of Helmand province
to evacuate due to the risk of intensified
clashes with Pakistani border guards.
Sporadic fighting has been ongoing for
two days, with both sides reinforcing
their positions and the Taliban deploying
reinforcements from the 205th Corps.
According to reports, the Taliban
has blocked certain roads to the
public, raising concerns about the
potential for a full-scale conflict."
"Australia
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese reaffirmed his government's
support for a two-state solution in
the Middle East in response to US
President Donald Trump's announcement
of plans to take over the Gaza Strip.
Albanese states that Australia's
position remains unchanged and that
the government supports a two-state
solution on a bipartisan basis."
"China
China opposes the ""forced transfer""
of Palestinians from the Gaza
Strip, according to a statement
by the country's foreign ministry.
This comes after US President Donald
Trump expressed his intention to
""take control"" of the territory.
China maintains that Palestinian rule
over Palestinians is a fundamental
principle of postwar governance in Gaza."
"Egypt
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr
Abdelatty voiced support for the
quick reconstruction of Gaza without
displacing Palestinians in response
to a proposal by US President Donald
Trump to take over the territory.
Abdelatty and Palestinian Authority
Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa
agreed on the importance of
fast-tracking recovery projects
without Palestinians leaving Gaza."
"Germany
Foreign ministers from several European
countries voiced opposition to US
President Donald Trump's plan to
relocate the entire population of Gaza.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock
emphasized that displacing Palestinians
would be against international law
and lead to more suffering and hatred.
France advocated for a two-state
solution and rejected control
of Gaza by a third state.
British Foreign Minister David Lammy
supported Palestinians living and
prospering in Gaza and the West Bank.
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose
Manuel Albares asserted that Gaza
belongs to Gazan Palestinians and
must remain their land, coexisting
with Israel for a prosperous and
safe future Palestinian state."
"Israel
A day after the US disengaged from the
UN Human Rights Council, Israel announced
that it would also not participate.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar criticized
the council for protecting human
rights abusers and demonizing Israel.
Sa'ar accused the council of
promoting antisemitism instead
of focusing on human rights."
"Myanmar
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance
Army (MNDAA) confirmed to the Myanmar
Port Authority (MPA) that its forces
remain stationed in Lashio Township
despite reports suggesting otherwise.
An MNDAA official overseeing
reconstruction efforts in the township
stated that rumors of a troop withdrawal
circulated after China announced
a ceasefire agreement between the
MNDAA and Myanmar's military junta."
"Philippines
The Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr.,
stated on Wednesday that negotiations
are underway for the surrender
of Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) fighters involved in last
month's ambush in Basilan province.
In an interview at Camp Crame in Quezon
City, Brawner also noted the ongoing
pursuit of the perpetrators behind the
deadly January 22nd attack in Barangay
Cabengbeng, Municipality of Sumisip."
"Philippines
The House of Representatives has
impeached Philippine Vice President
Sara Duterte after a petition signed
by over 215 lawmakers, many of whom are
allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Duterte.
Duterte, who is the daughter
of former President Rodrigo
Duterte, has faced multiple
impeachment complaints in the past.
The latest complaint accuses her
of violating the constitution,
corruption, and other high crimes.
However, the impeachment process
may be hindered by the lack of
time before midterm elections.
Duterte has been involved in a
bitter political feud with Marcos
and his allies, and she has faced
allegations of misusing intelligence
funds and failing to address Chinese
aggression in the South China Sea."
"Somalia
Puntland's security forces have captured a
boat suspected to have arrived from Yemen,
carrying military uniforms and equipment.
The ship was seized on the beach
in the Qaw area of the Bosaso
district, and its Somali crew
members are being investigated."
"Switzerland
UN rights chief Volker Turk emphasized
that deporting people from occupied
territory is strictly prohibited.
He responded to President Donald
Trump's proposal for the United States
to take over Gaza and resettle its
people by calling for the release of
hostages and prisoners, the end of
the war, and the reconstruction of
Gaza in accordance with international
humanitarian and human rights law.
He asserted that international
law is clear on this matter."
"United States
The Trump administration has put all
staff at the United States Agency
for International Development (USAID)
on administrative leave, except for
designated personnel responsible
for mission-critical functions.
The State Department has started
the process to withdraw all USAID
personnel stationed overseas.
The Trump administration has accused
USAID of corruption and fraud
without providing concrete evidence."
"United States
The United States Postal Service
has temporarily suspended
international package acceptance
from China and Hong Kong.
The flow of letters and flats from
these regions will not be affected.
President Donald Trump signed an
executive order imposing a 10% tariff
on imports from China to address
the synthetic opioid supply chain.
China has threatened to retaliate with
tariffs on various imports from the
US and has launched investigations
into companies like Google.
China will also impose export cont"
"West Bank
Palestinian Authority President
Mahmoud Abbas strongly rejected US
President Donald Trump's proposal
to take over the Gaza Strip.
Abbas's office emphasized that the
Gaza Strip should not be seized and
Palestinians should not be displaced
from their homeland, asserting that their
legitimate rights cannot be negotiated."
Civil Unrest
"Mexico
On Tuesday, a prison riot involving
rival criminal groups in the city of
Villahermosa, Tabasco State, resulted
in the death of seven people."
Active Shooting
"United States
One person died, and five people were
hospitalized after an active shooter
situation at a New Albany warehouse.
The shooting occurred at the KDC/One
facility, where approximately
150 people were present.
The suspected gunman, Bruce Reginald
Foster III, is still at large.
The motive for the attack is unknown,
but it appears to be targeted."
"United States
A person was shot inside the
Maine Mall, and police are
seeking the suspected shooter.
The public is advised to avoid the area.
The person who was shot was taken to the
hospital, and their condition is unknown.
The incident is believed to be isolated."
Accidents
"India
On Wednesday, three wagons of a goods
train derailed near the Rourkela railway
station in Odisha's Sundargarh, disrupting
traffic but causing no casualties."
"Nigeria
Tuesday night, a devastating fire
broke out at an Islamic school in
Kauran Namoda, Zamfara State, killing
17 pupils and injuring several others.
The fire, which lasted for nearly three
hours, was allegedly caused by stored
sticks catching fire in the study hall."
"Nigeria
Shell Petroleum reported an oil
spill at Ogale near Port Harcourt.
The spill occurred during flushing
operations when a saver pit overflowed.
Shell's spill response team contained
the overflow and informed authorities.
A regulator-led joint visit is
being arranged to determine the
cause and impact of the spill."
"Syria
A young man died in an explosion
caused by a landmine in Tel Al-Daman
Town in southern Aleppo countryside.
In Taiba Al-Imam Town in northern
Hama countryside, a child was
injured in a similar incident.
A child died in Al-Tafria'a Al-Kabira
Village in eastern Aleppo countryside,
and another child was injured in
Kabashin Village in Aleppo countryside."
"United States
Tuesday evening, six Union Pacific
train cars derailed in north Wichita.
The derailment was under investigation."
Other Events
"United States
A neo-Nazi leader, Brandon Russell,
has been found guilty of conspiring to
damage an energy facility in Baltimore.
He planned to attack transformers
within electrical substations to cause
a "cascading failure" in the power grid.
Russell recruited Sarah Beth Clendaniel
to carry out the attacks, which would
have caused over $75 million in damage.
Russell is the founder of a neo-Nazi
group called the Atomwaffen Division
and has a previous conviction for
possession of explosive materials.
He faces up to 20 years in prison.
Clendaniel has already been
sentenced to 18 years in prison.
"Thanks for joining us for the February
6, 2025 Geopolitical Report Daily.
As a reminder, complete reports with
casualty information, interactive web
maps, analysis, and our IntelHub dashboard
are available with a Geopolitical
Report Pro subscription, which you
can try with a seven-day-free-trial
at geopolitical.report.
dont forget to tune in again
tomorrow for the most recent
events from around the world.