Hoplite Group

#Sudan - Sudan PM announces govt's return to Khartoum from wartime capital Port Sudan - FRANCE 24 BLUF: The Sudanese government which had been driven out by war has returned to Khartoum and promises “better services” for the capital's residents, Prime Minister Kamil Idris announced on Sunday. The army-aligned government had been operating out of its wartime capital of Port Sudan for nearly three years after it had been driven out of Khartoum by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Sudan's Prime Minister Kamil Idris announced on Sunday the government's return to Khartoum, after nearly three years of operating from its wartime capital of Port Sudan. In the early days of the regular military's war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, the army-aligned government fled the capital, which was quickly overrun by rival troops. It has pursued a gradual return to Khartoum since the army recaptured the city last March. "Today, we return, and the Government of Hope returns to the national capital," Idris told reporters in Khartoum, promising "better services" for residents. For close to two years, the Sudanese capital – composed of the three cities of Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum North (Bahri) – was an active battlefield. Entire neighbourhoods were besieged, rival fighters shot artillery across the Nile River and millions of people were displaced from the city. Between March and October, 1.2 million people returned to Khartoum, according to the UN. Many found a city with barely functioning services, their homes destroyed and neighbourhoods pockmarked by makeshift cemeteries authorities are now exhuming. The war is estimated to have killed tens of thousands of people in the capital alone, but the complete toll is unknown, as many families are forced to bury their dead in makeshift graves. Idris said the government was committed to improving electricity, water, healthcare and education services. According to the UN, the rehabilitation of the capital's essential infrastructure would cost some $350 million. In recent months, the government has held some cabinet meetings in Khartoum and launched reconstruction efforts. The city has witnessed relative calm, though the RSF has carried out drone strikes, particularly on infrastructure. Battles rage elsewhere across the vast country. South of Khartoum, the RSF has pushed through the Kordofan region, after dislodging the army from its last stronghold in Darfur last year. The conflict has left 11 million people displaced internally and across borders, and created the world's largest displacement and hunger crises. https://lnkd.in/eE-XvSmX

#Venezuela has a ton of #oil. It also has something else America needs (#Rareearth / #Mining) - from CNN President Donald Trump says US companies will now have access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. But the country’s other commodities have also caught his administration’s attention. Venezuela has unverified amounts of minerals, metals and potentially rare earth elements, experts say. These raw materials are indispensable for industries from defense to technology, and the administration has repeatedly stressed their importance for US national security. But while Washington might aspire to secure Venezuela’s critical elements, it’s a tall order, experts say, and wouldn’t do much to bolster America’s supply chain. The quantity and economic viability of Venezuela’s mineral resources are uncertain. Companies also face major risks mining in Venezuela without sustained security guarantees. Many of these regions have guerrilla soldiers and armed groups engaging in illegal gold mining, experts say. Energy-intensive rare earths mining can also harm the environment. “There is an awareness within the administration that even beyond oil, there’s wider natural resource value in the country,” said Reed Blakemore, director of research at the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center. “However, if we’re talking about the conditions under which we are able to exploit those mineral resources and bring them to market, it’s a much more challenging story,” Blakemore said. “And even, frankly, more challenging than the oil story.” China’s role in the supply chain Even if US companies were to try to mine Venezuela’s rare earths, getting them out of the ground is just one part of the process. Those materials are usually sent to China for refining. China accounted for over 90% of global rare earths refining in 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. The country maintains a virtual monopoly in processing and refining the materials due to decades of government subsidies, industry expansion and lax environmental regulations. Rare earths have become a major sticking point in US-China trade tensions. Beijing last year implemented some export controls on rare earths during trade spats, raising concerns about America’s lack of secure supply chains for these critical materials. “China still holds near-singular capacity to process rare earth metals, and that industrial and geopolitical edge cannot be overcome overnight,” said Joel Dodge, director of industrial policy and economic security at the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator. Story continues: https://lnkd.in/eXTr5rFv

#Syria / #Aleppo - Syrian forces expel Kurdish fighters as US strikes Islamic State targets; 300 Kurds detained and further 400 evacuated following clashes in Aleppo - The Guardian: Syrian government forces have detained 300 Kurds and evacuated more than 400 Kurdish fighters after clashes in Aleppo, the interior ministry has said, as US and allied forces carried out separate “large-scale” strikes against Islamic State targets. An interior ministry official told Agence France-Presse that about 360 Kurdish fighters and 60 wounded had been bussed to the Kurds’ de facto autonomous zone in the north-east from the Sheikh Maqsoud district, the last area of Aleppo to fall to the army. A further 300 Kurds, including members of the Kurdish internal security forces, were detained, the official said on Sunday. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said it had agreed under a ceasefire to withdraw from Aleppo after days of fighting. Kurdish forces had controlled several pockets of Syria’s second city and operate a de facto autonomous administration across large swathes of the north and north-east, much of it captured during the country’s bloody 14-year civil war. The Aleppo clashes, some of the most intense since the regime of the longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December 2024, erupted on Tuesday after negotiations to integrate the Kurds into the country’s new government stalled. The violence in Aleppo has deepened one of the main faultlines in Syria, where President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s promise to unify the country under one leadership has faced resistance from Kurdish forces wary of his Islamist-led government. It has also raised fears of a regional escalation, with neighbouring Turkey, a close ally of Syria’s new Islamist authorities, saying it was ready to intervene. Israel has sided with the Kurdish forces. At least 21 civilians have been killed, according to figures from both sides, while Aleppo’s governor said 155,000 people had fled their homes. Both sides have blamed the other for initiating the clashes. US and allied forces said they had carried out “large-scale” strikes against the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria on Saturday, in the latest response to an attack last month that left three Americans dead. Washington said a lone gunman from the militant group carried out the 13 December attack in Palmyra, which killed two US soldiers and a US civilian interpreter. The area is home to Unesco-listed ancient ruins and was once controlled by jihadist fighters. “The strikes today targeted Isis throughout Syria” and were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched “in direct response to the deadly Isis attack on US and Syrian forces in Palmyra”, US Central Command said in a statement. Story continues: https://lnkd.in/eZ92aT2c

#Ukraine / #Russia - War Update - More than 1,000 apartment buildings in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv are still without heating following a devastating Russian attack earlier this week, local authorities said on Sunday. Reuters News Agency Russia has intensified bombardments of Ukraine's energy system since it invaded its neighbour in 2022. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia had launched 1,100 drones, more than 890 guided aerial bombs and over 50 missiles, including ballistic, cruise and medium-range weapons, against Ukraine over the past week. On Friday, a missile strike on Kyiv left virtually the entire city without power and heating amid a sharp cold snap, and it was not until Sunday that authorities restored water supplies and partially restored electricity and heating. GRID SUFFERING FROM ACCUMULATED DAMAGE Zelenskiy said Russia deliberately waited for freezing weather to make things worse for the Ukrainian people, and this was "a cynical Russian terror specifically against civilians". Moscow made no immediate response. The war's fourth winter could be the coldest and darkest yet, with the accumulated damage to the grid bringing utilities to the brink and temperatures, already below minus 12 degrees Celsius (10.4 F), set to plunge to minus 20 degrees (-4 F) later this week. "Restoration work is ongoing. However, the energy supply situation in the capital remains very difficult," Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said on Telegram. "According to forecasts, the severe frosts are not expected to subside in the coming days. Therefore, the difficult situation in the capital will continue," he added. NOT ONE DAY WITHOUT ATTACKS THIS WEEK Ukraine's energy ministry said Russian forces had attacked the country's power system again during the night, briefly cutting off electricity to the south-eastern Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. "Not a single day passed this week without attacks on energy facilities and critical infrastructure. A total of 44 attacks were recorded," Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Telegram. Svyrydenko said the restoration of heat and electricity supplies was proceeding at a record pace, noting significant improvements in Kyiv would require time but could be reached by Thursday. https://lnkd.in/e3yuEqwv

#Lebanon / #Israel - After warning civilians of imminent strikes, Israel hits Hezbollah infrastructure in south Lebanon. IDF confirmed strikes on Hezbollah sites in Lebanon after Arabic spox. Col Avichay Adraee issued evacuation alerts. From The Jerusalem Post: Following an evacuation warning to Lebanese civilians, the IDF confirmed that it had begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure in "several areas" of southern Lebanon on Sunday evening. The initial warning was issued by Arabic-language spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee on X/Twitter. The area around Kafr Hata will be targeted by the military in the coming hours, Adraee warned, adding that this will consist of a strike on a Hezbollah terror military infrastructure site and that locals should remain at least 300 meters away from a building highlighted in the post. The warning came after the military stated earlier that day that the IDF struck a weapons storage shaft belonging to Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon. The strikes were conducted near Kfarbeit, the military clarified later on Sunday. Earlier IDF strikes on Hezbollah targets  This follows a series of strikes, including on Friday, when the military confirmed a series of strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon "in response to the terrorist organization’s continued violations of the ceasefire understandings." dditionally, on Thursday, the military conducted an airstrike in the Zaita region of southern Lebanon, killing a Hezbollah operative. A later statement from the IDF clarified that the operative was Alaa' Hourani, who was a Hezbollah drone operator. Throughout the IDF's conflict with Hezbollah, Hourani also aided in re-establishing the terror group's infrastructure in the region, as well as in intelligence gathering and deploying terrorist forces. Story continues: https://lnkd.in/eP4_dPtT

#Syria - #Airstrikes / #Terrorism - U.S. Launches Major Strikes on Islamic State Targets in Syria. Airstrikes followed an even larger attack in December to avenge the killing of three Americans last year. The New York Times: The United States carried out major airstrikes against the Islamic State in Syria on Saturday, following up on even larger retaliatory attacks last month to avenge the deaths of two U.S. Army soldiers and a U.S. civilian interpreter killed in a terrorist attack in the country. About 20 Air Force attack planes, including F-15Es, A-10s and AC-130J gunships, as well as MQ-9 Reaper drones and Jordanian F-16 fighter jets fired more than 90 bombs and missiles toward at least 35 targets on Saturday, according to Capt. Timothy Hawkins, a spokesman for the military’s Central Command. The targets included weapons caches, supply routes and other infrastructure used by the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, Captain Hawkins said in an email. “The strikes today targeted ISIS throughout Syria as part of our ongoing commitment to root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region,” Central Command said in a statement. The strikes on Saturday came after American fighter jets, attack helicopters and artillery fired more than 100 munitions at more than 70 suspected Islamic State targets across central Syria, including weapons storage areas and other operational-support buildings, on Dec. 19. The earlier strikes sought to fulfill a promise that President Trump made after the two soldiers from the Iowa National Guard and an American interpreter were killed last month in an incident that U.S. counterterrorism officials blamed on the Islamic State. The Americans were supporting counterterrorism operations against the Islamic State in Palmyra, a city in central Syria, when they came under fire from a lone gunman. Those soldiers were the first American military casualties in the country since the fall of the dictator Bashar al-Assad in 2024. Since then, U.S. troops, working with Syrian government forces and the Jordanian military, have redoubled efforts to root out the remnants of the Islamic State. Top U.S. intelligence officials told Congress last year that the Islamic State would try to exploit the end of the Assad government to free 9,000 to 10,000 ISIS fighters and about 26,000 of their family members now detained in northeastern Syria, and revive its ability to plot and carry out attacks. Though it no longer holds much territory, the Islamic State is still spreading its radical ideology through clandestine cells and regional affiliates outside Syria and online. In 2024, the group was behind major attacks in Iran, Russia and Pakistan. Story continues: https://lnkd.in/eqrZ8s4q

#Iraq / #Economy / #corruption - Economic Crisis Deepens as Iraq Struggles with Corruption & Overreliance on Oil. Economic analyst told Kurdistan24 that less than 10% of non-oil income ultimately reaches government treasury. Iraq’s economy is facing mounting pressure as deep-rooted corruption, weak governance, and an overwhelming dependence on oil revenues raise serious concerns about the country’s financial stability and future growth. Despite generating more than eight trillion Iraqi dinars annually from non-oil sources, the Iraqi state fails to collect most of this revenue, according to economic analysts. Ibrahim Saraj, an economic analyst, told Kurdistan24 that less than 10 percent of non-oil income ultimately reaches the government treasury. “The government is unable to control non-oil revenues, which exceed eight trillion dinars every year,” Saraj said, adding that corruption has allowed revenues to be diverted among various parties instead of supporting public finances. Official data further underscores Iraq’s vulnerability. In 2025, oil revenues accounted for 89 percent of the country’s total income, leaving non-oil revenues at just 11 percent. This extreme reliance on oil has left the economy exposed to global price fluctuations, while efforts to diversify its income sources have remained largely ineffective. The World Bank has warned that Iraq should not expect non-oil revenues to exceed 26 percent of its budget under current conditions, highlighting the limits of existing economic policies. Corruption and bribery continue to discourage investment, worsening the country’s economic stagnation. Iraqi investor Ghalib Fazli told Kurdistan24 that both domestic and foreign companies are reluctant to operate in Iraq due to widespread demands for bribes and informal profit-sharing. “Oil revenues are barely enough to cover salaries because other revenue streams are extremely weak,” Fazli said. “Many local companies have shut down, and foreign firms are deterred by corruption and the lack of a secure business environment.” Key sectors that could support economic diversification—including industry, agriculture, domestic production, trade, and tourism—are facing severe challenges. Poor infrastructure, limited investment, and policy instability have left these sectors underdeveloped, contributing to unemployment and economic uncertainty. With non-oil revenues largely lost to corruption and productive sectors in decline, economists warn that Iraq risks deeper financial instability unless decisive reforms are implemented. As the new government takes office, critics argue that the absence of a clear and transparent economic vision continues to undermine confidence in Iraq’s ability to avert a broader economic crisis. https://lnkd.in/diwK55HR

#Iran / #Internet - ‘Kill Switch’—Iran Shuts Down STARLINK Internet For First Time - from Forbes: We have not seen this before. Iran’s digital blackout has now deployed military jammers to shut down access to Starlink. This is a game-changer for Plan-B connectivity for protesters and anti-regime activists when domestic internet plugs are pulled. “Despite reports that tens of thousands of Starlink units are operating inside Iran,” Iran Wire reports, “the blackout has also reached satellite connections.” It is reported that about 30 per cent of Starlink’s uplink and downlink traffic was (initially) disrupted," quickly rising “to more than 80 per cent” within hours. The Times of Israel says “the deployment of (Starlink) receivers is now far greater in Iran” than during previous blackouts. “That’s despite the government never authorizing Starlink to function, making the service illegal to possess and use.” But Starlink receivers use GPS to locate and connect to satellites. “Since its 12-day war with Israel last June," The Times says, “Iran has been disrupting GPS signals.” That means shutdowns are localized, and has resulted in a patchwork quilt of Starlink connectivity, including near blackouts in some high-profile areas. The Miaan Group’s Amir Rashidi told TechRadar “I have been monitoring and researching access to the internet for the past 20 years, and I have never seen such a thing in my life.” Monitoring the sudden drop in Starlink data packets supports reports on the ground that satellite connectivity has been heavily affected. Simon Migliano, who has just compiled a comprehensive report into recent internet shutdowns, told me “Iran’s current nationwide blackout is a blunt instrument intended to crush dissent," and this comes at a stark cost to the country, underpinning the regime’s desperation. “This 'kill switch’ approach comes at a staggering price, draining $1.56 million from Iran’s economy every single hour the internet is down.” Overnight, NetBlocks reported that “Iran’s internet blackout is now past the 60 hour mark as national connectivity levels continue to flatline around 1% of ordinary levels." https://lnkd.in/eJrvgTA4

#Iran / #Protests / #Options - President Trump briefing on Iran options planned for Tuesday - from Reuters News Agency & The Wall Street Journal  U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to be briefed by senior officials in his administration on Tuesday on specific options to respond to the protests in Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing U.S. officials. The meeting will be a discussion about possible next steps including military strikes, deploying secretive cyber weapons against Iranian military and civilian sites, placing more sanctions on Iran's government and boosting anti-government sources online, the Journal reported. The White House said it had no comment on the report. Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to intervene in recent days, posted on social media on Saturday: "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!! Reuters could not immediately verify the Journal report. https://lnkd.in/eJbH9VMw

#Iraq - Speculation and rumor mill abound - behind the scenes, narratives emerging that the Coordinating Framework have decided on a name for the nomination for Prime Minister... Unconfirmed rumors suggest the Coordinating Framework have supposedly agreed to support Nouri Al-Maliki for the position of Prime Minister. The Iraqi information environment is buzzing with the rumors. Meanwhile, Al-Khazali owned Al-Ahad noted: "Coordinating Framework: Significant developments and progress in resolving the nomination of the Prime Minister." And Tuthiat Al-Shiyea highlighted he "official" narrative out of Coordinating Framework: "...The Coordinating Framework held its 258th regular meeting at the office of Mr. Mohsen Al-Mandalawi to continue discussions on the formation of the next government and finalize the nomination of the Prime Minister, in accordance with the constitutional requirements for the upcoming phase. The meeting was characterized by a positive atmosphere and responsible discussions, resulting in significant developments and positive indicators, consistent with the requirements of political stability and the supreme interest of the country. Coordinating Framework Media Department. 10 January 2026" Found: https://lnkd.in/eeKmsf4T