Welcome back, and happy Friday! It’s December 27, and we’ve prepared your daily update on defense and global affairs. Here’s what’s making headlines this morning.
UN Urges Israel to Halt Violations in Southern Lebanon
The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, voiced concerns Thursday over ongoing damage caused by Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon, even after a ceasefire was declared on November 27.
The truce, following months of escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, requires Israeli troops to withdraw and Lebanese forces, alongside UN peacekeepers, to redeploy in the area within 60 days.
However, accusations of truce violations continue from both sides.
UNIFIL called for Israel’s “timely withdrawal” and adherence to Resolution 1701, which mandates the removal of Israeli forces and limits military presence in southern Lebanon to Lebanese troops and peacekeepers.
The situation remains tense, with reports of airstrikes and incursions further complicating efforts to maintain peace.
Syria Targets Pro-Assad Fighters in Tartus Operation
Syria’s security forces launched an operation in Tartus province on Thursday to crack down on pro-Assad fighters following deadly clashes earlier this week.
The offensive targeted armed supporters of the former regime and aimed to restore stability in the Alawite stronghold.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, three pro-Assad gunmen were killed, and dozens of arrests were made after an ambush on security forces.
The unrest follows escalating tensions, including protests sparked by an attack on an Alawite shrine in Homs. The situation highlights the lingering divisions and instability in post-conflict Syria.
Azerbaijan Airlines Crash Tied to Russian Air Defense System
An Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, killing 38 people, and preliminary investigations suggest it was accidentally shot down by a Russian air defense system.
The flight, which had diverted from its original path over southern Russia—an area frequently targeted by Ukrainian drones—experienced GPS jamming and electronic interference.
Sources report that a Russian Pantsir-S system may have struck the aircraft near Aktau, Kazakhstan.
While Russia’s Defense Ministry has yet to comment, Azerbaijan is pressing for an open acknowledgment of responsibility.
The crash adds to tensions amid ongoing conflicts in the region, with calls for a transparent investigation from countries like Canada.
Taiwan Simulates Response to China’s Military Pressure
Taiwan’s Presidential Office hosted its first tabletop simulation on Thursday, testing the island country’s response to potential Chinese military actions.
The exercise involved 19 ministries, local governments, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), aiming to boost Taiwan’s defense resilience amid rising pressure from China.
These drills simulated “high-intensity grey zone operations” — aggressive tactics that stop short of full-blown war.
Taiwan has faced near-daily military harassment from Beijing, including record numbers of warplane flybys.
The exercise underscores Taiwan’s efforts to prepare for potential threats as China intensifies its rhetoric and maneuvers against the self-ruled island.
Finland Investigates Baltic Cable Break Amid Sabotage Fears
An undersea power cable connecting Finland and Estonia went offline on Wednesday, adding to a string of mysterious disruptions to telecom cables and energy pipelines in the Baltic Sea.
Finnish officials, while assuring that electricity supplies remain unaffected, are investigating the incident, with sabotage not ruled out.
This follows recent damage to cables involving a Chinese ship and broader concerns tied to tensions in the Baltic since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
As Europe grows wary of sabotage threats, authorities remain on high alert, even during the holiday season.
China and Russia Deepen Ties as Xi Prepares Moscow Trip
China’s President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Russia in 2025, according to Moscow’s ambassador to Beijing on Friday.
While Beijing hasn’t confirmed the trip, the announcement signals continued close ties between the two nations amidst growing global tensions.
Xi and Putin have fostered a “no limits” partnership, united by their opposition to US influence and NATO’s expansion into the Asia-Pacific region.
Both countries have voiced support for a China-Brazil peace proposal to end the Ukraine conflict, though Ukraine has rejected it as biased toward Moscow.
The visit would further cement the alliance as they push back against Western policies.
Ukraine Confirms Death of First North Korean POW
An injured North Korean soldier captured by Ukrainian forces has died, marking the first reported North Korean prisoner of war (POW) in Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to South Korea’s intelligence agency.
Pyongyang has reportedly sent over 10,000 troops to assist Russia, including elite units like the Storm Corps, trained in sabotage and assassinations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims thousands of North Korean troops have been killed or wounded, with evidence suggesting attempts to conceal their identities.
The growing military collaboration between Russia and North Korea is raising concerns about increased instability in the Korean Peninsula and broader global tensions.
South Korea Impeaches Acting President, Deepening Leadership Crisis
South Korea continues to grapple with political chaos after parliament impeached its acting President, Han Duck-soo, just two weeks after suspending President Yoon Suk Yeol over his brief martial law declaration.
Han’s removal Friday has heightened uncertainty, with Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok stepping in as acting president.
The impeachment follows intense opposition to Han’s refusal to appoint constitutional justices and widespread public support for Yoon’s ouster.
According to Reuters, South Korea’s financial markets have taken a hit, with analysts warning of prolonged turmoil reminiscent of the 1990s crisis.
The Constitutional Court will now decide the fate of both Han and Yoon, as the country faces its worst political crisis in decades.
US Coast Guard Starts Construction of First New Polar Cutter in 50 Years
Bollinger Shipyards has recently kicked off construction of the US Coast Guard’s first Polar Security Cutter (PSC) at its facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi—the first US-built heavy icebreaker in over 50 years.
Named the USCGC Polar Sentinel, this cutting-edge vessel will replace aging icebreakers and support US operations in the Arctic and Antarctic.
At 460 feet (140 meters) long and powered by a 45,200-horsepower diesel-electric engine, the ship will navigate ice up to eight feet (two meters) thick, accommodate over 180 people, and feature advanced weaponry and a helicopter hangar.
Until the PSC fleet arrives, the Coast Guard has temporarily acquired the commercial vessel MV Aiviq to maintain its polar capabilities.
Sources: News Agencies
