Good morning! It’s Friday, January 31, 2025, and we’re here with your daily update on defense and global affairs as we head into a new month. Here are today’s top headlines.
Ukraine Strikes Oil Refinery, Russia Hits Cities as Drone War Escalates
Ukraine launched Friday a major overnight drone attack on western Russia, hitting an oil refinery and attempting to strike a nuclear facility.
Tragically, a mother and her two-year-old child were reportedly killed in the Russian border region of Belgorod, with two others injured.
Russia claimed to have shot down over 100 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions, while Ukraine stated it was targeting energy facilities to disrupt military logistics and funding.
Meanwhile, Russia continued its own strikes, launching drones at Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Odesa, damaging infrastructure and killing at least two people.
The fighting has intensified as the war nears its third anniversary, with Russian forces making slow but steady advances in eastern Ukraine.
The Kremlin announced the capture of another village in the Donetsk region, further pressuring Ukrainian defenses.
The drone warfare marks an escalation in the conflict, with both sides trading blows across borders.
As Ukraine pushes deeper into Russian territory with long-range strikes, Russia continues its relentless assault on frontline towns, setting the stage for a prolonged and bloody battle.
M23 Rebels Seize Two South Kivu Towns as Advance Continues
The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda’s army, has expanded its control in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), seizing two districts in South Kivu province without facing resistance.
This follows their capture of the key city of Goma in North Kivu after clashes with Congolese forces.
With Congolese troops retreating, M23’s advance now threatens the city of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu.
Some Congolese soldiers fleeing Goma have taken refuge there, while the military attempts to hold a defensive line in Kavumu, home to a strategic airfield.
A top Rwandan diplomat hinted that M23’s push won’t stop at Goma, suggesting further territorial gains are coming.
The region, rich in valuable minerals, has been the battleground for decades of conflict fueled by various armed groups and international backing from neighboring Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda. With the rebels gaining momentum, fears are growing that South Kivu could be next in line for a major takeover.
Israel Strikes South Lebanon Again, Hezbollah Ceasefire in Question
Tensions are flaring again between Israel and Hezbollah despite a fragile ceasefire in southern Lebanon.
On Wednesday, an Israeli drone strike targeted a previously destroyed house in Yohmor al-Shaqeef, marking the second consecutive day of Israeli raids.
The day before, airstrikes wounded over 20 people in Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa and Zawtar, with Israel confirming the attacks were aimed at Hezbollah vehicles transporting weapons.
The ceasefire, initially brokered on November 27, was meant to reduce hostilities by withdrawing Israeli forces and relocating Hezbollah fighters north of the Litani River.
However, with the withdrawal deadline passing on Sunday and Israel missing key conditions, Lebanon has extended the truce until February 18.
Meanwhile, border violence continues, with Israeli fire killing two people Monday and 24 others a day earlier as they attempted to return home.
With each strike, the ceasefire appears shakier, raising fears of another full-scale conflict.
Philippines Offers China a Deal: End Harassment, Get Missiles Removed
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has made China an offer: If Beijing stops its aggressive behavior in the South China Sea—including harassing fishermen, ramming boats, and using water cannons—the Philippines will remove a US missile system stationed on its territory.
The US Army deployed the Typhon mid-range missile system in April 2023 as part of joint military training with the Philippines.
China has repeatedly called for its removal, claiming it fuels regional tensions and an arms race.
Marcos dismissed China’s complaints, pointing out that Beijing has far more powerful missile systems of its own.
Recently, the US moved the missile system closer to Manila, near the disputed waters where Philippine and Chinese forces continue to have tense confrontations.
While China has yet to respond to Marcos’ remarks, Philippine defense officials insist they won’t remove the missiles just because Beijing demands it.
With tensions still running high, this latest standoff underscores the growing friction between the Philippines, China, and their allies in the Indo-Pacific.
Syria’s Islamist Leaders Restructure Economy, Slash Public Jobs
Syria’s new Islamist-led government is making drastic economic reforms, slashing public sector jobs, and privatizing state-run companies that dominated under the Assad family.
The new administration, led by the former rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is moving fast, already laying off government workers and shutting down corrupt state institutions.
Officials say they aim to cut down on “ghost employees” – people getting paid for doing nothing – and shift to a free-market economy.
The shake-up, however, is sparking protests, with workers fearing mass layoffs will worsen unemployment. Some are already being placed on paid leave while the government sorts out legitimate jobs from wasteful positions.
Meanwhile, salaries are set to increase by 400 percent to help soften the blow, and efforts to digitize outdated government records are underway.
Despite promises of economic stability, many question whether such rapid reforms are wise, especially in a country still recovering from over a decade of war.
International sanctions and a struggling private sector also pose major hurdles.
With elections potentially four years away, HTS is making sweeping changes as if it were a permanent government, raising concerns about its long-term agenda.
Sources: News Agencies
