SOFREP Daily: Russian Missile Hits Central Zaporizhzhia, Rebels Threaten Russia’s Key Military Bases in Syria, Boko Haram Strikes Refugees in Niger

Good morning! It’s Wednesday, December 11. Here’s what’s happening today in defense and global affairs. Let’s get to it.

Russian Missile Hits Zaporizhzhia Clinic, Killing Four

A Russian missile strike hit a private clinic in central Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday, killing at least four people and injuring 19, including a 5-year-old child.

Rescuers are still searching through the rubble, with reports of up to eight people possibly trapped.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, describing it as “brutal,” and once again called on allies to provide more air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians.

A rescue operation is currently underway in Zaporizhzhia after a Russian ballistic missile strike that hit city buildings.

I have already spoken with the Commander-in-Chief about what is needed to enhance the safety of our cities. We are speaking with all our partners about… pic.twitter.com/2A5AKCG1xP

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 10, 2024

Meanwhile, Russia’s military activity in southern Ukraine is ramping up, fueling fears of a new offensive.

The strike is part of intensified bombardments in the region, which Moscow partially controls.

The situation is particularly tense near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, where a drone attack damaged an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) vehicle, though no injuries were reported.

Locals in the eastern Kharkiv region describe living in constant fear as missile and drone attacks destroy homes and claim lives.

Rebels Threaten Russia’s Key Military Bases in Syria

Russia’s military foothold in Syria, built around the Tartus naval base and Hmeimim airbase, is now under threat following a successful rebel offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad.

These bases are critical for Russia’s operations in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Africa.

Tartus, a strategic port leased from Syria since the Soviet era, provides Russia with Mediterranean access and hosts a growing military presence during the Syrian civil war.

However, satellite images show no Russian warships at Tartus as of Monday, December 9, raising questions about its status.

Moscow denies abandoning the base.

In a later report, Reuters clarified that while Russian naval ships have left Moscow’s base, “some of these have dropped anchor offshore.”

RUSSIAN WARSHIPS STILL IN TARTUS PORT

Satellite images from BlackSky and Planet Labs imagery from December 9 has confirmed that Russian warships have taken positions near the coast of Tartus. pic.twitter.com/JOcYdKNXWU

— Conflict Monitor (@ConflictMoniter) December 11, 2024

Hmeimim, constructed in 2015, served as a launch point for airstrikes during the war and as a logistics hub for Russian operations in Africa.

Reports suggest that troop levels at the base have significantly dwindled since Russia shifted focus to its Ukraine campaign.

While the Syrian opposition claims they will ensure the security of these facilities, it remains uncertain whether Moscow can maintain control of them in the evolving conflict.

8/ Additional imagery collected by @Maxar on December 10 shows the empty Russian naval base at Tartus and Russian vessels offshore near the port. pic.twitter.com/8zrt7pwl0q

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) December 11, 2024

Boko Haram Strikes Refugees, Killing 14 in Niger

Boko Haram militants have killed 14 Nigerian fishermen in Niger’s Diffa border district, slitting their throats during an attack earlier this week.

According to local news released Tuesday, the victims were refugees who had fled deadly insurgent raids in northeastern Nigeria and relied on fishing to survive.

The attack occurred just kilometers from the border near Malam Fatori, according to vigilante leaders from Nigeria’s Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), a group that supports military efforts against jihadists.

This is the latest in a series of assaults by Boko Haram and its rival group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which frequently target fishermen, farmers, and herders in the Lake Chad region. These groups accuse civilians of spying for the army.

Boko Haram Terrorists Slaughter 14 Nigerian Fishermen Who Fled To Niger Republic Town | Sahara Reporters https://t.co/K164xrKxNq pic.twitter.com/tz3oBGO4yf

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) December 11, 2024

The Lake Chad basin, spanning four countries, remains a stronghold for Boko Haram and ISWAP, whose ongoing 15-year insurgency in northeastern Nigeria has killed over 40,000 people and displaced millions.

Many refugees rely on fishing and scavenging to make ends meet, often facing deadly risks in the process.

Sudan’s Warring Factions Target Civilians in Deadly Strikes

The violence in Sudan has hit new lows, with at least 176 people reportedly killed in just two days of brutal strikes by the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

In Omdurman, shelling from RSF forces killed 65 people, including 22 passengers on a bus, as reported Tuesday by local officials.

Meanwhile, an air strike by the Sudanese military on a crowded market in North Darfur killed over 100 civilians, including women and children, during the town’s weekly market day.

The ongoing war, which began in April 2023, has devastated Sudan, displacing millions and creating one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory.

Dozens of people have been killed over 2 days in Sudan as fighting between the army and the paramilitary group RSF intensifies, according to officials, activists and rights groups.

🔗: https://t.co/78ZYV3hxPT pic.twitter.com/tFJwJqsyUr

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 11, 2024

Both the RSF and the army control different regions of the country, with Darfur suffering some of the worst atrocities, including mass killings, rapes, and forced displacements.

Eyewitnesses in Omdurman described the recent strikes as the most intense in months, with artillery and air strikes targeting densely populated areas.

Human Rights Watch has accused the RSF and allied militias of war crimes while calls grow for international intervention to protect civilians.

Both sides have been criticized for indiscriminate attacks, further compounding the suffering of the Sudanese people.

Papua New Guinea Empowers Police to Combat Tribal Violence

Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape is taking a hardline approach to tackle escalating tribal violence in the country’s highlands, particularly near the Porgera gold mine, where clashes have already claimed 32 lives this year.

Speaking to AFP News recently, Marape announced plans to use newly passed anti-terrorism laws to empower police to fight “fire with fire” in tribal hotspots.

The laws grant sweeping powers to deploy armed police and military forces, a move Marape sees as vital for quelling the cycles of violence that have plagued the region for centuries but have intensified with the influx of automatic weapons and mercenaries.

The government also aims to boost the police force from 6,000 to over 10,000 officers within five years.

Despite China’s offer to provide police training and equipment, Marape emphasized that Papua New Guinea would maintain its security partnerships with traditional allies like Australia and the US while continuing to pursue trade with China.

Tribal conflicts have long disrupted economic activities, including operations at the Porgera gold mine, which once contributed 10% of the country’s export earnings.

With a mix of enforcement and external support, Marape hopes to break the cycle of violence while preserving strategic ties with Western nations.

Western Powers Urge Iran to Halt Uranium Enrichment Escalation

Britain, France, and Germany are calling on Iran Tuesday to stop ramping up its uranium enrichment after the UN nuclear watchdog revealed Tehran had taken steps to significantly increase production of uranium enriched to 60 percent—just a short step from weapons-grade.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran revamped its Fordo enrichment plant to speed up production, raising alarms among Western nations.

In a joint statement, the European powers urged Iran to halt its nuclear escalation immediately, emphasizing that such actions undermine the 2015 nuclear deal, which aimed to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

“We strongly urge Iran to reverse these steps, and to immediately halt its nuclear escalation,” the joint statement read.

While Iran insists its nuclear ambitions are peaceful, it’s currently the only non-nuclear-armed country enriching uranium to this level.

Western nations have accused Tehran of further eroding the nuclear agreement, especially after it began deploying advanced centrifuges in response to recent IAEA censure.

Tensions over Iran’s nuclear program have been simmering since the US, under former President Trump, withdrew from the deal, leaving little room for compromise in ongoing talks.

Sources: News Agencies, Government Press Releases