SOFREP Daily: Xi Jinping Declares Taiwan Unification Unstoppable, Russia Gains More Ground in Ukraine, Tesla Cybertruck Explodes Outside Trump Hotel

Good morning! It’s January 2, 2025, and we’re continuing the new year with your daily briefing on defense and global affairs. Here are today’s top stories.

Xi Jinping Addresses Taiwan: ‘No One Can Stop Unification’

In a New Year’s speech broadcast on state media on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping doubled down on his call for Taiwan unification, declaring, “No one can stop the historical trend of reunification.”

China views the self-governed island as part of its territory and hasn’t ruled out using force to bring it under control.

In recent years, there has been escalating pressure, including three rounds of major military drills since Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te took office in May. The most recent drills, earlier in December, were the largest in years, according to Taiwan.

President Xi Jinping says that China’s ‘reunification’ with Taiwan is inevitable. Xi’s comments, made during his New Year’s Eve address, come just days before the self-ruled island heads to the polls to elect a new leader https://t.co/90ltGDcSHn pic.twitter.com/OL7tACehLV

— Reuters (@Reuters) January 1, 2024

This assertive stance from Xi comes as the US, Taiwan’s strategic ally and biggest arms supplier, prepares for Donald Trump’s inauguration. Tensions between Beijing and Washington are already high, with trade disputes likely to intensify under Trump’s administration.

The future of US-China relations—and Taiwan’s sovereignty—hangs in the balance.

Russia Gains Ground in Ukraine, Pressure Mounts on Kyiv

Russia made major territorial gains in Ukraine in 2024, capturing nearly 4,000 square kilometers—seven times more than the previous year, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported Tuesday.

Most of the progress came during October and November, marking the largest advances since early 2022. December saw slower progress, but it still outpaced previous months from earlier years.

Ukraine enters 2025 under immense pressure, with questions swirling around future US aid as Donald Trump prepares to take office.

Trump has vowed to end the war within “24 hours,” sparking concerns that any peace deal could force Ukraine to surrender occupied territory.

NEW: Russian forces gained 4,168 sq km (1,600 sq mi), largely comprised of fields and small settlements in Ukraine & Kursk Oblast, at a reported cost of over 420K casualties in 2024. Russian forces have thus suffered ~102 casualties per sq km of Ukrainian territory seized. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/rY17dLH05D

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) January 1, 2025

Meanwhile, Russia continues to hammer Ukrainian infrastructure with nightly drone and missile attacks, while Ukraine has ramped up its strikes inside Russian territory.

Kyiv remains determined to reclaim its land, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling for lasting peace and increased support from Western allies.

The mood on the streets of Kyiv is a mix of hope and anxiety. Ukrainians wish for an end to the bloodshed, but the prospect of diminished US support adds uncertainty to an already grueling conflict.

(5/5) pic.twitter.com/LxnNw9lH2t

— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) January 1, 2025

As the new year begins, all eyes are on how 2025 will shape the war’s trajectory.

ADF Rebels Launch Deadly Raids in Eastern Congo

Fresh attacks by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, a group linked to the Islamic State, left at least 12 people dead in eastern Congo this week, according to local officials Wednesday.

The violence targeted villages in North Kivu province, with fighters killing eight people in Bilendu and four more in Mangoya, where homes were also set ablaze.

These raids follow a deadly holiday season in the region, with 21 lives lost during Christmas week.

At least 12 people were killed in new attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces in North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local sources reported on Wednesday.https://t.co/YTkiMaKrYu

— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) January 2, 2025

The ADF, originally from Uganda, has been active in the DRC since the mid-1990s and pledged allegiance to IS in 2019. Known for brutal tactics, they continue to terrorize communities despite joint military efforts by Uganda and the DRC, which began in late 2021 under the “Shujaa” operation.

While the offensive has pushed the rebels into remote areas, it hasn’t stopped their violent attacks, leaving vulnerable civilians in their path.

The ongoing conflict highlights the challenges of bringing stability to the restive northeast.

Philippines Recovers Suspected Chinese Submarine Drone

A submarine drone suspected to be from China was found Thursday by fishermen off the coast of Masbate in the Philippines, sparking concerns over potential national security risks.

The torpedo-shaped yellow drone, marked “HY-119,” was two meters long and equipped with an antenna and a viewing device. Police say it could be used for monitoring and reconnaissance.

The discovery comes amid long-standing tensions between the Philippines and China over maritime rights in the South China Sea.

While the drone was unarmed, authorities have flagged its recovery as significant.

LOOK: The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) on Thursday (Jan. 2, 2025) releases photos of the underwater drone found by local fisherfolk off the waters of San Pascual, Masbate on Dec. 30, 2024. The local police has turned over the drone to the Philippine Navy. (Photos… pic.twitter.com/9NKj4lnP9i

— Philippine News Agency (@pnagovph) January 2, 2025

The Philippine Navy has taken custody of the device, but no comments have been made yet by the Navy or the Chinese embassy.

With the South China Sea dispute still simmering, this find adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing territorial clashes.

Senegal Declares End to Foreign Troops, Sets Sovereignty Goal for 2025

Senegalese President Bassirou Dioumaye Faye announced Tuesday that all foreign military forces will leave the country by 2025, marking a significant step toward strengthening Senegal’s sovereignty.

In a New Year’s speech, Faye instructed his defense minister to develop a new security cooperation framework, emphasizing partnerships over military bases.

Senegal’s President Bassirou Dioumaye Faye announced on Tuesday that all foreign military presence in the country will come to an end in 2025. This statement, made during his New Year address, marks a significant shift in Senegal’s military

Read more-https://t.co/jaTb9An9ue pic.twitter.com/dDaUxSqQlt

— Africa Trends Today (@ATTSquared) January 1, 2025

This decision follows Faye’s earlier statement that French military bases, remnants of Senegal’s colonial history, conflict with the nation’s independence.

However, Faye clarified this isn’t a break with France, which remains a key economic and diplomatic partner.

Elected in March on a platform of sovereignty and self-reliance, Faye’s move underscores his commitment to reducing foreign dependence while fostering strategic partnerships on equal footing.

US Hits Houthi Targets After Red Sea Missile Threats

The US military launched air and naval strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen after the Iran-backed rebels attacked American warships and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the operation began Monday, targeting coastal areas and facilities in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa.

CENTCOM Forces Strike Multiple Houthi Targets in Yemen

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted multiple precision strikes against Iran-backed Houthi targets in Sana’a and coastal locations within Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen, Dec. 30 and 31.

On Dec. 30 and 31,… pic.twitter.com/XUKtsZM1U7

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 31, 2024

US forces also intercepted seven cruise missiles and several drones launched by the Houthis, with no injuries or damage reported on the American side.

The strikes follow the Houthis’ missile and drone attacks on Israel and regional shipping, which they claim are acts of solidarity with Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Houthi officials labeled the US response “an American aggression,” accusing the US of violating Yemen’s sovereignty and siding with Israel.

The situation highlights escalating regional tensions as the Houthis leverage their influence in Yemen to strike across the Middle East, raising concerns about the broader impact of the Israel-Hamas war.

Syrian Civil War Death Toll Tops 528,500 After Rebel Takeover

More than 528,500 people have died in Syria’s devastating civil war, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) on Wednesday.

The figure includes thousands of deaths recently confirmed following improved access to detention centers and mass graves after rebels ousted Bashar al-Assad in December, ending over 50 years of his family’s rule.

In 2024 alone, over 6,700 people were killed, more than half of them civilians.

Since the war began in 2011, sparked by the brutal suppression of pro-democracy protests, it has claimed countless lives, displaced millions, and drawn in foreign powers.

More than 528,500 people were killed in the #Syrian civil war, the @syriahr war monitor saidhttps://t.co/O3I6XFOsqI

— Arab News (@arabnews) January 1, 2025

The Observatory also reported that over 64,000 detainees have died in Assad’s prisons due to torture, neglect, and horrific conditions. While the conflict has seen a major shift in power, the human cost continues to weigh heavily on the nation.

Tesla Cybertruck Explodes Outside Trump Hotel in Las Vegas

A Tesla Cybertruck exploded in flames outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday, killing the driver and injuring seven others.

The FBI is investigating whether the incident was an act of terrorism.

Witnesses captured videos of the explosion, which occurred hours after a separate truck attack in New Orleans that killed 15 people.

Authorities identified the Cybertruck as a rental vehicle, with a large amount of fireworks or a possible bomb in its bed causing the explosion, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

He emphasized the incident was unrelated to the vehicle’s technology.

Law Enforcement Officials are claiming that because the Suspect used a Tesla Cybertruck in their Attack earlier today against the Trump Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, which has 1.4mm Body Panels and 1.8mm Door Panels, the Explosion only caused Minimal Damage; with even… pic.twitter.com/3aBWrA8hfC

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 2, 2025

The Trump Hotel was evacuated as police and firefighters responded.

Two people with minor injuries were hospitalized, and most hotel guests were relocated.

The driver’s identity has not yet been made public, and the FBI is working to determine any connections to the New Orleans attack or broader security threats.

The incident raises questions about the timing, the rental vehicle’s origin, and potential motives as law enforcement continues their investigation.

Feds Seize Record-Breaking Stockpile of Explosives in Virginia

Federal agents uncovered over 150 pipe bombs and other homemade explosives during a raid on Brad Spafford’s Virginia home in December, marking the FBI’s largest-ever seizure of explosive devices.

The explosives, along with tools and bomb-making materials, were mostly found in a detached garage, with some stored unsecured inside the home, which Spafford shares with his wife and two young children.

Spafford, 36, was initially charged with possessing an unregistered short-barrel rifle, but prosecutors said he could face additional charges related to the explosives.

NEW⚡️

The FBI seized over 150 explosives, including pipe bombs in a man’s Virginia farm.

It’s been a wild start of the year. pic.twitter.com/AnMB86iflA

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) January 2, 2025

Court documents revealed that some of the bombs were labeled “lethal,” and several were packed into a wearable vest.

Spafford’s defense argued that there’s no evidence he planned violence, noting that he has no criminal record and questioning whether the devices were even functional.

However, prosecutors pointed to an informant’s testimony that Spafford had discussed political assassinations and used photos of President Biden for target practice.

For now, Spafford remains in custody, though a judge has proposed house arrest pending further arguments.

The case raises serious questions about safety and intent, even as Spafford’s lawyers push back on claims of imminent danger.

Sources: News Agencies, Reuters, SOHR, US CENTCOM