SOFREP Daily: Chinese Espionage Breaches Another US Telecom, Russia Foils Ukrainian Plot to Bomb Officer and Blogger, Israeli Forces Detain 240 at Gaza Hospital

Good morning! It’s Sunday, December 29, and your daily defense and global affairs update is ready. Here are the top stories to close out your weekend.

Chinese Espionage Breaches Another US Telecom

Another US telecom company has been confirmed as a victim of a massive Chinese hacking campaign dubbed “Salt Typhoon.” This brings the total to nine companies targeted, with hackers gaining access to private texts and calls of an unknown number of Americans, including high-profile government and political figures.

The hackers reportedly focused on identifying key individuals in the Washington-Virginia area to eavesdrop on their communications.

Deputy National Security Adviser Anne Neuberger broke the news Friday, explaining that the hackers used advanced techniques to stay under the radar.

The breach has exposed major cybersecurity gaps in the telecom industry, prompting calls for mandatory cybersecurity measures, which the FCC will discuss next month.

Officials are working on additional responses to the breach, though details remain under wraps.

China’s Salt Typhoon operation may be the ‘worst telecom hack in our nation’s history.’ https://t.co/Oy9cueF2bh

— Popular Science (@PopSci) December 23, 2024

As the investigation continues, the Biden administration has emphasized that voluntary cybersecurity practices aren’t enough to fend off threats from nations like China, Russia, and Iran.

For now, China denies any involvement in the hacking spree.

Pro-Russian Hackers Hit Italian Government and Airports

Italy is grappling with a string of cyberattacks claimed by the pro-Russian hacker group NoName057(16). Over the past three days, the group has targeted key websites, including Milan’s Malpensa and Linate airports, the foreign ministry, and transport systems in Siena and Turin, according to Italian cybersecurity police on Saturday.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed the attacks’ Russian origins and announced plans to bolster defenses, including creating a new cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) department and tightening security in Italian embassies worldwide.

Hackers targeted around ten official websites in Italy on Saturday, including the websites of the Foreign Ministry and Milan’s two airports, putting them out of action temporarily, the country’s cyber security agency said.https://t.co/nwTHwDXvdP

— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) December 28, 2024

The NoName057(16) group, notorious for targeting NATO countries backing Ukraine, took credit for the attacks in a Telegram post.

Officials say these strikes are part of a larger pattern of Russian-aligned cyber activity aimed at disrupting public institutions and critical infrastructure in countries supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion.

Russia Foils Ukrainian Plot to Bomb Officer and Blogger

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) reported Saturday that it stopped a Ukrainian plot to assassinate a top Russian officer and a pro-Russian war blogger using a bomb disguised as a portable music speaker.

According to the FSB, a Russian citizen was recruited via Telegram by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR) to carry out the attack.

The bomb, equivalent to 1.5 kilograms of TNT and packed with ball bearings, was retrieved from a hiding spot in Moscow before the FSB intercepted the plan.

Russia’s Federal Security Service said it had foiled several plots by Ukrainian intelligence services to kill high-ranking Russian military officers and their families in Moscow, using bombs disguised as power banks or document folders https://t.co/utIO7bCDuL pic.twitter.com/CvKG4Hpsnx

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 26, 2024

The targets haven’t been publicly named, and Ukraine’s GUR hasn’t commented on the allegations. While Kyiv sees targeted killings of individuals they view as war criminals as justified, Moscow labels these actions as terrorism, citing high-profile assassinations like the 2022 death of Darya Dugina.

The thwarted plot comes amid escalating tensions, especially after the recent killing of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov in Moscow, an act Kyiv reportedly claimed responsibility for. Russia has vowed revenge for that attack, further deepening the animosity between the two nations.

US Sends Another $1.25 Billion in Aid to Ukraine Before Biden Exit

The US is yet again gearing up to send $1.25 billion in military aid to Ukraine, a move aimed at bolstering Kyiv’s defenses before the Biden administration leaves office on January 20.

The package, expected to be announced Monday, includes munitions for advanced air defense systems, artillery rounds, and Stinger missiles.

Officials are pushing to get as much aid as possible delivered to Ukraine, given concerns about how the incoming Trump administration might handle support.

The United States is expected to announce that it will send $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20.https://t.co/NvbstiVeEG

— Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) December 28, 2024

The announcement comes as Ukraine faces intensified Russian attacks on its power grid and ongoing battles near the Russian border.

Meanwhile, President-elect Trump has hinted at pursuing negotiations with Russia, raising worries among US and European leaders that future aid could slow down or result in a settlement less favorable to Ukraine.

Since the invasion began in 2022, the US has provided more than $61 billion in military assistance to Ukraine. This latest package uses presidential drawdown authority, allowing rapid deployment of weapons from Pentagon stocks.

Officials are also working to allocate remaining long-term funds through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative before the year ends, ensuring Ukraine stays equipped for the ongoing fight.

Israeli Forces Detain 240 at Gaza Hospital, Including Staff

Israeli forces raided the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza on Friday, arresting over 240 Palestinians, including medical staff and the hospital director, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya.

Israel claimed the hospital was being used as a Hamas command center, while Hamas strongly denied the allegations, urging the UN to intervene and protect Gaza’s remaining hospitals.

The raid effectively put the hospital out of service, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which called the attack part of a systematic dismantling of Gaza’s healthcare system.

Many patients were evacuated to other facilities, including the non-functional Indonesian Hospital, leaving their safety uncertain.

Meanwhile, the broader conflict continues to escalate.

Israeli strikes across Gaza on Saturday reportedly killed 18 Palestinians, including nine in a single house. Israel says its operations aim to prevent Hamas from regrouping in northern Gaza, though Palestinians accuse Israel of ethnic cleansing by depopulating the area.

The war, which began after Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel, has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and caused widespread devastation. With tensions still high, both sides are locked in a devastating cycle of violence.

Houthis Fire Missile at Israel, Claim Airstrikes in Yemen

Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, claimed fresh airstrikes hit northern Yemen on Saturday, pointing fingers at “US-British aggression.”

The strikes reportedly targeted Hajjah province just a day after the Houthis launched a missile at Israel.

The rebels had earlier claimed responsibility for attacking Israel’s Nevatim airbase, which they said was “successful,” though Israel confirmed intercepting a missile launched from Yemen.

This exchange is part of a growing tit-for-tat between the Houthis and Israel.

Just days ago, Israeli airstrikes killed six people in rebel-held areas, including four at Sanaa airport, as tensions between the two sides continue to escalate.

The Houthis, aligned with Iran’s “axis of resistance,” have ramped up their attacks in solidarity with Palestinians since the Gaza conflict began last year, targeting Israel and vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

For now, both sides are trading blame and intensifying their strikes, with no sign of cooling off. The situation underscores the broader regional volatility, pulling Yemen deeper into the Middle East’s tangled web of conflicts.

Pakistan and Afghanistan Trade Fire, Tensions Rise

Tensions are flaring along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border after a deadly exchange of fire left one Pakistani paramilitary soldier dead and seven others injured.

The clashes, which began overnight and continued into Saturday, involved heavy weaponry along the border between Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Afghanistan’s Khost province.

The violence follows accusations by the Taliban-led Afghan government that Pakistani airstrikes earlier this week killed 46 civilians near the border.

Pakistan, while not officially confirming the strikes, says it was targeting “terrorist hideouts.” Afghan officials retaliated by targeting areas they claimed were used to stage attacks on their side of the border.

These clashes are part of a larger pattern of increasing hostilities since the Taliban took over in 2021, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harboring militants responsible for attacks on its soil.

Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations like the United Nations and UNICEF are calling for investigations into civilian casualties, particularly the deaths of at least 20 children in recent attacks.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has drawn a hard line, stating the Afghan government must stop militant groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from attacking inside Pakistan. With border tensions showing no signs of easing, both nations remain locked in a cycle of violence and blame.

UN Approves New AU Force to Battle Al-Shabaab in Somalia

The UN Security Council approved Friday a new African Union force, called the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), to take on the Islamist group Al-Shabaab.

The mission will replace the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), whose mandate ends on December 31, with the new troops set to deploy in January.

The resolution passed with 14 votes in favor, while the US abstained, citing concerns about funding.

The Federal Government of #Somalia expresses its gratitude to the UN Security Council for endorsing Resolution 2767 (2024), which establishes the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

This development follows the African Union Peace and Security… pic.twitter.com/tFwYyuQxjU

— Daud Aweis (@DaudAweis) December 27, 2024

Somalia has struggled with decades of civil war, Al-Shabaab insurgency, and climate disasters, making stabilization efforts a priority for the international community.

So far, 11,000 troops have been pledged to AUSSOM, with Egypt confirming its participation. Ethiopia, which has had tensions with Somalia over regional disputes, will not contribute troops to the new mission.

The UN has outlined the possibility of funding up to 75 percent of the mission through a mechanism created last year, but the US argues the conditions for that haven’t been met yet.

As Somalia gears up for this new mission, the country remains at the heart of complex regional politics and ongoing security challenges.

Sources: News Agencies, Reuters