SOFREP Daily roundup for Tuesday, November 12. (Image grab via X)
Here’s your daily update on the latest in defense and global affairs for Tuesday, November 12.
Israel Starts Road Construction Along the Golan Heights Border
Israel has started construction along the Alpha Line, the border separating the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria, The Associated Press reported on Tuesday, November 12.
Satellite images from November 5 show over 7.5 kilometers (4.6 miles) of construction, starting approximately 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) southeast of the Druze town of Majdal Shams.
The images, as shown below, reveal a trench being dug between embankments, with parts of the area already paved with fresh asphalt. There are also visible sections of fencing along the route, extending toward the Syrian side.
Recent satellite images show Israel constructing along the Alpha Line, a demilitarized zone with Syria, violating ceasefire agreements. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)
The construction follows a southeast trajectory before heading south, then cutting southeast again. Excavators and earth-moving equipment are actively working along the route, with more asphalt piled nearby.
This activity has violated ceasefire rules in the demilitarized zone, where the United Nations (UN) has peacekeepers stationed.
The project appears to be part of ongoing Israeli military efforts, following similar work near Gaza.
While Syria has stayed quiet about the construction, tensions remain high, as the Golan Heights continues to be a flashpoint.
Here’s your daily update on the latest in defense and global affairs for Tuesday, November 12.
Israel Starts Road Construction Along the Golan Heights Border
Israel has started construction along the Alpha Line, the border separating the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria, The Associated Press reported on Tuesday, November 12.
Satellite images from November 5 show over 7.5 kilometers (4.6 miles) of construction, starting approximately 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) southeast of the Druze town of Majdal Shams.
The images, as shown below, reveal a trench being dug between embankments, with parts of the area already paved with fresh asphalt. There are also visible sections of fencing along the route, extending toward the Syrian side.
Recent satellite images show Israel constructing along the Alpha Line, a demilitarized zone with Syria, violating ceasefire agreements. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)
The construction follows a southeast trajectory before heading south, then cutting southeast again. Excavators and earth-moving equipment are actively working along the route, with more asphalt piled nearby.
This activity has violated ceasefire rules in the demilitarized zone, where the United Nations (UN) has peacekeepers stationed.
The project appears to be part of ongoing Israeli military efforts, following similar work near Gaza.
While Syria has stayed quiet about the construction, tensions remain high, as the Golan Heights continues to be a flashpoint.
The UN peacekeepers have observed Israeli military involvement in the project, with some parts encroaching into the buffer zone.
Israeli Strikes Kill Dozens in Lebanon and Gaza, Dozens Dead
Israeli airstrikes on Sunday targeted both Lebanon and northern Gaza, killing dozens of people, including children.
In Lebanon, at least 23 were killed in an Israeli strike on Aalmat village, far from Hezbollah’s strongholds.
Meanwhile, a strike in Gaza killed at least 17 people in a refugee camp.
The violence continues as Israel’s military focuses on Hamas in Gaza, with significant destruction in the northern regions, while fears of famine grow due to a lack of aid.
An Israeli airstrike on the village of Aalmat, north of Beirut, killed 20 people, including three children, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. There was no evacuation warning beforehand, reports say. pic.twitter.com/hWBH0qwB22
Meanwhile, Israel’s relationship with the US remains key, with President Biden expected to meet Israeli officials today.
The war in Gaza, which began in October 2023, has claimed more than 43,000 Palestinian lives, and ceasefire talks have failed to make significant progress.
Israel’s strikes have targeted both militants and civilians, with accusations of abuses from all sides.
North Korea, Russia Strengthen Ties with New Defense Agreement
North Korea has ratified a defense pact with Russia that guarantees mutual military assistance if either country faces an armed attack.
Signed in June by the leaders of both nations, the treaty has now been finalized after Kim Jong Un signed a decree on Monday, according to state media KCNA.
The treaty strengthens military cooperation between the two countries, with North Korean troops already supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine.
JUST IN: 🇷🇺🇰🇵 Russian President Putin finalizes a strategic partnership treaty with North Korea, establishing a mutual defense pact. pic.twitter.com/OWhRBdq7f3
Over 10,000 North Korean soldiers have reportedly been sent to Russia, some of whom have been involved in combat near the Ukrainian border.
This growing alliance has raised concerns, especially with the possibility of Russia sharing sensitive military technology with North Korea, which could boost the latter’s nuclear and missile capabilities.
As tensions rise, the treaty could signal even deeper involvement from Pyongyang in the ongoing conflict.
Ukraine Holds Ground Against Russian Troops in Kursk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Monday that “nearly 50,000” Russian troops have been deployed to Kursk, the region where Ukraine launched a surprise counteroffensive earlier this summer.
Ukrainian forces have managed to hold back the Russian group, which includes recently deployed North Korean soldiers, despite Russia’s attempts to push them out.
The ongoing conflict in Kursk is the first foreign invasion of Russian territory since World War II, with Ukraine maintaining control over significant areas despite some territorial losses.
As the war continues, Ukraine faces increasing drone strikes from Russia, and the looming threat of a potential shift in US foreign policy under a second Donald Trump presidency adds another layer of uncertainty to the conflict.
Gangs Attack Plane, Shut Down Haiti’s Airport as New Prime Minister Sworn In
Haiti’s international airport was shut down on Monday after gangs opened fire at a Spirit Airlines flight approaching Port-Au-Prince, injuring a flight attendant.
The flight was diverted to the Dominican Republic, and several airlines suspended operations in response to the escalating violence.
The shooting is part of broader gang-led efforts to disrupt travel and stir chaos in the capital.
Spirit, JetBlue, and American Airlines all canceled flights to and from Haiti on Monday, according to The Associated Press.
Meanwhile, Haiti swore in a new interim prime minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, who pledged to restore peace and hold elections.
The country has been grappling with gang violence, political instability, and economic struggles, with gangs now controlling a significant portion of Port-Au-Prince.
Despite the challenges, Fils-Aimé’s top priorities are to quell the violence and revive democratic processes, though many fear the situation will worsen before it improves.
Japanese Minesweeper Capsizes After Fire, Crew Member Missing
A Japanese minesweeper, JS Ukushima (MSC-686), capsized on Monday after an engine room fire the day before with one crew member missing.
The ship, which was conducting training in the East China Sea, had reported the fire to the Japan Coast Guard on Sunday morning.
Despite firefighting efforts from a nearby vessel, the fire grew uncontrollable, and the Ukushima eventually capsized after midnight on Monday.
Divers are currently searching for the missing crew member.
This incident follows another tragedy earlier this year involving the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, where two helicopters collided, killing all eight crew members.
🇯🇵 Japanese minesweeper sinks after fire onboard; one crew member missing
A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force minesweeper caught fire off Japan’s southwestern coast and later capsized and sank, the local coast guard reported Monday.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Joint Staff Office reported that a Russian Yasen-class nuclear-powered submarine was sighted near Japan’s waters, marking the first time such a submarine has been spotted there.
The Russian Navy also continues operations in the South China Sea and surrounding regions, while the Indonesian Navy wrapped up joint exercises with Russia.
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