SOFREP Daily: Israel Clears Bedouin Village, North Korea’s Mass Production of Drones, FBI Uncovers Cyberespionage Campaign

Good morning! Here’s your daily briefing on the latest in defense and global affairs for Friday, November 15. From escalating tensions in the Middle East to shifting alliances in Europe, we’ve got the key updates you need to stay informed. Let’s dive in.

Israel Targets Militants in Syria, Kill 15

Israel carried out another airstrikes in Damascus and its suburbs on Thursday, killing at least 15 people, including members of the Islamic Jihad group, according to Syrian state media.

The strikes targeted militant command centers and infrastructure, intensifying tensions as the Israel-Hamas conflict spills over into Lebanon and Syria.

Meanwhile, Lebanon faces a rising death toll from Israeli airstrikes as Hezbollah continues attacks, with frequent exchanges of fire along the border.

The Lebanese Health Ministry’s latest figures—over 3,300 killed and 14,000 wounded since the war’s regional spread—paint a grim picture.

Meanwhile, Israel’s strikes in Baalbek and Beirut’s southern suburbs signal a broader effort to dismantle Hezbollah’s military capabilities, which could lead to further escalation.

Caught in the middle is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), who are tasked with monitoring the volatile Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon.

Despite calls from Israel to pull back, UNIFIL insists on maintaining its positions, arguing that the UN peacekeepers’ presence is crucial for both current stability and any future peace talks.

With 13 peacekeepers injured and equipment destroyed, UNIFIL’s ability to operate has been significantly hampered, yet their resolve underscores the international community’s fragile grip on the region’s peace framework.

As Israel vows to continue targeting militants “wherever necessary,” the risk of a full-scale regional war looms larger than ever.

Israel Clears Bedouin Village for New Settlement

Israeli authorities on Thursday reportedly demolished the last standing building—a mosque—in the Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran, marking the end of a yearslong standoff.

Officials argue the villagers were squatting on state land and offered them plots elsewhere, but residents say the demolition clears the way for a Jewish settlement, Dror.

Videos captured the dramatic scenes of bulldozers and drones as authorities dismantled the mosque, and activists decried the move as part of a broader effort to displace Bedouin communities.

The Israeli military demolished a mosque in the Palestinian village of Umm al-Hiran in the Negev desert (known in Arabic as the Naqab) on Thursday. It was the last remaining structure after all homes were destroyed. pic.twitter.com/7Dm0paeZt7

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) November 14, 2024

The demolition has sparked outrage, with critics labeling it a “population replacement” strategy, as 14 other villages face a similar fate.

North Korea Orders Mass Production of Drones

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ramped up efforts to mass-produce self-detonating drones, calling them an “essential requirement” after overseeing a successful test.

State media showcased blurred images of drones destroying targets in a Friday report, highlighting their ability to strike both land and sea.

These drones, often referred to as “suicide drones,” have proven effective in modern conflicts, like Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Kim emphasized the urgent need for a “serial production system as early as possible and go into full-scale mass production” to bolster North Korea’s military capabilities as concerns grow over its deepening ties with Russia, including a mutual defense pact.

Meanwhile, reports suggest North Korean troops are already engaging in combat operations in Russia, raising eyebrows about potential tech exchanges between Pyongyang and Moscow.

NATO Urges China to Rein In North Korea

NATO and the EU are stepping up efforts to get China to pressure North Korea into stopping its military support for Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Reports suggest that up to 12,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia’s Kursk region, while Russia is allegedly sending missile technology back to Pyongyang.

NATO leaders warn that this weapons trade poses a global threat, not just to Europe but also to countries like Japan, South Korea, and even the US mainland.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte urged China to leverage its close ties with North Korea to promote peace, arguing that Beijing can’t claim to be a peace advocate while ignoring rising aggression.

Meanwhile, the EU is forging stronger security ties with Japan and South Korea, marking its first defense partnerships outside Europe.

Despite its ties to North Korea and Russia, China appears hesitant to align fully with them in an anti-Western coalition, likely prioritizing regional stability and economic goals.

EU Commission Funds Joint Weapons for Ukraine

For the first time, the European Commission has approved Thursday funding for joint weapon purchases by EU member states, marking a significant milestone in European defense cooperation.

Five projects will receive €60 million (around $63.8 million) each under the European Defense Industry Reinforcement through the Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA), with a total project value exceeding €11 billion ($11.68 billion).

These initiatives include air defense systems, ammunition, and armored personnel carriers, with some supplies destined for Ukraine.

We’ve approved funding for the first-ever five cross-border projects to support defence procurement among EU countries.

Implemented under the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement instrument, each of the 5 selected projects will receive €60 million.

— European Commission (@EU_Commission) November 14, 2024

Despite earlier commitments to deliver 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine by March 2024, the EU now says it might fall short of that target.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains optimistic, expecting the goal to be reached by the end of the year. This funding highlights Europe’s increasing focus on collective defense and support for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict.

Russia Strikes Odesa, Cuts Heat for Thousands

Russia’s war on Ukraine shows no signs of slowing down, with the latest attacks hitting Odesa hard.

A Russian airstrike on Thursday evening targeted a residential building and critical energy infrastructure, leaving one person dead and ten injured.

The attack also knocked out a central boiler plant, temporarily cutting off heat for over 40,000 residents, including a maternity hospital.

Russia’s missile/drone attack on Odesa last night sought only to target civilians in their homes, among the victims are children.

Here a 34 year old woman was burned alive in her home in central Odesa. pic.twitter.com/U8Xs48yfmo

— KyivPost (@KyivPost) November 15, 2024

Engineers worked through the night, and by morning, heating was set to resume for affected areas.

Ukraine’s air force managed to shoot down most of the drones and missiles launched during the assault, but Odesa—already a frequent target—continues to bear the brunt of Russia’s aggression.

Marco Rubio Takes Helm, Faces Ukraine Policy Test

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed optimism about working with Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for US Secretary of State, hoping he will embrace a “peace through strength” approach in handling the war in Ukraine.

Sybiha and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have repeatedly highlighted this strategy, emphasizing no concessions to Russia and pushing for Ukraine’s NATO membership.

Rubio, known for his assertive stance on foreign policy, has recently aligned more with Trump’s “America First” approach. Despite advocating for strength in the past, Rubio voted against a major military aid package for Ukraine in April and has suggested that Ukraine pursue a negotiated settlement rather than reclaiming occupied territory.

His nomination raises questions about the future of US support for Ukraine, as Trump has been critical of ongoing military aid under President Joe Biden.

FBI Uncovers Chinese Cyberespionage Campaign

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have uncovered a major cyberespionage campaign tied to the Chinese government, targeting American telecommunications networks.

According to the agencies’ joint statement released Wednesday, hackers reportedly accessed call records and private communications of several individuals involved in government and politics.

Joint Statement from #FBI and @CISAgov on the People’s Republic of China Targeting of Commercial Telecommunications Infrastructure: https://t.co/M1dcXCTKI5

— FBI (@FBI) November 14, 2024

The attack also aimed to gather sensitive information linked to US law enforcement, possibly trying to undermine surveillance programs like the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

This follows other recent cyber incidents linked to China, including the massive “Flax Typhoon” botnet and attacks on high-profile political figures like Donald Trump and JD Vance.

While China denies any involvement, US authorities are working closely with the telecom industry to strengthen defenses as the investigation continues.

Boeing Cuts Thousands of Jobs

Boeing has begun sending out layoff notices Wednesday as part of a plan to cut 17,000 jobs or 10 percent of its global workforce.

Affected US employees will remain on the payroll until January, which aligns with federal guidelines.

The layoffs come as Boeing, under new CEO Kelly Ortberg, struggles to recover from a tough year marked by production halts, a strike, and financial setbacks.

While production of the 737 MAX is slowly resuming, morale among employees remains low, with many waiting anxiously to learn their fate.

The job cuts will also impact military engineering programs, including work on “the F-15 and F/A-18 jets and the Navy’s P-8 submarine hunter,” raising concerns about the strain on key projects.

Pentagon Dismisses Alien Theories, Probes UFOs

The Department of Defense’s latest report on unidentified flying objects (UFOs) dives into hundreds of new sightings, revealing plenty of mysterious aerial phenomena—but don’t get too excited about aliens just yet.

According to the newly released yearly report, the Pentagon, in collaboration with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and other government organizations, has received 1,652 reports so far, with 757 fresh reports received between May 2023 and June 2024.

But most of these cases were chalked up to misidentified balloons, birds, or Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites.

Still, some incidents, like a near-miss between a commercial plane and a mysterious cylindrical object off New York’s coast, remain unsolved.

Lawmakers are calling for more transparency, stressing the importance of studying these sightings for national security and air safety.

While the report didn’t find any signs of extraterrestrial tech, the mystery around unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs) is far from over.