SOFREP Evening Brief: Israel Kills Hezbollah Commander in Lebanon, Defense Secretary Adviser Dan Caldwell Escorted from Pentagon

Welcome back! End your day informed with SOFREP’s evening roundup. Here are the latest developments in defense and global affairs for Wednesday, April 16, 2025: Israel killed a Hezbollah commander in Lebanon despite a ceasefire. The US and Ukraine advanced a strategic minerals deal. A top Pentagon adviser was removed over a leak probe. NATO reaffirmed support for Ukraine as Russia steps up strikes. Poland accused Russia of cyberattacks ahead of elections. Xi Jinping visited Malaysia to counter American influence, and the US flew B-1B bombers over Korea amid renewed North Korean threats.

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Israel Kills Hezbollah Commander in Lebanon Despite Ongoing Ceasefire

An Israeli drone strike killed a Hezbollah “platoon commander” in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, according to the Israeli military, marking another escalation despite a truce in place since November 27.

Lebanon’s health ministry confirmed the strike in Aitaroun killed one person and wounded three others, including a child.

The Israeli military stated it targeted a key figure in Hezbollah’s Special Operations Array. The attack adds to a series of Israeli operations following the ceasefire, which was intended to end over a year of intermittent conflict and a two-month full-scale war between the two sides.

🔴ELIMINATED: Commander of Hamas’ Shejaiya Battalion

Muhammad al-‘Ajlah served as the commander of a combat support company in the Shejaiya battalion throughout the war and was eliminated in a precise strike on Sunday night. He was responsible for arming the battalion’s… pic.twitter.com/nssidzs9Qh

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 15, 2025

The United Nations Human Rights Office reports that at least 71 civilians have died from Israeli strikes in Lebanon since the truce began. Hezbollah claims 186 deaths in total, though it did not distinguish between fighters and civilians. Lebanese authorities have not provided updated casualty figures.

The truce is based on a UN Security Council resolution requiring only Lebanese state forces and UN peacekeepers to operate south of the Litani River. It also mandates the disarmament of all non-state actors, including Hezbollah. In return, Israel agreed to withdraw its forces from the region, though it still holds five positions it labels as “strategic.”

President Joseph Aoun confirmed Tuesday that the Lebanese Army is actively dismantling Hezbollah military infrastructure in the south, including tunnels and weapons caches. He told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed he aims to make 2025 the year of consolidating all armed authority under the state.

Aoun said the process would occur through direct dialogue with Hezbollah and rejected the notion of fully integrating the group into the national army.

Marking the end of two years of political stalemate, #Lebanon elected its 14th President, former Army chief, Joseph Aoun, on 9th January, 2025. Followed by which he appointed Nawaf Salam, as the Prime Minister leading to the formation of a new Government in February. The… pic.twitter.com/Vh2ZZ1GSeQ

— ICWA (@ICWA_NewDelhi) April 16, 2025

US, Ukraine Advance Talks on Strategic Mineral Access Deal

Ukraine and United States are rapidly advancing negotiations on a deal that would give the US preferential access to Ukraine’s natural resources, including rare minerals, a senior Ukrainian official told reporters on Wednesday.

The long-discussed agreement had previously stalled following a high-profile televised clash between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The agreement, initially designed to provide the US with royalty payments from Ukrainian mining profits, is now regaining momentum.

According to the source familiar with the talks, recent drafts no longer frame US wartime aid—delivered under President Joe Biden’s administration—as debt to be repaid by Ukraine. This shift aligns with a Bloomberg report indicating that Washington has relaxed its demand for repayment of aid provided since Russia’s 2022 invasion.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested on Monday, while in Argentina, that a deal could be signed as early as this week.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said a minerals deal could be signed as early as this week. According to him, both parties are ‘very close’ to a final decision. pic.twitter.com/TUODVFoAvt

— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) April 16, 2025

The strategic minerals in question are critical for defense, energy, and technology sectors, and access to them would enhance US supply chain resilience while deepening American influence in post-war Ukraine.

Defense Secretary Adviser Dan Caldwell Escorted from Pentagon Amid Leak Investigation

Dan Caldwell, a senior adviser to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has been placed on administrative leave and escorted out of the Pentagon amid an ongoing investigation into unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information, according to two defense officials.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Caldwell’s removal is linked to a probe into leaks from within the Department of Defense.

Caldwell, a US Marine Corps veteran, was one of Hegseth’s closest advisers and acted as the secretary’s liaison in a Signal messaging group chat used by top Trump-era national security officials to coordinate plans for military operations—most notably a strike against Houthi militants in Yemen.

The group chat, initiated by National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, gained public attention after The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was inadvertently added to the chat.

Although specific details about the information leak have not been disclosed, the Pentagon began cracking down on unauthorized disclosures even before the Signal chat surfaced in late March.

On March 21, Hegseth’s chief of staff, Joe Kasper, issued a memo warning of immediate investigations into “recent unauthorized disclosures” and indicated that Defense Department personnel might be subject to polygraphs.

Kasper stressed that any findings would be referred for criminal prosecution.

Caldwell’s long-standing professional relationship with Hegseth dates back to their time at Concerned Veterans for America, where Caldwell served as policy director and later executive director. He also worked at the Washington-based think tank Defense Priorities.

Caldwell’s removal was first reported by Reuters. The Pentagon has not officially commented on the nature or scope of the investigation.

NATO Reaffirms Support as Russia Escalates Strikes, Peace Talks Continue

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte reaffirmed the alliance’s “unwavering” support for Ukraine during a visit to Odesa on Tuesday, announcing that NATO allies have pledged over 20 billion euros ($22 billion) in security assistance to Kyiv in the first quarter of 2025 alone.

Rutte met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and visited wounded Ukrainian soldiers during his first trip to Ukraine since US President Donald Trump assumed the lead in ceasefire negotiations with Russia.

Today I visited Odesa along with @ZelenskyyUa
Ukraine’s people have endured so much – not least Russia’s Palm Sunday attack on Sumy. NATO support is unwavering. We will continue to help Ukraine so it can defend today and deter future aggression, ensuring a just and lasting peace pic.twitter.com/FQb4p66Iad

— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) April 15, 2025

The visit came days after Russia launched a ballistic missile attack on Sumy, killing at least 35 civilians—including two children—and injuring 119. It marked the second deadly strike in less than two weeks, following the April 4 attack on Kryvyi Rih, which killed 20 people, including nine children.

Rutte condemned the violence, calling it a direct challenge to peace efforts, but voiced support for Trump’s diplomatic push.

“These discussions are not easy, not least in the wake of this horrific violence,” he said, noting that negotiations continue despite delays and conditions set by the Kremlin.

Security Guarantees and a Black Sea Coalition

Zelenskyy and Rutte discussed post-war security frameworks, including a proposed “coalition of the willing” among European nations to deter future Russian aggression.

Talks are underway in Turkey to explore military security guarantees for Ukraine in the Black Sea, with involvement from France, the United Kingdom, and Turkey.

“This is not about ending the war, unfortunately,” Zelenskyy said. “It’s about what comes after — the security guarantees for Ukraine following a ceasefire.”

Rutte added that NATO is helping shape those efforts to ensure long-term regional stability.

Sumy Mourns Victims of Russian Missile Attack

In Sumy, residents gathered to mourn the victims of Sunday’s strike. The attack highlights the continued civilian toll amid ceasefire talks, even as NATO and US officials push forward with long-term plans for Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction.

Poland Accuses Russia of Cyberattacks Ahead of Presidential Election

Poland’s Ministry of Digital Affairs warned Tuesday of an escalating wave of Russian cyberattacks targeting the country just weeks ahead of its May 18 presidential election.

Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski told local media that authorities have recorded nearly 2,000 cyber incidents in a single day, underscoring what he called an ongoing “cyberwar with Russia.”

Poland, a firm supporter of Ukraine in its war with Russia, has previously expressed concern over election interference.

Gawkowski reported that monthly attack volumes now range between 60,000 and 70,000 incidents, with Russian operatives increasingly focused on destabilizing essential infrastructure, including water and electricity systems.

According to Gawkowski, Russian military intelligence is also attempting to recruit “agents of influence” inside Poland, offering payments of 3,000 and 4,000 euros ($3,300 to $4,500) for short-term disinformation campaigns aimed at stoking panic and emotional unrest among the population.

In response, the Polish government has implemented new cybersecurity measures to safeguard digital infrastructure and public confidence ahead of the election.

💬 Polska jest dziś skuteczna w ochronie cyberprzestrzeni i należy do najlepiej ocenianych państw na świecie w zakresie cyberbezpieczeństwa. Dysponujemy nowoczesnymi systemami, dobrze przygotowanymi instytucjami i wyspecjalizowanymi służbami. Inwestujemy miliardy bo wiemy, że… pic.twitter.com/b5iKih4dsi

— Ministerstwo Cyfryzacji (@CYFRA_GOV_PL) April 16, 2025

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said his party’s computer systems were targeted in a cyberattack he attributed to foreign interference.

A March report by French defense firm Thales corroborated the threat, identifying a broad Russian cyber campaign targeting Poland and its Baltic and Nordic allies, aimed at spreading anti-war narratives and deepening political divisions.

Xi Courts Malaysia as Beijing Pushes Back Against US Trade Pressure

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Malaysia’s King Sultan Ibrahim on Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur during a high-profile state visit aimed at reinforcing China’s image as a stable regional partner amid ongoing tensions with the US.

The visit, part of Xi’s Southeast Asia tour that includes stops in Vietnam and Cambodia, comes as Washington’s punitive trade measures continue to disrupt global markets.

The US under President Donald Trump has imposed steep tariffs on Southeast Asian economies, prompting Beijing to present itself as a counterbalance.

Petang tadi saya telah menyambut tamu kenegaraan Presiden Republik Rakyat China TYT Xi Jinping yang kini dalam rangka lawatan rasmi tiga hari ke Malaysia.

Malaysia berbesar hati tatkala negara bertuah ini terpilih untuk dikunjungi Presiden Xi, terutamanya dalam usaha memperkuat… pic.twitter.com/VCidr8gUyQ

— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) April 15, 2025

Xi was welcomed with full honors at Malaysia’s golden-domed Istana palace before holding talks with the king. He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya later today, where both leaders will witness the signing of several bilateral agreements.

The visit underscores China’s strategy to realign regional power dynamics, shifting influence away from the US.

“It’s not just about friendship, it’s about realigning the regional centre of gravity towards Beijing,” said Malaya University’s Khoo Ying Hooi.

Malaysia, currently chairing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has been relatively spared from the worst of US tariffs, facing a 24% duty compared to 46% on Vietnam and 49% on Cambodia. However, the pressure from Washington has strained regional economies and alliances.

Xi used the visit to call for regional unity and to promote China as a force for “stability and development, not a hegemon,” while implicitly warning against letting US trade and defense alliances divide Asia.

China remains Malaysia’s largest trading partner for the 16th consecutive year, accounting for 16.8% of Malaysia’s total trade in 2023. Despite this, friction remains over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where Malaysia has overlapping claims with China.

Xi’s tour continues Thursday in Cambodia, a key Chinese ally where Beijing has expanded its strategic foothold in recent years.

US Flies B-1B Bombers Over Korea in Show of Force Amid North Korean Threats

The US deployed long-range B-1B bombers over the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday in a joint aerial drill with South Korea, signaling a clear show of force against North Korea amid rising nuclear tensions.

The flyover coincided with North Korea’s “Day of the Sun” holiday, which marks the 113th birthday of regime founder Kim Il Sung.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry confirmed the B-1B bombers were joined by South Korean F-35 and F-16 fighters, along with US F-16s, in exercises designed to enhance operational readiness and demonstrate deterrence against North Korea’s advancing nuclear capabilities.

Officials said the drills are part of an expanding schedule of joint exercises aimed at countering threats from Pyongyang.

The bomber deployment comes just days after Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and a key regime official, dismissed ongoing US-led efforts to denuclearize North Korea as a “daydream.”

She reiterated Pyongyang’s refusal to give up its nuclear arsenal following a trilateral meeting between the US, South Korea, and Japan that reaffirmed pressure for denuclearization.

This marks the second B-1B deployment to the region since President Donald Trump began his second term in January.

North Korea previously condemned the February flyover as an “intensifying provocation,” vowing to match US strategic moves with strategic responses. Days after that drill, North Korea test-fired cruise missiles to demonstrate its nuclear counterstrike capability.

While President Trump has expressed intent to revive diplomacy with Kim Jong Un, North Korea has yet to formally respond.

The latest military action by the US may prompt additional provocations from Pyongyang, which frequently answers shows of force with missile tests and hostile rhetoric.

Sources: News Agencies