SOFREP Morning Brief: Palestinian Red Crescent Rejects Israeli Probe into Medic Airstrike, Putin Open to Talks as Ceasefire Pressure Builds

Good day! SOFREP’s morning brief is back with key defense and global affairs news for Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Palestinian Red Crescent rejected Israel’s probe into the Gaza medic strike as a cover-up. Sudan’s paramilitary forces killed over 30 in fresh attacks on El-Fasher, Sudan. Burkina Faso says it foiled a coup plot tied to exiles in Ivory Coast. US Top Enlisted Adviser Sgt. Maj. Troy Black will retire after his term wasn’t extended. Putin signaled interest in Ukraine talks as ceasefire pressure grows. Myanmar’s quake ceasefire expired as fighting and crisis continue.

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Palestinian Red Crescent Rejects Israeli Probe into Deadly Airstrike on Medics

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) on Monday denounced Israel’s investigation into the March 23 killings of 15 rescue workers in Gaza, calling it a “fabricated investigation” designed to obscure accountability.

The Israeli military released findings Sunday, acknowledging “professional failures” and labeling the incident an accident. A deputy commander was dismissed, but the report stopped short of criminal culpability.

#UPDATE An Israeli military probe into the killing of 15 Palestinian emergency workers in Gaza admitted Sunday that mistakes led to their deaths and that a field commander would be dismissed.

The Palestine Red Crescent said the probe was ‘full of lies’https://t.co/2iHDksNNPa pic.twitter.com/bvyPaQQ3Yg

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 20, 2025

The airstrike killed eight PRCS medics, six members of the Hamas-run Civil Defense unit, and a United Nations staffer. Israeli forces subsequently bulldozed the bodies and vehicles into a mass grave.

The United Nations (UN) and rescue workers reached the site a week later.

The PRCS accused Israel of falsely linking medical personnel to Hamas and questioned the continued detention of a surviving paramedic.

“We call on the international community to abstain from validating the results of the occupation’s fabricated investigation,” the organization said in a statement.

Initially, the Israeli army claimed the ambulances lacked emergency lights and appeared suspicious. However, video evidence recovered from a medic’s cellphone showed vehicles clearly marked and using emergency signals while responding to an earlier strike.

Israel later claimed six of those killed were Hamas militants, offering limited evidence. The incident drew sharp criticism from international observers, with some labeling the attack a potential war crime.

Paramilitary Forces Kill Dozens in Renewed Assault on El-Fasher, Sudan

Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias launched a deadly assault on el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, on Sunday, killing over 30 people and wounding dozens more, according to the Resistance Committees, an activist group monitoring the conflict.

The offensive continued into Monday as the RSF shelled residential neighborhoods and open markets.

El-Fasher remains under the control of the Sudanese military, which has been at war with the RSF since civil conflict erupted in April 2023.

The fighting has killed more than 24,000 people, though activist groups claim the true toll is likely much higher.

El-Fasher, home to over one million people, many of them displaced, is one of the last major cities in Darfur not under RSF control. The group has attempted to seize the city for over a year in its push to dominate the entire region.

Recent attacks have also targeted two nearby displacement camps—Zamzam and Abu Shouk—already suffering from famine conditions.

Last week, RSF fighters and allied militias killed more than 400 people in a two-day assault on the same areas, prompting up to 400,000 people to flee the Zamzam camp, according to the UN. The site is now inaccessible to aid agencies.

After fleeing an attack on Zamzam camp in Sudan, around 24,000 people have reached Tawila.

They arrived severely dehydrated, malnourished and shocked. Our teams are overwhelmed by the growing number of patients. pic.twitter.com/STVpzDWY0S

— MSF International (@MSF) April 18, 2025

The RSF, which evolved from the Janjaweed militias responsible for atrocities during the early 2000s Darfur conflict, has intensified attacks in Darfur as it faces military setbacks in Khartoum and central Sudan. The group has not issued a statement on the most recent violence.

Burkina Faso Junta Claims to Foil Coup Plot Orchestrated from Ivory Coast

Burkina Faso’s military junta announced Monday that it had thwarted a “major plot” intended to destabilize the country and assault the presidency.

Security Minister Mahamadou Sana revealed the plan was uncovered by the country’s intelligence services and was scheduled to culminate on April 16, 2025.

According to the junta, the operation involved a group of soldiers recruited to carry out an armed attack on the presidency. The government claims the masterminds are based in neighboring Ivory Coast, identifying two exiled former army officers—Major Joanny Compaore and Lieutenant Abdramane Barry—as key orchestrators.

The military regime in Burkina Faso says its intelligence service has thwarted a plot to overthrow it this month. It claims masterminds in Ivory Coast planned the coup attempt. https://t.co/PWsi5gy4Jb

— DW News (@dwnews) April 22, 2025

Authorities arrested a dozen military personnel, including two officers, last week in connection with the alleged plot, which supporters of the junta said was aimed at destabilizing the regime.

Captain Ibrahim Traore has led Burkina Faso since a September 2022 coup and has repeatedly accused Ivory Coast of sheltering opponents of his rule. Despite promising to restore security, his administration faces growing criticism for increased abductions, extrajudicial detentions, and suppression of dissent.

Burkina Faso remains heavily affected by jihadist violence from groups affiliated with the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, further complicating internal stability.

Last year, Traore claimed Ivory Coast was serving as a “center of operations” against his government.

Top Enlisted Adviser to Joint Chiefs Set to Retire After Term Not Renewed

US Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Troy Black, the military’s top enlisted adviser and the fifth person to hold the position of Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman (SEAC), will step down and retire in the coming months after serving a single two-year term.

Pentagon officials confirmed to Military.com that newly appointed Joint Chiefs Chairman, US Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chose not to extend Black’s tenure.

While Black’s predecessors, including Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ramón “CZ” Colón-López, typically served four-year terms, the SEAC role is formally a two-year post with the option for extension — a path Caine opted not to take.

Defense officials emphasized the decision was not a dismissal, and Caine maintains “the greatest respect and admiration” for Black.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Caine Decides Not to Keep Senior Enlisted Adviser, Breaking with Past Precedent https://t.co/zfPdmo5LmH

— Military.com (@Militarydotcom) April 21, 2025

Black assumed the SEAC position in summer 2023 following his service as Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. He brought 35 years of experience to the job, including combat service as a machine gunner and public advocacy for enlisted personnel. His priorities included developing a comprehensive human performance system addressing mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual fitness, and advocating for improved quality of life for enlisted service members.

Though Black had publicly outlined a four-year vision for his time as SEAC, his departure appears earlier than anticipated. He is expected to retire from active duty in summer or early fall 2025.

Gen. Caine’s decision marks one of his first major personnel actions since taking over as chairman earlier this month. His controversial appointment by President Donald Trump drew attention due to his prior retirement and lack of statutory qualifications for the role.

Despite the SEAC’s low public profile compared to other senior enlisted roles, Black made efforts to connect directly with troops and influence policy, often referencing insights from his wife, a retired first sergeant, to highlight the everyday challenges faced by service members and their families.

Putin Signals Openness to Talks as Ceasefire Push Gains Momentum

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed openness to direct bilateral talks with Ukraine for the first time in years, suggesting a potential diplomatic shift as international pressure builds to reach a ceasefire.

Speaking Monday to Russian state media, Putin said Moscow is willing to discuss halting strikes on civilian infrastructure, referencing a short-lived “Easter truce” that both sides later accused the other of violating.

“We have a positive attitude towards any peace initiatives,” Putin said, adding that alleged military use of civilian sites “needs to be looked into… maybe bilaterally.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later clarified that Putin was referring to possible negotiations with Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded by reaffirming his country’s willingness to talk.

In his nightly address, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is “ready for any conversation” that leads to ending attacks on civilians. He has proposed a 30-day ceasefire focused on stopping long-range missile and drone strikes, though Russia has not accepted the offer.

In a post on X, Zelenskyy said Ukraine, along with the US, UK, and France, supports an “unconditional ceasefire, followed by the establishment of a real and lasting peace.”

I spoke with UK Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer — a good and detailed conversation.

Already this Wednesday, our representatives will be working in London. Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States — we are ready to move forward as constructively as possible, just… pic.twitter.com/cLHexIi5UY

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 21, 2025

The diplomatic push comes amid a more assertive US approach.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Washington could withdraw from mediation within days if there’s no tangible progress. President Donald Trump echoed that message, saying there’s a “very good chance” of a ceasefire if both sides show “enthusiasm” to end the war.

A US-backed peace framework reportedly includes major concessions: recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and barring Ukraine from joining NATO—demands long rejected by Kyiv.

Zelenskyy has consistently called those red lines non-negotiable.

Despite these sticking points, talks are advancing. Ukrainian officials are scheduled to meet this week in London with US, UK, and French representatives to build on prior discussions held in Paris. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is reportedly arranging a separate meeting with Russian officials.

Myanmar Ceasefire Nears Expiration Amid Ongoing Fighting and Humanitarian Crisis

Myanmar’s 20-day ceasefire, declared by the ruling junta after a deadly magnitude-7.7 earthquake last month, was set to expire Tuesday, with no official announcement of an extension.

The temporary truce aimed to facilitate aid delivery following the March 28 disaster, which killed more than 3,700 people and displaced over 60,000 into temporary encampments.

Despite the declared ceasefire, conflict monitors and residents reported continued clashes between junta forces and armed opposition groups throughout the period. The ongoing civil conflict began after the military seized power in a 2021 coup.

As of Tuesday morning, state media offered no indication of a renewed ceasefire.

Post-quake truce due to expire after being shattered by regime airstrikes that killed dozens of civilians in resistance-held territory.#WhatsHappeningInMyanmarhttps://t.co/x48GiDZ7HJ

— The Irrawaddy (Eng) (@IrrawaddyNews) April 22, 2025

The UN estimates over two million people are now in “critical need of assistance and protection” as humanitarian groups push for continued access to affected areas.

Last week, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing held rare talks in Bangkok with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whose country currently chairs ASEAN.

Anwar confirmed he had also engaged with Myanmar’s opposition National Unity Government, both of whom reportedly agreed to avoid escalating hostilities.

Statement on the upcoming meeting between the military leader Min Aung Hlaing and ASEAN leaders
April 16, 2025
1. It has been reported that military leader Min Aung Hlaing—who continues to oppress the people of Myanmar daily—is scheduled to meet with ASEAN leaders in Bangkok,… pic.twitter.com/lXTsyI0GI0

— National Unity Government Myanmar (@NUGMyanmar) April 16, 2025

Relief agencies and regional powers have urged all sides to extend the truce to support the ongoing emergency response as the situation remains volatile.

Sources: News Agencies