SOFREP Morning Brief: United Nations Launches Review of Palestinian Refugee Agency Operations, Britain Hosts High-Level Peace Talks on Ukraine

Hello and good morning! Dive into SOFREP’s morning brief with essential defense and global affairs updates for April 23, 2025. UN launched a review of UNRWA amid Israeli pressure. Interpol busted a trafficking ring in Ivory Coast, rescuing 33 victims. Costa Rica issued temporary permits to detained migrants. Hegseth faces backlash over leaks as Trump defends him. UK warship Prince of Wales deployed to the Indo-Pacific. Ukraine peace talks resumed in London with the US warning of withdrawal. China named its Shenzhou 20 crew ahead of Thursday’s space launch.

—

UN Launches Review of Palestinian Refugee Agency Operations

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed British human rights advocate Ian Martin to lead a strategic review of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), amid ongoing controversy over its operations in Gaza and broader regional constraints.

The review will evaluate UNRWA’s operational effectiveness under current “political, financial, and security” challenges, according to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

The agency continues to serve over 5.5 million Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon.

Martin, a former Amnesty International chief, previously led reviews of UN missions in Somalia and peace operations. He will report his findings by mid-June.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Ian Martin of the UK to lead a strategic assessment of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees https://t.co/iq1thI1iDm pic.twitter.com/7mSycBb2DH

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) April 22, 2025

The review follows Israel’s intensified opposition to UNRWA, which it has banned from operating on its territory. Despite this, Palestinian UNRWA staff continue to deliver aid in Gaza, where Israel has blocked all humanitarian deliveries since March 2.

Israel claims some UNRWA employees were involved in the October 7 Hamas attack, which killed about 1,200 people.

UNRWA dismissed nine staff after an internal UN inquiry, though the allegations remain unverified.

Israel has pushed for other UN agencies to assume UNRWA’s role, but Guterres maintains the agency is irreplaceable. The strategic review is not aimed at changing UNRWA’s mandate but at improving its functionality amid a deteriorating humanitarian situation.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini condemned Israel’s ongoing siege of Gaza, now in its 50th day, accusing the government of using aid as “a weapon of war.” He warned that over 2 million Gazans — mostly women and children — are enduring “collective punishment,” with severe shortages of food, medicine, and basic services.

“We cannot even get basic necessities. The stress is overwhelming.”

Voices from #Gaza echo the reality of life under siege. Supplies are rapidly running out, displacement continues, and daily survival is a struggle.

This is the reality after 50 days of no aid entering Gaza.… pic.twitter.com/mBffr1BwHk

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) April 22, 2025

The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 51,000 Palestinians killed since Israel launched its military campaign following the Hamas-led October 7 attack. The figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

UNRWA’s future remains in question as the agency faces mounting political pressure and operational limits, even as it remains one of the few humanitarian lifelines in the besieged territory.

Interpol Busts Human Trafficking Ring in Ivory Coast, 33 West Africans Rescued

A joint police operation in Ivory Coast and Ghana has dismantled a human trafficking network that exploited West African victims by falsely promising jobs in Canada, Interpol announced Tuesday.

Authorities rescued 33 individuals who were held under coercive conditions in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Victims—hailing from Benin, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Ghana—had each paid up to $9,000 to traffickers posing as recruiters. Instead of securing overseas employment, the victims were trafficked to Abidjan, where they endured both physical and psychological control. They were forced to participate in recruitment scams, staging fake social media photos in upscale local venues to lure additional victims under the pretense they were living in Canada.

The operation began in February after a Ghanaian father reported the disappearance of two family members. Raids on two key locations led to the rescue and referral of the 33 victims to a nongovernmental organization for recovery and support.

Human trafficking-fueled fraud ring dismantled in joint Côte d’Ivoire🇨🇮-🇬🇭Ghana operation

Two suspected traffickers have been arrested and 33 people rescued from a criminal network that sequestered victims and forced them into exploitative pyramid schemes.

The successful… pic.twitter.com/0wXDWWPqUV

— INTERPOL (@INTERPOL_HQ) April 22, 2025

Youssouf Kouyate, director general of the Ivory Coast National Police, praised the collaboration between Ivorian and Ghanaian authorities, Interpol, and the victims who bravely provided crucial information for the investigation.

Interpol noted that scams of this kind are rising across West Africa.

In 2024 alone, regional police operations have arrested over 300 individuals linked to similar trafficking and fraud schemes.

Interpol, which facilitates international law enforcement coordination among 196 member countries, continues to assist in combating transnational crime including human trafficking, cybercrime, financial fraud, and organized crime.

Costa Rica Grants Temporary Permits to Detained Migrants Amid Human Rights Scrutiny

Costa Rica announced Tuesday it will issue temporary three-month permits to some of the roughly 200 migrants deported from the United States and currently held in detention, allowing them limited freedom of movement within the country.

The decision follows legal and humanitarian pressure after reports emerged of 81 migrant children held in a rural facility without access to legal aid, education, or psychological care.

The migrants — primarily from Afghanistan, Russia, China, Pakistan, and India — were deported to Panama and Costa Rica earlier this year as part of the Trump administration’s accelerated deportation efforts. While originally intended as a temporary holding measure, the detentions have dragged on for months, prompting international criticism.

Costa Rican authorities this week said they would make it possible for dozens of migrants deported from the United States to legally stay in the country — or leave if they so choose to. https://t.co/GooK9m0Cm6

— Pablo Manríquez (@PabloReports) April 22, 2025

Costa Rican officials said the new permits are being issued “for humanitarian reasons” and are intended to give migrants time to either seek asylum or arrange onward travel. Children are expected to be prioritized among those granted permission to stay.

Human rights lawyers filed a lawsuit at the UN earlier this month, accusing Costa Rica of rights violations. Attorney Silvia Serna Roman, one of the legal advocates involved, confirmed that detainees were required to sign documents agreeing to government conditions in order to recover their confiscated passports.

“This is a step in the right direction,” Serna Roman said, while cautioning that the permits prohibit migrants from working, complicating their ability to support themselves and their children.

The Associated Press has been denied access to the camp since the detainees’ arrival, though earlier reports in 2023 described dire conditions, including families sleeping on the ground without adequate food or shelter.

Costa Rica’s move mirrors recent action by Panama, which also released detainees after facing lawsuits and backlash. However, Panamanian authorities left many migrants stranded in Panama City without asylum options, placing them in legal and humanitarian limbo.

The United States thanks Panama and Costa Rica for their long term partnership in support of U.S. immigration law and in combatting illegal migration, including their recent support for safely returning third-country nationals to their countries of origin. This cooperation… pic.twitter.com/ugFZAwWiVK

— Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (@WHAAsstSecty) February 22, 2025

Rights groups warn that Panama and Costa Rica risk becoming a “black hole” for deportees, caught between USpolicy enforcement and limited local capacity to process asylum or provide basic support.

Infighting and Loyalty Battles Roil Trump Administration as Hegseth Faces Pentagon Turmoil

Internal power struggles have resurfaced in President Donald Trump’s second term, threatening cohesion across his administration.

The latest flashpoint centers on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is under scrutiny for sharing sensitive military information outside of secure channels and for purging senior advisers at the Pentagon.

The controversy intensified after reports emerged that Hegseth discussed pending airstrikes in Yemen in two Signal group chats — one of which allegedly included his wife and personal associates.

Former Pentagon spokesperson John Ullyot, forced out last week, called on Trump to fire Hegseth, citing a “full-blown meltdown” in the department.

Despite the backlash, Trump continues to defend Hegseth, calling reports “fake news” and praising him as “doing a great job.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed the support, claiming the Pentagon’s internal resistance was obstructing reforms.

The dispute is part of broader dysfunction affecting Trump’s national security and economic teams. Far-right activist Laura Loomer, a vocal Trump loyalist, has fueled distrust from within, leading to dismissals of officials she deemed disloyal. Loomer recently accused Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent of working with anti-Trump staffers, prompting public backing from Trump adviser Elon Musk.

Trade policy is another source of friction.

Trump’s aggressive tariff push has sparked a feud between Musk and trade adviser Peter Navarro. Musk criticized the plan and Navarro’s leadership, calling him “dumber than a sack of bricks.”

Navarro fired back, accusing Musk of protecting personal business interests tied to Tesla’s foreign supply chain. Leavitt downplayed the dispute as “boys will be boys.”

While Trump has long cultivated a management style based on competition and loyalty, the escalating infighting poses risks to his administration’s ability to implement sweeping reforms on trade, national security, and the federal bureaucracy.

Observers, including former officials like John Bolton, say the pattern reflects a lack of clear policy direction and prioritization of personal fealty over competence.

Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, credited with bringing some order to Trump’s circle, now faces a major test in maintaining stability. Trump cycled through four chiefs during his first term, with at least one — retired Gen. John Kelly — later calling him a “fascist.”

The administration’s reluctance to remove embattled officials reflects Trump’s strategy of resisting media pressure and maintaining a loyal inner circle, even as internal chaos mounts.

UK Aircraft Carrier HMS Prince of Wales Deploys to Indo-Pacific to Lead International Strike Group

The United Kingdom Royal Navy’s flagship, HMS Prince of Wales, has departed Portsmouth to lead an international Carrier Strike Group (CSG) on an eight-month deployment across the Indo-Pacific.

Dubbed Operation Highmast, the mission involves UK, Norwegian, and Canadian warships, with the aim of reinforcing the UK’s global military reach and supporting allied partners across key strategic waterways.

The £3 billion ($4 billion) aircraft carrier will visit and operate with forces from over 40 countries, conducting exercises and port visits through the Mediterranean, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Australia.

The 65,000-ton carrier departed Tuesday alongside Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, with other participating vessels — including two Norwegian ships, UK and Canadian frigates from Plymouth, and RFA Tidespring — forming the full CSG.

Commodore James Blackmore, the CSG commander, said the deployment is meant to “send a powerful message” about the UK’s commitment to defending global trade routes and supporting the rules-based international order.

“We mean business,” Blackmore said, emphasizing deterrence and operational readiness with NATO and regional partners.

The strike group will initially consist of approximately 2,500 personnel — including 2,100 British sailors and marines and 400 personnel from Norway, Canada, and Spain — and will expand to 4,500 during larger exercises in the Indo-Pacific.

The carrier will host 18 UK F-35B stealth fighter jets shortly after departure, with that number increasing to 24 during the mission. Several helicopters and drones will also join the deployment, enhancing the strike group’s flexibility and combat capabilities.

Captain Will Blackett, commanding officer of HMS Prince of Wales, said the crew is fully trained and prepared after a year of intensive work. “This ship is a fantastic machine,” he noted, crediting the professionalism of his sailors as the driving force behind its operational effectiveness.

The CSG’s first engagement will be a NATO exercise off the coast of France focused on aerial defense, followed by cooperation with an Italian carrier force in the Mediterranean before heading east through the Red Sea. This marks the Royal Navy’s second Indo-Pacific deployment in recent years, following a similar mission in 2021 led by HMS Queen Elizabeth.

UK Hosts High-Level Peace Talks on Ukraine as US Signals Waning Patience

Diplomats and defense leaders from the US, UK, Europe, and Ukraine are meeting in London on Wednesday in a renewed push for a ceasefire and eventual peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow.

The gathering follows recent talks in Paris and comes amid growing pressure from Washington and its allies to advance negotiations or risk losing diplomatic backing.

British Defense Secretary John Healey said the talks will focus on defining what a potential ceasefire might entail and exploring pathways to long-term peace.

The meeting includes national security advisers and foreign ministers, along with retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, serving as President Donald Trump’s envoy on Ukraine-Russia relations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not attend due to a scheduling conflict, according to the State Department.

The UK has downplayed expectations of a breakthrough but emphasized the strategic importance of the discussions.

#UPDATE Ukraine peace talks involving international foreign ministers scheduled to take place in London on Wednesday have been postponed, the UK government said, but a meeting of lower level officials will still take place. pic.twitter.com/bLCEyTgCNr

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 23, 2025

Trump recently warned that negotiations are “coming to a head,” adding that the US may “take a pass” if neither side makes meaningful progress. Rubio echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Wednesday’s summit could determine the Trump administration’s continued diplomatic involvement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed his delegation will discuss only an unconditional or partial ceasefire.

“After a ceasefire, we’re prepared to sit down for talks in any format,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov noted that US envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Moscow this week, though details remain undisclosed.

Russian officials, including spokesman Dmitry Peskov, dismissed any expectation of a quick resolution, citing the complexity of the conflict and Moscow’s strategic posture.

Western analysts assess that Russia is deliberately stalling peace talks, using its current battlefield momentum to push territorial gains. Moscow has also rejected a US-backed proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, insisting on sweeping conditions.

NEW: The Financial Times (@FT) reported that Putin is willing to end the war in Ukraine on the current frontlines. Kremlin officials, including Putin, have repeatedly and explicitly emphasized that Russia maintains its territorial demands over all of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia,… pic.twitter.com/WK3NOTl1VZ

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) April 23, 2025

Both Ukraine and Russia are preparing for renewed offensives in the spring-summer campaign, signaling that the war’s military phase is far from over, despite diplomatic overtures.

China Announces Shenzhou 20 Crew Ahead of Thursday Space Station Launch

China has named the three astronauts set to launch Thursday evening aboard the Shenzhou 20 mission to its space station, continuing its expanding manned spaceflight program.

The crew includes veteran astronaut Chen Dong, who will lead the mission, and first-time space travelers Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, officials from the China Manned Space Agency announced Wednesday.

The trio will launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China, located at the edge of the Gobi Desert. They will replace the current space station crew, who were launched in October and have spent 175 days in orbit.

Chen Dong previously flew on Shenzhou 11 and Shenzhou 14, where he helped lead construction of the Chinese space station. Chen Zhongrui is a former Air Force pilot, while Wang Jie is an engineer with the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

The mission is expected to last approximately six months.

Shenzhou-20 crew announced to be Chen Dong (commander), Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie. This will be Chen Dong’s third flight to space, and the first for the other two. https://t.co/y0bJYZm5bH https://t.co/SjFhOC1moo pic.twitter.com/N1PlbuLQvq

— Andrew Jones (@AJ_FI) April 23, 2025

During their time aboard the station, the crew will conduct experiments in space medicine and technology, perform extravehicular activities (EVAs), and carry out system upgrades to improve the station’s capabilities.

The launch marks another milestone in China’s rapidly advancing space program. Excluded from the International Space Station due to US national security concerns about military control of its program, China has built its own orbital platform and made significant strides in planetary exploration. These include a rover on the moon’s far side and a lander on Mars. Beijing aims to land astronauts on the moon by 2030.

The returning Shenzhou 19 crew is scheduled to land on April 29.

Sources: News Agencies