SOFREP Daily: Sudan’s Army Reclaims A Key City, Putin Awards Soldier After Hand-to-Hand Combat Video Goes Viral, Israel and Hamas Edge Closer to Ceasefire
SOFREP Daily roundup for Sunday, January 12. (Image grab via X)
Welcome to Sunday, January 12, 2025! As the weekend winds down, we’re bringing you your daily briefing on the latest in defense and global affairs. Here’s what you need to know.
Sudan’s Army Reclaims Wad Madani, Ending Yearlong Paramilitary Hold
Sudan’s military has reclaimed Saturday Wad Madani, a key city in the Al-Jazira state, from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after over a year of RSF control.
The RSF’s leader, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, acknowledged the loss but vowed to retake the city, calling the defeat a temporary setback.
The Army’s success marks its biggest victory in nearly a year and is seen as a significant strategic gain, given the city’s location as a critical supply hub near the capital, Khartoum.
Celebrations erupt as Wad Madani, Al-Jazira’s capital, is reclaimed. (Image grab via X)
The RSF had captured Wad Madani in December 2023, displacing hundreds of thousands who had already fled violence in the capital.
This war between the RSF and Sudan’s Army, ongoing since April 2023, has resulted in mass displacement, famine, and accusations of war crimes, including genocide by the RSF.
Residents of Army-controlled areas celebrated the victory, chanting “one army, one people,” while pro-democracy groups hailed it as a step toward ending RSF’s brutal rule.
However, the RSF continues to hold significant territory in western Darfur, the south, and other parts of Sudan, leaving the conflict far from over.
Welcome to Sunday, January 12, 2025! As the weekend winds down, we’re bringing you your daily briefing on the latest in defense and global affairs. Here’s what you need to know.
Sudan’s Army Reclaims Wad Madani, Ending Yearlong Paramilitary Hold
Sudan’s military has reclaimed Saturday Wad Madani, a key city in the Al-Jazira state, from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after over a year of RSF control.
The RSF’s leader, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, acknowledged the loss but vowed to retake the city, calling the defeat a temporary setback.
The Army’s success marks its biggest victory in nearly a year and is seen as a significant strategic gain, given the city’s location as a critical supply hub near the capital, Khartoum.
Celebrations erupt as Wad Madani, Al-Jazira’s capital, is reclaimed. (Image grab via X)
The RSF had captured Wad Madani in December 2023, displacing hundreds of thousands who had already fled violence in the capital.
This war between the RSF and Sudan’s Army, ongoing since April 2023, has resulted in mass displacement, famine, and accusations of war crimes, including genocide by the RSF.
Residents of Army-controlled areas celebrated the victory, chanting “one army, one people,” while pro-democracy groups hailed it as a step toward ending RSF’s brutal rule.
However, the RSF continues to hold significant territory in western Darfur, the south, and other parts of Sudan, leaving the conflict far from over.
Putin Awards Soldier After Hand-to-Hand Combat Video Goes Viral
Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Corporal Andrei Grigoryev on Saturday the prestigious Hero of Russia medal for his role in a widely-circulated video showing hand-to-hand combat with a Ukrainian soldier.
The footage, reportedly filmed last year, captures an intense fight involving grenades, knives, and bare hands.
The Ukrainian soldier, identified as Dmytro Maslovsky, ultimately succumbed in the battle, leaving behind haunting final words: “Goodbye, mum.”
Dmytro Maslovsky, that was the name of the soldier who KIA in a hand-to-hand fight with a Yakut.
You probably saw the footage of that knife fight that spread on social networks.
He was a paratrooper. The 71st Separate Jaeger Brigade of the Ukrainian Special Forces confirmed that… pic.twitter.com/uM9cwgBjgr
Grigoryev, a soldier from Russia’s Arctic region of Sakha, was celebrated for his bravery by local leaders, with the head of Sakha gifting him a traditional Yakut knife.
This recognition comes amidst Russia’s recruitment of soldiers from its most remote and ethnically diverse areas, incentivizing them with high frontline pay for the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Ukraine Faces New Threat as North Korean Troops Adapt on the Battlefield
North Korean troops have joined Russia’s forces in Ukraine, marking a troubling escalation in the war. Initially inexperienced, these soldiers are rapidly adapting and gaining valuable battlefield skills.
Ukrainian forces describe them as disciplined and methodical, but their outdated tactics have made them vulnerable to heavy losses, especially from drones.
However, experts warn that as North Koreans improve their combat effectiveness, their presence could become a significant threat globally.
Despite their early missteps, their strict training and no-surrender policy have made them formidable adversaries.
North Korean soldiers are operating alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region, with Moscow denying their involvement.
Ukraine has captured two North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia, the first to be taken alive during battles inside Russia’s Kursk region. Kyiv says they’re irrefutable proof that North Korea is now involved in the war. https://t.co/VZ3A1cHvFd@Ben_Downie#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/jdGHHNNKUo
Reports confirm their presence through intercepted communications and unique tactics, such as the use of red flashlights during night operations.
The collaboration benefits North Korea, which is gaining modern military experience and access to Russian equipment.
US officials caution that this newfound expertise could embolden Pyongyang to sell weapons and training globally, amplifying risks far beyond Ukraine.
Philippines Deploys Ship to Challenge Chinese Patrols in Disputed Waters
The Philippines deployed Sunday a coast guard ship to push back against Chinese patrol boats in the disputed South China Sea, accusing Beijing of trying to “alter the existing status quo.”
Despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling rejecting China’s expansive claims, tensions in the strategic waterway remain high.
Commodore Jay Tarriela, a Philippine Coast Guard spokesman, said the Chinese vessels had come alarmingly close to Luzon, the country’s main island, and described the patrols as “unlawful” and a form of “bullying.”
PCG Continues Vigilant Monitoring of Chinese Coast Guard Vessels in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone
Today marks the eighth day of the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) unwavering monitoring and vigilant pursuit of China Coast Guard vessels illegally operating within the… pic.twitter.com/udMkiUBHnP
The Philippines is taking action to ensure these aggressive maneuvers don’t become normalized.
Between December 30 and January 11, three Chinese coast guard ships reportedly entered Philippine waters, sparking fresh concerns about the potential for conflict involving the US, a long-time ally of Manila.
Wildfires Claim 16 Lives as LA Braces for Strong Winds
As of Sunday, the death toll from Los Angeles-area wildfires has risen to 16, with fears mounting as strong winds threaten to spread the flames toward iconic landmarks like the Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
The Palisades and Eaton fires are among the largest blazes, together consuming nearly 60 square miles and forcing 150,000 people to evacuate.
Firefighters from California and nine other states, joined by crews from Mexico, are battling the flames with over 1,300 fire engines and 84 aircraft.
The fires have destroyed more than 12,000 structures, making them potentially the most expensive in US history, with estimated damages between $135 billion and $150 billion.
Crews have made modest progress, but the return of Santa Ana winds could worsen conditions.
Residents are urged to stay away from destroyed areas due to health risks from toxic ash.
Amidst the crisis, city leaders face criticism over firefighting resources and a lack of water from hydrants, with Mayor Karen Bass and state officials coming under fire for alleged failures.
The fight to contain the devastation continues as Los Angeles faces one of its most severe wildfire crises in decades.
Israel and Hamas Edge Closer to Ceasefire as Hostage Families Rally
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is sending Mossad Director David Barnea to Qatar for high-stakes ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, his office said Saturday.
Talks aim to secure a partial hostage release in exchange for a temporary halt in fighting, under heavy US pressure to reach a deal before the Trump administration takes over.
While progress is being made, sticking points remain, such as which hostages and Palestinian prisoners would be released and whether Israeli troops would pull back from parts of Gaza.
This marks a significant escalation in diplomacy after over a year of stalled negotiations.
Israel and Hamas are once again struggling to reach a ceasefire deal amid a 15-month war in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/MSVvqCxblh
Families of hostages have rallied in Tel Aviv, pleading with Netanyahu to secure their loved ones’ return as fears grow over the fate of hostages still in Gaza.
The conflict has taken a devastating toll, with over 46,000 Palestinians reportedly killed, many of them civilians, and at least 400 Israeli soldiers lost.
Gaza’s humanitarian crisis worsens daily, with displaced residents pleading for food and safety as airstrikes continue.
Sources: News Agencies
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