SOFREP Daily: Italy Deports Libyan War Crimes Suspect, Ukraine Demands Massive Peacekeeping Force to Secure Future Truce, NATO Chief Warns Russian Victory Could Cost Trillions to Counter

Welcome to Friday, January 24, 2025! As the week comes to an end, we’re bringing you your daily briefing on the latest in defense and global affairs. Here’s what you need to know.

Myanmar Rebel Group Admits Beheading Prisoners During Rakhine Offensive

Myanmar’s Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic rebel group, admitted on Friday that its members beheaded two prisoners during a February 2022 offensive in Rakhine state.

The group’s spokesperson, Khaing Thu Kha, said the act violated military discipline but was carried out by local militias who acted out of anger over the junta’s alleged atrocities against their families.

Videos of the incident, which showed captives being beaten and then executed, circulated on social media, and the AA confirmed their authenticity.

The group, which seeks greater autonomy for the Rakhine people, claimed it has punished those responsible and does not condone unlawful killings.

AA Launches Attacks in Rakhine Mountain Range Near Bago, Magway, and Ayeyarwady Borders
(Confiscation of weapons, military supplies; Some POWs taken by AA)

AB News – January 21, 2025

The Arakan Army (AA) has escalated its offensive operations in the Rakhine Mountain Range,… pic.twitter.com/Qt0OxXMPsV

— Arakan Bay News (@ArakanBaynews) January 21, 2025

The region has long been fraught with ethnic tensions, including the 2017 military crackdown that drove 740,000 Rohingya Muslims into Bangladesh.

Human rights organization Fortify Rights has urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the AA’s actions as potential war crimes.

Italy Deports Libyan War Crimes Suspect Despite ICC Objections

Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi faced backlash after swiftly deporting Libyan war crimes suspect Osama Elmasry Njeem, following his unexpected release due to a legal technicality.

Njeem, accused by the ICC of torture, murder, and rape at Libya’s Mitiga Detention Centre, was detained in Turin but released after Italy’s appeals court found procedural errors.

Instead of handing him over to the ICC, Italian authorities sent him back to Libya, citing his “social dangerousness” and state security concerns.

The decision drew criticism from opposition lawmakers and the ICC, which was not consulted.

#FirstpostAfrica: Italy’s Prime Minister @GiorgiaMeloni is under fire after her government released a Libyan general wanted by the international criminal court for alleged war crimes.

Watch @alysonle in conversation with @Eljarh. pic.twitter.com/Cw1cAjQngy

— Firstpost (@firstpost) January 23, 2025

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani dismissed the ICC’s objections, asserting Italy’s sovereignty in making such decisions.

Critics argue the move was politically motivated, highlighting Italy’s reliance on Libyan security forces to control migration under a 2017 deal renewed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government.

The controversy comes just a week after the resumption of direct flights between Rome and Tripoli, further fueling allegations of political expediency over legal obligations.

Ukraine Demands Massive Peacekeeping Force to Secure Future Truce

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that any peace deal with Russia would require at least 200,000 European peacekeepers to oversee it.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, Zelensky emphasized the need for a strong, armed international contingent to secure Ukraine and prevent further Russian aggression.

He dismissed the idea of a lighter monitoring mission, pointing to the failure of efforts from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Zelensky also urged Europe to adopt a unified defense policy and prepare for increased defense spending.

Ukraine remains wary of any truce, fearing it could give Moscow time to rebuild its forces, as seen after the failed peace agreements in 2014.

Police Raid Smugglers, Seize Weapons in Ukraine’s Arms Trafficking Crackdown

Ukrainian police launched a massive nationwide crackdown on illegal weapons trafficking on Thursday, conducting nearly 700 raids and detaining 22 people.

The operation targeted the widespread smuggling of arms and ammunition, a growing concern since the Russian invasion in 2022.

Authorities seized a cache of weapons, including assault rifles, grenades, machine guns, and grenade launchers.

While Ukraine has been flooded with small arms during the war, Western allies have expressed concerns about weapons ending up on the black market.

⚡️ The National Police conducts more than a thousand simultaneous searches, confiscating trophy weapons, ammunition and explosives.

Organisers and participants of illegal arms sales and storage channels may face up to seven years in prison.

👉Follow@blyskavka_ua pic.twitter.com/rSeZATyh2K

— BLYSKAVKA (@blyskavka_ua) January 23, 2025

Russia has accused Ukraine of allowing Western-supplied arms to fall into the hands of criminals, although US officials say they’ve found no evidence of misuse of aid.

The crackdown follows several similar operations in recent months, with law enforcement seizing weapons and detaining arms dealers across the country.

Organizers of illegal arms trade could face up to seven years in prison, as authorities continue efforts to recover unregistered weapons distributed during the early days of the war.

NATO Chief Warns Russian Victory Could Cost Trillions to Counter

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has warned that a Russian victory in Ukraine could cripple NATO’s credibility and cost trillions to rebuild its deterrent power.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday, Rutte emphasized the importance of increasing support for Ukraine, saying the alliance must prevent Russia from redrawing borders by force.

Rutte cautioned against rushing into a peace deal with Russia, arguing that a bad agreement would embolden leaders like Putin, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, and others opposed to the West.

Meanwhile, Trump’s envoy, Richard Grenell, criticized NATO members for falling short on defense spending and suggested that talking to Putin could help resolve the conflict.

However, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski countered, saying Putin should earn his place at the negotiation table, warning against elevating the Russian leader’s status.

NATO remains committed to deterring Russian aggression, with 23 member states expected to meet their defense spending targets this year, but concerns persist over unequal contributions and the impact of potential US policy shifts.

Chinese National Killed in Afghanistan as Taliban Seeks Beijing Investments

A Chinese mine worker was reportedly killed in Afghanistan’s northern Takhar province earlier this week in an attack later claimed by the Islamic State (IS).

The man was traveling Tuesday evening without security protection, which is typically provided to Chinese nationals, according to police.

𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗿@HabibAzizi0 shared details about the killing of a Chinese national, Lee, in Takhar, along with a photo of the victim’s body inside a vehicle.… https://t.co/W8FTmIyugF pic.twitter.com/uueHxnktOz

— Afghan Analyst (@AfghanAnalyst2) January 22, 2025

The IS group said the attack targeted a “communist Chinese” individual, marking the first IS activity reported in the region since 2022.

The Taliban, aiming to attract Chinese investment in Afghanistan’s untapped natural resources, has repeatedly assured foreign investors of improved security.

At a recent Kabul event celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties with China, Afghan officials invited Chinese businesses to invest confidently, despite continued IS violence targeting civilians, government officials, and foreigners. This incident adds to lingering concerns over Afghanistan’s stability, even as the Taliban claims to have ended decades of war.

Colombia Urges Venezuela to Help Combat Guerrilla Violence at Border

Colombia is urging Venezuela to collaborate on tackling guerrilla groups after a week of intense violence in the border region forced 40,000 people to flee their homes.

President Gustavo Petro proposed Thursday a joint plan to eliminate armed gangs, specifically targeting the National Liberation Army (ELN), a powerful leftist militia controlling key drug-trafficking routes in the region.

The recent clashes have left at least 80 people dead, including children, with dozens more kidnapped.

While Petro’s plan aims to address the crisis, it’s a risky move, as Colombian intelligence accuses Venezuela of harboring ELN leaders.

Meanwhile, Venezuela blames Colombia for sheltering leaders of the Tren de Aragua gang.

Colombia has already declared a state of emergency, suspended peace talks with the ELN, and deployed 5,000 soldiers, though military action has been limited so far. For thousands of displaced families, the hope of returning home grows dimmer as the violence rages on.

Trump Demands Lower Oil Prices, Threatens Tariffs at Davos

In his first major speech to global leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Donald Trump called for lower oil prices, interest rate cuts, and steep tariffs on countries like Canada and the European Union.

Trump doubled down on his “America First” agenda, promising to cut inflation through deregulation, tax cuts, and expanding the US energy dominance.

He also warned allies and business leaders to “respect” the US in trade negotiations, while criticizing climate change policies and diversity programs, which he pledged to dismantle.

The speech sparked mixed reactions, with some attendees praising his directness and others expressing concern about his isolationist tone.

Trump also promised dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin on nuclear arms reductions and continued his push to strengthen the US as a manufacturing and energy superpower.

Sources: News Agencies