SOFREP Daily: Rebels Expose Assad’s Secret Tunnels, Ukrainian Forces Hold Ground in Surprise Kursk Offensive, Taiwan Calls Out China’s Digital Propaganda

Good morning! It’s Sunday, January 5, 2025, and we’re here with your weekend briefing on defense and global affairs. Here’s what’s making headlines today.

Separatists Bomb Pakistani Troop Bus, Kill Six

A tragic bombing in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province claimed the lives of at least six people, including paramilitary troops, and injured over 25 others on Saturday.

The attack targeted a bus carrying Frontier Corps (FC) personnel near Turbat, and officials believe it was a suicide bombing aimed at the troops.

The separatist Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) quickly claimed responsibility, describing it as part of their ongoing campaign against Pakistan’s security forces.

Balochistan is not Pakistan 🔥

Apparently a suicide bomber has blown up an Army bus in #Turbat

Multiple Pakistani soldiers are dead. pic.twitter.com/BF0ZJf2lJL

— Kashmiri Hindu (@BattaKashmiri) January 4, 2025

Balochistan has long been a hotspot for violence, with separatists, militants, and ethnic tensions fueling decades of unrest.

The region, rich in resources but plagued by poverty, has seen attacks on both security personnel and energy projects, often with foreign ties.

This bombing follows a troubling trend of increased attacks in Balochistan and neighboring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with 2024 already marked by hundreds of casualties on both sides of the conflict.

Rebels Expose Assad’s Secret Tunnels Under Damascus

On the slopes of Mount Qasyun, overlooking Damascus, a hidden network of tunnels connected a Republican Guard military complex to the presidential palace, symbolizing the secrecy and control of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

These tunnels, now exposed by rebel forces, offer a glimpse into the fortified structures that propped up the Syrian leader before his ousting on December 8.

BREAKING: SYRIAN REBELS FIND TUNNELS UNDER ASSAD BROTHERS HOME pic.twitter.com/vLpfVOXZHe

— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) December 8, 2024

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the dominant rebel group, uncovered elaborate bunkers equipped with weapons, ventilation, and telecommunications systems, alongside simpler tunnels used for storing ammunition.

The area, once a no-go zone for Damascus residents, served as a key artillery position targeting rebel-held areas during Syria’s long civil war.

⛰️ Mount Qasioun sees surge in visitors after fall of Assad regime in Damascus

📹 Footage shows Mount Qasioun, once a forbidden area by the Assad regime during the Syrian civil war and known for offering the best views of Damascus pic.twitter.com/ZBpyUtgHkR

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 1, 2025

Despite the extensive defenses, Assad’s military collapsed quickly as rebels swept into Damascus in just two weeks, forcing Assad to flee to Moscow.

Today, rebels use images of Assad and his father for target practice in the once-mighty Guard complex, now littered with abandoned tanks, rusting weapons, and remnants of the regime’s brutal tactics, including barrel bombs condemned by the United Nations for targeting civilians.

The scene on Mount Qasyun is a striking reminder of the fall of a regime that ruled through secrecy, fear, and force for decades.

Ukrainian Forces Hold Ground in Surprise Kursk Offensive

The battle in Russia’s Kursk region has heated up, with Ukraine launching a counterattack to hold its foothold in the area—a critical bargaining chip for Kyiv in potential peace talks.

On Sunday, Russia reported that Ukrainian forces, backed by Western-armored vehicles, attempted to push Russian troops back near Berdin village but were repelled by artillery and airstrikes.

Despite these claims, war bloggers aligned with Moscow acknowledged that Ukrainian pressure has forced Russian units onto the defensive.

Some speculate this might be a diversion, potentially paving the way for a larger strike further west. Meanwhile, civilians in towns like Glushkovo have been advised to evacuate.

Movement of attacking columns of Ukrainian Armed Forces equipment in Kursk Oblast: part of the armor has already been burned

▪️ The main direction of the attack is the Berdino region in the Bolshesoldatsky district of Kursk Oblast.

▪️The statement about the offensive of 6… pic.twitter.com/UIlCQTo9oj

— Victor vickop55 commentary (@vick55top) January 5, 2025

Adding a unique twist to the conflict, Ukrainian and Western sources report that thousands of North Korean troops are now stationed in the region, supporting Moscow’s efforts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed significant losses for Russian and North Korean forces, with up to a battalion wiped out in recent clashes—a claim Russia has neither confirmed nor denied.

The Kursk incursion underscores Ukraine’s bold strategy of taking the fight to Russian territory while simultaneously weakening its eastern defenses.

NEW: Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed or damaged over 3,000 Russian tanks and almost 9,000 armored vehicles in 2024 as Russia continues to accrue vehicle losses that are likely unsustainable in the medium-term. Russian forces have reportedly been using fewer armored vehicles… pic.twitter.com/ijZza1Q7yi

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) January 4, 2025

As both nations position themselves ahead of possible peace talks, this battle could be a defining moment in the larger conflict.

Gaza Hit by Deadly Airstrikes as Ceasefire Efforts Intensify

The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated over the weekend, with Israeli airstrikes killing at least 70 people in Gaza, including women and children, according to Palestinian medics.

One strike leveled a family home in Gaza City, leaving neighbors and medics scrambling through the rubble to find survivors.

The Israeli military defended its actions, stating the strikes targeted individuals involved in “terrorist activities.”

⭕ Approx. 40 Hamas terrorist gathering points, as well as Hamas command and control centers throughout Gaza, were struck by the IAF over the past day.

Dozens of terrorists who had planned and executed terrorist attacks against IDF troops and the citizens of Israel had operated… pic.twitter.com/9OU1rXTcoc

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 3, 2025

Meanwhile, efforts to broker a ceasefire gained momentum, with mediators from the US, Qatar, and Egypt resuming talks in Doha.

Both sides have expressed a willingness to negotiate, though it remains unclear how close they are to a deal.

Hamas released a video of an Israeli hostage pleading for her life, which drew an emotional response from her family and a vow from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the hostages’ release.

This latest flare-up follows Israel’s campaign to dismantle Hamas after the group’s deadly October 7 attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and led to the capture of 250 hostages.

The ongoing conflict has devastated Gaza, displacing residents and bringing the Palestinian death toll to over 45,700, according to local health officials.

US Prepares $8B Weapons Sale to Israel Amid Gaza Conflict

The US State Department has notified Congress of an $8 billion weapons sale to Israel, aiming to support its ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.

The deal includes air-to-air missiles, artillery shells, Hellfire missiles, and 500-pound bombs, though many of these weapons may take years to deliver. Some could be shipped from current US stockpiles.

This new package adds to the record $17.9 billion in military aid already provided to Israel since the October 2023 Hamas attacks that sparked the conflict.

Congress is notified by the Biden administration of a planned $8 billion weapons sale to Israel https://t.co/gB2AZ3jzj8

— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) January 5, 2025

The Biden administration has faced pushback from lawmakers and activists over the growing Palestinian civilian death toll and limited humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Despite previous pauses on some arms shipments over civilian casualty concerns, the administration declined to impose further restrictions, citing slight improvements in aid delivery.

Congress will now review the arms deal, which has drawn both support for bolstering Israel’s defense and criticism over the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Taiwan Calls Out China’s Digital Propaganda Campaign

Taiwan is calling out China for ramping up a massive disinformation campaign aimed at undermining confidence in the island’s democracy and its strong ties with the US.

According to Taiwan’s National Security Bureau, false or biased information from China surged by 60 percent in 2024, with over two million pieces spread online.

Platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) were identified as key channels, alongside YouTube, where fake accounts and artificial intelligence (AI)-generated videos pushed pro-China narratives.

China’s strategy also included flooding comment sections with propaganda and leveraging its influence over Taiwanese traditional media through business ties.

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau reports surge in Chinese disinformationhttps://t.co/Oyu9bjszfh#disinformation #CognitiveWarfare #generativeai #democracy

— Taiwan News (@TaiwanNewsEN) January 3, 2025

Beijing continues to pressure Taiwan militarily as well, with warplanes, ships, and drills simulating blockades or invasions.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s New Year’s message reaffirmed that unification with Taiwan is inevitable, despite US support for the island.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te responded with a firm stance, vowing to bolster the island’s defenses and positioning Taiwan as a vital front in the global fight for democracy against authoritarian regimes like China and Russia.

5 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 4 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan’s northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly. pic.twitter.com/u6jCgAjhsX

— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) January 5, 2025

As tensions rise, Taiwan is doubling down on its commitment to counter Beijing’s digital and military aggression.

Sources: News Agencies