SOFREP Daily: West Bank Violence Escalates With Deadly Shooting, North Korea Tests Missile During Blinken’s Seoul Visit, Zelenskyy Pushes Allies to Bolster Air Defenses

Happy Monday! It’s January 6, 2025, and we’re here to kick off your week with the latest updates in defense and global affairs. Let’s dive into the news.

West Bank Violence Escalates With Deadly Shooting

Violence in the occupied West Bank escalated Monday when gunmen opened fire on a bus in the Palestinian village of Al-Funduq, killing three Israelis and wounding seven.

Two women in their 60s and a man in his 40s were among the dead, with Israeli forces now searching for the attackers.

The attack follows a surge in violence since the October 7 Hamas attack from Gaza ignited the ongoing war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the “despicable murderers” and vowed to bring them to justice, while Hamas praised the attack without claiming responsibility.

⚡️Three settlers dead this morning in a shooting attack in the West Bank pic.twitter.com/GUkiPGdbGq

— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) January 6, 2025

Tensions remain high, with both Palestinians and Israeli settlers suffering casualties in a territory marked by frequent clashes, raids, and attacks.

In Gaza, the war rages on, with over 45,800 Palestinians reported killed since the conflict began, according to local health authorities.

Aid groups warn of worsening humanitarian conditions, with harsh winter weather adding to the suffering of displaced residents.

Aftermath of West Bank bus shooting. pic.twitter.com/k8L5zt7iTI

— Roya News English (@RoyaNewsEnglish) January 6, 2025

Ceasefire talks reportedly show some progress, but a resolution remains elusive.

Turkish-Backed Fighters Clash With SDF in Northern Syria

Northern Syria has erupted in fierce clashes, with over 100 fighters killed in just two days.

The fighting pits Turkish-backed forces against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with villages near Manbij at the heart of the conflict.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Sunday, 85 Turkish-backed fighters and 16 SDF members have been killed since Friday evening.

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The SDF, supported by the US, claims to have repelled attacks backed by Turkish drones and airstrikes.

Ankara views the SDF as a branch of the PKK, a group it designates as a terrorist organization, and has launched regular strikes against Kurdish forces in Syria.

The violence comes amidst broader power shifts in Syria, including Islamist-led rebels overthrowing Bashar al-Assad in late November.

The Turkish-backed groups are reportedly eyeing key cities like Kobane and Raqqa, escalating the fight over control in the region. This marks another grim chapter in Syria’s long-standing civil war, which began in 2011.

Indian Forces Clash With Maoist Rebels, Five Dead

Indian security forces clashed with Maoist rebels in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh’s Abujhmarh district over the weekend, leaving four rebels and one policeman dead.

The firefight is the latest in a decades-long insurgency led by the Naxalites, a Maoist group fighting for the rights of marginalized indigenous communities in India’s resource-rich central regions.

Police reported recovering the bodies of four rebels in combat uniforms and confirmed that operations were still ongoing.

The Naxalites have seen their influence shrink significantly in recent years, with the government ramping up efforts to crush the rebellion.

DRG soldier, four Maoist rebels killed during clash in Abujhmad region #India #OSINT #GEOINT https://t.co/xTLq5Rpvt4

— Geopolitical Report (@GeoPioneerInc) January 6, 2025

In 2024 alone, authorities claim to have killed 287 rebels, arrested around 1,000, and seen 837 others surrender.

The movement, which began in 1967 and once dominated a stretch of India known as the “Red Corridor,” has been targeted by both military action and government investments in infrastructure and social programs.

With Interior Minister Amit Shah vowing to end the insurgency by 2026, the clock appears to be ticking on what was once a powerful guerrilla movement.

Blinken Backs Democracy Amid South Korea’s Impeached President Controversy

South Korean investigators are scrambling to extend their arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose declaration of martial law earlier in December has thrown the country into political chaos.

Despite repeated attempts, officials have been unable to serve the warrant, as presidential security guards have physically blocked access to Yoon.

The warrant, the first of its kind for a sitting president, expires Monday night (1500 GMT), January 6.

.@SecBlinken was in Seoul today for his 21st trip to the region. The Secretary met with his counterparts to convey the United States’ unwavering support for the ROK and its people. He reaffirmed our commitment to the security and defense of our shared values around the world. pic.twitter.com/DYxrrKAdiG

— Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) January 6, 2025

Yoon is under investigation for possible insurrection after his controversial six-hour martial law declaration on December 3. The fallout has been unprecedented, leading to Yoon’s impeachment, the suspension of the prime minister, and the appointment of a second acting leader.

Critics, including US officials like Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have condemned Yoon’s actions, though Blinken praised South Korea’s adherence to democratic principles during the crisis.

The ongoing arrest drama has sparked dueling protests, with Yoon’s supporters rallying under slogans reminiscent of US “Stop the Steal” rhetoric.

Meanwhile, investigators are locked in a legal battle over who has the authority to execute the arrest warrant, with Yoon’s lawyers arguing the probe is unlawful.

All eyes are now on South Korea’s Constitutional Court, which will decide whether to permanently remove Yoon from office or reinstate him.

North Korea Tests Missile During Blinken’s Seoul Visit

During a recent visit to Seoul, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed North Korea’s latest missile test, calling it a clear reminder of the importance of stronger collaboration between the US, South Korea, and Japan.

The missile, believed to be an intermediate-range ballistic missile, flew over 1,100 kilometers (690 miles) before landing in the sea.

Blinken emphasized the need for real-time data sharing and joint military drills to counter Pyongyang’s growing threats.

North Korea appears to have fired a ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast, marking its first test in about two months. pic.twitter.com/0l55Poxk2r

— TaiwanPlus News (@taiwanplusnews) January 6, 2025

Blinken also sounded the alarm on North Korea’s deepening ties with Russia, which reportedly plans to trade satellite technology for North Korean support in the Ukraine war—a conflict that has already seen over 1,000 North Korean troops killed or wounded.

The test adds to the uncertainty surrounding regional cooperation efforts, particularly as South Korea deals with political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment.

If Yoon is permanently removed, the potential rise of liberal leadership in South Korea could impact the fragile partnership with Japan, a key ally in deterring North Korea.

Monday’s missile launch, the first since early November, also highlighted Pyongyang’s advances in solid-fuel missile technology.

These systems are more versatile, harder to detect, and capable of carrying maneuverable warheads, marking a significant step in North Korea’s weapons program.

Zelenskyy Pushes Allies to Bolster Air Defenses Ahead of Ramstein Meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is doubling down on efforts to secure more air defense support from allies ahead of a key meeting of the Ramstein group in Germany this coming Thursday, January 9.

With dozens of countries attending, including US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Zelenskyy aims to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian missiles, guided bombs, and airstrikes.

The meeting comes as the Biden administration works to send as much aid as possible before President-elect Donald Trump takes office later this month, given Trump’s unpredictable stance on the war.

We are already preparing for the “Ramstein” meeting – it is scheduled for the next week. Dozens of partner countries will participate, including those who can help boost our capabilities not only to defend against missiles but also against guided bombs and Russian aviation.

We… pic.twitter.com/PHa3QTZvMa

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 4, 2025

Meanwhile, fighting intensified in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces reportedly inflicted heavy losses on Russian and North Korean troops.

Zelenskyy claimed up to a battalion of North Korean soldiers and Russian paratroopers were lost near the village of Makhnovka. However, the incursion has yet to shift the broader dynamics of the war, as Ukraine struggles with manpower shortages and the loss of territory it initially reclaimed.

Almost every day, we defend our skies against Russian missiles and drones. Just last night, Ukraine was attacked by 103 Shahed drones, which contained 8,755 foreign-made components. Over the past week, Russia has used more than 630 strike drones, approximately 740 guided aerial… pic.twitter.com/BGoIdMyVd1

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 5, 2025

Back in Ukraine, Russian shelling continued to take a toll, with attacks in the Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv, and Kherson regions leaving multiple casualties.

Moscow also launched over 100 drones into Ukraine overnight, though Ukrainian air defenses managed to shoot down more than half.

The war remains at a critical juncture, with Ukraine’s forces pushing back against Russian advances while relying heavily on Western military aid to sustain their efforts.

NEW: Ukrainian forces resumed offensive operations in at least three areas within the Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast and made tactical advances on January 5. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/WFLEhLH5eY

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) January 6, 2025

All eyes are on the Ramstein meeting to see if Zelenskyy can rally further support.

Sources: ISW, News Agencies, Reuters, SOHR, The Kyiv Independent