SOFREP Daily: Taiwan Stands Firm on Military Budget Limits, US Resumes Arms Shipments to Ukraine as Kremlin Weighs Peace Proposal

Good morning! It’s Thursday, March 13, 2025. Stay informed with your essential briefing on defense and global affairs.

Al-Shabaab Fighters Storm Hotel, Kill Nine

Al-Shabaab fighters reportedly attacked earlier this week a hotel in Beledweyne, central Somalia, where a meeting on countering the militant group was taking place.

According to witnesses who told reporters that the attack began with a car bomb at the hotel’s entrance, followed by gunfire, leaving nine civilians dead and more than ten others injured.

Security forces killed all the attackers, while several people, including traditional elders and military officials, were rescued.

🚨 A hotel in Beledweyne, Somalia, was attacked by al-Shabaab militants while local tribal leaders and government officials were meeting

🔴 At least 6 people were killed, and many others were injured in the terrorist attack pic.twitter.com/XIb3LM2I4G

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) March 11, 2025

The Islamist group, which has waged a 15-year insurgency against Somalia’s government, claimed responsibility.

Despite being pushed out of Mogadishu in 2011, Al-Shabaab remains active, prompting a renewed military campaign backed by the Somali government, local militias, African Union forces, and US airstrikes.

China Hosts Russia, Iran for Nuclear Talks

China will host trilateral talks with Russia and Iran this Friday to discuss Tehran’s nuclear program and other mutual concerns, according to Beijing’s foreign ministry.

The meeting will bring together senior diplomats from the three nations, including China’s Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.

BREAKING:

After flexing military muscle near Iran. China, Russia, and Iran are now taking their alliance to the next level.

The trio is set to hold high-stakes nuclear talks in Beijing this Friday, with Iran’s nuclear program at the center of global attention. pic.twitter.com/Rkq4fOi6Y3

— Current Report (@Currentreport1) March 12, 2025

Discussions will cover Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and broader geopolitical issues, including cooperation within BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

The talks come amid stalled efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which Iran began rolling back after the US withdrew from it in 2018.

Taiwan Stands Firm on Military Budget Limits

Taiwan’s Premier Cho Jung-tai stated on Wednesday that raising the island’s defense spending to 10 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), as suggested by the US, is “impossible” given the current budget constraints.

Taiwan, a key point of tension between China and the US, is increasing its defense budget to a record NT$647 billion (around $20 billion), about 2.5 percent of GDP in 2025, but further hikes face financial and political hurdles.

The opposition-controlled parliament recently cut the government’s overall budget, rejecting calls to reconsider.

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) told lawmakers on Wednesday that Taiwan’s government “does not have the capacity” to spend 10 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) annually on national defense.https://t.co/8s3UCNUVeJ

— Focus Taiwan (CNA English News) (@Focus_Taiwan) March 12, 2025

US officials, including President Donald Trump and his defense advisers, have urged Taiwan to boost military spending amid growing pressure from China, which continues military drills around the island.

President Lai Ching-te aims to push defense spending beyond 3 percent of GDP through special budgets to bolster Taiwan’s security.

Insurgents Hijack Train in Pakistan, Kill 21 Hostages

Insurgents from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) attacked Wednesday a passenger train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, killing 21 hostages before security forces eliminated all 33 assailants.

The attack, which occurred in a remote tunnel, halted the train carrying 440 passengers.

The military successfully rescued the remaining passengers, though three soldiers guarding the tracks were killed.

The BLA claimed responsibility, demanding the release of jailed militants in exchange for hostages.

Officials criticized the group’s shift to targeting civilians, warning it could undermine its support.

The attack highlights ongoing separatist tensions in resource-rich Balochistan, where insurgents demand greater autonomy.

Rescued passengers are being transported home, while injured individuals receive treatment in Quetta.

Germany Struggles to Modernize Its Military: Reports

Germany’s military remains underfunded and under-equipped despite a major overhaul launched after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, according to parliamentary commissioner Eva Hoegl.

While a 100-billion-euro ($109-billion) special fund has been used to improve recruitment, infrastructure, and weapons procurement, the impact has yet to be fully realized.

Hoegl warned that without increasing the regular defense budget, critical modernization efforts would stall.

Germany’s army is struggling to enlist and retain new soldiers.

The armed forces commissioner says reasons are manifold, like better job offers in private companies. But lack of material and military trainers is the biggest problem, she says.pic.twitter.com/tlghRcbHr7

— DW News (@dwnews) March 12, 2025

With concerns over US security guarantees growing amid Donald Trump’s return to the White House, likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz is pushing to boost defense spending. However, his proposal to loosen borrowing rules faces parliamentary resistance, making the future of Germany’s military funding uncertain.

US Resumes Arms Shipments to Ukraine as Kremlin Weighs Peace Proposal

The US has resumed military aid deliveries to Ukraine after lifting a suspension, while Washington presses Russia to accept a proposed 30-day ceasefire.

The Kremlin has yet to respond formally, awaiting further details from the US.

President Trump, eager to end the war, has warned Russia of potential sanctions if it refuses to engage in talks.

Meanwhile, Ukraine sees the ceasefire as a crucial step toward planning a long-term peace settlement.

The resumption of US arms deliveries, including satellite intelligence, comes as Ukraine’s forces struggle with dwindling weapon supplies.

NEW: Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov offered a vague response on March 12 to the US-Ukrainian 30-day ceasefire proposal. Putin may hold hostage the ceasefire proposal to which Ukraine has agreed in order to extract preemptive concessions before formal negotiations to end the… pic.twitter.com/B1mq6KPIaP

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) March 13, 2025

In Russia, President Putin visited troops near the Ukrainian border, signaling plans to expand territorial control.

Russian lawmakers remain cautious about US-led peace talks, emphasizing that any agreement must align with Moscow’s terms.

High-level US and Russian intelligence officials have also been in contact amid ongoing negotiations.

Houthis Threaten Israeli Ships Over Gaza Aid Blockade

Yemen’s Houthi rebels warned that all Israeli vessels—or ships linked to Israel—are now targets in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Arabian Sea.

The Houthis issued the threat after Israel blocked aid to Gaza, vowing military action against any violating ships. Their past attacks on commercial vessels have disrupted global trade and put non-Israeli ships at risk.

The Houthi-aligned Yemeni armed forces have announced the resumption of their naval blockade on Israeli ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Bab El-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden. The move follows the expiry of a deadline set by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi, demanding… pic.twitter.com/QQ3ner2s8m

— Middle East Monitor (@MiddleEastMnt) March 12, 2025

The US Navy remains on high alert, with the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) deployed in the region.

Houthi attacks on ships began in late 2023, causing widespread maritime disruptions.

This latest warning raises concerns over further instability in a critical shipping corridor.

Sources: News Agencies