SOFREP Daily: US Officials Drop War Intel via Signal Group Chat, Australia Receives Long-Range Rocket Upgrade

Good morning! It’s Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Here’s your essential briefing on defense and global affairs to keep you informed.

US Brokers Russia-Ukraine Talks, Faces Ceasefire Snags

United States negotiators met with Russian officials in Riyadh on Monday to work on a proposed 30-day partial ceasefire in Ukraine, following separate talks with Kyiv.

Though both sides agreed in principle, major disagreements remain — particularly over which infrastructure should be protected.

The US wants energy and broader infrastructure off-limits, while Russia insists only energy infrastructure is covered.

Meanwhile, President Trump floated the idea of the US taking control of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to manage safety and operations.

Despite ongoing diplomacy, Russia and Ukraine continue to launch attacks, with Ukraine blaming Russia for shelling and cyberattacks, and Russia accusing Kyiv of sabotage.

NEW: US and Russian delegations met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on March 24 following US–Ukrainian talks on March 23 about the details of temporary ceasefires on long-range strikes and in the Black Sea. ISW will report on the details of the various bilateral talks as information… pic.twitter.com/8LdtZvCRza

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) March 24, 2025

Trump’s envoy expressed cautious optimism, while China denied rumors it might send peacekeepers to enforce any deal.

On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces struck Russian helicopters with the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and a missile attack in Sumy injured 65 civilians, including 14 children.

US Officials Drop War Intel via Signal Group Chat

Top national security officials in President Trump’s administration, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, reportedly shared detailed war plans for upcoming strikes in Yemen via a Signal group chat that included The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg.

The National Security Council confirmed the message chain appears authentic and is investigating how Goldberg was added.

The texts revealed operational specifics and internal debate about timing and economic consequences.

The breach, which Trump later joked about, drew sharp criticism from lawmakers, with Democrats calling it a dangerous intelligence failure and Republicans offering mixed reactions.

The Signal app, while encrypted, is not a classified platform, raising serious concerns about the handling of sensitive information.

US Strikes Houthis, Hits Capital Sites

US airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels continued into their 10th day, hitting multiple targets across the country, including a deadly strike in the capital, Sanaa, that reportedly killed two and wounded 13.

The strikes, part of President Trump’s campaign to curb Houthi influence and pressure Iran, have targeted leadership, weapons facilities, drone sites, and communications infrastructure.

Despite these efforts, the Houthis remain active, launching a missile at Israel and continuing to threaten maritime trade.

Since November 2023, the group has attacked over 100 ships, sinking two and killing four sailors.

The escalating air campaign, which began in mid-March after renewed Houthi threats, has killed at least 53 and drawn global attention amid Yemen’s ongoing humanitarian crisis and internal repression.

CENTCOM operations against Iran-backed Houthis continue… pic.twitter.com/DYvc3gREN8

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 15, 2025

Israel Bombs Gaza, Kills Dozens Overnight

Israeli air and ground strikes across Gaza have killed over 65 Palestinians in the past 24 hours, including women and children, pushing the total death toll from the 17-month war past 50,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The surge in violence follows the collapse of a temporary ceasefire with Hamas.

In response, Egypt has proposed a new truce plan under which Hamas would release five living hostages — including an American-Israeli — in exchange for Israel permitting humanitarian aid into Gaza, halting fighting for several weeks, and releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas has reportedly responded positively, though no formal agreement has been reached yet.

DR Congo Sends Minister to Strengthen Military Ties

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Defense Minister Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita began a visit to South Africa on Monday to strengthen defense cooperation amid escalating conflict in eastern DRC.

The region has seen heavy fighting between Congolese forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, with South African troops—part of the SADC mission—suffering significant losses.

Talks with South African Defense Minister Angie Motshekga will focus on bolstering strategic defense capabilities and regional security.

READ || Remarks by the Deputy Minister Of Defence and Military Veterans, Hon Major General (Retired) B.H. Holomisa, at the Official Gala Dinner in Honour Of Honourable Minister Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita and his Delegation.#MODMV#SANDF#DRC@Defence_ZA @BantuHolomisa pic.twitter.com/hWSyycg7Ex

— SA National Defence Force 🇿🇦 (@SANDF_ZA) March 25, 2025

Tensions have flared between South Africa and Rwanda following the deaths of 14 South African soldiers, with Rwanda’s President Kagame accusing the troops of engaging in combat, not peacekeeping.

Despite a recent Qatari-brokered call for a ceasefire, M23 continues to gain ground, seizing the key mining town of Walikale last week.

Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces Seizes Town, Sparks Mass Exodus

Fighting between Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the army in North Darfur has displaced around 15,000 households from the town of Al-Malha within 48 hours, according to the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration.

The RSF claims to have seized the town, leaving over 380 dead, while local activists report at least 45 civilian deaths.

Al-Malha sits near the strategic El-Fasher, the last state capital under army control.

57 killed, 200 injured as Sudanese army launch airstrike on market in North #Darfurhttps://t.co/32z7tNQ40B#darfur24 pic.twitter.com/qzE5t3Crbl

— Darfur 24 (@24Darfur) March 25, 2025

As the RSF pushes to dominate Darfur, the humanitarian crisis deepens—1.7 million are displaced in North Darfur alone, and famine is spreading rapidly, with five more areas expected to be affected by May.

The war, ongoing since April 2023, has created the world’s largest displacement and hunger crisis.

Myanmar Junta Bombs Clinic, Kills Eleven

A Myanmar junta airstrike killed 11 people, including a doctor and his wife, when it hit a makeshift medical clinic in the rebel-held village of Hnan Khar in Magway region.

Locals described the horror of finding human remains in the aftermath and said airstrikes have become increasingly frequent as fear among civilians grows.

Since the 2021 military coup, Myanmar has been locked in a brutal civil war between junta forces, anti-coup guerrillas, and ethnic armed groups.

💢 Myanmar junta bombs medical clinic in Magway region, killing at least 11 people, including doctor and his family https://t.co/RgaxjvAmHS pic.twitter.com/G2RY6Zq1K2

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) March 25, 2025

Despite losing territory, the junta relies heavily on air power—bolstered by Russian support—to maintain control.

According to conflict tracker Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), military airstrikes on civilians have tripled in the past year, with nearly 800 recorded in 2024 alone.

Australia Receives Long-Range Rocket Upgrade

Australia has received its first delivery of the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), hailed by the government as a “game changer” for national defense.

The move is part of a $1 billion investment to enhance long-range strike capabilities following a 2023 defense review that emphasized the need for deterrence amid China’s growing military influence.

The HIMARS are here!

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Erika Olson was delighted to join @RichardMarlesMP, @PatConroy1, and @LockheedMartin Vice President Paula Hartley to welcome the first two HIMARS to Australia.

These High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, produced by… pic.twitter.com/1umk2VUMDv

— U.S. Embassy Australia (@USEmbAustralia) March 24, 2025

HIMARS, which has proven highly effective in Ukraine, can strike targets over 500 kilometers (310 miles) away and significantly boosts the Australian Army’s range.

A total of 42 launcher vehicles are planned for delivery, with the first two already arrived. This addition complements broader defense upgrades, including Australia’s commitment to acquiring nuclear-powered submarines.

Philippines Launches Drills With US Troops

The Philippines and the US launched joint military exercises on Monday involving 5,000 troops, marking the start of this year’s Balikatan drills.

The operation comes amid heightened tensions with China over the South China Sea and just days before newly appointed US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visits Manila.

The exercises aim to boost combined warfighting capabilities and reinforce both countries’ commitment to defending Philippine territorial integrity.

PH and US armies launch annual Salaknib joint exercises at Fort Magsaysay, a prelude to much bigger Balikatan. Drills include mobilizing large-scale troops in Luzon across both land, air, and the maritime domain to prepare for a potential future conflict with an “adversary.” pic.twitter.com/MaoiPaFcyw

— Frances Mangosing 🇵🇭 (@FMangosingINQ) March 24, 2025

US-Philippine defense ties have grown stronger under President Ferdinand Marcos, with expanded US base access and missile system deployments drawing Beijing’s ire.

Hegseth’s upcoming visit, his first to Asia, will also include stops in Japan and Iwo Jima.

Sources: News Agencies