SOFREP Daily: US Approves Qatar Reaper Drone Purchase, North Korea Tests Drones with Artificial Intelligence Combat Power

Good morning! It’s Friday, March 28, 2025. Here’s your essential briefing on defense and global affairs to close out the week.

Israel Kills Hamas Spokesperson in Airstrike

Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting his tent in Jabalia, northern Gaza, according to Hamas-affiliated media and later confirmed by the Israeli military.

Qanoua was described by Israel as a key inciter for Hamas.

The strike also wounded several others, while additional Israeli attacks killed at least seven more people across Gaza.

Hamas says its spokesperson Abdel Latif al Qanoua has been killed in an Israeli air strike in northern Gaza’s Jabalia. TRT World’s Mohammad Al-Kassim has more pic.twitter.com/JllopYCMFO

— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) March 27, 2025

This follows Israel’s recent resumption of military operations after ending a two-month ceasefire, during which two other senior Hamas political leaders, Ismail Barhoum and Salah al-Bardaweel, were also killed.

Eleven of the 20 Hamas political office members have now been killed since the war began in late 2023.

The renewed violence has killed at least 855 people since March 18, over half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

Israel claims the renewed assault aims to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining 59 hostages it still holds. Hamas, in turn, accuses Israel of undermining diplomatic efforts for a permanent ceasefire.

US Approves Qatar Drone Purchase

The United States has approved a $1.96 billion sale of eight MQ-9B Reaper drones and associated equipment to Qatar, a key US ally in the Middle East.

The sale, pending final congressional approval, is intended to bolster Qatar’s defense capabilities, especially in intelligence gathering, surveillance, target acquisition, and deterrence against regional threats.

.@StateDept 🇺🇸 authorizes a Foreign Military Sales #FMS case for 🇶🇦 #Qatar to purchase MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.96 billion. #FMSUpdate– https://t.co/IotdVgZmkX pic.twitter.com/xsuN27qgJD

— Political-Military Affairs, US Dept of State (@StateDeptPM) March 26, 2025

According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the sale supports US foreign policy and national security interests by enhancing the security of a stable and economically significant partner.

Qatar has also been instrumental in mediating the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Sudan’s Army Reclaims Khartoum from Militias

Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, declared the capital Khartoum “free” from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after nearly two years of war, following the army’s recapture of the presidential palace and other key locations.

Burhan’s triumphant return to the palace marked a turning point in the conflict that began in April 2023 against former ally Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the RSF commander.

While civilians celebrated across Khartoum and in the government’s temporary seat in Port Sudan, analysts cautioned that the war is far from over.

Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, declared Khartoum state “liberated” from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Wednesday, shortly after landing at the capital’s international airport for the first time in two years.https://t.co/OqI7tpE7ze pic.twitter.com/f6R3lre7Ip

— Sudan Tribune (@SudanTribune_EN) March 26, 2025

The RSF announced a new alliance with a southern rebel group, signaling ongoing resistance. The RSF still holds parts of Darfur and southern Sudan, and has been accused of widespread human rights abuses, including sexual violence and genocide. Meanwhile, the army has faced allegations of airstrikes killing civilians and abuses by allied groups.

Despite recent victories, the war has created a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, displacing over 12 million people and leaving millions more vulnerable to hunger and violence.

North Korea Tests Drones with Artificial Intelligence Combat Power

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of newly developed suicide and reconnaissance drones enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI), according to state media.

The drones, capable of tracking strategic targets and executing tactical strike missions, reflect North Korea’s increasing focus on AI-driven warfare and unmanned systems.

Kim praised their performance and approved plans to expand production.

💥 NORTH KOREA TESTS DRONES, AI UNDER KIM JONG UN’S WATCH

DPRK leader oversaw UAV/AWACS drills, including suicide drones. He stressed the top priority of developing unmanned technology and AI for the military, KCNA reports. pic.twitter.com/0clVuZ6oJO

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) March 26, 2025

The development follows growing military collaboration between North Korea and Russia, with Pyongyang allegedly supplying troops and weapons to support Russia’s war in Ukraine. In return, experts suspect North Korea may be gaining access to sensitive Russian military technology.

South Korea has voiced concerns about this alliance and the potential for advanced drone warfare experience being transferred to North Korean forces.

Additionally, North Korea is ramping up production of electronic jamming and attack systems, having previously disrupted GPS signals in South Korea.

The latest advancements align with Kim’s call to prioritize drone and AI technology in modernizing the military.

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un supervises test of AI suicide drones, KCNA says https://t.co/dAMNDpSYwI pic.twitter.com/vx0P1ffbyh

— Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) March 26, 2025

Germany Intercepts Russian Spy Plane

A Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying without a flight plan or active transponder approached northeastern Germany on Thursday, prompting the German air force to scramble Eurofighter jets.

The plane, identified as an Ilyushin Il-20, was intercepted near the Baltic island of Rügen and escorted back toward Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave.

The unauthorized flight posed a significant risk to civilian air traffic, according to German officials.

#Exklusiv @BILD
Die @Team_Luftwaffe hat heute Morgen im Auftrag der @NATO einen russischen Aufklärungsflieger östlich von #Rügen abgefangen, der kurz zuvor im Raum Kaliningrad auf den Radars erschienen ist. Ein Eurofighter-Pilot fotografierte die Il-22M.https://t.co/vSJb5c0MKG pic.twitter.com/oZLw0a8Zmm

— Julian Röpcke🇺🇦 (@JulianRoepcke) March 27, 2025

The incident is part of a pattern of occasional Russian aerial activity near German airspace, occurring against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Baltic region since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Germany, like other NATO countries, maintains a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) system to swiftly respond to such threats.

Russia Blames Ukraine for Power Plant Strikes

Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of violating an informal agreement to halt attacks on energy infrastructure, further undermining hopes for a temporary truce in their ongoing war.

Moscow claimed Ukrainian forces targeted power facilities in Russia’s Bryansk region and Crimea with drones and artillery.

Ukraine denied the accusations, labeling them false.

In turn, Kyiv accused Russia of violating the same commitment after an artillery strike in Kherson knocked out electricity for 67,000 people.

Russia continues to strike Ukrainian critical and civilian infrastructure under the cover of the ceasefire on energy infrastructure strikes — which is not in line with US President Donald Trump’s goal of using the temporary ceasefire to facilitate a lasting peace in Ukraine. ⬇️… https://t.co/DQyz5wOf8a pic.twitter.com/srpHXBUcyd

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) March 28, 2025

While the strike may not have specifically targeted energy infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said the result still amounted to a breach of the agreement.

The White House previously stated both sides had agreed to develop measures for pausing such attacks, but these accusations now cast doubt on any near-term progress.

2/ Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Borova, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove. pic.twitter.com/nEPVlCSvg3

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) March 27, 2025

Putin Shrugs Off Trump’s Greenland Ambitions

Russian President Vladimir Putin commented Thursday on former US President Donald Trump’s past interest in acquiring Greenland, saying it reflects a long-standing US strategic agenda in the Arctic.

Speaking at a forum in Murmansk, Putin noted historical attempts by the US to gain control of Greenland and warned that American and NATO activity in the Arctic is part of broader geopolitical competition.

Putin emphasized that while Russia has no intention of provoking conflict in the Arctic, it will respond to growing NATO presence—particularly with Sweden and Finland now members—by boosting its military capabilities and modernizing infrastructure in the region.

He also reiterated Russia’s claim to Arctic territory and resources, positioning the region as critical for national security and economic opportunity.

Despite escalating military rhetoric, Putin expressed openness to international cooperation, suggesting that joint Arctic projects with “friendly” and potentially Western nations could still be on the table.

Russian officials echoed calls for joint US-Russia energy ventures, even amid current geopolitical tensions.

Hegseth Boosts Defense Ties with Philippines

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a strengthening of military ties with the Philippines to deter Chinese aggression and uphold freedom of navigation in the disputed South China Sea.

Speaking during his visit to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Hegseth emphasized the Trump administration’s “ironclad” commitment to the region, calling China a “communist threat” and reaffirming the US–Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.

The Philippines, one of several countries with overlapping claims in the South China Sea, has faced increased harassment by Chinese forces.

Hegseth’s visit comes just ahead of the annual US-Philippines “Balikatan” military exercises and was seen as a clear signal of support. He also took part in training activities with troops, aiming to project solidarity and approachability.

🇺🇸 @DeptofDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined 🇺🇸 and 🇵🇭 troops for physical training to kick off a day of engagements in the Philippines. 💪 pic.twitter.com/76xJzfNA1g

— U.S. Embassy in the Philippines (@USEmbassyPH) March 28, 2025

China, meanwhile, denounced US involvement, calling it predatory and warning the Philippines against aligning too closely with Washington. Despite tensions, Hegseth maintained a confident tone, reiterating that peace in the region would come through strength and strong alliances.

Sources: News Agencies