SOFREP Daily: US Airstrike Kills Top Syrian Militant Leader, Russian Drone Hits Kharkiv Apartments

Welcome to a new week! It’s Monday, March 3, 2025, and we’ve got your essential briefing on defense and global affairs. Here’s what you need to know.

US Airstrike Kills Top Syrian Militant Leader

The United States military announced over the weekend that it had killed Muhammed Yusuf Ziya Talay, a senior military leader of Hurras al-Din, a Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda that dissolved in January.

The airstrike, conducted on February 23 by US Central Command (CENTCOM), is part of a continued effort to target the group’s remaining leaders.

CENTCOM Forces Kill the Senior Military Leader of Al-Qaeda Affiliate Hurras al-Din (HaD) in Syria

On Feb. 23, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted a precision airstrike in Northwest Syria, targeting and killing Muhammed Yusuf Ziya Talay, the senior military leader of… pic.twitter.com/trhDvgdgne

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 1, 2025

This follows a February 22 airstrike that killed another leader, Wasim Tahsin Bayraqdar.

Despite the group’s official dissolution, the US continues its operations against former members.

Hurras al-Din had been based in northwestern Syria, composed of foreign jihadists, but disbanded after a rebel coalition led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took control of Damascus on December 8.

The US military remains in Syria as part of an international coalition against jihadist groups, including the Islamic State.

Israel Cuts Off Aid, Pressures Hamas on Ceasefire

Israel announced Sunday the suspension of all aid shipments into Gaza as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas reached a standstill.

The move, ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, comes after Hamas rejected an Israeli-backed ceasefire extension proposal and instead pushed for a transition to the second phase of the truce, which would involve a full hostage release and a permanent end to hostilities.

Hamas condemned the aid cutoff as a form of blackmail, while reports emerged of fresh Israeli attacks in Gaza, resulting in multiple deaths.

📷: Trucks carrying humanitarian aid line up on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip, March 2, 2025, after Israel suspended the entry of supplies into the Palestinian enclave.https://t.co/ktEX3uBpNn pic.twitter.com/NWcobZU3Um

— Voice of America (@VOANews) March 2, 2025

Meanwhile, far-right members of Netanyahu’s government supported the decision, calling for the continuation of military operations until Hamas is completely defeated.

The war, now lasting over 15 months, has devastated Gaza, displacing millions and pushing the territory to the brink of famine. Despite international pressure for humanitarian relief, Netanyahu’s government has dismissed starvation warnings.

The US, meanwhile, announced an expedited $4 billion military aid package for Israel.

Europe Plans Ukraine Peace Deal, Seeks US Support

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Sunday that European leaders have agreed to draft a Ukraine peace plan to present to the US.

This effort aims to secure Washington’s backing, particularly from President Donald Trump, for security guarantees to deter further Russian aggression.

The agreement comes after a tense Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which heightened concerns that the US might pressure Kyiv into accepting a settlement negotiated with Russia.

The European proposal, though lacking specific details, may include a one-month ceasefire and the deployment of European troops if a broader peace deal is reached.

Leaders also emphasized the need to increase defense spending to demonstrate Europe’s ability to protect itself and to persuade Trump to offer US military support.

Amid these developments, Zelenskyy reaffirmed that Ukraine would not cede territory to Russia and remained open to a minerals deal with the US.

Meanwhile, Trump has signaled skepticism about continued aid to Ukraine, drawing praise from Russian officials.

As Europe scrambles to keep Kyiv involved in any negotiations, Starmer positioned himself as a mediator between Europe and the US, underscoring the importance of transatlantic unity in securing lasting peace.

Russian Drone Hits Kharkiv Apartments, Injures Eight

A Russian drone strike hit a multi-story apartment building in Kharkiv late Sunday, sparking a fire and injuring eight people, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

The fire spread across several apartments on the top floor, and three other residential buildings sustained damage, with over 100 windows shattered.

Just In: A Reality Mapper is on the ground in central Kharkiv, Ukraine, where a Shahed drone strike has just hit a residential building. #UkraineWar #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/j2QTtgAcCX

— Collective Memory (@Collective_memo) March 2, 2025

Fortunately, none of the injured required hospitalization.

Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, has been a frequent target of Russian airstrikes since it resisted capture in the early days of the 2022 invasion.

Just days earlier, a series of drone strikes damaged a medical center in the city. Emergency crews are currently working at the scene of the latest attack.

Jihadists Ambush Nigerien Troops, Kill 11 Soldiers

An attack by Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists killed 11 soldiers in northern Niger near the Algerian border, local sources and media reported over the weekend.

The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the ambush, which took place in the Ekade Malane area on Friday.

The soldiers were buried the following day in the presence of top military officials, including the armed forces chief of staff.

#Niger🇳🇪 | Le 28 février, un poste de sécurité à #Ekadé, dans la région d’#Agadez, a été attaqué par des militants du Groupe de soutien à l’Islam et aux musulmans (#JNIM), un groupe djihadiste affilié à Al-Qaïda.

🔴Selon des sources locales, l’attaque aurait coûté la vie à 11… pic.twitter.com/VY1GJMvyhf

— Wamaps (@Wamaps_news) March 2, 2025

While Niger’s northern border with Algeria typically faces attacks from armed groups rather than jihadists, the region remains a key corridor for illicit trafficking and migration to Europe.

The military junta, which took power in July 2023, has struggled to contain violence, with over 2,400 people killed since the coup.

In response, Niger is working with its junta-led neighbors, Mali and Burkina Faso, to form a 5,000-strong regional force to combat instability in the Sahel.

Benin Battles Rising Jihadist Threat Near Niger Border

Recent clashes in northern Benin between the military and armed groups have left ten people dead, including one soldier, as the region experiences a rise in attacks.

The violence, concentrated near the Niger border, is believed to be linked to jihadist groups expanding from Burkina Faso and Niger.

The Beninese Army launched an offensive operation, killing nine militants and destroying a logistics hub used by the attackers.

The uptick in violence follows a series of deadly attacks in recent months, with jihadist-linked groups increasingly targeting army positions.

In response, Benin has ramped up security efforts, deploying thousands of troops under Operation Mirador and signing a new military cooperation agreement with the United States.

However, experts warn that a military-heavy approach may not address the deeper political and social tensions fueling insurgencies in the region.

Sources: News Agencies, Reuters