SOFREP Evening Brief: United Nations Peacekeepers Uncover 225 Hezbollah Weapons Caches, Myanmar Junta Airstrike Kills 22 at School Despite Declared Ceasefire

Evening! Stay informed with SOFREP’s evening brief, covering the top defense and global affairs stories for Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Here’s a quick rundown of today’s headlines: UN peacekeepers have found 225 Hezbollah weapons caches in southern Lebanon since a 2024 ceasefire; both sides accuse each other of violations. Jihadists killed dozens in Burkina Faso’s Djibo in a major assault. Clashes in Tripoli left militia leader Abdelghani al-Kikli reportedly dead. The US approved a $1.4 billion arms deal with the UAE ahead of Trump’s visit. Troy Meink was confirmed as US Air Force Secretary, prioritizing space and missile defense. Zelenskyy invited Putin to peace talks in Turkey; Russia’s attendance unclear. The UN blamed Russia for the 2014 MH17 crash. Myanmar’s junta bombed a school, killing 22 despite a ceasefire. Lastly, Indian forces killed three militants in Kashmir post-truce.

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UN Peacekeepers Uncover 225 Hezbollah Weapons Caches

The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported Monday that it had discovered more than 225 Hezbollah weapons caches in southern Lebanon since the November 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

The findings were referred to the Lebanese Army, which is now deployed in over 120 positions south of the Litani River, supported by UNIFIL.

The ceasefire deal, brokered by France and the United States, mandated Hezbollah’s withdrawal north of the Litani and Israel’s full withdrawal from southern Lebanon. While Hezbollah claims to have complied, Israel has retained troops in five southern positions it considers strategic and continues to carry out strikes targeting Hezbollah assets and operatives.

UNIFIL noted that full Lebanese Army deployment remains blocked by Israel’s continued presence in the area.

Under the terms of the UN Security Council resolution, only Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers are authorized to operate in southern Lebanon, and non-state groups are to be disarmed.

Hezbollah, Israel Trade Accusations Over Truce Violations

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem accused Israel of violating the truce, citing continued attacks and failure to withdraw.

In a televised speech, he warned that “Israel is playing with fire” and rejected Israeli efforts to dismantle Hezbollah through pressure and aggression. Qassem also urged the Lebanese government and international ceasefire sponsors to enforce Israeli compliance and accelerate reconstruction efforts.

President Joseph Aoun confirmed that the Lebanese Army controls more than 85% of the southern region, blaming Israel’s occupation of five key positions for the incomplete handover. While Beirut has pledged to establish a state monopoly on arms, Aoun called Hezbollah’s disarmament a “delicate” issue requiring political dialogue.

Hezbollah Reconstitution: The Lebanese government and armed forces are taking a number of steps that may, in time, cement the successes that Israel achieved in its 2024 military campaign against Hezbollah. The Wall Street Journal reported on May 10 that Lebanese airport…

— Critical Threats (@criticalthreats) May 13, 2025

Hezbollah, historically a dominant military and political force in Lebanon, suffered heavy losses in the recent conflict with Israel. Despite its diminished capacity, the group remains defiant, vowing not to yield to external pressure or disarm unilaterally.

Tensions remain high along the border as both sides maintain military readiness amid a fragile truce.

Jihadist Attacks Kill Dozens in Northern Burkina Faso

Jihadist militants launched a coordinated assault on the northern town of Djibo, Burkina Faso, on Sunday, killing “several dozen” civilians and soldiers, according to security and local sources.

Armed attackers, reportedly numbering in the hundreds, targeted military and police posts and carried out raids in multiple areas of the town.

Sources said the assailants arrived on motorcycles and in vehicles, effectively encircling Djibo before launching their attacks. Witnesses reported executions of civilians, particularly men, outside their homes. While the exact number of military casualties remains unknown, security sources confirmed fatalities among security forces.

The assault marks one of the deadliest recent incidents in Burkina Faso’s ongoing jihadist insurgency, now entering its tenth year.

Burkina Faso: Terrorists Still in Control of Djibo

Residents of Djibo, in northern Burkina Faso, are worried over the continued occupation of their town by jihadist elements.

According to multiple local sources, as of Tuesday, May 13, 2025, armed terrorist groups remain firmly… pic.twitter.com/c4vU8IYqaV

— Zagazola (@ZagazOlaMakama) May 13, 2025

Armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State continue to destabilize the Sahel region, with Djibo and surrounding areas frequently targeted.

The ruling military junta, led by Captain Ibrahim Traore since the September 2022 coup, has provided little public information about the attack. Though it often claims territorial gains against jihadist forces, the country remains locked in escalating violence. Over 26,000 people—both civilians and soldiers—have been killed in jihadist-related violence since 2015, with more than half of those deaths occurring in the last three years, according to the conflict-monitoring Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED).

Heavy Clashes Erupt in Tripoli, Armed Group Leader Reportedly Killed

Violent clashes erupted Monday night in Tripoli between rival armed factions, leaving parts of the Libyan capital under heavy gunfire and shelling.

Authorities urged residents to remain indoors as explosions and automatic weapons fire echoed through the city starting at 9:00 p.m. local time.

Local media outlets Al-Ahrar and Al-Wasat reported the death of Abdelghani al-Kikli, leader of the powerful Support and Stability Apparatus based in southern Tripoli. The clashes reportedly involved rival groups from Tripoli and Misrata, a key coastal city located about 125 miles east of the capital.

The interior ministry of Libya’s UN-recognized government issued an urgent warning for civilians to stay home for their safety. Several districts announced school closures on Tuesday as a precaution.

Violent clashes erupted in Tripoli between rival armed groups, killing Abdelghani al-Kikli, leader of the Support and Stability Apparatus. Fighting spread through southern suburbs as authorities urged residents to stay indoors. Schools were closed, and the UN called for an… pic.twitter.com/1AQGvEXOqt

— Hook (@hookonline_) May 13, 2025

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed alarm over the violence, citing the use of heavy weaponry in densely populated civilian areas. It called on all parties to cease hostilities and warned that attacks on civilians could constitute war crimes. The UN also backed efforts by local elders and community leaders to mediate and de-escalate the situation.

Libya remains fractured between competing governments in the west and east, the latter controlled by the Haftar family. While relative calm has prevailed in recent years, violent flare-ups between militias competing for power and territory continue to threaten stability.

A similar outbreak in August 2023 killed 55 people, underscoring the fragile nature of security in the capital.

US Approves $1.4 Billion Arms Sale to UAE Ahead of Trump Visit

The US State Department on Monday authorized a $1.4 billion military equipment sale to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), just days before President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to the region.

The approved package includes six CH-47F Chinook helicopters valued at $1.32 billion, along with $130 million in F-16 fighter jet components.

State Department officials said the sale supports US foreign policy and national security goals by strengthening ties with a key Middle East ally.

“The United Arab Emirates is a vital US partner for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the department noted in a released statement.

The helicopters are intended for use in search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian operations, and counterterrorism missions. The F-16 parts are expected to enhance the UAE’s defense capabilities, particularly in maintaining sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The US has approved the sale of $1.4bn worth of weapons and equipment to the UAE ahead of Trump’s visit.

🟠 LIVE updates: https://t.co/dMPoSSBqkO pic.twitter.com/LmUIp0nufd

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) May 13, 2025

Trump’s upcoming visit includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, where he will discuss regional security concerns related to Gaza and Iran, as well as broader commercial partnerships in defense, energy, aviation, and artificial intelligence.

Congress has 30 days to review and potentially block the arms deal, though such sales to the UAE have historically enjoyed bipartisan support.

Senate Confirms Troy Meink as Air Force Secretary, Signaling Focus on Space Force and Missile Defense

The US Senate on Tuesday confirmed Troy Meink as the next Secretary of the Air Force in a 74-25 vote, giving President Donald Trump a complete slate of service secretaries.

All 25 votes against Meink came from Democrats, largely due to concerns about potential conflicts of interest related to SpaceX and its owner, Trump adviser Elon Musk.

Meink, previously the principal deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), brings a deep military and intelligence background to the role. His confirmation drew bipartisan support, bolstered by his extensive experience in space policy and operations.

Senate confirms Dr. Troy E. Meink as 27th Secretary of the Air Force with a vote of 74-24.

— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) May 13, 2025

A veteran of the US Air Force since 1988, Meink has also served as a KC-135 navigator, a Missile Defense Agency engineer, and deputy under secretary of the Air Force for space.

Space Force Growth and Missile Defense Among Top Priorities

During his confirmation hearing, Meink emphasized expanding the US Space Force, calling it a critical front in countering rapidly evolving threats from China and other adversaries. He identified talent acquisition and workforce development as key to maintaining American superiority in space operations and systems.

Meink is also expected to take the lead on advancing Trump’s “Golden Dome” initiative—a space-based missile defense shield. Though details remain vague, the project represents a central pillar of the administration’s national security vision.

Next Decisions: Space Command HQ and Sixth-Gen Fighter

One of Meink’s first decisions will be where to permanently base US Space Command headquarters. The choice has been a politically charged issue, with Alabama lawmakers pushing for a reversal of President Biden’s decision to keep the HQ in Colorado. Trump is widely expected to support relocating it to Alabama.

Meink will also oversee key Air Force modernization programs, including the service’s sixth-generation fighter jet, for which Boeing secured a contract earlier this year.

SpaceX Ties Draw Scrutiny

Although Meink’s confirmation moved forward without major procedural hurdles, he faced scrutiny over reported ties to Elon Musk and SpaceX.

A Reuters investigation alleged Meink helped steer a multibillion-dollar National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) contract toward the company. Meink acknowledged Musk participated in his job interview for Air Force Secretary, raising ethical questions from some lawmakers.

Despite those concerns, the Senate Armed Services Committee did not address the Musk connection during the confirmation hearing, allowing Meink’s nomination to proceed unimpeded.

Meink’s confirmation cements the Trump administration’s commitment to prioritizing space dominance as a key element of US defense policy. His tenure is expected to focus heavily on integrating advanced space technologies, missile defense, and modernization of the US Air Force’s operational capabilities.

Zelenskyy Presses for Ceasefire, Challenges Putin to Show Up in Turkey

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Tuesday he will travel to Ankara this week to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for direct talks aimed at ending the more than three-year war.

The summit, brokered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, comes amid renewed US and European pressure for a ceasefire and negotiated settlement.

Zelenskyy said he will meet Erdogan in the Turkish capital on Thursday and wait for Putin’s arrival. He emphasized that only Putin can authorize a ceasefire and warned that failure to attend would signal Russia’s refusal to end the conflict.

“If Putin does not arrive and plays games, it is the final point that he does not want to end the war,” Zelenskyy stated.

Putin Silent on Attendance, Kremlin Sends Mixed Signals

The Kremlin has not confirmed Putin’s participation. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to say whether Putin would attend or who might represent Russia, reiterating only that Moscow is sending a delegation without preconditions.

The ambiguity has fueled frustration among Western leaders.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz demanded Putin agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and warned of expanded sanctions targeting Russia’s energy and financial sectors if no progress is made this week.

US Pushes Diplomacy, Dispatches Delegation

US President Donald Trump, currently visiting the Middle East, expressed support for the Istanbul talks and confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff will attend.

Trump has made ending the war a priority since taking office in January.

Military analysts believe both sides are preparing for a new offensive. The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said Russia is replenishing front-line units in preparation for a spring-summer campaign across the 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) front.

NEW: Russian officials appear to be setting conditions for Russian President Vladimir Putin to reject Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s invitation to meet on May 15 in Istanbul for bilateral ceasefire negotiations. ⬇️(1/2)

Russia has reportedly deployed a largely… pic.twitter.com/FjpvXVXUAz

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) May 12, 2025

Ceasefire Still Uncertain as Drone Attacks Continue

Despite growing diplomatic activity, hostilities continue. Russia launched 10 Shahed drones overnight—its lightest attack this year—but still a breach of the ceasefire demanded by Ukraine and European leaders. Zelenskyy’s office maintains that a ceasefire must precede meaningful negotiations.

Zelenskyy’s adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said Ukraine will only engage directly with Putin, dismissing lower-level talks as a delay tactic. Meanwhile, Andrii Yermak, head of the presidential office, reiterated that “negotiations are impossible while the Ukrainian people are under attack.”

🔴 Zelenskyy: If Putin doesn’t come to Türkiye, it shows Moscow isn’t serious about peace. pic.twitter.com/QeAblysNzu

— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) May 13, 2025

Putin has questioned Zelenskyy’s legitimacy, claiming his term expired last year. Ukraine, currently under martial law, cannot legally hold elections. Zelenskyy rejected claims that any decree bars him from negotiating with Putin, labeling such assertions as Russian propaganda.

Putin and Zelenskyy have only met once, in 2019. While Zelenskyy repeatedly sought direct talks during the early months of the war, he issued a 2022 decree banning negotiations after Russia’s annexation of four Ukrainian regions. He clarified Tuesday that the decree applies only to Ukrainian officials, not to his personal participation in talks.

As the Turkish summit approaches, the burden of diplomatic progress now falls squarely on Putin’s response.

UN Aviation Body Blames Russia for MH17 Shootdown That Killed 298

The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) ruled Tuesday that Russia bears responsibility for the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine, which killed all 298 people on board.

The decision marks a significant milestone in the long-running international effort to hold Moscow accountable for the tragedy.

The Amsterdam-to-Kuala Lumpur flight was shot down on July 17, 2014, by a Buk surface-to-air missile fired from separatist-controlled Ukrainian territory. A Dutch-led international investigation previously concluded the missile system originated from Russia.

Moscow has consistently denied any involvement and rejected the ICAO’s findings as “biased,” with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisting Russia was not involved in the investigation and will not accept its conclusions.

The ICAO Council found that Russia violated the 1944 Chicago Convention, which obligates signatory states to refrain from using weapons against civilian aircraft. This marks the first time the ICAO Council has ruled on an intergovernmental dispute of this nature.

The case was brought before ICAO in 2022 by the Netherlands and Australia, two of the countries most affected by the loss. Both governments welcomed the ruling and called for immediate steps toward securing reparations.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp confirmed that the Council will soon address reparations. He stated that the Netherlands and Australia are requesting ICAO to compel Russia to enter negotiations and that the Council should oversee the process to ensure timely and meaningful results.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong echoed the demand, urging the Council to move swiftly to determine remedies.

“We call on Russia to finally face up to its responsibility,” Wong said.

The ruling is a landmark in global aviation governance and adds to Russia’s growing diplomatic isolation amid ongoing scrutiny over its conduct in Ukraine and beyond.

Myanmar Junta Airstrike Kills 22 at School Despite Declared Ceasefire

A Myanmar military airstrike killed 22 people—20 of them children—on Monday when a school in the village of Oe Htein Kwin was bombed, according to eyewitnesses and local officials.

The attack occurred despite a junta-declared humanitarian ceasefire aimed at supporting recovery efforts after a deadly March 28 earthquake.

The strike hit around 10:00 a.m. local time, reducing the green school building to rubble and scattering personal belongings and school supplies. Parents dug makeshift graves to bury the victims.

“We tried to spread out the children, but the fighter was too fast and dropped its bombs,” said a teacher who survived the attack.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed alarm, reiterating that schools must be protected zones.

The UN and conflict monitors accuse the junta of continuing aerial assaults despite its ceasefire pledge, which was announced to facilitate disaster relief following the 7.7-magnitude quake that killed nearly 3,800 people and left tens of thousands displaced.

The junta denied the airstrike, calling reports “fabricated news” and insisting no non-military targets were bombed.

Our hearts break for families in Oe Htein Kwin village in Sagaing. As Rohingya who’ve faced Myanmar military violence, we STAND with all victims. Reported killing of 20 students & 2 teachers is UNACCEPTABLE. World must ACT to protect ALL Myanmar children regardless of ethnicity. pic.twitter.com/oCottFuBst

— Noor Kolima (@KoliFightsGBV) May 13, 2025

Myanmar has been locked in civil war since the 2021 military coup, with the junta fighting a combination of anti-coup militias and long-standing ethnic armed groups. Despite the ceasefire, over 200 civilians have been killed in more than 240 military actions—171 of them airstrikes—since the earthquake, according to UN data.

Meanwhile, humanitarian efforts are strained by funding shortages, exacerbated by US foreign aid cuts. Relief agencies warn time is running out ahead of the monsoon season, which threatens further hardship for displaced civilians living in temporary shelters.

Junta forces and anti-coup groups have exchanged accusations of ceasefire violations, with renewed clashes reported along key trade routes in eastern Myanmar near the Thai border.

Indian Forces Kill Three Militants in Kashmir

Indian soldiers killed three suspected militants Tuesday in a firefight in Indian-administered Kashmir, marking the first clash since recent hostilities brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war.

The Indian Army launched a counter-insurgency operation in the Keller forest of southern Kashmir after receiving intelligence on militant activity.

During the “search and destroy” mission, militants opened heavy fire, triggering a fierce gun battle. The Army confirmed the deaths of “three hardcore terrorists” via a statement on X.

OPERATION KELLER

On 13 May 2025, based on specific intelligence of a #RashtriyasRifles Unit, about presence of terrorists in general area Shoekal Keller, #Shopian, #IndianArmy launched a search and destroy Operation. During the operation, terrorists opened heavy fire and fierce… pic.twitter.com/KZwIkEGiLF

— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 13, 2025

The encounter follows a high-casualty April 22 attack in which gunmen killed 26 tourists near Pahalgam, a major resort in Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for backing the attackers, a claim Islamabad denied. The incident escalated into four days of airstrikes, missile attacks, and artillery fire between the nuclear-armed neighbors, resulting in nearly 70 fatalities.

A US-brokered truce over the weekend ended the worst cross-border fighting since the 1999 Kargil War. Despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high in the region, where anti-India insurgents have intensified operations since New Delhi revoked Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status in 2019.

Kashmir has been a flashpoint since India and Pakistan gained independence in 1947. Both nations claim the territory in full but govern separate portions. India accuses Pakistan of arming and supporting insurgents in Kashmir, while Pakistan insists it only supports Kashmiri demands for self-determination. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives since the insurgency began in 1989.

Sources: News Agencies