Geopolitics Daily
Posts
🇮🇱 Israel hints at an invasion of Lebanon

🇮🇱 Israel hints at an invasion of Lebanon

and trouble in Dagestan

Billy Robinson
June 24, 2024

Good evening once again from down under!

Today's updates cover conflict zones in DR Congo, Ukraine, and Palestine, with a spotlight on the looming threat of an Israeli invasion of Lebanon, threatening regional war.

Additionally, tensions between Niger and Benin escalate over a China-backed pipeline, while the UN Security Council convenes critical discussions on Somalia and Iran.

Stay informed with these stories and more below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇳🇪 🇧🇯 🇨🇳 Niger-Benin disputes over China-backed pipeline: A Chinese-financed pipeline designed to turn Niger into an oil exporter is under threat due to internal security challenges and a diplomatic dispute with neighbouring Benin, stemming from last year's coup that ousted Niger's elected government. The 1,930-kilometre pipeline, stretching from Niger's Agadem oil field, constructed with Chinese support, to Benin's Cotonou port, aimed to increase Niger's oil output fivefold through a US$400 million agreement with China's state-owned petroleum company. Recent tensions with Benin led to the pipeline's closure, exacerbated by an attack from the local Patriotic Liberation Front rebel group, which damaged a section of the pipeline. The group has threatened more attacks unless Niger cancels its deal with China, worsening instability following President Mohamed Bazoum's coup and regional border closures.

2️⃣ 🇺🇳 🇸🇴 🇮🇷 UN Security Council holds consultations on Somalia, Iran: Today, the Security Council will hold an open briefing and closed consultations on Somalia. Briefings will be provided by James Swan, Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, and Mohamed El-Amine Souef, Head of the AU Transition Mission in Somalia. Additionally, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo will update the Council on the Secretary-General’s report regarding resolution 2231, which endorsed the 2015 JCPOA on Iran’s nuclear program. Ambassador Vanessa Frazier (Malta) and EU Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis will also provide briefings on the resolution's implementation.

3️⃣ 🇷🇺 Attacks against religious sites in Dagestan: Gunmen reportedly belonging to a terrorist organisation killed at least eight people—including six police officers—in coordinated attacks on a synagogue, an Orthodox church, and a police post in Dagestan, Russia. The attacks, which took place on Sunday evening in Derbent and Makhachkala, also left 12 people injured. In Derbent, which hosts an ancient Jewish community in the predominantly Muslim North Caucasus region, both the synagogue and church were targeted, with the synagogue set ablaze. The attack on the police post occurred in Makhachkala, Dagestan’s capital, 125 km away.

4️⃣ 🇳🇬 Seven killed, 100 kidnapped in Nigeria’s Katsina state: Renewed instability grips northern Nigeria after gunmen attacked a rural community in northwestern Katsina state over the weekend, killing at least seven people and kidnapping 100 others, according to local sources. The assault on Maidabino village in the Danmusa local government area saw gunmen on motorbikes firing indiscriminately, causing residents to flee. In recent years, such kidnappings have plagued Nigeria’s northwest and central regions, where armed groups frequently target villagers and travellers for substantial ransoms.

5️⃣ 🇨🇩 Violent escalations in Eastern DR Congo: An armed group using machetes and guns killed 23 people in recent attacks on villages in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local authorities reported. The Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO) carried out the attacks in Ituri province's Djugu territory on Thursday and Friday, targeting villages and burning homes, said Vital Tungulo, president of Djugu's Nyali-Kilo community. The motive is unclear, but militia violence in Congo often ties to competition for influence and the region's mineral resources. The UN noted increased attacks by CODECO this year.

Major Story

🇮🇱🇱🇧 ISRAEL HINTS AT AN INVASION OF LEBANON

Israel’s defence minister has travelled to Washington for crucial discussions with senior Biden administration officials concerning the ongoing conflicts involving Hamas in Gaza and Hizbollah in Lebanon.

Yoav Gallant, accompanied by the Israel Defense Forces’ deputy chief of staff, is scheduled to meet with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Joe Biden’s special envoy, Amos Hochstein.

Gallant’s visit coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that there has been a significant reduction in arms deliveries from the Biden administration in recent months—a claim that has perturbed US officials.

Deescalation in Gaza, escalation in Lebanon?

Israeli officials have connected their military operations in Rafah, southern Gaza—targeting what they claim are the final battalions of Hamas—with potential strategic pivot towards the Lebanese border. Escalating exchanges of fire with Hizbollah have heightened concerns about broader conflict in the region.

Amid fears of broader conflict, Hizbollah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah reiterated threats of widespread strikes across Israel. In a recent video, the Lebanese group displayed Israeli positions and coordinates, echoing Nasrallah’s pledge to fight without constraints if Lebanon faces war.

In a speech on Sunday, Netanyahu announced plans to deploy additional troops to Israel’s northern border to confront Hizbollah. These remarks risk exacerbating tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed Lebanese group, amid escalating prospects of conflict. Netanyahu also indicated that the ongoing conflict in Gaza shows no signs of immediate resolution. "We will be able to move some of our troops northward, primarily for defensive purposes," he told Israel's Channel 14, before emphasising the goal of facilitating the return of tens of thousands of displaced Israelis to their homes.

Hizbollah has unequivocally stated its commitment to continue fighting Israel until a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza. Last week, Nasrallah cautioned Israel against initiating a war, citing Hizbollah's enhanced weaponry and intelligence capabilities, which could potentially target strategic positions deeper within Israel.

Promotion

If you love our stuff we know you’ll love Ground News! Their platform provides around the clock coverage of global news from all political perspectives.

We can’t recommend their app enough!

(p.s. as we’ve partnered with them - by signing up you’ll be helping to grow this newsletter too! 🤫)

Get Ground News by clicking here ⤵️

Ground News App

Compare Today’s Top News Headlines from Multiple Perspectives: Local, Foreign, National; Left to Right. See What the Other Side Sees. Be Well Informed.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇮🇱 🇵🇸 IDF straps Palestinian hostage to jeep during West Bank raid: A video has surfaced showing Israeli troops driving with a wounded Palestinian man strapped to the hood of a military jeep after a raid in Jenin, the occupied West Bank, igniting outrage and allegations of severe mistreatment and use of human shields amid the Israeli military’s intensifying operations in the region. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the incident breached military protocol, stating that they would investigate the incident.

2️⃣ 🇺🇦 🇷🇺 Devastating round of bombing in Kharkiv: At least three people were killed, and 52 injured, in a Russian bombing attack on Kharkiv, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Kharkiv’s Mayor, Ihor Terekhov, stated that four aerial bombs targeted the city, damaging residential buildings, shops, and public transport stops. Although The Ukrainian air force reported intercepting 12 out of 16 missiles and all 13 drones launched by Russia, Zelenskiy emphasised the need for decisive actions from Ukraine’s partners to 'stop Russian terror,' urging the destruction of Russian combat aircraft. Ukraine has been grappling with new rolling blackouts after relentless Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure.