THE FRONTLINE REPORT

It's Wednesday, November 12, 2025. November 11 witnessed over 50 documented deaths from armed conflict and security incidents across multiple theaters. Pakistan experienced its deadliest suicide bombing in the capital since 2008 when an attacker killed 12 people outside an Islamabad court complex. The Ukraine-Russia war saw 1,020 Russian casualties across 170 combat engagements as Russian forces concentrated on the Pokrovsk sector with 63 assaults in a single day. Venezuela announced military mobilization in response to US carrier deployment to the Caribbean while Colombia suspended intelligence sharing with Washington over strikes on drug vessels. Yemen's Houthi forces signaled the clearest suspension of Red Sea maritime attacks since the campaign began. Inter-jihadist warfare in Burkina Faso saw Islamic State forces defeat rival militants along the northern border.

• Suicide bomber killed 12 people and wounded 27 outside District Court complex in Islamabad at 12:39 PM
• Jamaat-ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility for Pakistan's deadliest capital attack since 2008 Marriott bombing
• Pakistan blamed India and Afghanistan Taliban for attack amid failed Istanbul peace negotiations
• Security forces foiled militant assault on Cadet College Wana with 2 attackers killed, 6 civilians injured

Islamabad district court suicide bombing kills 12

At 12:39 PM local time on November 11, a suicide bomber detonated explosives outside the District Court complex in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing 12 people and wounding 27 others. The attacker targeted a police vehicle after failing to breach the court premises, with casualties including mostly civilians and court attendees.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack through its spokesman. The bombing represents the deadliest suicide attack in Pakistan's capital since the September 2008 Marriott Hotel bombing that killed 54 people. Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif declared Pakistan "in a state of war" and blamed India and the Afghanistan Taliban government without providing evidence.

India's External Affairs Ministry rejected Pakistan's accusations as baseless and unfounded. The Pakistani Taliban officially denied involvement despite Jamaat-ul-Ahrar's affiliation with the TTP network. The attack occurred days after Pakistan-Afghanistan peace talks collapsed in Istanbul, with Pakistan accusing the Taliban government of harboring TTP militants. The incident represents an escalation in the complex security relationship between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India.

Pakistan military foils cadet college attack

Security forces continued clearance operations on November 11 following an attempted attack on Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan District that began the previous evening. A suicide car bomber rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the main gate while five to six additional militants attempted to enter the compound.

Two militants were killed immediately outside the facility, six civilians were injured in the gate explosion, and three militants were cornered inside the administrative block with operations continuing into November 11. Hundreds of cadets were evacuated safely with no student casualties reported. The Pakistani military blamed Indian-backed operatives operating from Afghanistan for the assault, though the Pakistani Taliban denied involvement.

The attack appeared designed to replicate the December 2014 Army Public School Peshawar massacre in which TTP militants killed 147 people, mostly students. Cadet College Wana is a military-run institution that educates children of armed forces personnel and local students in the tribal regions bordering Afghanistan.

• Russian forces recorded 1,020 casualties across 170 combat engagements on November 11
• Pokrovsk sector saw highest intensity with 63 Russian assaults eliminating 130 Russian personnel
• Russian strikes killed 2 Ukrainian civilians and injured 13 across Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions
• Ukraine struck Russian oil refineries in Orsk and Saratov plus Feodosia terminal in Crimea
• Denmark approved 1.4 billion kroner military aid package for Ukraine on November 11

Ukraine war sees 170 engagements with 1,020 Russian casualties

The Ukraine-Russia conflict on Day 1,357 of the full-scale invasion saw 170 combat engagements resulting in 1,020 Russian personnel killed or wounded, according to Ukrainian General Staff morning briefings dated November 11. Russian forces launched one missile strike, 36 air strikes using 77 guided aerial bombs, and conducted 4,231 kamikaze drone strikes alongside 3,231 shellings of Ukrainian positions.

The Pokrovsk sector in Donetsk Oblast experienced the most intense fighting with 63 Russian assaults in a single day, making it the highest-intensity frontline sector. Ukrainian forces eliminated 130 Russian troops in this sector alone, with 66 killed and 64 wounded, and destroyed 15 drones, 11 pieces of equipment, one drone command post, six vehicles, and seven artillery pieces. Russian Ministry of Defense claimed liberation of eastern Kupyansk and 256 buildings in the Pokrovsk area, though these claims lack independent verification.

At least two Ukrainian civilians were killed and 13 injured across multiple regions from Russian strikes. Zaporizhzhia Oblast sustained 645 Russian strikes on 16 settlements, killing one person. Dnipropetrovsk Region saw attacks on railway junctions and fuel depots, with a 47-year-old man killed in a drone attack. Kharkiv Region reported six injured across 11 settlements.

Ukraine targets Russian oil infrastructure

Ukrainian forces conducted retaliatory strikes on Russian oil infrastructure on November 11, successfully hitting refineries in Orsk, Orenburg Oblast and Saratov, plus the Feodosia oil terminal in occupied Crimea. The strikes represent continued Ukrainian efforts to disrupt Russian logistics and energy production supporting military operations.

Denmark announces new military aid package

Denmark's government and parliamentary defense committee approved a 1.4 billion Danish kroner military aid package for Ukraine on November 11, the 28th such package since Russia's full-scale invasion. The funding includes 100 million kroner for supporting weapons production directly in Ukraine, 372 million kroner for purchasing American-made weapons through the PURL initiative, and 80 million kroner for fuel procurement through NATO channels.

• Houthis signaled suspension of Red Sea attacks in letter stating operations halt while Gaza ceasefire holds
• Israeli forces killed 3 Palestinians in Gaza bringing post-ceasefire deaths to 245
• Gaza Civil Defence transferred 35 unidentified bodies showing torture marks to al-Shifa Hospital
• Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian villages Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf, wounding 4 people
• Hezbollah leader rejected disarmament demands declaring weapons protect Lebanese sovereignty
• Multiple attacks targeted Syrian military positions in Al-Bukamal near Iraq border

Houthis signal major Red Sea de-escalation

In a letter to Hamas's Qassam Brigades published late November 10 and reported November 11, Yemen's Houthi fighters offered the clearest signal their maritime attacks have halted, stating if Israel resumes aggression against Gaza, Houthi forces will return to military operations deep inside Israeli territory and reinstate the ban on Israeli navigation in the Red and Arabian Seas.

This marks a suspension of attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping as the Gaza ceasefire holds. The Houthis targeted over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones from November 2023 through January 2025, sinking two vessels and killing four sailors. The suspension represents a significant de-escalation in the maritime dimension of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Gaza violence continues despite ceasefire

Israeli forces killed at least three Palestinians in Gaza during the 24-hour period ending November 11, bringing total deaths since the October 10 ceasefire to 245 Palestinians. Gaza's Civil Defence agency transferred 35 unidentified Palestinian bodies to al-Shifa Hospital showing signs of decomposition, torture marks, and execution. The Israeli Defense Forces killed one Palestinian at the Yellow Line demarcation zone, claiming he posed an immediate threat after crossing into Israeli-controlled Gaza territory.

West Bank settler attacks wound four Palestinians

Dozens of masked Israeli settlers launched major attacks on Palestinian villages Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf in the northern West Bank on November 11, wounding four Palestinians. Three victims were beaten with sticks and stones, with one additional person injured. Settlers set fire to four dairy trucks belonging to Al Juneidi dairy factory, burned farmland and agricultural areas, torched Bedouin tents and tin shacks, and attacked residents with stones. Israeli police arrested four settlers.

Settlers also attacked Israeli Defense Forces soldiers and damaged a military vehicle at Kedumim Industrial Zone. Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned the attacks as crossing a red line. The violence represents part of a surge in settler attacks, with 264 recorded in October 2025 alone, the highest monthly tally since UN monitoring began in 2006. Palestinian Authority data shows October saw 2,350 total attacks by Israeli forces and settlers combined.

Hezbollah leader rejects disarmament demands

On November 11, Lebanese Martyrs' Day, Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem delivered a speech declaring Hezbollah will not disarm, calling weapons the secret to its strength needed to protect Lebanon's sovereignty. Qassem warned that if southern Lebanon continues to experience bloodshed, all of Lebanon will be affected.

Between November 3-9, Israeli operations killed 10 people including two Lebanese Resistance Brigades operatives and at least six Hezbollah operatives, with 27 wounded. Near-daily Israeli strikes continue despite the November 2024 ceasefire, with Israel claiming Hezbollah is violating the agreement. A US Treasury delegation was in Beirut November 10-11 pressing Lebanon to crack down on Hezbollah funding.

Syrian military positions attacked near Iraq border

In Al-Bukamal city, Deir ez-Zor Province near the Iraq border, multiple attacks occurred on November 10-11 targeting Syrian government military positions. An explosive device detonated at the 86th Division headquarters after unknown gunmen threw a grenade, and attacks targeted military headquarters on Al-Arsad Street. Two to three Syrian personnel were injured across the incidents.

No group claimed responsibility, though the area is known for ISIS remnants. On November 11, Syria signed an agreement to join the US-led coalition against ISIS, following President Ahmed al-Sharaa's White House meeting with President Trump on November 10.

• Taiwan detected 8 PLA aircraft sorties and 3 PLA Navy vessels near its territory on November 11
• One Chinese aircraft crossed median line and entered Taiwan's northern Air Defense Identification Zone
• Iraq conducted 7th parliamentary election since 2003 with no violence reported on election day

Chinese military operations near Taiwan persist

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence detected eight People's Liberation Army aircraft sorties and three PLA Navy vessels operating near Taiwan on November 11, detected through 6:00 AM local time. One aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern Air Defense Identification Zone, marking a continuation of Beijing's near-daily pressure campaign.

This compares to six aircraft sorties and seven naval vessels detected November 10, when two aircraft crossed the median line into southwestern ADIZ. Taiwan characterizes the activity as a threat to regional stability and part of increased Chinese military pressure. The PLA has maintained consistent operations around Taiwan throughout 2025.

Iraq holds parliamentary election amid tensions

Iraq conducted its 7th parliamentary election since the 2003 US invasion on November 11, voting for 329 seats amid tensions between Iran-backed militias and the government. While no violence was reported on election day itself, the electoral period was marked by security concerns including the October 15 car bomb killing of parliamentary candidate Safaa al-Mashhadani in Tarmiya and a November 4 explosion at Popular Mobilization Forces headquarters.

The election is viewed as critical for Iran maintaining influence in Iraq, with the PMF having secured 101 of 285 seats in December 2023 provincial elections. The vote represents a test of the balance of power between Iranian-aligned factions and Iraqi nationalist parties.

• Islamic State Sahel Province defeated rival jihadists killing dozens of JNIM fighters in northern Burkina Faso
• ISIS-Sahel pushed JNIM militants from Tigu-Burg axis near Djibo with 12 pro-Al Qaeda fighters defecting
• US Treasury designated 15 al-Shabaab leaders and financial facilitators disrupting Somalia networks
• UN Women warned rape being systematically used as weapon of war in Sudan's El Fasher

ISIS-Sahel defeats rival jihadists in Burkina Faso

A week-long offensive by Islamic State Sahel Province against rival jihadist group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin was ongoing on November 11 along the Tigu-Burg axis in northern Burkina Faso near Djibo. ISIS-Sahel successfully pushed JNIM militants out of the area, killing dozens of JNIM fighters including one major commander, according to reports published November 11.

Twelve pro-Al Qaeda fighters defected to ISIS, including seven child soldiers, and ISIS-Sahel seized a large weapons cache. The inter-jihadist rivalry may lead to weakening of JNIM's blockade of Djibo city, potentially benefiting government forces. JNIM is an al-Qaeda affiliate while ISIS-Sahel pledges allegiance to the Islamic State, making them rivals for control of territory and resources in the Sahel region.

US targets al-Shabaab financial networks

The US Treasury Department and Terrorist Financing Targeting Center announced joint designations on November 11 of 15 al-Shabaab leaders, operatives, and financial facilitators. The sanctions target networks in Lower Shabelle, Lower Juba, and Middle Juba regions of Somalia, aimed at disrupting terrorist financing and IED networks.

This follows an October 4 attack when Al-Shabaab attacked Godka Jilicow prison in Mogadishu in a six-hour siege that killed seven attackers and multiple security personnel. The designations represent coordinated action by the United States and Gulf Cooperation Council members to counter al-Shabaab's funding operations.

Sudan crisis deepens with sexual violence warnings

UN Women issued a statement on November 11 warning that rape is being deliberately and systematically used as a weapon of war in Sudan, particularly in El Fasher following the Rapid Support Forces' October 26 capture of the city. UN Women Regional Director Anna Mutavati stated women speaking from El Fasher report experiencing starvation, displacement, rape and bombardment.

Over 2,000 people were killed across Sudan in the week of October 26-November 1, including an estimated 1,300 in El Fasher and at least 460 patients at Saudi maternity hospital. As of early November, 81,817 people had been displaced from the El Fasher area. Sudan's civil war has produced widespread atrocities since fighting began in April 2023.

• Venezuela announced massive military mobilization in response to US carrier deployment to Caribbean
• Venezuelan military exercises involved armed forces, militia, police under Independence Plan 200
• Colombia suspended intelligence sharing with US security agencies over drug vessel strikes
• President Petro called for Trump war crimes investigation over strikes killing 75 people since September
• Indigenous protesters clashed with security at COP30 summit in Brazil injuring 2 security staff

Venezuela mobilizes military forces

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced a massive mobilization of military forces on November 11 in response to US military buildup in the Caribbean. Military exercises involving land, air, naval, riverine, and missile forces began November 11 and continued through November 12, involving the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, Bolivarian Militia, police forces, and citizens' units under Independence Plan 200.

This exercise was a response to the arrival of USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group in US Southern Command area. The US now has approximately 15,000 personnel in the region, including 10 F-35 fighters, at least three MQ-9 Reaper drones, and 5,000 troops at reactivated Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Puerto Rico. Venezuela characterized the US deployment as preparation for potential military intervention.

Colombia suspends US intelligence cooperation

President Gustavo Petro ordered Colombian security forces on November 11 to immediately stop sharing intelligence with US security agencies until the Trump administration ceases strikes on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean. Petro has called for Trump to be investigated for war crimes over strikes that have killed citizens from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago.

On November 10, US military forces conducted two strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, killing six people, part of a campaign that has conducted at least 19 strikes on 20 vessels since early September, killing at least 75-76 people total. The suspension represents a major diplomatic rupture between Washington and Bogotá over counter-narcotics operations.

Brazil climate summit sees violent clashes

Indigenous protesters and student supporters clashed with security guards on the evening of November 11 at the COP30 UN Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil, breaching security barriers at the main entrance to the conference hall. Two security staff sustained minor injuries and one police officer was evacuated in a wheelchair as protesters attempted to storm the blue zone at the heart of the conference. Minor damage to the venue was reported.

• US Treasury sanctioned Iranian and Russian entities for attempted election interference in 2024
• Iran's Cognitive Design Production Center sanctioned for IRGC-linked influence operations
• Russia's Center for Geopolitical Expertise sanctioned for GRU-affiliated AI-generated disinformation
• Russian Foreign Minister warned Russia will mirror any nuclear power conducting weapons tests
• Russia imposed counter-sanctions banning 30 Japanese citizens including diplomats and journalists

US sanctions Iran and Russia for election interference

The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control announced sanctions on November 11 against Iranian and Russian entities for attempting to interfere in the 2024 US election. Iran's Cognitive Design Production Center, a subsidiary of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was sanctioned for planning influence operations since 2023 to incite socio-political tensions among the US electorate.

Russia's Center for Geopolitical Expertise, a Moscow-based affiliate of the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate, was sanctioned along with its director Valery Mikhaylovich Korovin for using generative AI tools to create deepfakes and disinformation targeting US presidential candidates. All property and interests in the US or controlled by US persons are now blocked.

Russia issues nuclear testing warning

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated in an interview with Russian media on November 11 that Russia will mirror any nuclear power that conducts nuclear weapons tests. Lavrov clarified the distinction between carrier tests, subcritical tests, and actual nuclear weapons tests, reiterating President Putin's 2023 position that if any nuclear power conducts an actual nuclear weapons test, Russia will respond in kind.

Lavrov expressed concern about US nuclear testing announcements for geopolitical dominance, responding to President Trump's October 29 announcement about resuming US nuclear testing. Russia confirmed it has not announced plans to conduct nuclear tests but set a clear red line on the nuclear testing moratorium.

Russia imposes counter-sanctions on Japan

Russia's Foreign Ministry announced on November 11 an indefinite entry ban on 30 Japanese citizens including Foreign Ministry envoy Kitamura Toshihiro, journalists from Nikkei newspaper, professors from Hitotsubashi University, and other media and academic figures. The sanctions are in response to Japan's ongoing sanctions against Russia related to the Ukraine conflict and represent an escalation of diplomatic tensions between the two countries.