THE FRONTLINE REPORT

It's Thursday, November 27th. November 26, 2025 saw Pakistani airstrikes kill 10 Afghan civilians including nine children across Khost, Kunar, and Paktika provinces in the deadliest single military action of the day. A military coup in Guinea-Bissau overthrew President Umaro Sissoco Embaló in the nation's ninth coup since independence. An Afghan national shot two U.S. National Guard members near the White House in Washington DC in what the FBI is investigating as international terrorism. Russia and Ukraine exchanged 22 missiles and 460-plus drones killing at least eight Ukrainian civilians, while Israeli forces launched a major counterterrorism operation across northern West Bank's Tubas governorate. Taiwan announced a 40-billion-dollar supplementary defense budget targeting combat readiness by 2027 to counter Chinese threats. A Hong Kong apartment fire killed 40-plus people with 279 missing in the single deadliest civilian disaster of the day. Major cyberattacks disrupted London municipal services and permanently disabled emergency alert systems serving millions of Americans.

• Israeli forces launched broad counterterrorism operation across Tubas governorate northern West Bank
• IDF Paratroopers killed Osama Kumail in Qabatiya after he threw explosive device at soldiers
• Hamas returned remains of deceased hostage Dror Or via Red Cross in Gaza
• IDF airstrikes and ground troops killed six Palestinian militants in eastern Rafah
• Syria arms depot explosion in Kafr Takharim Idlib killed five workers injured nine
• Gaza Government Media Office documented 497-plus Israeli ceasefire violations since October 10

Israel launches major West Bank counterterrorism operation

Israeli forces launched a broad counterterrorism operation across Tubas governorate in the northern West Bank overnight November 25-26. The operation involved the Commando Brigade, Samaria and Menashe regional brigades, Shin Bet intelligence, Border Police, and helicopter gunships. Troops encircled Tubas, Tammun, Far'a, Tayasir, and al-Aqaba villages, opened fire from helicopters, commandeered rooftops, and imposed curfews. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported 10 injuries with four hospitalizations and 60-plus detentions. The operation is expected to last several days.

In Qabatiya, IDF Paratroopers killed Osama Kumail, age 20, after he threw an explosive device at soldiers during a counterterrorism raid. The operation was part of ongoing security efforts in the West Bank.

Hostage remains returned as Gaza operations continue

The body of deceased Israeli hostage Dror Or was returned via Red Cross and identified by Israeli forensic examiners on November 26. In exchange, Israel transferred remains of 15 Palestinian prisoners to Gaza. Despite the October 10 ceasefire, the Gaza Government Media Office documented 497-plus Israeli violations including 228 bombings and shellings and 142 shooting incidents since the truce began. Palestinian health authorities report 347 Palestinians killed during the ceasefire period.

Separately in eastern Rafah Gaza, IDF airstrikes and ground troops killed six Palestinian militants and captured two after surveillance cameras spotted them emerging from tunnels.

Syria arms depot explosion kills five in Idlib

An explosion at a weapons depot in Kafr Takharim, Idlib province killed five workers and injured nine on November 26. The blast occurred at a site containing missiles and ammunition, with Syrian security forces attributing the explosion to poor storage conditions during ongoing work. Debris and shrapnel struck nearby shops and residential buildings. About a dozen arms depot explosions have occurred across Syria over the past year.

• Russia launched 22 missiles and 460-plus drones at Ukraine killing eight civilians injuring 57-plus
• Kyiv suffered seven killed 20-plus injured with nine-story residential building struck in Dniprovskyi district
• Zaporizhzhia faced 90-plus drones and two ballistic missiles including upgraded Molniya drones with night-vision
• Ukrainian forces struck VNIIR-Progress factory in Cheboksary producing navigation equipment for drones and missiles
• Russian forces captured Promin and Vysoke villages continuing largest weekly territorial gains since July
• Trump announced envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Putin in Moscow next week

Russia and Ukraine exchange massive drone and missile strikes

The overnight assault on November 25-26 brought 22 missiles and 460-plus drones against Ukrainian cities, killing at least eight civilians including noted TV stage designer Vadym Tupchii and injuring 57-plus others across multiple regions. Ukrainian air defenses destroyed 438 drones and 14 missiles.

Kyiv suffered the heaviest blow with seven killed and 20-plus injured. A nine-story residential building was struck in Dniprovskyi district and four houses in Bila Tserkva were completely destroyed. Zaporizhzhia faced 90-plus drones and two ballistic missiles, including the first confirmed use of upgraded Molniya drones with night-vision cameras. The attack wounded 19 people, damaged 31 apartment buildings and 20 private homes, and struck Zaporizhzhia National University's campus.

Ukraine strikes deep into Russian territory

Ukraine conducted deep strikes into Russia, hitting the VNIIR-Progress factory in Cheboksary 970 kilometers from Ukraine. The facility produces navigation equipment for Shahed drones, Iskander-M and Kalibr missiles. Two civilians were wounded. Ukrainian drones also struck across Belgorod with six injured, Kursk with four injured, and Bryansk with one injured.

Russian forces advance as diplomatic efforts intensify

On the frontlines, Russian forces captured Promin and Vysoke villages, continuing their largest weekly territorial gains since July 2025 at 128 square miles in the week ending November 25. Russia now controls approximately 19-20 percent of Ukrainian territory.

Diplomatic activity intensified as Trump announced envoy Steve Witkoff will meet Putin in Moscow next week. A leaked Bloomberg call showed Witkoff allegedly coaching Russian officials on pitching a 28-point peace plan to Trump.

• Pakistani airstrikes on Khost Kunar Paktika provinces killed 10 Afghan civilians including nine children
• Pakistan denied targeting civilians; separately killed 22 militants in Bannu district raid
• Taliban condemned strikes as atrocities and violations threatening October ceasefire agreement

Pakistani airstrikes kill 10 Afghan civilians including nine children

In the early hours of November 26, Pakistani aircraft struck targets across three Afghan provinces in the deadliest single military action of the day. The strikes on Khost, Kunar, and Paktika provinces killed 10 civilians—nine children (five boys, four girls) and one woman—when missiles destroyed the home of civilian Waliat Khan in Gurbuz district.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the strikes as atrocities and violations of Afghan territory, warning Afghanistan reserves the right to respond appropriately. Pakistan military spokesman Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry denied targeting civilians. The strikes followed a suicide attack on Pakistan's Federal Constabulary headquarters in Peshawar the previous day that killed three officers, and occurred despite an October 19 ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

Separately, Pakistani forces killed 22 militants in a raid on a hideout in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, which authorities described as targeting Indian-backed fighters. The escalation threatens to collapse two rounds of Istanbul peace talks that had already failed.

• Taiwan announced 40-billion-dollar supplementary defense budget spanning 2026-2033 targeting 2027 combat readiness
• Defense spending raised to 3.32 percent GDP in 2026 targeting five percent by 2030
• China Taiwan Affairs Office warned will crush all foreign interference with strong determination
• Chinese Maritime Security Administration announced military operations in Yellow Sea on November 26
• Myanmar junta airstrikes killed five-plus civilians across Demoso Township and Sagaing Region
• Hong Kong apartment fire at Wang Fuk Court killed 40-plus injured 24-plus with 279 missing

Taiwan announces 40-billion-dollar defense buildup targeting 2027 readiness

President Lai Ching-te announced a 40-billion-dollar supplementary defense budget spanning 2026-2033, raising defense spending from current levels to 3.32 percent of GDP in 2026 and targeting five percent by 2030. The plan aims to achieve high level of combat readiness for joint forces before 2027 to effectively deter threats from China. Funds will support the Taiwan-Dome (T-Dome) island-wide air defense system, precision artillery, long-range missiles, drones, AI-enabled systems, and U.S. arms acquisitions.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office responded forcefully, stating: We will crush all foreign interference. We have a firm will, strong determination and a strong ability to defend our national sovereignty. Beijing also condemned Japan's planned deployment of Type 03 Chu-SAM missiles on Yonaguni Island 110 kilometers from Taiwan as extremely dangerous. The Chinese Maritime Security Administration announced military operations in the Yellow Sea on November 26, though details were not disclosed.

Hong Kong apartment fire kills 40-plus with 279 missing

A massive apartment fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po district began around 3:00 PM local time on November 26. As of latest reports, 40-plus people died, 279 remained missing, 24-plus were injured, and one firefighter—Ho Wai-ho, age 37—was killed in rescue operations. Fire spread rapidly via bamboo scaffolding and construction netting during renovation work, affecting seven of eight buildings in the housing complex. Over 800 firefighters and 140-plus fire engines responded. Authorities arrested three men from the construction firm, with police suspecting non-standard mesh and styrofoam acted as accelerants.

Myanmar junta airstrikes kill civilians across multiple states

Military junta aircraft conducted strikes killing at least five civilians in Demoso Township, Karenni State around 7:00 AM on November 24, with additional strikes injuring six civilians in Sagaing Region's Depayin area. Earlier strikes on November 21 in Rakhine State killed nearly 20 civilians in areas controlled by the Arakan Army. The Ta'ang National Liberation Army reported junta air raids killed 49 civilians including 10 children and two Buddhist monks across Shan State townships during November 2025.

• Guinea-Bissau military coup led by Brigadier General Denis N'Canha overthrew President Umaro Sissoco Embaló
• Coup leaders suspended electoral process closed borders imposed curfew suspended media operations
• Ninth coup or attempted coup since Guinea-Bissau independence in 1974
• Sudan Rapid Support Forces rejected Army ceasefire proposal as humanitarian crisis deepens

Guinea-Bissau falls to military coup

On November 26 at approximately 13:00 GMT, Brigadier General Denis N'Canha led the High Military Command for the Restoration of National Security and Public Order in seizing control of Guinea-Bissau—the country's ninth coup or attempted coup since independence in 1974. Forces arrested President Umaro Sissoco Embaló without violence while he was in his presidential palace office. Also detained were the Army Chief of Staff and Interior Minister.

Coup leaders immediately suspended the electoral process until further notice (three days after disputed elections), closed all land, air, and sea borders, imposed an overnight curfew, and suspended media operations. Gunfire was heard near the electoral commission headquarters and Ministry of Interior for approximately one hour before calm returned. President Embaló told France 24: I have been deposed.

Coup leaders justified the action by claiming they uncovered a destabilization plot involving national drug lords and weapons smuggling—Guinea-Bissau is a notorious hub for cocaine trafficking between Latin America and Europe. UN Secretary-General António Guterres appealed for restraint and respect for the rule of law. ECOWAS and African Union election observers denounced the blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process.

Sudan ceasefire rejected as humanitarian crisis deepens

The Rapid Support Forces' November 25 declaration of a unilateral three-month humanitarian truce was rejected by the Sudanese Army as a political maneuver. Fighting continues in Africa's deadliest ongoing conflict, with an estimated 150,000-400,000-plus killed since April 2023 and 12-plus million displaced—the world's largest displacement crisis. U.S. envoy Massad Boulos stated: We have presented a strong text for a truce, but neither the Sudanese Army nor the RSF have formally accepted.

• Afghan national shot two U.S. National Guard members near White House in Washington DC
• FBI investigating attack as potential international terrorism; both Guard members died
• Shooter Rahmanullah Lakanwal entered U.S. via Operation Allies Welcome in 2021
• Venezuela aviation authority revoked licenses of six airlines after suspending routes
• Pentagon deployed approximately one-third of U.S. Navy to Caribbean in largest presence since Cold War
• Colombia President Petro alleged U.S. campaign about oil not drug trafficking

Afghan national shoots two National Guard members near White House

Near the White House, an Afghan national shot two West Virginia National Guard members at approximately midday near the Farragut West metro station. Both soldiers were critically wounded and later died. The shooter, identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was wounded by return fire from fellow Guard members and detained. The FBI is investigating the attack as potential international terrorism.

Lakanwal entered the United States on September 8, 2021 via Operation Allies Welcome (the Biden-era Afghan evacuation program) and was granted asylum in April 2025 under the Trump administration. President Trump, speaking from Mar-a-Lago, called it an act of evil, an act of hatred and an act of terror and ordered 500 additional National Guard troops deployed to Washington. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed the shooting appeared to target the Guard members. The White House was briefly locked down, and Reagan National Airport halted flights for 19 minutes to allow medevac helicopters. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services immediately suspended processing of all Afghan immigration cases indefinitely.

Venezuela bans airlines as U.S. military presence reaches Cold War levels

Venezuela's aviation authority revoked operating licenses of six major international airlines—Iberia, TAP, Avianca, LATAM, GOL, and Turkish Airlines—accusing them of terrorism after they suspended routes following a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration security warning. Over 8,000 passengers were affected on 40-plus flights.

The action came amid escalating U.S.-Venezuela tensions with approximately one-third of the U.S. Navy now stationed in the Caribbean—the largest naval presence since the Cold War. The Pentagon has deployed 4,500 Marines to Puerto Rico and reportedly canceled holiday leave for Southern Command personnel. On November 24, the U.S. designated Cartel de los Soles (allegedly led by Maduro) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, and the CIA has been authorized for covert operations. Colombian President Gustavo Petro alleged the U.S. campaign is about oil rather than drug trafficking.

• Three London councils shut networks after cyberattack discovered November 25 disclosed November 26
• Kensington Chelsea Westminster Hammersmith Fulham disrupted housing social services waste collection
• OnSolve CodeRED emergency alert platform suffered ransomware attack by INC Ransom group
• Crisis24 permanently decommissioned CodeRED system after negotiations failed
• Millions of residents' personal data potentially exposed across multiple U.S. states
• Russia launched Angara-1.2 rocket deploying unknown military satellite payload from Plesetsk

Major cyberattacks hit London government and U.S. emergency systems

Three London councils—Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, and Hammersmith and Fulham—shut down networks and phone lines after discovering a cyberattack on November 25, disclosed publicly November 26. The attack disrupted housing, social services, and waste collection for millions of residents. The UK National Cyber Security Centre is investigating.

Separately, the OnSolve CodeRED emergency alert platform (used by hundreds of U.S. municipalities) suffered a ransomware attack by the INC Ransom group. The attackers gained access November 1, deployed ransomware November 10, and demanded 950,000 dollars (later reduced to 450,000 dollars). Negotiations failed when Crisis24 (CodeRED's owner) offered only 150,000 dollars.

The system—used to warn residents of severe weather, missing children, terrorism, and evacuations—has been permanently decommissioned. Millions of residents' personal data (names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, passwords) was potentially exposed across Massachusetts, Colorado, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and other states.

Russia deploys military satellite

Russia launched an Angara-1.2 rocket deploying an unknown military satellite payload from Plesetsk Cosmodrome on November 26. The launch is part of Russia's continued military space operations supporting intelligence and communication capabilities.