Executive Summary

It's Tuesday, January 20th. January 19 witnessed at least 150 confirmed deaths across 18 countries as Syrian government forces battled Kurdish fighters at Islamic State prisons, ISIS-K bombed a Chinese restaurant in Kabul, and Pakistani forces killed 34 militants in counterterror raids across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Heavy clashes at Shaddadi prison killed dozens of SDF fighters as Syria tightened control over seized territories despite a supposed ceasefire. Guatemala's gang warfare death toll reached 10 as the country entered a state of emergency, while Colombia saw 27 insurgents killed in internal FARC fighting. Russian infrastructure strikes left two Ukrainian civilians dead and 30,000 without power. Armed bandits abducted 163 worshippers from Nigerian churches, and Myanmar's junta bombed a school killing two civilians. Israeli forces conducted a large-scale raid in Hebron arresting seven Palestinians, while hackers hijacked Iranian state television to broadcast anti-regime messages amid the country's ongoing bloody crackdown.

Heavy clashes erupt at Syrian prisons holding Islamic State detainees

Violent clashes erupted at two prisons holding Islamic State detainees on January 19 as Syrian government forces tightened their grip on territory recently ceded by the Syrian Democratic Forces under a ceasefire agreement announced the previous day. At Shaddadi prison in Hasakah province, SDF forces reported that dozens of their fighters were killed repelling an attack by pro-government militants who also freed a number of IS prisoners. Near Raqqa, SDF units fought Syrian troops at Al-Aqtan prison, with 9 SDF fighters killed and 20 wounded in that battle. SDF sources reported that some fighters were beheaded in the violence and warned that any government seizure of IS prisons could unleash chaos.

Damascus denied attacking the prisons, claiming it merely took control per the recent integration deal negotiated with U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack. The U.S.-led coalition did not intervene despite SDF appeals. By evening on January 19, Syrian forces had further consolidated control across territory the SDF ceded under the truce, including Raqqa city. Estimates of IS prisoners who escaped ranged from 120 to 1,500, with 81 recaptured by day's end. The 14-point ceasefire agreement signed January 18 requires the SDF to hand over Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor provinces, transfer oil and gas infrastructure to government control, remove non-Syrian PKK leaders, and integrate Kurdish forces into Syrian military positions.

ISIS-K suicide bombing kills seven at Chinese restaurant in Kabul

A suicide bomber from ISIS-Khorasan detonated explosives inside a Chinese-owned restaurant at a downtown Kabul hotel on the afternoon of January 19, killing 7 people and injuring at least 13 others. The blast tore through the kitchen area of the crowded restaurant in the heavily guarded Shahr-e-Naw district, which catered to the Chinese Uyghur community. Among the dead was one Chinese national, with the remaining six victims being Afghan staff and customers. ISIS-K claimed responsibility, stating it targeted Chinese interests in retaliation for China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims. Ambulances rushed the wounded, including four women and a child, to Emergency Hospital. Taliban security forces sealed off the scene on Gulfaroshi Street. The attack represents ISIS-K's continued campaign against Chinese interests in Afghanistan despite Taliban government claims of improved security.

Israeli forces launch large-scale raid in occupied West Bank's Hebron

Hundreds of Israeli troops launched a large-scale operation in Hebron's southern districts at dawn on January 19, backed by armored vehicles and bulldozers. The army imposed a curfew and sealed off neighborhoods, installing new iron gates and concrete roadblocks that effectively partitioned parts of the city. Israeli forces arrested at least 7 Palestinians during the multi-day operation, which the military claimed aimed to thwart terror infrastructure and confiscate weapons. No combat casualties were reported during the raid. The show of force drew comparisons to tactics not seen in Hebron since the Second Intifada.

IDF strikes Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon

Israeli jets struck a Hezbollah operative in the Zibqin area of southern Lebanon overnight on January 18-19, continuing air operations targeting military camps, tunnel shafts, and weapons storage sites across the region. The strikes followed reported ceasefire violations along the Lebanese border.

Iran state television hijacked by anti-regime hackers

Hackers successfully infiltrated Iran's Badr satellite network over the January 18-19 weekend, interrupting Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting channels to air approximately 10 minutes of footage supporting exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. The broadcast, which ran on multiple IRIB satellite channels, showed images of Pahlavi and messages urging Iran's security forces to lay down arms and join the people. Iranian officials acknowledged the signal was momentarily disrupted by an unknown source but on January 19 denied it was a cyberattack, calling it signal interference. The incident came amid continued unrest in Iran, where the government has reasserted control over nationwide protests now in their 22nd day. Cumulative death toll estimates range from 12,000 to 18,000 protesters killed with 330,000 injured since demonstrations began.

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Al Jazeera, Guardian, CBC News, TV9 Bharatvarsh, Cleveland Jewish News, Ynetnews, NPR, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

Russian strikes kill two civilians and cut power to 30,000 in Ukraine

Russian forces carried out intensive air strikes overnight on January 18-19 across Ukraine, using a barrage of approximately 145 drones including Iranian-made models, of which 126 were shot down. The pre-dawn strikes targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure in at least five regions including Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Chernihiv, causing widespread power outages amid freezing winter temperatures. Local officials reported 2 civilians killed and at least 6 wounded in the attacks, with one fatality in Kharkiv. In Odesa, an energy facility was substantially damaged, knocking out electricity for over 30,000 households. Emergency repair crews worked through daylight hours to restore power. Ukraine's government warned that Moscow is waging a deliberate winter campaign to degrade the grid and create a humanitarian disaster.

The Ukrainian General Staff reported 144 combat engagements across the front on January 19, with Ukrainian forces claiming 1,020 Russian casualties. The heaviest fighting concentrated in the Pokrovsk direction where 50 Russian assault actions were repelled. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian-occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia region caused blackouts in hundreds of towns controlled by Moscow's proxies. On Russian territory, a woman was killed in Belgorod Oblast by a Ukrainian FPV drone, while strikes hit Voronezh killing 1 and injuring 3, and Ryazan where 2 were injured.

IAEA-brokered repairs begin on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant power line

An IAEA-brokered ceasefire enabled repair work on a backup power line connecting the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to the grid, representing a rare moment of cooperation amid ongoing hostilities. The 330-kilovolt line had been severed by military activity earlier in January.

Sources: Reuters, Guardian, Al Jazeera, Ukrainian General Staff, Ukrinform, Empr Media, IAEA

Guatemala gang violence death toll rises to ten as state of emergency continues

The death toll from Guatemala's gang violence rose to 10 on January 19 after two wounded police officers died from injuries sustained in coordinated attacks across Guatemala City. The violence began when suspected Barrio 18 gang members launched retaliatory strikes on January 18 following a government raid on Renovación prison in Escuintla. By Monday morning, 9 police officers and 1 gang member had been confirmed killed, with over a dozen officers wounded. President Bernardo Arévalo declared a 30-day state of siege, deploying troops to the streets and suspending certain civil liberties. Schools nationwide were closed as a precaution. The government condemned the attacks as an assault on the state by political-criminal mafias aiming to sow terror. Security forces had regained control by January 19, with relative calm returning to the capital under heavy patrols.

Colombia insurgent fighting leaves twenty-seven FARC dissidents dead

Clashes between rival factions of FARC dissidents in central Colombia killed at least 27 insurgents near El Retorno in Guaviare department on January 18. All the fatalities were from one faction led by Néstor Vera, alias Iván Mordisco, which was ambushed by a faction led by alias Calarcá that has remained in peace talks with the government. Colombian military sources confirmed the deaths in intense battles in remote jungle territory used for cocaine trafficking. No government forces were involved in this internecine firefight, and no civilian casualties were reported. The bloodshed underscores challenges ahead for President Gustavo Petro's peace process, as the group that suffered losses had abrogated a ceasefire and remained in hostilities with both the government and rival rebels. Colombian Army units were put on alert in the area on January 19 to prevent any spillover violence.

Haitian security forces maintain pressure on Port-au-Prince gangs

Haitian National Police continued offensive operations against Port-au-Prince gangs on January 19, maintaining raids in the Delmas 6 neighborhood following a major drone strike on January 14 that destroyed several houses belonging to gang leader Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier. Police and a UN-backed task force seized weapons and equipment from Cherizier's men, with no casualties reported on January 19 as gang members had fled following the drone bombings. The Haitian National Police announced they now controlled the area, part of an ongoing campaign to reclaim gang-held zones. Gangs currently control approximately 90 percent of Port-au-Prince, with 1.4 million Haitians displaced.

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Al Jazeera, Sunday Guardian Live, News Graphic, Guatemala National Civil Police, Colombian military sources

Armed bandits abduct 163 worshippers from Nigerian churches

Armed militants stormed two churches during Sunday services in Kaduna State on January 18, abducting a large number of worshippers in an incident confirmed by officials on January 19. The gunmen attacked the churches in the remote village of Kurmin Wali around midday, firing in the air and herding congregants into the forest. Kaduna police said dozens were kidnapped, while local church authorities put the figure at 163 people still missing out of 172 initially taken, with 9 managing to escape. No deaths were reported during the raid, but at least a few villagers were injured in the chaos. Nigerian troops launched a pursuit operation on January 19, setting up checkpoints on bush roads to rescue the hostages. Mass kidnappings for ransom by criminal gangs have plagued northwest Nigeria, with this case representing one of the largest church abductions to date.

Somalia military kills sixteen Al-Shabaab fighters in foiled attack

The Somali National Army repelled a major Al-Shabaab attack in the Middle Shabelle region on January 18, with the Defense Ministry reporting on January 19 that SNA forces ambushed Al-Shabaab fighters near Jabab Godane, killing 16 insurgents and injuring 21 others. The militants had attempted to assault an army outpost but were repelled by a combination of ground troops and drone strikes. By nightfall on January 19, the SNA had secured Jabab Godane and was conducting clearing operations in surrounding villages. No Somali army casualties were disclosed in this engagement.

South Sudan opposition forces capture strategic town displacing 30,000

SPLA-IO opposition forces captured the strategic town of Pajut in Jonglei State, seizing the largest government military base in northern Jonglei and taking 23 prisoners of war including a brigadier and colonel. The offensive has displaced over 30,000 civilians from the Pajut area alone. Opposition leader General Simon Gatwech ordered forces to advance toward Juba, representing the most serious fighting since the 2018 peace agreement.

Sources: Reuters, Somali Guardian, Dawan Africa, Sudans Post, Radio Tamazuj, Devdiscourse

Myanmar junta bombs school killing two civilians in Sagaing Region

Myanmar military forces carried out airstrikes in Sagaing Region on January 19, with a helicopter gunship bombing a school compound in Ayadaw township. Local sources reported the mid-morning strike killed 2 civilians, a young child and a teacher, and injured 3 others. The attack sent over 3,000 residents fleeing from at least 10 nearby villages. Meanwhile, heavy ground clashes were reported in Magway Region as resistance militias in Pale township ambushed a military convoy at a checkpoint, leading to a firefight with casualties unconfirmed. The junta later raided several villages in Magway in retaliation, torching homes and causing more displacement. Myanmar's exiled National Unity Government condemned the January 19 attacks as part of the regime's scorched-earth campaign.

Chinese military drone enters Taiwanese airspace for first time

A Chinese PLA reconnaissance drone penetrated the territorial airspace above Taiwan's Pratas Islands in the northern South China Sea on January 18, marking the first confirmed Chinese military aircraft intrusion into Taiwanese airspace. The WZ-7 Soaring Dragon drone entered the Pratas Islands' airspace at 5:44 AM local time on January 18 and departed approximately four to eight minutes later after Taiwan issued warnings via international radio frequencies. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense condemned the action as highly provocative and irresponsible, while Beijing claimed it was routine flight training.

Sources: Irrawaddy, Myanmar Now, Pravda Taiwan, Prism Media, South China Morning Post, Bloomberg

Pakistani forces kill thirty-four militants in counterterror operations

Pakistani military forces conducted extensive counterterror operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province over the night of January 18-19, eliminating 34 Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan militants in raids on hideouts in North Waziristan and nearby districts. The military announced the successes on January 19, calling the slain fighters khawarij and accusing neighboring Afghanistan of harboring them. Also on January 19, a group of TTP militants including a suicide car-bomber attempted to storm a cadet college in South Waziristan, but guards foiled the assault, killing 2 attackers and forcing the rest to flee. No Pakistani soldiers were killed in these incidents according to official statements. The operations came amid rising cross-border tensions as peace talks between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban collapsed that weekend, with Pakistan's military vowing to respond to terrorist threats emanating from Afghan soil.

ISIS-K Kabul bombing detailed in Middle East section

The ISIS-Khorasan suicide bombing that killed 7 people at a Chinese restaurant in Kabul on January 19 is covered in the Middle East & North Africa section above.

Sources: Reuters, English Aawsat, KabulNow, Pakistani military sources

Iran state television hack detailed in Middle East section

The hijacking of Iran's Badr satellite network by anti-regime hackers on January 18-19, which broadcast messages from exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi across multiple state TV channels, is covered in the Middle East & North Africa section above.

UK cyber agency warns of intensifying pro-Russia hacktivist attacks

The UK's National Cyber Security Centre issued an urgent alert on January 19 warning that pro-Russia hacktivist groups are intensifying disruptive attacks on Western targets. The NCSC highlighted a surge in DDoS denial-of-service attacks by Russian-aligned hackers against UK local governments and critical national infrastructure operators. While these hacktivists lack sophisticated skills, the NCSC cautioned that even simple web floods can knock out public services and cause significant downtime costs. Groups named in the warning include NoName057(16), Cyber Army of Russia Reborn, and Z-Pentest. Sectors urged to be on high alert include regional councils, healthcare systems, and energy networks. The January 19 UK alert follows a joint advisory identifying these groups as persistent threats to Western infrastructure.

Warwickshire school reopens after cyberattack crippled IT systems

Higham Lane School in Nuneaton announced on January 19 it would reopen after a serious cyberattack disabled critical safety systems including electronic gates, fire alarms, and student registers, forcing a complete IT environment rebuild. The attack had forced the school to remain closed while technicians worked to restore systems.

Sources: The Register, Security Affairs, Euronews, UK National Cyber Security Centre, CISA