January 22nd's Report
Executive Summary
It's Thursday, January 22nd. January 21 witnessed coordinated military operations and armed conflicts across 15 countries as Russian forces struck Ukrainian infrastructure leaving 307,000 without power, Israeli operations in Gaza and Lebanon killed 12 including journalists, and U.S. Central Command began transferring 7,000 ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq with the first 150 moved. Chinese military aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in all four detected sorties, Myanmar's junta conducted airstrikes on Arakan Army detention facilities, and Nigerian forces rescued 62 hostages while killing 2 militants. Mexico transferred 37 cartel members to U.S. custody as Guatemala continued state of emergency operations following gang violence that killed 10 police officers. Colombian prosecutors confirmed 26 victims in the January 17 El Retorno massacre were executed with close-range gunshots ruling out combat.
Middle East & North Africa
Gaza Strip: Israeli strikes kill 11+ including journalists
Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in the Netzarim Corridor area of Gaza, killing at least 11 Palestinians including a father, his 13-year-old son, and a 22-year-old man in a drone strike. Three journalists—including an Agence France-Presse member traveling in an Egyptian Aid Committee vehicle—were killed by Israeli fire. The strikes occurred amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations and widespread international condemnation.
Lebanon: Airstrikes kill Hezbollah member, injure 19
Israeli forces conducted airstrikes across southern Lebanon targeting locations in Qennarit, Zahrani, and Bazouriyeh, killing Hezbollah liaison officer Abu Ali Salameh. At least 19 people were injured, including journalists covering the strikes; two were admitted to intensive care. The Lebanese army criticized Israel's actions as a breach of the 2024 ceasefire agreement, while Israel issued eviction orders for three villages citing unverified claims of Hezbollah infrastructure.
Yemen: Car bomb targets Saudi-backed commander, kills 3
A car bomb targeted the motorcade of Hamdy Shoukry, commander of the Saudi-backed Southern Giants Brigades, near Aden in southern Yemen. The attack killed 3 people and injured 4 others. The bombing occurred amid escalating conflict between Yemeni government forces and former Southern Transitional Council factions. Separately, Southern Giants forces shot down a large drone in Bayhan district, Shabwa province.
Syria: Government forces take control of al-Hol camp
Syrian transitional government forces took control of the al-Hol camp following Syrian Democratic Forces withdrawal under a four-day ceasefire that took effect January 20. The camp houses approximately 24,000 people—mostly women and children with ISIS connections. Government forces advanced from Tal Hamis to capture Tell Brak in Hasakah Governorate, while also seizing at least five villages north of Qara Qozak Bridge without resistance. An arms depot explosion was observed at al-Hol camp with smoke visible in photographs.
U.S. begins transferring 7,000 ISIS detainees to Iraq
U.S. Central Command initiated the transfer of ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq, moving 150 ISIS fighters from a detention facility in Hasakah to a secure location in Iraq. This represents the first phase of transfers involving up to 7,000 detainees to Iraqi-controlled facilities. The operation followed a jailbreak at Al Shaddadi prison where approximately 120 ISIS prisoners escaped (most recaptured). Iraqi government approved reception of both Iraqi and foreign nationals with ISIS links.
Iran: State media releases protest death toll amid U.S. tensions
Iranian state television released the first official death toll from December-January protests: 3,117 killed, with 2,427 described as "civilians and security forces." Independent human rights monitors reported higher figures of 4,519+ killed (including 4,251 protesters) and 26,300+ arrested. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a warning to the U.S. in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, while Iranian General Abolfazl Shekarchi warned Trump against action targeting Ayatollah Khamenei. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group continued moving toward the Middle East.
Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Al Jazeera, BBC News, The National, Stars and Stripes, NPR, Israel Hayom
Europe
Zaporizhzhia: Drone attacks kill at least 3 civilians
Russian drone attacks on Zaporizhzhia city killed at least 3 civilians and injured 1 person. Governor Ivan Fedorov confirmed several private houses and cars were destroyed, leaving nearly 1,500 households without electricity. The region recorded 749 attacks on 34 settlements throughout January 21, including strikes on Komyshuvakha that hit a State Emergency Service vehicle.
Kyiv region: Infrastructure attacks leave 307,000 without power
Russian drone and missile strikes on the Kyiv region killed 1 person and caused catastrophic damage to critical infrastructure, leaving over 307,000 residents without power. The Ukrainian parliament building was left without power following the coordinated attacks on energy infrastructure throughout northern Ukraine.
Kramatorsk and Kherson: Shelling kills 2 civilians
Russian artillery shelling in the Kramatorsk community (Donetsk Oblast) killed 1 civilian in the morning hours. In Kherson Oblast, shelling across the Dnipro district killed 1 woman and injured 1 person. The attacks involved artillery, mortars, multiple launch rocket systems, and drones throughout the day.
Combat operations summary: 140 engagements recorded
The Ukrainian General Staff recorded 140 combat engagements between Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian troops. The hottest combat sectors included Pokrovsk direction (highest activity), Huliaipole direction (31 Russian attacks), and Konstantinivsky direction (10 attacks). Russian forces launched 2 missiles, conducted 49 aviation strikes, deployed 102 glide bombs and 4,455 kamikaze drones, while striking 2,864 positions. Russian forces advanced in the Dobropolye, Pokrovsk, and Orekhovo directions.
Adygea, Russia: Ukrainian drone strike kills 1, injures 11
Ukrainian forces conducted a drone strike on Novaya Adygea village in the Republic of Adygea (Russia), killing 1 person and injuring 11 people including 2 children. The strike caused an apartment building fire and destroyed or damaged 40 vehicles in a parking lot. Regional authorities declared an emergency regime.
Sources: Ukrainian General Staff, Ukrinform, Global Security, South Front, Xinhua, IZ.RU
The strikes specifically targeted energy infrastructure during freezing temperatures. In Kyiv, 5,635 apartment buildings lost heating with power outages affecting Left Bank districts. Power stations CHPP-4, CHPP-5, and CHPP-6 in Kyiv region were struck. In Odesa, DTEK energy facilities suffered substantial damage cutting power to 30,800 households. Rivne substations were hit leaving over 10,000 subscribers without electricity. Total outages reached approximately 307,000 households across Ukraine.
Russian forces report territorial gains in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia
The Ukrainian General Staff reported Russian forces claimed capture of Pavlivka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and Novopavlivka in Donetsk Oblast on January 20, though these territorial claims remain unverified. Ground combat continued across multiple fronts with Russia reportedly conducting 50 assault actions in the Pokrovsk direction that were repelled by Ukrainian forces.
NATO secretary general addresses European defense at Davos forum
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attended the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 20-22, participating in a panel titled Can Europe Defend Itself. The Pentagon announced cuts to US participation in some NATO advisory groups, a development being watched amid growing transatlantic tensions over Greenland. Trump threatened 10 percent tariffs on 8 European countries for opposing US takeover of Greenland: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, UK, Netherlands, and Finland. Denmark deployed additional troops to the territory in response.
Sources: NAnews, South Front, EADaily, Al Jazeera, Ukrainian General Staff