SOFREP Daily: Israel Pounds Syria in Multi-Site Airstrikes, Britain and France Press Putin for Ceasefire, China Simulates Strikes on Taiwan Ports

· SOFREP News Team

SOFREP Daily roundup for Friday, April 4. (Image grab via X)

Good morning! It’s Friday, April 4, 2025. Here’s your must-know intelligence on defense and world affairs to close out the week.

 

US Hits Rebel Sites in Pre-Dawn Yemen Raids

Yemen’s Houthi rebels reported Thursday that a US airstrike killed a guard at a communications tower in Ibb governorate and claimed more than 20 other strikes hit their northern stronghold in Saada.

The US has not confirmed the attack.

Houthi sources also alleged US drone strikes targeted vehicles near Sanaa and Saada, and that their forces shot down an American MQ-9 drone over Hodeida. They claimed five deaths in earlier US strikes on Hodeida, though a maritime security firm disputed a reported hit on Ras Issa port.

The US has been conducting near-daily airstrikes on Houthi positions since March 15 to deter attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

The Houthis resumed these attacks after a brief Gaza ceasefire ended, launching missiles and drones at US and Israeli targets. Their actions have disrupted Red Sea trade, raising global shipping costs.

 

Israel Pounds Syria in Multi-Site Airstrikes

Syria condemned recent Israeli airstrikes that targeted multiple military sites across the country, calling them a violation of sovereignty and international law.

The strikes, which Israel said were aimed at “military capabilities,” hit five locations including a defense research center in Damascus and a military airport in Hama, killing at least four people and injuring dozens.

The Hama airport was reportedly rendered inoperable.

Israel stated the strikes were intended to prevent weapons from reaching groups it considers jihadists. Syrian officials accused Israel of escalating violence amid Syria’s post-war reconstruction efforts.

The strikes follow similar Israeli operations and incursions into southern Syria in recent months.

 

Israel Expands Gaza Offensive, Pounds Shelters

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 100 Palestinians across Gaza on Thursday, including 27 at a school in Gaza City, according to Palestinian health officials.

The strikes, which Israel said targeted Hamas command centers, hit densely populated areas like Tuffah and Shijaiyah. Dozens of children and women were among the dead.

Israel also struck a UN shelter the day before, killing 17.

Hamas called the school strike a “heinous massacre.”

The attacks followed new evacuation orders and plans by Israel to expand military control in Gaza, including a proposed security corridor and potential population transfers—moves condemned by Palestinians and rights groups. The UN said 280,000 people have been newly displaced since Israel resumed operations.

Meanwhile, Israel promised to investigate a March 23 incident in which its forces killed 15 Palestinian medics.

The Palestine Red Crescent and UN representatives say some medics were likely alive when Israeli soldiers buried them with ambulances in a mass grave.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reports more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, more than half women and children.

 

Hungary Defies International Court and Hosts Netanyahu

Hungary announced Thursday that it will begin the process of withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC), shortly after hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an ICC arrest warrant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán welcomed Netanyahu with full honors and denounced the ICC as a “political court.”

The move contradicts Hungary’s obligations as an ICC member and drew criticism from the court and Hamas.

Netanyahu praised Hungary’s stance during his visit, which was only his second trip abroad since the warrant was issued.

 

Paramilitary Forces Ravage Southern Sudan Villages

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killed over 85 people and injured dozens in a week-long series of attacks on villages south of Khartoum, according to Sudanese activists and legal groups on Wednesday.

The RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has been fighting Sudan’s Army, commanded by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, since April 2023.

Although the Army recently declared full control over Khartoum, Sudan remains divided, with the RSF controlling Darfur and parts of the south.

The war has displaced over 12 million people, caused tens of thousands of deaths, and pushed parts of the country into famine.

 

Colombia Picks Sweden Over US for Fighter Jets

Colombia will purchase new Saab 39 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden to replace its aging Israeli Kfir aircraft, President Gustavo Petro announced Thursday.

After years of evaluation, Colombia rejected proposals from the US and France.

The decision comes amid escalating violence from guerrilla groups, drug cartels, and other armed factions.

Petro highlighted that the Gripen jets are state-of-the-art, but did not disclose the number of aircraft or the deal’s value.

 

Britain and France Press Putin for Ceasefire

Britain and France accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of stalling ceasefire talks to end the war in Ukraine, rejecting a US-backed proposal for a 30-day truce.

Moscow called the process “drawn-out,” as it prepares a new ground offensive to strengthen its negotiating position.

Despite Ukraine accepting the ceasefire terms weeks ago, Russia has continued drone and missile attacks, killing civilians and damaging infrastructure.

A Russian drone strike killed five in Kharkiv Thursday.

Western officials warned Russia must give a clear answer.

Meanwhile, a proposed multinational coalition is forming to enforce any future peace deal, with 10–12 countries ready to participate.

Coalition defense leaders are meeting in Kyiv and NATO headquarters to coordinate ongoing support.

 

Rubio Defends NATO Ties Amid Exit Fears

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and NATO envoy Matt Whitaker attempted to reassure allies of America’s continued commitment to NATO during a high-level meeting in Brussels.

Rubio dismissed media concerns over US disengagement as “hysteria and hyperbole” and said President Trump still supports the alliance.

However, European allies remain uneasy due to Trump’s closer ties with Russia, recent tariffs, past insults to allies, and a lack of clarity about potential US troop withdrawals from Europe.

While no official plans for a drawdown have been shared, allies suspect a reduction is coming and are seeking details to avoid security gaps.

Meanwhile, NATO members are under pressure to boost their own defense capabilities, with officials urging a stronger European pillar within the alliance.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte faces a difficult task managing rising European anxiety without directly challenging Trump.

 

European Union Launches Partnership With Central Asia

Leaders of the European Union (EU) and five Central Asian nations—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—held their first summit in Samarkand on Friday, launching a strategic partnership aimed at boosting trade and cooperation.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a 12 billion-euro ($13.2 billion) Gateway Investment Package focused on transport, clean energy, digital connectivity, and critical raw materials.

European Council President António Costa and Central Asian leaders emphasized mutual benefits and long-term ties.

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted EU–Central Asia trade has grown to €54 billion over seven years, calling the summit a new chapter in regional collaboration.

 

China Simulates Strikes on Taiwan Ports

China’s military recently completed its two days of large-scale live-fire exercises simulating strikes on key Taiwanese infrastructure, including ports and energy sites.

The drills, dubbed “Strait Thunder-2025A,” were held in the Taiwan Strait and East China Sea and involved coordinated Navy, Air, and Rocket Forces.

Beijing framed the exercises as punishment for Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s pro-independence stance.

Taiwan condemned the maneuvers, and the US labeled them intimidation tactics. Western allies warned of rising tensions and the risk of escalation.

China’s military warned more exercises could follow, reinforcing its stance against Taiwan’s independence and testing US support for the island.

 

US Confronts China Over Risky Maneuvers

US and Chinese military officials held their first working-level talks under President Donald Trump’s second term, meeting in Shanghai to address concerns over maritime and aerial safety.

The US Indo-Pacific Command emphasized reducing unsafe behavior by Chinese forces, while China criticized US reconnaissance and drills near its territory, warning it would respond to provocations.


The meeting followed recent Chinese military exercises near Taiwan and came amid ongoing tensions over trade, Taiwan, and the South China Sea.

Despite strained relations, both sides agreed to continue communication and discussed ways to improve military safety at sea and in the air.

 

Sources: News Agencies