Evening Brief: Syria, Druze Leaders Announce Ceasefire; Stampede at Gaza Aid Site Leaves 20 Dead; Trump Hosts Gulf Leaders at the White House

· Guy D. McCardle

Syrian Army begins withdrawal from As-Suwayda after US-brokered ceasefire. (@PolymarketIntel/X)

Tonight’s headlines cover fast-moving developments across the globe. Syria and Druze leaders struck a fragile ceasefire after days of brutal fighting, while Gaza reels from another deadly aid site stampede. Trump hosted Gulf leaders and tapped new military vice chiefs, even as tensions simmer in the Middle East. In the Pacific, the USS George Washington joined major drills, and the US Space Force launched its biggest exercise yet. Europol cracked down on Russian cyber attackers, Bangladesh saw fresh unrest, and Cambodia carried out mass arrests in a sweeping cybercrime raid. Here’s your SOFREP Evening Brief.

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Syria, Druze Leaders Announce Ceasefire

Syrian officials and Druze leaders announced a renewed ceasefire Wednesday after days of deadly clashes in southern Sweida province that threatened Syria’s fragile postwar stability. It was unclear whether the truce would hold as a previous ceasefire collapsed within hours, and Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri quickly disavowed the new agreement.

The violence erupted from tit-for-tat attacks between Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze armed factions.

Syrian government troops deployed to restore order clashed with Druze fighters, while Israel intervened militarily, launching airstrikes to protect the Druze and deter Islamist militants. Israel struck multiple targets, including Syria’s Defense Ministry in Damascus and areas near the presidential palace, killing at least three and wounding dozens.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened further escalation, warning that regime forces must withdraw from Sweida or face intensified attacks. An Israeli brigade was redeployed from Gaza to the Golan Heights in preparation for additional operations.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported more than 300 deaths in the fighting, including women, children, and over 160 security personnel. The Syrian Interior Ministry had cited 30 dead as of Monday but has released no updates since.

On the ground, Druze families trapped in Sweida described widespread chaos, burned homes, and summary executions. Videos showed government-aligned fighters humiliating Druze clerics and looting property, while Druze fighters were seen beating and killing captured troops.

The Syrian interim president condemned these abuses and promised accountability.

Israel’s strikes mark a sharp escalation in its posture toward Syria’s new Sunni-led government, which replaced Bashar Assad in December after nearly 14 years of civil war. Israel says it will not tolerate Islamist factions near its borders.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is “very concerned” by the violence and is in contact with all sides to try to calm the situation.

 

Stampede at Gaza Aid Site Leaves 20 Dead

Twenty Palestinians died, mostly trampled, during a chaotic incident at a US-backed aid distribution center operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) between Khan Younis and Rafah.

GHF blamed armed elements in the crowd, allegedly infiltrated by Hamas, for inciting panic. An American medic was stabbed, and a pistol was reportedly recovered by GHF contractors.

Witnesses said stun grenades and pepper spray used by security guards caused panic at the site’s narrow entrance.

This marks the first fatal incident inside a GHF center, though hundreds of Palestinians have reportedly been killed by Israeli fire en route to such sites since GHF began operations in May.

GHF centers operate in Israeli-controlled zones, and the Israel Defense Forces claims it only uses warning shots to manage crowds.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reported 94 deaths and 252 injuries in the last 24 hours, including 20 at the GHF site. Conflicting reports say 17 died of suffocation, three were shot, and one was stabbed.

GHF says 19 died in the stampede and one in the stabbing. The United Nations states 875 Palestinians have been killed seeking food aid since May, mostly while traveling to GHF sites.

Meanwhile, Israeli strikes killed at least 54 others across Gaza, including 14 children. Israel also opened a new military corridor in Khan Younis, aiming to pressure Hamas as ceasefire talks stall in Qatar.

The war, ongoing since Hamas’ October 7 attack, has killed over 58,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

 

Trump Hosts Gulf Leaders at the White House

US President Donald Trump met with Gulf leaders at the White House on Wednesday, emphasizing economic ties while avoiding deeper engagement on the ongoing wars in Gaza and Syria.

Trump held talks with Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa and was scheduled for a private dinner with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

Trump praised US-Bahrain cooperation, highlighting $17 billion in investments tied to American aerospace and tech industries. The two nations also signed a new agreement to expand civilian nuclear energy collaboration.

Bahrain hosts the US Fifth Fleet, solidifying its strategic role in the region.

Trump’s engagement with the Gulf reflects his broader approach to Middle East diplomacy: promote wealthy, stable allies while sidelining unresolved conflicts.

Critics note the president’s close personal and business ties to the Gulf monarchies and his comfort with their authoritarian leadership styles.

 

Trump Nominates Top Officers to Fill Air Force and Space Force No. 2 Posts

US President Trump has nominated Gen. Thomas Bussiere and Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton to serve as the new vice chiefs of staff for the US Air Force and US Space Force, respectively.

The nominations aim to fill key vacancies following a high-profile firing and an internal promotion.

Gen. Bussiere, current head of Air Force Global Strike Command, would replace Gen. Jim Slife, who was abruptly dismissed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in February.

Bussiere brings extensive experience in strategic deterrence and bomber operations, having flown the F-15, B-2, and F-22, and overseen both the B-21 Raider program and the troubled LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) effort.

Lt. Gen. Bratton, the Space Force’s deputy chief of space operations for strategy and planning, is expected to take over from Gen. Michael Guetlein, who has been tapped to lead Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative.

Bratton played a central role in shaping the Space Force’s warfighting doctrine and spearheaded the blueprint for a proposed Space Futures Command focused on long-term capability development.

Both nominations await Senate confirmation, with hearing dates yet to be announced.

If approved, Bussiere and Bratton will lead modernization and strategic initiatives across two of the Pentagon’s most rapidly evolving branches, as the US confronts growing threats from China and Russia in the air and space domains.

 

USS George Washington Joins Talisman Sabre 2025 in First Major Post-Refit Deployment

The USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is participating in Talisman Sabre 2025, the largest iteration of the biennial multinational exercise, marking its first major international deployment since returning to Japan.

The US joins 18 other nations and 35,000 troops in the two-week exercise, which runs from July 13 to July 27 off Australia’s coast.

The strike group includes the aircraft carrier George Washington (CVN-73), guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86), cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62), and Carrier Air Wing Five.

Rear Adm. Eric Anduze, commander of Carrier Strike Group Five, emphasized the goal of enhancing interoperability and combat readiness with allied naval forces in a contested environment.

Naval forces from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Norway have also joined the exercise.

The UK Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, is operating alongside US forces. F-35C fighters are flying in Talisman Sabre for the first time, integrating with legacy F/A-18 variants to boost aerial capabilities.

While precise training locations remain classified, US forces are believed to be operating in the Timor Sea. The CSG transited the South China Sea after leaving Manila on July 7, amid rising tensions with China, which continues aggressive maneuvers in disputed waters.

The exercise coincided with the ninth anniversary of the international ruling invalidating China’s maritime claims in the region.

Rear Adm. Anduze highlighted evolving threats, including missile, submarine, and aircraft technologies. He underscored the Navy’s focus on adapting tactics, upgrading systems like Aegis, and integrating platforms like the F-35 to maintain survivability and effectiveness.

Talisman Sabre spans vast territory, including amphibious task forces east of Queensland.

Brigadier Damian Hill noted that the exercise tests the allies’ ability to operate across wide distances, simulating real-world regional demands in the Indo-Pacific.

The exercise reaffirms US commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific through coordinated defense operations with regional partners.

 

US Space Force Launches Resolute Space 2025, Its Largest Orbital Warfare Exercise

The US Space Force has recently kicked off its largest-ever exercise, Resolute Space 2025, focusing on orbital warfare and real-time electronic attacks to prepare Guardians for combat in a contested space environment.

The exercise, which began July 8, involves around 700 personnel across bases in Hawaii, Colorado, and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Lt. Col. Shawn Green of the 527th Space Aggressor Squadron said the exercise simulates space electromagnetic warfare, cyberattacks, and orbital warfare through live, virtual, and constructive environments.

Guardians must respond to synchronized hostile actions across domains to test readiness and resilience under fire.

Col. Jay Steingold, deputy commander of US Space Forces Indo-Pacific and director of the exercise, confirmed that operational and commercial satellites are being used to simulate realistic combat conditions. While classified tactics are kept under wraps, Guardians are training with real payloads to build proficiency in satellite operations and defensive measures.

Resolute Space is part of a broader Air Force Department Level Exercise focused on Pacific conflict scenarios and aims to integrate space operations into joint and allied force planning. Officials emphasized the exercise’s goal of showing how disruptions in space—such as degraded comms, navigation, or ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance)—can cripple broader Joint Force operations.

“If the space domain feels pain, the rest of the Joint Force will likely feel that pain as well,” Green told reporters on Tuesday, cited from Breaking Defense.

The exercise reinforces the growing importance of space superiority in modern warfare.

 

25th Infantry Division Receives HIMARS to Bolster Indo-Pacific Precision Strike Capability

The US Army’s 25th Infantry Division recently received its first High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), marking a major step in enhancing the unit’s long-range strike capability in the Indo-Pacific.

Delivered this week via an Air Force C-5 Super Galaxy to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the shipment included three launchers and two support vehicles. These are the first of 16 HIMARS units that will replace a traditional cannon artillery battalion.

More than 70 soldiers have been retrained to operate the precision rocket systems, which are capable of hitting targets between 70 and 300 kilometers (43 and 186 miles) away.

The addition fills a key gap for the division, which, despite frequent deployments and training alongside partners like the Philippine Army, previously lacked organic long-range precision fires.

Lt. Col. Alex Mullin, commander of the 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, said in a press release the new systems position the Army to deliver mobile maritime strike capabilities critical for territorial defense across the first island chain.

The HIMARS platform has already been tested in joint exercises such as Salaknib and Balikatan, where it demonstrated mobility and ship-targeting potential—key in countering China’s growing naval power.

US Army officials say HIMARS and upcoming Precision Strike Missiles (capable of hitting targets up to 621 miles away) will be central to the service’s evolving posture in the Pacific.

The 25th Infantry Division’s modernization reflects a broader shift in Army tactics and force structure designed to deter Chinese aggression across the region.

 

International Operation Disrupts Pro-Russian Cybercrime Group NoName057(16)

Europol announced the takedown of infrastructure used by the pro-Russian cybercrime group NoName057(16), following a coordinated operation involving law enforcement from 13 countries, including the US, Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

The crackdown—codenamed “Eastwood”—disabled over 100 systems and key servers linked to the group’s DDoS attacks against Ukraine and several NATO-aligned nations.

NoName057(16) is accused of targeting municipalities and organizations associated with a NATO summit in the Netherlands, as well as institutions in Sweden, Germany, and Switzerland.

The group also disrupted over 200 Swiss websites, including a Ukrainian presidential address and the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel.

Germany issued six arrest warrants for Russian-based suspects, including two alleged leaders now listed on Europol’s Most Wanted site. One suspect was detained in France, and another in Spain. US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents participated in the operation, and Swiss prosecutors continue their criminal case.

Europol stated that NoName057(16) operates without formal leadership and relies on Russian-speaking sympathizers, often younger individuals, incentivized with cryptocurrency and online-game-style rewards.

Initially focused on Ukraine, the group shifted to targeting NATO supporters amid Russia’s war of aggression.

Authorities have contacted hundreds of identified supporters to warn them of their legal exposure. The crackdown marks a significant move to dismantle ideologically driven cyber operations aligned with Russian interests.

 

Zelenskyy Appoints New Prime Minister to Reinforce US Ties and Defense Reform

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will appoint Yulia Svyrydenko, 39, as the country’s new prime minister—the first change in the post since the war began.

The move signals a shift toward economic reform and defense industry revitalization, as Ukraine faces mounting financial pressures and a prolonged conflict with Russia.

Svyrydenko, a US-recognized economist and chief negotiator on key mineral deals with Washington, will oversee cabinet changes aimed at boosting Ukraine’s arms production and stabilizing its war-battered economy. Her appointment also seeks to repair US relations, particularly with the Trump camp after a failed White House visit by Zelenskyy in February.

Outgoing Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is expected to become defense minister.

While technically a demotion, the move places a seasoned economic administrator in charge of the ministry responsible for over $53 billion in defense spending—26% of Ukraine’s GDP. The ministry has faced repeated criticism for procurement failures and organizational breakdowns.

The reshuffle comes amid frustrations over Zelenskyy’s narrow circle of loyalists and a lack of fresh leadership. Critics in parliament warn of stagnation and dwindling trust, as elections remain suspended under martial law.

Corruption allegations continue to erode public confidence, with a deputy prime minister recently charged in a $345,000 bribery case.

Despite widespread public demand for political renewal, most Ukrainians oppose wartime elections and prioritize national defense.

The new appointments aim to address both battlefield needs and strained international partnerships, especially as Ukraine prepares for an expected drop in foreign financial aid.

 

Clashes Erupt in Bangladesh as Opposition March Targets Hasina’s Stronghold

Bangladeshi security forces clashed with supporters of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday, killing at least four people and injuring dozens during unrest in Gopalganj, Hasina’s ancestral home and political base.

The violence began as the student-led National Citizen Party launched a protest march toward the district, sparking fierce resistance from pro-Hasina activists.

TV footage showed Awami League supporters attacking police with sticks and torching vehicles as a 20-vehicle convoy carrying National Citizen Party leaders arrived to commemorate last year’s uprising that removed Hasina from power. Some opposition figures took shelter in a police station and were later escorted to safety by soldiers.

Authorities imposed an overnight curfew in Gopalganj.

Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, who assumed power after Hasina’s ouster, condemned the violence and vowed to hold perpetrators accountable. The Awami League, however, blamed the government for instigating the clashes and targeting civilians.

National Citizen Party convener Nahid Islam issued a 24-hour ultimatum demanding arrests, warning of a follow-up march in Faridpur.

The Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party also condemned the crackdown and called for nationwide protests on Thursday.

Bangladesh has remained politically unstable since Hasina fled to India in August 2024. Nobel laureate Yunus promised new elections in April 2026.

The National Citizen Party’s ongoing “July March to Rebuild the Nation” aims to disrupt the entrenched dominance of Hasina’s Awami League and Khaleda Zia’s BNP.

Gopalganj remains a flashpoint due to the burial site of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina’s father and Bangladesh’s independence hero.

 

Cambodia Arrests Over 1,000 in Cybercrime Crackdown Amid Regional Tensions

Cambodian authorities arrested more than 1,000 suspects this week in a sweeping crackdown on cybercrime operations, following a direct order from Prime Minister Hun Manet.

The move targets foreign criminal syndicates operating online scams in Cambodia, which officials say threaten national and regional security.

Raids took place between Monday and Wednesday in at least five provinces, including Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Poipet, Kratie, and Pursat. Detainees include 270 Indonesians, 200 Vietnamese, 27 Chinese, 75 Taiwanese, and 85 Cambodians. Police seized computers, phones, and other equipment used in online scam operations.

Poipet, a known hub for cybercrime and gambling on the Thai border, saw the single largest bust. Authorities in Kratie and Pursat also detained nationals from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand.

The crackdown follows increasing international pressure, including an Amnesty International report accusing the Cambodian government of ignoring widespread abuses—forced labor, torture, and trafficking—linked to Chinese-run scam compounds. Amnesty alleges state complicity in the proliferation of more than 50 scamming sites across the country.

The raids unfold amid rising tensions with Thailand, stemming from a border dispute that erupted in May. Escalating retaliations include border closures and power cuts by Thailand, prompting Cambodia to accuse its neighbor of using counter-cybercrime efforts as political cover for punitive actions tied to the ongoing territorial feud.

Prime Minister Hun Manet framed the crackdown as essential to restoring public order and national security, as cybercrime rooted in Southeast Asia continues to rake in billions for international criminal networks.

 

Sources: News Agencies