tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78811217506237427082024-03-23T03:17:43.958-07:00VasundhraUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2320125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-69815567090729426682024-02-05T07:26:00.000-08:002024-02-05T07:26:28.604-08:00Russo-Ukraine War - 2024<p><b><span style="color: #800180;"><u> SOURCE :</u></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;"> ( ) </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Russo-Ukraine War - 2024 </u><u>:</u></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/russo-ukraine-2024.htm</span></b></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">( ) </span><u style="background-color: #fcff01; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Russo-Ukraine War - 2024</span><span style="color: #800180;">:</span></u><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Russo-Ukrainian War - 04 February 2024 - Day 710</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/russo-ukraine-2024-maps.htm</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></p><h1 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 2px 10px 10px 5px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russo-Ukraine War - 2024</u></span></h1><div><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 10px 7px 18px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.</span></i></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 10px 7px 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #800180;">On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.</span></p><p style="margin: 10px 7px 18px; text-align: justify;"><em><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Open Sans;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]</b></span></em></p><hr style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-top-style: dotted; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 1px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #800180;">The United States continues to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with additional capabilities to defend itself. This includes Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative [USAI] and Ukraine Presidential Drawdown Replenishment. DoD Components provide estimations for valuing assets provided under Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA). Excess Defense Articles [EDA] are provided to partner nation at a reduced price (based on the condition of the equipment) or as a grant once the Military Departments identify excess equipment.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #800180;">Two years after Russia decided to invade Ukraine, Putin's attempt to swiftly conquer Ukraine has clearly failed. But Russian invaders continue their assault on the front line in Ukraine's east and south. Putin's forces continue to target innocent civilians across Ukraine with missiles and drones. But the more Putin tries to impose his imperial vision through violence and aggression, the more Ukraine resists and the more Ukraine's allies and partners come together. The Kremlin has isolated itself. It is left to seek weapons from ally -- from the likes of Iran and North Korea. Failure to counter Putin's war of choice will mean aggressors and autocrats worldwide will be emboldened.</span></span><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 10px 7px 18px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red;">"We have heard reports from the Ukrainian government that they have concerns -- from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and general staff that they are concerned that they believe that units are not -- do not have the stocks and the stores of ammunition that they require, and that is one of the reasons we have been focusing on the need to answer Congress's questions so that they are able to move forward on a decision to pass the supplemental."</span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> Assistant Secretary of Defense International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander said 24 January 2024.</span></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 10px 7px 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">Wallander said </span><i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red;">"we are able to provide ammunition and interceptors that were contracted for in 2022 and 2023 under USAI, but those levels are not -- are not at the same level when we were able to provide on a regular basis ammunition and interceptors and other capabilities funded both by PDA and by USAI. So without USAI, we're not able to sustain the same levels of provision of capability to Ukraine."</span></i></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 10px 7px 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">The Biden administration and House Republicans failed to reach a funding deal that would have included an additional $60 billion in security assistance for Ukraine's military effort. In an interview 16 January 2024 with ABC News, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said that this money would potentially allow Ukraine to avoid a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia, in which American troops would be forced to intervene. </span><i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red;">"Even if we run out of weapons, we will fight with shovels. Because the existence of this nation is at stake for Ukraine," </span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">he told ABC News during an interview in Kyiv.</span></p><br /><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 10px 7px 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #800180;">The "prospects for passing any deal on immigration policy and Ukraine aid in the Republican-led House are near zero... House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is beholden to his right wing and to former president Donald Trump.... in a leaked call with GOP members, Johnson went further, saying he wouldn’t accept any Senate deal and that he doesn’t think the border issue can be solved until a Republican becomes president.... Johnson has no political motivation to move against his right wing and defy Trump to support a Senate compromise. Why give President Biden a win on the border going into the general election? Setting extremist standards for immigration reform was part of MAGA’s plan to kill both efforts all along." wrote <b><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/01/19/ukraine-aid-cut-likely-johnson-house-republicans/">Josh Rogin</a> </b>in The Washington Post 19 January 2024.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 10px 7px 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #800180;">Despite the huge American and Western aid amounting to more than $100 billion during 2023, its counterattack - which was much promoted - ended in great disappointment after Russia repelled it, and the Ukrainian army did not succeed in regaining the territory controlled by Moscow, which is estimated at a fifth of Ukrainian territory. If Kiev receives a large boost of US aid in 2024, as President Biden hoped, it may still have to consolidate its power and absorb the relentless Russian attacks.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 10px 7px 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center noted that Russia commenced 2024 with the biggest air and drone strikes since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, attacking civilians and infrastructure in cities including Kyiv and Kharkiv, as ammunition for Western-provided air defense ran out and debates continued in Washington on whether to provide more. With deflated expectations on territorial progress by Ukraine, and attention shifted to the Israel-Hamas war, international media has largely deemed the ongoing counter-offensive a failure and the war on Ukraine a stalemate.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 10px 7px 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #800180;">However, contrary the expectations of pessimists, Ukrainian strikes into the Black Sea and the Russian navy headquarters in Sevastopol crippled Russian naval efforts in the region and broken the long-standing blockade on Ukrainian trade. As recently as late December 2023, Ukrainian drone and missile strikes hit and destroyed key Russian warships and landing craft in occupied Crimea. Additionally, the Ukrainian military continued to repel Russian forces in cities in the east and south, inflicting possibly unsustainable manpower and equipment attrition on the Russian military.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 10px 7px 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #800180;">The dubious framing of the war as a stalemate had become an argument against further Western support for Ukraine and led some to push for negotiations with the Kremlin. Such narratives discount the substantial successes Ukraine enjoyed in the Black Sea and ignored the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin had shown no real indication of moving away from his maximalist war aims for conquest of Ukraine and imposition of a New Europe. Nor had Putin shown the political will to conscript the army needed to realize such ambitions.</span></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 10px 7px 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">The Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center proposed the key quesitns for the new year - </span><b style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">What does Ukraine need to succeed in 2024?</b> <b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">How did the media narrative of the failed counteroffensive form, and how can Ukraine’s Western allies best maintain international support for continued aid? What is the true danger of accommodating a continuously aggressive Kremlin?</span></b></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 10px 7px 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba stated 25 January 2024 that the gross domestic product of Ukraine and its allies is 21 times higher than that of Russia and its allies. The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported this in an interview with Foreign Affairs. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">"If you take the states that militarily support Ukraine and those that militarily support Russia, the combined GDP of our state and allies is 21 times greater than that of the Russian<b> "coalition,"</b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> Kuleba said. The minister emphasized that,</span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"> <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">"according to this, the world has enough resources for Ukraine's victory even in a war of attrition."</span></span></b></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 10px 7px 18px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">Kuleba emphasized that even when analyzing the ability to create coalitions, Ukraine exceeds the capabilities of the Russian Federation in this regard. "And it's funny, because Ukraine is not a member of the G7, and yet the G7 is much more united in helping Ukraine protect its interests. Russia is one of the founders of BRICS, but BRICS is much less supportive of the Russian Federation, even though it is supposedly a member of their families," said the minister.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 10px 7px 18px; text-align: justify;"></p></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-67934248752976515212024-02-03T06:27:00.000-08:002024-02-03T06:27:51.642-08:00ON THE MODERN DESIGN OF MILITARY OPERATIONS IN THE RUSSO-UKRAINIAN WAR: IN THE FIGHT FOR THE INITIATIVE<p><b>SOURCE :</b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ( ) <span> <u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">ON THE MODERN DESIGN OF MILITARY OPERATIONS IN THE RUSSO-UKRAINIAN WAR</span></u><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">: IN THE FIGHT FOR THE INITIATIVE:</span></u> <span style="color: #2b00fe;"> https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/24400154/ukraine-valerii-zaluzhnyi-essay-design-of-war.pdf</span></span></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span><span><span style="color: #800180;">( )</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></span><u style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red; font-family: var(--serif); letter-spacing: 0.165rem; text-align: center;">Technology, Complexity, Uncertainty, and Deterrence:</u><span><span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://sais.jhu.edu/kissinger/programs-and-projects/kissinger-center-papers/technology-complexity-uncertainty-and-deterrence</span></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span>( )</span><span><span><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><u style="color: red; font-family: var(--serif); letter-spacing: 0.165rem; text-align: center;">Technology, Complexity, Uncertainty, and Deterrence:</u><span><span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://mediahost.sais-jhu.edu/saismedia/media/web/files/kissinger/technology-complexity-uncertainty-deterrence.pdf</span></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #800180;">( ) </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red; font-family: cnn_sans_display, helveticaneue, Helvetica, Arial, Utkal, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: underline;">Exclusive: Ukraine must adapt to a reduction in Western military aid, embattled army chief says:</span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #2b00fe; font-family: cnn_sans_display, helveticaneue, Helvetica, Arial, Utkal, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: cnn_sans_display, helveticaneue, Helvetica, Arial, Utkal, sans-serif;">https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/01/europe/zaluzhnyi-ukraine-russia-war-analysis-intl/index.html</span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">( )</span><span style="color: red;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"> </u></span></b><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">The principles of operational art :</span></u></b><b><span style="color: #800180;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>https://www.google.com/search?q=The+principles+of+operational+art&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#ip=1</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">( )</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b><span face="roboto, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fcff01; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><b><u>Learnings from the Ukraine battlefield for armed forces: </u></b></span></span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.orfonline.org/research/learnings-from-the-ukraine-battlefield-for-armed-forces</span></b></span></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><b>ON THE MODERN DESIGN OF MILITARY OPERATIONS
IN THE RUSSO-UKRAINIAN WAR</b></span></u><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><b>:
IN THE FIGHT FOR THE INITIATIVE</b></span></u></span></p><p><b> <span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">By</span></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: cnn_sans_display, helveticaneue, Helvetica, Arial, Utkal, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.4px;"> </span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-family: cnn_sans_display, helveticaneue, Helvetica, Arial, Utkal, sans-serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.4px;"><b> Ukraine’s popular army chief Valery Zaluzhny </b></span></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9YDIxftt3Yvb49mh9BuYPJbOgUmwSHYUyey1fmkywkv0nVsOpUY2gDeUG-2Tt_Ay923Y6e42LzKMSculZPL_CdxRN8jJMXwBjMy7OH6Tcz4g8hvhA9NRqhsJ4slTGvklMupkGCCZVj7sM81EHR376eWwcabaoSCWEqPEcF3tuJIEw8uZRbFG0AuVnWzZ/s1027/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="1027" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9YDIxftt3Yvb49mh9BuYPJbOgUmwSHYUyey1fmkywkv0nVsOpUY2gDeUG-2Tt_Ay923Y6e42LzKMSculZPL_CdxRN8jJMXwBjMy7OH6Tcz4g8hvhA9NRqhsJ4slTGvklMupkGCCZVj7sM81EHR376eWwcabaoSCWEqPEcF3tuJIEw8uZRbFG0AuVnWzZ/s320/Capture.PNG" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><p></p><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div class="image__caption attribution" itemprop="caption" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; display: inline; font-family: cnn_sans_display, helveticaneue, Helvetica, Arial, Utkal, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; margin-top: 4px; order: 2; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span class="inline-placeholder" data-editable="metaCaption" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: inherit; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">The news about Zaluzhny comes as Russia's invasion of Ukraine is set to enter its third year.</span> [ </span></div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: cnn_sans_display, helveticaneue, Helvetica, Arial, Utkal, sans-serif;">Zelensky set to announce dismissal of Ukraine’s top commander within days as rift grows over war, source says : </span><span style="font-family: cnn_sans_display, helveticaneue, Helvetica, Arial, Utkal, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/31/europe/zaluzhny-oust-ukraine-army-zelensky-intl </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">]</span></span></b><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: cnn_sans_display, helveticaneue, Helvetica, Arial, Utkal, sans-serif;"></span></span></b></p><br /><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">Almost eighty years separate us from the last battles of World War II, which
became the basis of the strategic vision of the wars of the late twentieth and early
twenty-first centuries.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;"> Despite the rapid development of weapons and equipment, namely: aviation,
missiles and space assets, the development of communications and electronic
warfare, the victory strategy was to destroy the enemy and capture or liberate the
territory. At the same time, the forms and methods by which this was achieved
directly depended on the level of development and the number of weapons used. </span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">Of course, knowledge of the basics of strategy, operational art, tactics should
accompany the career growth of military specialists and serve to solve two main
tasks</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">The</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red;"> first one</span><span style="color: #800180;"> is probably secondary.<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> It consists in training of the commander
directly for the upcoming war with the task of predicting the situation of war that
will be at the beginning of hostilities. It is such a super-difficult task in the event
of a solution that allows you to rise to an occasion and give a worthy rebuff to the
enemy, bleed his strike forces and thereby buy time to seize the initiative. This
whole process involves huge risks and doubts, which are due to the presence of
only one chance to give decent resistance to smaller forces with limited resources</span></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">The</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red;"> second task</span><span style="color: #800180;">, in my opinion, is the main one –<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"> to find out in time the
requirements put forward by the war related to the development of technological
progress, and, as a result, the rapid development of weapons and equipment, the
political situation both in the world and in the state itself, the economic situation,
etc. And, therefore, for each war it is necessary to find only its own unique
strategy and logic, which will allow in new conditions to find the way to the
Victory</span></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">Speaking of our own particular strategy, we can in no way reject fully
existing doctrines that describe the process of preparing and conducting
operations. We just have to realize that they will be constantly changing and filled
with new content. </span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The principles of operational art will remain unchanged.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;">[ </span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: small;">https://www.google.com/search?q=The+principles+of+operational+art&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#ip=1 ]</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">Therefore, taking into account the requirements of today, our most important
task will be to adopt a new point of view on the forms and methods of using the
Defence Forces to achieve the Victory</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">The main reason for the change in the strategy, forms and methods of
employment of forces, of course, is the development of weapons and equipment,
especially unmanned systems, the use of which has become widespread and
allows to perform a wide range of tasks, which is constantly growing. Therefore,
unmanned systems, along with other advanced types of weapons, are almost the
only tool for withdrawing from military operations of a positional form, which
are not beneficial in terms of time for Ukraine for a set of reasons.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">At the same time, in the current situation, there are still a number of factors
that undoubtedly influence the decision to search for new forms of employment
of defence forces. Here some of them:</span></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;"> <i>unstable political situation around Ukraine, which leads to a reduction in
military support;</i></span></b></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;">exhaustion of our partners' stocks of missiles and ammunition for artillery
and air defence due to the high intensity of hostilities in Ukraine and the
impossibility of their rapid production against the background of the global
shortage of propellant charges;</span></b></i></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;">insufficient effectiveness of the sanctions policy, resulting in the deployment
of the capacities of the military-industrial complex in russia and its partner states,
which allows at least successfully waging a positional war of attrition;</span></b></i></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;">a significant advantage in the mobilization of human resources of the enemy
and the inability of state institutions in Ukraine to improve the state of manning
of the Defence Forces without a use of unpopular measures;</span></b></i></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;">''imperfection of the regulatory framework governing the military-industrial
complex in our country, and partial monopolization of this industry lead to
difficulties in the production of do</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #444444;">mestic ammunition, as a result - the deepening
of Ukraine's dependence on the supply of</span><span style="color: #fff2cc;"> </span><span style="color: #444444;">allies;</span></span></i><span style="color: #444444;"> </span>[ <span><span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://sais.jhu.edu/kissinger/programs-and-projects/kissinger-center-papers/technology-complexity-uncertainty-and-deterrence ] </span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> & </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> [ </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://mediahost.sais-jhu.edu/saismedia/media/web/files/kissinger/technology-complexity-uncertainty-deterrence.pdf ]</span></b></li><li><span style="color: #444444;"><b style="background-color: white;"> </b><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">uncertainty of the further nature of the armed struggle of such a scale as a
consequence of the complexity for our allies in determining the priorities of
support;</b></span></li></ul><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">The experience of combat operations by the Armed Forces of Ukraine,
especially in 2022-2023, is unique, and still remains only our heritage, and
therefore, constantly looking for a way to the Victory, obliges us to constantly
conduct an audit of existing capabilities, on which the result of combat operations
depends and look for ways to gain an advantage over the enemy. Moreover, using
the concept of the result of hostilities, we understand the conditions under which
the enemy will refuse further aggression, and it is the creation of such conditions
that is perceived as an effective use of the capabilities that are available in the
arsenal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">In view of the mentioned above, as well as in accordance with the conditions
of war today, perhaps the main option for gaining an advantage is to master the
entire arsenal of relatively cheap, modern and extremely effective assets that are
rapidly developing. It is the attempt to take advantage of the progress in the
development of new technologies that will allow to win the scientific, technical,
technological and tactical battle and will lead not only to the unconditional
Victory, but also to savings and conservation of resources both by Ukraine and
our partners</span></b></p><p><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">The need to significantly increase the capabilities of unmanned systems and
other advanced technological systems, to positively influence the course of
hostilities, as a consequence, encourages the search for new forms and methods
of use, which, in turn, will certainly affect the structure of both the Armed Forces
and other components of the Defence Forces of Ukraine.
It is possible to increase the impact of the</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red;"> UAS </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">and other newest systems on the
effectiveness of combat operations due to:<span> </span><i><span> </span></i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i><span style="color: #444444;"><b style="background-color: white;"> </b><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">continuous improvement of situational awareness of commanders and the
possibility of maintaining it in real time in the area of the operation both day and
night, in all weather conditions;</b></span></i></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="color: #444444;"><i style="background-color: white;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">round-the-clock maintenance of fires and strikes in real time;</i></span></b></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="color: #444444;"><i style="background-color: white;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">providing intelligence for the strikes in real time;</i></span></b></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="color: #444444;"><i style="background-color: white;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">inflicting accurate and high-precision strikes against the enemy and its
targets both at the forward edge of the battle area and in depth.</i></span></b></li></ul><div><b><span style="color: #800180;">Consequently, it is necessary to create a new design of operations based on
existing technological capabilities, which will be based not only on the spatial
and temporal indicators of military (combat) operations, but also mainly on the
creation of decisive conditions and the achievement of appropriate effects that
will contribute to the realization of the purpose of the operation.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #800180;">Based on the experience of combat operations and the forecast of the
development of armed struggle, such decisive conditions are the following:</span></b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span><i style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444; font-weight: bold;">achieving absolute superiority in the air, especially at altitudes that provide
effective fire engagement, ISR, and logistics;</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"><span> </span><b>[ </b></span></span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b style="background-color: white;">https://www.google.com/search?q=depriving+the+enemy+of+the+ability+to+conduct+offensive+or+defensive+operations%3B&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 ]</b></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">depriving the enemy of the ability to conduct offensive or defensive
operations;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"><b> [ https://www.moore.army.mil/mssp/PDF/adp3_90.pdf ]</b></span></span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b><b> </b></span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">increasing the mobility of own troops and completely limiting the mobility
of enemy troops; </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[ </span></b></span></span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.google.com/search?q=increasing+the+mobility+of+own+troops+and+completely+limiting+the+mobility+of+enemy+troops%3B&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#ip=1 ]</span></b></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="color: #444444;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">safe access to certain lines, taking control of important areas of the terrain;</span></i></span></b></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="color: #444444;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">depriving the enemy of the ability to restore the lost position and bolster
efforts.</span></i></span></b></li></ul><div><span style="color: #444444;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div></div><div><b><span style="color: #800180;">At first glance, these are absolutely conservative and classical conditions,
the achievement of which serves long-standing forms and methods. But this is
only at first glance, since the means of achieving them have already changed, and
the old assets, unfortunately, are increasingly a dream for the Armed Forces of
Ukraine, the ways of achieving them are changing first of all.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #800180;">In accordance with the presented idea of сreating defining conditions, the
process of achieving them, of course, will be ensured by solving a number of
operational tasks, and during the solution of each operational task, the necessary
effects will be created, due to the involved assets. And it is they who, at the
expense of technological superiority, should act differing from the template and
in accordance with at least the current doctrine</span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #800180;">The creation of the necessary effects, no doubt, today already radically leads
to changes in the system of employment. Thus, to implement the conditions for
creating the necessary effects, today it is necessary to consider as separate the
following:</span></b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">digital field creation operation </b></i></li><li><i><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">radio-electronic situation control operation;</b></i></li><li><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-style: italic;">combined attack operation of unmanned aerial vehicles and cyber assets;</b><b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>[ </span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.google.com/search?q=combined+attack+operation+of+unmanned+aerial+vehicles+and+cyber+assets&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 ]</span></b></li><li><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-style: italic;">logistic operation </b><b style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;"> </b><b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> [ </span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.google.com/search?q=logistic+operation&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 ]</span></b></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><b>All listed operations are already being mastered and developed. They are
conducted according to a single concept and plan, coordinated and interrelated,
but differ in content.</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span style="color: #800180;">Regarding the conduct of direct operations to achieve effects, presumably in their
content, they will essentially be defensive and offensive, but in terms of the
method of execution they might be the following:</span></b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">operation to reduce the economic capabilities of the enemy;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"> <b>[ https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/01/opinions/ukraine-army-chief-war-strategy-russia-valerii-zaluzhnyi/index.html ]</b></span></li><li><b><i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">operation of complete isolation and attrition; </span></i></b></li><li><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">robotic search and strike operation;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"> <b>[ https://www.google.com/search?q=robotic+search+and+strike+operation%3B&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 ]</b></span></li><li><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">robotic operation to control a crisis area;</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"> <b>[ https://www.google.com/search?q=robotic+operation+to+control+a+crisis+area%3B&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#ip=1 ]</b></span></li><li><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">psychological operation by attack assets;</span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">[</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"> https://www.google.com/search?q=psychological+operation+by+attack+assets&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 ]</span></b></li><li><b><i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">defensive technological contactless operation</span></i></b></li></ul></div><div><b><span style="color: #800180;">This list of operations will grow steadily with the development of the assets
themselves, and of course, will encourage changes in doctrinal documents and
the formation of an entirely new philosophy of preparation and conduct of
hostilities. The emergence of new independent operations or their combination
leads to the neccesity to create a new table of organization . All this will be
possible with a flexible and rapid response of state institutions to changes.</span></b></div></div><div><b><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #800180;">Thus, there are changes in the essence and content of classic defensive,
offensive and stabilization operations, the approach to planning and conducting
of which was usually linear and template-based. At the same time, these
operations were combined in essence, including according to the views of
partners. Along with this, the long-known concept of network-centric warfare in
new conditions, due to high-tech assets of armed struggle, finds its interpretation
not through the operations of troops, but through the creation of effects and the
achievement of decisive conditions with the help of appropriate capabilities.</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #800180;">In addition, I would like to note that in addition to improving the
effectiveness of combat operations, unmanned and other advanced technological
systems are able to solve a number of key problems in the organization and
conduct of combat operations of the Defense Forces of Ukraine:</span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="color: #444444;"><i style="background-color: white;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">increase the degree of non-contact conduct of hostilities and, as a result,
reduce the level of losses due to the possibility of remote control of these assets;</i></span></b></li><li><b><span style="color: #444444;"><i style="background-color: white;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">reduce the degree of involvement of traditional weapons in combat
missions;
ensure the conduct of hostilities with limited use of heavy military
equipment; </i></span></b></li><li><b><span style="color: #444444;"><i style="background-color: white;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">despite the lack of navy vessels, defeat both surface and submarine forces of
the enemy and its coastal infrastructure to almost the entire depth of the theater
at sea with high efficiency and minimal risk to personnel; </i></span></b></li><li><b><span style="color: #444444;"><i style="background-color: white;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">inflict massive sudden strikes against critical infrastructure facilities,</i></span></b></li><li><b><span style="color: #444444;"><i style="background-color: white;"> </i><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">important communications without the use of expensive in operation and
production missiles and manned aircraft.</i></span></b></li></ul><div><b><span style="color: #800180;">This list of advantages is incomplete and will undoubtedly change,
expanding the range of effective employment. Of course, on the battlefield, the
enemy will look for ways to protect and try to seize the initiative. Therefore, with
the development of the capabilities of attack systems, including unmanned ones,
it is extremely necessary to improve protection and counteraction systems. Thus,
in order to master new forms and methods, the Defence Forces need to create a
completely new state system of technological rearmament, which will include the
following subsystems: </span></b></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;">development and scientific support; </span></b></li><li><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;">production and maintenance;</span></b></li><li><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;"> training of personnel and generalization of combat experience;</span></b></li><li><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;"> use of troops (forces);</span></b></li><li><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;"> flexible financing;</span></b></li><li><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;"> logistics.</span></b></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Most likely, each of the subsystems will need separate research and
development in the future, but now it is safe to say that the system should be
holistic and at the same time flexible both to the entities that can be involved and
to finance and change production.</b></span></div></div><p></p><p><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Undoubtedly, all this will take time, but it is the time that is decisive.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">Taking into account the already existing system of employment, the
technical solutions found and the already established command and control
system and the experience gained, as well as according to the views of partners
in modern conditions, the creation of such a system with the required volume of
production can take up to five months. This term is due to the need to create
appropriate tables of organization and their manning and equipping, personnel
training, resource support, creation of the necessary infrastructure, logistics and
development of a doctrinal framework.</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">With this in mind, in 2024 we need to focus our main efforts on:</span></b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;">creation of a system for providing the Defence Forces with high-tech assets;</span></b></li><li><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;"> introduction of a new philosophy of preparation and conduct of hostilities,
taking into account restrictions; </span></b></li><li><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;">as a result, in the shortest possible time to master the new capabilities for the
conduct of hostilities.</span></b></li></ul><div><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: #fcff01;">So, we are talking about the fact that in modern conditions, the Armed
Forces of Ukraine, together with other components of the State Defence Forces,
have capabilities that allow not only to destroy the enemy, but also ensure the existence of statehood itself. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to take
advantage of the opportunities provided by the new conditions of war to
maximize the accumulation of the latest combat capabilities, which will allow
less resources to inflict maximum damage on the enemy, stop his aggression and
protect Ukraine from it in the future.</i></span></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-29367492586248098942024-01-12T01:14:00.000-08:002024-01-12T01:14:53.733-08:00 Beijing Grows Assertive as Chinese Private Military Companies ‘Come Out of the Shadows’<p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><u> SOURCE : </u></b></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">( ) </span><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">Beijing Grows Assertive as Chinese Private Military Companies ‘Come Out of the Shadows’ : </span></u><span style="color: #800180;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://jamestown.org/program/beijing-grows-assertive-as-chinese-private-military-companies-come-out-of-the-shadows/#:~:text=The%20article%20suggested%20that%20Beijing,Russia%20and%20the%20United%20States.</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #800180;"><b>( )</b> </span><span face=""Noto Sans", "Open Sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: #fcff01; font-weight: bold;"><u><span style="color: red;">China’s Private Army: Protecting the New Silk Road</span></u></span><span face=""Noto Sans", "Open Sans", sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"> :</span><span face=""Noto Sans", "Open Sans", sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe; font-weight: bold;">https://thediplomat.com/2018/03/chinas-private-army-protecting-the-new-silk-road/</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">( ) </span><u style="font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">The Rapidly Growing Market for Chinese Private Security Contractors in Africa</span></u><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f0f0f;"> : </span><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;">https://youtu.be/og1P4exF5lQ</span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/og1P4exF5lQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="og1P4exF5lQ"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><div class="style-scope ytd-watch-info-text" id="info-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: inline-flex; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 947.375px;"><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-info-text" id="info" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span class="style-scope yt-formatted-string bold" dir="auto" style-target="bold" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dec 19, 2019</span><span class="style-scope yt-formatted-string bold" dir="auto" style-target="bold" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string bold" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDz2SHOS0uIua4vhs-4R0h-P16Cw9n8cB" spellcheck="false" style-target="bold" style="cursor: pointer; display: var(--yt-endpoint-display,inline-block); overflow-wrap: var(--yt-endpoint-word-wrap,none); text-decoration: var(--yt-endpoint-text-regular-decoration,none); word-break: var(--yt-endpoint-word-break,none);">The China in Africa Podcast</a></b></span></yt-formatted-string></div><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Open Sans;"><b><i><ytd-watch-info-text class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" date-text-props="{"numberText":"","heightPx":20,"shouldAnimate":false}" detailed="" id="ytd-watch-info-text" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); display: inline-flex; vertical-align: top; width: 947.375px;" view-count-props="{"numberText":"","heightPx":20,"shouldAnimate":false}"><tp-yt-paper-tooltip class="style-scope ytd-watch-info-text" role="tooltip" style="cursor: default; display: block; left: 324.556px; outline: none; position: absolute; top: 46px; user-select: none; z-index: 1002;" tabindex="-1"></tp-yt-paper-tooltip></ytd-watch-info-text><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05);"></span></i></b></span><ytd-text-inline-expander always-show-expand-button="" class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" id="description-inline-expander" is-expanded="" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); contain: content; display: block; line-height: 2rem; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><yt-attributed-string class="style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap" role="text" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Open Sans;"><b><i>The recent kidnapping of three Chinese miners in the southwestern Nigerian state of Osun highlights the vulnerability that confronts the Chinese in many parts of Africa. Chinese companies are well-known for being willing to work in highly volatile regions, even amid civil wars in places like the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Mali among others.
Until recently, Chinese companies opted to not invest in security measures or contracted with international firms like G4S who've been active on the continent for many years. That's now starting to change as Chinese private security contractors see an opportunity to provide protective services to companies all along the Belt and Road including Africa.
In light of China’s “going out’’ policy, the need to support China’s State-Owned Enterprises that are investing in high-risk areas has expanded the Chinese market for security services," according to Dr. Alessandro Arduino, Co-Director of the Security & Crisis Management International Centre at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. "Risk assessment and mitigation in the African countries participating in the BRI requires a wide range of security services along both the maritime and land routes," he added in a recent column written for the China-Africa Research Initiative.
Dr. Arduino joins Eric to discuss the growing market for Chinese protective services in Africa and the risks confronting these security contractors who are operating in new, unfamiliar territory.</i></b></span></span></span></yt-attributed-string></ytd-text-inline-expander></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></p><h2 class="entry-author-line" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #302e34; font-family: "Myriad Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span face="Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #850003; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></h2><h2 class="entry-author-line" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "Myriad Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> </span><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Beijing Grows Assertive as Chinese Private Military Companies ‘Come Out of the Shadows’</span></u></span></b></h2><h2 class="entry-author-line" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "Myriad Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><br /></span></h2><h2 class="entry-author-line" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "Myriad Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large;">By: <span class="entry-author" itemprop="author" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;">Paul Goble</span></span></span></h2><div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large;"><span class="entry-author" itemprop="author" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKzjICRG_vztfaiauyigbXCcJdhmljGnHVsjoqtdzXgZnrCa45OxHmueoAn5zRHCTV352fVtSMYfOGm_bKVKJaRo-II6iBVs3sdcb0rEbOAPQJuKGMTe0aN5-dshzYsgex5E9G18qOXWZgOBbsL55pTPRhObojjdzA5CccTXi0oT-21HGXe1yLlxSfQFE/s441/Capture.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="441" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKzjICRG_vztfaiauyigbXCcJdhmljGnHVsjoqtdzXgZnrCa45OxHmueoAn5zRHCTV352fVtSMYfOGm_bKVKJaRo-II6iBVs3sdcb0rEbOAPQJuKGMTe0aN5-dshzYsgex5E9G18qOXWZgOBbsL55pTPRhObojjdzA5CccTXi0oT-21HGXe1yLlxSfQFE/w640-h352/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span face=""Myriad Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><b>(Source: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)</b></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><p class="entry-meta" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.333; margin: 0px; padding: 0.55556rem 0px 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="entry-date" itemprop="datePublished" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>January 11, 2024 </b></span></span></p><p class="entry-meta" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.333; margin: 0px; padding: 0.55556rem 0px 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span class="entry-date" itemprop="datePublished" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><div class="entry-content" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; counter-reset: footnotes 0; font-family: "Myriad Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 4.44444rem; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><p style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.333; margin: 0px 0px 1.333rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>For more than a decade, China has been using its own private military companies (PMCs) to guard Chinese facilities abroad, preferring to use them rather than rely on protection from local firms or PMCs from other countries. On occasion, Beijing will employ PMCs to put pressure on governments in other countries (see <a href="https://jamestown.org/program/is-china-about-to-deploy-private-military-companies-in-central-asia/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">EDM</a>, March 25, 2021). Until now, it has always done so without much fanfare. Chinese officials typically deny that PMCs play a role greater than merely defending Chinese interests. Beijing often chooses to call these entities by various other names to hide their true nature (Window on Eurasia, <a href="https://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2022/08/chinese-private-military-companies-now.html" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">August 25, 2022</a>, <a href="http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2023/12/chinese-pmcs-increasingly-active-in.html" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">December 28, 2023</a>). This approach has led Western analysts to stress the limited and defensive nature of Chinese PMCs in contrast to what they and others admit are the larger and more strategic actions of Russian and American PMCs (<a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/how-chinese-private-security-companies-in-africa-differ-from-russia-s-/7030946.html" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Voice of America</a>, March 31, 2023; Sukhankin, <a href="https://jamestown.org/program/an-anatomy-of-the-chinese-private-security-contracting-industry/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">“An Anatomy of the Chinese Private Security Contracting Industry,”</a> January 3, 2023). In the words of one Moscow commentator, Chinese PMCs have “come out of the shadows.” The analyst referred to a recent meeting in Beijing in December 2023 during which officials from the Chinese Foreign Ministry and officers of various Chinese security companies took part. Discussions during the event alluded to the broader role for these paramilitary forces in taking on a more assertive posture globally (<a href="https://fondsk.ru/news/2023/12/25/kitayskie-chastnye-voennye-kompanii-vykhodyat-iz-teni.html" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Fondsk.ru</a>, December 25, 2023).</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.333; margin: 0px 0px 1.333rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>The session in Beijing featured speakers who declared that China has no choice but to deploy even more PMCs around the world. They asserted that this is sorely needed as currently there are more than 47,000 Chinese companies employing 4.1 million people, including 1.6 million Chinese citizens, in some 190 countries. The meeting was followed by the publication of what can be described as a programmatic discussion of Chinese PMCs in the <em style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: inherit;">South China Morning Post </em>(SCMP). The article suggested that Beijing plans to expand its use of PMCs to pursue broader political goals (<a href="https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3246032/china-punches-private-security-protect-overseas-interests-hostile-unstable-regions" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">SCMP</a>, December 24, 2023). This public stance indicates that China feels that it can now use PMCs more openly due to the growth of Chinese power abroad and the declining influence of Russia and the United States. This, in turn, suggests that Chinese officials will deploy these entities more frequently and more broadly than in the past, allowing Beijing to defend its infrastructure on foreign soil and put additional political pressure on other countries.</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.333; margin: 0px 0px 1.333rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>These developments have attracted the attention of Central Asian countries that may become the targets of Beijing’s broader use of PMCs (<a href="https://inbusiness.kz/ru/last/kitaj-mozhet-aktivnee-nanimat-mestnye-chastnye-voennye-i-ohrannye-kompanii-prognoz" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Inbusiness.kz</a>, December 25, 2023). Moscow is also keeping a close watch, as, in the past, it has seen Chinese PMCs as allies and helpmates. The Kremlin must now confront the very real possibility that these Chinese entities are becoming competitors or even active opponents to Russian PMCs (<a href="https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/19618317" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">TASS</a>; <a href="https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/6425626" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Kommersant</a>, December 24, 2023;<a href="https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2023/12/25/1012711-kitai-budet-aktivnee-privlekat-chvk" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Vedomosti</a>, December 25, 2023).</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.333; margin: 0px 0px 1.333rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>China’s recent activities and other powers’ reactions are the outgrowth of developments over the past five years. Mission creep on the part of Beijing has increasingly focused on protecting economic interests, leading those entities deployed to fulfill related objectives to become more involved in political issues. This has elevated the nervousness of outside powers regarding China’s increased willingness to flaunt its growing power. (On the emergence of these trends, see <a href="https://jamestown.org/program/chinese-private-security-contractors-new-trends-and-future-prospects/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">China Brief</a>, May 15, 2020). The US reaction has been limited thus far. It will almost certainly intensify in the coming weeks, given rising tensions between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan, US concerns that Chinese PMCs may threaten American partners, and a growing interest in seeing how Chinese assertiveness may undermine Beijing’s cooperation with Moscow.</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.333; margin: 0px 0px 1.333rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Central Asia and Africa represent the two areas where the role of Chinese PMCs appears likely to expand most rapidly in the near term (Sukhankin, <a href="https://jamestown.org/program/chinese-pscs-achievements-prospects-and-future-endeavors/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">“Chinese PSCs: Achievements, Prospects, and Future Endeavors,”</a> November 20, 2023). In these two regions, some governments are weak. Outside groups like PMCs can play a major role at minimal cost, permitting those behind them to maintain a veil of deniability. (On Chinese moves in Central Asia, see <a href="https://jamestown.org/program/russia-china-dividing-responsibilities-in-tajikistan-is-conflict-possible/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">EDM</a>, December 7, 2021, and <a href="https://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2022/02/moscow-largely-unfazed-by-chinas.html" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Window on Eurasia</a>, February 15, 2022; on similar moves by Beijing in Africa, see Sukhankin, <a href="https://jamestown.org/program/the-hybrid-role-of-russian-mercenaries-pmcs-and-irregulars-in-moscows-scramble-for-africa/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">“The ‘Hybrid’ Role of Russian Mercenaries, PMCs and Irregulars in Moscow’s Scramble for Africa,”</a> January 10, 2020, and <a href="https://jamestown.org/program/china-and-russia-both-cooperating-and-competing-in-africa/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">EDM</a>, June 29, 2021.) As highlighted in the December meeting, given the breadth of Chinese involvement globally, Beijing may use its PMCs in similar ways elsewhere as well—wherever and whenever it senses weakness on the part of host governments or their Western supporters.</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.333; margin: 0px 0px 1.333rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>In the past, Russian observers expressed confidence that China would move cautiously in using PMCs for any broader political goals, though they were open to the idea that such Chinese actions might benefit Moscow by generating widespread chaos (<a href="https://ia-centr.ru/experts/evgeniya-kim/ekspert-kitayskie-chvk-v-kyrgyzstane-poka-ne-poyavyatsya-eto-risk/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Ia-centr.ru</a>, March 25, 2021). Western specialists have followed in their wake, assuming that China will invariably take the longer-term view and not take risks when it has reason to believe that history is moving in its direction. This perspective contrasts sharply with Russia, whose leaders have become embroiled in numerous troubles due to overreach in places such as Afghanistan or Ukraine (<a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/how-chinese-private-security-companies-in-africa-differ-from-russia-s-/7030946.html" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Voice of America</a>, March 31, 2023). Nevertheless, the words coming out of China regarding PMCs over the past month and Beijing’s actions on the ground suggest that China has decided to change course and that it has concluded now is an appropriate time to press forward and use PMCs in ways experts only a few years ago thought would happen in the distant future (<a href="https://www.currenttime.tv/a/china-private-military-companies/29746696.html" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; cursor: pointer; line-height: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;">Current Time TV</a>, February 2, 2019).</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.333; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>If that proves to be the case, then Chinese PMCs with names few in the West even know may soon displace Russia’s Wagner Group as objects of primary geopolitical concern. The very public nature of Beijing’s actions suggests that this is highly likely. These entities may prove even more dangerous than Russian PMCs, especially because the rise and expanded use of Chinese PMCs has so often been downplayed until now.</b></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-88814325630115536652024-01-10T01:19:00.000-08:002024-01-10T01:37:28.075-08:00Houthi Attacks and Military Escalation in the Red Sea: What’s at Stake?<p><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> SOURCE : </span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">( )</span><u style="font-family: "open sans", sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">Houthi Attacks and Military Escalation in the Red Sea: What’s at Stake?:</span></u><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-family: "open sans", sans-serif;"> https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/houthi-attacks-and-military-escalation-in-the-red-sea-whats-at-stake/</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><u><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span class="article-tag" face=""open sans", sans-serif" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 600; text-transform: uppercase;"><a href="https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/section/backgrounders/" style="box-sizing: border-box;">BACKGROUNDERS</a></span><span face=""open sans", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 600;"> </span></span></u></p><h1 class="article-title" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><u>Houthi Attacks and Military Escalation in the</u></span></span></h1><h1 class="article-title" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><u><br /></u></span></span></h1><h1 class="article-title" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><u> Red Sea: What’s at Stake?</u></span></span></h1><div class="article-meta" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #231f20; font-family: "open sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 600; margin: 0.5em auto 0.75em;"><br /></div><div class="article-byline" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large;">By <a href="https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/author/dsrpck/" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">Dr. Scott N. Romaniuk & Professor Christian Kaunert</a></span></div><div class="article-byline" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBb7xLBC86wYzGtiTIGEMFvG17_-uRCO-6xFtMfwsGwxfJLuHjPIyD111Rx4vgS0wGz6uuJDfY5_t4yuKmjt-c94FoAZJChLrLPlybpEig-5l6KFPQe-XQ7aBvKnnn01Hbkh4C4KWAdgk6svx1gCxOs2x544b1o_msoVJWvcUEp-KtNR_OQ-8UumZqovA/s962/Capture.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="962" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBb7xLBC86wYzGtiTIGEMFvG17_-uRCO-6xFtMfwsGwxfJLuHjPIyD111Rx4vgS0wGz6uuJDfY5_t4yuKmjt-c94FoAZJChLrLPlybpEig-5l6KFPQe-XQ7aBvKnnn01Hbkh4C4KWAdgk6svx1gCxOs2x544b1o_msoVJWvcUEp-KtNR_OQ-8UumZqovA/w640-h308/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="article-byline" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><br /></div><div class="article-byline" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"> <span class="article-date" style="box-sizing: border-box;">January 8, 2024</span></span></div><div class="article-byline" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans", sans-serif; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Since October 2023, the Houthi, an Iranian-backed Zaydi Shi’a militia operating under the alias Ansar Allah, have engaged in violent operations against international shipping in the vital Red Sea trade route using Iranian missiles, drones, and marine vessels. After Hamas’ incursion into Israel and subsequent vicious assaults on military and civilian targets, the Houthi initiated <a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-israeli-houthi-gaza-war-3e48ff43f1225ccd98c9a56929fb8f57" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">drone and missile attacks</a> from their Yemeni territory, the majority of which were intercepted by Israeli air defenses. Subsequently, the group directed its attacks towards vessels that it claimed had ties to Israel. The attacks have evolved into indiscriminate assaults, which have caused an escalating armed exchange in the Red Sea and its environs, and the potential exists for escalation into a more extensive geographical conflict.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">The Red Sea and Its Strategic Importance</span></em></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Shipping routes across the ocean are vital to international commerce. According to the <a href="https://cbiplogistics.com/en/post/shipping-history-and-big-data" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">International Chamber of Shipping</a>, sea transport accounts for 30 percent of all shipping containers and 90 percent of all global trade in goods, worth $14 trillion USD. The Red Sea, via the Suez Canal, is not only one of the most travelled commerce routes in the world, but it is also the quickest and shortest sea route between Asia and Europe.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>The canal is an essential component of one of the five most significant maritime routes, ranking second only to the English Channel and third after the Panama Canal; the Danish Straits and the Strait of Malacca, on the other hand, are the fourth and fifth busiest routes, respectively. Although the Red Sea is widely recognized as a strategically significant maritime passageway and region, its geopolitical context exacerbates the perilous nature of this choke point.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>The <a href="https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2021/may/suez-canal-and-global-trade-routes" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">Suez Canal facilitates the passage</a> of approximately 17,000 vessels annually, representing approximately 12 percent of worldwide commerce or nearly $1 trillion USD worth of merchandise, including crude and refined oil, electronics, sneakers, wheat, and electronics. According to a 2016 estimate by the Energy Information Administration of the United States (U.S.), an annual volume of six million barrels of oil passed through the Suez Canal and five million barrels through the Bab el-Manded Strait, colloquially referred to as the “Gate of Grief,” a narrow strait between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, slightly more than 17 nautical miles wide.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>The <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56533250" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">blockage of the Suez Canal in March 2021</a> resulted in a significant disruption to international trade. An estimated $9.6 billion USD (equivalent to $400 million USD per hour) worth of goods remained immobilized for days due to the lengthy queue of hundreds of ships unable to use the canal following the Ever Given mega-container ship’s grounding. The incident brought attention to the vital importance of the waterway and its logistical and infrastructural vulnerability. Similarly, armed conflict, which disrupts the continuous flow of goods through the Red Sea, significantly undermines the economic viability of the Suez Canal.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></em></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Military Reverberations off the Red Sea</span></em></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>In light of escalating Houthi attacks targeting major commercial shipping through the Red Sea, some major shipping companies have decided to avoid the dangerous conflict zone in favor of much longer and more expensive but comparably safer routes around the continent of Africa.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>The length of maritime journeys has been considerably reduced due to the Suez Canal, an artificial waterway that serves as an essential international trade route. As per the Suez Canal Authority, the shipping distance from <a href="https://www.suezcanal.gov.eg/English/MediaCenter/Animations/Pages/RoutesAndTimeSaving.aspx" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, to Rotterdam</a> via the Cape of Good Hope is 11,169 nautical miles. However, using the Suez Canal, which traverses the isthmus of Suez and provides vital navigational facilities between the Mediterranean and Indian Oceans, reduces this distance to 6,436 nautical miles, representing a reduction of 4,733 nautical miles, or 42 percent.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Shipments from <a href="https://www.suezcanal.gov.eg/English/MediaCenter/Animations/Pages/RoutesAndTimeSaving.aspx" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">Ras Tanura to New York</a> via the Suez Canal cover 8,281 nautical miles, thirty percent less than the 11,794 nautical miles needed to travel around the southern tip of Africa. For instance, transporting goods around the Horn of Africa and through the South Atlantic to their final destinations in Europe and North America necessitates additional fuel and time, which contributes to inflation and further emissions. Despite the failure of many governments to address this issue, the consequences have been severe for the livelihoods of people worldwide.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">One of the additional risks represented by other routes around Africa is the growing threat of piracy in the </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Gulf of Guinea and elsewhere </span><span style="color: #800180;">along the coast of southwest Africa. According to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) of the Commercial Crime Services (ICC), </span><a href="https://www.icc-ccs.org/icc_test/index.php/911-imb-warns-of-west-africa-piracy-threat#:~:text=Last%20year%20the%20number%20of,of%20attacks%20worldwide%20last%20year." style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">Nigerian piracy attacks</a><span style="color: #800180;"> have been on the rise and are at their greatest level since 2008. Of the total 51 reported attacks, 31 occurred in the West Africa region as a whole. This number accounts for 19 percent of all piracy incidents worldwide. According to the Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) of the IMB, piracy incidents in Nigerian waters have been surpassed by both </span><a href="https://shipsandports.com.ng/ghana-angola-overtake-nigeria-in-number-of-piracy-attacks/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">Ghana and Angola</a><span style="color: #800180;">, with “two-thirds of incidents taking place while ships were anchored or berthed.” The frequency of piracy along the African coast could potentially increase in the event that additional shipping is diverted away from the Red Sea.</span></b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red;">Significant financial repercussions have resulted from the Houthi attacks and the responses of businesses.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> Last year, </span><a href="https://www.anovamarine.com/news-insights/freight-cost-increase-and-expectations-for-2022-1/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">freight costs increased by 80 percent</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> within a single week. According to the </span><a href="https://www.freightos.com/freight-blog/shipping-delays-and-cost-increases/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">Freightos logistics company</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">, </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #800180;">Europe’s rates have increased by 173 percent, while Asia-Mediterranean costs have doubled, and carriers have implemented surcharges per container ranging from $500 to $2,700 USD.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> As major oil companies avoid the Red Sea, </span><a href="https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/houthi-attacks-and-military-escalation-in-the-red-sea-whats-at-stake/v" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">crude oil prices</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> have risen by 3 percent. The situation is further complicated by the recent cessation of oil production at the </span><a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/energy/2024/01/03/oil-prices-surge-on-libya-disruption-and-red-sea-attacks/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">El-Sharara oilfield</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">, located in the Murzuq basin in the southeast of Libya, which was prompted by protests. International oil and gas corporation British Petroleum, Hapag-Lloyd, the fifth-largest container shipping group globally, and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the largest shipping line globally, are among the largest multinational companies that have chosen alternative routes for transporting goods. After rerouting their vessels away from the Red Sea in response to Houthi attacks and the prospect of further assaults, other companies, including the Danish freight company Maersk, implemented fees to transport goods.</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>In late December, <a href="https://www.maersk.com/news/articles/2023/12/21/announcement-of-charges-in-relation-to-red-sea-gulf-of-aden-situation-from-far-east-asia" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">Maersk applied a transit distribution surcharge (TDS)</a>, which had an instantaneous impact on dozens of trade routes. After announcing that it would resume Red Sea voyages, the company stated that it would impose an <a href="https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/houthi-attacks-and-military-escalation-in-the-red-sea-whats-at-stake/emergency%20contingency%20surcharge%20(ECS)" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">emergency contingency surcharge (ECS)</a> on routes beginning in 2024 on the grounds that moving through the Red Sea involves a variety of risks and challenges, as well as disruptions in shipping schedules.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Just before the start of the New Year, an approximate fifty percent of container ships that routinely transit the Suez Canal and pass through the Red Sea avoided the waterway due to the escalating number of attacks. <a href="https://m.economictimes.com/small-biz/trade/exports/insights/charting-the-global-economy-maritime-attacks-drive-up-costs/articleshow/106414662.cms#:~:text=The%20tally%20compiled%20by%20Flexport,about%2018%25%20of%20global%20capacity." style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">Flexport Inc. reported</a> that hundreds of commercial vessels with a capacity of around 4.3 million containers—roughly 18 percent of the world’s capacity—had altered their courses or intended to do so. The most significant disruption to global trade since the pandemic has resulted from the Houthi attacks and subsequent militarization of the region.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></em></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">A Nexus of Geopolitical Tensions and Threats</span></em></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>The military confrontations in the Red Sea may be interpreted as a continuation of the Israel-Hamas dispute, encompassing significant non-state and state actors in the area and superseding national borders. Functioning as a proxy for Iran, the Houthi group is strategically located in the southeastern region of the Arabian Peninsula. This positioning enables them to effectively target international shipping. Similarly, Hezbollah, which is widely regarded as another proxy of Iran in Lebanon and has established a deep presence and influence within Lebanese society, poses a threat to Israel’s security from the north.</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Hezbollah is not merely a proxy of Iran; rather, it is a formidable military force that stands as an equal partner to Iran. </span><span style="background-color: white;">It strategically exploits Lebanon as a base of operations and has engaged in many aggressive actions, including launching rockets at Israeli positions, employing anti-tank missiles against armored vehicles, and executing strikes on military targets using explosive drones. In addition to these aggressive actions, </span></span><a href="https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/liran-avvisa-chiuderemo-il-mediterraneo-se-continuano-i-crimini-a-gaza/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">Iran has issued a threat that the Mediterranean Sea</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> could develop into a conflict zone should the U.S. and Israel persist in what Iran considers to be crimes against humanity in Gaza.</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Although Iran has refuted any role in the Red Sea attacks, the Houthi strikes have become increasingly indiscriminate, engaging in multiple assaults against commercial shipping via anti-ship missiles, drones, and attack craft. In one instance, the group boarded and seized an Israeli-owned ship and its personnel via helicopter. Yahya Sare’e, spokesman for the Houthi military, has confirmed the increasing frequency of the attacks, which were previously sporadic occurrences. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that it is a <a href="https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/this-is-a-time-for-war-netanyahu-quotes-bible-to-justify-israeli-onslaught-in-gaza/3038261" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">“time for war”</a> and that the Israel-Hamas conflict will last for “many more months,” he has also referred to it as Israel’s <a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-31/ty-article/.premium/where-will-netanyahus-second-war-of-independence-lead/0000018b-8169-df47-a3df-ff69e1790000" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">“second war of independence.”</a></b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">Sare’e has also declared that the</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"> “Yemeni Armed Forces affirm their continued support and solidarity with the Palestinian people in consistent with their religious, moral and humanitarian duty.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> The Houthis, who are </span><a href="https://www.newarab.com/Comment/2015/4/12/Houthi-propaganda-following-in-Hizballahs-footsteps" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">mobilized under the slogan</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> </span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: red;">“God is great, death to the U.S., death to Israel, curse the Jews, and victory for Islam,”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> have an estimated</span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;"> 100,000 fighters </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">at their disposal. This contributes to the ideological complexity of the conflict, which is still in its nascent phase despite including more states and non-state actors and having the capacity to escalate.</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Some states have already initiated a military response due to the imminent risk of further Houthi assaults on shipping. As a result, the geopolitical climate in and around the region of the Red Sea has evolved from a state of tension to a complex dispute and, presently, to a low-intensity conflict.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">A Multinational Security Initiative</span></em></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: #fce5cd;">The initial scope and complexity of the Israel-Hamas conflict have undergone a transformation, encompassing not only local but also international aspects. Following the escalation of Houthi assaults and the endorsement of Israel’s activities in Gaza by Western governments, the conflict’s arena in the Red Sea has evolved from targeting merchant ships to warships.</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><span style="background-color: white;">The implementation of the </span><a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3621110/statement-from-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-ensuring-freedom-of-n/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">US-led “Operation Prosperity Guardian,”</a><span style="background-color: white;"> a military-oriented effort involving the coordination of a multinational coalition to counter the Houthi attacks and the growing threats to international shipping and to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, has gone hand in hand with this since December 2023. The operation will</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> “jointly address security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with the goal of ensuring freedom of navigation for all countries and bolstering regional security and prosperity,”</span><span style="background-color: white;"> according to a public statement by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.</span></b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">With variegated contributions, the coalition task force is composed of the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;">United Kingdom (U.K.), France, Italy, Spain, Bahrain, the Seychelles, the Netherlands, Canada, and Greece. </span><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;">The U.K., for example, has sent several destroyers to serve alongside American and French warships. However, the task force has encountered reproach due to the inadequate contributions made by its members. Former </span><a href="https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defence/hms-queen-elizabeth-ex-royal-navy-commander-urges-defence-secretary-to-deploy-portsmouth-carrier-to-red-sea-4464422" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe</a><span style="background-color: white;"> opined that the U.K. should exhibit a greater degree of steadfast commitment to the operations. He emphasized the need for the British government to deploy the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth to the Red Sea, urging Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps to </span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">“get the carrier out the door.”</span></span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>The British government, however, has insisted that no additional vessels will be dispatched, citing apprehensions regarding a military escalation. This reluctance may be construed as an inability to comprehend the efficacy of one’s own military forces as well as the challenges associated with managing such complex conflicts while simultaneously alerting Houthi forces and other militant organizations to the constraints of their strategic and tactical options, planning, and implementation.</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #800180;">Other nations, specifically Canada, which is grappling with inherent recruitment challenges that have turned into a </span><a href="https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/canadian-armed-forces-facing-member-shortage-crisis-1.6344761" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">member-shortage “crisis”</a><span style="color: #800180;">; an ongoing </span><a href="https://theconversation.com/chronic-sexual-misconduct-in-canadas-military-is-a-national-security-threat-207196" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">crisis of sexual misconduct</a><span style="color: #800180;">; and severe </span><a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/defence-policy-canada-bill-blair-fall-economic-update-1.7034308" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">financial constraints</a><span style="color: #800180;"> amid further defense spending cuts, has only furnished three staff officers whose responsibilities remain uncertain. Amid the escalating naval tensions between China and the Philippines, Australia’s decision via the government of </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m69aUZq8VU" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">Anthony Albanese to abstain from providing warships</a><span style="color: #800180;"> has drawn criticism on the grounds that the country does not possess the necessary military capabilities and political competencies to guarantee freedom of navigation in the global litorals. Moreover, Australia has expressed its concerns about impending security demands in the Indo-Pacific. In response to the Houthi threats to Indian maritime traffic, the </span><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/navy-second-guided-missile-gulf-aden-9078131/" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">guided-missile destroyers INS Kochi and Kolkata</a><span style="color: #800180;"> have been deployed thus far.</span><span style="color: red;"> The deployment of these vessels is not in aid of the coalition force; instead, they are operating exclusively to secure India’s objectives.</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">State (In)action and Conflict Escalation</span></em></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>The Houthi group has advocated for the annihilation of Israel for years prior to the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October, but it took no action in response. In contrast, Hezbollah has characterized Hamas’ assault as <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/10/what-is-hezbollah-a-look-at-the-lebanese-armed-group-backing-hamas" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none;">“a decisive response to Israel’s continued occupation,”</a> thus regarding it not merely as an initiation but rather as an extension of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and more specifically as a reaction to how Hezbollah perceived Israel’s indiscriminately violent campaign against the Palestinian people.</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">In addition to escalating their assaults on ships traversing the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Houthi have continued to target Israel with cruise and ballistic missiles and drones.</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;"> The frequency of drone attacks perpetrated by Iran-backed militias against U.S. bases in Syria and Iraq, where the United States maintains 900 and 2,500 personnel respectively, has increased substantially since October 7, 2023. As of the first week of January 2024, there have been</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> </span><a href="https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2024/01/u-s-kills-commander-in-iranian-backed-militia-in-baghdad-strike.php" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">115 such attacks</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">. The al-Tanf garrison in Syria, the Bashur airbase in the vicinity of Iraqi Kurdistan’s Erbil city, and the al-Asad airbase in al-Anbar have been among the targets. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq and the Iraqi Shiite militia jointly issued an online statement wherein they </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">claimed responsibility for the attacks on American military installations involving so-called kamikaze drones.</span></b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">As the frequency of these assaults escalated, the United States responded by augmenting its military presence in the Middle East, dispatching an additional </span><a href="https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2023-10-31/troops-deploy-middle-east-attacks-syria-iraq-11897549.html" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">300 personnel</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> and launching retaliatory airstrikes against various militant groups, including Kata’ib Hezbollah (KH), or the Hezbollah Brigades, a radical Iraqi Shiite paramilitary organization. Given the increasing militarization and contestation in the region, it is not implausible that the U.S. and coalition powers will mount a more potent military response than the mere deployment of naval task forces. </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">At present, there are </span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">increasing demands on the </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Biden administration</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> to target Houthi strongholds,</span></span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"> which increases the likelihood of both horizontal and vertical escalation.</span></b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">President Biden has displayed a hesitancy to respond to escalating pressure to launch military operations against Houthi targets located within Yemen. Critics of employing military force against Houthi strongholds in Yemen might potentially contend that such an approach would serve Iran’s interests by enticing the U.S. into a proxy conflict and by heightening the likelihood of another expensive conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, both of which are presently navigating a precarious truce. </span><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: #800180;">On the contrary, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">Washington’s implied acceptance</span><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: #800180;"> of persistent Houthi attacks sets a precedent whereby they adopt a passive stance and essentially accept militant groups’ attacks without retaliation.</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>The notion of conflict escalation became increasingly prevalent throughout the Cold War, particularly with regard to the potential for nuclear exchanges between the two dominant global powers. Recent state and non-state interactions, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Israel-Hamas conflict in particular, have caused the escalation of military conflicts to deviate from the established parameters of explicit Rules of Engagement (ROE) and international humanitarian law (IHL). These rules and regulations determine what actions are considered appropriate, acceptable, or unacceptable. The unwillingness of many countries—particularly Western governments—to uphold or abide by international law as well as their inconsistent approaches to resolving international disputes make the problem worse.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Although the October 7th attack by Hamas has not yet precipitated a regional conflict in the Middle East, it has laid the groundwork for the commencement of new phases and arenas of military exchange and operations in adjacent environs. As noted, diverting international shipping to other longer routes that are also highly susceptible to maritime piracy elevates the opportunities for militant groups operating well beyond the Middle East and its peripheral areas, especially given the ever-increasing demand for and attraction of oil as a vital energy commodity. Comparable to the Red Sea, Iran perceives the Eastern Mediterranean as a potential flashpoint region, thereby augmenting the probability of armed confrontation in that area.</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">The increasing tensions and military engagements in the Red Sea have the potential to attract more nations into the dispute, thereby escalating an already limited military exchange into a more extensive and protracted conflict. This is primarily due to the critical nature of the waterway, which affects all states, albeit to varying degrees, but also because states’ compliance with the U.S. as a de facto security guarantor in the region cannot be guaranteed.</span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #cc0000;"> This has already been reflected in the refusal of various governments to participate in the joint naval task force, and by their decision in some cases to act externally to the combined operation.</span></b></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"><u><span style="color: red;">Landlocked Ethiopia,</span></u><span style="color: #800180;"> a country of more than 120 million inhabitants—the second-most populous country in Africa—officially disbanded its naval headquarters in Adis Ababa in 1996, and its navy ceased to exist. Its only military watercraft, a tiny patrol boat, operates on Lake Tana.</span></span><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"> However,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> like other states in the region,</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #800180;"> “Ethiopia’s existence as a nation is linked to the Red Sea,” which depends on “balanced mutual sharing,” as Ethiopian Prime Minister </span><a href="https://www.africanews.com/2023/10/26/red-sea-ethiopia-will-not-assert-its-interests-through-war-assures-abiy-ahmed/#:~:text=In%20a%20televised%20speech%20on,landlocked%20Ethiopia%20and%20its%20neighbors." style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; text-decoration-line: none;">Abiy Ahmed expressed</a><span style="color: #800180;"> last October.</span></span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>The potential for nations to respond in a unilateral, disproportionate, or otherwise unconventional manner, which may incite violent responses from neighboring states and non-state actors in the vicinity. Whenever states act unilaterally and in pursuit of their own national interests, there are inherently perilous consequences, particularly when they conflict with the interests of other nations or actors. As an extension of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, the developing Red Sea conflict has already demonstrated its potential to act as a perilous precursor to additional destabilizing actions by various geopolitical actors.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Despite the historical significance of de-escalation, economic considerations, the imperative to ensure secure navigation in the Red Sea, and the self-interest of nations may serve as a legitimate justification and pretext for extending military operations into additional regions in the Middle East to counter other militant groups. Such a course of action has the potential to yield unanticipated and exponential effects.</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">It is plausible to suggest that states vying and competing for control of global supply chains could spark modern power struggles and conflict.</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></span><span><i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">While scholars have posited that economic interdependence is crucial for preserving structural peace and stability, as evidenced by the absence of major interstate conflict in the Asia-Pacific comparable to the Second World War, disruptions in interdependence may also fuel great power politics and provide opportunities for desperate competition among states or for some states to ensnare vulnerable parties rendered even more susceptible to supply chain deterioration or the inaccessibility of commodities and critical economic resources. Such economic opportunism and coercion could occur anywhere, as historical evidence demonstrates the existence of instances of this type of power politics.</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> </span></i><b style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">This situation gives rise to additional questions and concerns regarding the potential occurrence of conflict, which may be precipitated by heightened economic competition, further complicated by limited access to global supplies and resources.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Pathway to a Wider Conflict?</span></em></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><span style="background-color: white;">With the war in Gaza nearing its 100th day, the Houthi assaults on vessels in the Red Sea underscore the intricate nature of this conflict and the need to carefully contain it and prevent its escalation beyond its current boundaries.</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> </span></b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The regional political landscape and the current security situation have significantly influenced the wider consequences of the Israel-Hamas conflict and Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza and against the Palestinian people.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> These dynamics have revealed the challenging nature of mobilizing Western and international responses, the risks of taking unilateral action, and the limitations, whether due to the willingness or capabilities of national contributions, in resolving the escalating situation.</span></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"><u>Furthermore,</u></b> <i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">the U.S. has demonstrated its reluctance and the challenging position it faces as a security provider while being closely aligned with Israel as its primary regional partner, which has exhibited little self-control in its retaliatory actions against Hamas and a tendency to extend its security practices beyond its borders.</span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> This is illustrated by the military assaults on Houthi weapons storage facilities in Yemen, which the Israel Defence Force (IDF) is believed to have orchestrated, according to the Saudi-owned </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ2UuKJLxMk" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; font-weight: 400; text-decoration-line: none;">Al-Hadath news network</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">. Although every state has an interest in stabilizing the situation in the Red Sea, their influence varies.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Presently, the situation is deteriorating, and while there is a greater sense of urgency to find a solution, the absence of adequate security management and the failure to prioritize the shared security requirements within and beyond the Red Sea region are among the most problematic aspects of the situation.</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><span style="color: #800180;"> <b> ________________________________________</b></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><u style="font-size: 1.125rem;"><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Dr. Scott N. Romaniuk </span></b></u><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>is a Newton International Fellow at the University of South Wales’ Faculty of Life Sciences and Education, the United Kingdom, and a Non-Resident Fellow at the Taiwan Centre for Security Studies (TCSS), ROC.</b></span></span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.4; margin: 1.5em auto;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Professor Christian Kaunert is Professor of International Security at Dublin City University, Ireland. He is also Professor of Policing and Security, as well as Director of the International Centre for Policing and Security at the University of South Wales. In addition, he is Jean Monnet Chair, Director of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence and Director of the Jean Monnet Network on EU Counter-Terrorism (www.eucter.net). Previously, he served as an Academic Director and Professor at the Institute for European Studies, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, a Professor of International Politics, Head of Discipline in Politics, and the Director of the European Institute for Security and Justice, a Jean Monnet Centre for Excellence, at the University of Dundee.</b></span></em></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-47055403818107880132024-01-09T07:41:00.000-08:002024-01-09T07:41:05.594-08:00IRAN UPDATE, JANUARY 8, 2024 <p><b><u><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">SOURCE :</span></u></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"> ( )</span><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;"> </span></u></b><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">IRAN UPDATE, JANUARY 8, 2024</u><span style="background-color: white;"><u style="color: red;"> :</u><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-january-8-2024</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">( ) </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVTnxuT6G4pLcuoYbBL4QnqJ_OEeza9l1qmW36Exuzmdft9z8yOsLRquBvnqTuDyVXal7T9c1z-ZdfIPo2FftSA0gZGgKpbyaWU5yxWR-fr3SLuwRlubrWoFsLRUY8fxFU0HVI4QOpac7abRMvI5zh6apsaOrBd1EUP0YCTj3WQWePmb4V9kkiFi6AO7x/s670/Capture.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="670" data-original-width="583" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVTnxuT6G4pLcuoYbBL4QnqJ_OEeza9l1qmW36Exuzmdft9z8yOsLRquBvnqTuDyVXal7T9c1z-ZdfIPo2FftSA0gZGgKpbyaWU5yxWR-fr3SLuwRlubrWoFsLRUY8fxFU0HVI4QOpac7abRMvI5zh6apsaOrBd1EUP0YCTj3WQWePmb4V9kkiFi6AO7x/w556-h640/Capture.PNG" width="556" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iran Update, January 8, 2024</u></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Ashka Jhaveri, Kathryn Tyson, Amin Soltani, Johanna Moore, Annika Ganzeveld, Alexandra Braverman, and Brian Carter</span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Information Cutoff: 2:00pm EST</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The Iran Update provides insights into Iranian and Iranian-sponsored activities abroad that undermine regional stability and threaten US forces and interests. It also covers events and trends that affect the stability and decision-making of the Iranian regime. The Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) provides these updates regularly based on regional events. For more on developments in Iran and the region, see our</span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </span></b></em><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/661fd12b23f442b781be64cf323ef573/?draft=true" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">interactive map of Iran and the Middle East</em></a><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</em></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="font-size: large;"><b>Note</b></u><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">: </span><b>CTP and ISW have refocused the update to cover the Israel-Hamas war. The new sections address developments in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as noteworthy activity from Iran’s Axis of Resistance. </b></em><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>We do not report in detail on war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. We utterly condemn violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.</b></em></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click </em><a href="https://isw.pub/IsraelBattleMap" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b>here</b></span></em></a><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">to see CTP and ISW’s interactive map of Israeli ground operations. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.</span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u>Key Takeaways:</u></span></span></strong></p><ol style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">PIJ released a video on January 8 showing one of its Israeli hostages appealing for a renewed hostage exchange with Israel, which is an effort to pressure the Israeli government to agree to a ceasefire.</span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari reported on January 8 that </span><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">the war “shifted to a stage” that will involve fewer ground forces and airstrikes in the Gaza Strip.</span></b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The IDF killed a senior commander in LH’s Radwan Unit, Wissam Hassan al Tawil, in an airstrike on January 8.</span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Tawil’s death in southern Lebanon indicates that <span style="color: red;">LH is not complying with UNSC Resolution 1701, which mandates that LH cannot deploy military forces south of the Litani River.</span> UNSC Resolution 1701 ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War.</i></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cc0000;">Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba spokesperson Hussein Moussawi stated that the Islamic Resistance in Iraq—a coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias—conducted an attack targeting Haifa, Israel, on January 7 to signal to Israel its ability to attack targets </span><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">“beyond [Haifa].”</span></b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">An Iraqi official close to the Shia Coordination Framework claimed on January 7 that the framework recently “authorized” Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al Sudani to discuss the removal of US forces from Iraq with the US Government.</span></li></ol></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTJanuary%208%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTJanuary%208%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Gaza Strip</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Erode the will of the Israeli political establishment and public to launch and sustain a major ground operation into the Gaza Strip</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Degrade IDF material and morale around the Gaza Strip.</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u>Palestinian militias are continuing to report attacks in the northern Gaza Strip to their higher headquarters after their fighters return to rear areas.</u></strong> </span><i style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">The delays in reporting may indicate a loss of command and control over some units that are engaged with Israeli forces, </i><span style="color: #800180;">as CTP-ISW previously assessed.</span><span style="color: red;"><b>[1]</b><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Hamas’ military wing, the al Qassem Brigades, claimed on January 8 that its fighters “returned from the [frontlines in northwest Gaza City]” and reported that they fired anti-tank rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) at an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Engineering Corps armored personnel carrier.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[2] </span></b><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">These fighters' inability to communicate with higher headquarters until returning to rear areas means that their commanders may be unable to transmit orders to fighters engaged with the IDF.</span><span style="color: #800180;"> These possible difficulties in command and control extend to other Palestinian militia groups fighting in the northern Gaza Strip. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine’s (PFLP) military wing, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, claimed on January 8 that it </span><b><span style="color: #800180;">reestablished </span><span style="color: red;">”contact with combat units”</span> </b><span style="color: #800180;">and confirmed that its fighters targeted three IDF vehicles with unspecified weapons in Tuffah in the northern Gaza Strip.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[3]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #800180;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The IDF continued clearing operations in the Central Governorate of the Gaza Strip on January 8.</strong> </span><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF 179th Armored Brigade (assigned to the 99th Division) located a tunnel shaft, weapons, and thousands of dollars in an unspecified area in the central Gaza Strip.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[4]<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Golani Brigade (assigned to the 36th Division) and 188th Armored Brigade (assigned to the 36th Division) located a weapons production facility in Bureij that the IDF said was the largest weapons facility that Israeli forces have discovered since the Israel-Hamas war began.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[5] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF reported that the facility included long-range rockets, explosives materiel, drones, light weapons, and tunnel shafts 30 meters underneath the facility. The al Qassem Brigades claimed that its fighters clashed with Israeli forces that attempted to recover a Hamas-held hostage in the central Gaza Strip on January 8.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[6] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Golani Brigade called in an airstrike targeting a weapons depot containing long-range rockets in Maghazi</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[7]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine’s (DFLP) military wing, the National Resistance Brigades, was the only militia that claimed attacks on Israeli forces in the Central Governorate of the Gaza Strip on January 8. The militia said that its forces clashed with Israeli forces with “heavy weapons” northeast of Deir al Balah.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[8]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The IDF 7th Armored Brigade expanded clearing operations in southern Khan Younis on January 8</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[9]</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Israeli forces searched military infrastructure near civilian homes and uncovered a tunnel shaft in the area of a school</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">.[10] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Palestinian fighters fired RPGs at Israeli forces that returned fire with tanks and air support.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[11]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Israeli special operations forces (SOF) located more than ten Palestinian fighters who were launching rockets into Israeli territory and directed a drone strike on their position.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[12] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The IDF 55th Paratrooper Brigade (assigned to the 98th Division) targeted several Palestinian fighters who emerged from buildings in Khan Younis on January 8.</span>[</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">13]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The Israeli Air Force conducted airstrikes on 30 targets, including underground tunnels and weapons depots, in Khan Younis on January 8.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[14]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian militias continued attempts to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Khan Younis on January 8. The al Qassem Brigades claimed that it conducted four attacks on Israeli infantry and armor in Khan Younis on January 8.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[15]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The militia detonated an anti-personnel improvised explosive device and fired small arms targeting Israeli forces inside a school in Khan Younis City.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[16] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Quds Brigades clashed with Israeli forces using small arms and RPGs as Israeli forces advanced in the northern, eastern, and central areas of Khan Younis.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[17]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades fired RPGs at Israeli forces in central and eastern Khan Younis City.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[18]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/IDFORBATGaza_1.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="657" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/IDFORBATGaza_1.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">CTP-ISW's map of IDF dispositions is based on Israel Defense Forces public announcements and reports from Israeli military correspondents who have traveled with the IDF into Gaza.</b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"><b> </b></span></span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">We do not use information that has not been released by the IDF in these maps. The unit locations on this map are notional, and the map does not attempt to depict any unit’s precise location.</span></span></em></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20January%208%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20January%208%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20January%208%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20January%208%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">PIJ released a video on January 8 showing one of its Israeli hostages appealing for a renewed hostage exchange with Israel, which is an effort to pressure the Israeli government to agree to a ceasefire</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">.</span></strong><span style="color: red;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[19]</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian militias’ demands for a renewed hostage-for-prisoner deal include the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and an end to the war, neither of which are compatible with Israeli war aims.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[20] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli Army Radio reported that the hostage referenced information in recent Israeli media.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[21]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cc0000;">IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari reported on January 8 that the war </span><span style="background-color: #cc0000; color: white;">“shifted to a stage” that will involve fewer ground forces and airstrikes in the Gaza Strip.</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">22]</span></span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large;">Hagari’s comments to the </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">New York Times </em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #800180;">are consistent with the reports of Israeli forces withdrawing reservists from the Gaza Strip and transitioning to targeted raids in the northern Gaza Strip.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[23</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told the </span></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wall Street Journal </em><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large;">on </span><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: large;">January 7 that Israeli forces would shift from the “intense maneuvering phase of the war” to special operations</span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large;">.</span><b style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">[24]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large;"> Gallant cautioned that the conflict</span><b style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"> “will last for a longer time”</span></b> <i><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #800180;">as </span><span style="color: red;">Israel has not abandoned its stated war objectives.</span></span></i></span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The World Health Organization (WHO) halted a medical aid delivery to the northern Gaza Strip on January 7 in the absence of safety guarantees</span>.</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[25]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="color: #800180;">This marked the fourth cancellation since December 26 of the mission to sustain operations at five hospitals in the north. The WHO said that heavy bombardment, restrictions on movement, and interrupted communications make delivering medical supplies regularly and safely across the Gaza Strip, particularly in the north “nearly impossible.”[</span><b><span style="color: red;">26]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israeli forces are clearing areas in Bureij and Nuseirat In the central Gaza Strip.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Palestinian militias conducted three rocket attacks into Israel from the Gaza Strip on January 8.</strong> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades fired a rocket salvo targeting Tel Aviv.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[27]<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades have only conducted four rocket attacks into Israel from the Gaza Strip since December 21, indicating that Israeli operations have degraded Hamas’ rocket capability.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">28]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The al Quds Brigades separately fired rockets targeting Sderot and Nir Aam in southern Israel on January 8</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[29]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20January%208%2C%202024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20January%208%2C%202024.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20January%208%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20January%208%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><b>Recorded reports of rocket attacks; CTP-ISW cannot independently verify impact.</b></span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">West Bank</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward the West Bank and fix them there</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters 13 times across the West Bank on January 8.</span></u></strong><span style="color: red;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[30]</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">This level of attacks is consistent with daily attack counts in the West Bank over the past week. The al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades fired small arms targeting Israeli forces seven times in major cities in the West Bank including Jenin, Nablus, and Tulkarm.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[31]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Tulkarm Battalion of the al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades fired small arms at Israeli forces at an Israeli checkpoint in Tulkarm.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[32]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Unspecified Palestinian fighters clashed with Israeli forces in Beit Ummar, north of Hebron.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[33]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The IDF said that it arrested ten wanted individuals and seized weapons during operations across the West Bank.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[34]</span></b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20January%2008%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20January%2008%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><b>This map is not an exhaustive depiction of clashes and demonstrations in the West Bank.</b></span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Southern Lebanon and Golan Heights</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward northern Israel and fix them there</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Set conditions for successive campaigns into northern Israel</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: rgb(252, 229, 205); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF killed a senior commander in LH’s Radwan Unit, Wissam Hassan al Tawil, in an airstrike on January 8</span><span style="color: red;">.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[35]</span></strong><span style="color: #800180;"> LH-affiliated media Al Mayadeen reported that Tawil was a senior commander and that he is responsible for many attacks against IDF targets on the Israel-Lebanon border since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[36] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">LH said that Tawil assisted in planning and reconnaissance operations in southern Lebanon since 1992</span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">. </strong><span style="color: #800180;">He also participated in the planning for the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers along the Israel-Lebanon border, which sparked the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[37]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Tawil was involved in LH weapons manufacturing and oversaw the Radwan Unit’s operations in southern Lebanon, according to Israeli and Western reporting.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[38]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> LH denied that Tawil was the commander of the Radwan Unit.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[39]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> LH's Radwan unit was established by the IRGC Quds Force and is the group’s special operations forces unit focused on infiltrating Israeli territory.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[40] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli media</span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="color: #800180;">reported that the IRGC Quds Force, particularly the Sabeerin Commando Battalion, provides the Radwan Unit with military and financial support.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[41] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Sabeerin Battalion specializes in military intelligence.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[42] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Anonymous LH officials told the </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wall Street Journal</em><span style="color: #800180;"> that LH transferred Tawil from Syria to southern Lebanon approximately one month ago.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[43] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF did not confirm if Tawil was the target of an Israeli airstrike.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">Tawil’s death in southern Lebanon indicates that LH is not complying with UNSC Resolution 1701, which mandates that LH cannot deploy military forces south of the Litani River. UNSC Resolution 1701 ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War.</i><b><span style="color: red;">[44] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Multiple senior Israeli officials have said that Israel seeks a diplomatic agreement to implement UNSC Resolution 1701 and push LH military units north of the Litani River.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[45] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">These officials have said that they will resort to military means if diplomatic means fail.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[46] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli media reported in late December that LH began withdrawing its Radwan Unit from the Israel-Lebanon border, and some IDF officials reported</span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </em><span style="color: #800180;">that the IDF believed that airstrikes targeting LH fighters had forced LH to withdraw some of its forces northward.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[47]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Tawil’s presence in southern Lebanon suggests that at least some elements of the Radwan Unit, including senior leaders, remain in southern Lebanon to plan and execute attacks against Israel.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Iranian-backed fighters, including LH, conducted nine attacks from southern Lebanon into northern Israel on January 8</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">.</span></strong><span style="color: red;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[48]</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">LH targeted Israeli military infrastructure and soldiers with anti-tank guided munitions, rockets, and other unspecified weapons</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[49] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF reported it intercepted a "suspicious aerial target” that crossed from southern Lebanon into Israeli airspace near Kiryat Shmona</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[50]</span></b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20January%208%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20January%208%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Recorded reports of attacks; CTP-ISW cannot independently verify impact.</span></b></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red; font-size: large;">Iran and Axis of Resistance</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Demonstrate the capability and willingness of Iran and the Axis of Resistance to escalate against the United States and Israel on multiple fronts</span></b></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Set conditions to fight a regional war on multiple fronts</span></b></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The Islamic Resistance in Iraq conducted a one-way drone attack targeting US forces in Syria on January 8.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Islamic Resistance in Iraq targeted US forces stationed at the Rumaylan Landing Zone in Syria.</span><span style="color: red;">[<b>51]</b></span></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20January%208%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="673" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20January%208%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The IDF said on January 8 that it killed a Hamas commander in Syria responsible for launching rockets from Syria into northern Syria</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;"><b>[</b></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>52]</b> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The IDF targeted Hamas commander Hassan Akasha in Beit Jin, Rif Dimashq Governorate, Syria. This strike demonstrates that Hamas has the necessary infrastructure and personnel in southern Syria to target Israel.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">Western media reported on January 8 that Israel intensified its air campaign in Syria over the last three months, killing 19 LH members there</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</strong><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[53]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Reuters reported that the number of LH members killed in Israeli airstrikes over the last three months is double the amount of LH members killed during the rest of 2023 combined. Israeli media reported on December 28 that recent Israeli airstrikes in Syria targeted IRGC and IRGC-affiliated actors facilitating Iranian weapons shipments to LH.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[54]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Israeli media added on December 30 that Iran accelerated its weapons transfers to LH in anticipation of a wider war with Israel.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[55]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> An Israeli airstrike targeting the IRGC’s military headquarters in Sayyidah Zainab, Syria, on December 25 killed a senior IRGC commander who oversaw Iranian materiel shipments to LH.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[56]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">President Ebrahim Raisi re-emphasized the Iranian regime narrative that the United States and Israel created ISIS at a meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Tajikistan Rostam Imam Ali on January 8.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[</strong><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;"><b>57</b></span></span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">]</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><i style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #800180;">Raisi said that fighting terrorism, organized crime, and drugs is one of the “requirements” of Iranian-Tajik cooperation.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[58]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Raisi added that Iran and Tajikistan face “common issues” as neighbors of Afghanistan. The Afghan branch of the Islamic State, known as the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), claimed responsibility for the Kerman terrorist attack on January 4.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[59]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Iranian Intelligence Ministry said on January 5 that one of the two bombers responsible for the attack was a Tajik national who traveled from abroad to conduct the attack.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[60]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> An ISKP member and Tajik national conducted a separate terror attack targeting the Shah Cheragh Shrine in Shiraz, Fars Province in August 2023.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[61]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Iran opened a drone production facility in Tajikistan in May 2022 as part of its counterterrorism and security cooperation with Tajikistan.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">62]</span></b></i></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><u><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">IRGC-affiliated media reported that Iranian security forces killed a purportedly Jaish al Adl-affiliated individual in Bampur City in Sistan and Baluchistan Province on January 8</strong>.</u></span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[63]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #800180;">IRGC-affiliated media linked the individual to the December 15 Jaish al Adl attack on a police headquarters in Sistan and Baluchistan Province.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[64]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Jaish al Adl was also likely responsible for an IED attack near Zahedan on December 19.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">65]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Jaish al Adl also attacked a police station in Zahedan, Sistan and Baluchistan Province in July 2023</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[66]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A UK-based, Middle East-focused outlet reported that LH Representative to Iraq Mohammad Hussein al Kawtharani traveled to Baghdad on January 5 to “coordinate an escalation in operations” against US forces in Iraq.</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[67]</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The outlet reported that Kawtharani told Iranian-backed Iraqi factions that the Axis of Resistance should do everything possible to remove the United States from Iraq. Kawtharani’s visit to Baghdad on January 5 marks his first trip to Iraq in two years.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[68] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">His visit also coincides with LH Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah’s speech on January 5 in which Nasrallah called on Iranian-backed Iraqi militias to expel US forces from Iraq.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[69] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The US Treasury Department sanctioned Kawtharani in August 2013 for promoting LH’s interests in Iraq, including LH’s efforts to provide “training, funding, political, and logistical support to Iraqi sectarian armed groups.”</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[70]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The US State Department announced in April 2020 that Kawtharani “facilitates the actions of groups operating outside the control of the Government of Iraq that have violently suppressed protests, attacked foreign diplomatic missions, and engaged in wide-spread organized criminal activity.”</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[71]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba spokesperson Hussein Moussawi stated that the Islamic Resistance in Iraq—a coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias—conducted an attack targeting Haifa, Israel, on January 7 to signal to Israel its ability to attack targets “beyond [Haifa].”</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[72]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Moussawi made this statement in an interview with LH-affiliated outlet al Mayadeen on January 8. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed on January 7 that it conducted a long-range cruise missile attack targeting Haifa.[</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">73</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">] Moussawi claimed that the Islamic Resistance in Iraq seeks to disrupt US “plans” in the Middle East and Israeli “occupation efforts” in the Gaza Strip. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has previously claimed attacks on targets outside of Iraq and Syria. The group claimed an unspecified attack targeting a “vital target” in the Mediterranean Sea in late December 2023, for example.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[74]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> CTP-ISW assessed at the time that the Islamic Resistance in Iraq and the Axis of Resistance more broadly were signaling their capability and willingness to attack maritime targets beyond just the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[75]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">An unspecified source told Iraqi media on January 7 that many “armed Iraqi factions” have vacated their headquarters and military sites in urban areas following the January 4 US self-defense strike that killed a senior Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba (HHN) official.</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[76]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> “</strong><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #800180;">Armed Iraqi factions”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> very likely refers to Iranian-backed Iraqi militias, given the context of the January 4 US strike that killed a senior HHN official. The unspecified source also told Iraqi media that some Iraqi militia leaders are periodically changing their place of residence to avoid being targeted. The United States reported that the HHN official, Mushtaq Jawad al Jawari, was “actively involved in planning and carrying out attacks against US personnel.”</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[77]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">An Iraqi official close to the Shia Coordination Framework claimed on January 7 that the framework recently “authorized” Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al Sudani to discuss the removal of US forces from Iraq with the US Government. </strong>The Shia Coordination Framework is a loose coalition of Iranian-backed political parties. Members of the framework have increasingly pressured Sudani to order the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq in recent weeks. This statement is noteworthy given that the Shia Coordination Framework does not have the authority to direct Sudani’s actions.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">Two unspecified small craft approached a commercial vessel 50 nautical miles southeast of Mokha, Yemen on January 8</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">. </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Mokha, Yemen is controlled by the UAE-backed, pro-Yemeni government National Resistance Forces. The two boats did not display any weapons and did not engage the commercial vessel.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[78]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="1" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; float: none; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">References</u></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[1] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-january-6-2024" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-january-6-2024</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[2] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1271" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1271</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[3] <a href="https://t.me/kataebabuali/10592" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebabuali/10592</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[4] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1744252547114606847" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1744252547114606847</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[5] <a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1744422381278376189;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1744422381278376189;</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1744416458669523405;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1744416458669523405;</a> <a href="https://www/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www</a> dot timesofisrael dot com/on-gaza-civilian-evacuation-road-idf-uncovers-largest-hamas-rocket-factory-to-date/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[6] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1265" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; 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vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1744252108801511642; https://twitt...</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1744252547114606847" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1744252547114606847</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[14] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1744251829993570351" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1744251829993570351</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[15] ; ; ; <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1269" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1269</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[16] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1268" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1268</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[17] <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17168" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17168</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; 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margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.axios.com/2024/01/01/hamas-israel-hostage-deal-proposal-reje...</a> <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13667;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13667;</a> <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13666" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13666</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[21] <a href="https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1744381171088199836" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1744381171088199836</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[22] <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/01/08/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news/israel-confirms-it-has-begun-a-new-phase-of-the-war-in-gaza?smid=url-share" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/01/08/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[23] <a href="https://twitter.com/Doron_Kadosh/status/1743717767386222615;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/Doron_Kadosh/status/1743717767386222615;</a> <a href="https://www.idf/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.idf</a> dot il/170066; <a href="https://www.timesofisrael%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.timesofisrael dot</a> com/as-2024-begins-idf-releases-5-brigades-from-gaza-but-says-fighting-likely-all-year/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[24] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israels-yoav-gallant-we-are-fighting-an-axis-not-a-single-enemy-2408ef96" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israels-yoav-gallant-we-are-fighti...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; 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margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5466; https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2717; ...</a> <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2725" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2725</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[31] <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5466;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5466;</a> <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2717;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2717;</a> <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2718;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2718;</a> <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2720;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2720;</a> <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2721;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2721;</a> <a href="https://t.me/AymanGouda/5914;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/AymanGouda/5914;</a> <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2725" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2725</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; 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padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[67] <a href="https://amwaj/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://amwaj</a> dot media/article/exclusive-hezbollah-rep-returns-to-iraq-ahead-of-expected-escalation</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[68] <a href="https://amwaj/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://amwaj</a> dot media/article/exclusive-hezbollah-rep-returns-to-iraq-ahead-of-expected-escalation</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[69] <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/43370" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/43370</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[70] <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm546" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm546</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[71] <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-iraq-hezbollah-idUSKCN21S233/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-iraq-hezbollah-idUSKCN21S233/</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[72] <a href="https://www.almayadeen/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.almayadeen</a> dot net/news/politics/-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AC%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%A1--%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%86--%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%81-%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%A7-%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B8%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A7---%D9%88%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[73] <a href="https://t.me/elamharbi/212" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elamharbi/212</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[74] <a href="https://t.me/elamharbi/167" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elamharbi/167</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[75] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-23-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-23-2023</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[76] <a href="https://shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://shafaq</a> dot com/ar/%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%80%D9%86/%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D9%82%D8%B5%D9%81-%D8%A8%D8%BA%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D9%81%D8%B5%D8%A7-%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%A9-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%B0%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%A9</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[77] <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense/2711163/us-confirms-responsibility-for-baghdad-strike-targeting-militia-leader/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense/2711163/us-confirms-re...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[78] <a href="https://twitter.com/UK_MTO/status/1744303249681793090" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/UK_MTO/status/1744303249681793090</a></span></b></p></div></div></div><h3 id="tagtitle" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"> Tags </u></span></h3><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> Iran Project </u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></u></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u> File Attachments: </u></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTJanuary%208%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1988472">DraftIsraelCOTJanuary 8,2024.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20January%208%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1600788">Gaza Clearing Map January 8,2024.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20January%208%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1829982">Gaza Evacuation Zone Map January 8,2024.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20January%208%2C%202024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1133401">Southern Israel Battle Map January 8, 2024.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20January%208%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2365324">Gaza IDF Battle Map January 8,2024.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20January%2008%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1699413">West Bank Battle Map January 08,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20January%208%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=4790456">Regional Battle Map January 8, 2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20January%208%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1620080">Northern Israel Battle Map January 8,2024.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/IDFORBATGaza_1.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=650228">IDFORBATGaza.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/jpeg" /></span><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Babel%20Street%20email%20logo_0_28.jpg" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/jpeg; length=18200">Babel Street email logo_0.jpg</a></span></b></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-83576230491828163212024-01-07T08:48:00.000-08:002024-01-07T09:11:19.124-08:002023: THE REVENGE OF HISTORY<b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><u>SOURCE :</u></span></b><div><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> ( ) </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red; font-weight: bold;">2023: THE REVENGE OF HISTORY:</u><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: white;"> <b> </b></span></span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b>https://engelsbergideas.com/essays/2023-the-revenge-of-history/</b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><br /></u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><br /></u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><br /></u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><br /></u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; text-decoration-line: underline;">2023: THE REVENGE OF HISTORY</span></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="background-color: white; text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><ul class="flex <xs:flex-col gap-2 items-center justify-center body-sm uppercase font-light" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; align-items: center; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; font-family: Inter; gap: 0.5rem; justify-content: center; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;"><li style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large;">DECEMBER 26, 2023</span></b></li><li style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large;">HELEN THOMPSON</span></b></li></ul><ul class="flex <xs:flex-col items-center justify-center body-xxs uppercase font-light" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; align-items: center; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; font-family: Inter; justify-content: center; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;"><li style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large;">THEMES: <span class="font-medium" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;">GEOPOLITICS </span></span></b></li><li style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: x-large; text-align: center; text-transform: none;"><i><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></i></b></li><li style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><br /></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Inter; font-size: large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Inter; font-size: large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b> </b></span></span></div><ul class="flex <xs:flex-col items-center justify-center body-xxs uppercase font-light" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; align-items: center; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; font-family: Inter; justify-content: center; line-height: 1.5; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;"><li style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><b style="font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: x-large; text-align: center; text-transform: none;"><i><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #444444;">Events in Europe and the Middle East in 2023 shattered the idea that history had reached a stable plateau. The world is a more dangerous place at the year’s end than it was at the start.</span></i></b></li><li style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: x-large; text-align: center; text-transform: none;"><i><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></i></b></li><li style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: x-large; text-align: center; text-transform: none;"><i><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></i></b></li><li style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px;"><b style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: x-large; text-align: center; text-transform: none;"><i><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><br /></span></i></b></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Inter; font-size: large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Inter;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #800180; font-size: x-large; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-aUnpHn3orpeKZuwk0puk-lWURc71LhO9IQ8AEC9NajsrMgn7mbOt1JO8Gq4PG47JNX9phgFT0Rc_Vfh0oq5D-jLSUM5BbFkMh53wwVjfgs1Pk6LvwRjOxqQkIXliw5DX7WNW-fgge6dvkmdUqQZxZe4wfbRqh1T3g5X1Wmf9qepL7JhovNvjMGcbgAI/s865/Capture.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="542" data-original-width="865" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-aUnpHn3orpeKZuwk0puk-lWURc71LhO9IQ8AEC9NajsrMgn7mbOt1JO8Gq4PG47JNX9phgFT0Rc_Vfh0oq5D-jLSUM5BbFkMh53wwVjfgs1Pk6LvwRjOxqQkIXliw5DX7WNW-fgge6dvkmdUqQZxZe4wfbRqh1T3g5X1Wmf9qepL7JhovNvjMGcbgAI/w640-h402/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; text-transform: uppercase;"><b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><div><span style="font-family: Inter;"><span style="background-color: white; text-transform: uppercase;"><b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div>Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Fumio Kishida at the Hiroshima memorial, 21 May 2023. Credit: G7 Pool / Alamy Stock Photo</span></b></span><br /><b style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large; text-transform: uppercase;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><span style="color: #800180;">This was a year – 2023 – that found new ways to shatter the</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span><a href="https://engelsbergideas.com/essays/the-end-of-history-ends/" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">End of History</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"> hope that the nightmarish spectres of the 20</span><sup style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #800180; font-family: CrimsonText; margin: 0px;">th</sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"> century had been buried in the 1990s under the promise of peaceful change to political borders, and global material advancement across them. What began with the horrors of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine – for land catastrophically fought over by Hitler and Stalin – ended with the return of Jerusalem to centre stage as a place for people to take sides in a highly dangerous moral reckoning about the meaning of world history.</span></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Inter; font-size: large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><b><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;">For Ukraine, even when bursts of optimism have punctured the gloom it has been wrenched from misery. After visiting the Hiroshima Memorial Park on a trip to Japan for the </span><a href="http://engelsbergideas.com/essays/the-bonn-summit-and-the-road-to-globalisation/" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">G7 summit</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"> in May, Volodymyr Zelensky</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/21/europe/hiroshima-bakhmut-zelensky-g7-intl/index.html" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">compared</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;">the pictures on display to the fate of the town of Bakhmut, which the Russian army had, in capturing, destroyed. Despite the hopes that Kyiv could repeat this summer the successful counter-offensives that last year saw Ukrainian troops retake the city of Kherson and significant territory in the Kharkiv Oblast, Russia’s manpower advantages are now exercising their pull. For all of Ukraine’s resilience, its self-defence must rely on poor Russian military performance in relation to its resources. That is why the enormous toll of the lengthy Russian effort for such a </span><a href="https://unherd.com/2023/12/the-madness-behind-the-battle-for-bakhmut-2/" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">small gain</span></a><span style="font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #800180;">in Bakhmut had paradoxically offered brief hope. </span></span><i style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">In the last weeks of the battle,</i><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></i></span><a href="https://engelsbergideas.com/notebook/prigozhins-coup-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-putin/" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Yevgeny Prigozhin</span></i></a><span style="font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #800180;">repeatedly raged about insufficient ammunition and massive casualties who were not replaced.</span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> There was, he pronounced, ‘nothing left </span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/21/europe/hiroshima-bakhmut-zelensky-g7-intl/index.html" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">to grind the meat</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;">with’ in Bakhmut. The month after Russia seemed to have established control allowing the regular army to replace the Wagner soldiers, Prigozhin marched his loyalists towards Moscow. But while Putin seemed for a few days in late June to be at risk of being overwhelmed by the very men to whom he had entrusted the war to avoid large-scale conscription, the moment also quickly passed.</span></span></b></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Inter; font-size: large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: CrimsonText;"><i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">In moving to a new defensive stance across the existing line that would appear to foreclose a big strategic loss for Russia, Ukraine is now badly exposed to Western indifference.</span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> Even providing the military and economic support on which Ukraine depends simply to protect the territory it retains is contested in European and North American domestic politics. Last year, Ukraine largely floated above democratic conflicts, as if asking probabilistic questions about its future and the sacrifices required to support its independence was a taboo that could not be broken without succumbing to the</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://engelsbergideas.com/reviews/ukraine-states-realism/" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">cold realism</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: CrimsonText;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: CrimsonText;">over Ukraine’s prospects on which Putin had mistakenly gambled in launching the invasion. </span><span style="font-family: CrimsonText;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">By the early autumn of this year, Ukraine was mired in the trade-offs of Western politics, before, </span><span style="background-color: red; color: white;">on 7 October, attention lurched southwards toward Jerusalem and stayed there.</span></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: CrimsonText;"><span style="background-color: red; color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><b><i><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div><div><b><i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;">For</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"> </span><a href="https://engelsbergideas.com/notebook/how-israel-lost-sight-of-its-enemies/" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);">Israel</a><span style="font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;">, </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;">Hamas’ pogrom that day brought a reckoning with a prior complacency supposing that transnational economic exchange can eventually ride roughshod over the most bitter territorial conflict. The big prize of the bid to normalise relations with the Gulf Arab kingdoms was expanding </span><a href="https://engelsbergideas.com/essays/how-israel-reset-the-energy-map/" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Jewish-Arab economic interdependence</span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"> beyond that already founded over the last decade by Israel’s emergence as a significant regional gas exporter. In this spirit, Benjamin Netanyahu’s government launched a </span><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-to-begin-promoting-railway-linking-haifa-seaport-with-saudi-arabia/" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">‘Tracks for Regional Peace’</span></a><span style="font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><span style="color: #444444;"> programme in 2017, </span><span style="color: red;">the centrepiece of which was a railway running from Haifa to Dubai. Since its construction requires a formal peace between Israel and all the Arab states through whose territory the track would be laid, it became pivotal to </span></span><span><a href="https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israel-uae-1001351884" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">the Abraham Accords</span></a><span style="color: red; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"> and to what Israel hoped to </span><a href="https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-753037" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">gain</span></a></span><span style="font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><span style="color: red;"> from the US-Saudi talks on normalisation prior to 7 October. </span><span style="color: #444444;">With the Memorandum of Understanding signed in September 2023 to establish an </span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/09/09/fact-sheet-world-leaders-launch-a-landmark-india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor/" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);">India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor</a><span style="font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;">,</span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"> the Netanyahu government appeared to believe that it had within its grasp a future where Israel would be protected by economic interdependencies flowing from the rapidly growing south-Asian markets through the oil-rich Persian Gulf to Europe via Israel’s Mediterranean coast.</span></span></i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">Of course, whatever the economic reward, any land transport route established to bypass the Red Sea and the Suez Canal inevitably had a geopolitical motive. </b><i><span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">Here,</span><b><span style="color: red;"> <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Israel, and India</span></span></b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;"> have a common interest in containing the threat to freedom of navigation through the Red Sea posed by the Iranian-backed Houthis since the outbreak of the civil war in Yemen in 2014.</span></span></i><b style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> But that very motivation has unravelled Netanyahu’s bid for an economically-driven peace. An anti-Iranian move could not be made without regard to the Palestinians when the Palestinians in Gaza are led by an Iranian-backed group. Now, the</b><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://time.com/6548968/houthi-rebels-shipping-attacks-red-sea-disrupt-global-economy-costs/" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Houthis have closed the Bab al-Mandeb</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold;">– the entrance to the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden – to all shipping bearing the flag of a state they deem hostile to the Palestinian cause, starting with Israel, hugely complicating much existing regional trade.</span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Inter; font-size: large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">Rather than successfully detach the Palestinians from the conditions for peace in the Middle East, Netanyahu only intensified Israel’s predicament. His </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">‘peace’ project </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">rested on a division of labour in stopping major Palestinian violence, whereby Hamas – </span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">with Israel facilitating the transit of Qatari money </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">– ruled in Gaza, technology in the form of the Iron Dome and the Gaza Barrier protected Israel from rocket attacks, and the IDF prevented an uprising in the occupied West Bank. Instead under this folly, on 7 October, Israel found its southern border was less secure than ever.</span></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Inter; font-size: large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;">Behind Netanyahu’s spectacular misjudgement lay two ahistorical conceits.</span><span style="font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"> <span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">The first </span><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;">assumed that the cause of Palestinian nationhood was politically defunct when the singular history of Palestinian nationhood is its </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">resilience</span><span style="background-color: white;">. As the likely fate of the 100,000 Armenians expelled this year from the Azerbaijani region of </span></span></span><a href="https://engelsbergideas.com/essays/armenias-existential-moment/" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Nagorny-Karabakh</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #800180;">will testify, those dispossessed by conflicts over territory are generally forgotten. During the long middle of the twentieth century, the Arabs of British-ruled Palestine were one of many peoples forcibly displaced from their ancestral lands. But alone among all the millions of people across Eurasia who suffered this fate, the Palestinians have never accepted defeat in claiming back the land that they lost, even during periods when their fate has seemed hopeless. Indeed, since the 1960s they have constructed such a potent idea of Palestinian nationhood that it is strengthened externally at the very times the Palestinians suffer most from their political weakness. It is, this year has emphatically demonstrated, far too late for the Palestinian claim to Israel’s territory in the name of the Palestinian nation to disappear into the history of those other peoples who were in the same time period forced to detach their national or religious identity from their homelands. This does not mean that the Palestinians will one day secure what they want, but rather that Israel cannot make remotely prudent choices as if Palestinian nationhood has been defeated by the long-term absence of a Palestinian state.</span></span></b></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Inter; font-size: large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">Netanyahu’s </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">second fatal mistake</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> came from the assumption that Hamas could be treated as something other than a millenarian sect for whom genocidal violence against the Jews is redemptive and the suffering of Palestinians a tool to realise an Islamic universal history. Hamas’ territorial ambition of overthrowing the Israeli state is inseparable from a religious conviction, evident in parts of all three of the world’s Abrahamic faiths, that divine providence makes Jerusalem the place where this earthly world will end. </span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://unherd.com/2023/12/the-tomb-of-palestinian-liberation/" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);">This apocalyptic obsession</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;">was made manifest in Hamas naming its terror on 7 October after the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> </span></span><i><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">It also grounds the alliance between Hamas and the present Iranian leadership beyond geopolitical convenience.</span></i><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">It was the new revolutionary regime in Tehran that proclaimed in 1979 that a Quds (Jerusalem) Day would be held on the last Friday of Ramadan to oppose Zionism. The religious fervour that sees Iranian leaders regularly call on Quds Day for the </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">‘Death of Israel’</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> also marked the extra-territorial Quds force created by General </span></span><a href="https://engelsbergideas.com/essays/we-need-to-see-these-terrorist-groups-through-their-own-mindsets/" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Qassem Soleimani</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #800180;">to support Iranian proxies from Yemen to Lebanon to Gaza. Of course, there may be reasons to doubt whether Iranian politicians mean what they say about Jerusalem and the end of Israel: after all Iran did covert oil business with Israel through the first years of the revolution while instigating Quds Day and Israel’s nuclear arsenal deters any direct Iranian attack. Yet this rhetoric, allied as it is to Iran’s attempted geopolitical encirclement of Israel from Gaza to southern Lebanon to Syria to the</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://nationalinterest.org/feature/arming-west-bank-look-iran%E2%80%99s-new-israel-strategy-206588" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);">Iranian-backed groups in the West Bank</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;">,</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"> keeps alive Jerusalem’s bloody history over three millennia where every once religious victor in time has lost the city and can only encourage Hamas’ faith that eventually it will prevail.</span></b></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Inter; font-size: large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><i><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">While seemingly shattered, each illusion remains alive.</span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;"> Netanyahu</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;"> still has no vision of the future that can accommodate any political manifestation of Palestinian nationhood and his failure here only reinforces the unwillingness of many outside Israel to recognise Hamas’ purposes and their relation to Iran for what they are.</span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> But these last months of 2023 have also made clear that this ongoing blindness goes far deeper than anything that can be explained by what the Israeli government has done by killing thousands of civilians in Gaza or what Netanyahu misjudged prior to 7 October. </span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">This is especially true in those Western countries whose democratic political discourse rests on historical amnesia about the violence in which most states originate.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> Here, an ideal of political life has been separated from all past historical experience, including the curse of centuries of antisemitism. The evident impulse to sacralise the terrible suffering of Palestinian civilians and detach it from all the other moral disasters inherent to the conflict places, yet again, the world’s collective burden of historical evils on the Jewish people. Since this urge has most clearly</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/4366498-wide-generation-gap-persists-on-views-around-israel-hamas-war-poll/" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;">arisen</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"> in the very state that must act as Israel’s primary external guarantor and where a bloc of other voters are in thrall to Christian prophecies about the end times occurring in Jerusalem, this year has ended on a </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><span style="color: #444444;">terrifying note.</span></span></b></div><div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Inter; font-size: large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;">Seen this way, </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;"><b>2023 was the year when the horror inflicted by Hamas in the name of Jerusalem on Israel to invite unbearable suffering back on the Palestinians in Gaza most viciously mocked the End of History narrative.</b></span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;"> Only Germany could ever be deemed an End of History state, reunified as it was with Berlin as its capital entirely by peaceful consent, and willing, after Helmut Kohl’s initial temptation to reopen old territorial grievances, to accept the Oder Neisse line, leaving the 12 million Germans expelled from the lands over which Hitler and Stalin fought to historical memory. To generalise from this moment even about Europe was strange, especially when the Soviet Union’s dissolution reworked state borders overnight in line with a federal polity worked out by Lenin in the early 1920s to advance a now defeated alternative historical vision. But in the Middle East, any idea that events in Germany in 1990 marked an end to territorial conflict was quite delusional. During the first years of the post-war world, Jerusalem, just like Berlin, was severed across an East-West axis by an international border. </span><b style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #444444;">By the end of the 1990s, the status of a still divided Jerusalem was the biggest single obstacle to Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation reaching a peace settlement on the basis of the Oslo Accords. </b><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Indeed</b>,</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;"> <b>for Jerusalem, the very idea that there was ever an End of History – in the liberal sense – seemed absurd, when for many people it remained the place where the meaning of religious history would be played out.</b></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Inter; font-size: large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold;">The millenarian turbulence refired in late 2023 need not mean that the world is heading towards more wars over territory. The Russian mobilisation problems that drove Prigozhin’s rage over Bakhmut raise a profound question of just what people are willing to sacrifice for issues around land and identity. If Putin ever had any confidence that millions of Russian men were willing to kill and die to wreck Ukraine, he would not have put so much of the Russian war effort in the hands of men who could threaten the regime. Meanwhile, many Iranians </span><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/37d1e797-6832-4a1f-8597-2aa774a8234d" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: white; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">loath</span></a><span style="font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> the regime’s territorial expansionism, especially that directed against Israel, as reflected in the opposition slogan ‘Neither Gaza, Nor Lebanon; My Life for Iran’. Even in wars of self-defence, as Ukraine has discovered, human fighting power is hard to sustain. </b><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">Tellingly, those in Israel who were most worried before 7 October that Netanyahu was courting disaster in relying on technology for military protection, like the former IDF general Yitzhak Brick,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b></span><b><a href="https://www.israeltoday.co.il/read/delusional-or-prophetic-one-idf-general-warned-a-massacre-would-happen/" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px; margin: 0px; text-decoration-color: inherit; text-decoration-style: inherit; text-decoration-thickness: inherit; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, border-color, color, fill, stroke; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;">charged</span></a><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"> that the state’s weakness was that its army was too weak to deter the kind of terror Hamas launched.</span></b></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Inter; font-size: large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-family: CrimsonText; font-size: 22px;"><b><i><span style="color: #171717;">But however hard land wars are for twenty-first century states, the world is undeniably a more dangerous place at this year’s end than it was at the start. People across the globe have once again been drawn towards the conflict in the long contested, and still divided, city of Jerusalem. </span><span style="color: red;">They are bringing to what they choose to see and ignore in Israeli and Palestinian suffering a scarcely understood desire for religious struggle, not least in those societies once deceived by the End of History illusion.</span></i></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Inter; font-size: large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><div class="heading-sm uppercase" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: #f5f4f0; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #171717; font-family: CrimsonText; letter-spacing: 0.025em; line-height: 1.375; margin: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">AUTHOR</span></b></div><h2 class="heading-lg" style="--tw-ring-color: rgba(59, 130, 246, .5); --tw-ring-inset: var(--tw-empty, ); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; background-color: #f5f4f0; border-color: rgb(229, 229, 229); border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #171717; font-family: CrimsonText; letter-spacing: 0.025em; line-height: 1.25; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Helen Thompson</span></h2></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Inter; font-size: large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Inter; font-size: large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-61281940231056582212024-01-04T20:47:00.000-08:002024-01-05T05:21:29.972-08:00SALAFI-JIHADI MOVEMENT UPDATE SPECIAL EDITION: ETHIOPIA-SOMALILAND PORT DEAL ALTERS HORN OF AFRICA COUNTERTERRORISM AND RED SEA GEOPOLITICS <p><span style="color: #800180;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><u>SOURCE :</u> </span></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">( ) </span></b></span><b><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red; text-transform: uppercase;">SALAFI-JIHADI MOVEMENT UPDATE SPECIAL EDITION: ETHIOPIA-SOMALILAND PORT DEAL ALTERS HORN OF AFRICA COUNTERTERRORISM AND RED SEA GEOPOLITICS</span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #004060; text-transform: uppercase;"> : </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; text-transform: uppercase;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/salafi-jihadi-movement-update-special-edition-ethiopia-somaliland-port-deal-alters-horn</span></b></p><p><b><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-transform: uppercase;"> </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #800180; font-size: large; text-transform: uppercase;">SUMMARY OF ETHIOPAIN GEOPOLTICS ON</span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-transform: uppercase;"> </span></b></p><p><b><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; text-transform: uppercase;"> </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #800180; font-size: large; text-transform: uppercase;">HORN OF AFRICA</span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: #f2ece0;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: medium;">Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with the de facto independent Somaliland Republic, a breakaway region of Somalia, to lease a naval port that will give it Red Sea access in exchange for formally recognizing Somaliland. The port deal has severely strained Somali-Ethiopian relations and increased anti-Ethiopian sentiment in southern Somalia, which will likely weaken regional counterterrorism cooperation and energize al Shabaab. Ethiopia’s African Red Sea neighbors in Djibouti, Egypt, and Eritrea will likely view an Ethiopian base as a threat, while the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) strong ties with the Ethiopian government will strengthen the Emiratis’ position in its regional rivalry with other Gulf countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar.</span></span></p><p><b><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; text-transform: uppercase;"><br /></span></b></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Salafi-Jihadi Movement Update</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"> Special Edition: Ethiopia-Somaliland Port Deal Alters Horn of Africa Counterterrorism and Red Sea Geopolitics</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Author: </strong>Liam Karr</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large;">Data Cutoff: January 4, 2024, at 10 a.m.</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Key Takeaway: </u></span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with the de facto independent Somaliland Republic, a breakaway region of Somalia, to lease a naval port that will give it Red Sea access in exchange for formally recognizing Somaliland. The port deal has severely strained Somali-Ethiopian relations and increased anti-Ethiopian sentiment in southern Somalia, which will likely weaken regional counter-terrorism cooperation and energize al Shabaab. Ethiopia’s African Red Sea neighbors in Djibouti, Egypt, and Eritrea will likely view an Ethiopian base as a threat, while the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) strong ties with the Ethiopian government will strengthen the Emiratis’ position in its regional rivalry with other Gulf countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar.</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with the de facto independent Somaliland Republic, a breakaway region of Somalia, on January 1, which will give Ethiopia access to the Red Sea in exchange for recognizing Somaliland independence.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #424242;"> </span></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described Red Sea access in July and October 2023 as an existential issue and “natural right” that Ethiopia would fight for if it could not secure it through peaceful means</span><span style="color: red;">.[1] </span><span style="color: #800180;">The memorandum of understanding grants Ethiopia access to a leased military base near the port city of Berbera along Somaliland’s coast on the Gulf of Aden</span><span style="color: red;">.[2] </span><span style="color: #800180;">The port will give Ethiopia access to Red Sea shipping lanes via the Bab al Mandeb strait between Djibouti and Yemen that connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-size: medium;">Figure 1. Ethiopia-Somaliland Port Agreement Gives Ethiopia Red Sea Access</span></strong></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #006699;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Red%20Sea%20Special%20Map.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #006699; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="640" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Red%20Sea%20Special%20Map.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="495" /></a></span></span><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Red%20Sea%20Special%20Map.png" style="background: transparent; color: #006699; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><b style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">Source: Liam Karr.</b></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Economic issues are a significant driver of Abiy’s move to secure the deal. The Ethiopian economy has struggled since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the two-year civil war that ended in 2022 and related sanctions.</b><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[3] </span></b><b style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">This has led Ethiopia to make multiple debt relief requests since 2021 and default on bond payments in December 2023</b><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">.[4] </span></b><b style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Ethiopia also pays at least $1 billion in port fees annually to Djibouti.</b><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[5] </span></b><b><span style="color: #800180;">Abiy asked Djibouti to reduce the fees in 2022</span><span style="color: red;">.<span style="background-color: white;">[6]</span></span><span style="color: white;"> </span></b><b style="color: #800180;">Djibouti declined, however, because its economy relies on rents and services secured from Ethiopian shipping fees. Djibouti’s port handles 95 percent of inbound and outbound trade from Ethiopia.</b><span style="color: red;"><b>[7]</b> </span><b style="color: #800180;">The logistics surrounding this trade drive Djibouti’s services sector, which accounts for almost 76 percent of Djibouti’s gross domestic product.</b><span style="color: red;"><b>[8]</b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large;">The Somaliland president and Ethiopian foreign minister said that Ethiopia would formally recognize Somaliland and give Somaliland a proportional stake in Ethiopian Airlines in return for the base.</b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: large;"><b>[9]</b></span><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"> However, the Ethiopian government’s official readout of the deal was less committal and said that Ethiopia would</span><span style="background-color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;"> “make an in-depth assessment towards taking a position regarding the efforts of Somaliland to gain recognition.”</span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">[10]</span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large;">Taiwan is the only country that has formally recognized Somaliland’s independence from Somalia since Somaliland declared autonomy in 1991, although Somaliland has significant diplomatic and economic relations with numerous countries.</span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">[11]</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">On January 2, the Somali Federal Government (SFG) rejected the port deal as “null and void” as it has no legal basis and violates Somali sovereignty and international law, and it threatened to retaliate if Ethiopia followed through on the deal</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">.[12] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">In an address to parliament on January 2, the Somali president reiterated the stance that Somaliland is a member state of the Somali Federal Republic and that only the federal government has the authority to lease land to foreign powers</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">.[13]</span><span><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> The SFG </span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large;">also warned that it reserved the right to respond in any means and legal process necessary</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">.[14] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Shortly after Ethiopia and Somaliland announced the deal, Somalia recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia for consultations.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">[15] </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Somalia temporarily cut ties with Kenya in 2020 after it announced plans to open a consulate in Somaliland, which sets a precedent for further diplomatic retaliation.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">[16]</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">The SFG is attempting to rally its allies to amplify diplomatic pressure on Ethiopia and Somaliland because it is too weak to disrupt the deal unilaterally</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-weight: bold;">.[17] </span><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">The Somali president called on the UN Security Council, African Union (AU), Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Arab League, and the East Africa trade block—Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)—to <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">“unequivocally condemn Ethiopia’s serious violations and force it to return to the confines of international laws”</span> in remarks on January 2.</span><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">[18]</span><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;"> The Arab League, Egyptian foreign ministry spokesperson, and OIC released separate statements condemning the deal as a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty on January 3 and 4</span><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">.[19] </span><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">The African Union (AU), EU, Turkey, and US made separate statements between January 2 and 4 urging de-escalation and respect for Somalia’s sovereignty, indicating support for the SFG without explicitly rejecting the deal.</span><span style="color: red;"><b>[20]</b></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #800180;"> IGAD took a more neutral stance by only calling for a peaceful resolution that </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #800180;">“upholds shared values.”</span><span style="color: red;">[21]</span></span><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;"> Somalia condemned the IGAD response for falling short of condemning Ethiopia and called on the IGAD executive secretary—an Ethiopian—to withdraw the statement</span><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">.[22]</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-size: medium;">Figure 2. Notable Statements Supporting the SFG’s Stance Against the January 1, 2024, Ethiopia-Somaliland Port Deal</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Red%20Sea%20Reactions%20Table.jpg" style="background: transparent; color: #006699; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Red%20Sea%20Reactions%20Table.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /> </a><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Source: Liam Karr; <a href="https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20230103/chairperson-commission-calls-mutual-respect-between-ethiopia-somalia;%C2%A0http://www.leagueofarabstates.net/ar/news/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?RID=4418;%C2%A0https://x.com/MfaEgypt/status/1742536606144147698?s=20;%C2%A0https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/ethiopiasomalia-statement-spokesperson-territorial-integrity-federal-republic-somalia_en;%C2%A0https://x.com/OIC_OCI/status/1742837130705944769?s=20;%C2%A0https://x.com/SpoxTR_MFA/status/1742918494143062319?s=20;%C2%A0https://www.state.gov/briefings/department-press-briefing-january-3-2024/#post-521014-HORNOFAFRICA" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20230103/chairperson-commission-calls-mu...</a></span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The rupture of Somali-Ethiopian relations would weaken regional counterterrorism cooperation.</span><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></u></span></strong><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #800180; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Somalia cutting diplomatic ties with Ethiopia would almost certainly affect the continued legal presence of Ethiopian soldiers in Somalia, which are fighting the al Qaeda affiliate al Shabaab.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">[23] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Ethiopia currently has at least 4,000 troops deployed in Somalia as part of the AU Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and another 1,000 soldiers deployed as part of bilateral agreements with Somalia.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">[24] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Ethiopian forces comprise between a quarter and a third of the 14,000-strong ATMIS force and are responsible for sectors in central and southwestern Somalia that border Ethiopia.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">[25]</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="background-color: #ffe599; color: #800180; font-size: large;"><i>ATMIS is undergoing a multiphase drawdown to withdraw entirely by the end of 2024, but it remains crucial to bolstering the SFG’s capacity as Somali forces increase their size and clear al Shabaab from contested areas of the country in preparation for the SFG assuming responsibility for its own security.</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">[26]</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">An</span><span style="background-color: white; color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">Ethiopian withdrawal </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">would also significantly complicate the SFG’s plans to clear al Shabaab’s main havens in southern Somalia by the end of 2024, given it has courted Ethiopian support for the offensive</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red;">.</span></i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-weight: bold;">[27]</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b style="color: #800180;"> At least 1,000 non-ATMIS Ethiopian troops deployed to Somalia in mid-2023 at the SFG’s behest to supplement a planned offensive against al Shabaab’s primary leadership and governance havens in southern Somalia.</b><span style="color: red;"><b>[28]</b></span><b style="color: #800180;"> Several political and operational challenges have so far prevented any such offensive, but the Somali president insisted in December that operations would begin soon and be completed before the ATMIS withdrawal at the end of 2024.</b><b><span style="color: red;">[29]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Al Shabaab will likely increase its attacks against Ethiopian forces in the Horn of Africa to capitalize on anti-Ethiopian sentiment among Somalis to boost funding and recruitme</span>nt.</u></span></strong><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The Ethiopia-Somaliland port deal prompted an anti-Ethiopian backlash in</span><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"> southern Somalia</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[30</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">] </span><span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">Al Shabaab has historically capitalized on anti-Ethiopian sentiment to boost support among the Somali population across the Horn of Africa.</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[31</span><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The Somali president and head of the Arab League separately warned that Ethiopia’s move would fuel a dangerous rise in extremism.[</span><span style="color: red;">32]</span></span></span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">Al Shabaab’s spokesperson spoke out against the agreement as </span><u style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">“invalid”</u><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;"> on January 2 and threatened to retaliate.</span><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">[33] </span><b style="color: #800180;">Al Shabaab regularly attacks AU forces in Somalia and carried out two suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) attacks against Ethiopian positions in southwestern Somalia in June 2023.</b><span style="color: red;"><b>[34] </b></span><b style="color: #800180;">Al Shabaab also has the capability to carry out attacks inside Ethiopia. Al Shabaab last launched a major incursion into Ethiopia in the summer of 2022, and nearly 500 surviving militants established a rear base in the Bale Mountains along Ethiopia’s southeastern border with Kenya.</b><b><span style="color: red;">[35]</span></b></span></p><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Al Shabaab brands Ethiopia as Somali Muslims’ archenemy and has historically advanced a pan-Somali narrative rooted in anti-Ethiopian sentiment to boost recruiting and funding support among the Somali population spread across the Horn of Africa.<span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[36] </span>This rhetoric frames Ethiopia as a foreign, Christian occupier in ethnically Somali lands that seeks to “enslave Somalia, revive an Ethiopian empire, and control Somalia’s seaports.”[<span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">37</span>] This narrative played a significant part in al Shabaab’s initial rise after the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia in 2006 that led to al Shabaab nearly toppling the internationally recognized government before the AU intervention in 2011.[<span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">38]</span> <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The al Shabaab spokesperson’s statement on January 2 reiterated this framing and called on Somalis to <span style="color: #cc0000;">“take up arms to wage jihad”</span> against Ethiopia.</span><span style="color: red;">[39] </span>The spokesperson <span style="background-color: #800180;"><span style="color: white;">also compared Ethiopia to Israel</span> </span>and warned that Ethiopia will continue to encroach on Somalia the same way Israel has “occupied the land of Palestine.<span style="color: red;">”[40]</span></b></i></span></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Al Shabaab launched a massive offensive involving at least 2,000 fighters into Ethiopia in July 2022<span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">.[41]</span> It was the group’s first attack along the Ethiopian border since at least 2016.[<span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">42]</span> Ethiopian forces reestablished control of the Ethiopian border after two weeks, but local and diplomatic sources said the attack’s primary aim was to enable several hundred militants to infiltrate Ethiopia and set up a base in the <span style="background-color: #ffd966;">Bale Mountains near Ethiopia’s southeastern border with Kenya.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[43] </span>Initial estimates in September 2022 said that at least 100 fighters reached the mountains, but more recent sources in September 2023 say that roughly 500 fighters are in the area.<span style="color: red;">[44]</span> Al Shabaab also regularly attacks Ethiopian forces in Somalia and carried out two SVBIED attacks against Ethiopian positions in southwestern Somalia in June 2023 for the first time since its 2022 offensive.[<span style="color: red;">45]</span></b></i></span></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Al Shabaab has not claimed any attacks in Ethiopia since mid-2022 to maintain the enclave’s operational security.<span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[46]</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> It is unclear if al Shabaab views the Ethiopia-Somaliland deal as either a significant enough threat to its legitimacy as a defender of Somali sovereignty or a significant enough opportunity to gain support that it would change this calculus.</span></b></i></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ethiopia’s African Red Sea neighbors in Djibouti, Egypt, and Eritrea will likely view an Ethiopian base as a threat.</strong><b> </b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Previous reports discussing partial Ethiopian ownership of the Emirati port in Berbera in 2016 estimated that Berbera would capture 30 percent of Ethiopia’s cargo volume from Djibouti, which would threaten Djibouti’s fragile economy.</span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">[47]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Egypt</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"> has been at odds with Ethiopia over the latter’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project since Ethiopia began its construction on the Nile River in 2011</span><span style="color: #800180;">.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[48]</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Egypt and Sudan have argued that Ethiopia’s GERD should not be filled without a legally binding agreement that resolves concerns about the dam’s downstream effects on Egypt and Sudan.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[49] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Egypt has grown closer to the current SFG administration and offered more military and counterterrorism assistance to court Somali support on GERD discussions in international institutions, where the SFG has so far remained neutral.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[50] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Egypt has also courted Somali support for its position on the GERD, which incentivizes it to back Somalia’s rejection of the deal.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[51]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">Eritrea will view an Ethiopian port on the Gulf of Aden as a threat given the high tensions between the two countries in the aftermath of the Tigray war. Eritrea allied with Abiy’s government in 2020 to destroy the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which it views as a threat to its borders and internal cohesion</span><span style="color: red;">.[52] I</span><span style="color: #800180;">t views the 2022 peace deal that ended the Tigray war as dangerous to its national security by allowing the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front and its fighters to survive and increasing alignment between Tigray and Addis Ababa.[</span><span style="color: red;">53]</span><span style="color: #800180;"> This has led Eritrea to keep forces in northern Ethiopia despite Ethiopian requests to withdraw, hampering the peace process.[</span><span style="color: red;">54]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Many analysts view that Abiy’s statements about Ethiopia’s </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #fff2cc;">“</span><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">natural rights”</span> to the Red Sea and threat to use force were aimed at Eritrea, given their shared border and Ethiopia’s historical control of the port city of<span style="background-color: #fcff01;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #990000;">Assab</span><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"> </span>until Eritrea gained independence in 1993.[</span><span style="color: red;">55]</span><span style="color: #800180;"> Diplomats and humanitarian workers said that Ethiopia and Eritrea mobilized troops near their shared border after Abiy’s October statements.[</span><span style="color: red;">56]</span><span style="color: #800180;"> An Ethiopian port will only amplify Eritrea’s longer-term concerns of Ethiopian aggression, even if it allays short-term fears of an imminent invasion.</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">An Ethiopian port will likely strengthen the UAE’s position in its regional rivalry with other Gulf countries, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, due to its strong ties with the Ethiopian government.</span><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The UAE and Saudi Arabia have increasingly competed for economic dominance over the Horn of Africa and vital waterways off its coast since 2021.</span><span style="color: red;">[57]</span><span style="color: #800180;"> The Ethiopia-Somaliland deal creates another potential Emirati client port given that the UAE is a prominent backer of Abiy’s Ethiopian government and previously tried to help Ethiopia secure a stake in the Emirati-owned port in Berbera in 2019</span><span style="color: red;">.[58] </span><span style="color: #800180;">The Saudis have been wary of the Abiy government due to its UAE backing and created a Council of Arab and African littoral states on the</span><span style="color: #424242;"> Red Sea in 2020 that notably excluded both Ethiopia and the UAE</span><span style="color: red;">.[59]</span></span></b></span></p><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-weight: bold;">The UAE and Saudi Arabia led a coalition that unsuccessfully attempted to economically and politically isolate Qatar in 2017 for its alleged support for terrorism and political Islam movements that Emirati and Saudi leaders viewed as a threat to their power and stability.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-weight: bold;">[60]</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-weight: bold;"> Qatar responded by increasing ties with other countries, including states in the Horn of Africa, to offset the economic and political pressure.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-weight: bold;">[61]</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-weight: bold;"> The UAE and Saudi Arabia formally abandoned their efforts in 2021 and have been slowly mending relations since, which has created space for a growing Emirati-Saudi rivalry as both countries compete to establish themselves as global logistics and trade nodes via Red Sea ports along vital global shipping lanes.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-weight: bold;">[62] </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><i>This has led both countries to pursue divergent approaches on issues such as the Sudanese and Yemeni civil wars</i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span></i><b>[63]</b></span></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #444444;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">The UAE has been a steadfast supporter of Abiy since he took power in 2018. The UAE helped broker the 2018 peace agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea that won Abiy the Nobel Peace Prize and provided extensive military support throughout the Tigray war by establishing an air bridge.</span><span style="color: red;">[64] </span><span style="color: #444444;">The UAE also brokered a deal for partial Ethiopian ownership of its Berbera port in 2019, but the deal fell through in 2022 after Ethiopia failed to make necessary payments.</span><span style="color: red;">[65]</span></b></li></ul><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="1" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; float: none; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u><b style="background-color: #fcff01;">References:</b></u></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 1em;">[</span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">1] <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67332811;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67332811;</a> <a href="https://www.aljazeera/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.aljazeera</a> dot com/program/inside-story/2023/7/26/how-will-landlocked-ethiopia-get-direct-access-to-a-port</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[2] <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/landlocked-ethiopia-signs-pact-use-somalilands-red-sea-port-2024-01-01" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/landlocked-ethiopia-signs-pact-use-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[3] <a href="https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/11/01/ethiopia-s-fragile-stability-remains-at-risk-pub-90895;%C2%A0https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-becomes-africas-latest-sovereign-default-2023-12-26" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/11/01/ethiopia-s-fragile-stability-re...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[4] <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-becomes-africas-latest-sovereign-default-2023-12-26" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-becomes-africas-latest-sov...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[5] <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/02/world/africa/ethiopia-somaliland-port-deal.html;%C2%A0https://www.mei.edu/publications/djibouti-needs-plan-b-post-guelleh-era;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/02/world/africa/ethiopia-somaliland-port...</a> <a href="https://www.aljazeera/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.aljazeera</a> dot com/features/2023/11/7/is-landlocked-ethiopia-starting-another-war-over-ports-in-horn-of-africa</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[6] <a href="https://www.africaintelligence.com/eastern-africa-and-the-horn/2022/03/31/iog-and-abiy-at-odds-over-port-fees-as-tigray-war-drains-their-economies,109764668-art" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.africaintelligence.com/eastern-africa-and-the-horn/2022/03/3...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[7] <a href="https://www.mei.edu/publications/djibouti-needs-plan-b-post-guelleh-era" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.mei.edu/publications/djibouti-needs-plan-b-post-guelleh-era</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[8] <a href="https://www.mei.edu/publications/djibouti-needs-plan-b-post-guelleh-era" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.mei.edu/publications/djibouti-needs-plan-b-post-guelleh-era</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[9] <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/ethiopia-secures-access-to-sea-after-deal-with-somaliland/7420589.html;%C2%A0https://www.bbc.com/amharic/articles/cxe6dlvnejeo;%C2%A0https://x.com/addisstandard/status/1742164114351247808?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.voanews.com/a/ethiopia-secures-access-to-sea-after-deal-with...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[10] <a href="https://x.com/FdreService/status/1742511010315919641?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/FdreService/status/1742511010315919641?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[11] <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/landlocked-ethiopia-signs-pact-use-somalilands-red-sea-port-2024-01-01" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/landlocked-ethiopia-signs-pact-use-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[12] <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-rejects-ethiopia-sea-access-deal-with-somaliland-/7421519.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-rejects-ethiopia-sea-access-deal-with-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[13] <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-rejects-ethiopia-sea-access-deal-with-somaliland-/7421519.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-rejects-ethiopia-sea-access-deal-with-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[14] <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-rejects-ethiopia-sea-access-deal-with-somaliland-/7421519.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-rejects-ethiopia-sea-access-deal-with-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[15] <a href="https://thesomalidigest/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://thesomalidigest</a> dot com/somaliland-ethiopia-deal-somalia-recalls-ambassador</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[16] <a href="https://thesomalidigest/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://thesomalidigest</a> dot com/somaliland-ethiopia-deal-somalia-recalls-ambassador</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[17] <a href="https://x.com/MOFASomalia/status/1742575200632209555?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/MOFASomalia/status/1742575200632209555?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[18] <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-rejects-ethiopia-sea-access-deal-with-somaliland-/7421519.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-rejects-ethiopia-sea-access-deal-with-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[19] <a href="http://www.leagueofarabstates/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.leagueofarabstates</a> dot net/ar/news/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?RID=4418; <a href="https://x.com/OIC_OCI/status/1742837130705944769?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/OIC_OCI/status/1742837130705944769?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[20] <a href="https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/ethiopiasomalia-statement-spokesperson-territorial-integrity-federal-republic-somalia_en;%C2%A0https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20230103/chairperson-commission-calls-mutual-respect-between-ethiopia-somalia;%C2%A0https://x.com/HarunMaruf/status/1742633943373893913?s=20;%C2%A0https://x.com/MfaEgypt/status/1742536606144147698?s=20;%C2%A0https://x.com/SpoxTR_MFA/status/1742918494143062319?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/ethiopiasomalia-statement-spokesperson-t...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[21] <a href="https://igad.int/statement-of-the-igad-executive-secretary-on-the-recent-developments-in-relations-between-the-federal-democratic-republic-of-ethiopia-fdre-and-the-federal-government-of-somalia-fgs" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://igad.int/statement-of-the-igad-executive-secretary-on-the-recent...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[22] <a href="https://x.com/MOFASomalia/status/1742533605476180394?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/MOFASomalia/status/1742533605476180394?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[23] <a href="https://www.garoweonline/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.garoweonline</a> dot com/en/news/somalia/ethiopia-sends-non-atmis-troops-to-somalia-in-fight-against-al-shabaab</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[24] <a href="https://www.garoweonline/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.garoweonline</a> dot com/en/news/somalia/ethiopia-sends-non-atmis-troops-to-somalia-in-fight-against-al-shabaab</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[25] <a href="https://atmis-au.org/military-component" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://atmis-au.org/military-component</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[26] <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/au-mission-in-somalia-resumes-drawdown-after-3-month-pause-/7401662.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.voanews.com/a/au-mission-in-somalia-resumes-drawdown-after-3...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[27] <a href="https://www.hudson.org/terrorism/faltering-lion-analyzing-progress-setbacks-somalia-war-against-al-shabaab-james-barnett;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.hudson.org/terrorism/faltering-lion-analyzing-progress-setba...</a> <a href="https://www.garoweonline/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.garoweonline</a> dot com/en/news/somalia/ethiopia-sends-non-atmis-troops-to-somalia-in-fight-against-al-shabaab</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[28] <a href="https://www.hudson.org/terrorism/faltering-lion-analyzing-progress-setbacks-somalia-war-against-al-shabaab-james-barnett" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.hudson.org/terrorism/faltering-lion-analyzing-progress-setba...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[29] <a href="https://garoweonline/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://garoweonline</a> dot com/en/news/somalia/somalia-president-vows-to-step-up-fight-against-terrorism-in-2024</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[30] <a href="https://en.goobjoog/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://en.goobjoog</a> dot com/thousands-throng-mogadishu-streets-to-protest-ethiopia-somaliland-deal; <a href="https://x.com/SONNALIVE/status/1742661068760006984?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/SONNALIVE/status/1742661068760006984?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[31] <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304987134_Al_Shabaab_in_Somalia_Between_Clan_and_Faith;%C2%A0https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs5746/files/Al-Shabaab-IMEP_Bacon_March-2022.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304987134_Al_Shabaab_in_Somalia...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[32] <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-rejects-ethiopia-sea-access-deal-with-somaliland-/7421519.html;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.voanews.com/a/somalia-rejects-ethiopia-sea-access-deal-with-...</a> <a href="http://www.leagueofarabstates/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.leagueofarabstates</a> dot net/ar/news/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?RID=4418</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[33] SITE Intelligence Group, “Shabaab Spokesman Threatens to Make ‘Nightmare’ of Alleged Ethiopian Dream of Foothold in Red Sea,” January 3, 2024, available by subscription at <a href="http://www.siteintelgroup.com/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">www.siteintelgroup.com</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[34] <a href="https://shabellemedia/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://shabellemedia</a> dot com/wararkii-ugu-dambeeyay-qaraxyo-iyo-weerar-toos-ah-oo-ka-dhacay-degmada-baardheere; <a href="https://www.caasimada/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.caasimada</a> dot net/dowladda-ethiopia-oo-war-ka-soo-saartay-weerarkii-doolow</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[35] <a href="https://www.hudson.org/terrorism/faltering-lion-analyzing-progress-setbacks-somalia-war-against-al-shabaab-james-barnett" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.hudson.org/terrorism/faltering-lion-analyzing-progress-setba...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[36] <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304987134_Al_Shabaab_in_Somalia_Between_Clan_and_Faith;%C2%A0https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs5746/files/Al-Shabaab-IMEP_Bacon_March-2022.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.researchgate.net/publication/304987134_Al_Shabaab_in_Somalia...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[37] <a href="https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs5746/files/Al-Shabaab-IMEP_Bacon_March-2022.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs5746/files/Al-Shabaab-IMEP...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[38] <a href="https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs5746/files/Al-Shabaab-IMEP_Bacon_March-2022.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://extremism.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs5746/files/Al-Shabaab-IMEP...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[39] SITE Intelligence Group, “Shabaab Spokesman Threatens to Make ‘Nightmare’ of Alleged Ethiopian Dream of Foothold in Red Sea.”</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[40] SITE Intelligence Group, “Shabaab Spokesman Threatens to Make ‘Nightmare’ of Alleged Ethiopian Dream of Foothold in Red Sea.”</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[41] <a href="https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2022/09/14/al-shabaab-seeks-to-put-down-roots-in-ethiopia_5996884_124.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2022/09/14/al-shabaab-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[42] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/africa-file/africa-file-al-shabaab-attacks-ethiopia" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/briefs/africa-file/africa-file-al-shabaa...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[43] <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/why-did-al-shabab-attack-inside-ethiopia/6674783.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.voanews.com/a/why-did-al-shabab-attack-inside-ethiopia/66747...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[44] <a href="https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2022/09/14/al-shabaab-seeks-to-put-down-roots-in-ethiopia_5996884_124.html;%C2%A0https://www.hudson.org/terrorism/faltering-lion-analyzing-progress-setbacks-somalia-war-against-al-shabaab-james-barnett" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.lemonde.fr/en/le-monde-africa/article/2022/09/14/al-shabaab-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[45] <a href="https://shabellemedia/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://shabellemedia</a> dot com/wararkii-ugu-dambeeyay-qaraxyo-iyo-weerar-toos-ah-oo-ka-dhacay-degmada-baardheere; <a href="https://www.caasimada/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.caasimada</a> dot net/dowladda-ethiopia-oo-war-ka-soo-saartay-weerarkii-doolow</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[46] <a href="https://www.hudson.org/terrorism/faltering-lion-analyzing-progress-setbacks-somalia-war-against-al-shabaab-james-barnett" style="background: transparent; 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margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.theafricareport.com/229733/egypt-looks-to-somalias-mohamud-f...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[51] <a href="https://www.theafricareport.com/229733/egypt-looks-to-somalias-mohamud-for-strategic-ally-against-turkey-and-ethiopia" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.theafricareport.com/229733/egypt-looks-to-somalias-mohamud-f...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[52] <a href="https://horninstitute.org/the-tigray-conflict-and-the-role-of-eritrea;%C2%A0https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-africa/eritrea-ethiopia/eritreas-long-bitter-feud-ethiopias-tigray" style="background: transparent; 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margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/11/07/ethiopia-eritrea-war-tplf</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[55] <a href="https://lansinginstitute.org/2023/11/17/estimations-will-ethiopia-and-eritrea-start-military-conflict-over-red-sea-ports-access" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://lansinginstitute.org/2023/11/17/estimations-will-ethiopia-and-er...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[56] <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-pm-abiy-seeks-quell-neighbours-concerns-over-invasion-2023-10-26" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopia-pm-abiy-seeks-quell-neighb...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[57] <a href="https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/is-a-saudi-emirati-rift-on-the-horizon" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/is-a-saudi-emirati-rift-on-the-horizon</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[58] <a href="https://www.theeastafrican/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.theeastafrican</a> dot co.ke/tea/rest-of-africa/ethiopia-stake-in-port-of-berbera-3845366</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[59] <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67332811;%C2%A0https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20200108-new-red-sea-alliance-formed-saudi-arabia-notable-exclusions" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67332811; https://www.rfi.fr/en/a...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[60] <a href="https://www.iemed.org/publication/gulf-regional-crisis-qatar-saudi-arabia-rivalry-tensions-within-the-gulf-cooperation-council;%C2%A0https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-55538792" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iemed.org/publication/gulf-regional-crisis-qatar-saudi-arabi...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[61] <a href="https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/gulf-and-arabian-peninsula-horn-africa-turkiye/intra-gulf-competition" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/gulf-and-arabian-pe...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[62] <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-55538792;%C2%A0https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/18/qatar-and-uae-moving-to-restore-diplomatic-relations-report;%C2%A0https://carnegie-mec.org/2023/10/30/future-of-gulf-cooperation-council-amid-saudi-emirati-rivalry-pub-90867" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-55538792; https://www.aljaze...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[63] <a href="https://carnegie-mec.org/2023/10/30/future-of-gulf-cooperation-council-amid-saudi-emirati-rivalry-pub-90867" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://carnegie-mec.org/2023/10/30/future-of-gulf-cooperation-council-a...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[64] <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1KT1RS;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1KT1RS;</a> <a href="https://www.aljazeera/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.aljazeera</a> dot com/news/2021/11/25/uae-air-bridge-provides-military-support-to-ethiopia-govt; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/20/world/africa/drones-ethiopia-war-turkey-emirates.html;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/20/world/africa/drones-ethiopia-war-turk...</a> <a href="https://www.newarab/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.newarab</a> dot com/analysis/why-rival-powers-are-backing-ethiopias-government</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[65] <a href="https://www.theeastafrican/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.theeastafrican</a> dot co.ke/tea/rest-of-africa/ethiopia-stake-in-port-of-berbera-3845366</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Tags</u></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Terrorist Networks Project</u></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b><u>File Attachments: </u></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></span></p></div></div></div><h3 id="tagtitle" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /></h3><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Red%20Sea%20Special%20Map.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=5782592"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Red Sea Special Map.png</span></b></a></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/jpeg" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Red%20Sea%20Reactions%20Table.jpg" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/jpeg; length=256076">Red Sea Reactions Table.jpg</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/jpeg" /></span><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Babel%20Street%20logo_36.jpg" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/jpeg; length=18200">Babel Street logo.jpg</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-87601512289577769472024-01-03T23:10:00.000-08:002024-01-04T06:32:08.263-08:00IRAN UPDATE, JANUARY 3, 2024 <p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><u><b> SOURCE :</b></u></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #800180;"> ( ) </b><b><span style="color: #800180;">IRAN UPDATE, JANUARY 3, 2024 : </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-january-3-2024</span></b></span></p><p><span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: large;">( )</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Big Escalation with Iran I Who Is Behind Attack in Iran I Secret Plan for Israel War I :</b></span></u><span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>https://youtu.be/6VEfGKJ_Z3k</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6VEfGKJ_Z3k" width="320" youtube-src-id="6VEfGKJ_Z3k"></iframe></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /><b><br /></b></span></span><div><span><span><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><b><span><span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;">( ) </span><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></span></span><u style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Inside US Navy Most Advanced Patrol Boat Patrolling Water at High Speed :</span></u></b></div><div><span><span><b><span style="color: #800180;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://youtu.be/ypJ61xbQZwc</span></b></span></span></div><div><span><span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ypJ61xbQZwc" width="320" youtube-src-id="ypJ61xbQZwc"></iframe></div></span></span></span><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f0f0f; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Inside US Navy Most Advanced Patrol Boat Patrolling Water at High Speed</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><u style="background-color: white;"> <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">SUMMARY OF THE DAY</span></u></span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Palestinian militias continued to try to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Daraj and Tuffah neighborhoods of Gaza City on January 3. Israeli forces in the neighborhoods coordinated with artillery and ground forces to direct a drone strike targeting Palestinian fighters surveilling them with drones. Hamas’ military wing, the al Qassem Brigades, conducted three attacks targeting Israeli forces and vehicles in Daraj and Tuffah. The group claimed that it detonated a Shawaz explosively formed penetrator (EFP) and anti-tank rocket at an Israeli bulldozer and tank east of Tuffah.</i></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>Unspecified fighters conducted a terrorist attack near Qassem Soleimani’s burial site in Kerman on the fourth anniversary of Soleimani’s death. Bloomberg News reported that the United States initially believes that the Islamic State or a related group was responsible for the attack.</b></i></span></p><p><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: medium;"></span></i></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles at the Malta-flagged commercial vessel CMA CGM TAGE in the Red Sea. US CENTCOM reported that this was the 24th Houthi attack on maritime shipping in the Red Sea since November 19.</i></span></p><p><span><span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"> ___________________</span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></span></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iran Update, January 3, 2024</u></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Ashka Jhaveri, Andie Parry, Annika Ganzeveld, Alexandra Braverman, Amin Soltani, Peter Mills, Johanna Moore, and Brian Carter</span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Information Cutoff: 2:00 pm EST</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;">The Iran Update provides insights into Iranian and Iranian-sponsored activities abroad that undermine regional stability and threaten US forces and interests. It also covers events and trends that affect the stability and decision-making of the Iranian regime. The Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) provides these updates regularly based on regional events. For more on developments in Iran and the region, see our</span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </span></b></em><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/661fd12b23f442b781be64cf323ef573/?draft=true" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">interactive map of Iran and the Middle East</em></a><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</em></span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b style="background-color: #fcff01;">Note: </b></span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444;"><b>CTP and ISW have refocused the update to cover the Israel-Hamas war. The new sections address developments in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as noteworthy activity from Iran’s Axis of Resistance. We do not report in detail on war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. We utterly condemn violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.</b></span></em></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click </em><a href="https://isw.pub/IsraelBattleMap" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">here</span></em></a><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://isw.pub/IsraelBattleMap" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </span></a><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">to see CTP and ISW’s interactive map of Israeli ground operations. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.</span></em></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Key Takeaways:</span></strong></p><ol style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Palestinian militias continued to try to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Daraj and Tuffah neighborhoods of Gaza City on January 3. Palestinian militias are attacking Israeli forces behind the Israeli forward line of advance in Gaza City.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Hamas, PIJ, and other Palestinian groups condemned the killing of senior Hamas official Saleh al Arouri.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Lebanese Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah signaled on January 3 that LH will not immediately escalate against Israel for Israel’s “surgical strike” killing Hamas deputy political bureau chairman Saleh Arouri in Beirut.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Senior Iranian and Axis of Resistance leaders condemned Israel’s killing of senior Hamas official Saleh al Arouri.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Unspecified fighters conducted a terrorist attack near Qassem Soleimani’s burial site in Kerman on the fourth anniversary of Soleimani’s death. Bloomberg News reported that the United States initially believes that the Islamic State or a related group was responsible for the attack.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles at the Malta-flagged commercial vessel CMA CGM TAGE in the Red Sea. US CENTCOM reported that this was the 24th Houthi attack on maritime shipping in the Red Sea since November 19. </span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba warned that Iraqi militias will conduct an “unprecedented escalation” to expel US forces from Iraq if the Iraqi federal government orders US forces to withdraw from Iraq and the United States does not comply with its request.</span></li></ol><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTJanuary%203%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13.008px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTJanuary%203%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></strong></a></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; color: #cc0000; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Gaza Strip</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Erode the will of the Israeli political establishment and public to launch and sustain a major ground operation into the Gaza Strip</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Degrade IDF material and morale around the Gaza Strip.</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"><u style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Palestinian militias continued to try to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Daraj and Tuffah neighborhoods of Gaza City on January</span><span style="color: #800180;"> 3.</span></u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli forces in the neighborhoods coordinated with artillery and ground forces to direct a drone strike targeting Palestinian fighters surveilling them with drones</span><span style="color: red;">.<b>[1]</b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Hamas’ military wing, the al Qassem Brigades, conducted three attacks targeting Israeli forces and vehicles in Daraj and Tuffah</span><span style="color: red;">.<b>[2]</b> </span><span style="color: #800180;">The group claimed that it detonated a Shawaz explosively formed penetrator (EFP) and anti-tank rocket at an Israeli bulldozer and tank east of Tuffah</span><span style="color: red;">.<b>[3]</b></span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><u>Palestinian militias are attacking Israeli forces behind the Israeli forward line of advance in Gaza City.</u> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">The National Resistance Brigades—the militant wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP)—claimed that its fighters conducted an “elaborate ambush” targeting Israeli ground forces on the outskirts of al Shati refugee camp</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[4] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The National Resistance Brigades said that its fighters detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting Israeli ground forces. The National Resistance Brigades fighters then fired unspecified munitions at the Israeli force.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[5]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The group also claimed to have shot down an Israeli tactical reconnaissance drone in a separate incident and published pictures of drone pieces</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[6]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> CTP-ISW cannot verify the militia’s claim and the IDF has not commented on the incident. The al Qassem Brigades claimed that it seized an Israeli drone south of Zaytoun neighborhood in the southern Gaza Strip on January 3</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[7] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The militia fired anti-tank rockets at Israeli armor in Sheikh Ijlin neighborhood, where Israeli forces have not reported on clearing operations since mid-November</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[8]</span></b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20January%203%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20January%203%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="color: #cc0000;">The al Qassem Brigades claimed three combined attacks targeting the IDF in the Gaza Strip with other Palestinian militias on January 3</span></u><span style="color: #800180;">. </span></strong><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades have coordinated several attacks in the Gaza Strip with other militias throughout the war.</span><span style="color: red;"><b>[9]</b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades and Mujahideen Brigades—the militant wing of the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement—claimed that it fired a surface-to-air missile at an Israeli helicopter in Khan Younis</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.[10]</b></span><span style="color: #800180;"><b> </b>Neither group provided evidence to corroborate the claim. The Mujahideen Brigades have cooperated with the al Quds Brigades—the militant wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)—prior to the Israel-Hamas War</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[11]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades and Mujahideen Brigades claimed to shoot down an Israeli Hermes drone with a surface-to-air missile east of Gaza City.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[12] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Neither group provided evidence to corroborate the claim.</span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades and al Quds Brigades published footage of their fighters firing mortars together at Israeli vehicles and soldiers in Khan Younis.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[13]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Hamas and PIJ have coordinated their operations against Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip throughout the Israel-Hamas war.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Palestinian militias continued trying to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Khan Younis on January 3.</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF said that Israeli forces continued “intense fighting” in Khan Younis on January 3</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[14]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Israeli Air Force conducted an airstrike targeting a PIJ weapons manufacturing facility in Khan Younis</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[15] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli ground forces directed another airstrike targeting Palestinian fighters who attempted to attach IEDs to an Israeli tank.[16] The al Qassem Brigades targeted Israeli tanks and bulldozers with anti-tank rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and mortared Israeli soldiers operating in Khan Younis.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[17]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The al Quds Brigades detonated an EFP targeting an Israeli tank as Israeli forces advanced northeast of Khan Younis</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[18]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Other Palestinian militias are also attempting to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Khan Younis. The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades—the militant wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)—fired an RPG at Israeli forces in central Khan Younis City.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[19] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades—the self-proclaimed militant wing of Fatah—mortared a group of Israeli soldiers in Khan Younis City</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[20]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Israeli forces continued clearing operations in Khuzaa southeast of Khan Younis on January 3. </strong><span style="color: #800180;">An IDF brigade combat team uncovered a tunnel shaft in a school and clashed with Palestinian fighters who attempted to attach IEDs to Israeli vehicles in Khuzaa.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[21</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Israeli infantry, armor, and engineers raided Palestinian militia infrastructure in the area. The al Qassem Brigades detonated two anti-personnel devices targeting seven Israeli infantrymen operating east of Khuzaa</span><span style="color: red;">.<b>[22]</b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20January%2003%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20January%2003%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="color: #cc0000;">Hamas, PIJ, and other Palestinian groups condemned the killing of senior Hamas official Saleh al Arouri. </span></u></strong><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli forces conducted a “surgical strike” targeting senior Hamas official Saleh al Arouri in southern Beirut on January 2.</span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">[23]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Hamas Political Bureau Chairman Ismail Haniyeh delivered a speech on January 3 condemning Arouri’s death as a violation of Lebanese sovereignty and an “expansion” of Israeli attacks on the group.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[24]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The al Qassem Brigades published a statement on January 3 that honored Arouri and the other militia leaders who died in the explosion.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[25]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> PIJ Secretary General Ziad al Nakhalah mourned Arouri, calling him a leader who contributed to the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[26] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Palestinian National and Islamic Forces—a coalition of major factions in Palestine—commemorated Arouri’s death and called for “revolutionary action” in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Israel.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[27]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Palestinian militias did not claim any indirect fire attacks into Israel from the Gaza Strip on January 3.</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; color: #cc0000; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">West Bank</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Draw IDF assets and resources toward the West Bank and fix them there</span></b></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Palestinian fighters clashed with Israeli forces in nine locations across the West Bank.</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[28]</strong></span></span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="color: #800180;">The al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades conducted nine attacks against military and civilian targets in the West Bank.</span><span style="color: red;">[29] </span><span style="color: #800180;">The al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades Tulkarm Battalion detonated improvised explosive devices targeting Israeli forces conducting counterterrorism operations in the Nour Shams refugee camp</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[30] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF ordered an airstrike targeting the fighters who detonated the explosives.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[31]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Palestinian shopkeepers closed storefronts in protest of Saleh al Arouri’s death in seven locations across the West Bank on January 3.</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[32]</strong></span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Palestinian media posted flyers on January 2 calling for supporters to strike and hold demonstrations</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[33]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20January%203%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20January%203%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: white;">This map is not an exhaustive depiction of clashes and demonstrations in the West Bank.</b></span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; color: #cc0000; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Southern Lebanon and Golan Heights</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward northern Israel and fix them there</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Set conditions for successive campaigns into northern Israel</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Lebanese Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah signaled on January 3 that LH will not immediately escalate against Israel for Israel’s “surgical strike” killing Hamas deputy political bureau chairman Saleh Arouri in Beirut.</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;">[34]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Nasrallah blamed Israel for Arouri’s death, describing it as a “dangerous crime that will see response and punishment.” Nasrallah’s speech was in commemoration of the anniversary of the death of IRGC Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani and his top Iraqi lieutenant, Abu Mahdi al Muhandis</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[35]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Nasrallah said that Israel has not deterred LH and that LH is ready to act against Israel ”without limits” if the country wages war on Lebanon</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[36]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> He added that war with LH would be ”very costly” and a ”regret” for Israel with ”no ceiling” and ”no rules”.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[37]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Nasrallah’s choice to not immediately signal an escalation is notable, given that LH and Hamas threatened in August 2023 that Israeli strikes targeting Palestinian leadership in Lebanon would spur a regional war</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[38] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Nasrallah said that he will give another speech detailing LH operations in southern Lebanon on January 5.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[39]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">LH doubled the number of its cross-border attacks into Israel on January 3. </strong><span style="color: #800180;">This is notable in the context of Nasrallah’s speech and the Israeli strike that targeted Arouri. LH claimed 13 attacks on Israeli forces and military positions on January 3, compared to an average of six attacks per day during the previous week.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[40] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">LH’s attack claims highlighted their use of anti-tank missiles and heavy-payload Burkan rockets.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[41]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> This is notable given that recent LH attack claims have rarely specifically described the types of weapon systems used in LH attacks.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[42]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi discussed Israel’s military readiness during a trip to northern Israel on January 3.</span></u></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Halevi met with the IDF commander of Northern Command and unit commanders along the Lebanese border. Halevi said the IDF is at the “peak” of its readiness in northern Israel but that his focus is currently fighting Hamas.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[43]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> He also said October 7 was an ”opportunity” for Israel to change the situation in a ”very significant way” in the south, north, and in the region. He added that Israel needs to give a very strong response to the October 7 attack</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[44] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Halevi also discussed plans for Israel to deploy more forces along the Israel-Gaza Strip and Lebanese borders over at least the next yea</span><b><span style="color: red;">r.[45]</span></b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20January%203%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20January%203%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iran and Axis of Resistance—</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Demonstrate the capability and willingness of Iran and the Axis of Resistance to escalate against the United States and Israel on multiple fronts</b></span></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Set conditions to fight a regional war on multiple fronts</b></span></li></ul><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Unspecified fighters conducted a terrorist attack near Qassem Soleimani’s burial site in Kerman on the fourth anniversary of Soleimani’s death on January 3</span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">.</span></strong><span style="color: red;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[46]</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span><span style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">The unspecified fighters remotely detonated two improvised explosive devices within twenty minutes of each other. Iranian media has not confirmed the size or type of explosive device. Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi stated that the first explosion occurred at 1500 local time and the second more deadly explosion occurred at 1520</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[47] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The first explosion occurred within 700 meters of Soleimani’s burial site, and the second explosion occurred within one kilometer of Soleimani’s burial site. Iranian media reported that the two explosions killed 103 people and injured an additional 188.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[48] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian media emphasized that no IRGC officials were in attendance or injured.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[49] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The attack killed three Law Enforcement Command (LEC) officers</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[50]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Bloomberg News reported that the United States initially believes that the Islamic State or a related group was responsible for the attack</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[51] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The State Department spokesperson said that the United States does not believe Israel was to blame. The Afghan branch of the Islamic State likely conducted two separate smaller-scale terror attacks in Shiraz, 591 kilometers from Kerman, in October 2022 and August 2023</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[52]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> CTP-ISW previously assessed that the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) maintained ground lines of communication between Iran and Afghanistan.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[53]</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian officials, including the Security Deputy of Kerman, called the explosion a terrorist attack.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[54] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Iranian Interior Minister said that the terrorist attack was a ”continuation of conspiracies” carried out by Iran’s enemies</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[55] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei expressed his condolences to the victims of the terror attack</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[56] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Khamenei stated that the attack was carried out by the ”evil and criminal enemies” of Iran. Khamenei promised a hard response to the attack.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian-backed Iraqi militia leaders and politicians expressed their condolences over the terrorist attack in Kerman on January 3. Asaib Ahl al Haq Secretary General Qais al Khazali and Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada Secretary General Abu Alaa al Walai condemned the attack in separate statements.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[57]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Khazali claimed that Israel seeks to drag the region into a “comprehensive and open war” to conceal its “defeats” in the Israel-Hamas war.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Islamic Resistance in Iraq—a coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias—claimed that it conducted two drone attacks targeting US positions in Syria on January 3</span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">.</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed a one-way drone attack targeting US forces at al Omar oil field.</span><b style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;">[58] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed a separate one-way drone attack targeting US forces at the al Tanf garrison.</span><b style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;">[59]</span></b></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20January%2003%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="673" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20January%2003%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei praised Palestinians in the Gaza Strip for resisting Israel during a speech to religious eulogists on January 3.</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;">[60] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Khamenei further condemned the United States for its support of Israel’s “malice and dirty goals.”</span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Senior Iranian and Axis of Resistance leaders condemned Israel’s killing of senior Hamas official Saleh al Arouri</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</strong><b><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></b></span><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">Israeli forces conducted a</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;"> “surgical strike”</span><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;"> targeting Arouri in southern Beirut on January 2.</span><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">[61]</span><b style="color: #800180;"> Iranian political officials–including President Ebrahim Raisi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf–said that the assassination was a sign of Israel’s weakness and a violation of Lebanese territory</b><span style="color: red;"><b>.[62]</b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="color: #800180;">Iranian Defense and Armed Forces Logistics Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani warned that the decision would </b><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">“backfire.”</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>[</b>63<b>]</b></span><b><span style="color: #800180;"> The IRGC published a statement warning that Arouri’s death will inspire further Palestinian resistance against Israe</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">l.[64]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">The Kataib Sayyid al Shuhada General Secretariat compared Israel’s killing of Arouri to the US killing of Qassem Soleimani and his top Iraqi lieutenant, Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, in January 2020</span><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">.[65] </span><b><span style="color: #800180;">It claimed on January 2 that the Arouri strike violated Lebanese sovereignty just as the US strike targeting Soleimani in January 2020 violated Iraqi sovereignty.</span><span style="color: red;">[66] I</span><span style="color: #800180;">ranian-backed Iraqi Shia militias frequently cite alleged US “violations of Iraqi sovereignty” to try to pressure the Iraqi federal government to expel US forces. The United States has a legitimate right to self-defense as it operates in Iraq to fight ISIS at the invitation of the Iraqi federal government</span><span style="color: red;">.[67]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">Kataib Hezbollah emphasized the US role in Israel’s “dangerous escalations” in Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria and renewed its pledge to “defeat” the United States and Israel in a statement honoring Arouri on January 2.</span><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">[68] </span><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">Kataib Hezbollah and its partners, not the United States, escalated in Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq initiated attacks on US forces after the start of the Israel-Hamas War with attacks in Iraq on October 18 and in Syria on October 19.</span><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">[69]</span><b style="color: #800180;"> The United States did not respond with force in Syria until October 26, after an Iranian-backed drone landed in a US barracks in Erbil, and in Iraq until November 21.</b><span style="color: red;"><b>[70] </b></span><b style="color: #800180;">Lebanese Hezbollah began attacking Israel from southern Lebanon immediately after the October 7 attacks. </b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">Popular Mobilization Forces Chairman Faleh al Fayyadh warned on January 2 that the “murderous criminals” who killed Arouri will pay for their actions.</span><span style="color: red;"><b>[71]</b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Iranian-backed Badr Organization Secretary General Hadi al Ameri emphasized on</span></b><b style="color: #800180;"> Ja</b><span style="color: #800180;">nuary 3 his organization’s solidarity with Palestinian and Lebanese “jihadist movements.”</span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">[72]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba Secretary General Akram al Kaabi warned that Iraqi militias will conduct an “unprecedented escalation” to expel US forces from Iraq if the Iraqi federal government orders US forces to withdraw from Iraq and the United States does not comply with its request</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[73]</span></strong><span style="color: #800180;"> Kaabi made this statement on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the US killing of Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al Muhandis. Iranian military leaders have previously vowed to expel US forces from the Middle East as part of their revenge for Soleimani’s death</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[74] I</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">ranian-backed Iraqi militias have been trying to pressure the Iraqi federal government to order the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq, particularly in recent weeks. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al Sudani announced on December 28, 2023, that his administration will begin procedures to remove International Coalition forces from Iraq</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[75] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">CTP-ISW assessed that Sudani likely made this announcement due to pressure from Iranian-backed Iraqi militias.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[76] </span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Iraqi Design Alliance member Amer al Fayez stated that members of the Shia Coordination Framework—a loose coalition of Iranian-backed political parties—agreed to replace all current provincial governors in a meeting on January 2.</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[77]</span></strong></span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"><b>The Design Alliance won 12 out of 23 seats in Basra Province in the recent provincial council elections. Current Basra Governor Asaad al Eidani leads the Design Alliance.[78] Eidani became governor of Basra in 2017.[79] Iraqi media reported on December 27 that members of the Shia Coordination Framework are trying to deprive Eidani’s party of their majority in the Basra provincial council.[80] Fayez criticized the framework’s agreement to remove current provincial governors, describing it as “undemocratic” and a “political decision.”[81] Fayez added that there is “no justification for replacing the successful governors [who were] elected by the people of the governorate.”</b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al Sudani has demonstrated in recent months that provincial councils do not retain the exclusive authority to appoint and remove provincial governors. Sudani appointed Abdul Qadir al Dakhil as the acting governor of Ninewa following former Ninewa Governor Najm al Jabouri’s resignation in November 2023.</span><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">[82]</span><b style="color: #800180;"> Sudani additionally tried to remove the provincial governors of Anbar, Babil, Dhi Qar, and Ninewa in April 2023.</b><span style="color: red;"><b>[83] </b></span><b style="color: #800180;">CTP-ISW assessed at the time that Sudani was attempting to sideline political opposition, especially Sunnis</b><b><span style="color: red;">.[84] </span></b><b style="color: #800180;">Some of the governors he sought to remove supported former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al Halbousi</b><b><span style="color: red;">.[85]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Houthis fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles targeting the Malta-flagged commercial vessel CMA CGM <em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">TAGE</em> while it transited the Red Sea.</span></strong><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;"> US CENTCOM reported that this was the 24</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;"> Houthi attack on maritime shipping in the Red Sea since November 19.</span><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">[86]</span><span style="color: #800180; font-weight: bold;"> CMA CGM stated that the vessel was headed to Egypt. The Houthi movement claimed that the vessel was bound for Israel.</span><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">[87]</span><b style="color: #800180;"> The Houthi movement continues to claim that it only targets vessels in the Red Sea that are owned by Israelis or vessels bound for Israel.</b><span style="color: red;">[88]</span><b style="color: #800180;"> The Houthis have repeatedly targeted ships with no connection to Israel. CTP-ISW has previously assessed that this Houthi campaign is part of a wider regional escalation by Iran and its so-called Axis of Resistance which is intended to support Iranian strategic objectives in the region.</b><span style="color: red;"><b>[89]</b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The United States and 11 partner countries warned the Houthi movement against further attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea in a joint statement on January 3.</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[90]</strong> </u></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">The statement warned that the Houthis would face unspecified consequences if the Houthi movement does not cease its attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.</span><span style="color: red;">[91] </span><span style="color: #800180;">The Houthi military spokesperson threatened on January 3 that the Houthis would retaliate against any attack by the United States.[</span><span style="color: red;">92]</span><span style="color: #800180;"> The US statement also called for the Houthis to release unlawfully detained vessels and crews. The Houthis continue to hold the commercial vessel </span></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Galaxy Leader,</em><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> which the Houthis seized on November 19.</span><span style="color: red;">[93]</span></span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20January%2003%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20January%2003%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="2" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; float: none; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /></div><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">References</u></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[1] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1742463421168123951" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1742463421168123951</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[2] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1196;%C2%A0https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1198;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1196; https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1198;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1201" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1201</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[3] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1201" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1201</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[4] <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4041" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4041</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[5] <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4041" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4041</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[6] <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4042" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4042</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[7] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1197" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1197</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[8] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1199;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1199;</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1726171162672267537" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1726171162672267537</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[9] h<a href="https://t.me/QudsN/323716;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/323716;</a> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/16724;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/16724;</a> <a href="https://t.me/almanarnews/137409" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/almanarnews/137409</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[10] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1207" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1207</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[11] <a href="https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_palestinian_politics/mujahideen-brigades/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_palestinian_politics/mujahideen-brigades/</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[12] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1195" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1195</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[13] <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17143;%C2%A0https://t.me/sarayaps/17145;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17143; https://t.me/sarayaps/17145;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1211" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1211</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[14] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1742463417712087078" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1742463417712087078</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[15] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1742463419444265106" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1742463419444265106</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[16] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1742463417712087078" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1742463417712087078</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[17] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1204;%C2%A0https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1206;%C2%A0https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1194" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1204; https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1206; ...</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[18] <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17142" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17142</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[19] <a href="https://t.me/abualiajel/95" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/abualiajel/95</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[20] <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5428" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5428</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[21] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1742463400825716950" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1742463400825716950</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[22] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1205" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1205</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[23] <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67866346" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67866346</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[24] <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49533" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49533</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[25] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1202" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1202</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[26] <a href="https://t.me/jeninqassamm/3365" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jeninqassamm/3365</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[27] <a href="https://t.me/hamasps/18818" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamasps/18818</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[28] <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/352747" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/352747</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/352784" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/352784</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/352785" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/352785</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/353226" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/353226</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[29] <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2663" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2663</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2664" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2664</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/352741" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/352741</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2665" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2665</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2666" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2666</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/alredalsrey/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/alredalsrey/</a> 24 ; <a href="https://t.me/alredalsrey/527" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/alredalsrey/527</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/alredalsrey/528" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/alredalsrey/528</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/alredalsrey/531" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/alredalsrey/531</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2669" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2669</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/352800" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/352800</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[30] <a href="https://t.me/AymanGouda/5907" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/AymanGouda/5907</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/alredalsrey/524" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/alredalsrey/524</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/alredalsrey/528" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/alredalsrey/528</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/jeninqassamm/3377" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jeninqassamm/3377</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/352769" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/352769</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/352848" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/352848</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[31] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1742470515338441024" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1742470515338441024</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[32] <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/352899" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/352899</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/352905" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/352905</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/352921" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/352921</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/HebronNewss/33560" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/HebronNewss/33560</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/352952" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/352952</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/352965" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/352965</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/352989" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/352989</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/mihwar_almuqawama/44145" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mihwar_almuqawama/44145</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[33] <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/352839" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/352839</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[34] <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67866346" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67866346</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[35] <a href="https://www%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www dot</a> almanar.com.lb/11479800 ; <a href="https://www/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www</a> dot alahednews.com.lb/article.php?id=63865&cid=113 ; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/ZFFS0DhYMnM?si=MrlPfXV7iUolgIUX" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.youtube.com/live/ZFFS0DhYMnM?si=MrlPfXV7iUolgIUX</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[36] <a href="https://www/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www</a> dot alahednews.com.lb/article.php?id=63865&cid=113</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[37] <a href="https://www/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www</a> dot alahednews.com.lb/article.php?id=63865&cid=113 ; <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-head-vows-group-will-not-be-silent-after-israeli-killing-hamas-deputy-2024-01-03/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-head-vows-group-will...</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[38] <a href="https://www.timesofisrael/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.timesofisrael</a> dot com/senior-hamas-official-threatens-regional-war-if-israel-resumes-targeted-killings/ ; <a href="https://www.timesofisrael%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.timesofisrael dot</a> com/nasrallah-says-it-israel-will-cease-to-exist-if-war-erupts-as-rhetoric-escalates/</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[39] <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-head-vows-group-will-not-be-silent-after-israeli-killing-hamas-deputy-2024-01-03/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-head-vows-group-will...</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[40] <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/43176%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43181%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43184%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43206%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43209%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43225%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43229%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43231%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43233%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43235%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43237%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43242%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43258" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/43176 ; https://t.me/C_Military1/43181 ; ht...</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[41] <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/43237%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43233%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43229%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43225%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43258%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43242%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43235%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43231%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43184%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43181" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/43237 ; https://t.me/C_Military1/43233 ; ht...</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[42] <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42827%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/42824%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; 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vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elamharbi/7;</a> <a href="https://t.me/elamharbi/3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elamharbi/3</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[70] <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-strikes-iran-linked-sites-for-continuing-attacks-on-u-s-forces-iraq-and-syria/;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-strikes-iran-linked-sites-for-continuin...</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/us-officials-american-forces-attacked-at-iraq-air-base-respond-in-self-defense-/7364267.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.voanews.com/a/us-officials-american-forces-attacked-at-iraq-...</span></a></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[71] <a href="http://www.alahad/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.alahad</a> dot iq/?page=article&itemId=183353</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[72] <a href="http://www.alahad/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.alahad</a> dot iq/?page=article&itemId=183371</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[73] <a href="https://t.me/Kofia_News/45696" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/Kofia_News/45696</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[74] <a href="https://www.farsnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.farsnews</a> dot ir/news/14000630000898/%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AC%DB%8C-%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%B9%D9%87%D8%AF-%D8%A8%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87%E2%80%8C%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%85-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%B1%DB%8C%DA%A9%D8%A7-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B7%D9%82%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AC-%DA%A9%D9%86%DB%8C%D9%85</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[75] <a href="https://english.almayadeen/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://english.almayadeen</a> dot net/news/politics/iraqi-govt-moving-towards-ending-us-led-coalition-presence-i</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[76] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-28-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-28-2023</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[77] <a href="https://shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://shafaq</a> dot com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%88%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%87-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%81%D8%B8-%D8%B4%D8%B7%D8%A8-%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%BA%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%8A%D8%B1</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[78] <a href="https://shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://shafaq</a> dot com/en/Iraq-News/Tasmeem-alliance-to-attend-the-first-parliamentary-session-as-an-independent-Bloc</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[79] <a href="https://www.newarab/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.newarab</a> dot com/Blog/2017/9/4/Everything-you-need-to-know-about-Basras-new-governor</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[80] <a href="https://almadapaper/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://almadapaper</a> dot net/view.php?cat=303684</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[81] <a href="https://shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://shafaq</a> dot com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%AC%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%88%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%87-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%81%D8%B8-%D8%B4%D8%B7%D8%A8-%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%BA%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%87%D9%8A%D8%B1</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[82] <a href="https://www.shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.shafaq</a> dot com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%81%D9%84-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%AE%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%A8%D9%85%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8-%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%88%D9%89-%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A9</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[83] <a href="https://shafaq%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://shafaq dot</a> com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A8-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8-%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A9-4-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%AF</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[84] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-april-24-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-april-24-2023</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[85] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-april-24-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-april-24-2023</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[86] <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1742389041725886957" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1742389041725886957</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[87] <a href="https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1742534607478641006" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1742534607478641006</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/army21ye/status/1742516855925772542" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/army21ye/status/1742516855925772542</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[88] <a href="https://twitter.com/army21ye/status/1742516855925772542" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/army21ye/status/1742516855925772542</a> ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-31-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-31-2023</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[89] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-31-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: dotted 1px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-31-2023</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[90] <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/01/03/a-joint-statement-from-the-governments-of-the-united-states-australia-bahrain-belgium-canada-denmark-germany-italy-japan-netherlands-new-zealand-and-the-united-kingdom/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/01/03/...</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[91] <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/01/03/a-joint-statement-from-the-governments-of-the-united-states-australia-bahrain-belgium-canada-denmark-germany-italy-japan-netherlands-new-zealand-and-the-united-kingdom/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/01/03/...</a></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[92] <a href="https://twitter.com/army21ye/status/1742516855925772542" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/army21ye/status/1742516855925772542</a><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[93] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/20/yemen-houthi-rebels-seize-cargo-ship-galaxy-leader-red-sea-israel" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/20/yemen-houthi-rebels-seize-...</a> ; <a href="https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-november-19-2023%C2%A0" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-november-19-2023 </a></span></p><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #fcff01;">Tags</b></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"> </span><u style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Iran Project </b></u></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></u></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> File Attachments: </u></b></span></div></div></div></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2b00fe; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTJanuary%203%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2013013">DraftIsraelCOTJanuary 3,2024.png</a></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2b00fe; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20January%203%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1608305">Gaza Clearing Map January 3,2024.png</a></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2b00fe; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20January%2003%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1810552">Gaza Evacuation Zone Map January 03, 2023.png</a></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2b00fe; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20January%203%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1585943">West Bank Battle Map January 3,2024.png</a></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2b00fe; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20January%203%2C2024.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1608593">Northern Israel Battle Map January 3,2024.png</a></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2b00fe; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20January%2003%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=4933421">Regional Battle Map Draft January 03, 2023.png</a></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2b00fe; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20January%2003%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=5512325">Regional IDF Battle Map January 03,2023.png</a></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2b00fe; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/jpeg" /></span><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Babel%20Street_11.jpg" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/jpeg; length=18200">Babel Street.jpg</a></b></span></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-15757578292178758332024-01-01T07:24:00.000-08:002024-01-01T07:24:03.212-08:00IRAN UPDATE, DECEMBER 31, 2023 <p><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><u>SOURCE : </u></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">( ) <span style="background-color: #fcff01;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: red;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">IRAN UPDATE, DECEMBER 31, 2023</u></b></span><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;"> : </span></u><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"> </span> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7881121750623742708/1575757829217875833</b></span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;"> ( ) </span><span class="mw-page-title-main" style="font-family: "Linux Libertine", Georgia, Times, "Source Serif Pro", serif;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;"><u>Tandem-charge :</u> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-family: Linux Libertine, Georgia, Times, Source Serif Pro, serif;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tandem-charge</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #800180;">( ) <span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-decoration-line: underline;">Where Did Hamas Get Rare RPG-7s with Tandem-Charge EFP, Anti-Tank Weapons and MANPADS:</span><span style="font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><u> </u> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>https://en.defence-ua.com/analysis/where_did_hamas_get_rare_rpg_7s_with_tandem_charge_efp_anti_tank_weapons_and_manpads-8209.html</span></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;">_______________________________</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><u> <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">SUMMARY OF THE DAY</span></u></span></span></b></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Israeli forces advanced into Beit Lahiya for clearing operations in the northern Gaza Strip. An Israeli Brigade Combat Team identified three Hamas fighters inside a building and directed an airstrike at their position in Beit Lahiya, according to an IDF report on December 31. The al Qassem Brigades—the militant wing of Hamas—intercepted an Israeli reconnaissance drone in Beit Lahiya on December 31. Israeli forces initially advanced into the Gaza Strip west of Beit Lahiya in late October. Commercially available satellite imagery captured on December 31 shows recently flattened terrain in Beit Lahiya City and north of the city, which suggests that Israeli tanks or bulldozers recently began operating in the area. The Wall Street Journal published a map of the tunnel system that Hamas has created below the Gaza Strip based on data from 2014, which includes an extensive tunnel network in Beit Lahiya. Palestinian militia fighters have used tunnel shafts to maneuver through the strip and to ambush Israeli forces. The IDF has located about 1,500 tunnel shafts and routes in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the ground operation in the Gaza Strip, according to an IDF report on December 19.</i></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">_____________________________</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iran Update, December 31, 2023</u></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Ashka Jhaveri, Amin Soltani, Johanna Moore, Peter Mills, and Nicholas Carl</span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Information Cutoff: 2:00 pm EST</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>The Critical Threats Project and the Institute for the Study of War will not publish an Iran Update (Israel-Hamas War) on January 1, 2024, due to the Near Year holiday. We will resume publication of the Iran Update (Israel-Hamas War) on January 2, 2024.<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">The Iran Update provides insights into Iranian and Iranian-sponsored activities abroad that undermine regional stability and threaten US forces and interests. It also covers events and trends that affect the stability and decision-making of the Iranian regime. The Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) provides these updates regularly based on regional events. For more on developments in Iran and the region, see our</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"> </span></em><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/661fd12b23f442b781be64cf323ef573/?draft=true" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">interactive map of Iran and the Middle East</em></a><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</em></span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="font-size: 1em;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">Note: </span></u></b><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: x-small;"><b>CTP and ISW have refocused the update to cover the Israel-Hamas war. The new sections address developments in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as noteworthy activity from Iran’s Axis of Resistance. </b></span></em><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We do not report in detail on war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. </em><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We utterly condemn violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.</em></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click </em><a href="https://isw.pub/IsraelBattleMap" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">here</span></em></a><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> to see CTP and ISW’s interactive map of Israeli ground operations. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.</em></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Key Takeaways:</span></span></strong></p><ol style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli forces advanced into Beit Lahiya for clearing operations in the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian militias attempted to defend against Israeli forces operating in Tuffah and al Daraj in Gaza City. Palestinian militias did not claim any attacks in Jabalia City and Sheikh Radwan neighborhood.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian militias are clashing with Israeli forces in al Bureij in the Central Governorate of the Gaza Strip.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Israeli forces continued clearing operations in Khan Younis for the fourth straight week as Palestinian militia fighters tried to defend against Israeli advances. Palestinian militias have sustained almost daily attacks on Israeli forces in Khan Younis since Israel forces advanced into the southern Gaza Strip in early December.</span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;">Israel has withdrawn five IDF brigades from the Gaza Strip, which is consistent with Israeli forces transitioning to a third phase of operations. The third phase will include the end of major combat operations, a “reduction in forces” in the Gaza Strip, the release of reservists, a “transition to targeted raids,” and the establishment of a security buffer zone within the Gaza Strip.</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></span></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #990000;"><b>An unspecified Israeli intelligence officer told the Economist that most of Hamas’ command structure is “gone” and that Hamas is no longer operating as a military organization. CTP-ISW assesses that at least three of 30 Hamas battalions in the five brigades are combat ineffective, at least eight battalions are degraded, and at least 12 battalions are currently under intense IDF pressure</b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #990000;">.</span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">An Israeli Army Radio correspondent reported that <b style="background-color: #fcff01;">IDF sources believe the intensification of fighting on the ground in the Gaza Strip has contributed to a reduction in Palestinian rocket capabilities. </b>Palestinian militias did not claim any indirect fire attacks into Israel from the Gaza Strip.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters in six locations across the West Bank.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian-backed fighters, including Lebanese Hezbollah, conducted four attacks from southern Lebanon into northern Israel. LH Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem stated that LH will not allow displaced Israeli civilians to return to their homes in northern Israel until Israel halts its military operations in the Gaza Strip.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="color: #cc0000;">Iranian-backed militants conducted two attacks on US forces stationed at Conoco Mission Support Site and al Omar oil field on December 30.</span></u><span style="color: #800180;"> The Islamic Resistance in Iraq—a coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias—conducted two attacks targeting US forces in Iraq and Syria on December 31.</span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">Houthi fighters conducted two attacks on the MV <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Maersk Hangzhou</em> container ship in the southern Red Sea. The Houthis likely focused on attacking a Maersk-operated vessel in particular because Maersk announced that it would resume its operations in the Red Sea on December 24. These Houthi attacks are part of a broader regional escalation that Iran is leading against the United States and Israel.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Supreme National Security Council Secretary Rear Admiral Ali Akbar Ahmadian discussed the Israel-Hamas war with senior Houthi official Mohammad Abdul Salam in Tehran.</span></li></ol></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTDecember%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTDecember%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Gaza Strip</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Erode the will of the Israeli political establishment and public to launch and sustain a major ground operation into the Gaza Strip</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Degrade IDF material and morale around the Gaza Stri</b><span style="font-size: 13px;">p.</span></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Israeli forces advanced into Beit Lahiya for clearing operations in the northern Gaza Strip</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">. </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">An Israeli Brigade Combat Team identified three Hamas fighters inside a building and directed an airstrike at their position in Beit Lahiya, according to an IDF report on December 31.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[1] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades—the militant wing of Hamas—intercepted an Israeli reconnaissance drone in Beit Lahiya on December 31.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[2] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli forces initially advanced into the Gaza Strip west of Beit Lahiya in late October</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[3]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Commercially available satellite imagery captured on December 31 shows recently flattened terrain in Beit Lahiya City and north of the city, which suggests that Israeli tanks or bulldozers recently began operating in the area. The </span></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wall Street Journal</em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> published a map of the tunnel system that Hamas has created below the Gaza Strip based on data from 2014, which includes an extensive tunnel network in Beit Lahiya</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[4]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Palestinian militia fighters have used tunnel shafts to maneuver through the strip and to ambush Israeli forces.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[5] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF has located about 1,500 tunnel shafts and routes in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the ground operation in the Gaza Strip, according to an IDF report on December 19.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[6]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Palestinian militias attempted to defend against Israeli forces operating in Tuffah and al Daraj in Gaza City. The al Qassem Brigades and al Quds Brigades—the militant wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)—claimed several attacks on Israeli forces operating in the neighborhoods.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[7] </span></b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades claimed to detonate a Shawaz explosively formed penetrator (EFP) in the neighborhoods, targeting five Israeli vehicles</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[8]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> EFPs are particularly lethal improvised explosive devices designed to penetrate armored vehicles, such as main battle tanks</span></span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">.</span>[9]</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian militias did not claim any attacks in Jabalia City and Sheikh Radwan neighborhood on December 31.</span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="color: #800180;">CTP-ISW assessed on December 22 that Hamas’ Jabalia al Balad Battalion is degraded and that the Radwan Battalion remains combat effective</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[10] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Both battalions are facing active and intense IDF pressure, as Israeli forces continue advancing into these areas.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[11]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Palestinian militias have claimed nearly daily attacks in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood since the humanitarian pause expired on December 1, which suggests that it is one of the remaining areas where they maintain significant defensive infrastructure. The absence of Palestinian attack claims does not necessarily indicate that Hamas lacks the capability to launch attacks in the area, however. Palestinian militias have reported losing contact with specific units for short periods of time in the Gaza Strip, which could have happened in Jabalia City and Sheikh Radwan neighborhood.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[12]</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Israeli forces continued executing tasks consistent with holding operations in some areas of Gaza City.</b></span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">CTP-ISW reported on December 20 that</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> <span style="color: #800180;">Israeli forces are </span><b><span style="color: red;">transitioning from clearing operations to holding operations</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> in some areas of the northern Gaza Strip.</span></span><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">13]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The hold phase is defined by a decreased level of violence but still requires holding forces to engage and eliminate enemy forces and infrastructure to provide security.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[14] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian militia attacks in these areas demonstrate that the militias have retained some forces capable of targeting Israeli operations.</span></span></p><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: white;">Israeli forces searched the homes of Palestinian militia fighters in al Shaati refugee camp in northern Gaza City.<span style="color: red;">[15]</span> Unspecified Palestinian fighters had planted IEDs in the vicinity of a kindergarten in advance of the arrival of Israeli forces.</b></li></ul><div><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: white;">Israeli forces conducted an airstrike targeting a suspicious vehicle that Palestinian fighters were driving toward Israeli ground elements in southern Gaza City.[<span style="color: red;">16]</span></b></li></ul><div><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: white;">The al Quds Brigades detonated a tunnel entrance rigged with explosives targeting Israeli infantrymen in Shujaiya neighborhood, where Israeli forces have been executing tasks consistent with holding operations for over a week<span style="color: red;">.[17]</span></b></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Palestinian militias are clashing with Israeli forces in al Bureij in the Central Governorate of the Gaza Strip. </u></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades published footage on December 31 of its forces moving through buildings to launch rocket propelled grenades (RPG) at Israeli tanks—a tactic that the militia has employed heavily across the Gaza Strip.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[18] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF said that it expanded clearing operations in Bureij in the central Gaza Strip on December 26 to target Hamas’ Bureij Battalion.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[19] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF Arabic-language media spokesperson repeated on December 31 evacuation orders covering areas of the central Gaza Strip.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[20] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Residents of al Bureij refugee camp, Badr, northern coast, al Nuzha, al Zahra, al Buraq, al Salam, al Fayha, al Basma, al Bawadi, al Rawdah, and al Safah must move to shelters in Deir al Balah, according to the IDF evacuation orders.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[21]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Israeli forces continued clearing operations in Khan Younis for the fourth straight week as Palestinian militia fighters tried to defend against Israeli advances.</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF reported on December 31 that an airborne brigade deployed to Khan Younis in recent days after two months of intense fighting in the northern Gaza Strip.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[22] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The brigade joined special operations, armored, engineering, and air elements in clearing Khan Younis Governorate of militia infrastructure, such as observation outposts, anti-tank positions, and weapons depots.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[23] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian fighters emerged from a tunnel shaft in one encounter and attempted to fire RPGs before Israeli forces returned fire.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[24]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israeli air and armored elements killed the remaining Palestinian fighters</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[25]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The IDF also destroyed unspecified militia infrastructure belonging to the commanders of Hamas’ South Khan Younis Battalion, one of five in the governorate.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[26]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red;">Palestinian militias have sustained almost daily attacks on Israeli forces in Khan Younis since Israeli forces advanced into the southern Gaza Strip in early December.</span></u><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The al Qassem Brigades claimed three attacks on Israeli forces using mortars and anti-tank RPGs.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[27] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The National Resistance Brigades—the militant wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP)—claimed to target an Israeli tank with an unspecified explosive device north of Khan Younis</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">.[28] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Nasser Salah al Din Brigades—the militant wing of the Popular Resistance Committees—claimed that its fighters</span><span style="background-color: #ffd966;"><span style="color: #800180;"> targeted an Israeli tank with a </span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">tandem-charged anti-tank rocket </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">in Khan Younis</span></span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: #ffd966;">.</span>[29] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades and National Resistance Brigades claimed separate mortar attacks on Israeli forces east of Khuzaa, where the IDF began clearing operations on December 27</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">.[30]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Israel has withdrawn five IDF brigades from the Gaza Strip, which is consistent with Israeli forces transitioning to a third phase of operations.</u></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The IDF confirmed the withdrawals and that it will include some reservists.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[31]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Some of these brigades had deployed to and fought in the northern Gaza Strip</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[32] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Three of the five brigades are training brigades, which are responsible for training officers, tank personnel, and non-commissioned officers during peacetime.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[33] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Israel’s public broadcaster reported on December 23 that the IDF will transition to the third phase of its ground operation in the Gaza Strip in the “coming weeks.”</span><b><span style="color: red;">[34]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The report said that the third phase will include the end of major combat operations, a “reduction in forces” in the Gaza Strip, the release of reservists, a “transition to targeted raids,” and the establishment of a security buffer zone within the Gaza Strip.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">An unspecified Israeli intelligence officer told the Economist on December 30 that most of Hamas’ command structure is “gone” and that Hamas is no longer operating as a military organization.</u></span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">[35]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">The officer noted that Hamas maintains many fighters who have reverted </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">to guerilla tactics.</span></i></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">CTP-ISW assesses that at least</span><b><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"> three of 30 Hamas battalions in the five brigades are combat ineffective,</span></b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"> at least eight battalions are degraded, and at least 12 battalions are currently under intense IDF pressure</span></span></i><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[36] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Hamas has a conventional military order of battle but has fought this war and historically as an irregular (guerilla) force. Hamas very likely retains a deep bench of experienced military commanders</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[37]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israeli forces are still actively clearing in some parts of the northern Gaza Strip in addition to the Gaza Strip’s Central and Khan Younis governorates, where Hamas maintains combat effective units. Combat effectiveness measures a unit’s ability to perform its mission; a unit is combat ineffective when it is no longer able to complete its mission.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[38] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF reported on December 26 that all four battalions in Hamas’ Central Gazan Brigade have sustained “some damage” but are “largely functioning.”</span><b><span style="color: red;">[39]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Hamas’ combat ineffective units are still capable of waging low-level warfare and reconstituting.</span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">An Israeli Army Radio correspondent reported on December 31 that IDF sources believe the intensification of fighting on the ground in the</span><span style="background-color: #cc0000; color: white; font-size: medium;"> Gaza Strip has contributed to a reduction in Palestinian rocket capabilities</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000; color: white;">.</span></strong><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">[40]</span></b></span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian militias did not claim any indirect fire attacks into Israel from the Gaza Strip on December 31. CTP-ISW initially assessed that Israeli clearing operations were likely degrading Hamas’ capacity to conduct indirect fire attacks into Israel from the Gaza Strip on December 12.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[41]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF estimates that the war will not completely reduce rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into Israel, however.</span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli clearing operations are primarily focused on dismantling Hamas in the Gaza Strip</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[42] T</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">he IDF noted that the success of their operations in the strip does not preclude a “lone terrorist” from conducting indirect fire attacks into Israel. Several Palestinian militias operating in the Gaza Strip maintain rocket arsenals and have claimed indirect fire attacks into Israel</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[43]</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u>West Bank</u></span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward the West Bank and fix them there</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters in six locations across the West Bank on December 31</span><span style="color: red;">.</span></span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[44]</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades and one of its affiliated groups, the Tulkarm Rapid Response Battalion, claimed that they conducted IED and small arms attacks on Israeli forces around Tulkarm on December 30-31.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[45]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Unspecified Palestinian fighters threw IEDs at Israeli forces in Nablus, Tulkarm, and Jericho on December 31</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[46] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades separately claimed three small arms attacks on Israeli forces and settlements near Qalqilya and Nablus on December 30.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[47</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Unspecified Palestinian fighters fired small arms and threw Molotov cocktails at Israeli forces near Hebron on December 30.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[48]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Fatah organized a demonstration against Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip in Ramallah on December 31.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[49]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>This map is not an exhaustive depiction of clashes and demonstrations in the West Bank.</b></span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Southern Lebanon and Golan Heights</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward northern Israel and fix them there</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Set conditions for successive campaigns into northern Israel</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iranian-backed fighters, including Lebanese Hezbollah (LH), conducted four attacks from southern Lebanon into northern Israel on December 31.</u></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> LH fired anti-tank guided missiles and other unspecified munitions toward three Israeli border positions.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[50] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Unspecified fighters separately launched rockets toward Metula on December 31</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[51]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The IDF Air Force conducted airstrikes on LH military infrastructure in Ramiya, southern Lebanon.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[52]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The IDF stated that LH uses villages along the border to facilitate attacks on Israeli border positions</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[53]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u>LH Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem stated on December 31 that LH will not allow displaced Israeli civilians to return to their homes in northern Israel until Israel halts its military operations in the Gaza Strip</u></span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[54]</span></strong><span style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Qassem stated that LH is in a state of war with Israel and that its forces along the border were positioned accordingly</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[55] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Qassem also warned that Israeli attacks harming Lebanese civilians would lead to a stronger but proportional response from LH.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[56]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Head of the Maronite Church Bechara Boutros al Rahi called for LH to withdraw its rocket units from civilian areas in southern Lebanon to avoid IDF retaliation.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[57]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Iran and Axis of Resistance</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Demonstrate the capability and willingness of Iran and the Axis of Resistance to escalate against the United States and Israel on multiple fronts</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Set conditions to fight a regional war on multiple fronts</b></span></li></ul><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><span style="color: #cc0000;">Iranian-backed militants conducted two attacks on US forces stationed at Conoco Mission Support Site and al Omar oil field on December 30</span><span style="color: #800180;">.</span></u></span></strong><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u>[</u>58]</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span><span style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">The militants fired three drones at Conoco Mission Support Site and 14 rockets at al Omar oilfield, according to an unnamed US defense official</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[59]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The attack on Conoco is the largest barrage of rockets fired at US forces in a single attack that CTP-ISW has recorded since the Israel-Hamas war began, although it is possible that comparable or larger attacks have occurred and that such details have not been published. Syrian opposition media reported that Kataib Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed Iraqi militias were responsible for the December 30 attacks</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[60]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> CTP-ISW previously assessed that the Iranian-led Axis of Resistance may escalate further against US forces in the region in the coming days, especially around the four-year anniversary of the US killing former IRGC Quds Force Commander Major General Qassem Soleimani on January 3, 2024.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[61</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Iranian leaders have vowed to expel US forces from the region as part of their revenge for the United States killing Soleimani</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[62]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The IRGC Quds Force engaged senior Iranian-backed Iraqi militia and political leaders likely to discuss their military and political campaign to expel US forces on December 30, as CTP-ISW previously reported.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[63]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">The Islamic Resistance in Iraq—a coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias—conducted two attacks targeting US forces in Iraq and Syria on December 31</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">.</span></strong><span style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed two separate drone attacks on US forces at Rmelan Landing Zone, Syria, and</span><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;"> Erbil International Airport, Iraq</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[64]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;">Kataib Hezbollah (KH) commemorated its fight against the United States in several posts on its Telegram page on December 31</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;">.</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> KH claimed that the United States deployed military advisors to Iraq under false pretexts to reoccupy Iraq and reshape the Middle East according to Israeli interests</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[65]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> KH also celebrated the fourth anniversary of the storming of the US Embassy in Baghdad on December 31, 2019, and 12</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> anniversary of the US troop withdrawal in 2011.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[66] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">KH also applauded its fighters' continued dedication to removing the United States from Iraq</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[67]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Houthi fighters<span style="color: #cc0000;"> conducted two attacks on the MV </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Maersk Hangzhou</em><span style="color: #cc0000;"> container ship in the southern Red Sea.</span></strong><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">Likely Houthi fighters conducted a missile attack on the ship on December 30.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[68] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The USS Gravely destroyer intercepted two anti-ship missiles targeting the </span></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hangzhou,</em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> while responding to a distress call from the ship</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[69]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Four Houthi fast attack craft later approached the </span></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hangzhou, </em><span style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">firing on the container ship and attempting to board it.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[70]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The USS Gravely and USS Eisenhower aircraft carriers sent helicopters to the container ship and issued verbal messages to the Houthi boats, which then fired on the helicopters</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">.[71] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The helicopters returned fire in self-defense and sank three of the four Houthi boats, killing ten Houthi members.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[72]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">The fourth Houthi boat fled the area.</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said that Houthi fighters had been performing their regular duties to provide security and stability in the Red Sea by preventing Israeli ships or ships en route to Israel from passing.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[73]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Saree accused the United States of attempting to expand the conflict into the Red Sea and warned other countries of being complicit to US efforts.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[74]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Saree’s statement notably quoted a Quranic verse that LH and the Islamic Resistance of Iraq regularly cite as justification for their attacks on the United States or Israel. The use of the passage across the Axis of Resistance members is likely meant to signal their unity to external actors, while framing their regional escalation as some kind of religious duty.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">The Houthis likely focused on attacking a Maersk-operated vessel in particular because Maersk announced that it would resume its operations in the Red Sea on December 24.</span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>[75] </b></span><span style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">CTP-ISW previously assessed that the Iranian and Houthi anti-shipping attack campaign is meant to demonstrate the capability and willingness of the Axis of Resistance to threaten multiple strategic maritime chokepoints across the Middle East. The Houthi framing that the anti-shipping attack campaign is meant to only prevent commercial traffic to Israel is inaccurate, as the Houthi attacks have targeted multiple ships with no immediate connection to Israel or Israeli interests. Maersk announced that it would again suspend its operations in the Red Sea—this time for 48 hours—on December 31</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[76]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">These Houthi attacks are part of a broader regional escalation that Iran is leading against the United States and Israel. This regional escalation is meant to achieve Iran’s broader regional ambitions rather than achieve any discrete effects vis-a-vis the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip. This Iran-led escalation includes the almost daily drone, missile, and rocket attacks that Iranian-backed militias have conducted against US forces in Iraq and Syria. Iran and its proxies and partners in the Axis of Resistance are framing falsely this escalation as a response to the Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip. Iran and its Axis of Resistance have a long history of threatening American servicemembers and international shipping prior to the war because it supports their grand strategic objectives in the Middle East. The current escalation is thus meant to help Iran attain regional hegemony, destroy the Israeli state, and expel US forces from the Middle East. The Israel-Hamas war provides informational cover to Iran and the Axis of Resistance, allowing them to misrepresent their long-standing campaigns as meant to support the Palestinian cause.</span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="673" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian discussed recent Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea during a phone call with his British counterpart, David Cameron, on December 31</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[77]</span></strong></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Abdollahian suggested that Houthi attacks on maritime traffic would continue so long as Israel continues its military operations in the Gaza Strip. Cameron stated that Iran bears responsibility for the Houthi attacks given its long-standing support for the Houthis. The Houthis have conducted an anti-shipping attack campaign around the Red Sea in recent weeks to disrupt commercial shipping to Israel and demonstrate both the willingness and capability of the Axis of Resistance to disrupt maritime traffic around strategic maritime chokepoints</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[78]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Supreme National Security Council Secretary Rear Admiral Ali Akbar Ahmadian discussed the Israel-Hamas war with senior Houthi official Mohammad Abdul Salam in Tehran on December 31</span><span style="color: red;">.</span></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: 1em;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[79]</strong> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">Ahmadian praised the Houthis for their support of the Palestinians against Israeli “aggression.”</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei met with the family of Qassem Soleimani on December 31.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">80]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">Khamenei praised how Soleimani strengthened the Axis of Resistance and called on the IRGC Quds Force to further strengthen it. IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami and IRGC Quds Force Commander Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani attended the meeting. IRGC-affiliated media emphasized that Khamenei’s insistence on continuing to strengthen the Axis of Resistance was directed at Ghaani</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[81]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met with the family of IRGC Brigadier General Razi Mousavi, whom Israel killed in an airstrike in Syria, on December 31</span><span style="font-size: 1em;">.</span></span></strong><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[82]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Raisi threatened that Israel “would pay the price” for killing Mousavi. Western and anti-regime media have reported that Mousavi headed IRGC Quds Force Unit 2250, which manages Iranian weapons shipments to LH and Iranian-backed militias in Syria.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[83]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Senior Iranian military and political officials have attended Mousavi’s commemoration and funeral ceremonies in recent days, highlighting his prominence in the regime and its regional project.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[84]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"></span> </span></p><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="1" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; float: none; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">References</u></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; 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margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[3] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-november-4-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-november-4-2023</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[4] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-hamas-war-biden/card/map-shows-labyrinth-of-tunnels-made-by-hamas-under-gaza-identified-by-israel-IieNDixn5Bs78HeUi46v" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-hamas-war-biden/card/map-shows-l...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; 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border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[7] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1148;%C2%A0https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1149;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1148; https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1149;</a> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17117" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17117</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[8] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1149" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1149</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[9] <a href="https://taskandpurpose.com/tech-tactics/efp-explosively-formed-penetrator-projectile/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://taskandpurpose.com/tech-tactics/efp-explosively-formed-penetrato...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[10] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/order-battle-hamas%E2%80%99-izz-al-din-al-qassem-brigades" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/order-battle-hamas%E2%80%9...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[11] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/order-battle-hamas%E2%80%99-izz-al-din-al-qassem-brigades" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/order-battle-hamas%E2%80%9...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[12] <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/16947" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/16947</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[13] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-20-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-20-2023</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[14] <a href="https://irp.fas.org/doddir/army/fm3-24.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://irp.fas.org/doddir/army/fm3-24.pdf</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[15] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741350811840528536" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741350811840528536</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[16] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741350833768243301" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741350833768243301</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[17] <a href="https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1738264100071723440;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1738264100071723440;</a> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17116" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17116</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[18] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1152" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1152</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[19] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-26-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-26-2023</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[20] <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1741373286901043422" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1741373286901043422</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[21] <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1741373286901043422" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1741373286901043422</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[22] <a href="https://www.idf/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.idf</a> dot il/168132</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[23] <a href="https://www.idf/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.idf</a> dot il/168132</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[24] <a href="https://www.idf/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.idf</a> dot il/168132</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[25] <a href="https://www.idf/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.idf</a> dot il/168132</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[26] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/order-battle-hamas%E2%80%99-izz-al-din-al-qassem-brigades" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/order-battle-hamas%E2%80%9...</a> ; <a href="https://www.idf/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.idf</a> dot il/168132</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[27] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1146" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1146</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1150" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1150</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/qassambrigades/29845" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassambrigades/29845</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[28] <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4029" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4029</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[29] <a href="https://t.me/alwya2000/6156" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/alwya2000/6156</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[30] <a href="https://t.me/qassambrigades/29847" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassambrigades/29847</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4031" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4031</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[31] <a href="https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1741509504842273078" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1741509504842273078</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1741503980427944111" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1741503980427944111</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[32] <a href="https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1722253475399225668" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1722253475399225668</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1737141768473170371" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1737141768473170371</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[33] <a href="https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1741509504842273078" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1741509504842273078</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1741503980427944111" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1741503980427944111</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[34] <a href="https://www.kan/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.kan</a> dot org.il/content/kan-news/defense/660419 ; <a href="https://www.haaretz/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.haaretz</a> dot com/israel-news/2023-12-22/ty-article/.premium/the-unbridgeable-gulf-between-israeli-politicians-rhetoric-and-the-reality-in-gaza/0000018c-8e1e-da31-adff-8e5eb1060000</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[35] <a href="https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2023/12/30/israel-prepares-for-a-long-war-in-gaza" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2023/12/30/israel-prepa...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[36] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/order-battle-hamas%E2%80%99-izz-al-din-al-qassem-brigades" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/order-battle-hamas%E2%80%9...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[37] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/order-battle-hamas%E2%80%99-izz-al-din-al-qassem-brigades" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/order-battle-hamas%E2%80%9...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[38] <a href="https://irp.fas.org/doddir/army/fm1-02-1.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://irp.fas.org/doddir/army/fm1-02-1.pdf</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[39] <a href="https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1739697912701960660" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1739697912701960660</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[40] <a href="https://twitter.com/Doron_Kadosh/status/1741330619815149898" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/Doron_Kadosh/status/1741330619815149898</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[41] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-12-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-12-2023</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[42] <a href="https://twitter.com/Doron_Kadosh/status/1741330619815149898" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/Doron_Kadosh/status/1741330619815149898</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[43] <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/16886;%C2%A0https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/3991;%C2%A0https://t.me/mihwar_almuqawama/38696;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/16886; https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/3991; https:/...</a> <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/338858%C2%A0" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/338858 </a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[44] <a href="https://t.me/alredalsrey/520%C2%A0https://t.me/QudsN/351534%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5413%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741381686137323820%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/QudsN/351635%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/QudsN/351826%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/QudsN/351841" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/alredalsrey/520 https://t.me/QudsN/351534 ; https://t.me...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[45] <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/351542%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5412%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/alredalsrey/520%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5413" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/351542 ; https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5412 ; https://...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[46] <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/351534%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741381686137323820%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/QudsN/351635" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/351534 ; https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/17413...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[47] <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2635%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2637" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2635 ; https://t.me/kataebaqsapalesti...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[48] <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/351384%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/QudsN/351434" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/351384 ; https://t.me/QudsN/351434</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[49] <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/351738" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/351738</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[50] <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/43021%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43019%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/43007" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/43021 ; https://t.me/C_Military1/43019 ; ht...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[51] <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/351746" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/351746</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[52] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741423656436113494" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741423656436113494</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[53] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741423656436113494" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741423656436113494</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[54] <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/43010%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/QudsN/351676" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/43010 ; https://t.me/QudsN/351676</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[55] <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/43010" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/43010</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[56] <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/43010" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/43010</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[57] <a href="https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1741511082613567556" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1741511082613567556</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[58] <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1741182645952733322?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1741182645952733322?s=20</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/Tammuz_Intel/status/1741184096229896426?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/Tammuz_Intel/status/1741184096229896426?s=20</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[59] <a href="https://twitter.com/JenGriffinFNC/status/1741253072016302215?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/JenGriffinFNC/status/1741253072016302215?s=20</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[60] <a href="https://x.com/OALD24/status/1741223175935930715?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/OALD24/status/1741223175935930715?s=20</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[61] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-30-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-30-2023</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[62] <a href="https://www.farsnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.farsnews</a> dot ir/news/14000630000898</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[63] <a href="https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/95977%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/95977 ;</a> <a href="https://www.irna/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.irna</a> dot ir/news/85338224; <a href="https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/96010" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/96010</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/95990%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/96014" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/95990 ; https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/96014</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[64] <a href="https://t.me/elamharbi/184" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elamharbi/184</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/elamharbi/183" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elamharbi/183</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[65] <a href="https://t.me/centerkaf/4159" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/centerkaf/4159</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[66] <a href="https://t.me/centerkaf/4155" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/centerkaf/4155</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/centerkaf/4156" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/centerkaf/4156</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[67] <a href="https://t.me/centerkaf/4156" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/centerkaf/4156</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/centerkaf/4159" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/centerkaf/4159</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[68] <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1741259817602429357" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1741259817602429357</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[69] <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1741259817602429357" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1741259817602429357</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[70] <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1741381969936834951" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1741381969936834951</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[71] <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1741381969936834951" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1741381969936834951</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[72] <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1741381969936834951" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1741381969936834951</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[73] <a href="https://twitter.com/army21ye/status/1741497110896198050" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/army21ye/status/1741497110896198050</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[74] <a href="https://twitter.com/army21ye/status/1741497110896198050" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/army21ye/status/1741497110896198050</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[75] <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/24/shipping-giant-maersk-prepares-to-resume-operations-in-red-sea.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/24/shipping-giant-maersk-prepares-to-resume...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[76] <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/maersk-pauses-red-sea-sailings-after-houthi-attack-container-ship-2023-12-31/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/maersk-pauses-red-sea-sailings...</a> ; <a href="https://x.com/staunovo/status/1741403895685902667?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/staunovo/status/1741403895685902667?s=20</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1741399733342458283" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1741399733342458283</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[77] <a href="https://www.irna/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.irna</a> dot ir/news/85339445; <a href="https://www.iribnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iribnews</a> dot ir/fa/news/4107989/ ; <a href="https://x.com/David_Cameron/status/1741402279591215219?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/David_Cameron/status/1741402279591215219?s=20</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[78] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-23-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-23-2023</a> ; <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-16-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-16-2023</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[79] <a href="https://www.javanonline/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.javanonline</a> dot ir/fa/news/1207417</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[80] <a href="https://farsi.khamenei/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://farsi.khamenei</a> dot ir/photo-album?id=54778 ; <a href="https://www.farsnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.farsnews</a> dot ir/news/14021010000616; <a href="https://www.tasnimnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.tasnimnews</a> dot com/fa/news/1402/10/10/3015088; <a href="https://defapress/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://defapress</a> dot ir/fa/news/641722; <a href="https://www.irna/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.irna</a> dot ir/photo/85339148/; <a href="https://www.irna/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.irna</a> dot ir/news/85339123/; <a href="https://www.iribnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iribnews</a> dot ir/fa/news/4107636</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[81] <a href="https://www.tasnimnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.tasnimnews</a> dot com/fa/news/1402/10/10/3015088</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[82] <a href="https://president/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://president</a> dot ir/fa/149140 ; <a href="https://www.presstv/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.presstv</a> dot ir/Detail/2023/12/31/717363/Iran-Ebrahim-Raeisi-condemn-assassination-Seyed-Razi-Mousavi-Israel-pay-price-crime</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[83] <a href="https://www.iranintl/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iranintl</a> dot com/en/202209203504; <a href="https://amwaj/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://amwaj</a> dot media/article/inside-story-airstrike-kills-iran-s-most-influential-commander-in-syria</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[84] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-30-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-30-2023</a></b></span></p></div></div></div><h3 id="tagtitle" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.2308em; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.25; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></h3><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b> <u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Tags </u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Iran Project </u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>File Attachments:</u></b></span> </div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTDecember%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2083746">DraftIsraelCOTDecember 31,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1663827">Gaza Clearing Map December 31,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1820353">Gaza Evacuation Zone Map December 31,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1578896">Northern Israel Battle Map December 31,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=4834220">Regional Battle Map Draft December 31,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=5513465">Regional IDF Battle Map December 31,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2031%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1613860">West Bank Battle Map December 31,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/jpeg" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Babel%20Street%20logo_35.jpg" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/jpeg; length=18200">Babel Street logo.jpg</a></span></b></span></div></div></div><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-13321891250586258292024-01-01T05:02:00.000-08:002024-01-01T08:19:23.909-08:00THE LANDS UKRAINE MUST LIBERATE <p><b><span style="color: #800180;"><u> SOURCE : </u></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;"> ( ) </span></b><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">THE LANDS UKRAINE MUST LIBERATE : </span></u><span style="color: #800180;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/lands-ukraine-must-liberate</span></b></p><p><span><span style="color: #800180;">( ) </span><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;"> https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1741492798438744337/photo/1</span></u></b></span></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TCykOR4Sl7Ppr9nn7xd39IMHTkSdwJ_ljt-8WAmU0sPmRMGUJGbM7lsssoyvvnWEwQBNMmB0ZbH2NlGrWDBGD4q8lH_U1W_JM7rGEtfKbGlD8nCXQAezycOBBloTHgzsrU8wyDhdli-grlfZZggWJ-yDMtmQyPDm-ogN9FdcrpKAkJezbGLgJ0mJIrNL/s1557/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1557" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TCykOR4Sl7Ppr9nn7xd39IMHTkSdwJ_ljt-8WAmU0sPmRMGUJGbM7lsssoyvvnWEwQBNMmB0ZbH2NlGrWDBGD4q8lH_U1W_JM7rGEtfKbGlD8nCXQAezycOBBloTHgzsrU8wyDhdli-grlfZZggWJ-yDMtmQyPDm-ogN9FdcrpKAkJezbGLgJ0mJIrNL/w640-h368/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><p></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">The Lands Ukraine Must Liberate</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"> Frederick W. Kagan, George Barros, Noel Mikkelsen, and Daniel Mealie</span></span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">December 31, 2023</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">A Ukraine strong enough to deter and defeat any future Russian aggression with an economy strong enough to prosper without large amounts of foreign aid is the only outcome of Russia’s war that the United States and the West should accept.</b></span></i><span style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> <b style="background-color: #fcff01;">Trusting Russian promises of good behavior would be foolish</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">. Leaving Ukraine’s economy badly damaged would create a long-term and large drain on Western finances. Discussions about pressing Ukraine to trade land the Russians now occupy for a ceasefire or armistice have garnered attention recently, based on rumors of Kremlin interest in negotiations of some sort.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[1]</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 1em;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">These discussions have thus far largely focused on the supposed intransigence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who, it is argued, must be pressed to accept that Ukraine must cede some of its territory.</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">That argument ignores the question that should be central to any such discussion:</span> </b><i style="background-color: #d9ead3;">what are the concrete military, economic, and financial consequences that these territorial sacrifices would have for Ukraine’s long-term security and economic viability or for the future financial burden they would impose on the supporters of an independent Ukraine? The serious evaluation of this question shows that there are real military and economic reasons for Ukraine to try to liberate all of the territory Russia now occupies and that, in any event, the current lines cannot be the basis for any settlement remotely acceptable to Ukraine or the West.</i></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russia Will Not Abandon Its Maximalist Aims Now or in the Future</u></span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian President Vladimir Putin and many Kremlin officials have driven deep into the Russian political consciousness the ideas that Ukraine has no independent identity and no basis to continue to exist as an independent state; that any Ukrainian government not totally subservient to Moscow is a pawn of the West and a threat to Russia; that Ukrainian opponents of Russian rule are Nazis intent on conducting genocide against Russians in Ukraine; and that Russia has a legal, moral, and religious obligation to extirpate these supposed threats and restore Ukraine to its rightful place as a historically Russian land</span><b><span style="color: red;">.<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[2]</span></span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Putin has made these arguments part of his 2024 presidential election platform</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[3]</b></span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian administrators are inserting them in curricula throughout Russia and occupied Ukraine</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[4]</b></span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Kremlin mouthpieces speak to the Russian domestic audience with one voice along these lines.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[5]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Putin is training Russians to commit themselves to the task of subjugating Ukraine, and that training will neither stop nor vanish following some negotiated ceasefire. It will, in fact, shape the thoughts and likely policies of Putin’s successors for years or decades.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: red;">The task facing Ukraine and the West, therefore, is to be prepared after the end of this conflict to confront a Russia still determined to achieve its original aims, likely fortified in that determination by a desire to avenge its failures in the course of this war. The damage that the current war is doing to Russia’s military helps to reduce the risks of Russia renewing war quickly, but that effect is temporary and its duration depends in large part on how committed Putin is to rebuilding Russia’s military capabilities rapidly. The Russia-Ukraine frontier will thus be a frontier of potentially imminent conflict for the indefinite future, unfortunately. Peace can only be sustained at an acceptable price if that frontier is defensible by the kinds of forces Ukraine can sustain over the long term.</span></i></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">The Forces Required to Defend Ukraine Depend on Ukraine’s Borders</u></span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Military requirements to defend a state depend on many factors including the likely strength and capability of the adversary, the length and configuration of the borders to be held, and the amount of depth the borders provide—that is, the degree to which the defender can temporarily give ground in the face of an attack. Ukraine and the West have little control after the fighting stops over the size and strength of the Russian military, which all current indications suggest will be much greater in a few years than it was in February 2022 by every measure.</span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[6]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">They can control the other two factors, however, by committing to or refraining from trying to liberate additional Russian-occupied territory.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The amount of depth provided by any given border configuration is far more important than limited changes in the length of the lines in determining the military requirements of the defense and the cost of money, equipment, and social sacrifice needed to hold them.</b> </span><span style="color: red;">The more the defender must hold the initial line of defense at all costs the more he must maintain large and fully combat-capable forces near that initial line at all times. </span><span style="color: #800180;">Sustaining a large, fully-equipped, fight-tonight-trained military is exorbitantly expensive and requires keeping a high proportion of the defender’s population in the military even during peacetime. Keeping many people mobilized all the time imposes a double cost on the state—it must pay each individual for their service, on the one hand, and it loses the contributions of that individual to the economy on the other.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">A far more economical approach to defense is to hold a line with smaller forces intended not to defend but rather to delay the attacker’s advance to buy time for reserves of personnel and equipment to be called up and sent forward. Those reserves can then stop and reverse the initial attack, winning back any ground that has been temporarily lost. Reserves are far less expensive than mobilized troops—the defender pays the cost of calling them up and training them to begin with and of some refresher training after their initial service period is done, but they otherwise live normal lives contributing to the economy and raising families.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">The land itself, of course, also contributes to the economy</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #800180;">.</span></span></b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> </span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">In Ukraine’s case it often does so directly through agriculture and mining, but different frontline configurations can cede more or less of Ukraine’s industrial and other economic potential to Russia—weakening the Ukrainian economy and ability to sustain its military and strengthening Russia’s.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">The January 2022 Lines Are Far Easier to Defend Efficiently than the December 2023 Lines</u></span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukraine’s borders and the line of contact between Ukraine and Russia before the full-scale invasion of 2022 were long—about 3,120 kilometers—but included large areas offering considerable defensive depth, especially in the northeast. Ukraine will always need to defend its northern border, opposite Belarus and then Russia, very close to the border itself on a west-to-east line extending from the Polish border to around Chernihiv. Kyiv is only about 100 kilometers from the border, and essential ground lines of communication run through Rivne and Lutsk at about the same distance. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, is even closer to the international border and affords no depth at all. The Russian occupation in 2014 of eastern Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and Crimea brought several other important Ukrainian cities under permanent threat. Mariupol was almost right on the line of contact in 2022.</span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Eastern%20Layout%20Pre-Invasion%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="640" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Eastern%20Layout%20Pre-Invasion%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="414" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Eastern%20Layout%20Pre-Invasion%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Eastern%20Layout%20Pre-Invasion%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></a></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">In January 2022, Kherson and Melitopol were respectively about 90 and 115 kilometers away from Russian control. Their physical situation offers a better prospect for a more efficient defense, however. Kherson lies across the Dnipro River from Crimea, on the one hand, affording the Ukrainians in principle opportunities to fall back to the river line if necessary in the face of renewed Russian attack from there. Melitopol benefits from no such natural defenses, but Russian forces attacking from Crimea must cross several bridges to get to the Ukrainian mainland (a factor from which Kherson also benefits), creating chokepoints that could be used to slow the Russian advance and buy time for Ukrainian reserves to arrive. (That this did not happen in 2022 reflects the fact that, contrary to Russian claims, Ukraine was not preparing for a war with Russia before the full-scale Russian invasion. A future Ukrainian military surely will. Ukraine had fewer armed forces in these areas in 2022 because it had concentrated its best forces in the east opposite occupied Donbas. A future Ukrainian military will likely concentrate differently.)</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Layout%20Pre-Invasion%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="320" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Layout%20Pre-Invasion%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="640" /> </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Northeastern Ukraine offers even more depth.</span><span style="color: #800180;"> It is among the most fertile lands anywhere in the world but also sparsely populated, especially near the international border:</span></b></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Ukraine%20Raion%20Demographics%202022%20Borders%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="629" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Ukraine%20Raion%20Demographics%202022%20Borders%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Ukraine%20Raion%20Demographics%202022%20Borders%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Ukraine%20Raion%20Demographics%202022%20Borders%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></a></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">The terrain provides ample opportunity for delaying actions behind which reserves can mobilize to defend more heavily populated settlements in the rear and prepare to regain ground lost in an initial renewed, Russian assault.</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The task of defending these long lines, even with the areas providing strategic depth, is daunting. The future Ukrainian military will have to be much larger and much better trained and equipped than it was in 2022. But it is far less daunting than the challenge Ukraine would face in having to defend the current lines if the conflict were frozen today. </span><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red;">We will consider below the reduction in requirements that come from regaining the internationally recognized borders.</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Freezing the Lines Unfreezes the Forces</u></span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces on the line of contact today are making marginal gains at a high cost in lives and materiel. A future Russian attempted invasion following a protracted period of reconstitution would not present the Russians with the same challenges.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">The current Ukrainian and Russian deployments along the line are shaped by the ongoing active fighting, constraining Russian forces’ ability to optimize their deployments across the theater</span><b style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;">.<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[7]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">Russian forces are concentrated in areas they are focused on trying to seize at the moment, such as Avdiivka. Both sides have pulled artillery, air defense, aviation, and other scarce but vital systems as far out of range of the other’s strike capabilities as possible. Both sides have generally learned the hard way to avoid massing large quantities of tanks, armored personnel carriers, and other such weapons of war because doing so usually leads to their rapid destruction by massed artillery, drone, or air attack</span><span style="color: red;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">.</span></b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">[8]</span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></span><span style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><b>The ongoing fighting is consuming Russian forces generated just about as rapidly as Russia puts them into the field.</b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="250" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Main%20Southern%20Layout%20Current%20Situation%20%281%29_1.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></div></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </span></div><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">Should an armistice be established, however, few of the conditions shaping the deployments of these forces would hold anymore.</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> New Russian forces would not be consumed by fighting after a ceasefire. </span><span style="color: #800180;">The Russians would no longer be forced to mass in particular areas where they are currently attacking but would instead be able to rearrange their forces to optimize for other factors. They would be able to mass artillery, air defense, electronic warfare, and engineering capabilities, specifically bridging equipment, and other supplies in fortified defensive positions near the front line—something they cannot do now as Ukrainian forces attack any concentrations within range of their weapons systems when they see them. The Russians would be able to prepare, train, equip, and deploy reserves in echelons throughout southern and eastern Ukraine to reinforce and support future operations and to improve the road and rail infrastructure needed to move them rapidly around. They could optimize, in other words, for a short-notice attack at times and places of their choosing in ways that the ongoing combat now precludes.</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">No Space to Trade</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><u><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Ukraine would need to defend right at the current lines in the event that Russia invades again following a period of reconstitution.</b></u><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"> Too many large population, industrial, and vital defensive centers are too close to the current lines for Ukraine to be able to trade space for time. Major urban areas with total pre-war populations of over five million (a bit over 11% of Ukraine’s total pre-war population) are within 160 kilometers (100 miles) of the current front lines. They include the vital population and industrial cities of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro; Odesa and Mykolaiv, which are Ukraine’s sole remaining ports and essential to Ukraine’s ability to export its grain and other goods; and the cities of Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, and Kostyantynivka that are both populous and form Ukraine’s major eastern defensive bastion. Kharkiv remains a mere 32 kilometers from the Russian border but is now also threatened by Russian lines about 110 kilometers to the east and southeast.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b><span style="color: red;">A Ukrainian military seeking to deter or defeat a future Russian attack that begins on these lines will have to be fully manned and equipped and fight-tonight trained even in peacetime, as it will have no margin for error in almost any direction.</span></b></i></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">In a future invasion,</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Russian forces seeking to take Kherson, Mykolaiv, or Odesa will have to cross the Dnipro River—and do so without the benefit of the bridges they used in 2022. Those attacking further east or toward Kharkiv or Kyiv will confront prepared Ukrainian defensive fortifications. The Russians will, thus, face daunting challenges of their own, to be sure.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">However, the aggressor benefits from many advantages in war. The Russians will be able to concentrate their own forces as close to the border as they like, along with all the air defense systems, bridging and other engineering equipment, artillery, ammunition, and other supplies they would need for a short-notice attack as noted above. </span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Ukrainians will not be able to attack those concentrations without breaking the ceasefire.</span><span style="color: #fcff01;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The Russians can keep a sizable portion of their own troops in a constant (and expensive) state of mobilization and readiness if they choose, and Putin has shown a great degree of willingness to burn money (and lose Russian lives) in pursuit of his objectives. </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 1em;"><b>The Russians are currently challenged to sustain their mobilized military and the large losses it is taking in Ukraine while also attempting to mobilize their defense industrial base</b></span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">[9]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> They can alleviate much of that pressure once the fighting stops, however, because they will no longer be taking losses, on the one hand, and will also be able to meter their defense industrial requirements at their own pace to be prepared for a renewed attack at a time of their choosing.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Russians can also keep many of their assault forces in reserve, dispersed in training areas throughout Russia, bringing them to war readiness only at the intended moment of attack—at least, they will be able to do so if they can resolve the failures in their pre-2022 and current mobilization and training systems as they have set out to do.</span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[10]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The second approach would, of course, give Ukraine warning and the opportunity to mobilize its own reservists. But it would have to mobilize its reserves every time the Russians did in this configuration of the lines because it cannot afford to cede its frontline positions temporarily while mobilizing reserves to regain lost ground. That situation would give the Russians enormous control over the cost of money and social tension of deterring and defending against a Russian attack. The lines as they are now, in either case, would leave it to Putin and his successors to determine the financial and social cost Ukraine and its Western backers must bear for Ukraine’s continued survival, and that cost would likely be very high.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Crimea</u></span></strong></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Layout%20Pre-Invasion%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="250" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Layout%20Pre-Invasion%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Layout%20Pre-Invasion%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Layout%20Pre-Invasion%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></a></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">The costs and challenges of Ukraine’s defense vary dramatically if Crimea returns to Ukraine</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"> or </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">remains in Russia’s hands.</span></u></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> The January 2022 lines considered above assume that Russia retains Crimea. If Ukraine liberates the peninsula along with Russian-occupied lines in the south, however, then the imminent threat to Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odesa vanishes and the threat to Melitopol is dramatically reduced. Mariupol remains the only major front-line city in the south in this case, dramatically reducing the area of limited defensive depth and requiring high levels of prepared and partially- or fully-mobilized Ukrainian forces to defend. The liberation of Crimea also largely obviates the threat of Russian amphibious operations against the southwestern Ukrainian coast, as well as the Russian missile threat to ships attempting to transit the western Black Sea. </span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Unfounded discussions of Russia’s “historic right” to Crimea, which Russia itself recognized as part of an independent Ukraine in 1994, obscure the high military and financial cost Ukraine and its backers will have to pay for as long as Russia occupies the peninsula.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Donbas</u></span></strong></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Eastern%20Ukraine%20Economic%20Cost%20Pre%202022%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="642" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Eastern%20Ukraine%20Economic%20Cost%20Pre%202022%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Eastern%20Ukraine%20Economic%20Cost%20Pre%202022%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Eastern%20Ukraine%20Economic%20Cost%20Pre%202022%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></a></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #800180;">Ukraine’s liberation of pre-February 2022 occupied Donbas would not dramatically change the defensive military requirements for Ukraine, since Donetsk City and Luhansk City are so close to the Russian border themselves as to offer no meaningful defensive depth.</span></b></i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> It would, however, have enormous economic implications for Ukraine, which will be considered here only briefly.<u> </u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: 1em;"><u>Donbas is one of Ukraine’s historic economic heartlands, home to Ukraine’s ore extraction and metallurgical industry.</u></span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> The 2014 line of control resulting from Russia’s first invasion of Ukraine actually divided that industry, separating mines from processing facilities and splitting the rail lines connecting them all. Ukraine did not feel anything like the full economic pain of that division,</span><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> however,</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> because by tacit agreement Moscow and Kyiv allowed the Ukrainian oligarch who controlled the region to continue to operate on both sides of the line of control</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[11]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">That oligarch no longer controls these industrial assets, and it is almost impossible to imagine that a ceasefire that restored the January 2022 lines would include restoring Ukraine’s ability to benefit economically from its part of the entire industrial enterprise.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[12]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Accepting Russia’s permanent acquisition of eastern Donbas thus deprives Ukraine of considerable revenues, weakening its economy and increasing its economic and financial dependence on the West.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Conclusion</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><b>The most advantageous lines Ukraine could hold militarily and economically are its internationally recognized 1991 boundaries.</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 1em;">Any discussion of recognizing changes to those borders as concessions to try to persuade Russia to stop its unprovoked and illegal invasion must reckon with the heavy blow such concessions would make against core principles of international law banning wars of conquest, ethnic cleansing, crimes against humanity, and many other moral and ethical principles that are central to a peaceful world. But discussions of such concessions are already underway, and so we have examined the concrete and pragmatic problems surrounding their implementation.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Freezing the Russian war in Ukraine on anything like the current lines enormously advantages Russia and increases the risks and costs to Ukraine and the West of deterring, let alone defeating, a future Russian attempt to fulfill Putin’s aims by force</span>.</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> The current lines are not a sensible starting point for negotiations with Russia even if Putin were serious about negotiating a ceasefire on those lines. They are, rather, the necessary starting point for the continued liberation of strategically- and economically vital Ukrainian lands, without which the objective of a free, independent, and secure Ukraine able to defend and pay for itself is likely impossible.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"></span> </span></p><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="1" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; float: none; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">References</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[1]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/27/opinion/ukraine-military-aid.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/27/opinion/ukraine-military-aid.html</a></span>; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-war-cease-fire.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-war...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[2]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-19-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span>; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-17-2023;%C2%A0" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-14-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span>; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-13-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[3]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar120823" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar120823</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar120923" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar120923</a></span></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[4]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-30-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-10-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-16-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-26-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span>; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-13-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[5]</span> <a href="https://ria/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://ria</a> dot ru/20231228/svo-1918691314.html; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-28-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/medvedev_telegram/426" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/medvedev_telegram/426</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-27-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/medvedev_telegram/421" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/medvedev_telegram/421</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://telegra/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://telegra</a></span> dot ph/Intervyu-oficialnogo-predstavitelya-MID-Rossii-MVZaharovoj-francuzskomu-informagentstvu-AFP-12-09; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-13-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span>; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-10-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[6]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia%E2%80%99s-military-restructuring-and-expansion-hindered-ukraine-war" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia%E2%80%99s-military-...</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar120323" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar120323</a></span> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar120223" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar120223</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[7]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukraine%E2%80%99s-operations-bakhmut-have-kept-russian-reserves-away-south" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukraine%E2%80%99s-operatio...</a></span></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[8]</span> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-12-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"> ; </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-29-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-ass...</a></span></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[9]</span> <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/12/politics/russia-troop-losses-us-intelligence-assessment/index.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/12/politics/russia-troop-losses-us-intellige...</a> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/12/us/politics/russia-intelligence-assessment.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: dotted 1px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/12/us/politics/russia-intelligence-asses...</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-29-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[10]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar100623" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar100623</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar100523" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar100523</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar122323" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar122323</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121923" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121923</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-31-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-28" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span> ;</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[11]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/eastern-europe/ukraine/261-peace-ukraine-iii-costs-war-donbas" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/eastern-europe/ukraine/2...</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://meduza/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://meduza</a></span> dot io/feature/2016/03/25/hozyain-donbassa</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[12]</span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://globalarbitrationreview.com/article/ukraines-richest-man-brings-treaty-claim-against-russia" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://globalarbitrationreview.com/article/ukraines-richest-man-brings-...</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://tass/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://tass</a></span> dot ru/ekonomika/17023511</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"> Tags </u></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> Ukraine Project</u></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">File Attachments:</u></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"> </span></b></p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/jpeg" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Babel%20Street%20logo_33.jpg" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/jpeg; length=18200">Babel Street logo.jpg</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Eastern%20Layout%20Pre-Invasion%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=4190160">Eastern Layout Pre-Invasion (2).png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Eastern%20Ukraine%20Economic%20Cost%20Pre%202022%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2047074">Eastern Ukraine Economic Cost Pre 2022 (2).png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Main%20Southern%20Layout%20Current%20Situation%20%281%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=6088209">Main Southern Layout Current Situation (1).png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Layout%20Pre-Invasion%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=5691929">Southern Layout Pre-Invasion (2).png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Ukraine%20Raion%20Demographics%202022%20Borders%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1459291">Ukraine Raion Demographics 2022 Borders (2).png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Ukraine%20Raion%20Demographics%20DEC%202023%20Borders%20%282%29_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1551871">Ukraine Raion Demographics DEC 2023 Borders (2).png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /></span><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Main%20Southern%20Layout%20Current%20Situation%20%281%29_1.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=6088209">Main Southern Layout Current Situation (1).png</a></span></b></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-20573433776919368662023-12-30T22:51:00.000-08:002024-01-01T08:20:11.673-08:00IRAN UPDATE, DECEMBER 30, 2023 <p><b><u><span style="color: #800180;"> SOURCE; </span></u></b></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>( ) </b></span><b><u style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">IRAN UPDATE, DECEMBER 30, 2023:</span></u><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; text-transform: uppercase;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-30-2023</span></b></p><p><b><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; text-transform: uppercase;">( ) </span><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="" style="font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small; text-decoration-line: underline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">'Son of Hamas' Gives Unbelievable </span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Interview on The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and Exposes Hamas:</u><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></yt-formatted-string><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="background-color: white;">ht</span>tps://youtu.be/-q-DIKOcmTI</span></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-q-DIKOcmTI" width="320" youtube-src-id="-q-DIKOcmTI"></iframe></b></div><b><br /><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; text-transform: uppercase;"><br /></span></b><p></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iran Update, December 30, 2023</u></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Annika Ganzeveld, Ashka Jhaveri, Andie Parry, Amin Soltani, Peter Mills, and Nicholas Carl</span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Information Cutoff: 2:00 pm EST</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Iran Update provides insights into Iranian and Iranian-sponsored activities abroad that undermine regional stability and threaten US forces and interests. It also covers events and trends that affect the stability and decision-making of the Iranian regime. The Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) provides these updates regularly based on regional events. For more on developments in Iran and the region, see our </em><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/661fd12b23f442b781be64cf323ef573/?draft=true" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">interactive map of Iran and the Middle East</em></a></strong><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</em></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;"><u>Note:</u> </span></b><b>CTP and ISW have refocused the update to cover the Israel-Hamas war. The new sections address developments in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as noteworthy activity from Iran’s Axis of Resistance. </b></em><b><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We do not report in detail on war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. </em><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We utterly condemn violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.</em></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click </em><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://isw.pub/IsraelBattleMap" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">here</span></em></a></strong><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> to see CTP and ISW’s interactive map of Israeli ground operations. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.</em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Key Takeaways:</span></strong></p><ol style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Palestinian militias continued to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Daraj and Tuffah neighborhoods of Gaza City.</span> </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Israeli forces continued executing tasks consistent with holding operations in some areas of Gaza City. Israeli forces continued clearing operations in Beit Lahiya and Sheikh Radwan in the northern Gaza Strip.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Palestinian militias are launching attacks from civilian-populated areas of al Bureij as Israeli forces advance clearing operations in the Central Governorate.</span><span style="color: #800180;"> Palestinian militias claimed several attacks on Israeli forces north and east of al Bureij, which is consistent with CTP-ISW's observation that the IDF appears to be isolating Hamas’ Bureij Battalion and other Palestinian militias there before reducing them.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF continued to make ground advances in and around Khan Younis. At least five Palestinian militias attempted to defend against Israeli advances into Khan Younis. Palestinian militia fighters attacked Israeli forces south of Khan Younis.</span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Hamas and PFLP officials messaged a unified and positive position on the Egyptian peace proposal and accused Israel of spreading disinformation about the negotiations.</span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">Palestinian fighters conducted at least two indirect fire attacks from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters in three locations across the West Bank.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian-backed fighters, including Lebanese Hezbollah, conducted five attacks from southern Lebanon into northern Israel.</span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">The Axis of Resistance may escalate further against US forces in the region around the four-year anniversary of the US killing Qassem Soleimani on January 3, 2024</b>. The IRGC Quds Force is engaging with senior Iranian-backed Iraqi militia and political leaders likely to discuss their military and political campaign to expel US forces.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al Sudani ordered the opening of Celebration Square in Baghdad’s Green Zone for New Year’s Eve.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Islamic Resistance of Iraq—a coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias—claimed responsibility for three attacks targeting US positions in Iraq and Syria.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Shia Coordination Framework—a loose coalition of Iranian-backed political parties—is conducting a series of political maneuvers to try to increase its political influence in Basra.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Israel was likely responsible for a series of airstrikes targeting Aleppo International Airport and Iranian and Iranian-backed targets in Albu Kamal, Syria, to interdict Iranian weapons shipments to Lebanese Hezbollah.</span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">The Houthi military </u></span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">spokesperson warned the United States against “escalating” with the Houthis and rallying other nations to protect Israeli shipping.</span></li></ol></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCoTDecember30%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCoTDecember30%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; color: #cc0000; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Gaza Strip</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Erode the will of the Israeli political establishment and public to launch and sustain a major ground operation into the Gaza Strip</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Degrade IDF material and morale around the Gaza Strip.</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Palestinian militias continued to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Daraj and Tuffah neighborhoods of Gaza City on December 30.</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that it was operating in Daraj and Tuffah on December 21.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[1] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian militias have since then claimed several attacks on Israeli forces attempting to clear the remaining areas in the northern Gaza Strip. The al Qassem Brigades—the militant wing of Hamas—published footage on December 29 of its fighters firing rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) at Israeli tanks from destroyed buildings in Darraj and Tuffah.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">2]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The al Quds Brigades—the militant wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)—fired tandem charged anti-tank rockets and RPGs at Israeli tanks and troop carriers as Israeli forces advanced into the neighborhoods.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[3] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades—the self-proclaimed militant wing of Fatah—fired tandem charged anti-tank rockets and RPGs at an Israeli tank and bulldozer in Tuffah</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[4]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Israeli forces continued executing tasks consistent with holding operations in some areas of Gaza City.</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> CTP-ISW reported on December 20 that Israeli forces are transitioning from clearing operations to holding operations in some areas of the northern Gaza Strip.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[5] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Violence decreases during a hold phase but is not absent, as the holding force seeks the complete destruction of the enemy force</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[6]</span></b></span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Palestinian attacks in these areas demonstrate that the militias have retained some forces capable of targeting</span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Israeli operations.</span></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters on December 30 in Sheikh Ijlin neighborhood for the first time since mid-November.<b><span style="color: red;">[7] </span></b>Israeli forces initially advanced toward the neighborhood in southern Gaza City in mid-November.<b><span style="color: red;">[8]</span></b> The al Qassem Brigades conducted several attacks, including a complex attack in which its fighters detonated improvised explosive devices (IED) in the path of two Israeli vehicles and subsequently engaged Israeli ground forces<b><span style="color: red;">.[9]</span></b></li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Israeli forces identified Palestinian fighters operating near them in Shujaiya, according to an IDF report on December 30.[<b><span style="color: red;">10]</span></b> The IDF stated that it established “operational control” of Shujaiya on December 21 after dismantling Hamas’ battalion there<b><span style="color: red;">.[11]</span></b></li></ul><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Israeli forces engaged in a multi-hour battle with Palestinian fighters in Gaza City according to an IDF report on December 30.<b><span style="color: red;">[12]</span></b> Israeli air forces killed more than 15 Palestinian fighters in less than three hours.<b><span style="color: red;">[13]</span></b> Israeli ground forces engaged Palestinian fighters following the airstrikes<b><span style="color: red;">.[14]</span></b></li></ul><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades and al Quds Brigades conducted a combined operation firing mortars and rockets at an Israeli combat outpost southeast of Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City on December 30.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">15] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Hamas Zaytoun Battalion commander is one of the three remaining commanders in the Gaza City Brigade, who held their current positions before the war began, according to Israeli reports on December 21.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[16]</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Israeli forces continued clearing operations in Beit Lahiya and Sheikh Radwan in the northern Gaza Strip.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Israeli forces destroyed two Hamas-affiliated buildings in Beit Lahiya and found a large quantity of weapons, including explosive devices</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">.[17] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The IDF identified two Palestinian fighters observing Israeli forces from a building and directed tank fire at their position.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[18] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades claimed that its fighters clashed with Israeli special operations forces and detonated a Shawaz explosively formed penetrator (EFP) targeting an Israeli tank in Sheikh Radwan on December 30.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[19]<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> </span></span></b><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">Palestinian militias have claimed nearly daily attacks in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood since the humanitarian pause expired on December 1, suggesting that it is one of the remaining areas with significant Palestinian militia defensive capabilities in the northern Gaza Strip.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Palestinian militias are launching attacks from civilian-populated areas of al Bureij as Israeli forces advance clearing operations in the Central Governorate</span><i style="background-color: #d9ead3;">. </i></span></strong><span><i style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli forces received intelligence on December 28 that Hamas fighters were hiding inside a school where civilians were sheltering in southern al Bureij.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[20] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian fighters fired RPGs and small arms at Israeli forces while hiding behind women and children inside the school, according to the IDF.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[21</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Israeli forces raided the school and cleared the building of Palestinian fighters.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[22]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that Hamas continues to use civilians as human shields, which intentionally puts these civilians in harm's way, to protect Hamas’ military infrastructure and weapons</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[23]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israeli forces in a separate instance encountered Hamas fighters, who launched attacks from civilian sites in al Bureij</span></i><b><span style="color: red;"><i style="background-color: #d9ead3;">.</i>[24]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian militias claimed several attacks on Israeli forces north and east of al Bureij, which is consistent with CTP-ISW's observation that the IDF appears to be isolating Hamas’ Bureij Battalion and other Palestinian militias there before reducing them.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[25] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades conducted several attacks on Israeli forces in the area, including claiming to use a Shawaz EFP to target an Israeli tank north of al Bureij</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[26] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli forces face other Palestinian militias in the central Gaza Strip. The al Nasser Salah al Din Brigades—the militant wing of the Popular Resistance Committees—claimed that its fighters clashed with Israeli forces north of al Bureij.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[27]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The al Quds Brigades detonated an unspecified explosive device targeting an Israeli military vehicle east of al Bureij.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[28]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades—the militant wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)—claimed to fire tandem-charge anti-tank rockets at Israeli forces east of Bureij as well.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">29]</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">The IDF continued to make ground advances in and around Khan Younis on December 30.</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The IDF said it began ground maneuvers deeper into southern Khan Younis on December 30, a day after it said it was expanding operations there.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[30]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The IDF 98th Division conducted around 50 airstrikes as part of shaping operations to enable ground force maneuvers.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[31</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Shaping operations conducted through airstrikes change the operational environment in urban areas to favor Israeli clearing operations on the ground.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[32]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The 7th Brigade Combat Team raided a Hamas military intelligence headquarters in central Khan Younis as part of the clearing operations.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[33]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israeli forces also found an al Quds Brigades operations room inside the Hamas compound</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[34]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> This raid could degrade the defensive capabilities of Hamas’ Khan Younis Battalion and al Quds Brigades forces in Khan Younis. Israeli forces separately clashed with Palestinian fighters as Israeli air support struck fighters, weapons manufacturing sites, and a Hamas stronghold in Khan Younis.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[35]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on December 30 that intensified clashes in Khan Younis and Deir al Balah have caused at least 100,000 internally displaced people to arrive in Rafah in recent days.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[36]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">At least five Palestinian militias attempted to defend against Israeli advances into Khan Younis on December 30. The al Qassem Brigades conducted several attacks on Israeli armor and dismounted infantry on December 30, including sophisticated house-borne IED and EFP attacks</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[37]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Fighters from the al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades and the Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades fired anti-tank shells and small arms at Israeli armor and dismounted infantry on the advancing line in Khan Younis.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[38]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> National Resistance Brigades fighters clashed with Israeli forces in central Khan Younis</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[39]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The al Quds Brigades mortared Israeli positions in north and east of Khan Younis.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[40]</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian militia fighters attacked Israeli forces south of Khan Younis on December 30.</span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="color: #800180;">The al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, al Qassem Brigades, and National Resistance Brigades mortared Israeli forces in Khuzaa, southeast of Khan Younis</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[41</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] The IDF began clearing operations in Khuzaa on December 27.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[42</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] The al Qassem Brigades fired an anti-tank shell at Israeli armor in Khuzaa.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[43] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades and al Quds Brigades each mortared Israeli forces east of Rafah as well.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[44]</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Hamas and PFLP officials messaged a unified and positive position on the Egyptian peace proposal and accused Israel of spreading disinformation about the negotiations on December 30.</u></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Israeli media said that Hamas had “agreed in principle” to the release of further hostages in exchange for a month-long pause in fighting, in contrast to Hamas’ previous position requiring the complete cessation of the conflict.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[45] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Hamas political officials abroad, such as</span></span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">Osama Hamdan and Hossam Badran, and senior PFLP official Maher Mezher rebuked the claim from Israeli media.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[46]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Hamdan reiterated that Hamas will only release the Israeli hostages once Israel stops its operation in the Gaza Strip.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[47]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Badran said that Hamas is discussing all peace proposals with the various factions but that hostages will only be released after the war ends.</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>[48]</b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Mezher said that the Palestinian political factions will deliver an amended proposal to Egypt in the coming days after they met to discuss and revise the Egyptian peace deal proposal on December 27.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[49].</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Mezher said that the Egyptian proposal is “suitable to be a cornerstone” of a deal.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[50]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Israeli security cabinet has indicated that it will not seriously consider the Egyptian three-phase peace plan, as the Egyptian plan would prevent Israel from achieving its stated war aims and is therefore tantamount to a defeat for Israel.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[51]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Egyptian proposal would form a transitional government in the Gaza Strip that would include “various Palestinian factions, including Hamas.”[</span><b><span style="color: red;">52]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Mezher and Hamdan claimed that Israel leaked the story to harm the united Palestinian front against the war and mislead Israelis about the release of hostages due to internal political pressure.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[53] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Palestinian leaderships‘ recent comments are consistent with CTP-ISW's assessment that both Hamas’ political leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar and Hamas’ external political leaders seek to use their Israeli hostages as leverage to maintain their influence in negotiations.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[54]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing his stated objectives in the war against Hamas and his preparedness to fight for many months on December 30.</strong> </u></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">Netanyahu held a press conference and declared that “the war will continue for many more months.”</span><b><span style="color: red;">[55]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> He also reiterated that Israel would fight until the elimination of Hamas and the release of all hostages.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[56] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">He stated the IDF is employing new methods in the northern, central, and southern Gaza Strip</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[57]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Netanyahu had further clarified his war objectives of destroying Hamas, demilitarizing Gaza, and deradicalizing “Palestinian society” in a</span></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Wall Street Journal</em><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> op-ed on December 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[58]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2030%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2030%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2030%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2030%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Palestinian fighters conducted at least two indirect fire attacks from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel on December 30.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The al Quds Brigades claimed two rocket attacks targeting southern Israel on December 30.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;"><b>[59]</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The al Qassem Brigades published footage of its fighters firing approximately ten rockets into unspecified areas of Israel on December 29.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[60]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2030%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2030%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: white;">Recorded reports of rocket attacks; CTP-ISW cannot independently verify impact.</b></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; color: #cc0000; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">West Bank</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward the West Bank and fix them there</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters in three locations across the West Bank on December 30.</u></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades claimed that it detonated an IED against an unspecified target in Azzun, east of Qalqilya</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[61]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Hamas praised a car-ramming attack that injured an IDF soldier near Hebron</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[62]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Palestinian security forces dismantled planted IEDs in Jenin on December 30.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[63]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israeli forces conducted raids to arrest wanted Palestinians near Ramallah.</span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">[64]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2030%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2030%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>This map is not an exhaustive depiction of clashes and demonstrations in the West Bank</b><span style="color: #800180;">.</span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; color: #cc0000; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u>Southern Lebanon and Golan Height</u>s</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward northern Israel and fix them there</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Set conditions for successive campaigns into northern Israel</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iranian-backed fighters, including Lebanese Hezbollah (LH), conducted five attacks from southern Lebanon into northern Israel on December 30.</u></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> LH fired rockets and anti-tank guided missiles toward three Israeli border positions</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[65]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> LH also claimed that it attacked an Israeli military position in Shebaa Farms with one-way attack drones.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[66] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Unspecified fighters separately launched rockets toward Yiftah on December 30.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[67]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli politicians continue to emphasize that LH must withdraw from Lebanon’s border with Israel. Israeli war cabinet member and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz stated in a call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that Israel cannot tolerate the threat that LH poses and that LH must withdraw from the border for the sake of regional stability.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[68]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The chairman of Israeli political party Israel Beitenu and former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman separately called for Israel to control southern Lebanon up to the Litani River until the Lebanese government can exercise its sovereignty over the area.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[69]</span></b></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2030%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2030%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; color: #cc0000; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u>Iran and Axis of Resistance</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Demonstrate the capability and willingness of Iran and the Axis of Resistance to escalate against the United States and Israel on multiple fronts</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Set conditions to fight a regional war on multiple fronts</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The Axis of Resistance may escalate further against US forces in the region around the four-year anniversary of the US killing Qassem Soleimani on January 3, 2024.</u></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The United States killed Soleimani and his top Iraqi lieutenant, Abu Mehdi al Muhandis, in an airstrike at the Baghdad International Airport in 2020.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[70]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Iranian leaders have vowed to expel US forces from the region as part of their revenge for the United States killing Soleimani</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[71] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian-backed militias have conducted an abnormally high rate of attacks around the anniversary of Soleimani’s and Muhandis’ deaths ever year except for the anniversary in January 2023.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[72]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The absence of an Iranian-led escalation around January 2023 is unsurprising given that the Iranian regime was focused heavily on internal security in the aftermath of the Mahsa Amini protest movement at the time. Iranian proxy and partner militias have conducted a concerted attack campaign targeting US forces in Iraq and Syria in recent months as part of Tehran’s effort to expel US forces, as CTP-ISW has reported extensively. The coincidence of this campaign with the anniversary of Soleimani’s and Muhandis’ deaths presents an increased risk to American servicemembers in the Middle East during this period.</span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The IRGC Quds Force is engaging with senior Iranian-backed Iraqi militia and political leaders likely to discuss their military and political campaign to expel US forces.</span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="color: #800180;">The Iranian Embassy in Baghdad organized a ceremony to honor Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mehdi al Muhandis on December 30</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[73] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The following senior Iranian and Iranian-backed Iraqi actors attended the ceremony:</span></p><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Kazem al-e Sadegh</span><span style="color: red;">[74]</span></b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">Former Kataib Hezbollah Secretary General and current Poplar Mobilization Forces (PMF) Chief of Staff Abdul Aziz al Muhammadawi</span><span style="color: red;">[75]</span></b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">PMF Chairman Faleh al Fayyadh</span><span style="color: red;">[76]</span></b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">Former Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki</span><span style="color: red;">[77]</span></b></span></li></ul><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The presence of al-e Sadegh is noteworthy given that he is a senior IRGC Quds Force officer. Iranian leaders have long appointed such officers as ambassador to Iraq, highlighting the degree to which the IRGC Quds Force controls and influences Iranian policy toward Iraq. These officers who dual hat as diplomats to Iraq serve as key liaisons between Iranian and Iraqi military and political leaders.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The presence of Mohammadawi and Fayyadh is noteworthy given their influential roles over Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. The PMF is an Iraqi security service containing numerous Iranian-backed Shia militias.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[78] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Several of these militias, such as Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba, are members of the Islamic Resistance of Iraq which is a coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. The Islamic Resistance of Iraq has conducted almost daily attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria in recent weeks as part of their campaign to expel US forces.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">IRGC Quds Force Commander Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani appeared to speak on behalf of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias in a speech on December 29. Ghaani warned that militias will “put aside their considerations” and “respond” to the United States if the United States continues its “irrational behavior” in Iraq.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[79]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ghaani was likely referring to the self-defense strikes that the United States has conducted on Iranian-backed Iraqi militias when he referred to “irrational behavior.” Ghaani ignored in this statement that the United States has a legitimate right to self-defense as it operates in Iraq to fight ISIS at the invitation of the Iraqi federal government. Ghaani’s comment is especially noteworthy given that the IRGC Quds Force—and he as its commander—directs, manages, and supports the Iraqi Shia militias that have been conducting the attack campaign to expel US forces. The IRGC Quds Forces provide military equipment, funding, and training to its proxies and partners throughout the region to support Iran’s pursuit of its strategic objectives, which include expelling the United States from the region</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[80]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ghaani’s remark belies repeated claims by Iranian officials that “resistance groups” in the Middle East act independently.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[81]</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian-backed political actors continued to call for the removal of US forces from Iraq in statements on December 30. Iraqi militia leaders and politicians have increased their calls for the expulsion of US forces since the United States conducted self-defense strikes on three Kataib Hezbollah facilities in Hillah, Babil Province, on December 25.</span></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Nouri al Maliki claimed that US forces in Iraq have transformed “from advisory forces into killers” and that the Iraqi people will not accept the presence of foreign forces in Iraq during a speech at the Iranian Embassy in Baghdad.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[82</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Maliki’s claims echo similar ones from other Iranian-backed Iraqi actors that the presence of US forces in Iraq threatens Iraqi security and stability.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[83]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> US advisory forces are currently deployed in Iraq for counter-ISIS operations at the invitation of the Iraqi government and provide planning, operational, intelligence, logistical, and fire support to the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF)</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[84]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> CTP-ISW previously assessed that an Iraqi decision to expel US forces will very likely create space for ISIS to rapidly resurge in Syria within 12 to 24 months and then threaten Iraq</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[85] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The ISF still faces significant deficiencies in logistics, intelligence, and fire support that inhibit its ability to defeat ISIS alone.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[86]</span></b></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">A member of Iranian-backed Iraqi militia Asaib Ahl al Haq’s political wing, Ali Turki, stated that “dirty American hands” cannot shed the blood of the PMF and ISF.</span><b><u><span style="color: red;">[87]</span></u></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Turki called on the Iraqi federal government to expedite the expulsion of US forces from Iraq.</span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">A member of the Iranian-backed Badr Organization’s political wing, Faleh al</span><span style="color: #800180;"> Khazali,</span><span style="color: #800180;"> separately stated that the presence of US forces in Iraq is “unjustified” because of the presence of 1.6 million Iraqi security personnel in the country.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[88]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Other Iranian-backed Iraqi politicians, including Mohammad Shia Sudani, have similarly cited Iraqi forces’ “increased capabilities” as justification for the removal of US forces.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[89]</span></b></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al Sudani ordered the opening of Celebration Square in Baghdad’s Green Zone for New Year’s Eve.</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[90]</span></strong></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Sudani ordered that the gates of the Green Zone, where the US Embassy and other government and highly sensitive facilities are located, remain open for an unspecified amount of time after midnight on December 31. PIJ and Hamas-affiliated Quds News Network separately called for demonstrations in front of US embassies across the world on New Year’s Eve to demand an end to “Israeli aggression” in the Gaza Strip.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[91]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Islamic Resistance of Iraq claimed responsibility for three attacks targeting US positions in Iraq and Syria on December 29 and 30.</strong><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[92]</b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span><span style="color: #800180;">The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed a rocket attack targeting US forces at al Shaddadi, Hasakah Province, Syria. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq also claimed two separate one-way drone attacks targeting US forces at al Harir airbase in Erbil Province, Iraq.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">The Shia Coordination Framework—a loose coalition of Iranian-backed political parties—is conducting a series of political maneuvers to try to increase its political influence in Basra.</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Basra is an important Shia stronghold in southern Iraq. Current Basra Governor Asaad al Eidani’s political party, the Design Alliance, won 12 out of 23 seats in the recent provincial council elections.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[93</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Informed sources told an independent Iraqi news outlet that members of the Shia Coordination Framework are lobbying the Iraqi judiciary to rule that a majority of seats in Basra requires 13—not 12—seats</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[94]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Such a decision would deprive Eidani’s party of a majority. Iranian-backed Iraqi actors have historically co-opted elements of the judiciary to politically benefit themselves and disadvantage opponents, especially in recent years.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[95]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The independent Iraqi outlet reported that the Shia Coordination Framework is suspicious of Eidani’s ties to rival Shia cleric Muqtada al Sadr. Sadr has previously praised Eidani and members of the Design Alliance.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[96]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2030%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="673" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2030%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Israel was likely responsible for a series of airstrikes targeting Aleppo International Airport and Iranian and Iranian-backed targets in Albu Kamal, Syria, on December 29-30 to interdict Iranian weapons shipments to LH.</u></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Western and Israeli media reported and several social media accounts circulated reports of the airstrikes.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[97</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] An unspecified American military official denied to Western media that the United States conducted any self-defense strikes</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[98]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Syrian Defense Ministry claimed that the airstrike at Aleppo damaged the airport.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[99</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Israel has historically conducted airstrikes on major Syrian airports to prevent Iranian weapons deliveries to proxy and partner militias in Syria and Lebanon.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[100]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> CTP-ISW has previously written on how the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) uses Iranian regime-affiliated airliners to transport military equipment and personnel to the Levant.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[101</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] The likely Israeli airstrikes at Albu Kamal reportedly hit IRGC and Iranian-backed targets, including weapons depots and truck convoys as they crossed from Iraq into Syria. Those airstrikes killed several Iranian-backed militants, according to social media claims and Western and Israeli media reports. Israeli media reported that the airstrikes at Albu Kamal killed four LH members who were members of a unit responsible for transferring military technologies and weapons from Iran to Lebanon.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[102]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> An Israeli social media account reported that Israel also targeted an IRGC Quds Force unit with similar responsibilities in the same strikes</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[103]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The airstrikes follow reports that Israel has targeted IRGC and IRGC-affiliated actors that are trying to prepare LH for a wider conflict with Israel in recent weeks. Israeli media reported that an Israeli airstrike on the Damascus International Airport on December 28 was meant to interdict Iranian weapons transfers to LH.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[104</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] An Israeli airstrike on the IRGC military headquarters in Sayyidah Zainab, Syria, on December 25 killed a senior IRGC commander who oversaw Iranian materiel support to LH.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[105]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israeli media further reported that Iran has accelerated its weapons transfers to LH in anticipation of a wider war with Israel.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[106]</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF stated that unspecified actors fired two rockets from Syria toward northern Israel following the most recent airstrikes on Albu Kumal.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">107]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> This attack is unsurprising given that unspecified actors have repeatedly conducted small-scale indirect fire attacks into Israel immediately in response to Israeli airstrikes in Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">The Houthi military spokesperson warned the United States against “escalating” with the Houthis and rallying other nations to protect Israeli shipping on December 29.</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Brigadier General Yahya Sarea emphasized the Houthis’ defensive readiness and commitment to the Palestinian cause, which is consistent with prior Houthi rhetoric.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">108]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Houthis have conducted an anti-shipping attack campaign around the Red Sea in recent weeks to disrupt commercial shipping to Israel and demonstrate both the willingness and capability of the Axis of Resistance to disrupt maritime traffic around strategic maritime chokepoints.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[109]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The United States announced Operation Prosperity Guardian on December 18 to counter Houthi attacks on international shipping.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[110]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Senior Iranian military and political officials attended a commemoration ceremony for IRGC Brigadier General Razi Mousavi, whom Israel killed in an airstrike in Syria, on December 30.</span></strong><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">111</span></b></span><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">]</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="color: #800180;">The Iranian regime previously held a funeral ceremony for Mousavi on December 28.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[112] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Western and anti-regime media have reported that Mousavi headed IRGC Quds Force Unit 2250, which manages Iranian weapons shipments to LH and Iranian-backed militias in Syria.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">113</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Many high-ranking IRGC officials attended the most recent commemoration ceremony, including:</span></p><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami;</b></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajji Zadeh;</b></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">IRGC Ground Forces Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Pak Pour;</b></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">IRGC Quds Force Commander Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani; and</b></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">IRGC Quds Force Deputy Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Fallah Zadeh.</b></li></ul><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Other notable attendees included Foreign Affairs Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Interior Minister and former IRGC Quds Force officer Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, Law Enforcement Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Radan, and former IRGC commanders Major General Mohammad Ali “Aziz” Jafari and Major General Mohsen Rezaei. The presence of such senior Iranian military and political officials at Mousavi’s commemoration ceremony and funeral highlights his prominence in the regime and its regional project.</span></p><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="1" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; float: none; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">References</u></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[1] <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1737853632773820665" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1737853632773820665</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[2] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1122" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1122</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; 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border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[11] <a href="https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1738264100071723440" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1738264100071723440</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[12] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740990893237383463;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740990893237383463;</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740990895237804436" style="background: transparent; 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border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[16] <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1737814602216304883" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1737814602216304883</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[17] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740990895237804436" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740990895237804436</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; 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border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[20] <a href="https://www/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www</a>. dot idf.il/167969</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[21] <a href="https://www.idf/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.idf</a> dot il/167969</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[22] <a href="https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1741156166179115390;" style="background: transparent; 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outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[26] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1126;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1126;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1125;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1125;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1127;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1127;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1129" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1129</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[27] <a href="https://t.me/alwya2000/6155" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/alwya2000/6155</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[28] <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17109" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17109</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[29] <a href="https://t.me/kataebabuali/10571" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebabuali/10571</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[30] <a href="https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1740631937088143373" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1740631937088143373</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741082703871549791" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741082703871549791</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[31] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741082710590800002" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741082710590800002</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[32] <a href="https://irp.fas.org/doddir/army/fm3-24.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://irp.fas.org/doddir/army/fm3-24.pdf</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[33] <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1741090858638746086" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1741090858638746086</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741082703871549791" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741082703871549791</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[34] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741082706719457653" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1741082706719457653</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1741090858638746086" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1741090858638746086</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[35] <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1741090858638746086" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1741090858638746086</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[36] <a href="https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-12-30-23/h_9e7cb79ebd6db490bf161f69b0f77f8a" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-12-30-23...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[37] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1144" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1144</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1133" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1133</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1132" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1132</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[38] <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5409%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5410%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/kataebabuali/10570" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5409 ; https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5410 ; http...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[39] <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4026" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4026</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[40] <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17103" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17103</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17108" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17108</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17110" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17110</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[41] <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4027%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5411%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4027 ; https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5411 ;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1140" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1140</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[42] <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1740005919881109548" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1740005919881109548</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[43] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1134" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1134</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[44] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1138" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1138</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17111" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17111</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[45] <a href="https://www/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www</a> dot timesofisrael.com/hamas-said-to-principally-agree-to-resume-talks-with-israel-on-hostage-deal</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[46] <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13674" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13674</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13675" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13675</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13676" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13676</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13677" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13677</a> ; <a href="https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2023/12/30/%D9%82%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A9-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%AB-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%AD%D8%A7" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2023/12/30/%D9%82%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A9-%D8%A...</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49418" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49418</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49417" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49417</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49419" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49419</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[47] <a href="https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2023/12/30/%D9%82%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A9-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%AB-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%AD%D8%A7" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2023/12/30/%D9%82%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A9-%D8%A...</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49418" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49418</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[48] <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49419" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49419</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[49] <a href="https://t.me/hamasps/18668" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamasps/18668</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13677" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13677</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13676" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13676</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[50] <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13677" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13677</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13676" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13676</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[51] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-airstrikes-expand-to-southern-gaza-as-it-reframes-focus-80d26dc4?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-airstrikes-expand-to-southe...</a> ; <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-offers-one-week-cease-fire-in-exchange-for-more-hostages-336ae59a;%C2%A0https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/20/hamas-leaders-arrival-in-egypt-suggests-second-hostage-deal-imminent" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-offers-one-week-cease-fire-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[52] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-dismantles-tunnel-network-that-served-as-hamas-command-center-51c017d4?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-dismantles-tunnel-network-t...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[53] <a href="https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2023/12/30/%D9%82%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A9-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%AC%D9%84%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%AB-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%AD%D8%A7" style="background: transparent; 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border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[57] <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM/status/1741208424887525800" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM/status/1741208424887525800</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM/status/1741208421599224206" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM/status/1741208421599224206</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[58] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/benjamin-netanyahu-our-three-prerequisites-for-peace-gaza-israel-bff895bd" style="background: transparent; 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outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[72] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-crisis-update-january-3-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-crisis-update-january...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[73] <a href="https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/95977" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/95977</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; 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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mod.gov.sy/posts/pfbid02GDLgg68hToTnqCMnAgiuuyqnu3mcAbS2nxxgbXZFQWWSUmYMJQ3urMYtcc1hirql" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/mod.gov.sy/posts/pfbid02GDLgg68hToTnqCMnAgiuuyq...</a> ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[101] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-november-26-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-november-26-2023</a> ; <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-november-3-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-november-3-2023</a> ; <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-march-10-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-march-10-2023</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[102] <a href="https://www.ynet.co/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ynet.co</a> dot il/news/article/bjz9oy6vt</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[103] <a href="https://x.com/IntelliTimes/status/1741041480624492729?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/IntelliTimes/status/1741041480624492729?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[104] <a href="https://www.ynetnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ynetnews</a> dot com/article/b1awrz2d6</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[105] <a href="https://www.iranintl/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iranintl</a> dot com/en/202209203504 ; <a href="https://amwaj/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://amwaj</a> dot media/article/inside-story-airstrike-kills-iran-s-most-influential-commander-in-syria</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[106] <a href="https://www.ynetnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ynetnews</a> dot com/article/b1awrz2d6</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[107] <a href="https://x.com/manniefabian/status/1740969508859154843?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/manniefabian/status/1740969508859154843?s=20</a> ; <a href="https://x.com/idfonline/status/1740843391439782013?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/idfonline/status/1740843391439782013?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[108] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-16-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-16-2023</a> ; <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-9-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-9-2023</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[109] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-23-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-23-2023</a> ; <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-16-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-16-2023</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[110] <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3621110/statement-from-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-ensuring-freedom-of-n/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3621110/statement-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[111] <a href="https://www.irna/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.irna</a> dot ir/photo/85337981; <a href="https://www.farsnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.farsnews</a> dot ir/photo/14021009000287 ; <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1741057609950544077" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1741057609950544077</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[112] <a href="https://defapress/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://defapress</a> dot ir/fa/news/641003/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;">[113] <a href="https://www.iranintl/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iranintl</a> dot com/en/202209203504; <a href="https://amwaj/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://amwaj</a> dot media/article/inside-story-airstrike-kills-iran-s-most-influential-commander-in-syria</span></b></p></div></div></div><h3 id="tagtitle" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-size: 19.6928px; font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"> Tags</u></span></span></h3><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></u></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: 19.6928px;"><b> Iran Project</b></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: 19.6928px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: 19.6928px;"><b><u> File Attachments:</u></b></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: 19.6928px;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></span></div><div><div class="field-item even" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCoTDecember30%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1918939">DraftIsraelCoTDecember30,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2030%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1813136">Gaza Evacuation Zone Map December 30,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2030%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1684161">Gaza Clearing Map December 30, 2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2030%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1180070">Southern Israel Battle Map December 30,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2030%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1651779">West Bank Battle Map Draft December 30,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2030%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1637166">Northern Israel Battle Map December 30,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /></span><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2030%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=4933661">Regional Battle Map Draft December 30,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 19.6928px;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></span></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-29154165915678041392023-12-30T08:38:00.000-08:002023-12-30T20:17:12.940-08:00 MODERN POSITIONAL WARFARE AND HOW TO WIN IN IT : <p><b><u><span style="color: #800180;"> SOURCE :</span></u></b></p><p> <b><span style="font-size: x-small;">( )<span style="color: red;"><u> MODERN POSITIONAL WARFARE AND HOW TO WIN IN IT : </u></span> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://infographics.economist.com/2023/ExternalContent/ZALUZHNYI_FULL_VERSION.pdf</span></span></b></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><u>UDC 355 </u></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">MODERN POSITIONAL WARFARE & HOW TO WIN IN IT</u></b></span></p><p> <span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><span style="color: #800180;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> Valerii Zaluzhnyi</span></u></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000;"> <span style="background-color: white;"> <b><span style="font-size: medium;">Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine </span></b></span></span></p><p><span><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span>Having launched the large-scale armed aggression against Ukraine on February 24,
2022, the Russian federation provoked the beginning of an unprecedented global security
crisis, the largest since the end of the Second World War. Russian great-power chauvinism
multiplied by sick imperial ambitions gradually turns the military conflict it began in the
centre of Europe into an armed confrontation between democratic and authoritarian political
regimes with the prospect of its spread to other regions of the planet with similar geopolitical
models (Israel and the Gaza Strip, South and North Koreas, Taiwan and China, etc.). The
insufficient effectiveness of the existing global political regulatory mechanisms, primarily the
UN and the </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">OSCE</span><span>, leaves Ukraine no choice but to restore its territorial integrity after the
large-scale armed aggression within the internationally recognized borders of 1991,
exclusively by military force, in which its Armed Forces (AF) play a decisive role.</span></span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #cc0000;"> </span><i><b><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #cc0000;">Having entered the war with a stronger enemy, which has a lot of weapons and a much
greater mobilization capabilities, Ukraine was not only able to stop it, but also to conduct a
successful counteroffensive in 2022 and stave the enemy off along many axes</span></b><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;">.</span> </b></i><span style="color: #800180;">The people of
Ukraine have demonstrated their willingness not in words, but in deeds to lay down their soul
and body for their freedom. However, due to many subjective and objective reasons,</span><b><span style="color: #fff2cc;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">the war
at the present stage is gradually moving to a </span><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">positional form, </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">a way out of which in the
historical retrospect has always been difficult for both the Armed Forces and the state as a
whole.</span><span style="color: #fff2cc;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">At the same time, the prolongation of a war, as a rule, in most cases, is beneficial to
one of the parties to the conflict. In our particular case, it is the Russian federation, as it gives
it the opportunity to reconstitute and build up its military power. Therefore, the issues of
understanding the causes of such a situation, finding possible ways out of it and changing the
nature and course of this war in favor of Ukraine are of particular relevance in modern
conditions.</span></p><p><span style="color: #800180;"> An analysis of the current situation in which</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"> the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other
components of the state Defence Forces are placed</span><span style="color: #800180;"> shows that</span><b style="color: #800180;"><u> in order to find a way out of
the positional form of warfare, it is necessary to:</u></b><span style="color: #800180;"> </span><b> <span style="color: red;">(a) </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">gain air superiority; </span><span style="color: red;"><b>(b)</b> </span><span style="color: #800180;">breach mine barriers in
depth;</span><span style="color: red;"> <b>(c)</b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> increase the effectiveness of counter-battery;</span><b style="color: #800180;"> </b><b><span style="color: red;">(d)</span></b><b style="color: #800180;"> </b><span style="color: #800180;">create and train the necessary reserves; </span><b><span style="color: red;">(e)</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> build up electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. Therefore,</span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"> the determination of the reasons for
the </span><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;">transition of hostilities to the positional form </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">and the search for possible ways out of this
situation should obviously be carried out according to these main components. </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">It should be
noted that the above-mentioned components in <u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">no way level the role and place of missiles
and ammunition, artillery systems, missile systems, electronic warfare, other types of
weapons and equipment provided by partners</u>. They only complement them in the context of
increasing the capabilities of the Defence Forces through new technological solutions and
innovative approaches on a way out of the positional crisis on the line of contact. Let's
consider these reasons in more detail.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b> <u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Reasons for the transition of hostilities to the positional form.</u> </b></span></p><p> <span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"> <span style="color: #800180;"><b> As for gaining air superiority. </b></span></span></p><p><b><i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">Modern art of war involves gaining air superiority to successfully conduct large-scale
ground operations. This is reflected both in the doctrines of NATO armed forces and in the
governing documents of the armed forces of the Russian federation. </span></i></b></p><p><span style="color: #800180;">The Armed Forces of Ukraine entered the war with 120 tactical aircraft, out of which
only 40 were considered to be technically suitable for utilization, and 33 medium and
short-range anti-aircraft missile battalions, of which only 18 had fully serviceable equipment.
Due to the material and logistical assistance of the Partner Nations, Ukraine has strengthened
its aviation and air defence system. In particular, fighter and attack aircraft, as well as
Soviet-made helicopters, were received. The number of anti-aircraft missile systems was
significantly increased mainly due to Western-made assets, in particular, "Martlet",
"Starstreak", "Javelin", "Piorun", "Mistral", "Stinger", "Grom" man-portable air-defence
systems, "Gepard" self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, "Skynex" air defence gun systems,
"Avenger", "Stormer", "Patriot", "Hawk", "IRIS-T", "NASAMS", "SAMP-T", "Crotale-NG"
air defence systems. Due to this, since the beginning of the large-scale armed aggression, the </span><u><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red;"><b>Russian federation has lost </b>a number of aircraft that roughly corresponds to the number of
aircraft of one air army, and helicopters – </span></u><span style="color: red;">about 13 regiments (brigades) of army aviation. In
addition, the losses of enemy air defence systems of various types already exceed 550 pieces.
Despite such losses, today the enemy continues to maintain significant air superiority, which
complicates the advance of our troops and is one of the key factors that transforms the nature
of hostilities into a positional form.</span></p><p><span style="color: #800180;"> According to various assessments, at the end of 2023, the enemy may augment the
number of aircraft by building new attack aviation squadrons, so special attention should be
paid to this circumstance. But, despite the significant quantitative and qualitative superiority
of the enemy in aviation and air defence, it cannot convert it into complete dominance in the
air due to the successful work of our elements of direct air defence cover of troops, which
constantly increase the number of the engaged enemy air attack weapons. This leads to the
fact that the enemy does not feel calm in the skies of Ukraine, his aviation tries not to enter
the kill zone of our anti-aircraft defences and utilizes air assets mainly from long ranges,
which significantly reduces their effectiveness. Instead, the enemy's unmanned aerial vehicles
come to the forefront, which have taken over a significant part of the tasks of manned
aviation in terms of aerial reconnaissance and air strikes.</span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">As for mine barriers breaching in depth.</span></u></span></b></p><p><span style="color: #800180;"> The<b> next prerequisite that transforms the nature of current hostilities into a positional
form is the widespread use of mine barriers by both the enemy and our troops</b>. Let's consider
the situation with the capabilities to breach such barriers by our troops. </span></p><p><span style="color: #800180;">As of February 24, 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine had a limited capabilities
package designed for breaching mine barriers. There were technically outdated pieces of
equipment in service. Due to Western partners in the course of hostilities, it was possible to
slightly augment the capabilities of engineer units (elements) on breaching using such assets
as M58 MICLIC, Wicent 1, NM189 Ingeniorpanservogn, but given the unprecedented scale of
these barriers, even such capabilities are objectively lacking. </span></p><p><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">Today, the enemy mine barriers along particularly important axes have a high density
and reach a depth of 15-20 km. Their cover is conducted by reconnaissance UAVs, which
effectively detect our obstacle-clearing detachments (teams) and target fire at them. In case of
successful mine barriers breaching, the enemy quickly restores minefields in these areas by
such engineering system of remote mine-laying as "Zemledeliye". At the same time, the
Armed Forces of Ukraine are no less effective in using mine barriers and reconnaissance and
fire complexes to detect and destroy the enemy`s engineer equipment for demining. </span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"><b> </b><b> https://youtu.be/iiM4HEsxLUI</b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DkQBs2sF2Fc" width="320" youtube-src-id="DkQBs2sF2Fc"></iframe></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"><br /><span face=""Google Sans", arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #cc0000; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"><span face=""Google Sans", arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #cc0000; text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"><span face=""Google Sans", arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #cc0000; text-align: left;"><b>Ukrainian artillery destroyed the Zemledeliye mine laying</b></span></span></div><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: #fcff01;">This condition leads to the fact that the offensive operations of both parties occur with
significant difficulties and large losses of materiel and personnel.</i></span></b></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"> As for counter-battery.</u></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b> In the Russian-Ukrainian war, as in the wars of the past, the role of missile forces and
artillery in fires remains quite significant, and depending on the conditions, axes and areas of
operations varies from 60 to 80% of the total volume of tasks executed. The success of the
troops' operations directly depends on the effectiveness of strikes and fire, so the "hunt" for
the enemy's fire is a priority for both parties. Counter-battery is becoming an important
component of the armed confrontation. And despite the statements of some so-called
"military analysts", various publications, including in the russian media, regarding the
gradual weakening of russia, we have no right to belittle the importance and capabilities of
russian weapons, its ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and
countermeasures, the ability of the military-industrial complex of the aggressor state to
supply the troops with a significant number of both outdated and modern weapons and
equipment. We must realistically assess threats, analyse experience, and draw conclusions. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Immediately after receiving Western missile and artillery weapons, the Armed Forces of
Ukraine gained a significant superiority and significant success in counter-battery. Thus,
precision guided munition e.g. Excalibur (155 mm shell) proved to be quite effective in the
fight against self-propelled artillery and counter-battery radars. However, over time, their
capabilities have significantly decreased, since the targeting system (using GPS) is very
sensitive to the influence of enemy electronic warfare, which leads to a loss of precision of
ammunition. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>The enemy quickly learned to apply new tactics: dispersal (by guns); fire from the
maximum range; use of new electronic warfare assets (the“Pole 21” electronic
countermeasure system), etc. Also, the enemy quite widely and effectively began to use the
Lancet loitering munition with target “illumination”, the Orlan, Zala UAVs and others for
counter-battery, countering which is quite difficult.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b> In order to maintain and increase the duel superiority, the russians, through the use of
outdated artillery systems (D-1, D-20, etc.), significantly increased the artillery density and
its ability to massively use conventional ammunition. The enemy has also increased the
production and intensity of the use of 122 mm Krasnopol precision guided munition, which is
aimed at targets by target illumination with a rangefinder from ground-based observation
posts. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>As a countermeasure to the enemy, we were forced to utilize rocket artillery systems
e.g. "HIMARS" to defeat his artillery. However, a significant part of the existing set of
missiles was utilized for hitting these targets (artillery, MLRS, etc.). Currently, we have
managed to achieve a notional parity with the numerically prevailing enemy artillery due to a
smaller number of higher-quality (accurate) fires</b></span>. </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">As for creation and preparation of the necessary reserves.</u></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b> Compared to Ukraine, the russian federation has almost three times more mobilization
human resources. Having failed to succeed in the initial period of the war, the enemy began a
partial mobilization by the composition of the armed forces of peacetime in September 2022,
which continues to date. But he fails to take advantage of the mobilization of human
resources to create a significant superiority in the combat strength of task forces directly
fighting against Ukraine.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b> The main reasons for this state are political, organizational and motivational in nature.
Thus, on the eve of the presidential election, the president of the russian federation, putin, is
afraid to conduct a general mobilization in connection with the possible risks of growing
social tension in the state and turning it into a political crisis. The enemy has limited
capabilities to train mobilized citizens and provide them with the necessary weapons and
equipment. Due to significant losses of personnel, the civilian population of the russian
federation seeks to evade conscription and participation in hostilities.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b> At the same time, it should be taken into account that despite the fact that the command
of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is constantly working to improve the procedure for creating
and preparing reserves, some issues remain problematic. In particular, we have limited
capabilities to train reserves on our own territory, since the enemy has the ability to launch
missile and air strikes on training centres and training grounds. The prolonged nature of the
war, limited opportunities for the rotation of soldiers on the line of contact, gaps in legislation
that seem to legally evade mobilization, significantly reduce the motivation of citizens to
serve with the military. We are aware of these issues, we see ways to solve them and are
constantly working on it. Thus, this leads to the lack of Ukraine's ability to achieve
superiority over the enemy in reserves by increasing their number.</b></span></p><p><br /></p><p> <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">As for electronic warfare. </u></b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Even before the events of 2014, the military and political leadership of the russian
federation paid considerable attention to the development of electronic warfare. An
illustrative example of this is the creation in 2009 of a separate branch of the armed forces of
the russian federation – the electronic warfare troops. In addition, as part of the russian armed
forces, a powerful air component of electronic warfare has been created, which ensures the
effective employment of troops (forces) and high-precision weapons. The enemy adopted
about 60 types of modern electronic warfare equipment, which have better characteristics,
high mobility, increased security, short set-up and tear-down time, the introduction of new
technical solutions, automation tools, special software, etc. Almost the entire fleet of obsolete
equipment has been updated. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>The main advantages of russian electronic warfare equipment also include the
establishment of serial production of the so-called "trench electronic warfare" ("Silok",
"Piton", "Harpoon", "Piroed", "Strizh", "Lisochok"), which the tactical level of the russian
troops is saturated with. Despite the fact that since the beginning of large-scale armed
aggression, the enemy has lost a significant part of this equipment, today it continues to
maintain a significant electronic warfare superiority. Along the Kupyansk and Bakhmut axes,
the enemy actually established a layered electronic warfare system, the elements of which
constantly change their location. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>As for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, by 2022, such modern electronic warfare assets
with UAVs such as "Bukovel-AD", "Enclave", "Khmara", "Nota" were adopted, which later
proved themselves well in combat. But despite this, at the beginning of the war, about 65% of
jamming stations types in units (elements) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were produced by
the former Soviet Union, and there were only 25 new ones. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Given the limited capabilities of the domestic defence-industrial complex, the build-up
of EW capabilities was carried out at the expense of international military material and
logistical assistance, by obtaining systems (assets) of detection and electronic warfare against
UAVs, anti-drone guns, tactical mobile direction-finding systems, EW systems with on-board
radar stations, etc. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>To date, the capabilities to counter enemy high-precision weapons (guided missiles,
UAVs) are being increased by deploying the "Pokrova" nationwide EW system with the
possibility of replacing the satellite radio navigation field ("spoofing"), suppressing satellite
radio navigation along the entire line of contact and in most parts of Ukraine. The
development and implementation of elements of situational awareness systems into command
and control processes is also under way: "Graphite" - for automated transmission and display
of data about the flight of small UAVs; "Quartz" - for collecting, processing, displaying data
and managing radio-electronic assets. At this time, we have practically achieved a parity in
the EW tasks performance, which significantly complicates the possibility of achieving
superiority by both the armed forces of the russian federation and Ukraine, when employing
weapons and troops in general. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Thus, relying on the strategic superiority in military, economic, human, natural resource
and scientific potential and relatively appropriate conditions for its implementation, the
occupying armed forces are still not able to fully implement the plans of the russian general
staff. At the same time, it should be noted that despite this, countermeasure to the
achievement of military-political objectives by the aggressor state comes at a high cost for
Ukraine and its Armed Forces. The above is especially acute in the current course of
counteroffensive actions in the summer-autumn period. Thus, de facto, the Armed Forces of
Ukraine and other components of the Security and Defence Forces involved in repelling
armed aggression, practically along the entire line of contact between the parties and in the
border areas with the russian federation, faced the need to overcome the military parity
problem. First of all, its existence is stipulated by the reasons related to parity in the air,
minefields, counter-battery and electronic warfare, and the creation of reserves.</b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"> Ways to overcome the positional nature of hostilities.</u></b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b> The need to avoid the transition to a positional form of hostilities, such as the "trench
war" of 1914-1918, necessitates the search for new and non-trivial approaches to breaking the
military parity with the enemy. The main idea of the way out of the current situation can be
presented illustratively in the picture. </b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVs3FAmhPxTwd0h_wDGll9-QdqUXdMSd8hpbAYMN_u8i36U61NOom9UwvwS-yT-YgeK0Lp6PmrjtnYS8ezCxXd8F08oZlxGlktaspd73sMlciHAu7oY3kmPeDUncW84M4ExWQeqrKZUGckEQFBLsvfvB8VilQ3pT2szE1SUWgFbs8gwIVeFuVdqJnGGUg/s606/Capture.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="606" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVs3FAmhPxTwd0h_wDGll9-QdqUXdMSd8hpbAYMN_u8i36U61NOom9UwvwS-yT-YgeK0Lp6PmrjtnYS8ezCxXd8F08oZlxGlktaspd73sMlciHAu7oY3kmPeDUncW84M4ExWQeqrKZUGckEQFBLsvfvB8VilQ3pT2szE1SUWgFbs8gwIVeFuVdqJnGGUg/w640-h333/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">The main ways to overcome the positional nature of hostilities, which began to manifest
itself on the contact line in the summer of 2023, should be considered as follows</u></b></span>.</span></div><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> As for gaining air superiority:</b></u></span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> simultaneous en-masse use of cheap unmanned aerial target simulators and attack UAVs
in a single combat formation in order to overload the enemy's air defence system, mislead the
enemy about the number of real targets in the raid and expose elements of the enemy's air
defence system; </b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> hunting down enemy UAVs with the help of our own hunter drones with trap nets on
board in order to directly eliminate a destructive threat of materiel and personnel on the
battlefield by kamikaze drones;</b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> use of radiation simulators of the medium-range anti-aircraft missile system to target
illumination stations in close proximity to the contact line in order to reduce the effectiveness
of the use of glide guided bombs against our troops when assuming offensive (due to the fact
that carrier aircraft will launch guided bombs from the maximum possible ranges) and reduce
the manned aviation intensity due to the pilots' refusal to conduct sorties; </b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> blinding of thermal imaging reconnaissance equipment and UAVs targeting with
stroboscopes at night in order to complicate (prevent) strikes on the positions of troops
(pieces of weapons and equipment) at night using UAVs equipped with thermal imaging
equipment; </b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> en-masse use of electronic warfare assets (small and portable jamming transmitters,
anti-drone guns, etc.) along the contact line of the parties to counter enemy UAVs in order to
increase the ground forces protection from enemy UAVs.</b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> As for counter-battery:</u></b></span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> <b> building up local GPS fields to improve the operation of precision guided munition
navigation tools;</b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> increasing the share of tasks on counter-battery, which are solved by reconnaissance and
fire complexes based on kamikaze drones; </b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> use of counter-battery assets in combination with measures to mislead the enemy; </b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> increasing the capabilities of artillery reconnaissance equipment provided within the
framework of international materiel and logistical assistance, through the use of non-standard
settings.</b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">As for mine barriers breaching in depth:</span></u></b></span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> <b> use of LiDAR scanning sensors to obtain situational information on breaching on the
ground; the “Rosy” smoke protection systems to conceal the activities of obstacle-clearing
detachments (teams) from enemy ISR and fires; damaged equipment (without crews), which
retained its manoeuvre capabilities;</b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> use of jet engines of decommissioned aircraft, water monitors (water cannons) or
industrial water monitors, cluster artillery munition for breaching mine barriers that are
installed without being dug in the ground; </b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> use of a mini tunnel excavator with a drill, Rapid Burrowing Robot (RBR), empty hoses
for the injection of gaseous or liquid explosives, missiles with a fuel-air explosive for
breaching mine barriers; </b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> use of anti-drone guns to counter enemy reconnaissance UAVs, which will increase the
level of obstacle-clearing detachments (teams) concealment while breaching mine barriers.</b></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> As for creating own reserves and combating enemy ones:</u></b></span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> <b> introduction of the "Oberih" Unified State Register of draftees, persons liable for
military service and reservists into the activities of the command and control bodies; </b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> attracting more citizens of Ukraine to the military reserve;</b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> creation of an automated control system and accounting of training of Ukrainian
citizens for military service and national resistance;</b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> expanding the list of categories of Ukrainian citizens with whom training for military
service and national resistance is conducted;</b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> introduction of combat internship practice; </b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">As for electronic warfare:</b></u></span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> introduction into the command and control processes of elements of the "Pokrova",
"Graphite", "Quartz" situational awareness systems, as well as data exchange gained from
Defence Forces ISR assets (systems);</b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> increasing the capabilities to monitor the current electronic situation in the areas of
combat operations through the use of the capabilities of Partner Nations. In particular, we
need to provide the possibility of expanded access to data from air, sea and space assets of
signal intelligence;</b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> increasing the capabilities for conducting electronic warfare from UAVs during assault
operations by combined arms elements;</b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> organization and conduct of counter-EW measures to detect, recognize, isolate and
defeat the sources of electronic radiation of the enemy; </b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> search for opportunities to increase the production of electronic warfare systems with
the "Bukovel- AD" UAVs on the territory of Ukraine and abroad;</b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> streamlining the use of "trench electronic warfare", which comes to the forces from
volunteer organizations, in order to exclude cases of suppression of their own UAVs
("friendly fire");</b></li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b> improvement of existing and development of new domestic EW systems, taking into
account the prospect of conducting "electromagnetic warfare" throughout the
"electromagnetic spectrum", which covers a much wider frequency range (from γ-radiation to
terahertz radiation)</b>.</li></ul><p></p><p> <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Command and control.</b></u></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b> Improving the effectiveness of command and control is essential in the process of
implementing the proposed ways out of positional warfare. This can be done through the
widespread use of modern information technology in the command and control system,
which will ensure: the formation of a single information environment; creation of conditions
for information superiority; effective coordination of the activities of subordinate troops
(forces). As a result, this will allow to get ahead of the enemy in matters of situational
awareness and make decisions faster and, in general, ensure the achievement of a goal of an
operation in terms of positional warfare. The key components that will influence the
achievement of superiority in situational awareness are the processes of organizing
communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. </b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Logistics Support.</u></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b> One of the determining factors that significantly impacts the success of the
implementation of the proposed ways to change the nature of the war and achieve goals is the
rational organization of logistics support for the state Defence Forces.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b> Repelling the full-scale armed aggression of the enemy, conducting defensive and
counteroffensive operations require a huge number of resources: human, mobilization,
financial, materiel, etc. At the same time, the experience of the russian-Ukrainian war
testifies to the actualization of almost forgotten concepts, for example, such as the
accumulation of stocks of missiles and ammunition, and other logistics assets. After the end
of the Cold War, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact states, this concept
lost its relevance, but today it has become important both for the enemy and for our state. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>The russian armed forces spend a large number of missiles and ammunition, but it
should be recognized that some preparations for the war were done, so russia at this time
retains and is able to maintain a superiority in weapons and equipment, missiles and
ammunition for a considerable time, while the capabilities of the military industry are
increasing, despite the introduction by the world's leading countries of unprecedented
sanctions against the aggressor state. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>The Armed Forces of Ukraine are provided with extensive materiel and logistical
assistance by Partner Nations, however, given the increased intensity of average daily
missiles and ammunition consumption, it is not possible to accumulate these funds in the
required volumes since large armed forces are deployed, so all logistics assets provided
within the framework of material and logistical assistance are distributed among forces
according to the priority principle. Partner Nations and NATO member countries are
currently dramatically increasing the production capacity of weapons and ammunition, but
this process is quite long. According to various assessments, it takes at least a year to deploy
large-scale production of weapons and equipment, missiles and ammunition, and other
logistics assets, and in some types – two years. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>To continue the effective destruction of enemy warehouses, disruption of supply chains
and an increasing trucking distance for ammunition and other logistics assets, the Armed
Forces of Ukraine need to adopt missiles with an increased range, preferably of their own
production. </b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>The main ways to improve the efficiency of logistics support are: development and
capacity building of the Ukrainian defence industry; creation and development of an
asymmetric arsenal of weapons and equipment in Ukraine; creation, production and
deployment of new weapons. At the same time, when planning and organizing logistics
support, it is necessary to take into account the enemy's ability of fire effects on the mobile
and stationary components of logistics support assets of troops (forces).</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"> Key takeaways. </u></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The transition of the war to a positional form leads to its prolongation and carries
significant risks for both the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the state as a whole. In addition, it
is beneficial to the enemy, who is trying in every possible way to reconstitute and increase its
military power.</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> To get out of the positional form at the current stage of warfare, first of all, it is
necessary to: gain air superiority; breach mine barriers in depth; increase the effectiveness of
counter-battery and electronic warfare; create and prepare the necessary reserves. It should be
taken into account that the widespread use of information technology in military affairs and
the rational organization of logistics support play a significant role in finding a way out of the
positional form of warfare. The need to avoid transitioning from a positional form to a
manoeuvrable one necessitates searching for new and non-trivial approaches to break military
parity with the enemy</b></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-24215575218726465472023-12-29T22:22:00.000-08:002024-01-01T08:20:23.158-08:00IRAN UPDATE, DECEMBER 29, 2023 <p><b><span style="color: #800180;"><u> SOURCE :</u> </span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">( )<u> </u></span><span><u style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">IRAN UPDATE, DECEMBER 29, 2023 :</u><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"> _______________________</span></span></b></p><p><b><span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p><span><b style="color: #2b00fe;"> </b><b><span style="color: white;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; text-decoration-line: underline;">SUMMARY OF THE DAY</span></b></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; text-decoration-line: underline;"><br /></span></b></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0;"><i>Iran has increased its production rate of highly enriched uranium (HEU). The United States and the E3 confirmed in a joint statement on December 28 that Iran has increased its enrichment rate of 60 percent purity uranium. Iran has been stockpiling 60 percent HEU since April 2021. Iran decreased its enrichment rate and HEU stockpile after it reached an informal nuclear agreement with the United States in August 2023. Western media reported that the United States refroze Iranian financial assets released as part of the agreement in October. Iran’s current stockpile of 60 percent HEU stands at 128.3 kilograms as of October 28.</i></span></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iran Update, December 29, 2023</u></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Andie Parry, Amin Soltani, Brian Carter, and Alexandra Braverman</span></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> Information Cutoff: 2:00 pm EST</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Iran Update provides insights into Iranian and Iranian-sponsored activities abroad that undermine regional stability and threaten US forces and interests. It also covers events and trends that affect the stability and decision-making of the Iranian regime. The Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) provides these updates regularly based on regional events. For more on developments in Iran and the region, see our </em><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/661fd12b23f442b781be64cf323ef573/?draft=true" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">interactive map of Iran and the Middle East</em></a><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</em></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Note: </span></u><span style="background-color: transparent;">CTP and ISW have refocused the update to cover the Israel-Hamas war. The new sections address developments in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as noteworthy activity from Iran’s Axis of Resistance. </span></em><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We do not report in detail on war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. </em><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We utterly condemn violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.</em></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click </em><a href="https://isw.pub/IsraelBattleMap" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">here</span></em></a><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">to se</span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">e CTP and ISW’s interactive map of Israeli ground operations. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.</span></em></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Key Takeaways:</u></span></strong></p><ol start="1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iran has increased its production rate of highly enriched uranium (HEU)</span>. This development is consistent with CTP-ISW’s long-standing assessment that Iran has developed a nuclear program that it intends to use to produce a nuclear arsenal.</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">IDF operations in Daraj and Tuffah may have degraded the al Qassem Brigades’ command and control of its battalion there.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF continued clearing operations near Khuzaa, east of Khan Younis, on December 29. The IDF also said that it is</span><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"> “expanding operations”</span></u><span style="color: #800180;"> in Khan Younis.</span></b></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><i><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">Khan Younis Brigade commander</span><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"> Mohammed Sinwar</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;"> may be increasing his power within Hamas’ military wing at the expense of Mohammed Deif.</span></i></b></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Israeli aircraft conducted two airstrikes targeting Damascus International Airport and air defense systems in southern Syria to interdict Iranian weapons shipments to Lebanese Hezbollah on December 28.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Two key Iranian proxies in Iraq called for the expulsion of US forces from Iraq on December 29.</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red;">The US Treasury Department sanctioned a Turkish and Yemeni financial network that enabled the IRGC Quds Force to fund the Houthis.</span></li></ol><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Iran has increased its production rate of highly enriched uranium (HEU)</span><span style="color: #800180;">.</span></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> The United States and the E3 (France, Germany, Italy) confirmed in a joint statement on December 28 that Iran has increased its enrichment rate of 60 percent purity uranium.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[1]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> Iran has been stockpiling 60 percent HEU since April 2021.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[2]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> Iran decreased its enrichment rate and HEU stockpile after it reached an informal nuclear agreement with the United States in August 2023.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[3]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> Western media reported that the United States refroze Iranian financial assets released as part of the agreement in October.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[4]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Iran’s current stockpile of 60 percent HEU stands at 128.3 kilograms as of October 28.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[5]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">This development is consistent with CTP-ISW's long-standing assessment that Iran has developed a nuclear program that it intends to use to produce a nuclear arsenal.</span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[6]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) defines 25 kilograms of 20 percent or more enriched HEU as a “significant quantity” for “which the possibility of manufacturing a nuclear explosive device cannot be excluded.”</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[7</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Iran has stockpiled at least five bombs worth of HEU, given Iran’s current stockpile of 128.3 kilograms of 60 percent HEU. Iran previously planned to serially produce nuclear warheads for ballistic and cruise missiles as part of its pre-2003 nuclear weapons program</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[8]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> The stockpiling of HEU is one of the key steps Iran would have to pursue to develop an arsenal and has previously conducted work on the other key steps in weaponization and delivery vehicles</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[9]</b></span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> The Iranian enrichment infrastructure is also designed for a speedy mass production of HEU and/or weapons-grade uranium for multiple nuclear weapons.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[10]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iran has no use for 60 percent HEU other than for use in a compact nuclear explosive or to further enrich it to 90 percent weapons-grade uranium. Sixty percent HEU can only be used for nuclear weapons and does not have an alternate civilian purpose. The required enriched uranium purity for energy purposes is between 3 to 5 percent, and medical research reactors use 20 percent HEU.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[11]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Iran is now capable of producing weapons-grade uranium at a much faster rate than it would be if it only had a stockpile of lower than 60 percent enriched uranium.</span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTDecember%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTDecember%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Gaza Strip</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Erode the will of the Israeli political establishment and public to launch and sustain a major ground operation into the Gaza Strip</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Degrade IDF material and morale around the Gaza Strip.</b></span></li></ul><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">The IDF appears to be isolating Hamas’ Bureij Battalion and other Palestinian militias in Bureij before reducing them</span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">.</span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">[12]</span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> </span></strong><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">Geolocated images posted on December 28 showed Israeli tanks south of Bureij after the IDF advanced to the eastern outskirts of Bureij sometime on or before December 27.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[13]</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli forces have also cleared areas north of Bureij near Mughraqa</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[14]</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli forces have not yet advanced to the western side of Bureij, which would isolate the town. The IDF reported on December 28 that its operation in Bureij was in its “final stages.”</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[15]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian fighters attempted to defend against the IDF’s advance on December 29. Hamas’ military wing, the al Qassem Brigades, detonated a “minefield” targeting Israeli forces north of Bureij on December 29.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[16]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> The al Qassem Brigades and other Palestinian militias fired small arms and anti-fortification rockets targeting Israeli forces north and east of the town</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[17]</b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">IDF operations in Daraj and Tuffah may have degraded the al Qassem Brigades’ command and control of its battalion there.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">Hamas’ al Qassem Brigades claimed on December 29 that they targeted twenty vehicles over 48 hours in Daraj and Tuffah.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[18]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> Hamas’ military wing usually claims individual attacks targeting Israeli forces. Hamas’ inability to publish individual claims suggests that it lacks reliable communication with individual Hamas units in Daraj and Tuffah. Poor communications also inhibit the command and control of various units. Intense IDF clearing operations reduce communications capabilities by targeting infrastructure and killing individual fighters responsible for communicating with higher headquarters.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[19]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Hamas and PIJ have also said previously that it has “lost contact” with specific units for short periods in this area.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[20]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> Hamas did not indicate that it lost communication with any forces in Daraj and Tuffah between December 27 and 29. </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">The IDF said that it is “expanding operations” in Khan Younis on December 29</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;">[21]</span><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">The IDF did not specify how it was “expanding operations” in Khan Younis. IDF units have operated in and around Khan Younis since December 2. The IDF said on December 29 that the 7</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> Armored Brigade Combat Team (BCT) and the 900</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> BCT both continued clearing operations in Khan Younis.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[22</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> The 900</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> BCT found weapons and IED caches and booby-trapped tunnels that Palestinian fighters had prepared to use for ambushes</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[23]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> The 7</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> BCT called in close air support to kill a Hamas cell hiding inside a building in Khan Younis.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[24]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian fighters attempted to defend against Israeli advances in Khan Younis on December 29. Hamas’ military wing, the al Qassem brigades, used mortars and anti-tank rockets against advancing Israeli armor and infantry.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[25]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Fatah’s military wing, the al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, clashed with an Israeli infantry squad east of Khan Younis.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[26]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">The IDF continued clearing operations near Khuzaa, east of Khan Younis, on December 29</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">. </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">The 5</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> BCT continued clearing operations in Khuzaa on December 29, where it captured anti-tank positions, tunnel shafts, and tunnel routes</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[27]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> PIJ’s military wing, the al Quds Brigades, mortared Israeli forces in Abasan, near Khuzaa, on December 29.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[28]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Hamas denied on December 29 that its officials will travel to Egypt after the <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wall Street Journal </em>reported that a Hamas political delegation would travel to Cairo to discuss Egypt’s ceasefire proposal</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;">[29]</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi denied that Hamas officials would travel to Cairo on December 29 for talks with Egypt on a ceasefire agreement.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[30</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Mardawi and senior Hamas official and former Gazan Health Minister Bassem Naim reiterated Hamas’ negotiating position in separate statements, saying that Hamas would not negotiate or exchange prisoners without an end to the Israeli ground operation</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[31]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">These comments are consistent with CTP-ISW's assessment that both Hamas’ political leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar and Hamas’ external political leaders seek to use their Israeli hostages as leverage to maintain their influence in negotiations</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[32]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">PIJ Deputy Secretary General Mohammed al Hindi said that PIJ seeks to create a “unified Palestinian response” to the Egyptian proposal.</span><b style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[33]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">This is consistent with CTP-ISW's December 28 assessment that Hamas and its Palestinian allies are using multiple, overlapping negotiations with different external parties to embed themselves in a postwar “unity government.”</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[34]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: 1em;"> Hindi claimed that Israel wants to continue its operations after it returns the </span><span style="font-size: medium;">hostages, which would leave Hamas and PIJ no more leverage with Israel.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">[35]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;">Khan Younis Brigade commander</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;"> Mohammed Sinwar</span><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white;"> may be increasing his power within Hamas’ military wing </span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">at the expense of Mohammed Deif.</span></u></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></span></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">A veteran French Middle East correspondent reported on December 26 that Mohammed Sinwar had taken over day-to-day control of Hamas’ military wing, the al Qassem Brigades, from Mohammed Deif.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[36]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The report claimed that while Deif still exerted influence and smoothed over internal differences, Mohammed Sinwar controlled the organization</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[37]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> This report is consistent with the IDF’s bounty on Sinwar, which is 200,000 USD greater than the bounty on Deif.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">38]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The greater bounty on Sinwar could also reflect Sinwar’s greater influence within the organization as the IDF gradually degrades and then defeats al Qassem Brigades units elsewhere in the strip.</span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[39]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Mohammed Sinwar is the Khan Younis Brigade commander, and Israeli sources call his brigade “strong and well-trained.”</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">40]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> IDF military operations degraded the Northern and Gaza City Brigades—which were the strongest Hamas brigades before the war—between the beginning of the ground operation and December 29.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[41]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023%20.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023%20.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">An Israeli journalist reported on December 28 that US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed Israeli payments to the Palestinian Authority (PA) on December 24</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;">[42]</span><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">Israel collects tax revenues for the PA, which Israel has withheld since the October 7 attacks. The tax revenue covers expenses in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Israel has offered to release the West Bank taxes to the PA but refused to release the Gaza Strip taxes, noting that Hamas controls the Gaza Strip and those tax revenues would benefit Hamas. The PA refused to accept the West Bank taxes without the Gaza Strip taxes. The United States proposed that the Israelis send all the tax revenues to Norway, which would then hold the revenues for the Gaza Strip until the Israelis and PA could negotiate a deal for the release of the Gaza Strip revenues. Norway would send the funds for the West Bank to the PA. Israel has not agreed to send the revenues to Norway. Netanyahu told Biden that he did not trust Norway, according to a US official and a “source with knowledge of the call.”</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Palestinian fighters conducted four indirect fire attacks from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel on December 29.</span><span style="font-size: 1em;"> </span></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">The al Quds Brigades claimed three rocket attacks targeting southern Israel on December 29.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[43]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Unspecified fighters also fired one rocket salvo targeting Zikim.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[44]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Recorded reports of rocket attacks; CTP-ISW cannot independently verify impact.</b></em></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">West Bank</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward the West Bank and fix them there</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters in 13 locations across the West Bank on December 29.</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;">[45]</span></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Nablus Battalion of the al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade attempted to defend against Israeli raids in Balata and Faraa camps. The group fired small arms and detonated IEDs targeting Israeli vehicles and infantry</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[46]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> Israeli forces arrested 12 people, including two Hamas fighters, and confiscated weapons in West Bank raids on December 29.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[47]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Two Palestinian fighters conducted two separate attacks on Israeli checkpoints east of Bethlehem and in Hebron.</span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[48]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Hamas claimed the Bethlehem attacker and called for Palestinians to conduct further attacks on Israelis.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[49]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> PIJ celebrated the two terror attacks.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[50]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinians held a single demonstration in Tulkarm on December 29, despite calls from Hamas for demonstrations on December 29 across the West Bank and Israel</span><b><span style="color: red;">.<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[51]</span></span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Hamas had called for Friday demonstrations since December 26.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">52]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>This map is not an exhaustive depiction of clashes and demonstrations in the West Bank.</b></em></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Southern Lebanon and Golan Heights</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward northern Israel and fix them there</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Set conditions for successive campaigns into northern Israel</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Lebanese Hezbollah (LH) conducted eight attacks from southern Lebanon into northern Israel on December 29</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b style="color: #800180;">.[</b><span style="color: red;">53</span><b style="color: #800180;">] </b></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">LH targeted Israeli military infrastructure, artillery, and soldiers with anti-tank guided munitions, rockets, and other unspecified weapons.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[54]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> PIJ mourned two fighters who died in southern Lebanon on December 29.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[55]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The PIJ fighters' deaths underscore the role that other Iranian-backed militias play in attacking Israel from southern Lebanon.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;">LH leaders signaled on December 29 that they are not deterred by Israeli “threats” to invade Lebanon.</span></strong><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;">LH Executive Council Deputy Chairman Ali Damoush stated that LH will continue operations against northern Israel until Israel withdraws from the Gaza Strip regardless of the pressures, threats, and sacrifices.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">56</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> Damoush also celebrated that LH’s attacks are creating internal divisions in Israel. Senior Israeli military and political officials have repeatedly signaled that Israel seeks to push LH north of the Litani River using diplomatic measures in accordance with UNSCR 1701.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[57</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> Israeli officials have noted, however, that if diplomacy fails, Israel will resort to military force.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">[58]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Israeli aircraft conducted two airstrikes targeting Damascus International Airport and air defense systems in southern Syria to interdict Iranian weapons shipments to Lebanese Hezbollah on December 28</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;">.</span></span></strong><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[59</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> An anti-regime reporter said that the airstrike put the runway out of service a day after the Syrian regime reopened it after repairing damage from a previous Israeli airstrike</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[60</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> Israel frequently destroyed Syrian airport runways at the start of the Israel-Hamas war, often bombing the runway hours after the completion of repairs.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[61</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> Israel has conducted previous strikes at the Damascus International Airport to prevent Iranian weapons deliveries.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[62]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli media reported on December 29 that Israeli airstrikes on Damascus International Airport”in recent days” intended to thwart weapons ransfers from Iran to Lebanese Hezbollah.</span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[63]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">This supports CTP-ISW’s previous assessments that Israeli airstrikes on Damascus International Airport disrupt a transportation node through which the IRGC has historically tried to transfer military materiel and personnel to Syria and Lebanon.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[64</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Ynet reported on December 29 that Iran is accelerating weapons transfers to LH in anticipation of a wider war with Israel</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[65]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">The outlet said that Iran is sending precision-guided missiles, anti-tank missiles, and surface-to-air missiles to LH mostly via the Damascus International Airport.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[66</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> An Israeli airstrike in Damascus killed an IRGC brigadier general who was responsible for managing Iranian weapons shipments to LH and Iranian-backed militias in Syria on December 25.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[67]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iran and Axis of Resistance</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Demonstrate the capability and willingness of Iran and the Axis of Resistance to escalate against the United States and Israel on multiple fronts</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Set conditions to fight a regional war on multiple fronts</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Two key Iranian proxies in Iraq called for the expulsion of US forces from Iraq on December 29.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">These are the twelfth and thirteenth statements by top Iranian-backed political leaders, Iranian-backed Iraqi government officials, and major Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups calling for the expulsion of US forces from Iraq since December 5.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[68]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Smaller front groups for major Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups have called for the expulsion of US forces from Iraq twice since December 5</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[69]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Key Iranian proxy and Badr Organization head Hadi al Ameri called on the Iraqi government to set a timetable to end the US presence in Iraq.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[70]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Ameri claimed that the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) can maintain security in Iraq. The US mission in Iraq continues to provide logistics, intelligence, and fire support to the ISF.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">71]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Corruption and mismanagement within the ISF after the US withdrawal in 2011 contributed to the ISF’s rapid collapse during the ISIS offensive against Mosul and northern Iraq in 2014.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">72]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Key Iranian proxy and Popular Mobilization Forces chief Faleh al Fayyadh said that Iraqi sovereignty is only disturbed by the “abnormal presence that we are working to end” on December 29</span><b><span style="color: red;">.<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[73]</span></span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The United States sanctioned Fayyadh in 2021 for serious human rights abuses during Iraq’s 2019 protest movement, when he worked with then-IRGC-Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani and US-designated terrorist Qais al Khazali to kill hundreds of Iraqi protesters.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[74]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The Islamic Resistance in Iraq—a coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias—claimed responsibility for a rocket attack targeting US forces at Rumaylan Landing Zone in northeastern Syria on December</span> 29.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cc0000;">[75]</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2029%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="673" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2029%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">The Houthi movement continued its anti-shipping attack campaign on December 28. </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">CENTCOM said that the USS </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mason</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> shot down one drone and one anti-ship ballistic missile in the southern Red Sea that the Houthis had fired.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[76]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The drone and missile did not cause damage to any of the 18 nearby vessels. The Houthis did not claim responsibility for the attack.</span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The US Treasury Department sanctioned a Turkish and Yemeni financial network that enabled the IRGC Quds Force to fund the Houthis</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">.</span></strong><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[77]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The US sanctions targeted one Yemeni, one Turkish entity, two Yemeni entities, and one Turkish entity responsible for facilitating financial flows between the IRGC Quds Forces and the Houthi movement. The Treasury Department said that Iranian funding enables Houthi attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea. The sanctions targeted Turkey-based Al Aman Kargo Ithalat Ihracat Ve Nakliyat Limited Sirketi (Al Aman), which Treasury said served as ”a waypoint for money sent by” Iran to Houthi businesses in Yemen. The sanctions also targeted two Yemeni money exchanges tied to the Houthis and one Yemeni national, the president of the Yemeni Currency Exchangers Association in Houthi-controlled Sanaa, Yemen.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[78]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Iran </strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">hanged four individuals in West Azerbaijan</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> province over alleged ties to the Israeli Mossad on December 29.</strong><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;"><b>[79]</b></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Iranian media said that the alleged Mossad spies planned to kidnap and interrogate members of Iranian security forces.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[80]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Iran sentenced six additional individuals to ten years in jail for allegedly communicating with Israel with intent to disrupt Iranian security</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[81]</b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett took credit for two operations that occurred in 2022 against Iran in a Wall Street Journal op-ed on December 28.</strong><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[82]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Bennett said that Israel destroyed a UAV base on Iranian soil in response to attacks against Israel. Bennett said that he also ordered the assassination of an IRGC commander who was responsible for targeting Israeli tourists in Turkey in March 2022.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;"><b>[83]</b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="1" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; color: #424242; float: none; font-size: 13px; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">References</u></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref1" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[1]</a> <a href="https://www.state.gov/joint-statement-on-the-latest-iranian-nuclear-steps-reported-by-the-iaea/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.state.gov/joint-statement-on-the-latest-iranian-nuclear-steps-reported-by-the-iaea/</a> ; <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-undoes-slowdown-enrichment-uranium-near-weapons-grade-iaea-2023-12-26/#:~:text=Middle%20East-,Iran%20undoes%20slowdown%20in%20enrichment,to%20near%20weapons%2Dgrade%20%2DIAEA&text=VIENNA%2C%20Dec%2026%20(Reuters),nuclear%20watchdog%20said%20on%20Tuesday" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-undoes-slowdown-enrichment-uranium-near-weapons-grade-iaea-2023-12-26/#:~:text=Middle%20East-,Iran%20undoes%20slowdown%20in%20enrichment,to%20near%20weapons%2Dgrade%20%2DIAEA&text=VIENNA%2C%20Dec%2026%20(Reuters),nuclear%20watchdog%20said%20on%20Tuesday</a>.</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref2" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[2]</a> <a href="https://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2023/may/03/timeline-iran%E2%80%99s-nuclear-program-2018" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2023/may/03/timeline-iran%E2%80%99s-nuclear-program-2018</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[3]</a> <a href="https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/23/09/gov2023-39.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/23/09/gov2023-39.pdf</a> ; <a href="https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/23/11/gov2023-57.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/23/11/gov2023-57.pdf</a> ; <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-26-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-26-2023</a> ; <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-august-30-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-august-30-2023</a> ; <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/iran-slows-buildup-of-near-weapons-grade-enriched-uranium-492df473" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/articles/iran-slows-buildup-of-near-weapons-grade-en...</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/laurnorman/status/1691548180423323649?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/laurnorman/status/1691548180423323649?s=20</a> ; <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-launches-quiet-diplomatic-push-with-iran-to-cool-tensions-2f45af3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-launches-quiet-diplomatic-push-with-ira...</a> ; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/14/us/politics/biden-iran-nuclear-program.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/14/us/politics/biden-iran-nuclear-progra...</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref4" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[4]</a> <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2023/10/12/iran-barred-from-accessing-6-billion-released-by-us-for-humanitarian-aid-report-says/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2023/10/12/iran-barred-from-a...</a> ; <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/us-appears-to-consider-blocking-iranian-access-to-unfrozen-funds/7308983.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.voanews.com/a/us-appears-to-consider-blocking-iranian-access...</a> ; <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-halting-release-6-billion-iranian-oil-assets/story?id=103928072" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-halting-release-6-billion-iranian-oil...</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref5" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[5]</a> <a href="https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/23/11/gov2023-57.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/23/11/gov2023-57.pdf</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref6" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[6]</a> <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-iranian-nuclear-program-timelines-data-and-estimates-v4-1" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-iranian-nuclear-program-timelines-data-and-estimates-v4-1</a> ; <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-iranian-nuclear-program-timelines-data-and-estimates-v6-0" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-iranian-nuclear-program-timelines-data-and-estimates-v6-0</a> ; <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/americas-iranian-self-deception" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/americas-iranian-self-deception</a> ; <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/imce-imagesIran_Nuclear_Timeline_ver_4.0-1.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/imce-imagesIran_Nuclear_Timeline_ver_4.0-1.pdf</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref7" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[7]</a> <a href="https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/iaea_safeguards_glossary.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/iaea_safeguards_glossary.pdf</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref8" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[8]</a> <a href="https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/gov2011-65.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/gov2011-65.pdf</a> ; <a href="https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/detail/iran-building-nuclear-weapons/8" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/detail/iran-building-nuclear-weapons/8</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref9" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[9]</a> <a href="https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/gov2011-65.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/gov2011-65.pdf</a> ; <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/irans-military-complex-at-parchin-and-the-nuclear-connection" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/irans-military-complex-at-parchin-and-the-nuclear-connection</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref10" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[10]</a> <a href="https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/23/11/gov2023-58.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/23/11/gov2023-58.pdf</a> ; <a href="https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-g-n/iran.aspx" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-g-n/iran.aspx</a> ; <a href="https://www.nti.org/education-center/facilities/fordow-fuel-enrichment-plant/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nti.org/education-center/facilities/fordow-fuel-enrichment-plant/</a> ; <a href="https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/detail/the-fordow-enrichment-plant-aka-al-ghadir/8" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/detail/the-fordow-enrichment-plant-aka-al-ghadir/8</a> ; <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/americas-iranian-self-deception" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/americas-iranian-self-deception</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref11" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[11]</a> <a href="https://armscontrolcenter.org/uranium-enrichment-for-peace-or-for-weapons/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armscontrolcenter.org/uranium-enrichment-for-peace-or-for-weapons/</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref12" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[12]</a> The US military defines “isolate” as a tactical mission task that requires a unit to seal off—both</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">physically and psychologically—an enemy from sources of support, deny the enemy freedom of movement, and prevent the isolated enemy force from having contact with other enemy forces.” The US military defines “reduce” as “a tactical mission task that involves the destruction of an encircled</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">or bypassed enemy force.” See more: <a href="https://irp.fas.org/doddir/army/fm3-90-1.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://irp.fas.org/doddir/army/fm3-90-1.pdf</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref13" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[13]</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SouljaCranker/status/1740390327004107152" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/SouljaCranker/status/1740390327004107152</a>; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/10/07/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-maps.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/10/07/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-maps.html</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref14" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[14]</a> <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-28-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-28-2023</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref15" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[15]</a> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/28/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-palestine/#link-JPUMQNMLP5CCJJS7D6467XMJXE" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/28/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-palestine/#link-JPUMQNMLP5CCJJS7D6467XMJXE</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref16" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[16]</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1111" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1111</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref17" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[17]</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1111" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1111</a>; <a href="https://t.me/qassambrigades/29805" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassambrigades/29805</a>; <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4023</a>; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350904" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350904</a> </span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref18" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[18]</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1117" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1117</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref19" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[19]</a> <a href="https://x.com/idfonline/status/1740252854068396337?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/idfonline/status/1740252854068396337?s=20</a>; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-27-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-27-2023</a>; <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-26-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-26-2023</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[20]</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassambrigades/29526;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassambrigades/29526;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassambrigades/29523;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassambrigades/29523;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassambrigades/29502;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassambrigades/29502;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassambrigades/29494" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassambrigades/29494</a>; <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/16947" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/16947</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref21" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[21]</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1740631937088143373" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1740631937088143373</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref22" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[22]</a> <a href="https://x.com/idfonline/status/1740631679797272991?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/idfonline/status/1740631679797272991?s=20</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref23" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[23]</a> <a href="https://www.idf/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.idf</a> dot il/167683</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref24" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[24]</a> <a href="https://x.com/idfonline/status/1740631679797272991?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/idfonline/status/1740631679797272991?s=20</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref25" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[25]</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassambrigades/29808" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassambrigades/29808</a>; <a href="https://t.me/qassambrigades/29807" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassambrigades/29807</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref26" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[26]</a> <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5406" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5406</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref27" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[27]</a> <a href="https://www.idf/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.idf</a> dot il/167639</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref28" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[28]</a> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17098" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17098</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref29" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[29]</a> <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-expands-operations-in-southern-gaza-amid-worsening-humanitarian-crisis-0ba585c3?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos1" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-expands-operations-in-southern-gaza-amid-worsening-humanitarian-crisis-0ba585c3?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos1</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref30" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[30]</a> <a href="https://www.almayadeen/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.almayadeen</a> dot net/latestnews/2023/12/29/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%86--%D9%84%D8%A7-%D9%88%D9%81%D8%AF-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B3</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref31" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[31]</a> <a href="https://www.almayadeen/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.almayadeen</a> dot net/latestnews/2023/12/29/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A9-%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%86--%D9%84%D8%A7-%D9%88%D9%81%D8%AF-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B3; <a href="https://t.me/hamasps/18726" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamasps/18726</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref32" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[32]</a> <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-28-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-28-2023</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref33" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[33]</a> <a href="https://t.me/mihwar_almuqawama/43589" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mihwar_almuqawama/43589</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref34" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[34]</a> <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-28-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-28-2023</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref35" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[35]</a> <a href="https://t.me/mihwar_almuqawama/43589" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mihwar_almuqawama/43589</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref36" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[36]</a> <a href="https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/comment-le-hamas-a-organise-dans-le-plus-grand-secret-son-attaque-contre-israel-20231226" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/comment-le-hamas-a-organise-dans-le-plus-grand-secret-son-attaque-contre-israel-20231226</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref37" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[37]</a> <a href="https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/comment-le-hamas-a-organise-dans-le-plus-grand-secret-son-attaque-contre-israel-20231226" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/comment-le-hamas-a-organise-dans-l...</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref38" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[38]</a> <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/israels-most-wanted-butcher-khan-younis-other-hamas-terrorists-now-idfs-sights" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.foxnews.com/world/israels-most-wanted-butcher-khan-younis-other-hamas-terrorists-now-idfs-sights</a>; <a href="https://x.com/timesofindia/status/1738522339887747567?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/timesofindia/status/1738522339887747567?s=20</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref39" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[39]</a> <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-order-of-battle-of-hamas-izz-al-din-al-qassem-brigades" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-order-of-battle-of-hamas-iz...</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref40" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[40]</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/06/israels-focus-turns-to-khan-younis-as-it-hunts-for-hamas-leaders" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/06/israels-focus-turns-to-khan-younis-as-it-hunts-for-hamas-leaders</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref41" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[41]</a> <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-order-of-battle-of-hamas-izz-al-din-al-qassem-brigades" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-order-of-battle-of-hamas-iz...</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref42" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[42]</a> <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/28/biden-netanyahu-call-palestinian-authority-tax-revenue" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.axios.com/2023/12/28/biden-netanyahu-call-palestinian-author...</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref43" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[43]</a> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17097" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17097</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref44" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[44]</a> <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350925" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350925</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref45" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[45]</a> <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5402" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5402</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5403" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5403</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2630" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2630</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350922" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350922</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350920" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350920</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350890" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350890</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350625" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350625</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350592" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350592</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350653" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350653</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350607" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350607</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350583" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350583</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350564" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350564</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350552" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350552</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref46" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[46]</a> <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5402" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5402</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5403" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5403</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2631" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2631</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2628" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2628</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350599" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350599</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref47" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[47]</a> <a href="https://x.com/idfonline/status/1740667298736697596?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/idfonline/status/1740667298736697596?s=20</a> ; <a href="https://x.com/idfonline/status/1740667292772651016?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/idfonline/status/1740667292772651016?s=20</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref48" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[48]</a> <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49409" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49409</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49392" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49392</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49391" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49391</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740779021586329627" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740779021586329627</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref49" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[49]</a> <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49392" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49392</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref50" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[50]</a> <a href="https://t.me/mihwar_almuqawama/43664" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mihwar_almuqawama/43664</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref51" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title=""><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[51]</span></b></a></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350861" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350861</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49393" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49393</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49394" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49394</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49395" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49395</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49396" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49396</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref52" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[52]</a> <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49294" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49294</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49295" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49295</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49293" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49293</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref53" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[53]</a> <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42869" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42869</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42873" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42873</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42876" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42876</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42890" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42890</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42897" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42897</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42906" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42906</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42908" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42908</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42910" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42910</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref54" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[54]</a> <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42897" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42897</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42873" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42873</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42908" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42908</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref55" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[55]</a> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17099" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17099</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/Ta3be2a/4928" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/Ta3be2a/4928</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref56" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[56]</a> <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42877" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42877</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref57" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[57]</a><a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/18/israel-us-hezbollah-lebanon-border" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.axios.com/2023/12/18/israel-us-hezbollah-lebanon-border</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref58" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[58]</a> <a href="https://www/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www</a> dot idf.il/167111; <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1739758232682315804" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1739758232682315804</a> ; <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.timesofisrael.dot</a> com/liveblog_entry/gallant-well-push-hezbollah-beyond-litani-river-before-residents-of-northern-israel-return-home/</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref59" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[59]</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mod.gov.sy/posts/pfbid0wY7ZX6x5zugPGJy1XNE3hwCnueUCERjrEjyHEXxgyaeg2az47DR64izg7DxpAbv7l?__cft__%5b0%5d=AZUJk-uwvdxDN0qcniBFnzPFP2LsRLZlqKHxg8h6RQJnwAOpV7rLQm-ohdVqC_7Q4z9hP6ZHe_kYuqKBgA-Pj0thI6-ui8M1ZoMp3dfAFN1wEEpsh2gfU66OVKIDhWvlk64MN8k4cf3DDkIzhQF6_83ZkK5PvTdDtOCc0irLpKbSCb2ZVsOC9PODAoGuFm1_JQU&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/mod.gov.sy/posts/pfbid0wY7ZX6x5zugPGJy1XNE3hwCnueUCERjrEjyHEXxgyaeg2az47DR64izg7DxpAbv7l?__cft__[0]=AZUJk-uwvdxDN0qcniBFnzPFP2LsRLZlqKHxg8h6RQJnwAOpV7rLQm-ohdVqC_7Q4z9hP6ZHe_kYuqKBgA-Pj0thI6-ui8M1ZoMp3dfAFN1wEEpsh2gfU66OVKIDhWvlk64MN8k4cf3DDkIzhQF6_83ZkK5PvTdDtOCc0irLpKbSCb2ZVsOC9PODAoGuFm1_JQU&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mod.gov.sy/posts/pfbid0GMtTTAJ6WDrYGgzgSkbZhCyyE2PVruzEb52tsEwAj4VAdxxKQDZ6DXJH94yVKmXzl?__cft__[0]=AZUz-W7XkHLVRjXRDUxHMn4tMiF390uH7bXgoSNSL78rbRNxbpLCs0P9VJVJyJ-Ofi4wAhp25EJ4V_16PkjuxmjvVz-2zZvfklfhfneG00scVDO_PNFWlx2E9i70XexuKyJAEnBdYoLnvPMDUXu-YsRbVFL2z3XS1JMfv7n7-yGN9cJpEpHDMvQkMme01Suyuzs&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/mod.gov.sy/posts/pfbid0GMtTTAJ6WDrYGgzgSkbZhCyy...</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref60" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[60]</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/OALD24/status/1740472607336435750" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/OALD24/status/1740472607336435750</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref61" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[61]</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-october-22-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-october-22-2023</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mod.gov.sy/posts/pfbid028npYUAg4kHFsU6uMkNiKXc3xftBApKFydJngXxYNUp86hdJv37Ma8PRv3BB8zAzhl?__cft__%5b0%5d=AZWfzsW7z1-fFtKjqzTJ2u9sId5Il8Ybv1dJ-G649mvevHdzRjDj0TtL51nIstFaLkkgZnNlD1Lp_LJ-xI-oZP5HUK1yWau-WdoO6g_vc3YBhZl2veCiKnRrCICBEJTJVn6qFagKCrv2tgcbGl97d9SocqQNH-leUWx7orpcSi-HGFeYju7Rl3tWO7jhDCw3JyI&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/mod.gov.sy/posts/pfbid028npYUAg4kHFsU6uMkNiKXc3xftBApKFydJngXxYNUp86hdJv37Ma8PRv3BB8zAzhl?__cft__[0]=AZWfzsW7z1-fFtKjqzTJ2u9sId5Il8Ybv1dJ-G649mvevHdzRjDj0TtL51nIstFaLkkgZnNlD1Lp_LJ-xI-oZP5HUK1yWau-WdoO6g_vc3YBhZl2veCiKnRrCICBEJTJVn6qFagKCrv2tgcbGl97d9SocqQNH-leUWx7orpcSi-HGFeYju7Rl3tWO7jhDCw3JyI&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mod.gov.sy/posts/pfbid02aVkrWzKGrGcHd7RmLah1PJkc9yjHLHDgRVyziSwPDhtyVKW8ZWctjvT5JfLiph2Kl?__cft__[0]=AZUfNw5-Nkcc3G7_zVem7iWQA62rq44FcMPfGvH8IOjmuHmVXH9oW4uNMJ6uGVqxcxtFwcoGcBsL5Aa7j0MutMb2Sgyeeaf6_EEo4-uuqjN8NroCXwOH-mrhy0iF6zK7A9-n5S80RHmjHQbSybWF_QeQ&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/mod.gov.sy/posts/pfbid02aVkrWzKGrGcHd7RmLah1PJk...</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref62" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[62]</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mod.gov.sy/posts/pfbid02GDLgg68hToTnqCMnAgiuuyqnu3mcAbS2nxxgbXZFQWWSUmYMJQ3urMYtcc1hirql" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/mod.gov.sy/posts/pfbid02GDLgg68hToTnqCMnAgiuuyqnu3mcAbS2nxxgbXZFQWWSUmYMJQ3urMYtcc1hirql</a> ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-october-22-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-october-22-2023</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref63" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[63]</a> <a href="https://www.ynetnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ynetnews</a> dot com/article/b1awrz2d6</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref64" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[64]</a> <a href="https://isw.pub/IranUpdate112623" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/IranUpdate112623</a> ; <a href="https://www.ynetnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ynetnews</a> dot com/article/b1awrz2d6</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref65" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[65]</a> <a href="https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1awrz2d6" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1awrz2d6</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref66" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[66]</a> <a href="https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1awrz2d6" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1awrz2d6</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref67" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[67]</a> <a href="https://www.iranintl/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iranintl</a> dot com/en/202209203504 ; <a href="https://amwaj/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://amwaj</a> dot media/article/inside-story-airstrike-kills-iran-s-most-influential-commander-in-syria</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref68" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[68]</a> <a href="https://t.me/centerkaf/4142" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/centerkaf/4142</a>; <a href="https://www.ninanews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ninanews</a> dot com/Website/News/Details?key=1097666; <a href="https://t.me/Sabereenp1/10926" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/Sabereenp1/10926</a>; <a href="https://www.tasnimnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.tasnimnews</a> dot com/fa/news/1402/10/05/3012676; <a href="https://www.shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.shafaq</a> dot com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AC%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8-%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A9; <a href="https://www.shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.shafaq</a> dot com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%B2%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AC-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82; <a href="https://t.me/abualaskary/113" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/abualaskary/113</a>; <a href="https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/95749" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/95749</a>; <a href="https://t.me/mihwar_almuqawama/42029" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mihwar_almuqawama/42029</a>; <a href="https://twitter.com/Qais_alkhazali/status/1733790462991835311" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/Qais_alkhazali/status/1733790462991835311</a>; <a href="https://twitter.com/aboalaa_alwalae/status/1732027622366826659" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/aboalaa_alwalae/status/1732027622366826659</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref69" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[69]</a> <a href="https://t.me/aishab_alkahf/136" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/aishab_alkahf/136</a>; <a href="https://www.shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.shafaq</a> dot com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D9%84%D8%A7-%D9%86%D8%AD%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%AC-%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82-%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%AC%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%8A%D8%AE%D8%B1%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%A7-%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7; <a href="https://www.shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.shafaq</a> dot com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D9%81%D8%B5%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%B6-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AB%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%A8%D9%84%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%88-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A8-%D9%84-%D8%AA%D9%83%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D9%85%D8%B9-%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D8%A7</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref70" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[70]</a> <a href="https://alghadeertv/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://alghadeertv</a> dot iq/archives/249118</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref71" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[71]</a> <a href="https://media.defense.gov/2023/Nov/27/2003347442/-1/-1/1/OIR_Q4_SEP2023_FINAL_508.PDF" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://media.defense.gov/2023/Nov/27/2003347442/-1/-1/1/OIR_Q4_SEP2023_FINAL_508.PDF</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref72" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[72]</a> <a href="https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/how-secure-mosul-lessons-2008-2014" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/how-secure-mosul-les...</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref73" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[73]</a> <a href="https://www.ninanews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ninanews</a> dot com/Website/News/Details?key=1098071</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref74" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[74]</a> <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1231" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1231</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref75" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[75]</a> <a href="https://t.me/elamharbi/177" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elamharbi/177</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref76" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[76]</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1740527574772834536" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1740527574772834536</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref77" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[77]</a> <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2014" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2014</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref78" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[78]</a> <a href="https://www.state.gov/countering-houthi-maritime-attacks/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.state.gov/countering-houthi-maritime-attacks/</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref79" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[79]</a> <a href="https://www.mizanonline/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.mizanonline</a> dot ir/fa/news/4751817/</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref80" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[80]</a> <a href="https://www.iribnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iribnews</a> dot ir/fa/news/4105140/</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref81" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[81]</a> <a href="https://www.iribnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iribnews</a> dot ir/fa/news/4105140/</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref82" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[82]</a> <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-us-and-israel-need-to-take-iran-on-directly-proxies-hamas-threat-7f67a238" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-us-and-israel-need-to-take-iran-on-dire...</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-29-2023#_ednref83" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[83]</a> <a href="https://t.me/elamharbi/176" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elamharbi/176</a></span></b></p></div></div></div></div></div><h3 id="tagtitle" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Tags</u></span></h3><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><b><br /></b></u></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><b><u> Iran Project</u></b></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><br /></u></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><b> Iran</b></u></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><b><br /></b></u></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b><u> File Attachments</u></b></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTDecember%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2070234">DraftIsraelCOTDecember 29,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023%20.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1817749">Gaza Evacuation Zone Map December 29,2023 .png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1572729">Gaza Clearing Map December 29,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1102135">Southern Israel Battle Map December 29,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1643856">West Bank Battle Map December 29,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1564505">Northern Israel Battle Map December 29,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2029%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=4873485">Regional Battle Map Draft December 29, 2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2029%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=5509000">Regional IDF Battle Map December 29,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/jpeg" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Babel%20Street%20email%20logo_4_43.jpg" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/jpeg; length=18200">Babel Street email logo_4.jpg</a></span></b></span></div></div></div><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-61895966480561066132023-12-29T04:09:00.000-08:002023-12-29T08:49:09.587-08:00IRAN UPDATE, DECEMBER 28, 2023 <p><b><span style="color: #800180;"><u> SOURCE: </u></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;"> ( )</span><u><span style="color: red;"> </span></u></b><b><u><span style="color: red;">IRAN UPDATE, DECEMBER 28, 2023 :</span></u><span style="color: #800180;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-28-2023</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">( ) </span></b><u style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Not Houthis! India's Probe Finds Smoking Gun On Who Attacked Ship Near Gujarat I Israel | Iran:</b></u><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>https://youtu.be/bcaf6h5BTZI</b></span></p><p><b style="color: #2b00fe;"> <span style="background-color: white;"> </span></b><span style="color: white; font-size: medium;"><b><u style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span><span> </span><span>NOT </span></span><span>YE</span>T VERIFIED</u></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bcaf6h5BTZI" width="320" youtube-src-id="bcaf6h5BTZI"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span><p></p><p><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> Dec 27, 2023 #AbuObaida #IsraelMilitary #KhanYounis</b></p><p><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Days after the Israel-Hamas war virtually reached India's shores in the form of a commercial ship being attacked with a drone near Gujarat, Hindustan Times has accessed inside information of what the investigation so far has revealed. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard, which responded to MV Chem Pluto's distress call on December 21, recovered evidence in the form of what appear to be wings of a drone, burnt to a crisp in the attack. Sources have revealed that the wings are likely to belong to a Shahed 136, a loitering munition or suicide drone, which is made by Iran. This appears to prove right what the US military had said a day after the incident. Watch the full video for more.</b></p><p><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">#India #Iran #Houthis #Israel #Syria #Hamas #Gaza #Palestine #IsraelDefenseForces #IsraeliHostages #BenjaminNetanyahu #IDF #IsraelMilitary #IsraeliForces #Mossad #GazaStrip #WestBank #Egypt #Syria #Lebanon #Hezbollah #IslamicJihad #AbuObaida #MahmoudAbbas #PalestinianAuthority #Iran #ShinBet #HassanNasrallah #KhanYounis #KhanYunis #Yemen #Houthi #Huthi #YahyaSaree #SaudiArabia #Sanaa #India #Veraval #Gujarat #USA #America #RedSea #IndianOcean #ArabianSea #IndianNavy</b></p><p><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></b></span></span></p><p><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">( ) </span> </b></span><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red; text-decoration-line: underline;">India Deploys Warships in Response to Arabian Sea Drone Attack:</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b></span><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>https://youtu.be/BMGmxxE51y4</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BMGmxxE51y4" width="320" youtube-src-id="BMGmxxE51y4"></iframe></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><b style="background-color: white;"><ytd-watch-info-text class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" date-text-props="{"numberText":"","heightPx":20,"shouldAnimate":false}" detailed="" id="ytd-watch-info-text" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: top; width: 1132.22px;" view-count-props="{"numberText":"","heightPx":20,"shouldAnimate":false}"><div class="style-scope ytd-watch-info-text" id="info-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: inline-flex; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 1132.22px;"><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-info-text" id="info" style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="style-scope yt-formatted-string bold" dir="auto" style-target="bold" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dec 26, 2023</span><span class="style-scope yt-formatted-string bold" dir="auto" style-target="bold" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string bold" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/firstpost" spellcheck="false" style-target="bold" style="cursor: pointer; display: var(--yt-endpoint-display,inline-block); overflow-wrap: var(--yt-endpoint-word-wrap,none); text-decoration: var(--yt-endpoint-text-regular-decoration,none); word-break: var(--yt-endpoint-word-break,none);">#firstpost</a><span class="style-scope yt-formatted-string bold" dir="auto" style-target="bold" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string bold" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/vantageonfirstpost" spellcheck="false" style-target="bold" style="cursor: pointer; display: var(--yt-endpoint-display,inline-block); overflow-wrap: var(--yt-endpoint-word-wrap,none); text-decoration: var(--yt-endpoint-text-regular-decoration,none); word-break: var(--yt-endpoint-word-break,none);">#vantageonfirstpost</a><span class="style-scope yt-formatted-string bold" dir="auto" style-target="bold" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string bold" dir="auto" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/palkisharma" spellcheck="false" style-target="bold" style="cursor: pointer; display: var(--yt-endpoint-display,inline-block); overflow-wrap: var(--yt-endpoint-word-wrap,none); text-decoration: var(--yt-endpoint-text-regular-decoration,none); word-break: var(--yt-endpoint-word-break,none);">#palkisharma</a></yt-formatted-string></div><tp-yt-paper-tooltip class="style-scope ytd-watch-info-text" role="tooltip" style="cursor: default; display: block; left: 360.192px; outline: none; position: absolute; top: 45.9886px; user-select: none; z-index: 1002;" tabindex="-1"><div class="style-scope tp-yt-paper-tooltip fade-in-animation" id="tooltip" style-target="tooltip" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; animation-delay: var(--paper-tooltip-delay-in, 500ms); animation-duration: var(--paper-tooltip-duration-in, 500ms); animation-fill-mode: forwards; animation-iteration-count: 1; animation-name: keyFrameFadeInOpacity; animation-timing-function: ease-in; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 4px; border: 0px; line-height: 1.8rem; margin: 8px; opacity: 0; outline: none; padding: 8px; word-break: normal;">145,245 views • Dec 26, 2023 • #firstpost #vantageonfirstpost #palkisharma</div></tp-yt-paper-tooltip></ytd-watch-info-text><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"></span></b><ytd-text-inline-expander always-show-expand-button="" class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" id="description-inline-expander" is-expanded="" style="contain: content; display: block; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 2rem; overflow: hidden; position: relative;"><yt-attributed-string class="style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">India Deploys Warships in Response to Arabian Sea Drone Attack | Vantage with Palki Sharma
India has deployed a third warship to protect the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. India's primary goal is deterrence and it also hopes to support partner countries who are facing attacks in the Red Sea. A ship bound for India was recently attacked by drones. India has vowed to find those responsible for the attack. Palki Sharma brings you the report.
India | Red Sea | Arabian Sea | Drone Attack | Warships | Houthis | Firstpost | World News | Vantage | Palki Sharma
</span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/india" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">#india</a></span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; 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background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/droneattack" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">#droneattack</a></span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; 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text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">#houthis</a></span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/firstpost" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">#firstpost</a></span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; 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background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/palkisharma" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">#palkisharma</a></span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/worldnews" rel="nofollow" style="display: inline; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target="">#worldnews</a></span></b></span></yt-attributed-string></ytd-text-inline-expander><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span> __________________________________________</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">SUMMARY OF THE DAY</u></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani announced that his administration will begin procedures to remove International Coalition forces from Iraq during a press conference on December 28, likely due to pressure from Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. These militias have used legal, military, and political pressure in recent weeks to expel US forces, as CTP-ISW previously assessed. This pressure, particularly the Iranian-backed attacks on US forces, creates an escalation cycle that triggers US self-defense strikes to protect US servicemembers. The Iranian-backed factions and militias then misrepresent these self-defense strikes as violations of Iraqi sovereignty, which generates domestic pressure on Sudani to remove US forces. This pressure appears to have succeeded at least partly in that Sudani repeated Iranian-backed militia talking points about the United States. Sudani said that that the self-defense strikes are violations of Iraqi sovereignty and were inconsistent with the advisory role of the International Coalition. These claims ignore the fact that the US forces have a right to self-defense and that the Iranian use of client militias and proxies in Iraq to attack US forces in line with Tehran’s regional agenda is itself a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. US advisory forces are currently deployed in Iraq for counter-ISIS operations at the invitation of the Iraqi government. Sudani did not provide a timeline for removing International Coalition forces or describe the mechanism by which they would be removed.</i></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iran Update, December 28, 2023</u></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Brian Carter, Annika Ganzeveld, Johanna Moore, Alexandra Braverman, and Nicholas Carl</span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Information Cutoff: 2:00 pm EST</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The Iran Update provides insights into Iranian and Iranian-sponsored activities abroad that undermine regional stability and threaten US forces and interests. It also covers events and trends that affect the stability and decision-making of the Iranian regime. The Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) provides these updates regularly based on regional events. For more on developments in Iran and the region, see our</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"> </span></em><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/661fd12b23f442b781be64cf323ef573/?draft=true" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">interactive map of Iran and the Middle East</em></a><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</em></span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">Note: </span></b><b style="background-color: transparent;">CTP and ISW have refocused the update to cover the Israel-Hamas war. The new sections address developments in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as noteworthy activity from Iran’s Axis of Resistance. </b></em><b style="background-color: transparent;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We do not report in detail on war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. </em><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We utterly condemn violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.</em></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click </em><a href="https://isw.pub/IsraelBattleMap" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">here</span></em></a><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> t</span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">o see CTP and ISW’s interactive map of Israeli ground operations. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.</span></em></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Key Takeaways:</span></span></strong></p><ol style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani announced that his administration will begin procedures to remove International Coalition forces from Iraq during a press conference on December 28, likely due to pressure from Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. </span><i><span style="color: red;">An Iraqi decision to expel US forces will very likely create space for ISIS to rapidly resurge in Syria within 12 to 24 months and then threaten Iraq .</span></i></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">Hamas and its Palestinian allies are trying to shape peace negotiations in a way that is incompatible with the stated Israeli war aims. Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar is likely using Israeli hostages he holds as leverage to keep Hamas’ Gaza Strip leaders at the table during these negotiations—rather than delegating such negotiations exclusively to Hamas’ external leadership.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Israel Defense Forces continued clearing operations in Daraj and Tuffah neighborhoods in the northern Gaza Strip. The IDF destroyed three tunnel shafts while searching a hospital and school.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad attempted to defend against Israeli advances in Bureij.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian militias continued trying to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Khan Younis.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian fighters conducted three indirect fire attacks from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters in 11 locations across the West Bank.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian-backed fighters, including Lebanese Hezbollah, conducted eight attacks from southern Lebanon into northern Israel.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Islamic Resistance in Iraq—a coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias—claimed attacks on several new locations across the Middle East. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for a rocket attack targeting US forces at US Conoco Mission Support Site in northeastern Syria.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki met with senior Iranian-backed Iraqi actors.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Iranian regime held a funeral ceremony for killed IRGC Brigadier General Razi Mousavi in Tehran<span style="font-size: 13px;">.</span></span></li></ol><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani announced that his administration will begin procedures to remove International Coalition forces from Iraq during a press conference on December 28, likely due to pressure from Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">These militias have used legal, military, and political pressure in recent weeks to expel US forces, as CTP-ISW previously assessed. This pressure, particularly the Iranian-backed attacks on US forces, creates an escalation cycle that triggers US self-defense strikes to protect US service members. The Iranian-backed factions and militias then misrepresent these self-defense strikes as violations of Iraqi sovereignty, which generates domestic pressure on Sudani to remove US forces. This pressure appears to have succeeded at least partly in that Sudani repeated Iranian-backed militia talking points about the United States. Sudani said that that the self-defense strikes are violations of Iraqi sovereignty and were inconsistent with the advisory role of the International Coalition</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[1]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">These claims ignore the fact that the US forces have a right to self-defense and that the Iranian use of client militias and proxies in Iraq to attack US forces in line with Tehran’s regional agenda is itself a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. US advisory forces are currently deployed in Iraq for counter-ISIS operations at the invitation of the Iraqi </span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[2]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">government. Sudani did not provide a timeline for removing International Coalition forces or describe the mechanism by which they would be removed</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[3]</b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">An Iraqi decision to expel US forces will very likely create space for ISIS to rapidly resurge in Syria within 12 to 24 months and then threaten Iraq.</span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="color: #800180;">The US military mission in these countries is to enable the enduring defeat of ISIS and through cooperation with local partners.</span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[4]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The US support to its counter-ISIS partners in both Iraq and Syria is instrumental to successfully defeating ISIS.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[5]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> US forces and infrastructure in Iraq provide the logistical support that enables the presence of US forces in Syria. The expulsion of US forces from Iraq would necessitate a withdrawal from Syria, where ISIS is reconstituting itself in Syrian regime-held territory.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[6]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> CTP-ISW continues to assess that the United States and its partner in Syria have successfully contained but not defeated ISIS and that the US withdrawal from Syria will very likely cause a rapid resurgence in Syria within 12 to 24 months.</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[7]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">A resurgent ISIS would then be able to threaten Iraq again. The Iraqi Security Forces still face significant deficiencies in logistics, intelligence, and fire support that inhibit their ability to defeat ISIS alone</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[8]</b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Hamas and its Palestinian allies are trying to shape peace negotiations in a way that is incompatible with the stated Israeli war aims</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">. </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">Hamas representatives met with other Palestinian factions in Beirut on December 27 to discuss the war and a possible ceasefire</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[9]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The other factions included Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the leftist Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), and the PFLP-General Command (PFLP-GC). These groups called collectively for establishing a national dialogue among all Palestinian factions, a unity government that includes all Palestinian factions, an end to the Israel-Hamas war, and free elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[10]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The groups also called for a withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. The groups said that the October 7 attack was a “historic turning point” and reaffirmed the importance of the Palestinian issue.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[11]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">They blamed the Oslo Accords for the “decline” of the importance of the Palestinian cause in the Middle East.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[12]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">These principles articulated by the Palestinian factions conflict with Israeli war aims, which Israeli officials have said are to “destroy Hamas, demilitarize Gaza, and deradicalize Palestinian society.”</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[13]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> The participation of Hamas and other radical groups, such as PIJ, that seek the destruction of Israel in a future Gazan or Palestinian government is tantamount to an Israeli defeat in this war.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Hamas and its Palestinian allies are using multiple, overlapping negotiations with different external parties to embed themselves in a postwar</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"> “unity government”</span><span style="color: #800180;"> and thereby undermining Israel’s ability to accomplish its war aims. Hamas is engaging in at least four sets of separate negotiations to counter any Israeli and Western efforts to form a governing authority that excludes Hamas.</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The negotiations in which Hamas representatives are involved include </span><b><span style="color: red;">one </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">with Egypt regarding the war itself, </span><b><span style="color: red;">a second </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">with its wartime allies in the Palestinian Allied Factions, </span><b><span style="color: red;">a third</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> with former Fatah and Palestinian Authority (PA) officials, and </span><b><span style="color: red;">a fourth</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)</span></span><span style="color: #800180;">.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">14]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Hamas political leaders met with Fatah and PA officials, including a deputy to Mohammed Dahlan and a former PA foreign affairs minister, to discuss integrating Hamas into the PLO after the war.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[15]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> These negotiations will limit Israel’s ability to build a viable postwar governing authority in the form of a <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>“reformed PA” </b></span>by associating many of a reformed PA’s possible leaders with Hamas.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">16]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar is likely using Israeli hostages he holds as leverage to keep Hamas’ Gaza Strip leaders at the table during these negotiations—rather than delegating such negotiations exclusively to Hamas’ external leadership. CTP-ISW still assesses that Hamas writ large is also using the Israeli hostages as leverage to ensure its continued relevance in postwar negotiations</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[17</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Sinwar is opposed to negotiations with the PLO because these talks sideline Sinwar. Sinwar asked Hamas leaders outside the Gaza Strip to cease talks with the PLO and PA.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[18]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Sinwar’s refusal to release hostages is in part to use them as leverage to maintain his influence in the negotiations. Hamas has also repeatedly refused to release its hostages prior to a comprehensive ceasefire, including in the December 28 joint statement after the meeting in Beirut</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[19]</b></span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Sinwar’s ability to agree to or refuse a hostage exchange allows him to maintain his influence within the movement writ large.</span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTDecember%2028%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTDecember%2028%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Gaza Strip</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Erode the will of the Israeli political establishment and public to launch and sustain a major ground operation into the Gaza Strip</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Degrade IDF material and morale around the Gaza Strip.</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued clearing operations in Daraj and Tuffah neighborhoods in the northern Gaza Strip on December 28</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">.</span><i><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></i></span></strong><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cc0000; font-size: 1em;">The IDF said that the 401</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">st</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cc0000; font-size: 1em;"> and 460</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> brigade combat teams (BCT) have “eliminated” Palestinian fighters on the ground and used air support since December 26</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span></i><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[20]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> The Hamas’ military wing, the al Qassem Brigades, and PIJ’s military wing, the al Quds Brigades, are attempting to defend against these operations. The al Qassem Brigades detonated an explosively formed penetrator (EFP) and fired rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) targeting IDF vehicles in Daraj and Tuffah.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[21]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Quds Brigades also fired RPGs at Israeli vehicles in the neighborhood.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[22]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF destroyed three tunnel shafts while searching a hospital and school in the northern Gaza Strip. The IDF said that it “investigated” three tunnels near al Rantisi hospital on December 27.</span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[23]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF Yahalom Unit—a special operations engineering unit—searched the tunnel as part of the IDF effort to map the tunnel network under the strip. The IDF said that the Yahalom unit discovered that the tunnel is several kilometers long and leads deep into Gaza City. It added that the tunnel is close to a school and that the tunnel was used for military operations.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Hamas and PIJ attempted to defend against Israeli advances in Bureij in the central Gaza Srip on December 28.</span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"> </span></strong><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">The </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">New York Times </em><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">released satellite imagery that showed Israeli forces advancing from two crossings into the Gaza Strip toward Bureij.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[24]</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF said on December 28 that its operations in Bureij were in their “final stages.”</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[25]</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The al Qassem Brigades and al Quds Brigades continued their efforts to defend against Israeli operations, however. The al Qassem brigades fired multiple RPGs and detonated one EFP targeting Israeli forces east of Bureij on December 28</span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">[26]</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Quds Brigades added that it mortared Israeli forces east of the town.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">27]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Palestinian militias continued trying to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Khan Younis on December 28</span><span style="color: #800180;">.</span></span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> </span></strong><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">The al Qassem Brigades attacked Israeli forces at least four times using anti-personnel devices and RPGs in northern and eastern Khan Younis.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[28]</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> T</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">he al Quds Brigades conducted rocket and mortar attacks on two Israeli positions north of Khan Younis.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">29]</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades—the self-proclaimed military wing of Fatah—mortared a concentration of Israeli forces operating in Khan Younis City.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[30]</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades fighters and ”special combat units” conducted a complex attack on Israeli forces operating near 5</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span><span style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Street in Khan Younis City using mortars, small arms, and RPGs</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[31]</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF confirmed that reserve forces have been destroying militia infrastructure in Bani Suheila, northeast of Khan Younis</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[32]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">Palestinian fighters conducted three indirect fire attacks from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel on December 28</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">33]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The al Quds Brigades claimed one rocket attack on Ein Hashlosha.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[34]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Recorded reports of rocket attacks; CTP-ISW cannot independently verify impact.</b></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">West Bank</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</u></span></strong></p><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Draw IDF assets and resources toward the West Bank and fix them there</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red; font-size: medium;">Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters in 11 locations across the West Bank on December 28</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[35]</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The IDF conducted raids on money transfer locations suspected of providing financial services to Hamas</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[36]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian fighters threw Molotov cocktails and detonated IEDs during fighting in Ramallah and Jenin.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[37]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> Israeli forces conducted an airstrike on fighters that Israel said were throwing explosives and firing on its forces.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[38]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>This map is not an exhaustive depiction of clashes and demonstrations in the West Bank.</b></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Southern Lebanon and Golan Heights</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward northern Israel and fix them there</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Set conditions for successive campaigns into northern Israel</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span>Iranian-backed fighters, including Lebanese Hezbollah (LH), conducted eight attacks from southern Lebanon into northern Israel on December 28.</span></u></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[</span></strong></span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">39]</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> LH claimed five attacks targeting Israeli military facilities along the border</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[40]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Unidentified Iranian-backed fighters fired over 50 rockets into the Galilee region</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[41]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Palestinian media posted footage claiming that a drone was shot down near Acre, north of Haifa</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[42]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli air defense systems last intercepted a “suspicious target“ over Acre on November 14.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[43]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iran and Axis of Resistance</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Demonstrate the capability and willingness of Iran and the Axis of Resistance to escalate against the United States and Israel on multiple fronts</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Set conditions to fight a regional war on multiple fronts</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Islamic Resistance in Iraq</span><span style="color: #800180;">—a coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias—claimed attacks on several new locations across the Middle East on December 27.</span></u></span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><i><span style="color: #444444;">The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed that it conducted an unspecified attack on a “vital target” south of Eliad in the Golan Heights.</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[44]</span> </span><span style="color: #444444;">Israeli media reported that it was a one-way drone attack and marked the first time that such a drone landed in the Golan Heights since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #444444; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">45]</span> </span><span style="color: #444444;">Israeli media also reported that the Islamic Resistance in Iraq may have launched the drone, which caused minor damage but no injuries, from Syria.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[46]</span></span></i></b></li></ul><div><u><b><i><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></i></b></u></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><i><span style="color: #444444;">The Islamic Resistance in Iraq also claimed that it attacked an Israeli “spy center” northeast of Erbil, Iraq.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[47]</span></span><span style="color: #444444;"> Iranian state media claimed without evidence that the attack killed and injured several individuals.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[48]</span></span><span style="color: #444444;"> The Iranian regime has historically accused Kurdish opposition groups and Israel of using Iraqi Kurdistan to facilitate operations into Iran. Iranian media previously claimed that the IRGC targeted an Israeli “spy den” when the IRGC conducted a missile attack on Erbil in March 2022.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #444444; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">49]</span></span><span style="color: #444444;"> The IRGC conducted attacks using artillery, missiles, and drones on Kurdish opposition groups, which Iran accused of supporting Mahsa Amini protesters in late 2022.</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[50]</span> </span><span style="color: #444444;">Iranian state media accused Kurdish opposition groups of helping Israel smuggle military equipment into Iran that Israel used in its January 2023 drone attack on a munitions factory in Esfahan.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[51]</span></span></i></b></li></ul></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><br /></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for a rocket attack targeting US forces at US Conoco Mission Support Site in northeastern Syria on December 28</span><span style="color: red;">.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[52]</span></strong></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2028%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="673" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2028%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki met with senior Iranian-backed Iraqi actors on December 27 and 28. </u></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">Maliki met separately with Asaib Ahl al Haq (AAH) Secretary General Qais al Khazali and Badr Organization Secretary General Hadi al Ameri.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[53</span></b><u style="color: #800180;">]</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> Maliki heads the State of Law coalition, and Ameri heads the We Build coalition. These political parties have respectively won the second highest and highest number of seats in the December 18 provincial council elections thus far. AAH’s media office reported that Maliki and Khazali agreed that US forces in Iraq are “exceeding their advisory capacity” and threatening regional countries.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">54]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> The media office also reported that Maliki and Khazali discussed accelerating the formation of local governments following the elections. Maliki and Ameri similarly emphasized the need for the Independent High Electoral Commission to announce the final provincial council election results.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[55]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> Maliki and Ameri condemned the December 25 US airstrikes on Kataib Hezbollah (KH) facilities.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">KH spokesperson Mohammad Mohi emphasized on December 27 that KH’s commitment to “resistance” against the United States and Israel is “irreversible.”</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[56]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">Mohi vowed that KH will not allow the United States or Israel to "tamper with” Iraqi internal affairs and sovereignty.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The Iranian regime held a funeral ceremony for killed IRGC Brigadier General Razi Mousavi in Tehran on December 28</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[57]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Iranian officials have accused Israel of killing Mousavi in an airstrike near Sayyidah Zeinab in Syria on December 25. Western and anti-regime media have reported that Mousavi headed IRGC Quds Force Unit 2250, which manages Iranian weapons shipments to LH and Iranian-backed militias in Syria.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[58]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei led prayers and met with Mousavi’s family during the funeral.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[59]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Khamenei praised Mousavi for his “tireless jihad” and wished for his “companionship with the guardians of God.” Many individuals at the funeral carried flags with the text “I am your opponent” written in Persian and Hebrew.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">60]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Some attendees carried images of Mousavi together with former IRGC Quds Force Commander Major General Qassem Soleimani.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[61</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Many current and former high-ranking IRGC officials attended the funeral, including:</span></p><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami;</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">IRGC Quds Force Commander Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani;</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">IRGC Quds Force Commander for the Levant Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi; and</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;">IRGC Quds Force Deputy Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Fallah Zadeh.</b></span></li></ul><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Other notable attendees included Khamenei’s son, Mostafa Khamenei, and Qassem Soleimani’s daughter, Zeynab Soleimani.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[62</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Zeinab’s husband, Reza Safieddine, is involved in weapons transfers from Iran to LH.</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[63]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">The presence of such senior Iranian political and military officials at Mousavi’s funeral highlights his prominence in the regime and its regional project.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">IRGC spokesperson Ramazan Sharif promised that on December 28 Iran’s response for the killing of Razi Mousavi will be a combination of “direct action” and indirect action</span><b><span style="color: red;">.<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[64]</span></span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Sharif vowed that Iran or the Axis of Resistance would avenge the killing of Mousavi.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian hardline Parliamentarian Mojtaba Tavangar claimed that Razi Mousavi was one of the “facilitators” of Hamas’ October 7 attack against Israel</span><b><span style="color: red;">.<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[65]</span></span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> IRGC Commander Hossein Salami said that Mousavi was the ”central pillar” of the IRGC efforts in the Levant, especially in Lebanon and Syria</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[66]</b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian officials made statements countering the claim by IRGC spokesperson Brigadier General Ramazan Sharif that Hamas committed the October 7 attack against Israel to avenge the death of Qassem Soleimani.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[67]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Sharif walked back his comment on December 28 by stating that</span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="color: #800180;">the motivations for the October 7 attack were purely related to the struggle of Palestinians rather than Iranian interests.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[68]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Sharif said that the efforts of Soleimani contributed to the alleged success of the attack but were not the reason for the attack. IRGC Commander Hossein Salami officially declared that October 7 was “completely a Palestinian operation” at the funeral for Razi Mousavi on December 28.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">69]</span></b></span><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Salami stated that the October 7 attack was designed and implemented by Palestinians. Chief of Staff of the Office of the Supreme Leader Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani stated that the story of the Gaza Strip is about the Palestinians—not about Iran</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[70]</b></span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> He said that Iran was not involved in the October 7 attack but that the Axis of Resistance” has followed Iran’s example in defending their rights”. He further emphasized that US President Joe Biden should be held accountable for alleged Israeli war crimes in the Gaza Strip.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></p><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="1" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; float: none; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>References</b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[1]</span> <a href="https://t.me/MohamedShiaAlsudanii/2445" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/MohamedShiaAlsudanii/2445</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[2]</span> <a href="https://dod.defense.gov/OIR/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://dod.defense.gov/OIR/</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[4]</span> <a href="https://dod.defense.gov/OIR/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://dod.defense.gov/OIR/</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[5]</span> <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ending-the-us-presence-in-syria-could-cause-a-rapid-isis-reconstitution-and-threaten-core-us-national-security-interests" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ending-the-us-presence-in-syria...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[6]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/salafi-jihadi-movement-weekly-update-august-16-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/salafi-jihadi-movement-wee...</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-11-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-11-2023</a></span></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[7]</span> <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ending-the-us-presence-in-syria-could-cause-a-rapid-isis-reconstitution-and-threaten-core-us-national-security-interests" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ending-the-us-presence-in-syria...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[8]</span> <a href="https://media.defense.gov/2023/Nov/27/2003347442/-1/-1/1/OIR_Q4_SEP2023_FINAL_508.PDF" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://media.defense.gov/2023/Nov/27/2003347442/-1/-1/1/OIR_Q4_SEP2023_...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[9]</span> <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13667;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13667;</a> <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13666" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13666</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[10]</span> <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13667;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13667;</a> <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13666" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13666</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[11]</span> <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13667;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13667;</a> <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13666" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13666</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[12]</span> <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13667;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13667;</a> <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13666" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13666</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[13]</span> <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/benjamin-netanyahu-our-three-prerequisites-for-peace-gaza-israel-bff895bd?mod=article_inline" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/articles/benjamin-netanyahu-our-three-prerequisites-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[14]</span> <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13667;%C2%A0" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13667; </a><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13666" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13666</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-islamic-jihad-reject-giving-up-power-return-permanent-ceasefire-egyptian-2023-12-25/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-islamic-jihad-reject-giv...</a></span>; <a href="https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/growing-internal-tensions-between-hamas-leaders" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/growing-internal-ten...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[15]</span> <a href="https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/growing-internal-tensions-between-hamas-leaders" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/growing-internal-ten...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[16]</span> <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/25/netanayahu-dermer-gaza-israel-hamas-war-talks" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.axios.com/2023/12/25/netanayahu-dermer-gaza-israel-hamas-war...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[17]</span> <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-26-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-26-2023</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[18]</span> <a href="https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/growing-internal-tensions-between-hamas-leaders" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/growing-internal-ten...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[19]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13667" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13667</a></span>; <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13666" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13666</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[20]</span> <a href="https://x.com/idfonline/status/1740252854068396337?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/idfonline/status/1740252854068396337?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[21]</span> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1095" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1095</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[22]</span> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17089" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17089</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[23]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.idf/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.idf</a></span> dot il/167124</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[24]</span> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/10/07/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-maps.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/10/07/world/middleeast/israel-g...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[25]</span> <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/28/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-palestine/#link-JPUMQNMLP5CCJJS7D6467XMJXE" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/28/israel-hamas-war-gaza-ne...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[26]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1097" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1097</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1096" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1096</a></span>; <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1094" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1094</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[27]</span> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17092" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17092</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[28]</span> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1090" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1090</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1102" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1102</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1105" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1105</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1106" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1106</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[29]</span> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17095" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17095</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17096" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17096</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[30]</span> <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5399" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5399</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[31]<a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740357263402193261" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740357263402193261</a></span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[32]</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740357263402193261" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740357263402193261</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[33]</span> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17093" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17093</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4021" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4021</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4022" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4022</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[34]</span> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17093" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17093</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[35]</span> <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5397" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5397</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350118" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350118</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350157" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350157</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350121" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350121</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350148" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350148</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350151" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350151</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350157" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350157</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350171" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350171</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350157" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350157</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350160" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350160</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350157" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350157</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350169" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350169</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350189" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350189</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350396" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350396</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[36]</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740266320036519988" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740266320036519988</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[37]</span> <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350157" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350157</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350162" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350162</a> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350168" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350168</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350194" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350194</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350201" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350201</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350233" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350233</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350233" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350233</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350118" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350118</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350119" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350119</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350129" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350129</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350143" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350143</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350157" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350157</a></span> ; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350213" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350213</a></span> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350168" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350168</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350194" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350194</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350201" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350201</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350233" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350233</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350233" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350233</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350118" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350118</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350119" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350119</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350129" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350129</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350143" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350143</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350157" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350157</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350213" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350213</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[38]</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740266333047259304" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740266333047259304</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[39]</span> <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42805" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42805</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42808" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42808</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42817" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42817</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42819" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42819</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42830" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42830</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42814" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42814</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42821" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42821</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42824" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42824</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42827" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42827</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350359" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350359</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350366" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350366</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[40]</span> <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42805" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42805</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42814" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42814</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42821" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42821</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42824" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42824</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42827" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42827</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[41]</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1740396857849983359" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1740396857849983359</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42830" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42830</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[42]</span> <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/350366" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/350366</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[43]</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1724339769956536499" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1724339769956536499</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[44]</span> <a href="https://t.me/elamharbi/174" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elamharbi/174</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[45]</span> <a href="https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-779810" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-779810</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[46]</span> <a href="https://www.timesofisrael/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.timesofisrael</a> dot com/suspected-explosive-laden-drone-crashes-in-golan-iraqi-militia-claims-responsibility/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[47]</span> <a href="https://t.me/elamharbi/175" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elamharbi/175</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[48]</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/Tasnimnews_Fa/status/1740318552299601927" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/Tasnimnews_Fa/status/1740318552299601927</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[49]</span> <a href="https://www.mehrnews/" style="background: transparent; 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border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[54]</span> <a href="https://www.shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.shafaq</a> dot com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D9%8A-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%B2%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A-%D9%88%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%B5%D9%81%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%8A%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B7%D9%82%D8%A9</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[55]</span> <a href="http://www.alahad/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.alahad</a> dot iq/?page=article&itemId=182770</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[56]</span> <a href="https://t.me/centerkaf/4142" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; 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margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iranintl</a> dot com/en/202209203504;</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://amwaj/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://amwaj</a> dot media/article/inside-story-airstrike-kills-iran-s-most-influential-commander-in-syria</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[59]</span> <a href="https://www.leader/" style="background: transparent; 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outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.timesofisrael/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.timesofisrael</a> dot com/iranians-chant-death-to-israel-at-funeral-of-commander-allegedly-killed-by-israel/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[61]</span> <a href="https://www.timesofisrael/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.timesofisrael</a> dot com/iranians-chant-death-to-israel-at-funeral-of-commander-allegedly-killed-by-israel/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[62]</span> <a href="https://defapress/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://defapress</a> dot ir/fa/news/641002;</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1740318918726615528" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1740318918726615528</span></b></a></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[63]</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1740331064243954005;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1740331064243954005;</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.iranintl.com/en/202205201809" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.iranintl.com/en/202205201809</span></b></a></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[64]</span> <a href="https://www.timesofisrael/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.timesofisrael</a> dot com/irgc-threatens-direct-action-against-israel-over-senior-commanders-slaying/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter ; <a href="https://www.barrons.com/news/iranians-mourn-guards-commander-killed-in-israeli-strike-0c15b346" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.barrons.com/news/iranians-mourn-guards-commander-killed-in-i...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[65]</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/IranIntl_En/status/1739762003202216298" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/IranIntl_En/status/1739762003202216298</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[66]</span> <a href="https://defapress/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://defapress</a> dot ir/fa/news/640971/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[67]</span> <a href="https://www.iribnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iribnews</a> dot ir/fa/news/4103865/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[68]</span> <a href="https://www.iribnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iribnews</a> dot ir/fa/news/4103865/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[69]</span> <a href="https://defapress/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://defapress</a> dot ir/fa/news/640971/ ; <a href="https://www.farsnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.farsnews</a> dot ir/tehran/news/14021007000154</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[70]</span> <a href="https://www.irna/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.irna</a> dot ir/news/85336533/</span></b></p></div></div></div><h3 id="tagtitle" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 19.6928px; font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><u>Tags</u></span></span></h3><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Iran Project </b></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: white;"> File Attachments: </u></b></span></div><div><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTDecember%2028%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2236554">DraftIsraelCOTDecember 28,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1599948">Gaza Clearing Map December 28,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1818273">Gaza Evacuation Zone Map December 28,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1598093">Northern Israel Battle Map December 28,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2028%2C%202023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=4776543">Regional Battle Map Draft December 28, 2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=5420383">Regional IDF Battle Map December 28,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1097276">Southern Israel Battle Map December 28,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2028%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1594234">West Bank Battle Map December 28,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: white; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/jpeg" /></span></span><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Babel%20Street%20logo_32.jpg" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/jpeg; length=18200"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Babel Street logo.jpg</span></a></b></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-10406897554579773162023-12-28T05:45:00.000-08:002023-12-30T06:49:03.140-08:00RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, DECEMBER 27, 2023 <p><b><span style="color: #800180;"><u>SOURCE:</u></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;"> ( ) </span><u style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, DECEMBER 27, 2023:</span></u><span style="background-color: white; color: #004060; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-transform: uppercase;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-transform: uppercase;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-27-2023</span></b></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-transform: uppercase;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-transform: uppercase;"><br /></span></b></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 27, 2023</u></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Angelica Evans, Kateryna Stepanenko, Nicole Wolkov, Riley Bailey, George Barros, and Frederick W. Kagan</span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">December 27, 2023, 6:30pm ET</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">Click</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </span></strong><a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/36a7f6a6f5a9448496de641cf64bd375" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">here</span></strong></a><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">to see ISW’s interactive map of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click </strong><a href="https://understandingwar.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/3dviewer/index.html?appid=1602762dbcde419bb957dea358449580" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">here</span></strong></a><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> to see ISW’s 3D control of terrain topographic map of Ukraine. Use of a computer (not a mobile device) is strongly recommended for using this data-heavy tool.</strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click </strong><a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/733fe90805894bfc8562d90b106aa895" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">here</span></strong></a><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">to access ISW’s archive of interactive time-lapse maps of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These maps complement the static control-of-terrain map that ISW produces daily by showing a dynamic frontline. ISW will update this time-lapse map archive monthly.</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">Note</span></u><span style="color: #800180;">:<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> The data cut-off for this product was 1pm ET on December 27</span>.</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> ISW will cover subsequent reports in the December 28 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment.</strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Ukrainian drone footage published on December 27 showed another Russian execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) near Robotyne in western Zaporizhia Oblast.</u></span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[1]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">The geolocated video shows Russian servicemen shooting three Ukrainian soldiers whom Russian forces captured in a tree line west of Verbove (east of Robotyne). The video later depicts one Russian soldier shooting an already dead Ukrainian serviceman again at close range</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[2] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Ukrainian Prosecutor General‘s Office announced that it opened an investigation into Russian forces violating the laws and customs of war in addition to premeditated murder.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[3]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office stated this incident occurred on an unspecified date in December 2023</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[4] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">ISW previously reported observing drone footage of Russian servicemen using Ukrainian POWs as human shields near Robotyne on December 13.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[5] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The killing of POWs violates Article III of the Geneva Convention on the laws of armed conflict.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[6]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Russian forces recently advanced in western Zaporizhia Oblast and retook positions that Ukrainian forces had captured during the summer 2023 counteroffensive, likely after Ukrainian forces withdrew to more defensible positions near Robotyne for the winter.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">Geolocated footage published on December 14 and 27 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced west of Verbove (9km east of Robotyne).</span><b><span style="color: red;">[7] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian Tavriisk Group of Forces Commander Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi stated in an interview with </span></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">BBC</em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> published on December 27 that Russia’s leadership wants to retake Avdiivka at a minimum but has a more ambitious goal of capturing all of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and recapturing the territory Russian forces lost in Zaporizhia Oblast during the Ukrainian counteroffensive</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[8]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> ISW assessed that the Ukrainian capture of nearby positions in August 2023 was tactically significant because it could have allowed Ukrainian forces to begin operating past the densest Russian minefields and subsequent Russian defensive layers but does not assess that the recapture of these positions by Russian forces is particularly significant at this time</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[9]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Recent Russian advances in western Zaporizhia Oblast nevertheless support ISW’s assessment that the current positional war in Ukraine is not a stable stalemate because the current balance can be tipped in either direction by decisions made in the West or in Russia, and limited Russian gains could become significant especially if the West cuts off military aid to Ukraine.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[10]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">The destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (KHPP) dam on June 6, 2023, reportedly postponed a Ukrainian crossing of the Dnipro River that was likely intended to support Ukrainian counteroffensive operations</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">. </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">The </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Associated Press </em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">published an interview with Ukrainian Special Operations Forces personnel on December 26 wherein Ukrainian personnel stated that they were prepared to conduct a crossing of the Dnipro River to the east (left) bank of Kherson Oblast in late May 2023 but that the destruction of the KHPP dam and subsequent flooding postponed these plans.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[11] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Ukrainian personnel reportedly conducted limited crossing attempts in July, August, and September 2023, but Ukrainian forces did not launch a larger crossing aimed at establishing a bridgehead on the east bank until mid-October 2023</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[12]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian operations in the east bank of Kherson Oblast in October 2023 drew Russian forces from other sectors of the front and would have likely had a similar or even more pronounced effect in June 2023 at the start of the Ukrainian counteroffensive.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[13]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian forces also transferred elements of the 7th Airborne (VDV) Division from Kherson Oblast following the destruction of the KHPP dam and proceeded to rely on them as critical elements of the Russian defense in western Zaporizhia Oblast and the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[14] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">It is unlikely that the Russian command would have transferred these elements away from Kherson in the event of a Ukrainian crossing in June 2023. Significant Ukrainian ground operations in the left bank of Kherson Oblast coordinated with Ukrainian counteroffensive operations throughout southern Ukraine and near Bakhmut would have placed greater pressure on Russian forces and would likely have limited the Russian military’s ability to balance manpower and materiel requirements for defensive operations in four directions. The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam thus likely played a role in the outcome of the Ukrainian counteroffensive.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Ukrainian Tavriisk Group of Forces Commander Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi described continued Ukrainian battlefield challenges and requirements for future territorial advances during an interview with <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">BBC</em> published on December 27.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">Tarnavskyi stated that well-prepared Russian defenses, including superior Russian minefields, were one of the main factors that impacted the results of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, but noted that he does not believe that the front is at an impasse.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[15]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Tarnavskyi reiterated that Ukrainian forces are facing ammunition shortages, particularly shortages of 122mm and 152mm shells and that Ukrainian forces need additional supplies of air defense missiles and electronic warfare (EW) systems to defend against Russian drones.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[16]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Tarnavskyi also reiterated the need for Ukrainian air superiority.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[17] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Tarnavskyi noted that both Russian and Ukrainian forces are adjusting their tactics to increasingly include radio-electronic operations, drone operations, and surveillance</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[18]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Ukrainian officials highlighted the Ukrainian defense industrial base’s (DIB) increased production in 2023 and offered projections of Ukraine’s domestic drone production capabilities on December 27. </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine produced three times as much equipment and weapons in 2023 as in 2022</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[19]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Zelensky added that Ukraine is systematically expanding its production of ordnance for drones and has significantly increased its production of projectiles and missiles.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[20] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian Minister of Strategic Industries Oleksandr Kamyshin stated that Ukraine also increased the production of mortar rounds by a factor of 42, the production of artillery shells by a factor of 2.8, and the production of armored personnel carriers by a factor of five in 2023.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[21] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Kamyshin stated that Ukraine is capable of producing over one million first-person viewer (FPV) systems, over 10,000 medium range strike drones, and over 1,000 drones with a range of 1,000 kilometers within an unspecified timeframe, presumably within the next year.</span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">[22]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Kamyshin added that Ukraine is also developing hybrid air defense systems and that so-called FrankenSAM systems that merge advanced Western air defense missiles with modified Soviet launchers or other missile launchers are already operating on the battlefield.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[23]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian forces launched another series of Shahed-136/131 drone strikes against Ukraine overnight on December 27.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian military officials reported that Russian forces launched 46 Shaheds in several waves from the directions of Balaklava (occupied Crimea) and Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Krasnodar Krai, Russia).</span><b><span style="color: red;">[24]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian forces reportedly shot down 32 Shaheds, and Ukrainian air defense systems activated over Mykolaiv, Odesa, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhia, Khmelnytskyi, and Kirovohrad oblasts. Ukrainian military officials reported that most of the drones that Ukrainian forces could not shoot down hit frontline areas, especially in Kherson Oblast.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[25]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Several Shaheds also fell without any consequences. Ukrainian Southern Operational Command Spokesperson Captain First Rank Nataliya Humenyuk reported that Russian forces have changed their tactics and are now attempting to direct Shaheds through residential areas, where Ukrainian forces reportedly cannot maintain stationary air defense systems.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[26]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Satellite imagery from the successful December 26 Ukrainian strike on a Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) vessel in occupied Feodosia, Crimea indicates that the strike damaged the surrounding port infrastructure.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">Satellite imagery published on December 27 taken on December 26 indicates that the Ukrainian strike on the BSF’s </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Novocherkassk </em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ropucha-class landing ship also damaged a pier at the Feodosia port and a nearby warehouse.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[27]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The satellite imagery shows that most of the ship is heavily burned and mostly submerged.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[28]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian Navy Spokesperson Captain Third Rank Dmitry Pletenchuk stated on December 27 that the strike may have killed up to 80 Russian personnel.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[29] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Russian opposition news outlet </span></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Astra </em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">reported that there were 77 Russian military personnel aboard the </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Novocherkassk </em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">at the time of the strike of whom 33 are missing and 19 are wounded</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[30] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">A Russian sailor who reportedly served on the </span></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Novocherkassk </em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">told </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Astra </em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">that conscripts and contract servicemen (</span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">kontraktniki</em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">) were on the ship at the time of the strike.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[31] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Russian military officials have repeatedly stated that Russian conscripts would not deploy to Ukraine.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[32]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian conscripts were also aboard the BSF‘s flagship </span></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Moskva </em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">missile cruiser when Ukrainian forces destroyed it in April 2022.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[33]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Russia maintains its maximalist objectives in Ukraine and is uninterested in good faith negotiations despite reports that Western officials are becoming more amenable to eventual Ukrainian negotiations with Russia to end the war</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">. </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">An unspecified Biden administration official and a European diplomat told </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Politico </em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">in an article published on December 27 that the Biden administration and European officials are shifting their focus from supporting Ukraine’s total victory over Russia to improving Ukraine’s position in presumed eventual negotiations with Russia to end the war.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[34]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Politico </em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">noted that such negotiations would likely force Ukraine to cede territory to Russia.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[35] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed on December 27 that the West intends to freeze the war in Ukraine then frame it as a victory and rhetorically asked what victories the United States achieved in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq after having attempted the same thing.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[36]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Lavrov’s references to US involvement in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq suggest that Lavrov views the Western discussion about freezing the war and preparing for eventual Ukrainian negotiations with Russia as a Western willingness to accept Ukraine’s defeat. Lavrov’s statement is also consistent with recent Russian officials’ statements that Russia is not interested in freezing the war or engaging in honest negotiations and will continue to pursue its expansionist territorial goals and efforts to “demilitarize” Ukraine.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[3</span></b><span style="color: red;">7</span><span style="color: #800180;">] ISW previously assessed that a temporary ceasefire would likely provide the Russian military time to prepare for renewed aggression against Ukraine and that Russia would still ultimately maintain the same maximalist objectives for that renewed aggression<b>.</b></span><span style="color: red;"><b>[38]</b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">The Russian state-owned Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) found that Russians are increasingly less trusting of Russian state TV and are turning to social media and the internet for news</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;">.</span></span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[39</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">]</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">VCIOM conducted a study in December, which found that Russian public trust in state TV channels had declined from 46 percent to 26 percent in a span of seven years. VCIOM concluded that the TV audience in Russia has also shrunk from 42 percent to 40 percent since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. VCIOM observed that the Russian audience that reportedly trusts the internet as its primary source of information constituted 44 percent of respondents and exceeded the number of Russians who relied on state TV for the first time. VCIOM specified that of Russians who prefer the internet as their primary source 19 percent rely on news sites, 14 percent get their news from social media networks, and 11 percent prefer instant messaging platforms including Telegram. The study found that over the past two years Russians’ use of instant messaging platforms as their primary source of information increased almost threefold – likely reflecting the growing popularity of Russian milbloggers on Telegram over the nearly two years of Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. VCIOM also observed an increase in the number of Russians who do not trust any media or social networks from three percent prior to the full-scale invasion to eight percent in December 2023. These Russians reported preferring “kitchen conversations” for their information, which the Russian outlet </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Moscow Times</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> compared to information learning practices in the Soviet Union.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The decrease in Russian trust and reliance on state TV is likely partially reflected in changing technology and generational shifts, as well as public disillusionment with Russian TV propaganda since the start of the full-scale invasion. ISW previously reported on statistics that showed that the number of Russian bloggers on Telegram increased by 58 percent and that Telegram saw the highest percent increase of daily published content in the first eight months of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[40]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> ISW assessed on November 20, 2022, that this increase of Telegram use for information purposes likely highlighted growing Russian distrust of Kremlin media</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[41]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Kremlin, however, continues to support the expansion of the Russian ultranationalist online community and is attempting to lure key voices in the Russian information space to amplify state narratives to the growing internet-based audience.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[42]</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on December 27 in a likely effort to maintain Russia’s critical trade relationship with India</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">.</span></strong><span style="color: red;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[43]</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">Putin told Jaishankar that Russia knows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s position on Russian-Indian relations and attitude towards complex processes and the “situation in Ukraine.”</span><b><span style="color: red;">[44]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Jaishankar stated that Modi intends to visit Russia in 2024. Lavrov stated that he and Jaishankar discussed Russian-Indian military-technical cooperation and the launch of the North-South International Transport Corridor</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[45]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Lavrov also stated that Russia is ready to help India produce military equipment in the framework of the Make India program.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[46]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Indian banks and officials have routinely insisted on settling payments for Russian oil and military goods in rupees, but Russia and India suspended a months-long effort to address the issue in May 2023.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[47]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Kremlin likely seeks to reassure India about this dispute in their bilateral trade relationship due to India’s increasing importance as a customer for Russian oil exports and its potential as a partner in defense production. Russian oil exports to India rapidly grew in 2023 with India becoming the second largest buyer of Russian crude oil.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">48] </span></b></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bloomberg</em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> reported on December 20 that roughly five million barrels of Russian crude oil that were scheduled to reach Indian refiners in the past four weeks had not done so for unspecified reasons, however</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[49] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Oil revenues have buoyed Russian budgets in recent months, and the Kremlin continues to search for new ways to expand defense industrial cooperation with other countries in an effort to relieve pressures on Russia’s heavily sanctioned defense industrial base (DIB).</span><b><span style="color: red;">[50]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Key Takeaways:</u></span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian drone footage published on December 27 showed another Russian execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) near Robotyne in western Zaporizhia Oblast.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces recently advanced in western Zaporizhia Oblast and retook positions that Ukrainian forces had captured during the summer 2023 counteroffensive, likely after Ukrainian forces withdrew to more defensible positions near Robotyne for the winter.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (KHPP) dam on June 6, 2023, reportedly postponed a Ukrainian crossing of the Dnipro River that was likely intended to support Ukrainian counteroffensive operations.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian Tavriisk Group of Forces Commander Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi described continued Ukrainian battlefield challenges and requirements for future territorial advances during an interview with BBC published on December 27.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian officials highlighted the Ukrainian defense industrial base’s (DIB) increased production in 2023 and offered projections of Ukraine’s domestic drone production capabilities on December 27.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces launched another series of Shahed-136/131 drone strikes against Ukraine overnight on December 27.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Satellite imagery from the successful December 26 Ukrainian strike on a Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) vessel in occupied Feodosia, Crimea indicates that the strike damaged the surrounding port infrastructure.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russia maintains its maximalist objectives in Ukraine and is uninterested in good faith negotiations despite reports that Western officials are becoming more amenable to eventual Ukrainian negotiations with Russia to end the war.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Russian state-owned Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) found that Russians are increasingly less trusting of Russian state TV and are turning to social media and the internet for news.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on December 27 in a likely effort to maintain Russia’s critical trade relationship with India.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces made confirmed advances near Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Donetsk City, and Verbove as positional engagements continued along the entire line of contact.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">A Russian insider source claimed that Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has created his own private military company (PMC).</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Ukrainian “Cyber Resistance” movement obtained information about a Russian deputy commander of the 171st Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment (51st Air Defense Division) committing sexual crimes against minors in occupied Ukraine.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftUkraineCoTDecember%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="706" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftUkraineCoTDecember%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></a></span></strong></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;">We do not report in detail on Russian war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. We will continue to evaluate and report on the effects of these criminal activities on the Ukrainian military and the Ukrainian population and specifically on combat in Ukrainian urban areas. We utterly condemn Russian violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.</span></em></strong></p><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine </span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">(comprised of two subordinate main efforts)</span></b></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 </span></u><span style="background-color: transparent;">–</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and encircle northern Donetsk Oblast</span></b></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 </span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">– Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast</span></b></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis</span></u></b></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Russian Technological Adaptations</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Activities in Russian-occupied areas</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Russian Information Operations and Narratives</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u>Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine</u></span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 – Luhansk Oblast</span></span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> (</span><span style="color: #800180;">Russian objective: Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and northern Donetsk Oblast)</span></strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces reportedly advanced near Kreminna amid continued positional fighting along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line on December 27. Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced southeast of Yampolivka (west of Kreminna) and up to three kilometers in unspecified parts of the Serebryanske forest area (southwest of Kreminna), although ISW has not observed visual confirmation of these claims.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[51]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian and Russian sources claimed that positional fighting occurred northeast and southeast of Kupyansk near Synkivka, Petropavlivka, and Ivanivka and west and southwest of Kreminna near Dibrova and the Serebryanske forest area.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[52]</span></b></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Luhansk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="884" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Luhansk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></a></span></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 – Donetsk Oblast</span></span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces recently made advances northeast of Bakhmut and continued positional fighting with Ukrainian forces in the area on December 27. Geolocated footage published on December 27 indicates that Russian forces advanced closer to the eastern outskirts of Spirne (northeast of Bakhmut).</span><b><span style="color: red;">[53]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian milbloggers claimed that positional fighting occurred northeast of Bakhmut along the railway line in the direction of Siversk and near Vesele.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[54]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian Ground Forces Commander Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that Russian forces are trying to develop an offensive operation in the direction of Spirne and Bilohorivka (21km northeast of Bakhmut) and are training assault units from unspecified Russian Airborne (VDV) formations to conduct offensive operations in the area</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[55]</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces reportedly advanced near Bakhmut on December 27 and continued positional engagements with Ukrainian forces. A prominent Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces advanced up to 500 meters in depth and width in a forest area north of Bohdanivka (northwest of Bakhmut), although ISW has not observed visual confirmation of this claim.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[56] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that positional battles occurred northwest of Bakhmut near Bohdanivka, west of Bakhmut near Ivanivske and in the direction of Chasiv Yar, and southwest of Bakhmut near Klishchiivka and Andriivka</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[57]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Syrskyi stated that the Russian command recently transferred unspecified elements of the Russian Volunteer Corps from the southern direction to the Bakhmut area and that unspecified personnel of the Caspian Flotilla are participating in offensive operations in the area.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[58</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets stated on December 24 that the Russian command is deploying elements of the 177th Naval Infantry Regiment (Caspian Flotilla) near Kurdyumivka (southwest of Bakhmut) after withdrawing these elements from fighting near Krynky and Pidstepne in east (left) bank Kherson Oblast for reconstitution and replenishment over an unspecified period of time.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[59]</span></b></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="714" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></a></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">Ukrainian forces recently advanced west of Horlivka and continued positional engagements with Russian forces on December 27. Geolocated footage published on December 26 indicates that Ukrainian forces advanced further into a waste heap west of Horlivka</span><span style="color: #800180;">.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[60]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed on December 27 that Russian forces repelled a Ukrainian assault near Niu-York (west of Horlivka).[</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">61]</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces recently advanced north of Avdiivka and continued positional engagements with Ukrainian forces on December 27. Geolocated footage published on December 26 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced in eastern Stepove (north of Avdiivka).</span><b><span style="color: red;">[62] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Additional geolocated footage published on December 27 indicates that Russian forces advanced south of the Avdiivka waste heap (northeast of Avdiivka)</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[63]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that positional fighting continued northwest of Avdiivka near Ocheretyne, Novokalynove, and Novobakhmutivka; north of Avdiivka near Stepove; near the Avdiivka Coke Plant in northwestern Avdiivka; near the industrial zone southeast of Avdiivka; and southwest of Avdiivka near Vodyane, Sieverne, Pervomaiske, and Nevelske.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[64]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian Tavriisk Group of Forces Commander Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi stated that Russian forces are conducting assaults with armored vehicle support near Avdiivka and that in the past day, Ukrainian forces destroyed 60 percent of the Russian armored vehicles that participated in assaults</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[65]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Elements of the irregular Russian “Pyatnashka” Brigade are reportedly participating in Russian offensive operations near Avdiivka.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[66]</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Tarnavskyi, the Ukrainian commander responsible for the Avdiivka direction, stated on December 27 that the Russian effort to capture Avdiivka continues to be the Russian military’s main offensive effort in Ukraine. Tarnavskyi stated that the Avdiivka direction is the main direction of the current Russian offensive effort, that the Marinka direction is a subordinated Russian offensive effort, and that Russian offensive operations in the Novomykhailivka (southwest of Donetsk City) and Novopavlivka (western Donetsk Oblast) directions are diversionary efforts.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[67]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Tarnavskyi stated that Russian forces do not want to repeat attritional frontal urban assaults reminiscent of the gradual likely Russian capture of Marinka and instead plan to bypass and encircle Avdiivka.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">68</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Tarnavskyi stated that Russian forces are constantly transferring forces, primarily Storm-Z and Storm-V units, to the Avdiivka direction to support attempts to break through Ukrainian defenses.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[69]</span></b></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="744" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></a></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces likely continued to consolidate control over Marinka (west of Donetsk City) on December 27 and recently made gains southwest of Donetsk City. Geolocated footage published on December 27 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced east of Novomykhailivka (southwest of Donetsk City)</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[70] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Footage of a Russian milblogger freely walking in Marinka published on December 27 further indicates that Russian forces control much if not all of Marinka.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[71</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces advanced southeast of Pobieda (southwest of Donetsk City), although ISW has not observed visual confirmation of this claim.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[72]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that positional battles occurred near Marinka, Novomykahilivka, and Pobieda</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[73]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Elements of the Russian 103rd Motorized Rifle Regiment (150th Motorized Rifle Division, 8th Combined Arms Army, Southern Military District) are reportedly operating near Marinka, and elements of the Russian 33rd Motorized Rifle Regiment (20th Motorized Rifle Regiment, 8th Combined Arms Army) are reportedly operating near Novomykhailivka.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[74]</span></b></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="774" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></a></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Maintain frontline positions and secure rear areas against Ukrainian strikes)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces did not conduct offensive operations in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area on December 27.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[75]</span></b></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="661" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></a></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian forces recently lost ground around Robotyne, likely after withdrawing to more defensible lines near Robotyne for the winter. Geolocated footage published on December 14 and December 27 shows that Russian forces regained previously lost positions west of Verbove (east of Robotyne)</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[76]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian forces reportedly attacked near Robotyne, northeast of Robotyne near Novopokrovka, and west of Verbove.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[77</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Russian sources claimed that rain and snow are decreasing the intensity of fighting around Robotyne due to dense mud impeding ground maneuver.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[78]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Elements of the Russian 108th Guards Airborne (VDV) Regiment (7th Guards VDV Division) are reportedly operating in the Zaporizhia direction.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[79]</span></b></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pyatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pyatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pyatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pyatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></a></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Zaporizhia%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="614" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Zaporizhia%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces recently made marginal territorial gains on the east (left) bank of the Dnipro River in occupied Kherson Oblast. Geolocated footage published on December 26 shows that Russian forces advanced in the western part of Krynky on the east bank and north of Bilohrudove (9.5km southwest of Kherson City)</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[80]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian forces continue to hold positions near Krynky and participate in meeting engagements</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[81]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian and Ukrainian sources both complained about effective drone usage by the other side on the east bank</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[82]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> A Ukrainian marine stated that conditions at Ukrainian positions on the east bank are “hell” due to Russian artillery fire targeting trenches and supply boats, and due to rising water levels along the coast in certain areas</span><span style="color: red;">.[83]</span><span style="color: #800180;"> Elements of the Russian 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade (Black Sea Fleet) reportedly continue to operate near Krynky and elements of the 80th Arctic Motorized Rifle Brigade (14th Army Corps, Northern Fleet) are shelling Ukrainian forces in the Stanislav (35km west of Kherson City) direction, likely from positions near the Kinburn Spit on the east bank.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[84]</span></b></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="737" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></strong></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></strong></a></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Expand combat power without conducting general mobilization)</strong></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">A Russian insider source claimed that </span><b><span style="color: #800180;">Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin</span></b><span style="color: #ff00fe;"> has created his own </span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">private military company (PMC)</span></b><span style="color: #ff00fe;">. The insider source claimed on December 2 that Sobyanin began efforts to create his own PMC on the base of the Moscow Metropolitan Security Service shortly after the Wagner Group’s rebellion in June 2023.</span></i><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[85]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The insider source claimed that the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">Russian State Duma passed amendments that would allow Sobyanin to create a departmental security organization after local Moscow security forces refused to defend Moscow against Wagner forces that threatened to enter the city during Wagner’s armed mutiny.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[86]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Sobyanin allegedly registered an autonomous non-profit organization called the <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">“Departmental Security of the Moscow Government”</span> on November 16, 2023</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">.[87]</span></b><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The insider source likened the “Departmental Security of the Moscow Government” to private security structures that Russian state corporations Rostec and Rosatom use.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[88]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Sobyanin is reportedly personally managing the organization, which reportedly employs instructors from Wagner, Russian special services, and law enforcement organizations.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[89]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">The insider source claimed that the “Departmental Security of the Moscow Government” had almost 5,000 personnel as of December 2 and planned to recruit 15,000 total personne</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">l.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[90</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">] Rosgvardia reportedly provides military equipment to the “Departmental Security of the Moscow Government.”</span><b><span style="color: red;">[91]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The insider source claimed on December 27 that the “Departmental Security of the Moscow Government” failed to recruit enough qualified personnel, which forced it to lower its personnel standards</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[92] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">If these reports are confirmed, Sobyanin would be following in the footsteps of Crimean occupation head Sergey Aksyonov who reportedly formed Convoy PMC in occupied Crimea in March 2023</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[93]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> ISW cannot independently verify any of the insider source’s claims, however.</span></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry Denis Manturov announced on December 27 that the Russian Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant (part of Russian state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec) delivered the final batch of fifth-generation Su-57 fighter aircraft to the Russian MoD under the 2023 production program</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[94]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Rostec General Director Sergei Chemezov claimed the number of Su-57 fighter aircraft that Rostec delivers to the Russian MoD almost doubles each year and noted that Rostec plans to deliver combat vehicles to the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) in 2024</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[95]</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Technological Adaptations</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Introduce technological innovations to optimize systems for use in Ukraine)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec General Director Sergei Chemezov stated on December 26 that Russia will begin producing the new dual-caliber “Vozrozhdeniye” multiple rocket launch system (MLRS) in the first half of 2024.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[96]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Chemezov stated that the “Vozrozhendiye” system can function as a remote mining system and an MLRS if the system is equipped with a unified transport and launch container</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[97]</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Chemezov also reported that the Russian military plans to test a new remote-controlled infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) in combat conditions. Chemezov stated that Rostec plans to install remote-control kits on BMP-3 IFVs and test their use on 2S25M self-propelled anti-tank guns.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[98]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Chemezov noted that remote-controlled IFVs could reduce the risk of personnel losses in dangerous areas of the frontline.”</span><b><span style="color: red;">[99]</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">Russian forces have reportedly started </span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="background-color: #fcff01;">using small all-terrain Chinese-made vehicles</b></span><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"> to transport supplies over muddy terrain in Zaporizhia Oblast. </span></u></i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">A prominent Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger published footage on December 27 of himself and his team testing these all-terrain vehicles near an unspecified sector of the frontline in Zaporizhia Oblast</span><b style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;">.[100] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">The milblogger claimed that the all-terrain vehicle weighs less than a civilian passenger car, which allows it to traverse muddy terrain more easily.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[101]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Activities in Russian-occupied areas</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Consolidate administrative control of annexed areas; forcibly integrate Ukrainian citizens into Russian sociocultural, economic, military, and governance systems)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Ukrainian “Cyber Resistance” movement obtained information about the Russian deputy commander of the 171st Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment (51</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">st</span><span style="color: #800180;"> Air Defense Division) committing sexual crimes against minors in occupied Ukraine</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[102]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian hackers of the “Cyber Resistance” movement identified the deputy commander as Major Mikhail Shyshkin. ISW has no independent confirmation of these allegations.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Luhansk Oblast occupation Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) is requiring all foreigners, including Ukrainian citizens, to undergo mandatory fingerprint and photo registration – likely in an effort to identify residents who refuse to receive Russian passports</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[103]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian Luhansk Oblast Military Administration Head Artem Lysohor stated that Luhansk Oblast occupation authorities are fingerprinting Ukrainian citizens in search of partisans and to account for individuals who did not receive Russian passports</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[104]</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukraine sentenced in absentia Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) Denis Pushilin to 15 years in prison on December 27 for treason and collaboration charges.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[105]</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Russian Information Operations and Narratives</span></span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian officials appear to be reverting to a Cold War worldview, framing the world as divided into two distinct groups, albeit not along a clearly defined ideological line. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Higher School of Economics, Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, and State Duma published a report on December 27 detailing Russia’s policy towards the “world majority.”</span><b><span style="color: red;">[106]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The report defined the “world majority” as “a civilizational and cultural community that objectively opposes” the West and alleged that the world is divided into two camps: countries that support the United States and Ukraine and countries that are neutral or support Russia</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[107]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed on December 20 that the “crisis in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East” show the emerging divisions between how the “Western minority” and the “World majority” approach crises.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[108]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The report added Russia will prioritize relations with countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America over the next 10-15 years to bring about a “transformational” change in the global order.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[109]</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Kremlin officials continued to push narratives intended to discourage Western aid to Ukraine on December 27. Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that corrupt Ukrainian officials are stealing a significant portion of Western monetary aid and claimed that additional Western aid will not change the outcome of the war.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[110]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian and US officials have recently highlighted Ukraine’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts, however.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[111]</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Significant activity in Belarus</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian efforts to increase its military presence in Belarus and further integrate Belarus into Russian-favorable frameworks and Wagner Group activity in Belarus)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Nothing significant to report.</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #424242; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Note: </strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ISW does not receive any classified material from any source, uses only publicly available information, and draws extensively on Russian, Ukrainian, and Western reporting and social media as well as commercially available satellite imagery and other geospatial data as the basis for these reports. References to all sources used are provided in the endnotes of each update.</span></strong></p><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="1" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; float: none; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u><b style="background-color: #fcff01;">References:</b></u></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[1] *Content Warning- Graphic* <a href="https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8947;%C2%A0https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1739944538083405976;%C2%A0https://twitter.com/99Dominik_/status/1739954720780017862;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8947; https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/st...</a> <a href="https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3796?single" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3796?single</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[2] <a href="https://euromaidanpress%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://euromaidanpress dot</a> com/2023/12/27/russian-troops-execute-ukrainian-pows-in-southeastern-ukraine/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[3] <a href="https://t.me/pgo_gov_ua/20128" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pgo_gov_ua/20128</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[4] <a href="https://t.me/pgo_gov_ua/20128" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pgo_gov_ua/20128</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[5] <a href="https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-14-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-ass...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[6] <a href="https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/gciii-1949/article-3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/gciii-1949/article-3</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[7] Warning: Graphic Content <a href="https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8947;%C2%A0https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1739944538083405976;%C2%A0https://twitter.com/99Dominik_/status/1739954720780017862;%C2%A0https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3796?single%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8947; https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/st...</a> <a href="https://t.me/escadrone/907;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/escadrone/907;</a> <a href="https://x.com/Danspiun/status/1739973528827338812?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/Danspiun/status/1739973528827338812?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[8] <a href="https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c6p1ngj38n0o?fbclid=IwAR1WpIjsTRXYpDXFS7nI4iVMYigXZlFsWAZAmZOueR02EOw-1KkciluNHhY" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c6p1ngj38n0o?fbclid=IwAR1WpIjsTRX...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[9] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar082123%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-17-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar082123 ; https://www.understandingwar.org/backgr...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[10] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-21-2023%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/if-west-cuts-aid-ukraine-russia-will-win-if-west-leans-ukraine-can-win" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[11] <a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-occupation-kherson-special-forces-9cca826e96ca244a7fea12649ff154ac" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-occupation-kherson-special...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[12] <a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-occupation-kherson-special-forces-9cca826e96ca244a7fea12649ff154ac%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-occupation-kherson-special...</a> <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar111723" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar111723</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[13] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar112923" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar112923</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[14] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar081123" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar081123</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[15] <a href="https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c6p1ngj38n0o?fbclid=IwAR1WpIjsTRXYpDXFS7nI4iVMYigXZlFsWAZAmZOueR02EOw-1KkciluNHhY" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c6p1ngj38n0o?fbclid=IwAR1WpIjsTRX...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[16] <a href="https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c6p1ngj38n0o?fbclid=IwAR1WpIjsTRXYpDXFS7nI4iVMYigXZlFsWAZAmZOueR02EOw-1KkciluNHhY" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c6p1ngj38n0o?fbclid=IwAR1WpIjsTRX...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[17] <a href="https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c6p1ngj38n0o?fbclid=IwAR1WpIjsTRXYpDXFS7nI4iVMYigXZlFsWAZAmZOueR02EOw-1KkciluNHhY" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c6p1ngj38n0o?fbclid=IwAR1WpIjsTRX...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[18] <a href="https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c6p1ngj38n0o?fbclid=IwAR1WpIjsTRXYpDXFS7nI4iVMYigXZlFsWAZAmZOueR02EOw-1KkciluNHhY" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c6p1ngj38n0o?fbclid=IwAR1WpIjsTRX...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[19] <a href="https://armyinform.com%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com dot</a> ua/2023/12/27/ukrayina-v-2023-mu-vypustyla-vtrychi-bilshe-zbroyi-i-tehniky-nizh-torik-volodymyr-zelenskyj/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[20] <a href="https://armyinform.com%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com dot</a> ua/2023/12/27/ukrayina-v-2023-mu-vypustyla-vtrychi-bilshe-zbroyi-i-tehniky-nizh-torik-volodymyr-zelenskyj/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[21] <a href="https://armyinform.com%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com dot</a> ua/2023/12/27/vyrobnycztvo-min-v-ukrayini-za-rik-zroslo-v-42-razy-oleksandr-kamyshin/ ; <a href="https://armyinform.com%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com dot</a> ua/2023/12/27/ukrayina-narostyla-vyrobnycztvo-sau-bogdana-ta-bronetehniky-minstrategprom/ ; <a href="https://armyinform.com%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com dot</a> ua/2023/12/27/u-minstrategpromi-rozpovily-skilky-droniv-mozhe-vyrobyty-ukrayina/ ; <a href="https://suspilne%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://suspilne dot</a> media/648786-frankensam-kamisin-zaaviv-so-ukraina-rozroblae-gibridni-sistemi-ppo-aki-vze-pracuut-na-poli-bou/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[22] <a href="https://armyinform.com%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com dot</a> ua/2023/12/27/vyrobnycztvo-min-v-ukrayini-za-rik-zroslo-v-42-razy-oleksandr-kamyshin/ ; <a href="https://armyinform.com%20dot/" style="background: transparent; 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margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar120423</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[51] <a href="https://t.me/z_arhiv/25680%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/dva_majors/31676" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/z_arhiv/25680 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/31676</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[52] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02BNNPrxg6SgeDnnJsaKfCXapK7qgkKBEyKJQYZyZVLwQNVzpmiEoAas5UYF3mdkHxl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ScyL1ofg5XMxUnuKjFnXgnW57sqtD44v6ocariguy1JqRkVBi38Vvjcn3T3w7y59l%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Tq5smvCz6HYSedfGwVDQryZQ8Htnk2DFSABtVS9UNo7P229ReDwvmPwHtdPvrzpJl%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/mod_russia/34028%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/mod_russia/34030%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/mod_russia/34022%C2%A0https://t.me/mod_russia/34031%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/mod_russia/34025" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02BNNPrxg6SgeDnnJsaK...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[53] <a href="https://t.me/kiber_boroshno/5939;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kiber_boroshno/5939;</a> <a href="https://t.me/ssternenko/23746;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/ssternenko/23746;</a> <a href="https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3800" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3800</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[54] <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5813%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5813 ;</a> <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17232" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17232</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[55] <a href="https://t.me/osirskiy/512" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/osirskiy/512</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[56] <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55405" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55405</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[57] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Tq5smvCz6HYSedfGwVDQryZQ8Htnk2DFSABtVS9UNo7P229ReDwvmPwHtdPvrzpJl%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Tq5smvCz6HYSedfGwV...</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02BNNPrxg6SgeDnnJsaKfCXapK7qgkKBEyKJQYZyZVLwQNVzpmiEoAas5UYF3mdkHxl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ScyL1ofg5XMxUnuKjFnXgnW57sqtD44v6ocariguy1JqRkVBi38Vvjcn3T3w7y59l%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5809%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17232%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/rybar/55405%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02BNNPrxg6SgeDnnJsaK...</a> <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5826" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5826</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[58] <a href="https://t.me/osirskiy/512%C2%A0" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/osirskiy/512 </a>(Bakhmut)</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[59] <a href="https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1516%C2%A0" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1516 </a>(Kurdyumivka)</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[60] <a href="https://twitter.com/VigorousFalcon/status/1739688728623546585;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/VigorousFalcon/status/1739688728623546585;</a> <a href="https://t.me/negumanitarnaya_pomosch_Z/13486;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/negumanitarnaya_pomosch_Z/13486;</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/klinger66/status/1739693362880315567" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/klinger66/status/1739693362880315567</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[61] <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/34028" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/34028</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/34032" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/34032</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[62] <a href="https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8936l;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8936l;</a> <a href="https://t.me/khornegroup/1248" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/khornegroup/1248</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[63] <a href="https://t.me/BUAR110ombr/216;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/BUAR110ombr/216;</a> <a href="https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3795" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3795</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[64] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Tq5smvCz6HYSedfGwVDQryZQ8Htnk2DFSABtVS9UNo7P229ReDwvmPwHtdPvrzpJl%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Tq5smvCz6HYSedfGwV...</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02BNNPrxg6SgeDnnJsaKfCXapK7qgkKBEyKJQYZyZVLwQNVzpmiEoAas5UYF3mdkHxl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ScyL1ofg5XMxUnuKjFnXgnW57sqtD44v6ocariguy1JqRkVBi38Vvjcn3T3w7y59l%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/rybar/55380%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5778%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17232%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/RVvoenkor/59095%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02BNNPrxg6SgeDnnJsaK...</a> <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5823" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5823</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[65] <a href="https://t.me/otarnavskiy/420" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/otarnavskiy/420</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[66] <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/59070%C2%A0" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/59070 </a>(Avdiivka)</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[67] <a href="https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c6p1ngj38n0o?fbclid=IwAR1WpIjsTRXYpDXFS7nI4iVMYigXZlFsWAZAmZOueR02EOw-1KkciluNHhY" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c6p1ngj38n0o?fbclid=IwAR1WpIjsTRX...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[68] <a href="https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c6p1ngj38n0o?fbclid=IwAR1WpIjsTRXYpDXFS7nI4iVMYigXZlFsWAZAmZOueR02EOw-1KkciluNHhY" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c6p1ngj38n0o?fbclid=IwAR1WpIjsTRX...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[69] <a href="https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c6p1ngj38n0o?fbclid=IwAR1WpIjsTRXYpDXFS7nI4iVMYigXZlFsWAZAmZOueR02EOw-1KkciluNHhY" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c6p1ngj38n0o?fbclid=IwAR1WpIjsTRX...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[70] <a href="https://t.me/usinfantryman1/16022;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/usinfantryman1/16022;</a> <a href="https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3803" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3803</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[71] <a href="https://t.me/ButusovPlus/7068%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-26-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/ButusovPlus/7068 ; https://www.understandingwar.org/backg...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[72] <a href="https://t.me/z_arhiv/25680" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/z_arhiv/25680</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[73] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Tq5smvCz6HYSedfGwVDQryZQ8Htnk2DFSABtVS9UNo7P229ReDwvmPwHtdPvrzpJl%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Tq5smvCz6HYSedfGwV...</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02BNNPrxg6SgeDnnJsaKfCXapK7qgkKBEyKJQYZyZVLwQNVzpmiEoAas5UYF3mdkHxl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ScyL1ofg5XMxUnuKjFnXgnW57sqtD44v6ocariguy1JqRkVBi38Vvjcn3T3w7y59l%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/dva_majors/31676%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17232%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107539" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02BNNPrxg6SgeDnnJsaK...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[74] <a href="https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9410%C2%A0" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9410 </a>(Marinka) ;</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107562%C2%A0" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107562 </a>(Novomykhailivka)</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[75] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Tq5smvCz6HYSedfGwVDQryZQ8Htnk2DFSABtVS9UNo7P229ReDwvmPwHtdPvrzpJl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02BNNPrxg6SgeDnnJsaKfCXapK7qgkKBEyKJQYZyZVLwQNVzpmiEoAas5UYF3mdkHxl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ScyL1ofg5XMxUnuKjFnXgnW57sqtD44v6ocariguy1JqRkVBi38Vvjcn3T3w7y59l" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Tq5smvCz6HYSedfGwV...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[76] <a href="https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8947;%C2%A0https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/status/1739944538083405976;%C2%A0https://twitter.com/99Dominik_/status/1739954720780017862;%C2%A0https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3796?single;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8947; https://twitter.com/Maks_NAFO_FELLA/st...</a> <a href="https://t.me/escadrone/907;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/escadrone/907;</a> <a href="https://x.com/Danspiun/status/1739973528827338812?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/Danspiun/status/1739973528827338812?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[77] <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5821;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17232;%C2%A0https://t.me/dva_majors/31676;%C2%A0https://t.me/rybar/55385;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02BNNPrxg6SgeDnnJsaKfCXapK7qgkKBEyKJQYZyZVLwQNVzpmiEoAas5UYF3mdkHxl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ScyL1ofg5XMxUnuKjFnXgnW57sqtD44v6ocariguy1JqRkVBi38Vvjcn3T3w7y59l;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Tq5smvCz6HYSedfGwVDQryZQ8Htnk2DFSABtVS9UNo7P229ReDwvmPwHtdPvrzpJl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5821; https://t.me/wargonzo/17232; http...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[78] <a href="https://t.me/AstapZOV/1141%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5804;%C2%A0https://t.me/rybar/55385;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17246" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/AstapZOV/1141 ; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5804; htt...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[79] <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5802" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5802</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[80] <a href="https://t.me/jahznebes/56;%C2%A0https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3787;%C2%A0https://x.com/blinzka/status/1739790153411952729?s=20;%C2%A0https://x.com/blinzka/status/1739790155211317417?s=20;%C2%A0https://t.me/Bratchuk_Sergey/68491;%C2%A0https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3783?single" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jahznebes/56; https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3787; https://x...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[81] <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5820;%C2%A0https://t.me/NeoficialniyBeZsonoV/31870%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/smotri_z/24058;%C2%A0https://suspilne%C2%A0dot" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5820; https://t.me/NeoficialniyBeZsonoV/...</a> media/647096-a-dva-tizni-buv-na-livomu-berezi-ce-peklo-ak-ukrainski-vijskovi-trimaut-placdarm-na-hersonsini/; <a href="https://t.me/dva_majors/31676;%C2%A0https://t.me/rybar/55391;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Tq5smvCz6HYSedfGwVDQryZQ8Htnk2DFSABtVS9UNo7P229ReDwvmPwHtdPvrzpJl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02BNNPrxg6SgeDnnJsaKfCXapK7qgkKBEyKJQYZyZVLwQNVzpmiEoAas5UYF3mdkHxl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ScyL1ofg5XMxUnuKjFnXgnW57sqtD44v6ocariguy1JqRkVBi38Vvjcn3T3w7y59l" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/dva_majors/31676; https://t.me/rybar/55391; https://www.f...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[82] <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55391;%C2%A0https://suspilne%C2%A0dot" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55391; https://suspilne dot</a> media/647096-a-dva-tizni-buv-na-livomu-berezi-ce-peklo-ak-ukrainski-vijskovi-trimaut-placdarm-na-hersonsini/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[83] <a href="https://suspilne%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://suspilne dot</a> media/647096-a-dva-tizni-buv-na-livomu-berezi-ce-peklo-ak-ukrainski-vijskovi-trimaut-placdarm-na-hersonsini/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[84] <a href="https://t.me/NeoficialniyBeZsonoV/31875;%C2%A0https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3781?single;%C2%A0https://t.me/morpeh_810/2369" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/NeoficialniyBeZsonoV/31875; https://t.me/creamy_caprice/37...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[85] <a href="https://t.me/vchkogpu/44090" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/vchkogpu/44090</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[86] <a href="https://t.me/vchkogpu/44090" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/vchkogpu/44090</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[87] <a href="https://t.me/vchkogpu/44090" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/vchkogpu/44090</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[88] <a href="https://t.me/vchkogpu/44090" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/vchkogpu/44090</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[89] <a href="https://t.me/vchkogpu/44090" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/vchkogpu/44090</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[90] <a href="https://t.me/vchkogpu/44648" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/vchkogpu/44648</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/vchkogpu/44090" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/vchkogpu/44090</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[91] <a href="https://t.me/vchkogpu/44090%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/vchkogpu/44648" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/vchkogpu/44090 ; https://t.me/vchkogpu/44648</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[92] <a href="https://t.me/vchkogpu/44648" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/vchkogpu/44648</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; 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border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[100] <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17246" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17246</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[101] <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17246" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17246</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[102] <a href="https://sprotyv.mod.gov%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://sprotyv.mod.gov dot</a> ua/aktyvisty-kiber-sprotyvu-otrymaly-dokazy-voyennyh-zlochyniv-majora-zs-rf-na-tot/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[103] <a href="https://t.me/mvdlnr_official/4979" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mvdlnr_official/4979</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[104] <a href="https://t.me/luhanskaVTSA/16067" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/luhanskaVTSA/16067</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[105] <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/224380;%C2%A0https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/donetsk-people-s-republic-leader-pushilin-sentenced-to-15-years-in-prison/ar-AA1m6tEJ" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/224380; https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/world/d...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[106] <a href="https://mid%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://mid dot</a> ru/upload/medialibrary/0e6/54elr4bg9pc74xssmsnl8fewb48v1t0u/%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0%20%D0%A0%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B8.pdf</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[107] <a href="https://mid%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://mid dot</a> ru/upload/medialibrary/0e6/54elr4bg9pc74xssmsnl8fewb48v1t0u/%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0%20%D0%A0%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B8.pdf</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[108] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-20-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[109] <a href="https://mid%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://mid dot</a> ru/upload/medialibrary/0e6/54elr4bg9pc74xssmsnl8fewb48v1t0u/%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0%20%D0%A0%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B8.pdf</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[110] <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/224364" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/224364</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">[111] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar120923%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar120723" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar120923 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar120723</a></span></b></p></div></div></div><h3 id="tagtitle" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Tags</u></span></h3><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: white;">Ukraine Project</u></b></span></div><div><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: white;"> File Attachments: </u></b></span></div><div><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftUkraineCoTDecember%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=909226">DraftUkraineCoTDecember 27,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Luhansk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2258288">Luhansk Battle Map Draft December 27,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2148088">Donetsk Battle Map Draft December 27,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1538630">Bakhmut Battle Map Draft December 27,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2176288">Avdiivka and Donetsk City Battle Map Draft December 27,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1229465">Vremivka Salient Battle Map Draft December 27,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pyatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1203098">Pyatykhatky and Robotyne Battle Map Draft December 27,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Zaporizhia%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1234020">Zaporizhia Battle Map Draft December 27,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1398770">Kherson-Mykolaiv Battle Map Draft December 27,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/jpeg" /></span><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Babel%20Street%20logo_29.jpg" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/jpeg; length=18200">Babel Street logo.jpg</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-64767298090059872512023-12-28T00:36:00.000-08:002023-12-30T06:49:17.716-08:00RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, DECEMBER 26, 2023 <p> <b><u><span style="color: #800180;">SOURCE :</span></u></b></p><p><span style="color: #800180;"><b> ( ) </b></span><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red; text-decoration-line: underline;">RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, DECEMBER 26, 2023:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-26-2023</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">( ) </span></b><span style="font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style=""><span style="color: red;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">PHENOMENAL! Ukrainians DESTROY 20% OF RUSSIAN NAVY IN THE BLACK SEA | War in Ukraine:</u></span></yt-formatted-string><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://youtu.be/zVFWYjqUq-k</span></b></span><b style="font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zVFWYjqUq-k" width="320" youtube-src-id="zVFWYjqUq-k"></iframe></b></div><p><b><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;">( )</span></b></b></p><p><b><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></b></p><p></p><div data-testid="cellInnerDiv" style="position: absolute; transform: translateY(1192.73px); width: 598.182px;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-j5o65s r-qklmqi r-1adg3ll r-1ny4l3l" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); 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background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: flex; font: 700 15px / 20px TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-3s2u2q r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline; font: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; 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position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><a class="css-175oi2r r-1wbh5a2 r-dnmrzs r-1ny4l3l r-1loqt21" href="https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer" role="link" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 1; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;" tabindex="-1"><div class="css-1rynq56 r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-3s2u2q r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-rjixqe r-16dba41 r-18u37iz r-1wvb978" dir="ltr" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #536471; display: inline; flex-direction: row; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: "ss01"; font-kerning: auto; 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min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><a aria-label="Dec 27" class="css-1rynq56 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-rjixqe r-16dba41 r-xoduu5 r-1q142lx r-1w6e6rj r-9aw3ui r-3s2u2q r-1loqt21" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1739797038131228855" role="link" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #536471; cursor: pointer; display: inline-flex; flex-shrink: 0; flex-wrap: wrap; font: 400 15px / 20px TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; gap: 4px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; white-space: nowrap;"><time datetime="2023-12-26T23:55:12.000Z">Dec 27</time></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="css-175oi2r r-1jkjb" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); 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position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-18u37iz r-1h0z5md" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; justify-content: flex-start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><div aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="menu" aria-label="More" class="css-175oi2r r-1777fci r-bt1l66 r-bztko3 r-lrvibr r-1loqt21 r-1ny4l3l" data-testid="caret" role="button" style="align-items: stretch; 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z-index: 0;"></div><svg aria-hidden="true" class="r-4qtqp9 r-yyyyoo r-dnmrzs r-bnwqim r-1plcrui r-lrvibr r-1xvli5t r-1hdv0qi" viewbox="0 0 24 24"><g><path d="M3 12c0-1.1.9-2 2-2s2 .9 2 2-.9 2-2 2-2-.9-2-2zm9 2c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm7 0c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2z"></path></g></svg></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="css-175oi2r" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-1rynq56 r-8akbws r-krxsd3 r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-rjixqe r-16dba41 r-bnwqim" data-testid="tweetText" dir="auto" id="id__yj5muk7374a" lang="en" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 10; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: -webkit-box; font: 400 15px / 20px TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline; font: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;"><span>2 SUNK: In addition to the landing ship </span><span class="r-36ujnk" style="font-style: italic;">Novocherkassk</span><span> sunk by the UKR air force on the night of 26 DEC, another vessel is on the harbor bottom. According to reports from Radio Svoboda, the other casualty is identified as the Russian training ship </span><span class="r-36ujnk" style="font-style: italic;">UTS-150</span><span>. </span></span><a class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1loqt21" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/UbC7iSq8sm" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" role="link" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1d9bf0; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;" target="_blank"><span aria-hidden="true" class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-hiw28u r-qvk6io" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;"><span>https://</span></span><span>newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/strike-on</span><span aria-hidden="true" class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-hiw28u r-qvk6io" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;"><span>-feodosia-media-identified-another-1703632350.html</span></span><span aria-hidden="true" class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-lrvibr" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline; font: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; user-select: none; white-space: inherit;"><span>…</span></span></a></div></div><div aria-labelledby="id__wi1hsiqflj id__uyr7r3nh6ep" class="css-175oi2r r-1ssbvtb r-1s2bzr4" id="id__746ey2b6y7b" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; gap: 12px; list-style: none; margin: 12px 0px 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; 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background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex: 1 0 auto; height: 322.756px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; width: 512.386px; z-index: 0;"><a class="css-175oi2r r-1pi2tsx r-1ny4l3l r-1loqt21" href="https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1739797038131228855/photo/1" role="link" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; height: 322.756px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-1adg3ll r-1udh08x" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; 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background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-image: url("https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCT_i-lWMAIEF_a?format=jpg&name=small"); background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; height: 322.756px; inset: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; width: 512.386px; z-index: -1;"></div><img alt="Image" class="css-9pa8cd" draggable="true" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GCT_i-lWMAIEF_a?format=jpg&name=small" style="height: 322.756px; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; position: absolute; width: 512.386px; z-index: -1;" /></div></div></div></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="css-175oi2r" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><div aria-label="27 replies, 175 reposts, 1156 likes, 4 bookmarks, 44627 views" class="css-175oi2r r-1kbdv8c r-18u37iz r-1wtj0ep r-1ye8kvj r-1s2bzr4" id="id__3pcr56nk7bx" role="group" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; column-gap: 4px; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; justify-content: space-between; list-style: none; margin: 12px 0px 0px; max-width: 600px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-18u37iz r-1h0z5md r-13awgt0" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: row; flex: 1 1 0%; justify-content: flex-start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><div aria-label="27 Replies. Reply" class="css-175oi2r r-1777fci r-bt1l66 r-bztko3 r-lrvibr r-1loqt21 r-1ny4l3l" data-testid="reply" role="button" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; justify-content: center; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; min-width: 0px; outline-style: none; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; user-select: none; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><div class="css-1rynq56 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-rjixqe r-16dba41 r-1awozwy r-6koalj r-1h0z5md r-o7ynqc r-clp7b1 r-3s2u2q" dir="ltr" style="align-items: center; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #536471; display: flex; font: 400 15px / 20px TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; justify-content: flex-start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: color; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-xoduu5" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-xoduu5 r-1p0dtai r-1d2f490 r-u8s1d r-zchlnj r-ipm5af r-1niwhzg r-sdzlij r-xf4iuw r-o7ynqc r-6416eg r-1ny4l3l" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-radius: 9999px; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; inset: 0px; list-style: none; margin: -8px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, box-shadow; z-index: 0;"></div><svg aria-hidden="true" class="r-4qtqp9 r-yyyyoo r-dnmrzs r-bnwqim r-1plcrui r-lrvibr r-1xvli5t r-1hdv0qi" viewbox="0 0 24 24"><g><path d="M1.751 10c0-4.42 3.584-8 8.005-8h4.366c4.49 0 8.129 3.64 8.129 8.13 0 2.96-1.607 5.68-4.196 7.11l-8.054 4.46v-3.69h-.067c-4.49.1-8.183-3.51-8.183-8.01zm8.005-6c-3.317 0-6.005 2.69-6.005 6 0 3.37 2.77 6.08 6.138 6.01l.351-.01h1.761v2.3l5.087-2.81c1.951-1.08 3.163-3.13 3.163-5.36 0-3.39-2.744-6.13-6.129-6.13H9.756z"></path></g></svg></div><div class="css-175oi2r r-xoduu5 r-1udh08x" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><span data-testid="app-text-transition-container" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition-duration: 0.3s; transition-property: transform;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-n6v787 r-1cwl3u0 r-1k6nrdp r-s1qlax" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: calc(1em + 24px); overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 4px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline; font: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;">27</span></span></span></div></div></div></div><div class="css-175oi2r r-18u37iz r-1h0z5md r-13awgt0" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: row; flex: 1 1 0%; justify-content: flex-start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><div aria-expanded="false" aria-haspopup="menu" aria-label="175 reposts. Repost" class="css-175oi2r r-1777fci r-bt1l66 r-bztko3 r-lrvibr r-1loqt21 r-1ny4l3l" data-testid="retweet" role="button" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; justify-content: center; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; min-width: 0px; outline-style: none; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; user-select: none; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><div class="css-1rynq56 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-rjixqe r-16dba41 r-1awozwy r-6koalj r-1h0z5md r-o7ynqc r-clp7b1 r-3s2u2q" dir="ltr" style="align-items: center; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #536471; display: flex; font: 400 15px / 20px TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; justify-content: flex-start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: color; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-xoduu5" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-xoduu5 r-1p0dtai r-1d2f490 r-u8s1d r-zchlnj r-ipm5af r-1niwhzg r-sdzlij r-xf4iuw r-o7ynqc r-6416eg r-1ny4l3l" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-radius: 9999px; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; inset: 0px; list-style: none; margin: -8px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, box-shadow; z-index: 0;"></div><svg aria-hidden="true" class="r-4qtqp9 r-yyyyoo r-dnmrzs r-bnwqim r-1plcrui r-lrvibr r-1xvli5t r-1hdv0qi" viewbox="0 0 24 24"><g><path d="M4.5 3.88l4.432 4.14-1.364 1.46L5.5 7.55V16c0 1.1.896 2 2 2H13v2H7.5c-2.209 0-4-1.79-4-4V7.55L1.432 9.48.068 8.02 4.5 3.88zM16.5 6H11V4h5.5c2.209 0 4 1.79 4 4v8.45l2.068-1.93 1.364 1.46-4.432 4.14-4.432-4.14 1.364-1.46 2.068 1.93V8c0-1.1-.896-2-2-2z"></path></g></svg></div><div class="css-175oi2r r-xoduu5 r-1udh08x" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><span data-testid="app-text-transition-container" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition-duration: 0.3s; transition-property: transform;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-n6v787 r-1cwl3u0 r-1k6nrdp r-s1qlax" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: calc(1em + 24px); overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 4px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline; font: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;">175</span></span></span></div></div></div></div><div class="css-175oi2r r-18u37iz r-1h0z5md r-13awgt0" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: row; flex: 1 1 0%; justify-content: flex-start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><div aria-label="1156 Likes. Like" class="css-175oi2r r-1777fci r-bt1l66 r-bztko3 r-lrvibr r-1loqt21 r-1ny4l3l" data-testid="like" role="button" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; justify-content: center; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; min-width: 0px; outline-style: none; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; user-select: none; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><div class="css-1rynq56 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-rjixqe r-16dba41 r-1awozwy r-6koalj r-1h0z5md r-o7ynqc r-clp7b1 r-3s2u2q" dir="ltr" style="align-items: center; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #536471; display: flex; font: 400 15px / 20px TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; justify-content: flex-start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: color; white-space: nowrap;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-xoduu5" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-xoduu5 r-1p0dtai r-1d2f490 r-u8s1d r-zchlnj r-ipm5af r-1niwhzg r-sdzlij r-xf4iuw r-o7ynqc r-6416eg r-1ny4l3l" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-radius: 9999px; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; inset: 0px; list-style: none; margin: -8px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, box-shadow; z-index: 0;"></div><svg aria-hidden="true" class="r-4qtqp9 r-yyyyoo r-dnmrzs r-bnwqim r-1plcrui r-lrvibr r-1xvli5t r-1hdv0qi" viewbox="0 0 24 24"><g><path d="M16.697 5.5c-1.222-.06-2.679.51-3.89 2.16l-.805 1.09-.806-1.09C9.984 6.01 8.526 5.44 7.304 5.5c-1.243.07-2.349.78-2.91 1.91-.552 1.12-.633 2.78.479 4.82 1.074 1.97 3.257 4.27 7.129 6.61 3.87-2.34 6.052-4.64 7.126-6.61 1.111-2.04 1.03-3.7.477-4.82-.561-1.13-1.666-1.84-2.908-1.91zm4.187 7.69c-1.351 2.48-4.001 5.12-8.379 7.67l-.503.3-.504-.3c-4.379-2.55-7.029-5.19-8.382-7.67-1.36-2.5-1.41-4.86-.514-6.67.887-1.79 2.647-2.91 4.601-3.01 1.651-.09 3.368.56 4.798 2.01 1.429-1.45 3.146-2.1 4.796-2.01 1.954.1 3.714 1.22 4.601 3.01.896 1.81.846 4.17-.514 6.67z"></path></g></svg></div><div class="css-175oi2r r-xoduu5 r-1udh08x" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><span data-testid="app-text-transition-container" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition-duration: 0.3s; transition-property: transform;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-n6v787 r-1cwl3u0 r-1k6nrdp r-s1qlax" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: calc(1em + 24px); overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 4px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline; font: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;">1.1K</span></span></span></div></div></div></div><div class="css-175oi2r r-18u37iz r-1h0z5md r-13awgt0" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: row; flex: 1 1 0%; justify-content: flex-start; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><a aria-label="44627 views. View post analytics" class="css-175oi2r r-1777fci r-bt1l66 r-bztko3 r-lrvibr r-1ny4l3l r-1loqt21" href="https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1739797038131228855/analytics" role="link" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; justify-content: center; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; min-width: 0px; outline-style: none; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; user-select: none; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-1rynq56 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-rjixqe r-16dba41 r-1awozwy r-6koalj r-1h0z5md r-o7ynqc r-clp7b1 r-3s2u2q" dir="ltr" style="align-items: center; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #536471; display: flex; font: 400 15px / 20px TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; 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margin: -8px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, box-shadow; z-index: 0;"></div><svg aria-hidden="true" class="r-4qtqp9 r-yyyyoo r-dnmrzs r-bnwqim r-1plcrui r-lrvibr r-1xvli5t r-1hdv0qi" viewbox="0 0 24 24"><g><path d="M8.75 21V3h2v18h-2zM18 21V8.5h2V21h-2zM4 21l.004-10h2L6 21H4zm9.248 0v-7h2v7h-2z"></path></g></svg></div><div class="css-175oi2r r-xoduu5 r-1udh08x" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><span data-testid="app-text-transition-container" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition-duration: 0.3s; transition-property: transform;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-n6v787 r-1cwl3u0 r-1k6nrdp r-s1qlax" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 16px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: calc(1em + 24px); overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 4px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline; font: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;">44K</span></span></span></div></div></a></div><div class="css-175oi2r r-18u37iz r-1h0z5md r-1kb76zh" style="align-items: stretch; 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flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-xoduu5 r-1p0dtai r-1d2f490 r-u8s1d r-zchlnj r-ipm5af r-1niwhzg r-sdzlij r-xf4iuw r-o7ynqc r-6416eg r-1ny4l3l" style="align-items: stretch; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border-radius: 9999px; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; inset: 0px; list-style: none; margin: -8px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px; position: absolute; text-decoration: none; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, box-shadow; z-index: 0;"></div><svg aria-hidden="true" class="r-4qtqp9 r-yyyyoo r-dnmrzs r-bnwqim r-1plcrui r-lrvibr r-1xvli5t r-1hdv0qi" viewbox="0 0 24 24"><g><path d="M12 2.59l5.7 5.7-1.41 1.42L13 6.41V16h-2V6.41l-3.3 3.3-1.41-1.42L12 2.59zM21 15l-.02 3.51c0 1.38-1.12 2.49-2.5 2.49H5.5C4.11 21 3 19.88 3 18.5V15h2v3.5c0 .28.22.5.5.5h12.98c.28 0 .5-.22.5-.5L19 15h2z"></path></g></svg></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></article></div></div><div data-testid="cellInnerDiv" style="position: absolute; transform: translateY(677.273px); width: 598.182px;"></div><p><b> </b><span style="font-size: x-large;">_______________________________________<br /></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 26, 2023</u></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Riley Bailey, Karolina Hird, Nicole Wolkov, Kateryna Stepanenko, Angelica Evans, George Barros, and Frederick W. Kagan</span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">December 26, 2023, 9:35pm ET</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click </strong><a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/36a7f6a6f5a9448496de641cf64bd375" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">here</span></strong></a><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/36a7f6a6f5a9448496de641cf64bd375" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </span></a><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">to see ISW’s interactive map of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click </strong><a href="https://understandingwar.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/3dviewer/index.html?appid=1602762dbcde419bb957dea358449580" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">here</span></strong></a><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://understandingwar.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/3dviewer/index.html?appid=1602762dbcde419bb957dea358449580" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a>to see ISW’s 3D control of terrain topographic map of Ukraine. Use of a computer (not a mobile device) is strongly recommended for using this data-heavy tool.</strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Click</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></strong><a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/733fe90805894bfc8562d90b106aa895" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></strong></a><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/733fe90805894bfc8562d90b106aa895" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></a><span style="font-size: medium;">to access ISW’s archive of interactive time-lapse maps of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These maps complement the static control-of-terrain map that ISW produces daily by showing a dynamic frontline. ISW will update this time-lapse map archive monthly.</span></strong></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red;">Note</span></u><span style="color: #800180;">: </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The data cut-off for this product was 3:15pm ET on December 26</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">and covers both December 25 and December 26 due to the fact that ISW did not publish a Campaign Assessment on December 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday. ISW will cover subsequent reports in the December 27 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment.</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">Russia's likely capture of Marinka in Donetsk Oblast represents a limited Russian tactical gain and does not portend any operationally significant advance unless Russian forces have dramatically improved their ability to conduct rapid mechanized forward movement, which they show no signs of having done.</span><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span><span style="color: #800180;">Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 25 and claimed that Russian forces completely captured Marinka (immediately west of Donetsk City)</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[1]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Valerii Zaluzhnyi stated on December 26 that combat has effectively destroyed Marinka, acknowledged that Ukrainian forces withdrew in part from Marinka, and stated that Ukrainian forces nonetheless are still operating in the northern outskirts of Marinka and have prepared a defensive line outside of the settlement</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[2]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Geolocated footage posted on December 25 indicates that Russian forces advanced in the northern sections of Marinka.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[3]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> ISW assesses that Russian forces likely control most if not all of Marinka despite not yet observing visual confirmation of the complete Russian capture of Marinka as of December 26. Putin claimed that the Russian capture of Marinka will allow Russian forces to push Ukrainian combat units away from occupied Donetsk City and create a wider operational space for Russian forces.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[4]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Many Russian milbloggers acknowledged the capture of Marinka as a tactical victory and claimed that it will allow Russian forces to conduct offensive operations toward settlements up to 15km west of Marinka in the coming weeks and months, threatening nearby Ukrainian ground lines of communication (GLOCs)</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[5]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian forces have attempted to capture Marinka since 2014 and have been conducting daily frontal assaults on the settlement since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, intensifying those assaults starting in early October 2023.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[6]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Both Russian and Ukrainian officials have acknowledged that fighting has completely destroyed Marinka, a small settlement with a pre-invasion population of roughly 9,000.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[7]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">A small and completely destroyed settlement does not offer Russian forces a secure operational foothold from which to launch further offensive operations. Marinka is located less than a kilometer from the pre-invasion frontline and Ukrainian forces have long fortified many of the surrounding settlements, which Russian forces have been similarly struggling to capture.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[8]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian forces have advanced roughly over three kilometers in depth into Marinka since February 24, 2022, and there are no indications that the rate of Russian advance to the next settlements identified as tactical Russian objectives will be any quicker, especially considering the rate of attrition that Russian forces suffered to capture a small settlement directly on the border of territory Russia has controlled since 2014. Russia's capture of Marinka follows several months of highly attritional marginal gains and is not the result of a sudden rapid mechanized Russian advance. Russian forces have not conducted any offensive operation that resulted in a rapid and mechanized forward advance since Spring 2022, and Russian capabilities to conduct the mechanized maneuver that would be required for such an advance have been severely degraded.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[9] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces have recently illustrated the lack of these capabilities in failed waves of mass mechanized assaults to capture Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, and those offensive operations resulted in further armored vehicle losses that have prompted the Russian command to transition to infantry-heavy ground attacks.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">10] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Rapid maneuver warfare also requires combat effective mechanized units, and the Russian units that have participated in the effort to capture Marinka have largely been elements of poorly trained and less effective Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) units.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">11] </span></b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Russian forces are</span><span style="background-color: white;"> <b>highly unlikely to make rapid operational advances</b></span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> from Marinka, and the reported Russian capture of the settlement at most sets conditions for further limited tactical gains.</span></span></i></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Localized Russian offensive operations are still placing pressure on Ukrainian forces in many places along the front in eastern Ukraine, however, and can result in gradual tactical Russian advances.</span></b></span><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span><span style="color: #800180;">Zaluzhnyi stated that holding Ukrainian territory is important but that Ukrainian forces are prioritizing the preservation of their personnel.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[12]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Zaluzhnyi added that he believes that Russian forces can repeat “what happened in Bakhmut” (using high-casualty frontal attacks to force tactical gains over a protracted period) in Avdiivka in the next two to three months, which would force Ukrainian forces to retreat to save their personnel and retake the settlement at a later date.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[13]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian forces captured Bakhmut in May 2023 after months of gradual tactical gains during the Wagner Group’s infantry-heavy urban offensive operation to capture the city, which resulted in staggering Russian losses including the effective destruction of the Wagner Group following the abortive armed mutiny that those losses precipitated.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[14] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces are conducting similarly attritional ground assaults in localized offensive operations throughout eastern Ukraine, although not at the scale that Wagner did during the battle for Bakhmut. These Russian offensive operations will continue to pressure defending Ukrainian forces and produce limited tactical gains. The accumulation of marginal Russian gains amid continued heavy fighting may produce tactical scenarios wherein the Ukrainian command may choose to withdraw forces from endangered positions of limited operational significance if it determines that the preservation of personnel is more expedient.</span></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="772" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Ukrainian forces conducted a successful missile strike that destroyed a Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) vessel and potentially damaged port infrastructure in occupied Feodosia, Crimea on December 26.</span></u><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian military officials reported that Ukrainian air force aircraft conducted a strike on the BSF’s </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Novocherkassk</em><span><span style="color: #800180;"> Ropucha-class landing ship in occupied Feodosia with unspecified cruise missiles.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[15] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Geolocated footage from the strike shows that Ukrainian forces struck the </span></span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Novocherkassk,</em><span><span style="color: #800180;"> causing most of it to burn and sink.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[16<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">]</span></span></b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"> The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed that the </span></span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Novocherkassk </em><span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">suffered “damage” while “repelling” a Ukrainian strike.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[17] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson Colonel Yuriy Ihnat stated on December 26 that the Ukrainian strike possibly also damaged surrounding port infrastructure and other nearby Russian support vessels.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[18]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ihnat noted that the only missiles that Ukrainian forces possess that are capable of conducting long-range strikes are SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles, heavily insinuating that one or the other of these kinds of missiles were used in the strike.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">19] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Ihnat also stated that Russian forces continue to use various short, medium, and long-range air defense systems and that Ukrainian pilots employ specific tactical techniques to ensure the maximum number of strikes reach their target.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">20] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">A Russian milblogger claimed that units of the 31st Air Defense Division, which are operating S-400 air defense systems in Feodosia, failed to identify two Ukrainian cruise missiles.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[21] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">United Kingdom Defense Secretary Grant Schapps stated that Ukrainian forces have destroyed 20 percent of the BSF over the past four months.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[22]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> ISW continues to assess that Ukrainian strikes on BSF assets have forced the Russian military to move BSF assets to the eastern part of the Black Sea on an enduring basis.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[23]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">Russian forces struck a train station in Kherson City where civilians were waiting for evacuation on December 26.</span></u></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[24]</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in his nightly address on December 26 that Russian forces struck a railway station in Kherson City, and Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko clarified that Russian forces began shelling the railway station as 140 civilians were awaiting departure onboard an evacuation train.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[25]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian media posted footage depicting the destruction in the aftermath of the strike and reported that the shelling killed at least one and wounded four.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[26]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian forces conducted additional waves of drone and missile strikes against Ukraine on the nights of December 24-25 and December 25-26</span></u><span style="color: #800180;">. </span></strong><span><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian military sources reported that overnight on December 24-25, Russian forces launched 31 Shahed-131/136 drones at Ukraine from Cape Chauda and Balaklava, occupied Crimea, a Kh-59 missile from the Zaporizhia Oblast direction, and a Kh-31P anti-radar missile from the direction of the Black Sea.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[27]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian forces destroyed 28 of the Shaheds and both of the missiles</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[28]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian military sources then reported on December 26 that overnight on December 25-26 Russian forces launched 19 Shahed drones from Balaklava and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai, at Ukraine, 13 of which Ukrainian forces shot down over Odesa, Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Khmelnytskyi oblasts.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[29]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukraine's Southern Operational Command noted that Russian forces struck an infrastructure object in Odesa Oblast and an industrial facility in Mykolaiv Oblast.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[30]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian forces have reportedly decreased the tempo of their operations on east (left) bank Kherson Oblast, likely in connection with decreasing Russian aviation activity after Ukrainian forces recently shot down several Russian aircraft.</span></u><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian military officials reported on December 24 and 25 that Ukrainian forces shot down one Russian Su-34 aircraft in the Mariupol direction and one Russian Su-30SM over the Black Sea in addition to the three Su-34 aircraft that Ukrainian forces shot down over</span><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span><span style="color: #800180;">southern Ukraine between December 21 and 22.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[31] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian Southern Operational Command Spokesperson Captain First Rank Nataliya Humenyuk stated on December 26 that Russian forces on the east bank Kherson Oblast are conducting half as many ground attacks against Ukrainian positions per day in comparison to the previous average of 30 assaults daily.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[32]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Humenyuk also reported that the destruction of several Russian aircraft has weakened Russian forces’ ability to conduct glide bomb strikes and that Russian forces have deployed high-caliber artillery and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) to east bank Kherson Oblast in order to compensate for a lack of aviation support.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[33] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson Colonel Yuriy Ihnat reported on December 25 that Russian forces stopped conducting active hostilities in the Kherson direction after Ukrainian forces shot down three Russian Su-34 aircraft in southern Ukraine.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[34] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">A Russian milblogger claimed on December 25 that Russian aviation in Kherson Oblast has not been operating for the past three days due to the destruction of Russian Su-34 aircraft.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[35]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported on December 26 that the Russian military has not been able to restore its number of Su-34/34M aircraft to its pre-full-scale invasion amount and now must supplement Su-34/34M aircraft operations with the older Su-24 aircraft.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[36]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Mashovets reported that Russian forces rarely deploy Su-34/34M aircraft to Russian bases in occupied Crimea, likely in an attempt to keep them out of Ukrainian strike range.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">37]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> ISW previously assessed that Russian forces may have recently intensified their use of glide bombs against Ukrainian forces on west (right) bank Kherson Oblast in part due to Ukrainian forces‘ successful suppression of Russian long-range artillery.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[38] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces may currently be opting to bring long-range artillery closer to the Dnipro River shoreline rather than risk the destruction of more aircraft, however. The potential deployment of Russian long-range artillery closer to the frontline may present an opportunity for Ukrainian forces to more easily target Russian long-range artillery systems and operate more freely and safely along the Dnipro River coast and in rear areas in west bank Kherson Oblast.</span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The Ukrainian government continues efforts to systematize and increase the sustainability of Ukrainian mobilization over the long term.</span></u><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span><span style="color: #800180;">The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers submitted a set of proposed amendments to Ukraine’s mobilization, military registration, and military service laws on December 25, which include provisions to lower the conscription age for mobilization from 27 to 25 years old, discharge servicemen after they serve for 36 months provided there is no Ukrainian manpower crisis or a major escalation on the battlefield, and allow servicemen to rotate from the front every six months</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[39] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Valerii Zaluzhnyi noted the complexity of legislating mobilization and service requirements during wartime on December 26, stating that war develops according to its own laws and that the situation along the front is dependent on the Russian military’s actions</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[40] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Zaluzhnyi added that Ukraine cannot predict what the war will look like in five to six months.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[41]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #cc0000; color: white;">Russian President Vladimir Putin continued to portray himself as a gracious Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces, while contrasting his apparent attention to the Russian irregular forces’ with the Russian Ministry of Defense’s (MoD) incompetence.</span></u><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span><i><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">Putin demonstratively ordered Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on </span><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">December 25 to promote a Russian volunteer, Senior Lieutenant Alexander Troshin, to the</span><span style="background-color: #2b00fe; color: white;"> rank of major </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">for his efforts in fighting for Marinka (west of Donetsk City) -</span></b><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"> allowing Troshin to bypass the rank of captain.</span></i><b><span style="color: red;">[42]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fce5cd; color: #800180;">Prior to the order, Putin asked Shoigu if he had any suggestions on how to best award Troshin, to which Shoigu responded that the only rank he can offer him is the rank of captain despite the fact that Troshin is a commander of a tank battalion – a role usually occupied by lieutenant colonels. Shoigu stated that although Troshin is a successful fighter and joined the war effort as a volunteer rather than a as an officer, the military command cannot promote him to a higher rank because of a presidential decree that prohibits such a promotion. Putin said that he is aware of the military service regulation on ranks but noted that “this regulation is approved by the presidential decree, so the president has the right to amend this regulation.” Putin notably ignored the regulation rather than amending it, however, suggesting that he sees himself not merely as the lawgiver but also as above the law. Putin concluded this discussion by stating that the Russian military command should support fighters like Troshin who want to become professional servicemen – likely in reference to those who want to become contract servicemen (</span></span><span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">kontrakniki) </em><span style="color: #800180;">within the Russian Armed Forces</span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</em><span style="color: #800180;"> Putin’s discussion with Shoigu made it seem as though Putin was indirectly blaming Shoigu for failing to change the structure of the Russian Armed Forces to accommodate the new class of Russian servicemen – the volunteers (</span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">dobrovoltsy)</em><span style="color: #800180;">. Russian milbloggers have consistently complained that the Russian command does not award higher ranks to </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">dobrovoltsy</em><span><span style="color: #800180;"> despite their combat experience, instead reserving these ranks for Russian professional servicemen</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[43] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Putin’s statement is likely part of an ongoing effort to blame the Russian MoD and the Russian General Staff for failing to address </span></span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">dobrovoltsy’s </em><span><span style="color: #800180;">concerns while presenting himself as an involved war-time leader who is actively working on resolving these disparities.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[44]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Putin’s recent focus on defining and interacting with Russian irregular volunteer formations may also be indicative of Russia’s formalization efforts and possible integration of </span></span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">dobrovoltsy</em><span style="color: #800180;"> as a new but separate class of forces within the Russian Armed Forces.</span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states met during a series of meetings in St. Petersburg on December 25 and 26. </span></u></strong><span><span style="color: #800180;">The EAEU signed a full-scale trade agreement with Iran on December 25, replacing the temporary agreement approved in 2019.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[45]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Armenian President Nikol Pashinyan notably attended the meeting after refraining from attending equivalent Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) events for the past several months against the backdrop of deteriorating Russian-Armenian relations.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[46] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Pashinyan and Russian President Vladimir Putin would have a "great opportunity" to speak during the meetings, and Putin was later pictured chatting with Pashinyan on December 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[47]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">Russian actors seized on ongoing protests in Serbia against Serbian President Alexander Vucic to blame Western actors for causing instability in Serbia, which Russia perceives as a long-term European ally</span></u><span style="color: #800180;">. </span></strong><span><span style="color: #800180;">Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that unspecified ”third parties,” including from abroad, are attempting to provoke unrest in Serbia</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[48]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian sources, including Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Bocan-Harchenko, accused the West of attempting to overthrow Serbia’s government and pursuing a “Maidan scenario,” referring to Ukraine’s 2014 Euromaidan Revolution, which resulted in the removal of pro-Kremlin President Viktor Yanukovych and which the Kremlin has consistently falsely characterized as a Western hybrid war against Russia.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[49]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Russian information space will likely continue to exploit protests in Serbia to drive a wedge between Serbia and the West.</span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">A prominent Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger claimed that Finland is becoming a “second Ukraine,” creating rhetorical parallels between Russian narratives about Ukraine and Finland, and further suggesting that Russia maintains future ideological and territorial objectives that far exceed the war in Ukraine. </span></u></strong><span><span style="color: #800180;">The milblogger claimed on December 26 that the US now has access to a total of 35 military bases in Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, including a Finnish base that is 137km from the Russian border.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[50]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The US has recently signed defense cooperation agreements with both Finland and Sweden that grant American troops access to 15 military installations in Finland and 17 in Sweden.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[51]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The milblogger additionally claimed that Finland is becoming a "second Ukraine" due to the purported prominence of Finnish neo-Nazi organizations and the alleged rise of Finnish nationalist movements, such as the Karelian National Battalion</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[52</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] The milblogger's invocation of the concepts of neo-Nazism and nationalism echoes some of the major ideological justifications that the Kremlin has used to support its invasion of Ukraine, as ISW has previously reported</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[53]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russia has recently undertaken several measures to posture against Finland militarily, namely through the recreation of the Leningrad Military District (LMD), which will have an area of operation largely along the Russo-Finnish border.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[54]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> ISW has frequently assessed that Russia maintains maximalist aims in Ukraine</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[55]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The increasingly aggressive Russian rhetorical and military posturing towards Finland suggests that Russia maintains expansive goals beyond the battlefield in Ukraine, which is particularly relevant due to Finland's recent accession to NATO</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[56]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> ISW does not assess that Russia has the current military capacity or intent to threaten Finland or any NATO member militarily at this time, but rhetoric setting conditions for future threats and tensions with NATO members is cause for concern about Russia‘s long-term aims.</span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Key Takeaways:</u></span></strong></p><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><span style="color: #cc0000;">Russia's likely capture of Marinka in Donetsk Oblast </span></u><span style="color: #800180;">represents a limited Russian tactical gain and does not portend any operationally significant advance unless Russian forces have dramatically improved their ability to conduct rapid mechanized forward movement, which they show no signs of having done.</span></span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Localized Russian offensive operations are still placing pressure on Ukrainian forces in many places along the front in eastern Ukraine, however, and can result in gradual tactical Russian advances</span>.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Ukrainian forces conducted a successful missile strike that destroyed a Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) vessel </span>and potentially damaged port infrastructure in occupied Feodosia, Crimea on December 26.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Russian forces struck a train station in Kherson City where civilians were waiting for evacuation on December 26.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Russian forces have reportedly decreased the tempo of their operations on east (left) bank Kherson Oblast, likely in connection with decreasing Russian aviation activity after Ukrainian forces recently shot down several Russian aircraft.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;">The Ukrainian government continues efforts to systematize and increase the sustainability of Ukrainian mobilization over the long term.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Russian President Vladimir Putin continued to portray himself as a gracious Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces, while contrasting his apparent attention to the Russian irregular forces’ </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">with the Russian Ministry of Defense’s (MoD) incompetence.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states met during a series of meetings in St. Petersburg on December 25 and 26.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Russian actors seized on ongoing protests in Serbia against Serbian President Alexander Vucic to blame Western actors for causing instability in Serbia, which Russia perceives as a long-term European ally.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">A prominent Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger claimed that</span><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;"> Finland is becoming a “second Ukraine,”</span></u><span style="color: #800180;"> creating rhetorical parallels between Russian narratives about Ukraine and Finland, further suggesting that Russia maintains future ideological and territorial objectives that far exceed the war in Ukraine.</span></span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Russian forces made confirmed advances near Kupyansk, Avdiivka, Marinka, and Robotyne as positional engagements continued along the entire line of contact.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a series of laws on December 25 to help further bolster Russia’s force generation capacity.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The Kremlin further formalized avenues to coerce residents of occupied Ukraine to receive Russian passports using maternity capital payments.</span></strong></li></ul></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftUkraineCoTDecember%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="706" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftUkraineCoTDecember%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></strong></a></div></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We do not report in detail on Russian war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. We will continue to evaluate and report on the effects of these criminal activities on the Ukrainian military and the Ukrainian population and specifically on combat in Ukrainian urban areas. We utterly condemn Russian violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.</span></em></strong></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></em></strong></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine</u></b> (comprised of two subordinate main efforts)</span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><b>Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 </b></u>– Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and encircle northern Donetsk Oblast</span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 </u></b>– Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast</span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis</u></b></span></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Russian Technological Adaptations</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Activities in Russian-occupied areas</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Russian Information Operations and Narratives</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NOTE: ISW has restructured the operational kinetic axis sections of the daily Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment to more accurately reflect the positional nature of fighting on the battlefield. Operational kinetic axis paragraphs will be shorter and more synthetic to convey the same assessment in fewer words and not to overwhelm the reader with long lists of settlement names. The level of detail included in the report has not decreased. The report’s endnotes still contain the same level of sourcing, and ISW encourages readers interested in tactical granular details to read them. ISW will explicitly flag major operational inflections in axis text as usual, so the lack of named settlements should not be taken as an indication of gains or losses of territory or changes in the frontline. ISW will lead operational axes with confirmed map changes to accord with the daily map products produced by the Geospatial Intelligence Team, supplemented by Ukrainian and Russian claims, and will also list order of battle (ORBAT) details in each axis section when available. </strong> </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 – Luhansk Oblast</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and northern Donetsk Oblast)</strong></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces recently made a confirmed advance near Kupyansk. Geolocated footage published on December 24 indicates that Russian force marginally advanced southwest of Pershotravneve (northeast of Kupyansk).</span><b><span style="color: red;">[57]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces are three kilometers away from Terny, although ISW continues to assess that Russian forces are about four kilometers away from the outskirts of Terny.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[58]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian milbloggers claimed that elements of the Chechen “Akhmat” Spetsnaz and 2nd Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) Army Corps renewed offensive operations near the Serebryanske forest area (southwest of Kreminna) on December 25</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[59]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that positional engagements continued in the Kupyansk direction northeast of Petropavlivka, near Synkivka, Stelmakhivka (northwest of Svatove), and Novoselivske (northwest of Svatove), and in the Lyman direction near Hryhorivka (southwest of Kreminna), Torske, the Serebryanske forest area, Dibrova, and Bilohorivka (south of Kreminna).</span><b><span style="color: red;">[60</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported that elements of the Russian 27th Motorized Rifle Brigade (1st Guards Tank Army [GTA], Western Military District [WMD]) and 1432nd Motorized Rifle Regiment (2nd Motorized Rifle Division, 1st GTA, WMD) have been unsuccessfully attacking along the Kuzemivka-Stelmakhivka line (northwest of Svatove) for the past several days.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[61]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Mashovets reported that Russian forces recently deployed more artillery elements of the 9th Artillery Brigade (6th Combined Arms Army [CAA], WMD) near Tavilzhanka (northeast of Kupyansk) in order to support units of the Russian 25th Motorized Rifle Brigade (6th CAA, WMD) attacking near Synkivka.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[62]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Luhansk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="873" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Luhansk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 – Donetsk Oblast</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas)</strong></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces reportedly attacked near Vesele (20km northeast of Bakhmut) on December 25 but did not advance.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[63] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Elements of the 6th Motorized Rifle Brigade (2nd Luhansk People’s Republic [LNR] Army Corps [AC]) are reportedly continuing to operate northeast of Bakhmut near Spirne.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[64]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian sources claimed on December 25 and December 26 that Russian forces marginally advanced west and southwest of Bakhmut, but ISW has not observed evidence confirming these claims. Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces captured the Chornobylets gardening community southwest of Bakhmut and the cemetery northwest of Khromove (west of Bakhmut), and advanced along a road southwest of Khromove.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[65]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian sources claimed that Russian forces advanced up to 500 meters in depth within Bohdanivka (northwest of Bakhmut) and control 40 percent of the settlement.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[66]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian and Ukrainian forces reportedly fought positional battles northwest of Bakhmut near Bohdanivka; southwest of Bakhmut near Klishchiivka and Andriivka; and west of Bakhmut near Ivanivske and the T0504 Khromove-Chasiv Yar highway.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[67]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian Spokesperson for the 42nd Separate Mechanized Brigade Junior Lieutenant Vadym Ivashchenko reported on December 25 that Russian forces are using tear gas and some other unspecified chemical weapons to push Ukrainian forces out of their positions in the Bakhmut direction.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[68]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets noted that the Russian military command deployed elements of the Russian “Plamya” Separate Reconnaissance and Assault Detachment (Volunteer Assault Corps) northwest of Bakhmut to the Berkhivka-Bohadanivka line.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[69]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Mashovets added that the Russian military command deployed seven total separate volunteer reconnaissance and assault brigades and nine separate reconnaissance and assault detachments of the Russian Volunteer Assault Corps to the Bakhmut direction but observed that these units are unlikely to be fully staffed or have doctrinally-sound structures. Elements of the Russian 78th Motorized Rifle “Sever Akhmat” Regiment (42nd Guards Motorized Rifle Division, 58th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Southern Military District [SMD]) are reportedly operating near Klishchiivka; elements of the 106th Guards Airborne (VDV) Division and 98th Guards VDV Division are reportedly operating in the Bakhmut direction; elements of the irregular “Volki” volunteer detachment are reportedly operating in the Bakhmut-Soledar direction; and elements of the ”Sever-V” Brigade (Volunteer Assault Corps) and 200th Motorized Rifle Brigade (14th AC, Northern Fleet) are reportedly operating in the Chasiv Yar direction west of Bakhmut.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[70]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian forces reportedly unsuccessfully attacked Russian positions in the Horlivka direction on December 25 and on December 26. Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces attacked near Shumy (9km northwest of Horlivka) and unsuccessfully attempted to capture Russian positions one of Horlivka’s waste heaps</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[71]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="714" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces recently made confirmed marginal advances northwest, southwest, and southeast of Avdiivka. Geolocated footage published on December 25 and December 26 indicates that Russian forces advanced in northern Stepove (northwest of Avdiivka), on the northern outskirts of Opytne (southwest of Avdiivka), and in the industrial area southeast of Avdiivka</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[72]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian sources claimed that Russian forces advanced 300 meters along the railway towards Ocheretyne (northwest of Avdiivka), up to 100 meters on the eastern outskirts of Stepove, up to 200 meters southeast of Nevelske (southwest of Avdiivka), and several hundred meters near Novokalynove (northwest of Avdiivka), although ISW has not observed visual evidence of these claims.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[73]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian and Ukrainian forces reportedly continued positional engagements near Avdiivka; northwest of Avdiivka near the Avdiivka Coke Plant, east of Novobakhmutivka, and near Stepove and Ocheretyne; in the industrial zone; and southwest of Avdiivka near Pervomaiske, Nevelske, and Sieverne</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[74] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian Spokesperson of the 47th Mechanized Brigade Dmytro Lazutkin stated that the situation in the Avdiivka direction is not getting any easier but noted that Russian advances are marginal around Avdiivka.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[75]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="772" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Geolocated footage and Ukrainian and Russian official statements suggest that Russian forces have taken control of much if not all of Marinka.</span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>[76] </b></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Fighting reportedly continued west and northwest of Marinka and southwest of Donetsk City near Novomykahilivka and Pobieda.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[77] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">A Russian milblogger claimed that elements of the Russian 103rd Motorized Rifle Regiment (150th Motorized Rifle Division, 8th CAA, SMD) pushed Ukrainian forces out of their positions to the left of the road to Heorhiivka (southwest of Donetsk City).</span><b><span style="color: red;">[78]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian sources credited elements of the Russian 150th Motorized Rifle Division, 5th Motorized Rifle Brigade (1st Donetsk People’s Republic’s [DNR] AC), 20th Guards Motorized Rifle Division (8th CAA, SMD), 42nd</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="color: #800180;">Motorized Rifle Division (58th CAA, SMD), “Akhmat-Sila” detachment, and DNR’s ”Donetsk-Kuzbass” company with seizing Marinka.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[79]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Elements of the Russian 33rd Motorized Rifle Regiment (20th Guards Motorized Rifle Division, 8th CAA, SMD) and 11th Air Force and Air Defense Army (Aerospace Forces) are reportedly operating in the Novomykhailivka direction</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[80]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian sources claimed that Russian forces downed two Ukrainian missiles over occupied Mariupol on December 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[81]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian Mariupol Mayor’s Advisor Petro Andryushchenko reported that Russian forces are likely trying to install air defense systems in Mariupol.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[82]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="774" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Maintain frontline positions and secure rear areas against Ukrainian strikes)</strong></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that positional engagements continued near Staromayorske (south of Velyka Novosilka) and north of Pryyutne (southwest of Velyka Novosilka) in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area on December 25 and 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[83] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Elements of the Russian 394th Motorized Rifle Regiment (127th Motorized Rifle Division, 5th Combined Arms Army, Eastern Military District) are reportedly operating near Staromayorske.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[84]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="661" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces recently made a confirmed advance in western Zaporizhia Oblast and continued positional engagements with Ukrainian forces on December 25 and 26. Geolocated footage published on December 25 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced northwest of Robotyne.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[85]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> A Russian milblogger claimed on December 26 that Russian forces advanced south of Kamianske (30km southwest of Orikhiv), although ISW has not observed visual confirmation of this claim.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[86]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that positional fighting occurred south of Hulyaipole (37km northeast of Orikhiv) and near Robotyne, Verbove (east of Robotyne), Novoprokopivka (south of Robotyne), and Kopani (northwest of Robotyne) on December 25 and 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[87]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Elements of the Russian 247th Airborne (VDV) Regiment and the Chechen “Vostok-Akhmat” Battalion are reportedly operating near Verbove and Robotyne.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[88]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pryatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pryatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian forces maintain positions in east (left) bank Kherson Oblast as of December 26, but neither Russian nor Ukrainian forces made confirmed gains in the area on December 25 or 26. Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that positional engagements continued on the east bank, including near Krynky</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[89]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that Ukrainian forces continued to target rear Russian areas in southern Ukraine on December 25 and 26. Ukrainian sources stated that Russian air defense activated in response to Ukrainian drones near Berdyansk, Zaporizhia Oblast, on December 25 and that Ukrainian forces conducted strikes near the settlement on December 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[90]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces shot down two Ukrainian S-200 missiles near Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[91]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="737" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Expand combat power without conducting general mobilization)</strong></u></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a series of laws on December 25 to help further bolster Russia’s force generation capacity. Putin signed laws allowing Rosgvardia to form its own volunteer formations, providing for the possibility of conscription service in the Federal Security Service (FSB), fining citizens who "discredit" Rosgvardia volunteers up to 100,000 rubles (approximately $1,091), and allowing lawyers to file a complaint with the draft commission on behalf of conscripts.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[92]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> A Russian milblogger responded to the bill allowing Rosgvardia to form volunteer formations and suggested that the Russian government intends to use Rosgvardia personnel to maintain control in occupied Ukrainian cities in the future.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[93]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Putin also signed a law that allows Russian military personnel fighting in Ukraine to defer loan payments until the end of 2024 and that forgives the debts of deceased or disabled military personnel</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[94]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russia continues to signal concern over “NATO expansion” as it devotes assets to its Northern and Baltic fleets. Putin attended the presentation of colors ceremony in St. Petersburg for three new Russian warships – the </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Admiral Golovko</em><span style="color: #800180;"> Admiral Gorshkov-class frigate, the </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Naro-Fominsk</em><span style="color: #800180;"> Buyan-class small missile ship, and the </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lev Chernavin</em><span style="color: #800180;"> Alexandrit-class minesweeper</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[95] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Putin stated that the </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Admiral Golovko</em><span style="color: #800180;"> will join the Northern Fleet and that the </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Naro-Fominsk</em><span style="color: #800180;"> and </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lev Chernavin</em><span style="color: #800180;"> will join the Baltic Fleet. Putin claimed that Russia’s shipbuilding industry is “on the rise” and is working towards mass production of warships of various classes, and that the new ships will protect Russia’s Western borders. Putin stated that Russia currently has five frigates, eight corvettes, 13 small missile ships, and more than 50 other ships of various classes in various stages of readiness. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu previously stated that the Russian military is reforming the Leningrad Military District (LMD) and Moscow Military District (MMD) in connection with Finland's accession to NATO and Sweden's upcoming accession.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[96]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Technological Adaptations</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Introduce technological innovations to optimize systems for use in Ukraine) </strong> </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec reported on December 19 that its subsidiary, the Kalashnikov Concern, supplied the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) with the first batch of “Cube” strike drones.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[97]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> A Russian milblogger claimed on December 26 that the drone can carry more powerful warheads than other versions and can independently loiter over targets while waiting for the right moment to strike.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[98]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The drone resembles the Iranian Shahed-model drone but is reportedly a short-range drone meant for near front line use</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[99]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Rostec subsidiary Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) Representative Alexander Shigin told Russian news outlet </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">TV Zvezda</em><span style="color: #800180;"> on December 24 that KBP is developing a new, unspecified high-precision projectile with increase range and power based on the Krasnopol guided artillery system</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[100]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Activities in Russian-occupied areas</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Consolidate administrative control of annexed areas; forcibly integrate Ukrainian citizens into Russian sociocultural, economic, military, and governance systems)</strong></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Kremlin further formalized avenues to use maternity capital payments to coerce residents of occupied Ukraine to receive Russian passports. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on December 25 that holds that parents will only receive maternity capital payments (a one-time state payment made to families for the birth or adoption of their second or third child) if the parents are Russian citizens at the time of the birth or adoption and only if the child is a natural Russian citizen.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[101]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The December 25 law is notably more stringent than the previous law on maternity capital, which did not require that the child be a natural Russian citizen.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[102] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Kremlin newswire </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">TASS</em><span style="color: #800180;"> noted that the new law will enter into force on January 1, 2024, and will not affect families living in occupied Ukraine who had children before Russia illegally annexed Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson oblasts—meaning that mothers of children born in these oblasts prior to their September 2022 illegal annexation will still be entitled to maternity capital payouts.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[103]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian occupation authorities will likely use this new maternity capital law to coerce families in occupied Ukraine to register their children for Russian passports at birth and to further coerce adult residents to receive Russian citizenship in order to be eligible for the payment. ISW has previously reported on the use of maternity capital and other social benefit payments by Russian occupation authorities to generate an increase in birth rates in occupied areas of Ukraine and to further integrate occupied areas into the Russian system.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[104]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian occupation authorities are importing labor from Russia for construction projects in occupied Ukraine. Independent Russian-language investigative outlet </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Novaya Gazeta</em><span style="color: #800180;"> reported on December 25 that over 7,000 construction workers from Moscow Oblast (including ethnic Russians, Belarusians, and Central Asian migrant workers) are currently working in occupied Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast with the Moscow Capital Repairs Fund.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[105]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Novaya Gazeta</em><span style="color: #800180;"> also noted that over 2,000 Russian workers were involved in reconstruction efforts in occupied Rubizhne, Luhansk Oblast, while others worked on schools in occupied Zaporizhia Oblast or on other construction projects elsewhere in occupied Donetsk Oblast.[106] Russian Minister for Construction, Housing, and Communal Services Irek Fayzullin indicated that 33,000 people from Russia are currently involved in construction programs in occupied Ukraine, over 50% of the total 60,000 builders working on such projects throughout occupied Ukraine</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[107]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Novaya Gazeta </em><span style="color: #800180;">reported that Russian authorities are trying to attract higher-quality workers to occupied Ukraine with the promise of higher salaries, leaving lower-quality and less-experienced workers in Russia, which often leads to construction failures and the abandonment of construction projects in Russia. Russian occupation authorities are likely trying to attract Russian workers to occupied Ukraine in large part to resettle areas of occupied Ukraine with Russians—ISW previously has reported on Russian efforts to resettle Russians in large, occupied cities such as Mariupol using the promise of guaranteed employment, higher salaries, and preferential mortgages on housing</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[108]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russian Information Operations and Narratives</u></span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian sources continue to misrepresent new Ukrainian mobilization laws to further create social friction within Ukrainian society. The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers submitted a bill to the Verkhnova Rada on December 25 proposing a set of changes to the existing laws on mobilization, military registration, and military service.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[109]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Several Russian sources responded to the recent developments to claim that Ukraine is conducting a mass "shock" mobilization and falsely allege that Ukraine will mobilize wide swaths of the population, including women and disabled individuals</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[110] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Some Russian milbloggers also called on Ukrainians to "arm themselves" in opposition to the new mobilization bill</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[111]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> ISW previously noted that the Russian information space is seizing on developments in Ukrainian mobilization that are typical within a society that has been forced into a wartime footing to encourage dissatisfaction in Ukrainian society, while also ignoring the much more substantial resistance that Russians demonstrated in response to Russia's partial mobilization of reservists in September 2022, when over 700,000 Russians fled Russia to avoid mobilization.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[112]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov continues efforts to frame Russia as the leader of an alternative coalition of states that are a counterbalance to the collective West. Lavrov spoke at a meeting of the United Russia Party's general commission on December 26 and talked about Russia's ongoing efforts to form a broad "anti-neocolonial coalition" against the West, claiming that there is widespread international interest amongst non-Western nations to align with the Russia-centered BRICS format.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[113]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Kremlin has long framed efforts to counter the West as a fundamental part of its foreign policy.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[114]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Ukrainian General Staff reported on December 25 that social media speculation about the death of 108 Ukrainian personnel operating in a brigade committed to the Avdiivka direction is false.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[115]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian sources amplified the speculation and claimed that the Ukrainian command is trying to hide losses from a significant Russian missile strike.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[116]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> This Russian information operation likely aims to discredit Ukrainian commanders and demoralize the Ukrainian public.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian officials reported on December 25 that Russian sources falsely claimed that Russian forces shot down a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet near Odesa City.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[117]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukraine’s Southern Operational Command reported that Russian forces circulated a picture of a damaged F-16 as putative evidence but that in fact the picture was of a damaged F-16 involved in accident at an airfield in Belgium in 2018.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[118]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson Colonel Yuriy Ihnat added that F-16 fighter jets have yet to arrive in Ukraine and that Ukrainian forces are still training and preparing infrastructure ahead of receiving the aircraft.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[119]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Significant activity in Belarus</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian efforts to increase its military presence in Belarus and further integrate Belarus into Russian-favorable frameworks and Wagner Group activity in Belarus)</strong></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated on December 25 that Belarus has received and stored all Russian tactical nuclear weapons destined for deployment in Belarus following Russian deliveries to Belarus in September and October 2023.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[120] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">ISW continues to assess that the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus is part of a longstanding effort to cement Russia’s </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">de facto</em><span style="color: #800180;"> military control over Belarus and is highly unlikely to presage any Russian nuclear escalation</span></span><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 1em;">.</span><b style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;">[121</span></b><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 1em;">]</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Lukashenko met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in St. Petersburg on December 26. Aliyev and Lukashenko reportedly discussed joint economic projects in the industrial, agricultural, construction, and defense sectors.</span><b style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;">[122]</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #424242; font-size: 1em;">Note:</u><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ISW does not receive any classified material from any source, uses only publicly available information, and draws extensively on Russian, Ukrainian, and Western reporting and social media as well as commercially available satellite imagery and other geospatial data as the basis for these reports. References to all sources used are provided in the endnotes of each update.</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></p><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="2" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; float: none; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">References: </u></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[1] <a href="https://ria/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://ria</a> dot ru/20231225/marinka-1918010838.html ; <a href="http://kremlin/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://kremlin</a> dot ru/events/president/news/73126</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[2] <a href="https://armyinform.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com</a> dot ua/2023/12/26/valerij-zaluzhnyj-pro-vidhid-zsu-z-maryinky-zhyttya-nashyh-bijcziv-vazhlyvishe/; <a href="https://suspilne/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://suspilne</a> dot media/647394-zakonoproekt-pro-mobilizaciu-boi-za-marinku-671-den-vijni-onlajn/?anchor=live_1703601493&utm_source=copylink&utm_medium=ps</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[3] <a href="https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3759;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3759;</a> <a href="https://t.me/SolovievLive/230007;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/SolovievLive/230007;</a> <a href="https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3761;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3761;</a> <a href="https://t.me/izvestia/156440%C2%A0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/izvestia/156440 </a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[4] <a href="https://ria/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://ria</a> dot ru/20231225/marinka-1918010838.html ; <a href="http://kremlin/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://kremlin</a> dot ru/events/president/news/73126</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[5] <a href="https://t.me/negumanitarnaya_pomosch_Z/13465%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17213%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/rybar/55354%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/negumanitarnaya_pomosch_Z/13465 ; https://t.me/wargonzo/1...</a> <a href="https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107476" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107476</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[6] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar060223%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar102623" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar060223 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar102623</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[7] <a href="https://ria/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://ria</a> dot ru/20231225/marinka-1918010838.html ; <a href="http://kremlin/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://kremlin</a> dot ru/events/president/news/73126 ; <a href="https://armyinform/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform</a> dot com.ua/2023/12/25/boyi-za-maryinku-tryvayut-govoryty-pro-povne-zahoplennya-mista-nekorektno-syly-oborony/ ; <a href="https://armyinform.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com</a> dot ua/2023/12/26/valerij-zaluzhnyj-pro-vidhid-zsu-z-maryinky-zhyttya-nashyh-bijcziv-vazhlyvishe/; <a href="https://suspilne/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://suspilne</a> dot media/647394-zakonoproekt-pro-mobilizaciu-boi-za-marinku-671-den-vijni-onlajn/?anchor=live_1703601493&utm_source=copylink&utm_medium=ps</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[8] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar120123%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar120123 ;</a> <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar060223" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar060223</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar102623%C2%A0%C2%A0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar102623 </a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[9] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar102623" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar102623</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[10] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar102623%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar110123%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar102623 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar110123 ;</a> <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar120723" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar120723</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[11] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-23-2023%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107398%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9394%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9393%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a> <a href="https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3759;%C2%A0https://t.me/SolovievLive/230007" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3759; https://t.me/SolovievLive/230007</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[12] <a href="https://armyinform.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com</a> dot ua/2023/12/26/valerij-zaluzhnyj-pro-vidhid-zsu-z-maryinky-zhyttya-nashyh-bijcziv-vazhlyvishe/; <a href="https://suspilne/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://suspilne</a> dot media/647394-zakonoproekt-pro-mobilizaciu-boi-za-marinku-671-den-vijni-onlajn/?anchor=live_1703601493&utm_source=copylink&utm_medium=ps</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; 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border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[14] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/kremlin%E2%80%99s-pyrrhic-victory-bakhmut-retrospective-battle-bakhmut" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/kremlin%E2%80%99s-pyrrhic-...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; 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font-size: x-small;"><b>[18] <a href="https://armyinform.com%20dot/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com dot</a> ua/2023/12/26/unaslidok-udaru-po-korablyu-rf-novocherkask-znyshheno-jogo-ekipazh-ta-poshkodzheno-portovu-infrastrukturu-okupantiv/</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[19] <a href="https://suspilne%20dot/" style="background-attachment: initial; 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background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com dot</a> ua/2023/12/26/unaslidok-udaru-po-korablyu-rf-novocherkask-znyshheno-jogo-ekipazh-ta-poshkodzheno-portovu-infrastrukturu-okupantiv/</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[21] <a href="https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/crimea-military-bases-map/32397787.html?markerId=137%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/dosye_shpiona/466" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/crimea-military-bases-map/32397787.html?m...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[22] <a href="https://twitter.com/grantshapps/status/1739596311475716262" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/grantshapps/status/1739596311475716262</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[23] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukrainian-strikes-have-changed-russian-naval-operations-black-sea" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukrainian-strikes-have-cha...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[24] <a href="https://t.me/Klymenko_MVS/595;%C2%A0https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/9026;%C2%A0https://meduza%C2%A0dot" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a> io/news/2023/12/26/rossiyskie-voyska-udarili-po-vokzalu-v-hersone-kogda-tam-stoyal-evakuatsionnyy-poezd-pogib-politseyskiy-est-ranenye</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[25] <a href="https://t.me/Klymenko_MVS/595;%C2%A0https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/9026;%C2%A0https://meduza%C2%A0dot" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a> io/news/2023/12/26/rossiyskie-voyska-udarili-po-vokzalu-v-hersone-kogda-tam-stoyal-evakuatsionnyy-poezd-pogib-politseyskiy-est-ranenye</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[26] <a href="https://t.me/olexandrprokudin/2370;%C2%A0https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1739736607593288081;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/olexandrprokudin/2370; https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status...</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1739732919428477210" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1739732919428477210</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[27] <a href="https://t.me/kpszsu/8868;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid036tfceZNmWe9XJ9cSp2x9hKipUs8wUACzFqj4KsonYEcAnnZuKL4B5cfh1gE4cvbql;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0Aj2AQsTLNirtkTTSRMPs9rHqoJyX58wEfCjWKoemrpVpdmESU6cqmgeAdv2fSkXPl;%C2%A0.%C2%A0https://t.me/SJTF_Odes/4394%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://suspilne%C2%A0dot" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kpszsu/8868; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/post...</a> media/646822-nad-odesinou-zbili-raketu-ta-17-droniv/</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[28] <a href="https://t.me/kpszsu/8868" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kpszsu/8868</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[29] <a href="https://t.me/kpszsu/8903;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02AWgLgkGe396aQXkzHKmvfAkVPsQ5Z5spqE4xbRKNZhQHDi1717y2zvfBhcRs4etdl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/OperationalCommandSouth/posts/pfbid02VVxGtT1yiVGzpUU9KjeUf6ikdPxvCQoAtMWMkBSpCoJwR5W8DgGp32txxE88a4Fsl%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kpszsu/8903; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/post...</a> <a href="https://t.me/SJTF_Odes/4434" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/SJTF_Odes/4434</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[30] <a href="https://t.me/SJTF_Odes/4434" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/SJTF_Odes/4434</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[31] <a href="https://t.me/kpszsu/8868%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/MykolaOleshchuk/170%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-24-2023" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kpszsu/8868 ; https://t.me/MykolaOleshchuk/170 ; https:...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[32] <a href="https://suspilne%20dot/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://suspilne dot</a> media/647394-zakonoproekt-pro-mobilizaciu-boi-za-marinku-671-den-vijni-onlajn/?anchor=live_1703574926&utm_source=copylink&utm_medium=ps</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[33] <a href="https://suspilne.media/647394-zakonoproekt-pro-mobilizaciu-boi-za-marinku-671-den-vijni-onlajn/?anchor=live_1703574926&utm_source=copylink&utm_medium=ps" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://suspilne.media/647394-zakonoproekt-pro-mobilizaciu-boi-za-marink...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[34] <a href="https://www.pravda.com%20dot/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.pravda.com dot</a> ua/rus/news/2023/12/25/7434485/</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[35] <a href="https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52943" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52943</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[36] <a href="https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1520%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1521" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1520 ; https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1521</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; 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background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[39] <a href="https://armyinform.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com</a>. Dot ua/2023/12/26/strok-sluzhby-try-roky-valerij-zaluzhnyj-poyasnyv-inicziatyvy-uryadu-po-mobilizacziyi/; <a href="https://meduza/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://meduza</a> dot io/feature/2023/12/26/v-verhovnuyu-radu-ukrainy-vnesli-zakonoproekt-ob-izmenenii-pravil-mobilizatsii; <a href="https://t.me/tmelnychuk/3718%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tmelnychuk/3718 ;</a> <a href="https://armyinform.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com</a> dot ua/2023/12/26/strok-sluzhby-try-roky-valerij-zaluzhnyj-poyasnyv-inicziatyvy-uryadu-po-mobilizacziyi/ ; <a href="https://armyinform.com%20dot/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com dot</a> ua/2023/12/26/valerij-zaluzhnyj-prokomentuvav-propozycziyu-uryadu-shhodo-rotaczij-na-fronti-kozhni-6-misyacziv/</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[40] <a href="https://armyinform.com%20dot/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com dot</a> ua/2023/12/26/valerij-zaluzhnyj-prokomentuvav-propozycziyu-uryadu-shhodo-rotaczij-na-fronti-kozhni-6-misyacziv/ ; <a href="https://armyinform.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com</a> dot ua/2023/12/26/strok-sluzhby-try-roky-valerij-zaluzhnyj-poyasnyv-inicziatyvy-uryadu-po-mobilizacziyi/</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[41] <a href="https://armyinform.com%20dot/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com dot</a> ua/2023/12/26/valerij-zaluzhnyj-prokomentuvav-propozycziyu-uryadu-shhodo-rotaczij-na-fronti-kozhni-6-misyacziv/</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[42] <a href="http://kremlin%20dot/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://kremlin dot</a> ru/events/president/news/73126</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[43] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-18-2023" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[44] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-24-2023;%C2%A0https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-14-2023" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[45] <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/224125%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.reuters.com/world/russian-backed-union-signs-free-trade-pact-with-iran-2023-12-25/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/224125 ; https://www.reuters.com/world/russia...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[46] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar120523%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar111423%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar092523%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/tass_agency/224062%C2%A0;%C2%A0http://kremlin" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar120523 ; https:...</a> dot ru/events/president/news/73123</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[47] <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/224244%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/tass_agency/224127" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/224244 ; https://t.me/tass_agency/224127</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[48] <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/224127" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/224127</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[49] <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/224150%C2%A0;%C2%A0%C2%A0https://t.me/vysokygovorit/13973%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/vysokygovorit/13951%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/NeoficialniyBeZsonoV/31819%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/notes_veterans/14456%C2%A0;%C2%A0%C2%A0https://t.me/rusich_army/12373%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://time.com/12161/vladimir-putin-ukraine-russia-crimea/%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; 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background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[50] <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55364" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55364</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[51] <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sweden-united-states-defense-deal-nato-ea0fe160d86cf386ffe68a647ce55332;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://apnews.com/article/sweden-united-states-defense-deal-nato-ea0fe1...</a> <a href="https://news.usni.org/2023/12/21/new-pact-gives-u-s-military-access-to-15-bases-in-finland#:~:text=The%20Defense%20Cooperation%20Agreement%20signed,and%20weapons%20on%20Finnish%20soil" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://news.usni.org/2023/12/21/new-pact-gives-u-s-military-access-to-1...</a>.</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[52] <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55370" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55370</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[53] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423;</a> <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121023" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121023</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[54] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-19-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-17-2023;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia%E2%80%99s-military-restructuring-and-expansion-hindered-ukraine-war" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia%E2%80%99s-military-...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[55] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar122223;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-21-2023;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar121723;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423;" style="background-attachment: initial; 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margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[56] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[57] <a href="https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8850;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8850;</a> <a href="https://t.me/neboperemogy/456" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/neboperemogy/456</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; 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outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/dva_majors/31539 ;</a> <a href="https://t.me/romanov_92/43384" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/romanov_92/43384</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/dva_majors/31549%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58981%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/dva_majors/31609" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/dva_majors/31549 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58981 ; https...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[60] <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33965%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/mod_russia/33959%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0L5U3NHaokCJqyHyHd3rgohmRSay6NpwCGZgEWQ8jCVTqkwv6cwxtpxmhQuwD6Nhpl%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33965 ; https://t.me/mod_russia/33959 ; http...</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid036tfceZNmWe9XJ9cSp2x9hKipUs8wUACzFqj4KsonYEcAnnZuKL4B5cfh1gE4cvbql;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0Aj2AQsTLNirtkTTSRMPs9rHqoJyX58wEfCjWKoemrpVpdmESU6cqmgeAdv2fSkXPl%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid036tfceZNmWe9XJ9cSp2...</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02qP6wvRGGNSoNYcdAS62UVpHNvVAx4gaZ6aTLQ1Z85i4SNYbZao6AViWu8XrxXtQRl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02hYTjJiJVZwDPNW8wsmCnbwifu2xTiA7gTxjUz94phxDbrGuAL6AxjVGJTYS4QmMxl%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid09nCQF8aULEPHCdyno8XqKG2Asg8C8b6hA3SCV5wHgTcpBVo5ofcKjtkpnh91txHUl%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/mod_russia/33999%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02qP6wvRGGNSoNYcdAS6...</a> <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55374" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55374</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107471" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107471</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55354" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55354</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[61] <a href="https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1519" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1519</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[62] <a href="https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1519" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1519</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[63] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02qP6wvRGGNSoNYcdAS62UVpHNvVAx4gaZ6aTLQ1Z85i4SNYbZao6AViWu8XrxXtQRl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02hYTjJiJVZwDPNW8wsmCnbwifu2xTiA7gTxjUz94phxDbrGuAL6AxjVGJTYS4QmMxl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid09nCQF8aULEPHCdyno8XqKG2Asg8C8b6hA3SCV5wHgTcpBVo5ofcKjtkpnh91txHUl" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02qP6wvRGGNSoNYcdAS6...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[64] <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/59028%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/59028 ;</a> <a href="https://t.me/sons_fatherland/11858" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sons_fatherland/11858</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[65] <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/59005;%C2%A0https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5734;%C2%A0https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107367;%C2%A0https://x.com/Suriyakmaps/status/1739002200146297074?s=20%C2%A0%C2%A0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/59005; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5734; htt...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[66] <a href="https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52949%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107499;%C2%A0https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107486;%C2%A0https://t.me/multi_XAM/1133%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17215;%C2%A0https://t.me/dva_majors/31609%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58948" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[67] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid09nCQF8aULEPHCdyno8XqKG2Asg8C8b6hA3SCV5wHgTcpBVo5ofcKjtkpnh91txHUl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02qP6wvRGGNSoNYcdAS62UVpHNvVAx4gaZ6aTLQ1Z85i4SNYbZao6AViWu8XrxXtQRl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02hYTjJiJVZwDPNW8wsmCnbwifu2xTiA7gTxjUz94phxDbrGuAL6AxjVGJTYS4QmMxl;%C2%A0https://t.me/mod_russia/33990;%C2%A0https://t.me/RVvoenkor/59005;%C2%A0https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5768;%C2%A0https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5776;%C2%A0https://t.me/dva_majors/31609;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17215;%C2%A0https://t.me/multi_XAM/1132;%C2%A0https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107486;%C2%A0https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52949%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107499;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0L5U3NHaokCJqyHyHd3rgohmRSay6NpwCGZgEWQ8jCVTqkwv6cwxtpxmhQuwD6Nhpl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid036tfceZNmWe9XJ9cSp2x9hKipUs8wUACzFqj4KsonYEcAnnZuKL4B5cfh1gE4cvbql;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0Aj2AQsTLNirtkTTSRMPs9rHqoJyX58wEfCjWKoemrpVpdmESU6cqmgeAdv2fSkXPl;%C2%A0https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5734;%C2%A0https://t.me/dva_majors/31534;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17199;%C2%A0https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58948;%C2%A0https://t.me/smotri_z/23991%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/NeoficialniyBeZsonoV/31813;%C2%A0https://t.me/prigozhin_2023_tg/6064;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid09nCQF8aULEPHCdyno8X...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[68] <a href="https://armyinform%20dot/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform dot</a> com.ua/2023/12/25/na-bahmutskomu-napryamku-rosiyany-zastosovuyut-slozoginni-ta-otrujni-gazy-proty-zsu/</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[69] <a href="https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1519" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1519</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[70] <a href="https://t.me/RKadyrov_95/4308%C2%A0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RKadyrov_95/4308 </a>(Klishchiivka); <a href="https://t.me/rusich_army/12372%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/milinfolive/113150;%C2%A0https://t.me/mod_russia/33964%C2%A0%C2%A0%C2%A0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rusich_army/12372 ; https://t.me/milinfolive/113150; htt...</a>(Bakhmut direction); <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58972;%C2%A0https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58948%C2%A0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58972; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58948 </a>(Chasiv Yar); <a href="https://t.me/PatrickLancaterNewsToday/4346%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/sashakots/44130%C2%A0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/PatrickLancaterNewsToday/4346 ; https://t.me/sashakots/44...</a>(Bakhmut-Soledar direction)</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[71] <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33990;%C2%A0https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52949%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107499;%C2%A0https://t.me/mod_russia/33965" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33990; https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52949 ; ht...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[72] <a href="https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8884;%C2%A0https://x.com/EjShahid/status/1739659937523884515?s=20;%C2%A0https://t.me/ButusovPlus/7047;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8884; https://x.com/EjShahid/status/17396599...</a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><a href="https://t.me/ssternenko/23731;%C2%A0https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8935%C2%A0https://t.me/ssternenko/23731;%C2%A0https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8935" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/ssternenko/23731; https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8935 https:/...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[73] <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/59001;%C2%A0https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5765;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17215;%C2%A0https://t.me/rybar/55322;https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58942" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/59001; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5765; htt...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[74] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid09nCQF8aULEPHCdyno8XqKG2Asg8C8b6hA3SCV5wHgTcpBVo5ofcKjtkpnh91txHUl;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid09nCQF8aULEPHCdyno8X...</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02qP6wvRGGNSoNYcdAS62UVpHNvVAx4gaZ6aTLQ1Z85i4SNYbZao6AViWu8XrxXtQRl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02hYTjJiJVZwDPNW8wsmCnbwifu2xTiA7gTxjUz94phxDbrGuAL6AxjVGJTYS4QmMxl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0L5U3NHaokCJqyHyHd3rgohmRSay6NpwCGZgEWQ8jCVTqkwv6cwxtpxmhQuwD6Nhpl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid036tfceZNmWe9XJ9cSp2x9hKipUs8wUACzFqj4KsonYEcAnnZuKL4B5cfh1gE4cvbql;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0Aj2AQsTLNirtkTTSRMPs9rHqoJyX58wEfCjWKoemrpVpdmESU6cqmgeAdv2fSkXPl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/PresscentrTavria/posts/pfbid087sdB9G9fmrUKXA3MVV5bxREibbnCcXtwEmKHMjdmWzgPAWiMWrdCFt38mtnDEd1l%C2%A0%C2%A0https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5765" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02qP6wvRGGNSoNYcdAS6...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[75] <a href="https://suspilne%20dot/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://suspilne dot</a> media/647516-na-avdiivskomu-napramku-vijsko-rf-ne-prosuvaetsa-lazutkin/</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[76] <a href="https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3759;%C2%A0https://t.me/SolovievLive/230007;%C2%A0https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3761;%C2%A0https://t.me/izvestia/156440%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://hromadske" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3759; https://t.me/SolovievLive/230007; ht...</a> dot ua/posts/zaluzhnij-maryinki-bilshe-nemaye; <a href="https://t.me/z_arhiv/25674;%C2%A0https://t.me/mod_russia/33999;%C2%A0https://t.me/tass_agency/224262;%C2%A0https://ria%C2%A0dot" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/z_arhiv/25674; https://t.me/mod_russia/33999; https://t.m...</a> ru/20231225/marinka-1918010838.html ; <a href="http://kremlin/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://kremlin</a> dot ru/events/president/news/73126 ; <a href="https://t.me/miroshnik_r/13608%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/basurin_e/7818%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/miroshnik_r/13608 ; https://t.me/basurin_e/7818 ;</a> <a href="https://t.me/russkiy_opolchenec/39094" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/russkiy_opolchenec/39094</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/224151%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/youlistenedmayak/30069%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://twitter.com/GirkinGirkin/status/1739302728570978747%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/rusbrief/185973%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a> <a href="https://t.me/rusbrief/185971%C2%A0%C2%A0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rusbrief/185971 </a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; 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background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9399; https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9400</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[79] <a href="https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9393;%C2%A0https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9394;%C2%A0https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107398;%C2%A0https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3759;%C2%A0https://t.me/SolovievLive/230007;%C2%A0https://t.me/nm_dnr/11505" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9393; https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9394; https:...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[80] <a href="https://t.me/nm_dnr/11506;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/nm_dnr/11506;</a> <a href="https://t.me/astrahandm/10831;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/astrahandm/10831;</a> <a href="https://t.me/voin_dv/6393" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/voin_dv/6393</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[81] <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5756;%C2%A0https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52946;%C2%A0https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107468" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5756; https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52946;...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; 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outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[84] <a href="https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107443%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/voin_dv/6390%C2%A0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107443 ; https://t.me/voin_dv/6390 </a>(Staromayorske)</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[85] <a href="https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8891" style="background-attachment: initial; 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padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/creamy_caprice/3777;</a> <a href="https://t.me/romanov_92/43413" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/romanov_92/43413</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[87] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0L5U3NHaokCJqyHyHd3rgohmRSay6NpwCGZgEWQ8jCVTqkwv6cwxtpxmhQuwD6Nhpl%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; 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margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02qP6wvRGGNSoNYcdAS6...</a> <a href="https://t.me/dva_majors/31534" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/dva_majors/31534</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[88] <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33969%C2%A0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33969 </a>( Verbove) ;</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://t.me/RKadyrov_95/4307%C2%A0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RKadyrov_95/4307 </a>(Robotyne)</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[89] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0L5U3NHaokCJqyHyHd3rgohmRSay6NpwCGZgEWQ8jCVTqkwv6cwxtpxmhQuwD6Nhpl%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0L5U3NHaokCJqyHyHd3r...</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid036tfceZNmWe9XJ9cSp2x9hKipUs8wUACzFqj4KsonYEcAnnZuKL4B5cfh1gE4cvbql;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0Aj2AQsTLNirtkTTSRMPs9rHqoJyX58wEfCjWKoemrpVpdmESU6cqmgeAdv2fSkXPl%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid09nCQF8aULEPHCdyno8XqKG2Asg8C8b6hA3SCV5wHgTcpBVo5ofcKjtkpnh91txHUl%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid036tfceZNmWe9XJ9cSp2...</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02qP6wvRGGNSoNYcdAS62UVpHNvVAx4gaZ6aTLQ1Z85i4SNYbZao6AViWu8XrxXtQRl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02hYTjJiJVZwDPNW8wsmCnbwifu2xTiA7gTxjUz94phxDbrGuAL6AxjVGJTYS4QmMxl%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58993%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17215%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/rybar/55354%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/rybar/55322%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02qP6wvRGGNSoNYcdAS6...</a> <a href="https://t.me/dva_majors/31534" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/dva_majors/31534</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[90] <a href="https://t.me/andriyshTime/16377%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/andriyshTime/16377 ;</a> <a href="https://t.me/ivan_fedorov_melitopol/4154" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/ivan_fedorov_melitopol/4154</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[91] <a href="https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52946%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52946 ;</a> <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5756" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5756</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[92] <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/224132" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/224132</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[93] <a href="https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9384" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9384</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[94] <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/224149%C2%A0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/224149 </a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[95] <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33967%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33967 ;</a> <a href="http://kremlin/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://kremlin</a> dot ru/events/president/news/73119 ; <a href="https://tass/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://tass</a> dot ru/politika/19624069 ; <a href="https://t.me/rusfleet/9611;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rusfleet/9611;</a> <a href="https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107366" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107366</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[96] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121923%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121923 ;</a> <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar080923" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar080923</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[97] <a href="https://rostec/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://rostec</a> dot ru/news/kalashnikov-vypolnil-gosoboronzakaz-po-bespilotnikam-kub/</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[98] <a href="https://t.me/sashakots/44143%C2%A0" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sashakots/44143 </a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[99] <a href="https://t.me/sashakots/44143%C2%A0%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sashakots/44143 ;</a> <a href="https://ria/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://ria</a> dot ru/20231225/bespilotniki-1917939449.html ; <a href="https://rostec/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://rostec</a> dot ru/news/kalashnikov-vypolnil-gosoboronzakaz-po-bespilotnikam-kub/</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[100] <a href="https://tvzvezda%20dot/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://tvzvezda dot</a> ru/news/202312231111-Irp5J.html</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[101] <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/224134;%C2%A0https://sfr.gov%C2%A0dot" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/224134; https://sfr.gov dot</a> ru/en/matcap/</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[102] <a href="https://tass%20dot/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://tass dot</a> ru/obschestvo/19623813</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[103] <a href="https://tass%20dot/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://tass dot</a> ru/obschestvo/19623813</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[104] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-%20ffensive-campaign-assessment-january-11-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-8-2023;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-%20ffensive-campai...</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-7-2023" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[105] <a href="https://novayagazeta%20dot/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://novayagazeta dot</a> eu/articles/2023/12/25/poka-vse-ne-doma</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[106] <a href="https://storage.googleapis.com/istories/news/2023/12/25/tisyachi-stroitelei-iz-podmoskovya-uekhali-vosstanavlivat-okkupirovannie-regioni-ukraini-eto-privelo-k-srivu-kapremonta-v-moskovskoi-oblasti-novaya-gazeta-yevropa/index.html;%C2%A0https://novayagazeta%C2%A0dot" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://storage.googleapis.com/istories/news/2023/12/25/tisyachi-stroite...</a> eu/articles/2023/12/25/poka-vse-ne-doma</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[107] <a href="https://minstroyrf.gov%20dot/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://minstroyrf.gov dot</a> ru/press/pomoch-vsey-stranoy-vsem-mirom-intervyu-ireka-fayzullina-informatsionnym-agentstvam-novykh-regionov/</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[108] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar082023;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar120823;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar082023; https://isw.pub/UkrWar120823;</a> <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar042623" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar042623</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[109] <a href="https://itd.rada%20dot/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://itd.rada dot</a> gov.ua/billInfo/Bills/Card/43451</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[110] <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55347%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/miroshnik_r/13607%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/basurin_e/7814%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9391%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9391;%C2%A0https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58989;%C2%A0https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58986;%C2%A0https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58983;%C2%A0https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9388" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55347 ; https://t.me/miroshnik_r/13607 ; https://...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[111] <a href="https://t.me/JokerDPR/675;%C2%A0https://t.me/donrf22/33870" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/JokerDPR/675; https://t.me/donrf22/33870</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[112] <a href="https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-ass...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[113] <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/224225;%C2%A0https://t.me/MID_Russia/33948;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/224225; https://t.me/MID_Russia/33948;</a> <a href="https://t.me/MID_Russia/33947" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/MID_Russia/33947</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[114] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121923;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121923;</a> <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar072723" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar072723</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[115] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02N2HCLRKqKRcCBv2oA8G7fjV7x9YSXyXBe5gc3G3xEAsaVfwL2jut8qfsSJeVEEail" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02N2HCLRKqKRcCBv2oA8...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[116] <a href="https://t.me/z_arhiv/25670" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/z_arhiv/25670</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58982" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58982</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/prigozhin_2023_tg/6092" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/prigozhin_2023_tg/6092</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52944" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52944</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/milinfolive/113214" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/milinfolive/113214</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[117] <a href="https://armyinform/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform</a> dot com.ua/2023/12/25/u-zsu-sprostuvaly-rosijskyj-fejk-pro-znyshhenyj-u-odesi-f-16/; <a href="https://t.me/SJTF_Odes/4407%C2%A0;" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/SJTF_Odes/4407 ;</a> ttps://armyinform dot com.ua/2023/12/25/u-povitryanyh-sylah-vysmiyaly-kremlivski-fejky-rospropaganda-vzhe-znyshhyla-f-16-v-ukrayini/</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[118] <a href="https://t.me/SJTF_Odes/4407" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/SJTF_Odes/4407</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[119] <a href="https://armyinform/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform</a> dot com.ua/2023/12/25/u-povitryanyh-sylah-vysmiyaly-kremlivski-fejky-rospropaganda-vzhe-znyshhyla-f-16-v-ukrayini/ ;</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[120] <a href="https://tass/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://tass</a> dot ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/19626431</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[121] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar052523" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar052523</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[122] <a href="https://t.me/pul_1/10880;" style="background-attachment: initial; 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background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></u></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: white;"> Ukraine Project</b></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><b><u> File Attachments:</u></b></span></span></div></div></div></div><h3 id="tagtitle" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></h3><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2171307">Donetsk Battle Map Draft December 26,2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2224990">Avdiivka and Donetsk City Battle Map Draft December 26,2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1365573">Kherson-Mykolaiv Battle Map Draft December 26,2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pryatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1174327">Pryatykhatky and Robotyne Battle Map Draft December 26,2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1236827">Vremivka Salient Battle Map Draft December 26,2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1511062">Bakhmut Battle Map Draft December 26,2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Luhansk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2232202">Luhansk Battle Map Draft December 26,2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftUkraineCoTDecember%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=901653">DraftUkraineCoTDecember 26,2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/jpeg" /></span><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Babel%20Street_9.jpg" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/jpeg; length=18200">Babel Street.jpg</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-42616630777347401872023-12-27T23:12:00.000-08:002023-12-29T08:49:39.285-08:00IRAN UPDATE, DECEMBER 27, 2023 <p><b><span style="color: #800180;"><u> SOURCE:</u></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">( ) </span></b><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">IRAN UPDATE, DECEMBER 27, 2023 :</span></u></b><b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;"> </span> <span style="color: white;"> </span> </span><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span> </span></b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-weight: bold;"> </span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-27-2023</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;">( ) </span><u style="color: red; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;">Pakistani and Israel War I How will India react to Red Sea Crisis I Ofer Gabriel I Aadi:</u></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://youtu.be/K1_at0_dr7E</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #800180;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K1_at0_dr7E" width="320" youtube-src-id="K1_at0_dr7E"></iframe></span></b></div><b><span style="color: #800180;"><br /><br /></span></b><p></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iran Update, December 27, 2023</u></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Brian Carter, Annika Ganzeveld, Andie Parry, Alexandra Braverman, and Johanna Moore</span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Information Cutoff: 2:00 pm EST</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Iran Update provides insights into Iranian and Iranian-sponsored activities abroad that undermine regional stability and threaten US forces and interests. It also covers events and trends that affect the stability and decision-making of the Iranian regime. The Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) provides these updates regularly based on regional events. For more on developments in Iran and the region, see our </em><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/661fd12b23f442b781be64cf323ef573/?draft=true" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">interactive map of Iran and the Middle East</em></a><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</em></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">Note:</span></u></b><span> <b>CTP and ISW have refocused the <span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">update to cover the Israel-Hamas war. The new sections address developments in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as noteworthy activity from Iran’s Axis of Resistance.</span> </b></span></em><b><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We do not report in detail on war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. </em><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We utterly condemn violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.</em></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click </em><a href="https://isw.pub/IsraelBattleMap" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>here</b></span></em></a><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">to see CTP and ISW’s interactive map of Israeli ground operations. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.</span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Key Takeaways:</span></span></strong></p><ol style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Iran and Iranian-backed Iraqi militias are driving an escalation cycle that combines military and political pressure to try to expel US forces from Iraq.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">US, UN, Saudi, and Yemeni officials are negotiating an agreement to end the war in Yemen, which </span><u><span style="color: red;">will not remove the threat the Houthis pose to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al Mandeb</span></u><span style="color: #800180;">.</span></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The IRGC spokesperson claimed that the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel was retaliation for the United States’ targeted killing of Qassem Soleimani. This was a failed effort to show unity across the Axis of Resistance and portray Iran as a leader.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The IDF officially began operations against Palestinian militias in Khuzaa south of Khan Younis on December 27.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Palestinian political factions, including Hamas and PIJ, affirmed their unity against Israel on December 27. They stressed the need for a reform of Palestinian governance after the end of the war but did not specify what reform would entail.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">An Israel Army Radio correspondent reported on December 27 that the IDF intercepted an Iranian-made drone over the Mediterranean Sea that Iranian-backed Iraqi militias launched from Iraq.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Iran and Russia finalized an agreement to conduct trade using their national currencies rather than the US dollar.</span></li></ol><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">Iran and Iranian-backed Iraqi militias are driving </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">an escalation cycle</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;"> that combines military and political pressure to try to expel US forces from Iraq.</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian-backed militia Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba said on December 11 that expelling US forces requires political efforts from the government and military efforts from the militias</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[1] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian-backed attacks against US forces combine both military and political effects to drive US forces from Iraq, which is a long-held objective for Iran and its proxies. Iranian-backed militias—not the United States—are driving the escalation in Iraq by conducting attacks that risk killing US military personnel to trigger US self-defense airstrikes against the militias</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[2] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">These Iranian-backed groups then frame these self-defense airstrikes as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty to argue that the Iraqi government should expel the United States from Iraq. The United States is in Iraq at the invitation of Iraq’s government to defeat ISIS, meaning that Iranian-backed attacks on an Iraqi partner are themselves a violation of Iraqi sovereignty</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[3]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Iranian-backed Iraqi militias are using legal and political pressure to drive out US forces, as CTP-ISW has previously assessed.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[4]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The militias’ military lines of effort create the conditions for Iranian-backed proxies to increase the legal and political pressure on Iraq’s parliament and prime minister. The Badr Organization-chaired Iraqi Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee drafted a new resolution to expel US forces from Iraq in response to a US self-defense strike targeting Kataib Hezbollah in November, and multiple Iranian-backed politicians have called for the expulsion of US forces in the wake of the December 25 US airstrikes.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[5] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The November strike was in response to a KH ballistic missile attack targeting US forces in Iraq</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[6] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian-backed proxies called US forces a “threat” and demanded a timetable for a US withdrawal in separate statements after the December 25 US airstrikes.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[7] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The US strikes were a response to an Iranian-backed attack that wounded two US service members and severely injured a third.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[8]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The agreement that allows the US military presence in Iraq is an executive agreement, but a non-binding resolution will still impose political pressure on the prime minister to expel US forces</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[9] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The prime minister could choose to expel US forces by introducing a timetable, such as the one former Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki set in the 2000s.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">US, UN, Saudi, and Yemeni officials are negotiating an agreement to end the war in Yemen, which will not remove the threat the Houthis pose to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al Mandeb.</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">US, UN, Saudi, and Yemeni officials told </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the Wall Street Journal </em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">that there is now an “informal three-year roadmap” to “end” the war in Yemen</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">.[10] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The negotiations did not include key Yemeni belligerents.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[11]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> A US official told the </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Journal </em><span style="color: #800180;">that </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #800180;">the United States is</span><span style="color: red;"> “separating”</span><span style="color: #800180;"> the Yemeni “peace” process and the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. “Sources familiar with Saudi thinking” said that Riyadh urged Washington not to retaliate against the Houthis, however</span></span><span style="color: #800180;">.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[12]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Saudi Arabia seeks to prevent US strikes targeting the Houthis, believing that US strikes risk derailing the peace process.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[13] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Reaching an agreement would not change Riyadh’s calculus, as discouraging US efforts to deter Houthi terrorism and piracy in the Red Sea would prevent a breakdown in the agreement</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[14]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The IRGC spokesperson claimed that the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel was retaliation for the United States’ targeted killing of Qassem Soleimani in a failed effort to show unity across the Axis of Resistance and portray Iran as a leader.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[15]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">IRGC Spokesperson Brigadier General Ramazan Sharif claimed that Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 civilians was in response to the United States’ targeted killing of RGC Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[16]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Iran funded, supported, and provided the weapons and training used in the October 7 attacks, but was reportedly surprised by the scope and timing of the attacks.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[17]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Hamas denied the Iranian claim, likely to present itself domestically and internationally as only the defender of Palestine and thereby obfuscate its role as the initiator of the current war and an extension of Iran’s regional project. Iran has provided weapons, materiel, training, and guidance to Hamas, and the group is a member of Iran’s so-called Axis of Resistance</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[18] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The group's leaders frequently meet with Iranian officials and coordinate their actions with Iran.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[19]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Hamas likely seeks to frame itself as the defender of Palestine in part to prevent blow back from its domestic audiences. Palestinians have borne the brunt of Hamas’ decision to launch its war against Israel with the October 7 terrorist attacks. Hamas’ popularity decreased in the Gaza Strip after the 2008 and 2014 Israeli ground operations.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[20]<i style="background-color: #d9ead3;"> </i></span></b><i style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">Recent polls show that support for Hamas remains high in Gaza, although anecdotal evidence suggests that some Gazans increasingly blame Hamas for starting the war and/or for failing to provide for and protect civilians having begun it.</i><b><span style="color: red;">[21</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Hamas officials found after Israeli operations in Gaza City in 2014 that the Gazan public "did not feel they were getting the benefits [from Hamas] for tolerating the bombing of Gaza by Israel,” for example</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[22]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Accepting Iran’s claim that Hamas attacked Israel to avenge the death of an Iranian general could alienate Gazans. Iran’s presentation of the October 7 attacks as an offensive action in response to the Soleimani strike also undermines the current Hamas narratives that it is acting defensively against Israeli "aggression” and on behalf of the Gazan people rather than solely on behalf of Iran.</span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTDecember%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTDecember%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Gaza Strip</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Erode the will of the Israeli political establishment and public to launch and sustain a major ground operation into the Gaza Strip</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Degrade IDF material and morale around the Gaza Strip.</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hamas used more sophisticated weapons systems as it continued to try to defend against Israeli advances in Jabalia.</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades—Hamas' military wing—said that it fired an RPO-A thermobaric rocket for the first time during this war at an Israeli special operations forces (SOF) unit in a house on Old Gaza Street in Jabalia.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[23]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The group also detonated at least one explosively formed penetrator targeting Israeli forces during a six-hour engagement in the al Saftawi area.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[24]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Al Qassem Brigades fighters also fired two Igla man-portable air defense systems targeting two Israeli helicopters over Jabalia</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[25] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The group did not shoot down the helicopters.</span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Palestinian militias other than Hamas continued to attack Israeli forces in Sheikh Radwan. </strong><span style="color: #800180;">The National Resistance Brigades—the armed wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP)—and the Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades—the armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)—engaged Israeli forces in two separate attacks in Sheikh Radwan.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[26]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Israel Defense Forces Navy provided fire support to Israeli forces in northern al Shati Camp on December 27, which is consistent with holding operations.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[27]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Violence decreases during a hold phase but is not absent as the holding force seeks the complete destruction of the enemy force.</span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The IDF continued clearing operations in Daraj and Tuffah neighborhoods in Gaza City. </strong><span style="color: #800180;">An IDF unit captured a rocket launch site and a tunnel shaft in an orchard near Darraj and Tuffah on December 27.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[28] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian fighters engaged the IDF with small arms and anti-tank fire as the IDF cleared the orchard.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[29]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> A separate IDF unit called in air support during clearing operations in Darraj to eliminate a large number of Hamas fighters.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[30]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The IDF’s line of advance reached eastern Bureij on December 27, according to satellite imagery published by the <em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">New York Times.</em></strong><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;"><b>[31]</b></span></em></span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </em></strong><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF announced that it began operations in Gaza’s Central Governorate on December 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[32]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Palestinian militias attempted to defend against the Israeli advance using mortars and anti-tank fire.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[33</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] The al Quds Brigades—the Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s military wing—claimed that it destroyed an Israeli tank east of Bureij.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[34</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Hamas’ al Qassem Brigades and the PFLP’s Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades also engaged Israeli forces using small arms and anti-tank fire.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[35]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades said that their “strike unit” attacked Israeli advances towards eastern Bureij.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[36]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Palestinian militias continued defensive operations against Israeli clearing efforts in Khan Younis.</span></u></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades conducted three attacks with anti-tank rockets targeting Israeli forces and tanks in Khan Younis.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[37</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">] The al Quds Brigades ambushed an Israeli infantry unit at close range in Khan Younis.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[38</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">] The al Qassem Brigades—Hamas' military wing—attacked Israeli forces at least four times in northern and eastern Khan Younis using mortars, RPGs, and small arms.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[39]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> National Resistance Brigades—the armed wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP)— detonated IEDs targeting an Israeli military vehicle in central Khan Younis.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[40]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The IDF said its forces have fought in Palestinian fighters deep Khan Younis for the past two weeks.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[41]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The Israeli forces have destroyed tunnel openings, launched dozens of attacks with precision munitions, and raided Hamas outposts during the operation. </span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[42]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">The IDF officially began operations against Palestinian militias in Khuzaa south of Khan Younis on December 27.</span></u></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> IDF Gaza Division Commander Brigadier General Avi Rosenfeld issued a statement acknowledging that the IDF began operating in the town southeast of Khan Younis to pursue fighters and subterranean infrastructure.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[43]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Rosenfeld said fighters from Khuzaa participated in the October 7 assault on Nir Oz.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[44]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Palestinian media reported that Palestinian fighters clashed with Israeli forces advancing southward in the adjacent town to Khuzaa on December 26.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">45] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades attacked Israeli SOF in a building in Khuzaa on December 25.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[46]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Israeli security cabinet discussed the first section of the Egyptian three-phase peace proposal on December 27</span><span style="color: red;">.</span></strong><b><span style="color: red;">[47</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] The Israeli security cabinet is a 14-person cabinet.The first phase of the agreement resembles the humanitarian pause and prisoner/hostage exchange Israeli and Hamas completed in late November.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">48</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] The first phase of the agreement would have Hamas release 40 Israeli hostages in exchange for Israel releasing 140 Palestinian prisoners and force the IDF to withdraw from residential areas in the Gaza Strip.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[49</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] The Israeli security cabinet is only discussing this first phase of the proposal. The Israeli security cabinet is not discussing the subsequent phases of the proposal that would release Israeli soldiers from Hamas custody and determine the form of a transitional government in the Gaza Strip that would include “various Palestinian factions, including Hamas.”</span><b><span style="color: red;">[50]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The security cabinet did not vote on the plan.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[51]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Hamas officials have said repeatedly in recent days that they would refuse to release any hostages prior to a complete ceasefire that forces Israel to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and leaves Hamas in power</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[52</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] The third phase proposal and Hamas’ counterproposal are incompatible with Israel’s stated war aims. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu restated his war objectives of destroying Hamas militarily and politically in Gaza on December 25.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[53]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Any agreement that maintains Hamas’ military and political role in the Gaza Strip would be tantamount to Israel’s defeat in this war because it would preserve Hamas as a governing body and military force, as well as provide Hamas safe haven to reconstitute itself and threaten Israel again in the future.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Palestinian political factions, including Hamas and PIJ, affirmed their unity against Israel on December 27.</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The Central Command of the Palestinian Forces Alliance met in Beirut to discuss joint goals of withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza, swapping all Israeli hostages for all Palestinian prisoners, and attaining humanitarian aid for Gaza</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[54</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] The groups that are part of the alliance include Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Fatah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, and the Palestine Liberation Front. The political factions stressed the need for a reform of Palestinian governance after the end of the war but did not specify what reform would entail.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[55]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The meeting is notable in context of the Egyptian peace deal that Hamas and PIJ rejected on December 25.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[56]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> A Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) executive committee delegation will travel to Cairo in the next few days for talks with Egyptian officials about the Egyptian three-phase peace proposal.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[57]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The PLO is expected to discuss the makeup of a potential, unified government that would run the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[58]</span></b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2027%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2027%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Palestinian militias conducted one indirect fire attack into Israel on December 27. The Quds Brigade fired mortars and rockets at Nahal Oz in southern Israel</span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">.<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[59]</strong></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Recorded reports of rocket attacks; CTP-ISW cannot independently verify impact.</b></span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">West Bank</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fcff01;">Draw IDF assets and resources toward the West Bank and fix them there</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters in six locations across the West Bank from December 26 through December 27</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">.</span></strong><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[60]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Israeli forces conducted a counterterrorism raid in Nur Shams refugee camp on December 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[61]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israeli forces uncovered IEDs that had been buried under and next to roads its forces were operating on.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[62] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian fighters also threw IEDs at Israeli forces during clashes that lasted from December 26 through December 27</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[63]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israeli forces ordered an air strike on fighters that it said were throwing explosives at its forces.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[64]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Fatah—the political wing of the al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades—called for strikes in the West Bank to mourn the death of six Palestinian fighters who were killed in the Israeli airstrike in Tulkarm</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[65] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade claimed that the six fighters were members of its Rapid Response unit operating in the Nur Shams refugee camp.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[66]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>This map is not an exhaustive depiction of clashes and demonstrations in the West Bank.</b></span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u>Southern Lebanon and Golan Heights</u></span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward northern Israel and fix them there</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Set conditions for successive campaigns into northern Israel</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Lebanese Hezbollah (LH) claimed six attacks targeting Israeli civilian and military targets on December 27</span><span style="color: red;">.</span></span></u></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;">[67</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] LH conducted a combined drone, mortar, and rocket attack targeting Israeli military positions in the disputed Shebaa Farms.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[68] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF said LH’s three drones did not hit their intended targets.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[69] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">LH said that it launched 30 rockets at Kiryat Shmona in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike that killed three people in southern Lebanon.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[70]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israel said that it struck several LH positions in southern Lebanon on December 27.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[71]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The IDF continued to discuss the threat that LH poses along Israel’s northern border on December 27.</span></u></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi held a situation assessment and approved “a variety of” future, unspecified plans in the Northern Command, which is responsible for northern Israel and the border with Lebanon.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[72]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Halevi stated that the military is “at a very high level of readiness,” and that the IDF needs to be ready for an offensive into southern Lebanon, if necessary.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[73] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli officials agreed on December 19 to give the Biden administration time for a diplomatic solution between Israel and LH but added that they “wanted to see progress in the next few weeks.”</span><span style="color: red;"><b>[74]</b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Israeli officials seek to use diplomatic measures to pressure the Lebanese state to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which bars LH military units from operating south of the Litani River.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[75]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Israeli Army Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that LH is endangering the stability of the region for the benefit of Hamas and compared LH to Hamas on December 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[76]</span></b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Iran and Axis of Resistance</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Demonstrate the capability and willingness of Iran and the Axis of Resistance to escalate against the United States and Israel on multiple fronts</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Set conditions to fight a regional war on multiple fronts</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">An Israel Army Radio correspondent reported on December 27 that the IDF intercepted an Iranian-made drone over the Mediterranean Sea that Iranian-backed Iraqi militias launched from Iraq.</span></u></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[77]</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> IDF Army Radio correspondent said that the drone appeared to be heading toward the Karish gas field.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[78]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Islamic Resistance in Iraq—a coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias—claimed on December 22 that it had attacked a “vital target” in the Mediterranean Sea.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[79]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The IDF did not confirm that the Islamic Resistance in Iraq conducted such an attack.</span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The Islamic Resistance in Iraq—a coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias—claimed responsibility for a drone attack targeting US forces at Erbil International Airport in Erbil Province, Iraq, on December 27.</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;">[80]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Kataib Hezbollah, which is a member of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, also conducted an attack on US forces at Erbil International Airport on December 25 that wounded three US service members.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[81]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The Iraqi Army Chief of Staff announced plans to complete the transfer of security responsibilities from the Ministry of Defense to the Ministry of Interior in 2024.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[</strong><span style="color: red;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">82]</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Iraqi Army has already transferred security responsibilities to local police in various southern and central provinces, including Babil, Najaf, Al Muthanna, and Wasit.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[83]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">IRGC Quds Force officer Brigadier General Razi Mousavi, who was killed in Syria on December 25, oversaw logistics and acquisitions in Syria, according to former IRGC Quds Force Officer Mansour Hajit Pour.</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;">[84]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Pour told IRGC-affiliated news outlet Tasnim that Mousavi started his career with the Quds Force in Lebanon 30 years ago.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[85] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Mousavi also worked closely with Syrian President Bashar al Assad and former IRGC Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani to combat ISIS.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[86]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Pour said that Mousavi’s primary responsibility in Syria was overseeing logistics and providing “strategic products.”</span><b><span style="color: red;">[87</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Pour’s description is consistent with Western and anti-regime media reporting that said that Mousavi headed Quds Force Unit 2250.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[88]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Unit 2250 manages Iranian weapons shipments to LH and Iranian-backed groups in Syria.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[89]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The IRGC Quds Force has coordinated the deployment of hundreds of Iranian-backed fighters in southern Lebanon and southwest Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[90]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> These fighters include military engineers and missile experts, among others</span><b><u><span style="color: red;">.[91]</span></u></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">The Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces held a funeral procession for Mousavi in Najaf, Iraq, on December 27</span>.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[92]</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Mourners carried Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba flags in the funeral procession.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[93</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Iranian Ambassador to Iraq and former IRGC Quds Force officer Mohammad Kazem al-e Sadegh attended Mousavi’s procession.</span><b><u><span style="color: red;">[94]</span></u></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Iran will hold Mousavi’s official funeral ceremony in Imam Hussein Square, Tehran on December 28</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[95]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">Atomic Energy Organization head Mohammad Eslami denied on December 27 that Iran has increased its production rate of highly enriched uranium to 60 percent</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">.</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;">[96]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Eslami’s denial is in response to Western media reports on December 26 that said that Iran increased its production rate of highly enriched uranium to 60 percent.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[97]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Eslami stated that the reports show “nothing new” and insisted that Iran is operating within the International Atomic Energy Agency framework. Eslami stated that the leaked report is an attempt to turn attention away from the Israel-Hamas war.</span></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Central Bank of Iran Governor Mohammad Farzin traveled to Moscow on December 26 to discuss banking and finalize trade agreements with Russian officials.</strong><span style="color: red;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[98]</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span><span style="color: #800180;">IRIB reported that the bank managers of the Bank of Russia and the National Bank of Iran established a credit line worth 6.5 billion rubles (approx. $70 million) to allow Iran to import basic goods from Russia. Iran and Russia finalized an agreement to conduct trade using their national currencies —rather than the US dollar— on December 27.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[99]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Iranian media said that this agreement allows previously established non-SWIFT messaging systems and bilateral brokerage relations to now be used by banks and economic operators</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[100]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian traveled to Yerevan, Armenia, on December 27 to discuss peace talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan with Armenian officials</span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[101]</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Abdollahian met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, and National Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[102]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Abdollahian stated that the United States must end its support for Israel if it seeks a “dignified exit” from the Israel-Hamas war during a press conference with Mirzoyan.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[103]</span></b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="673" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="1" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; float: none; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /></div><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> <b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">References</u></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[1] <a href="https://t.me/mihwar_almuqawama/42029" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mihwar_almuqawama/42029</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[2] <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/40-us-service-members-may-brain-injuries-iran-linked-attacks-rcna123591;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/40-us-service-members...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1727124401056092540" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1727124401056092540</b></span></a></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drone-attack-iraq-military-base-3-u-s-service-members-wounded-kataib-hezbollah-retaliatory-strikes/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drone-attack-iraq-military-base-3-u-s-servi...</b></span></a></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[3] <a href="https://www.inherentresolve.mil/WHO-WE-ARE/;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.inherentresolve.mil/WHO-WE-ARE/;</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><a href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2020/01/can-iraq-evict-us-forces.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2020/01/can-iraq-evict-us-forces.html</a> ;</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iraqs-parliament-votes-end-us-troop-presence-iraq" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iraqs-parliament-votes-end...</b></span></a></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[4] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-7-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-7-2023</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[5] <a href="https://almaalomah/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://almaalomah</a> dot me/news/49308/politics/%D8%A3%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%B2-%D9%81%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%87-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B9-%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9;</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><a href="https://www.shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.shafaq</a> dot com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D9%8A-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%B2%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%8A-%D9%88%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%88%D8%B2-%D8%B5%D9%81%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%8A%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B7%D9%82%D8%A9;</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><a href="https://www.shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.shafaq</a> dot com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AC%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8-%D8%AC%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A9;</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><a href="https://www.shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.shafaq</a> dot com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D9%83%D8%AA%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AF%D8%B9%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82-%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%87%D8%A7-%D9%85%D8%B0%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D8%AD%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%AC</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[6] <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1727124401056092540;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1727124401056092540;</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[7] <a href="https://www.shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.shafaq</a> dot com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%B2%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AC-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82; <a href="https://www.ninanews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ninanews</a> dot com/Website/News/Details?key=1097666</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[8] <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drone-attack-iraq-military-base-3-u-s-service-members-wounded-kataib-hezbollah-retaliatory-strikes/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drone-attack-iraq-military-base-3-u-s-servi...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[9] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iraqs-parliament-votes-end-us-troop-presence-iraq" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iraqs-parliament-votes-end...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[10] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-war-jeopardizes-prospects-for-yemen-peace-e89553b9?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos1" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-war-jeopardizes-prosp...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[11] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-war-jeopardizes-prospects-for-yemen-peace-e89553b9?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos1" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-war-jeopardizes-prosp...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[12] <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/edge-over-red-sea-attacks-riyadh-seeks-contain-fall-out-2023-12-06/;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/edge-over-red-sea-attacks-riya...</a> <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-war-jeopardizes-prospects-for-yemen-peace-e89553b9?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos1" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-war-jeopardizes-prosp...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[13] <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/edge-over-red-sea-attacks-riyadh-seeks-contain-fall-out-2023-12-06/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/edge-over-red-sea-attacks-riya...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[14] <a href="https://arabic.mei.edu/arabic/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA/%D8%AD%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%BA%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%82%D9%81-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%AF%D8%A6%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://arabic.mei.edu/arabic/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[15] <a href="https://iribnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://iribnews</a> dot ir/fa/news/4103865/</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[16] <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/11/10/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/11/10/world/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[17] <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/initial-us-intelligence-shows-hamas-attack-surprised-iranian-leaders-ny-times-2023-10-11/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/initial-us-intelligence-shows-hamas-attack...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[18] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hamas-fighters-trained-in-iran-before-oct-7-attacks-e2a8dbb9;%C2%A0https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/how-the-axis-of-resistance-lets-iran-destabilize-the-middle-east" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hamas-fighters-trained-in-iran-bef...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[19] <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iranian-state-media-confirms-meeting-between-khamenei-hamas-haniyeh-tehran-2023-11-05/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iranian-state-media-confirms-m...</a> ; <a href="https://www.iranintl/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iranintl</a> dot com/en/202310313854; <a href="https://en%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://en dot</a> mfa.ir/portal/newsview/731506/Iranian-FM-meets-Hamas-political-chief-in-Doha-discusses-latest-developments-in-Gaza; <a href="https://www.jpost/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.jpost</a> dot com/israel-news/article-770724; <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-israel-hamas-strike-planning-bbe07b25" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-israel-hamas-strike-planning-...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[20] <a href="https://www.jpost/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.jpost</a> dot com/middle-east/palestinian-poll-hamas-support-drops</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[21] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/gazans-are-starting-to-blame-hamas-for-wartime-suffering-066256b0" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/gazans-are-starting-to-blame-hamas...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[22] <a href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1888.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR1888.html</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[23] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1079" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1079</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[24] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1084" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1084</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[25] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1080" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1080</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1086" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1086</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[26] <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13662" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13662</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4015" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4015</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[27] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739906771160912052" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739906771160912052</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[28] <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1740035402424009189;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1740035402424009189;</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740024834946474177;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740024834946474177;</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740024837404524965" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740024837404524965</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[29] <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1740035402424009189;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1740035402424009189;</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740024834946474177;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740024834946474177;</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740024837404524965" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740024837404524965</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[30] <a href="https://www.ynet/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ynet</a> dot co.il/news/article/s1j0000akdt#autoplay</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[31] <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/26/world/middleeast/gaza-israel-military-photos.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/26/world/middleeast/gaza-israel-military...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[32] <a href="https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1739697912701960660" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1739697912701960660</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[33] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1078" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1078</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[34] <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17080" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17080</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[35] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1074;%C2%A0https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1073;%C2%A0https://t.me/kataebabuali/10565" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1074; https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1073; ...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[36] <a href="https://t.me/kataebabuali/10565" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebabuali/10565</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[37] <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5396%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5393%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5396 ; https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5393 ;</a> <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5392" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5392</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[38] <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17082%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17082 ;</a> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17083" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17083</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[39] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1075%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1076%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1082%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1088" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1088</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[40] <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4014" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4014</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[41] <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1739985830326702169%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1739985830326702169 ;</a> <a href="https://www/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www</a> dot idf.il/166993</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[42] <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1739985830326702169%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1739985830326702169 ;</a> <a href="https://www/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www</a> dot idf.il/166993</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[43] <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1740005919881109548" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1740005919881109548</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[44] <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1740005919881109548%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1740005919881109548 ;</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1740005678863835154" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1740005678863835154</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[45] <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349696" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349696</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[46] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1046" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1046</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[47] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-airstrikes-expand-to-southern-gaza-as-it-reframes-focus-80d26dc4?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-airstrikes-expand-to-southe...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[48] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-dismantles-tunnel-network-that-served-as-hamas-command-center-51c017d4?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-dismantles-tunnel-network-t...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[49] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-dismantles-tunnel-network-that-served-as-hamas-command-center-51c017d4?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-dismantles-tunnel-network-t...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[50] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-airstrikes-expand-to-southern-gaza-as-it-reframes-focus-80d26dc4?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos3%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-airstrikes-expand-to-southe...</a> <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-dismantles-tunnel-network-that-served-as-hamas-command-center-51c017d4?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-dismantles-tunnel-network-t...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[51] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-airstrikes-expand-to-southern-gaza-as-it-reframes-focus-80d26dc4?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-airstrikes-expand-to-southe...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[52] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-offers-one-week-cease-fire-in-exchange-for-more-hostages-336ae59a;%C2%A0https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/20/hamas-leaders-arrival-in-egypt-suggests-second-hostage-deal-imminent" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-offers-one-week-cease-fire-...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[53] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/benjamin-netanyahu-our-three-prerequisites-for-peace-gaza-israel-bff895bd?mod=article_inline" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/articles/benjamin-netanyahu-our-three-prerequisites-...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[54] <a href="https://t.me/hamasps/18668" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamasps/18668</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[55] <a href="https://t.me/hamasps/18668" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamasps/18668</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[56] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-offers-one-week-cease-fire-in-exchange-for-more-hostages-336ae59a%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-offers-one-week-cease-fire-...</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/20/hamas-leaders-arrival-in-egypt-suggests-second-hostage-deal-imminent" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/20/hamas-leaders-arrival-in-e...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[57] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-airstrikes-expand-to-southern-gaza-as-it-reframes-focus-80d26dc4?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-airstrikes-expand-to-southe...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[58] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-airstrikes-expand-to-southern-gaza-as-it-reframes-focus-80d26dc4?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-airstrikes-expand-to-southe...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[59] <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17078" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17078</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[60] <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349663" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349663</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349676" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349676</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349719" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349719</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349724" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349724</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42696" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42696</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2617" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2617</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/beitlahiaNews/11287" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/beitlahiaNews/11287</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5388" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5388</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5390" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5390</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[61] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739957764984828112" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739957764984828112</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[62] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739957769212731572" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739957769212731572</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[63] <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349663" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349663</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349676" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349676</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349719" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349719</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349724" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349724</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42696" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42696</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[64] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739957769212731572" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739957769212731572</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[65] <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349709" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349709</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1739875973959483529" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1739875973959483529</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[66] <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5391" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5391</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/alredalsrey/515" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/alredalsrey/515</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[67] <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42738%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/42709%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/42714%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/42716%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/42721%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/C_Military1/42724" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42738 ; https://t.me/C_Military1/42709 ; ht...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[68] <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42724" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42724</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[69] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740014648550973858" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740014648550973858</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[70] <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42738%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42738 ;</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SafaPs/status/1739911461730722250" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/SafaPs/status/1739911461730722250</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[71] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740014645145215451" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1740014645145215451</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[72] <a href="https://www/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www</a> dot idf.il/167111</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[73] <a href="https://www%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www dot</a> idf.il/167111</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[74] <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/18/israel-us-hezbollah-lebanon-border" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.axios.com/2023/12/18/israel-us-hezbollah-lebanon-border</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[75] <a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/1732773010245877810;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/1732773010245877810;</a> <a href="https://timesofisrael/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://timesofisrael</a> dot come/liveblog_entry/gallant-well-push-hezbollah-beyond-litani-river-before-residents-of-northern-israel-return-home/</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[76] <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1739758232682315804" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1739758232682315804</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[77] <a href="https://twitter.com/Doron_Kadosh/status/1739909301857071211" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/Doron_Kadosh/status/1739909301857071211</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[78] <a href="https://twitter.com/Doron_Kadosh/status/1739909301857071211" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/Doron_Kadosh/status/1739909301857071211</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[79] <a href="https://t.me/elamharbi/167" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elamharbi/167</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[80] <a href="https://t.me/elamharbi/172" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elamharbi/172</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[81] <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drone-attack-iraq-military-base-3-u-s-service-members-wounded-kataib-hezbollah-retaliatory-strikes/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drone-attack-iraq-military-base-3-u-s-servi...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[82] <a href="https://t.me/Sabereenp1/10943" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/Sabereenp1/10943</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[83] <a href="https://www.newarab/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.newarab</a> dot com/news/transfer-security-iraqs-army-police-hindered#:~:text=Earlier%20this%20year%2C%20the%20army,Muthanna%2C%20Najaf%20and%20Dhi%20Qar</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[84] <a href="https://www.tasnimnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.tasnimnews</a> dot com/fa/news/1402/10/06/3012685</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[85] <a href="https://www.tasnimnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.tasnimnews</a> dot com/fa/news/1402/10/06/3012685</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[86] <a href="https://www.tasnimnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.tasnimnews</a> dot com/fa/news/1402/10/06/3012685</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[87] <a href="https://www.tasnimnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.tasnimnews</a> dot com/fa/news/1402/10/06/3012685</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; 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<a href="https://amwaj/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://amwaj</a> dot media/article/inside-story-airstrike-kills-iran-s-most-influential-commander-in-syria</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[90] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-october-16-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-october-16-2023</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[91] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-october-15-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-october-15-2023</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[92] <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1739960148330745951" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1739960148330745951</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/95825" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/95825</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[93] <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1739997199248048212" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1739997199248048212</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1739960147361870289" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1739960147361870289</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[94] <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1739960148330745951" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/JasonMBrodsky/status/1739960148330745951</a> ; <a href="https://en.abna24/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://en.abna24</a> dot com/story/1324492 ; <a href="https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran</a> dot com/blog/who-irans-new-ambassador-to-iraq; <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-june-28-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-june-28-2023</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[95] <a href="https://www.tasnimnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.tasnimnews</a> dot com/fa/news/1402/10/06/3012814</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; 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margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[98] <a href="https://www.iribnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iribnews</a> dot ir/fa/news/4103505/</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[99] <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/iran-russia-trade-local-currencies-instead-us-dollar-state-media-2023-12-27/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/iran-russia-trade-local-currencies-instead...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[100] <a href="https://www.iribnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iribnews</a> dot ir/fa/news/4103505/</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[101] <a href="https://www.farsnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.farsnews</a> dot ir/news/14021006000961</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[102] <a href="https://www.irna/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.irna</a> dot ir/news/85335545; <a href="https://www.farsnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.farsnews</a> dot ir/news/14021006000961</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>[103] <a href="https://www.farsnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.farsnews</a> dot ir/news/14021006000705</b></span></p></div></div></div><h3 id="tagtitle" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #800180;"><br /></u></span></h3><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Tags</u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><u> Iran Project</u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> File Attachments: </span></u></b></div><div><span style="color: #800180;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTDecember%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2127472">DraftIsraelCOTDecember 27,2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2027%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1551878">Gaza Clearing Map December 27, 2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1818415">Gaza Evacuation Zone Map December 27,2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1628444">Northern Israel Battle Map December 27,2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=4783782">Regional Battle Map Draft December 27,2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=5197193">Regional IDF Battle Map December 27,2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1102050">Southern Israel Battle Map December 27,2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2027%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1597076">West Bank Battle Map December 27,2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/jpeg" /></span><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Babel%20Street%20logo_30.jpg" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/jpeg; length=18200">Babel Street logo.jpg</a></b></span></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-70920788932534244882023-12-27T05:21:00.000-08:002023-12-29T08:49:53.167-08:00IRAN UPDATE, DECEMBER 26, 2023 <p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><u> SOURCE : </u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">( ) </span></b></span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">IRAN UPDATE, DECEMBER 26, 2023:</u></b></span><b style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #800180;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-26-2023</span></b></p><p><b style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #800180;">( ) </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Raleway, "Open Sans", Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">Biden Regime Refuses Israeli Request for Vital Apache Attack Helicopters:</u><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Raleway, Open Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;">https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-rejects-israeli-request-for-apache-attack-helicopters-amid-gaza-war/3092913</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Raleway, Open Sans, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">( ) </span></b><b><u style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">RED SEA ATTACKS AND OPEN HOUR QnA</span></u><span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></b></p><p><span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b> https://youtu.be/__F5ZufC85Y</b></span></span></p><p><span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/__F5ZufC85Y" width="320" youtube-src-id="__F5ZufC85Y"></iframe></span></span></div><span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /><b> </b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>___________________________________</b></span></span></span><p></p><p><b><span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></span></b></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iran Update, December 26, 2023</u></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Brian Carter, Andie Parry, Amin Soltani, Annika Ganzeveld, Alexandra Braverman, and Nicholas Carl</span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Information Cutoff: 2:00 pm EST</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13.008px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Iran Update provides insights into Iranian and Iranian-sponsored activities abroad that undermine regional stability and threaten US forces and interests. It also covers events and trends that affect the stability and decision-making of the Iranian regime. The Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) provides these updates regularly based on regional events. For more on developments in Iran and the region, see our </em><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/661fd12b23f442b781be64cf323ef573/?draft=true" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">interactive map of Iran and the Middle East</em></a><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</em></span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b><u>Note:</u></b></span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> </span><b>CTP and ISW have refocused the update to cover the Israel-Hamas war. The new sections address developments in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as noteworthy activity from Iran’s Axis of Resistance. We do not report in detail on war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. We utterly condemn violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.</b></em></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click </em><a href="https://isw.pub/IsraelBattleMap" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">here</span></em></a><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://isw.pub/IsraelBattleMap" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a>to see CTP and ISW’s interactive map of Israeli ground operations. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.</em></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Key Takeaways:</span></span></strong></p><ol style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">Hamas and other Palestinian militias are exploiting the Israeli hostages they are holding to ensure that Hamas and its partners are involved in any negotiations about the future of the Gaza Strip<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">. Hamas having a role in the future of the strip is incompatible with Israel’s stated war objectives of destroying Hamas, demilitarizing Gaza, and deradicalizing “Palestinian society.”</span></span></b></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Hamas fighters attacked Israeli forces conducting holding operations in Beit Hanoun. CTP-ISW assessed on December 20 that the IDF transitioned to a hold phase in Beit Hanoun.</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">Hamas and its militia allies continued to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Jabalia. The IDF reported that </span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #800180;">one of Hamas’ battalions used the </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia as a headquarters</span><span style="color: #800180;">.</span></span></b></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>The IDF continued clearing operations in Daraj wal Tuffah, Gaza City. Palestinian militias continued to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Daraj wal Tuffah.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Palestinian militias continued to try to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Khan Younis. Palestinian militias used mortars, small arms fire, and anti-tank rockets to defend against the Israeli advances.</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: #b6d7a8;">A Hamas security official shot and killed a fifteen-year-old Palestinian boy at an aid distribution site in Rafah, demonstrating the continued breakdown of governance and social order across the Gaza Strip.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Palestinian militias conducted at least two mortar attacks from the Gaza Strip targeting southern Israel on December 25 and five rocket attacks on December 26.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters across the West Bank in nine locations </span><span style="color: #800180;">on December 25 and in four locations on December 26.</span></b></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Iranian-backed militias, including Lebanese Hezbollah, conducted from southern Lebanon into northern Israel 10 attacks on December 25 and nine attacks on December 26.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Israeli media reported that LH began withdrawing many of its forces, including Radwan special operations forces, from the Israel-Lebanon border.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>The United States conducted airstrikes targeting three Kataib Hezbollah drone facilities in Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, in response to a KH drone attack that wounded three US military personnel at Erbil International Airport earlier that day.</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red;">The Islamic Resistance in Iraq</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">—a coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias—claimed responsibility for three attacks targeting US positions in Iraq and Syria.</span></b></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Iranian Supreme National Defense University President IRGC Brigadier General Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam discussed security and counterterrorism cooperation with Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces Chairman Faleh al Fayyadh in Baghdad.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Israel was likely responsible for an airstrike on the IRGC military headquarters near Sayyidah Zainab, Syria, killing senior IRGC officer Brigadier General Razi Mousavi. The IRGC and senior Iranian officials vowed that Iran would retaliate against Israel for Mousavi’s death.</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Houthis attacked two vessels in the Red Sea</span><span style="color: #800180;"> as part of the ongoing anti-shipping attack campaign that they and Iran have conducted around the Bab al Mandeb in recent weeks</span></span><span style="color: #800180;">. The IDF intercepted at least one Houthi drone targeting southern Israel.</span></b></li></ol></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCoTDecember26%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCoTDecember26%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></strong></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">Hamas and other Palestinian militias are exploiting the Israeli hostages they are holding to ensure that Hamas and its partners are involved in any negotiations about the future of the Gaza Strip</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">. </span></strong><span><span style="color: #800180;">Beginning international negotiations on what the Gaza Strip will look like after the war with discussions on hostage releases has created the opportunity for Hamas and its allies to insert themselves into the discussion on the future of the strip. Hamas and its allies seek to use the hostages as leverage to get Israel to leave the Gaza Strip and end the war on terms favorable to Hamas</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #800180;">. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad rejected an Egyptian three-phase peace proposal on December 25 that sought to create a long-term ceasefire likely because </span><b><span style="color: red;">it did not guarantee an immediate Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip</span></b></span><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[1] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">The first phase of the agreement would have Hamas release 40 Israeli hostages in exchange for Israeli releasing 140 Palestinian prisoners.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[2]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> This phase also included the withdrawal of the IDF only from residential areas in the Gaza Strip.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[3] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Releasing hostages prior to a complete Israeli withdrawal deprives Hamas and its allies of some of their negotiating leverage. The second and third phases of the agreement would have Hamas release female and then male soldiers held hostage in return for Israel releasing additional Palestinian prisoners.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[4] </span></b><i><span style="color: #800180;">The third phase would include the formation of a transitional government in the Gaza Strip that would include </span><u><span style="color: #cc0000;">“various Palestinian factions, including Hamas.”</span></u></i><b><span style="color: red;"><i>[</i>5</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Hamas officials have said repeatedly in recent days that they would refuse to release any hostages prior to a complete ceasefire that forces Israel to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, leaving Hamas in power</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[6]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Hamas and its allies are thus exploiting the hostages to ensure it will remain in power after the end of Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip.</span></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Hamas' effort to secure its role in the future of the Gaza Strip is incompatible with Israel’s stated war objectives of destroying Hamas, demilitarizing Gaza, and deradicalizing “Palestinian society.”</span><b><span style="color: red;">[7]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated these aims in an op-ed on December 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[8</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Any agreement that maintains Hamas’ military and political role in the Gaza Strip would be tantamount to Israel’s defeat in this war because it would preserve Hamas as a governing body and military force and provide Hamas safe haven to reconstitute itself and threaten Israel again in the future. Hamas remains resilient and able to reconstitute its military capabilities, despite its military losses in the war thus far.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[9]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israel’s stated war goals are meant to prevent Hamas’ reconstitution by destroying Hamas as a governing body and military force. Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, have highlighted that Israel will need to fight a "prolonged” war to achieve these objectives.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[10]</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Gaza Strip</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Erode the will of the Israeli political establishment and public to launch and sustain a major ground operation into the Gaza Strip</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Degrade IDF material and morale around the Gaza Strip.</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Hamas fighters attacked Israeli forces conducting holding operations in Beit Hanoun on December 26. </u></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">Hamas fighters detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) targeting Israeli forces west of Beit Hanoun on December 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[11]</span></b></span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF said on December 18 that it destroyed Hamas’ Beit Hanoun Battalion</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[12] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">CTP-ISW assessed on December 20 that the IDF transitioned to a hold phase in Beit Hanoun.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[13]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Violence decreases during a</span></span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">hold phase but is not absent, as the holding force seeks the complete destruction of the enemy force</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[14]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">Hamas and its militia allies continued to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Jabalia on December 25 and 26.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian militias ambushed Israeli forces using IEDs, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[15] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Hamas said that it targeted two separate Israeli combat outposts with thermobaric rockets on December 25.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[16]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) reported that that it used tandem charge rockets to attack advancing Israeli armor in Jabalia on December 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[17]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Hamas and PIJ also conducted a combined complex ambush using standard and thermobaric rockets against Israeli forces sheltering in a home in Jabalia city.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[18]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The IDF 261</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">st</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Brigade engaged a Hamas cell that attempted to detonate an IED targeting an IDF tank in Jabalia on December 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[19]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israeli air and artillery support targeted and killed the enemy Hamas cell.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[20]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">The IDF reported on December 26 that one of Hamas’ battalions used Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia as a headquarters.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The IDF said that its 551</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">st</span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Brigade searched the grounds of the Indonesian Hospital and discovered a Toyota Corolla belonging to the family of one of the Israeli hostages.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[21] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The IDF reported that it found “bloodstains” and “RPG remains” in the vehicle, adding that the presence of the vehicle at the hospital connects the hospital to Hamas’ October 7 attack.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[22]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span><span style="background-color: #cc0000; color: white;">The IDF said that the hospital was a “strategic center of the underground infrastructure” for one of the Hamas battalions operating in Jabalia</span><b><span style="background-color: #cc0000; color: white;">.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[23]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The IDF was likely referring to the Khalifa (Jabalia Camp) Battalion, given that the Indonesian hospital is in the Jabalia refugee camp where this battalion operates.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[24]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">The IDF continued clearing operations in Daraj wal Tuffah, Gaza City, on December 26. </span></strong><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF cleared two schools and seized “dozens” of IEDs in UN Relief and Works Agency bags.</span><span style="color: red;"><b>[25] </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF also seized rifles and suicide vests. Israeli forces captured grenades, uniforms of Hamas elite forces, and an IED during a separate clearing operation</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[26]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian militias continued to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Daraj wal Tuffah on December 25. The al Qassem Brigades—the military wing of Hamas—and al Quds Brigades—the military wing of PIJ—used snipers and anti-tank rockets against Israeli dismounted infantry and armor in the neighborhood</span><span style="color: red;">.<b>[27]</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="color: #cc0000;">The IDF said that it expanded clearing operations in Bureij in the central Gaza Strip targeting Hamas’ Bureij Battalion on December 26</span></u><span style="color: #800180;">. </span></strong><span style="color: #800180;">The IDF said that all four battalions in Hamas’ Central Brigade, of which the Bureij Battalion is apart, have sustained “some damage” but are “largely functioning.”[</span><b><span style="color: red;">28]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The IDF killed the Central Brigade commander in mid-October, but his deputy likely commands the brigade now given that Hamas has a conventional military structure.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[29] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Hamas and its militia allies attempted to defend against the IDF’s advance. The al Qassem Brigades detonated a booby-trapped tunnel targeting Israeli soldiers east of Bureij, and the National Resistance Brigades mortared Israeli forces near Abu Mutaybaq crossing</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[30] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades also fired anti-tank rockets targeting advancing Israeli armor.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[31]</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">PIJ mortared advancing Israeli units near Juhor ad Dik, northeast of Bureij, on December 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[32]</span></b></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Palestinian militias continued to try to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Khan Younis on December 25 and 26. </span></u></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian militias used mortars, small arms fire, and anti-tank rockets to defend against the Israeli advances. The al Qassem Brigades claimed seven attacks using mortars and anti-tank rockets on December 25 and 26, targeting Israeli forces north and east of Khan Younis city</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[33]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The al Quds Brigades said that its forces engaged in "heavy fighting” against IDF forces north and east of the city</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[34] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, and the National Resistance Brigades similarly attempted to defend against Israeli advances north of Khan Younis on December 25 and 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[35] </span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">The IDF</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: red;"> 4<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span> Brigade Combat Team</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #800180;"> (BCT) destroyed “dozens of tunnel shafts” and discovered and destroyed a weapons factory in Khan Younis on December 25.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[36]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The IDF also said the 4</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span><span style="color: #800180;"> BCT destroyed a “concrete factory” that Hamas used to manufacture concrete for building tunnels.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[37]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The IDF 7</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span><span style="color: #800180;"> Brigade called in airstrikes targeting a group of Hamas fighters in Khan Younis on December 26, killing 10.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">38]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Hamas’ political leader in the Gaza Strip, <span style="color: red;">Yahya Sinwar,</span> said that Hamas is inflicting “heavy [Israeli] losses” and that the al Qassem Brigades “destroyed” the IDF and will “crush it.”</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #fff2cc;"> </span></u></i></span></strong><span style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #800180;">Sinwar claimed that Hamas forces killed at least 1,650 Israeli soldiers and permanently disabled 1,650 more.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[39]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> He added that Hamas has destroyed 750 IDF vehicles “completely or partially.” Sinwar provided no evidence to support his assertions and was likely exaggerating dramatically to frame Hamas as performing better militarily than it actually is. The IDF reported that 161 soldiers have been killed in action as of December 26.</span></span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[40]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A Hamas security official shot and killed a fifteen-year-old Palestinian boy at an aid distribution site in Rafah on December 24, demonstrating the continued breakdown of governance and social order across the Gaza Strip</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[41]</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">The killing sparked clashes between Hamas security officers and the boy’s family in Tal al Sultan. A crowd formed after the killing, burning a Hamas police station and demanding revenge for the boy’s death.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[42]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> A separate video showed plainclothes Hamas officers beating an individual with a stick in Khan Younis.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[43]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> These reports are consistent with the Associated Press’s November 10 reporting, which noted that the strip’s society was “fraying” and that the population was beginning to push back against Hamas’ rule in the southern Gaza Strip.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[44]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></a></span><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">0</span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">Palestinian militias conducted at least two mortar attacks from the Gaza Strip targeting southern Israel on December 25 and five rocket attacks on December 26</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">. </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">The al Quds Brigades and the National Resistance Brigades—the militant wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP)—claimed one mortar attack each targeting southern Israel on December 25.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[45] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Quds Brigades claimed five more rocket attacks targeting southern Israel on December 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[46]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2025%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2025%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Recorded reports of rocket attacks; CTP-ISW cannot independently verify impact.</b></em></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13.008px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Recorded reports of rocket attacks; CTP-ISW cannot independently verify impact.</b></em></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Recorded reports of rocket attacks; CTP-ISW cannot independently verify impact.</b></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">West Bank</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward the West Bank and fix them there</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters in nine locations across the West Bank on December 25</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">.</span></strong><span style="color: red;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[47]</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian fighters used a combination of IEDs and small arms in three of the nine clashes.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[48] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian militias also detonated two separate IEDs targeting Israeli forces in near Ramallah and Bethlehem.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[49]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades fighters fired small arms targeting Israeli forces in Tulkarm, Jenin, and Nablus on December 25.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[50]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israeli forces arrested 11 people and confiscated weapons and cars in overnight raids throughout the West Bank on December 25.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[51]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2025%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2025%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>This map is not an exhaustive depiction of clashes and demonstrations in the West Bank.</b></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters in four locations across the West Bank on December 26</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">.</span></strong><span style="font-size: 1em;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[52] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Palestinian fighters used a combination of IEDs and small arms in three of the four clashes.[</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">53</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">] Palestinian media said that Israeli forces blew up three houses in Nour Shams refugee camp.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[54</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] <i style="background-color: #fcff01;">The IDF said its forces uncovered IEDs, an IED manufacturing site, makeshift rockets, and small arms in the camp.</i></span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[55]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli forces arrested several senior Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) militia in overnight raids in Ramallah on December 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[56]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The PFLP’s Office of Martyrs, Prisoners, and Wounded said that the arrests were an Israeli attempt to empty the West Bank of any national or political mobilization and that the arrests would only lead to “adverse results.”</span><b><span style="color: red;">[57]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Palestinians demonstrated in support of the Gaza Strip and Palestinian prisoners in Bethlehem and Nablus on December 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[58]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Several civil society and political groups, including Hamas’ political wing, called for mass demonstrations in the West Bank on December 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[59]</span></b></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>This map is not an exhaustive depiction of clashes and demonstrations in the West Bank.</b></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Southern Lebanon and Golan Heights</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward northern Israel and fix them there</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Set conditions for successive campaigns into northern Israel</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iranian-backed militias, including Lebanese Hezbollah (LH), conducted 10 attacks from southern Lebanon into northern Israel on December 25.</u></span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[60]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">LH claimed responsibility for eight of these attacks, targeting civilian and military sites. LH used an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) in at least one of the attacks.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[61]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The al Qassem Brigades separately conducted an indirect fire attack targeting Israeli forces in northern Israel</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[62]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2025%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2025%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: red;">Iranian-backed militias, including LH, conducted another nine attacks from southern Lebanon into northern Israel on December 26</span><span style="color: #800180;">.</span></u></span></strong><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;"><b>[63]</b></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> LH claimed responsibility for eight of these attacks, targeting military sites. LH used an ATGM in at least one of the attacks and a Burkan short-range rocket in at least one of the attacks</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[64]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> LH also conducted a drone attack on an Israeli military site.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[65]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Unspecified militants separately fired a surface-to-air missile targeting an IDF aircraft around the Israel-Lebanon border.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[66]</span></b></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Israeli media reported on December 24 that LH began withdrawing many of its forces, including Radwan special operations forces, from the Israel-Lebanon border</span><span style="font-size: 1em;">.</span></span></b></span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[67]</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> Israeli officials told Israeli media that it is not clear for how long these LH forces will remain deployed away from the border, however. Israeli media attributed the withdrawal to the high rate of casualties that LH forces have incurred.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">CTP-ISW is considering the hypothesis that LH Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah ordered the withdrawals to alleviate Israeli concerns about the threat that LH poses. Israeli officials have expressed concerns in recent weeks about the potential for LH to conduct an attack into Israel similar to what Hamas did on October 7</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[68]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israeli officials have accordingly discussed called for international diplomatic engagement to get LH to move its forces away from the border in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which prohibits LH forces from operating south of the Litani river.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[69] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Nasrallah withdrawing forces now without further international negotiations would allow him to redeploy forces to the border at a later date of his choosing.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u>Iran and Axis of Resistance</u></span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Demonstrate the capability and willingness of Iran and the Axis of Resistance to escalate against the United States and Israel on multiple fronts</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Set conditions to fight a regional war on multiple fronts</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">The United States conducted airstrikes targeting three Kataib Hezbollah (KH) drone facilities in Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, on December 25 in response to a KH drone attack that wounded three US military personnel at Erbil International Airport earlier that day</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[</strong><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">70]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The US airstrikes killed at least one KH member and wounded at least 16 others</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[71]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Western observers noted that the earlier KH drone attack was one of the "most serious” attacks conducted by Iranian-backed Iraqi militias since the Israel-Hamas war began.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[72]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The KH attack put one US servicemember in critical condition.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[73]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> KH has not claimed responsibility for the attack at the time of writing. The Iraqi federal government condemned the US airstrike but also said that the militia attacks against military bases hosting international coalition advisers “violate Iraqi sovereignty.”</span><b><span style="color: red;">[74]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF)—an Iraqi security service containing several Iranian-backed Shia militias—held a funeral for the KH member who was killed in the US airstrikes.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[75]</span></b><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="color: #800180;">Many individuals at the funeral carried PMF flags, while a small number carried Harakat Hezbollah al Nujaba (HHN) flags</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[76]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> HHN is one of the Iranian-backed Iraqi militias that has led the attacks on US forces in Iraq and Syria since the Israel-Hamas war began. The PMF and KH-affiliated media honored the killed KH member in social media posts.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[77]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Iranian-backed Iraqi militia Ashab al Kahf published a statement claiming that the US killing of Iraqi militants increases their determination and resolve to expel US forces.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[78]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ashab al Kahf added that the United States “will not enjoy security and safety throughout our country and the region as long as there is a pulsing vein in us.” </span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">The Islamic Resistance in Iraq—a coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias—claimed responsibility for three attacks targeting US positions in Iraq and Syria on December 25 and 26.</u></span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed a drone attack targeting US forces at al Harir Airbase in Erbil Province, Iraq, on December 25</span><span style="color: red;">.[79]</span><span style="color: #800180;"> Al Harir Airbase is located approximately 30 miles northeast of Erbil International Airport.</span></b></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="color: #800180;">The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed a drone attack targeting US forces at al Omar oilfield in Deir ez Zor Province, Syria, on December 25</b><span style="color: red;"><b>.[80]</b></span><b style="color: #800180;"> The group also claimed a rocket attack targeting US forces at al Shaddadi in Hasakah Province, Syria, on December 26.</b><b><span style="color: red;">[81]</span></b></li></ul><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="673" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Iranian Supreme National Defense University (SNDU) President IRGC Brigadier General Esmail Ahmadi Moghaddam discussed security and counterterrorism cooperation with Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Chairman Faleh al Fayyadh in Baghdad on December 26.</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[82]</strong> </span></u><span><i style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #800180;">Moghaddam and Fayyadh discussed “exchanging experiences and information” between the SNDU and PMF. The meeting between Moghaddam and Fayyadh may have been part of ongoing Iranian efforts to professionalize and institutionalize the PMF. Doing so would consolidate Iranian influence in the Iraqi security sector since the IRGC strongly influences various militias under the PMF. Moghaddam previously served as Iran’s police chief between 2005 and 2015.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[83] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">He was instrumental in the Iranian regime’s crackdown on the 2009 Green Movement and was sanctioned by the United States in 2011 for committing human rights abuses</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[84]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Moghaddam also met with Iraqi National Defense University President Lieutenant General Aqeel Mustafa Mahdi, Iraqi Federal Police head Major General Saleh Naser al Ameri, Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasem al Araji, and Iraqi Interior Minister Abdul al Shammari during his visit to Baghdad between December 24 and 26.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[85]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Moghaddam may have discussed internal security and his experience suppressing civil unrest during his conversations with Iraqi officials.</span></i></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Israel was likely responsible for an airstrike on the IRGC military headquarters near Sayyidah Zainab, Syria, on December 25, killing senior IRGC officer Brigadier General Razi Mousavi.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">[86]</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Mousavi is the most senior IRGC official killed since Israel assassinated Brigadier General Mohsen Fakhri Zadeh near Tehran in November 2020 and the most senior IRGC commander killed in Syria since 2015</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[87] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian officials and state media emphasized Mousavi’s close relationship with former IRGC Quds Force Commander Major General Qassem Soleimani and former IRGC Quds Force Deputy Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Hejazi. They also described him as one of the most important and experienced IRGC commanders in Syria overseeing Iranian support to the Axis of Resistance.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[88]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Western and anti-regime media reported that Mousavi headed Quds Force Unit 2250, which manages Iranian weapons shipments to LH and to Iranian-backed groups in Syria.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[89]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israeli officials told an Israeli journalist that Israel will not accept responsibility for Mousavi’s death.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[90]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israel previously conducted an airstrike on Sayyidah Zainab on December 2, killing two IRGC general officers.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[91]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Israel also conducted airstrikes on Sayyidah Zainab on December 10</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[92]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The IRGC and senior Iranian officials vowed that Iran would retaliate against Israel for Mousavi’s death.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[93]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Western media reported that the IDF was on high-alert and expected large-scale rocket and drone attacks launched from Lebanon and Syria.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[94]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Iran may be responsible for an explosion that occurred near the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi on December 26, which could be part of the Iranian retaliation for Israel killing Mousavi</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[95]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Iran is likely responsible for previous attacks near the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi, which makes this hypothesis plausible. An explosion occurred at the embassy in January 2021. Local authorities discovered a note at the scene that stated that the explosion was in response to Israel killing Fakhri Zadeh in November 2020.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[96]</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The likely Israeli airstrike that killed Mousavi follows other alleged Israeli action against Iranian interests in recent weeks.</span><b><span style="background-color: red; color: white;"> An Israel-affiliated hacktivist group</span><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"> “Predatory Sparrow”</span></u><span style="background-color: red; color: white;"> conducted a large-scale cyberattack against gas pumps throughout Iran on December 18.</span></b><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[97]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Iran also blamed Israel for a Balochi Salafi-jihadi insurgent attack on a police station in Sistan and Baluchistan Province on December 16.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[98] </span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">The</u><u><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"> Houthis attacked two vessels in the Red Sea</span></u><u style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"> on December 26 as part of the ongoing anti-shipping attack campaign that they and Iran have conducted around the Bab al Mandeb in recent weeks.</u></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Sarea claimed that the group fired anti-ship missiles at the Liberia-flagged, Swiss-owned cargo ship MSC</span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> United</em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> after the crew refused orders from Houthi naval forces.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[99] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The missiles did not strike the MSC</span></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> United, </em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">which was traveling from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[100]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Houthis falsely claim that they only target ships headed to Israeli ports or owned by Israelis</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[101]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The UK Maritime Trade Operations organization announced that two one-way drones exploded near a vessel 50 nautical miles west of Yemen in a separate incident on December 26.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">102</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Sarea did not claim responsibility for the second attack, and the attack did not cause damage.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[103]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">The IDF intercepted at least one Houthi drone targeting southern Israel on December 26.</u></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The Houthi military spokesperson said that the group launched attack drones at military targets in Eilat and other unspecified locations in Israel</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[104]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The IDF stated its fighter jets intercepted a hostile aerial target headed to Israel over the Red Sea.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[105]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Egyptian security sources speaking to Reuters stated that an unspecified actor intercepted a drone over the Egyptian Red Sea town of Dahab.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[106]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">International shipping giant Maersk announced on December 24 it is preparing to resume shipping in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea since the US established Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect commercial traffic there</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;">.[107] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Maersk halted traffic through the Red Sea on December 15, a day after the Houthis conducted a missile attack targeting one of its container ships near the Bab al Mandeb</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[108]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The United States announced Operation Prosperity Guardian on December 18 to address Houthi attacks on international shipping around the Bab al Mandeb.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[109]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Iranian regime claimed that the US-led coalition was ”collapsing” on December 23.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[110]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Maersk’s decision to resume shipping as a result of the coalition refutes the Iranian information operation.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: white; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #800180;">Western media reported on December 26 that a confidential International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report confirmed that</u><u style="background-color: red;"> Iran has increased its production rate of highly enriched uranium (HEU).</u></span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: medium;">[111]</span></strong><span style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span><i><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #444444;">The report was sent to IAEA member states. CTP-ISW is treating this information </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">with some skepticism</span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #444444;">, as Western media has previously published inaccurate interpretations of unpublished agency reports</span></i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[112]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The most recent public IAEA reports in November 2023 said that Iran had slowed its enrichment rate of 60 percent HEU.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[113]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Iran and the United States concluded an informal agreement in August 2023 under which Iran would partially slow down and reverse its nuclear advances in return for the United States unfreezing Iranian financial assets in Qatari banks</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">.[114] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The United States reportedly refroze Iranian assets in October 2023 that it had released as part of the agreement.</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[115]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian discussed the Israel-Hamas war and Egyptian-Iranian relations during a phone call with Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Sameh Shoukry on December 25</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span></span></b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[116]</strong> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">The ministers discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire and for the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Abdollahian discussed the Israel-Hamas war and regional maritime security during a phone call with Jordanian Foreign Affairs Minister Ayman Safadi on December 25.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">117]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">Abdollahian said that a ceasefire would ensure the safety of the region. Abdollahian added that Iran is committed to ensuring the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, ignoring the fact that Iran has conducted and facilitated repeated attacks against commercial vessels in these areas in recent weeks.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Abdollahian discussed the Israel-Hamas war with Syrian Foreign Affairs Minister Faisal Mekdad in Tehran on December 25.</u></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: 1em;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[118]</strong> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">The two emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Mekdad was in Tehran to attend the Tehran International Conference on Palestine, which the regime held on December 23.</span><b style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;">[119]</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">The Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EaEU) signed a free trade agreement with Iran on December 25</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;">.</span></span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[120]</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The agreement will eliminate customs duties on almost 90 percent of goods and establish a preferential regime for most of the trade between Russia and Iran. This agreement serves to replace a similar temporary agreement that has been in force since 2019.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[121]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="2" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; float: none; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u><b style="background-color: #fcff01;">References</b></u></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #424242; font-size: 1em;">[</span><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">1] </span><a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-islamic-jihad-reject-giving-up-power-return-permanent-ceasefire-egyptian-2023-12-25/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-islamic-jihad-reject-giv...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[2] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-dismantles-tunnel-network-that-served-as-hamas-command-center-51c017d4?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-dismantles-tunnel-network-t...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[3] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-dismantles-tunnel-network-that-served-as-hamas-command-center-51c017d4?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-dismantles-tunnel-network-t...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[4] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-dismantles-tunnel-network-that-served-as-hamas-command-center-51c017d4?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-dismantles-tunnel-network-t...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[5] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-dismantles-tunnel-network-that-served-as-hamas-command-center-51c017d4?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-dismantles-tunnel-network-t...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[6] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-offers-one-week-cease-fire-in-exchange-for-more-hostages-336ae59a;%C2%A0https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/20/hamas-leaders-arrival-in-egypt-suggests-second-hostage-deal-imminent;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-offers-one-week-cease-fire-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[7] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/benjamin-netanyahu-our-three-prerequisites-for-peace-gaza-israel-bff895bd?mod=article_inline" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/articles/benjamin-netanyahu-our-three-prerequisites-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[8] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/benjamin-netanyahu-our-three-prerequisites-for-peace-gaza-israel-bff895bd?mod=article_inline" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/articles/benjamin-netanyahu-our-three-prerequisites-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[9] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-order-of-battle-of-hamas-izz-al-din-al-qassem-brigades" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-order-of-battle-of-hamas-iz...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[10] <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67814475;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; 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border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[12] <a href="https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1736751817852146169" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/AvichayAdraee/status/1736751817852146169</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[13] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-20-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-20-2023</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; 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margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17073;</a> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17059;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17059;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1053;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1053;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1052;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1052;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1050" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1050</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; 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border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[22] <a href="https://www.idf/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.idf</a> dot il/166241</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[23] <a href="https://www.idf/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.idf</a> dot il/166241</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[24] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-order-of-battle-of-hamas-izz-al-din-al-qassem-brigades" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-order-of-battle-of-hamas-iz...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[25] <a href="https://x.com/idfonline/status/1739286182385664115?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/idfonline/status/1739286182385664115?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[26] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739647438695096522/photo/2;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739647438695096522/photo/2;</a> <a href="https://x.com/idfonline/status/1739647447301775536?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/idfonline/status/1739647447301775536?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[27] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1051;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1051;</a> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17056;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17056;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1054" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1054</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[28] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-order-of-battle-of-hamas-izz-al-din-al-qassem-brigades;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-order-of-battle-of-hamas-iz...</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1739697912701960660" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1739697912701960660</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[29] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-order-of-battle-of-hamas-izz-al-din-al-qassem-brigades" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/the-order-of-battle-of-hamas-iz...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[30] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1064;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1064;</a> <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4013" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4013</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[31] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1062;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1062;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1061;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1061;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1063" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1063</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[32] <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17051;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17051;</a> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17070" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17070</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[33] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1068;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1068;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1048;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1048;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1044;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1044;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1047;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1047;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1041;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1041;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1040;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1040;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1039" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1039</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[34] <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17066" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17066</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[35] <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4012;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4012;</a> <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13654;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13654;</a> <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5386;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5386;</a> <a href="https://t.me/kataebabuali/10563" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebabuali/10563</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[36] <a href="https://www.idf/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.idf</a> dot il/166114</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[37] <a href="https://www.idf/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.idf</a> dot il/166114</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[38] <a href="https://x.com/idfonline/status/1739538621978271861?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/idfonline/status/1739538621978271861?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[39] <a href="https://t.me/beitlahiaNews/11130" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/beitlahiaNews/11130</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[40] <a href="https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1739682685377798352" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1739682685377798352</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[41] <a href="https://www.mako/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.mako</a> dot co.il/news-military/6361323ddea5a810/Article-f2277ac371c9c81026.htm?sCh=31750a2610f26110&pId=173113802</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[42] <a href="https://www.mako/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.mako</a> dot co.il/news-military/6361323ddea5a810/Article-f2277ac371c9c81026.htm?sCh=31750a2610f26110&pId=173113802; <a href="https://x.com/gaza_report/status/1738966148127879255?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/gaza_report/status/1738966148127879255?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[43] <a href="https://www.mako/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.mako</a> dot co.il/news-military/6361323ddea5a810/Article-f2277ac371c9c81026.htm?sCh=31750a2610f26110&pId=173113802</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[44] <a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-palestinians-gaza-water-food-f225bf0723bb5b3ae1961ba6cdef1917" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-palestinians-gaza-water-food...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[45] <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17058;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17058;</a> <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4011" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4011</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[46] <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17071;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17071;</a> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17072;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17072;</a> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17067" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17067</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[47] <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/348561" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/348561</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/alredalsrey/510" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/alredalsrey/510</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/348632" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/348632</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/890" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/890</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/348673" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/348673</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/348811" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/348811</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2609" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2609</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2610" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2610</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2611" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2611</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/348969" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/348969</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[48] <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2611" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2611</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2609" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2609</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/348632" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/348632</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[49] <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/348561" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/348561</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/348969" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/348969</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[50] <a href="https://t.me/alredalsrey/510" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/alredalsrey/510</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/890" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/890</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/261" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/261</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[51] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739253989038751870" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739253989038751870</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739253991450534200" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739253991450534200</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[52] <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2614" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2614</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49284" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49284</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349159" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349159</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349146" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349146</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[53] <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2614" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2614</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349273" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349273</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349108" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349108</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349100" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349100</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[54] <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349237%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/QudsN/349139" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349237 ; https://t.me/QudsN/349139</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[55] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739584726707363962" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739584726707363962</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739584738434687349" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739584738434687349</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[56] <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739584746672320732" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1739584746672320732</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[57] <a href="https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13658" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pflpgaza1/13658</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[58] <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349456" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349456</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/349500" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/349500</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[59] <a href="https://t.me/HebronNewss/33019%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49281" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/HebronNewss/33019 ; https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49281</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[60] <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42528" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42528</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1045" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1045</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42537" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42537</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42551" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42551</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42553" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42553</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42559" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42559</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42576" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42576</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42579" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42579</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42613" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42613</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[61] <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42559" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42559</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[62] <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1045" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1045</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[63] <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42632" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42632</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42666" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42666</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42662" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42662</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42655;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42655;</a> <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42652" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42652</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42647" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42647</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42640" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42640</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42637" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42637</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42627" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42627</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[64] <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42640" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42640</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42657" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42657</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[65] <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42666" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42666</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[66] <a href="https://twitter.com/IDFSpokesperson/status/1739586472443842888" style="background: transparent; 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padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/95749</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[76] <a href="https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/95750?single" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/95750?single</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[77] <a href="https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/95748" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/95748</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/centerkaf/4134" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/centerkaf/4134</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[78] <a href="https://t.me/aishab_alkahf/136" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/aishab_alkahf/136</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[79] <a href="https://t.me/elamharbi/170" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elamharbi/170</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; 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outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/teamsmediawar_1/95760</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[83] <a href="https://www.opensanctions.org/entities/NK-NKt8tDd2ZbMuQezLGsgSVu/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.opensanctions.org/entities/NK-NKt8tDd2ZbMuQezLGsgSVu/</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[84] <a href="https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/sanctioned-person/moghadam-ismail-ahmadi" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/sanctioned-person/moghadam-isma...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[85] <a href="https://sndu.ac/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://sndu.ac</a> dot ir/fa/news/6885;</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><a href="https://sndu.ac/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://sndu.ac</a> dot ir/fa/news/6886;</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><a href="https://sndu.ac/" style="background: transparent; 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outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[114] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-august-30-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-august-30-2023</a> ; <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/iran-slows-buildup-of-near-weapons-grade-enriched-uranium-492df473" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/articles/iran-slows-buildup-of-near-weapons-grade-en...</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/laurnorman/status/1691548180423323649?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/laurnorman/status/1691548180423323649?s=20</a> ; <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-launches-quiet-diplomatic-push-with-iran-to-cool-tensions-2f45af3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-launches-quiet-diplomatic-push-with-ira...</a> ; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/14/us/politics/biden-iran-nuclear-program.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/14/us/politics/biden-iran-nuclear-progra...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[115] <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2023/10/12/iran-barred-from-accessing-6-billion-released-by-us-for-humanitarian-aid-report-says/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2023/10/12/iran-barred-from-a...</a> ; <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/us-appears-to-consider-blocking-iranian-access-to-unfrozen-funds/7308983.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.voanews.com/a/us-appears-to-consider-blocking-iranian-access...</a> ; <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-halting-release-6-billion-iranian-oil-assets/story?id=103928072" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-halting-release-6-billion-iranian-oil...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[116] <a href="https://www.tasnimnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.tasnimnews</a> dot com/fa/news/1402/10/04/3012146/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[117] <a href="https://www.iribnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iribnews</a> dot ir/fa/news/4101809/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[118] <a href="https://www.presstv/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.presstv</a> dot ir/Detail/2023/12/25/717017/Iran-Syria-Amir-Abdollahian-Faisal-Mekdad-Gaza-Israel--war-crimes-genocide-Tehran-conference</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[119] <a href="https://mfa/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://mfa</a> dot ir/portal/newsview/737055; <a href="https://en.irna/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://en.irna</a> dot ir/news/85330383/Tehran-International-Conference-on-Palestine-kicks-off</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[120] <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/russian-backed-union-signs-free-trade-pact-with-iran-2023-12-25/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/russian-backed-union-signs-free-trade-pact...</a> ; <a href="https://www.tasnimnews/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.tasnimnews</a> dot com/fa/news/1402/10/04/3011877/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[121] <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/russian-backed-union-signs-free-trade-pact-with-iran-2023-12-25/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/russian-backed-union-signs-free-trade-pact...</a></span></b></p><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></b></div></div></div></div><h3 id="tagtitle" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; display: block; float: left; margin: 0px 0px 10px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #800180; font-size: small;">Tags</span></span></h3><div class="field field-name-field-project field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden clearfix" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; clear: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><a datatype="" href="https://www.understandingwar.org/project/iran-project" property="rdfs:label skos:prefLabel" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" typeof="skos:Concept"><span style="background-color: white;">Iran Project</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"><u><br /></u></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"><u><br /></u></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><div class="field-label" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u>File Attachments: </u></div><div class="field-items" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; color: #006699; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1621870">Gaza Clearing Map December 26,2023.png</a></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; color: #006699; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=5090130">Regional IDF Battle Map Draft December 26,2023.png</a></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; color: #006699; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1620539">West Bank Battle Map December 26,2023.png</a></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; color: #006699; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=4752045">Regional Battle Map Draft December 26,2023.png</a></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; color: #006699; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1122907">Southern Israel Battle Map December 26,2023.png</a></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; color: #006699; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1544870">Northern Israel Battle Map December 26,2023.png</a></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; color: #006699; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2407836">Gaza IDF Battle Map December 26,2023.png</a></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2026%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; color: #006699; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1813272">Gaza Evacuation Zone Map December 26,2023.png</a></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCoTDecember26%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; color: #006699; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1890914">DraftIsraelCoTDecember26,2023.png</a></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2025%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; color: #006699; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1565892">Northern Israel Battle Map December 25,2023.png</a></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2025%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; color: #006699; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1110154">Southern Israel Battle Map December 25,2023.png</a></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2025%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; color: #006699; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1588956">West Bank Battle Map December 25,2023.png</a></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/jpeg" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Babel%20Street_8.jpg" style="background: transparent; color: #006699; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/jpeg; length=18200">Babel Street.jpg</a></span></div></div></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><br /></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><br /></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 289.094px;"><br /></div><br /></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-18460031970753603442023-12-26T09:25:00.000-08:002023-12-30T06:49:34.795-08:00RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, DECEMBER 24, 2023 <p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><u>SOURCE: </u></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b> ( ) </b></span><b><u style="background-color: white; color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-transform: uppercase;">RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, DECEMBER 24, 2023:</u><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-24-2023</span></span></b></p><p><b><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p><b><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><br /></span></span></b></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 24, 2023</u></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Riley Bailey, Christina Harward, Kateryna Stepanenko, Nicole Wolkov, and Frederick W. Kagan</span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">December 24, 2023, 5:35pm ET</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">Click</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"> </span></strong><a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/36a7f6a6f5a9448496de641cf64bd375" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">here</span></strong></a><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">to see</span><b style="font-size: 1em;"> ISW’s interactive map of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">Click</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"> </span></strong><a href="https://understandingwar.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/3dviewer/index.html?appid=1602762dbcde419bb957dea358449580" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">here</span></strong></a><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">to see ISW’s 3D control of terrain topographic map of Ukraine. Use of a computer (not a mobile device) is strongly recommended for using this data-heavy tool.</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click </strong><a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/733fe90805894bfc8562d90b106aa895" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">here</span></strong></a><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> to access ISW’s archive of interactive time-lapse maps of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These maps complement the static control-of-terrain map that ISW produces daily by showing a dynamic frontline. ISW will update this time-lapse map archive monthly.</strong></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Note:</u> ISW and CTP will not publish a campaign assessment (or maps) tomorrow, December 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. Coverage will resume Tuesday, December 26.</span></b></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u>Note</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">:</span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> The data cut-off for this product was 12:30pm ET on December 24. </span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #444444;">ISW will cover subsequent reports in the December 26 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment.</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs High Representative Josep Borrell stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not interested in a limited territorial victory in Ukraine and will continue the war “until the final victory.”</u></span></strong><span style="font-size: 1em;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">[1]</span></b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Borrell reported on December 24 that Putin would not be satisfied with capturing a “piece” of Ukraine and allowing the rest of Ukraine to join the EU.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[2]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Borrell added that Putin will not “give up the war” and called on the West to prepare for a “conflict of high intensity for a long time.”[</span><b><span style="color: red;">3]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Borrell’s statements are consistent with ISW’s assessment that Russia is not interested in a ceasefire or good-faith negotiations with Ukraine but retains its maximalist goals of a full Russian victory in Ukraine.</span></span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[4]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russian forces are reportedly decreasing aviation activity and their use of glide bombs in Ukraine after Ukrainian forces shot down three Russian Su-34s in southern Ukraine between December 21 and 22.</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson Colonel Yuriy Ihnat stated on December 24 that Russian forces decreased their use of glide bombs and air strikes in southern Ukraine</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[5]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets stated on December 24 that Russian forces are limiting their use of manned aviation near occupied Crimea, particularly in the northwestern Black Sea region.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[6] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">ISW previously assessed that Russian forces may have recently intensified their use of glide bombs against Ukrainian forces on the west (right) bank of the Dnipro River in part because Ukrainian forces reportedly suppressed Russian long-range artillery in the area.</span><span style="color: red;"><b>[7]</b> </span><span style="color: #800180;">Continued decreased Russian glide bomb strikes in Kherson Oblast may present an opportunity for Ukrainian forces to operate more freely in near rear areas in west bank Kherson Oblast and establish a safer position on the east (left) bank from which to conduct future operations if the Ukrainian high command so chose. Russian forces reportedly use glide bomb strikes so that Russian aircraft can remain 50 to 70 kilometers behind the line of combat engagement, and the decreased Russian use of glide bombs suggests that Russian forces are concerned about Ukrainian air defense capabilities following recent losses</span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">.[8]</span></b></span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian Ground Forces Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Volodymyr Fityo stated on December 23 that Russian forces also reduced their use of aviation and increased their use of strike drones in the Kupyansk and Bakhmut directions</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[9] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Ihnat also stated on December 24 that Ukrainian forces can deploy air defense systems in any direction, not only in those where Russian forces suffered aircraft loses.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[10]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><u>Russian forces conducted a series of drone and missile strikes against Ukraine on the night of December 23 to 24.</u></span></strong><span style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces launched 16 Shahed-131/-136 drones from Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai and that Ukrainian forces downed 15 drones over Mykolaiv, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Khmelnytskyi oblasts.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[11]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces launched two missiles of an unknown type against civil infrastructure in Kherson City.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">12]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) Spokesperson Andriy Yusov stated that Russian forces continue to conduct strikes targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure and that although Ukrainian forces down these projectiles, Ukrainian officials purposefully do not identify Ukrainian infrastructure objects that Russian forces target.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">13</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Yusov also stated that Russian forces are conducting strikes “more frugally” than in winter 2022 but noted that Russian forces are still capable of conducting powerful missile strikes.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[14]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov further detailed Ukraine’s efforts to establish a sustainable wartime force-generation apparatus and an effective defense industrial base (DIB) during an interview published on December 24. </strong><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian outlet </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Suspilne </em><span style="color: #800180;">published an interview on December 24 wherein Umerov stated that Ukrainian military and civilian officials are developing a more transparent recruitment process for military service that will more clearly communicate to the Ukrainian public how one enters military service, undergoes training, receives leave, and concludes service during the war.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[15] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Umerov stated that there will be no “demobilization” until after the war is over but that Ukraine must find solutions that provide rest and partial release from military service.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[1</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">6] Umerov added that Ukrainian officials are trying to improve bureaucratic force-generation systems by unifying draft databases and streamlining notification systems.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[17]</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Umerov stated that the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (MoD) will soon submit a plan to address a Ukrainian military proposal to mobilize another 450,000 to 500,000 Ukrainians, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged on December 19</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[18]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Umerov did not disclose the nature of the plan or the number of Ukrainians whom the Ukrainian MoD will propose to mobilize</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[19] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Umerov commented that the Ukrainian MoD will propose a 25-to-60 draft-age range only if Ukrainian society accepts the arguments behind the proposal.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[20]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukraine’s current lower-end age limit for conscription is 27, which is high for a state fighting an existential war at the scale of the one that Ukraine is fighting. The current age limit likely aims to allow a generation of Ukrainians to continue receiving an education and provide critical human capital to Ukraine in the long-term. Developing and implementing a stable force-generation approach that addresses Ukrainian military requirements is a complicated political, social, and military issue — one that will continue to produce tensions normal for a society at war.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Umerov also stated that Ukraine has developed a strategy for domestic defense production and has launched programs to reduce the risk of shortages of ammunition, missiles, and other military equipment</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[21]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Umerov stated that the Ukrainian MoD is currently weighing the financial avenues for its DIB development strategy, including issuing contracts and developing joint ventures between Ukrainian and foreign enterprises</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[22]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Umerov stated that Ukraine is beginning to work with several hundred drone manufacturers to improve the “huge bureaucracy” involved in producing drones and plans to provide Ukrainian forces with an unspecified number of drones that Ukrainian officials have previously called for to be produced in 2024.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[23]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Zelensky stated on December 19 that Ukraine intends to produce a million drones in 2024.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[24]</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to portray himself as a gracious leader who cares about the well-being of Russian military personnel, while also presenting himself as an effective Commander-in-Chief of the Russian armed forces</u></span><span style="font-size: 1em;">.</span></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Kremlin journalist Pavel Zarubin published footage on December 24 of a December 19 ceremony at the Russian National Defense Management Center where Putin spoke with Russian military personnel who said that they wanted to see their loved ones but that their commanders had to give them leave. Putin responded, “Let them rest! The commander has already decided. That’s me.”[</span><b><span style="color: red;">25]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Chief of the General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov, present at the time, said simply, “It is.”</span><b><span style="color: red;">[26]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Putin seemingly spontaneously granting Russian personnel leave is indicative of Putin’s continued effort to portray himself as an involved wartime leader who responds to his troops‘ requests and rewards those who are loyal to him, while reminding the Russian public that Gerasimov is subordinate to him</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[27] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The interaction between Putin and the Russian servicemen was likely staged in order to bolster Putin’s reputation and once again cast Gerasimov in the role of inefficient bureaucrat, as Putin began to do during his “Direct Line” session on December 14.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[28]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russia appears to be continuing its efforts to build out a military occupation force in Ukraine separate from its frontline units through the use of its newly formed Rosgvardia units</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">.</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported on December 24 that the Russian command completed the deployment of the three newly formed regiments of Rosgvardia’s 116th Special Purpose Brigade — the 900th, 901st, and 902nd Special Purpose Regiments — to occupied Donetsk Oblast.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[29]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Mashovets stated that the Russian command based the 116th Special Purpose Brigade in Chystiakove (70km east of Donetsk City); the 900th Special Purpose Regiment in Melekyne (22km southwest of Mariupol); the 901st Special Purpose Regiment in Snizhne (80km east of Donetsk City); and the 902nd Special Purpose Regiment seven kilometers north of Chystiakove. Mashovets assessed that the 116th Special Purpose Brigade will perform “stabilization functions” in occupied Ukraine on a “permanent basis.” Russian local media reported that Rosgvardia began forming the 116th Special Purpose Brigade specifically for service in occupied Donetsk Oblast in early September 2023.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[30</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] ISW later observed in late October that the 116th Special Purpose Brigade received a Russian T-80BV tank that Wagner Group fighters used in the June 2023 armed rebellion</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[31]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The short timeframe and the deployment locations of the new Rosgvardia regiments indicate that the Kremlin is actively attempting to use these forces to solidify Russia’s control over occupied rear areas. Mashovets observed that Rosgvardia likely moved up to 6,000 troops from Russia to occupied Ukraine as part of the deployment of the 116th Special Purpose Brigade, increasing the number of Rosgvardia personnel in occupied Ukraine to 34,300 troops. While ISW cannot independently verify Mashovets’ number of deployed Rosgvardia personnel in occupied Ukraine, Russia’s recent efforts to legalize Rosgvardia’s access to recruiting volunteers, the Kremlin’s approval to provide Rosgvardia heavy military equipment, and the 116th Special Purpose Brigade’s basing in occupied Donetsk Oblast are indicators that Russia is attempting to expand Rosgvardia forces to establish a separate military occupation force.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[32]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Moscow is likely trying to recruit and deploy military occupation forces to further impede Ukraine’s counteroffensive efforts, establish permanent control over occupied areas, and suppress partisan activity without fixing frontline troops in occupation duty indefinitely.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">The Russian Black Sea Fleet’s 810th Naval Infantry Brigade edited its acknowledgement that its personnel are deliberately using chemical weapons in Ukraine in a likely effort to hide what could be evidence of an apparent violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which Russia is party.</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">The 810th Naval Infantry Brigade stated on its Telegram channel on December 22 that the brigade is using a “radical change in tactics” against Ukrainian forces in Krynky (on the eastern bank of Kherson Oblast) by dropping K-51 grenades from drones onto Ukrainian positions</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[33]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> K-51 aerosol grenades are filled with irritant CS gas (2-Chlorobenzalmalononitrile), a type of tear gas used for riot control (also known as a Riot Control Agent [RCA]), which the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) prohibits as a method of warfare</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[34]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Between the time of ISW’s data collection on December 23 and this December 24 update the 810th Naval Infantry Brigade’s Telegram edited the post to delete the specific reference to the K-51 grenade.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[35]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The original phrasing of the post, however, can be still observed on Russian social media accounts that posted screenshots of it, directly reposted the original acknowledgement (since edits to Telegram posts do not affect reposts of an unedited post), or archived the original post — all confirming that the 810th Naval Infantry Brigade did publish the use of K-51 grenades and then edited its post</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[36]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> ISW has not determined when the 810th Naval Infantry Brigade made the edit. A Russian milblogger indirectly criticized the 810th Naval Infantry Brigade on December 22 for exposing a new tactic, which suggests that Russian forces may intend to deliberately use K-51s or other RCAs elsewhere along the front</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[37</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] The Russian milblogger’s complaints or wider reporting about the acknowledgement may have prompted the 810th Naval infantry Brigade, or some Russian official to tell the 810th Naval Infantry Brigade, to edit the post.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russia’s labor shortage, which is partially a result of the war in Ukraine, reportedly amounted to about 4.8 million people in 2023 and will likely continue to exacerbate struggling Kremlin efforts aimed at increasing Russian economic capacity.</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">Kremlin-affiliated outlet </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Izvestiya</em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;"> reported on December 24 that according to the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) data indicates that the number of workers needed to fill vacant positions in mid-2023 was 6.8% of the total number of employed people, amounting to about 4.8 million people across Russia</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[38]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian President Vladimir Putin noted the connection between labor shortages and the development of Russia’s migrant policy on December 4</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[39</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] ISW continues to assess that the Kremlin is struggling to reconcile inconsistent and contradictory policies that attempt to appease the Russian ultranationalist community by disincentivizing migrant workers from working in Russia while simultaneously trying to increase Russian industrial capacity and force generation.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[40]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Key Takeaways:</u></span></strong></p><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">European Union (EU) Foreign Affairs High Representative Josep Borrell stated that Russian President Vladimir</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"> Putin is not interested in a limited territorial victory in Ukraine and will continue the war “until the final victory.”</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces are reportedly decreasing aviation activity and their use of glide bombs in Ukraine after <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Ukrainian forces shot down three Russian Su-34s in southern Ukraine between December 21 and 22.</span></span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces conducted a series of drone and missile strikes against Ukraine on the night of December 23 to 24.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov further detailed Ukraine’s efforts to establish a sustainable wartime force-generation apparatus and an effective defense industrial base (DIB) during an interview published on December 24.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to portray himself as a gracious leader who cares about the well-being of Russian military personnel, while also presenting himself as an effective Commander-in-Chief of the Russian armed forces.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russia appears to be continuing its efforts to build out a military occupation force in Ukraine separate from its frontline units through the use of its newly formed Rosgvardia units.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Russian Black Sea Fleet’s 810th Naval Infantry Brigade edited its acknowledgement that its personnel are deliberately using chemical weapons in Ukraine in a likely effort to hide what could be evidence of an apparent violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which Russia is party.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">Russia’s labor shortage, which is partially a result of the war in Ukraine, reportedly amounted to about</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: red;"> 4.8 million people in 2023 and will likely continue to exacerbate struggling Kremlin efforts aimed at increasing Russian economic capacity.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Russian forces made confirmed advances near Kreminna and near Avdiivka as positional engagements continue along the entire line of contact.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The newly formed 337th Airborne (VDV) Regiment (104th VDV Division) operating in east (left) bank Kherson Oblast near Krynky </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">is continuing to suffer losses.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian officials claimed that Russia’s handling of the situation at the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is sufficient, despite recent unsafe incidents during Russian occupation of the plant.</span></strong></li></ul></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftUkraineCoTDecember%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="706" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftUkraineCoTDecember%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We do not report in detail on Russian war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. We will continue to evaluate and report on the effects of these criminal activities on the Ukrainian military and the Ukrainian population and specifically on combat in Ukrainian urban areas. We utterly condemn Russian violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.</span></em></strong></p><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> (comprised of two subordinate main efforts)</span></b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 </span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">– Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and encircle northern Donetsk Oblast</span></b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> – Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast</span></b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis</u></b></span></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Russian Technological Adaptations</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Activities in Russian-occupied areas</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Russian Information Operations and Narratives</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><u style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">NOTE:</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent;"> ISW has restructured the operational kinetic axis sections of the daily Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment to more accurately reflect the positional nature of fighting on the battlefield. Operational kinetic axis paragraphs will be shorter and more synthetic to convey the same assessment in fewer words and not to overwhelm the reader with long lists of settlement names. The level of detail included in the report has not decreased. The report’s endnotes still contain the same level of sourcing, and ISW encourages readers interested in tactical granular details to read them. ISW will explicitly flag major operational inflections in axis text as usual, so the lack of named settlements should not be taken as an indication of gains or losses of territory or changes in the frontline. ISW will lead operational axes with confirmed map changes to accord with the daily map products produced by the Geospatial Intelligence Team, supplemented by Ukrainian and Russian claims, and will also list order of battle (ORBAT) details in each axis section when available.</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 – Luhansk Oblast</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><span style="color: #800180;">(Russian objective: Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and northern Donetsk Oblast)</span></strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces recently made a confirmed advance near Kreminna. Geolocated footage published on December 24 shows that Russian forces recently advanced east of Terny (west of Kreminna).</span><b><span style="color: red;">[41]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces are less than four kilometers away from Terny, although the geolocated footage indicates that Russian forces are slightly over four kilometers away from the outskirts of Terny.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[42</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces marginally advanced in the Kupyansk direction near Synkivka (northeast of Kupyansk), although ISW has not observed visual evidence of this claim.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[43]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian and Ukrainian sources reported that positional engagements continued in the Kupyansk direction near Synkivka and Stelmakhivka (northwest of Svatove) and in the Lyman direction east of Yampolivka (northwest of Kreminna); south of Kuzmyne (southwest of Kreminna); and near Terny (west of Kreminna), Torske (west of Kreminna), Dibrova, and the Serebryanske forest area (both southwest of Kreminna).</span><b><span style="color: red;">[44</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces have increased the amount of artillery strikes in the Khortytsya direction (Kupyansk, Lyman, and Bakhmut directions) to over 1,000 strikes per day.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[45]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Elements of the Russian 7th Motorized Rifle Brigade (2nd Luhansk People’s Republic Army Corps) reportedly continue to operate near Bilohorivka, Luhansk Oblast.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[46]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Luhansk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="841" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Luhansk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u>Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 – Donetsk Oblast</u></span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></u><span style="color: #800180;">(Russian objective: Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas)</span></strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian forces reportedly made recent gains near Bakhmut, although there were no confirmed changes to the frontline in the area. A Russian milblogger claimed on December 24 that Ukrainian forces advanced southwest of Verkhnokamianske (30km northeast of Bakhmut) and in the vicinity of Bakhmut near Khromove and Klishchiivka.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[47]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that positional fighting occurred northwest of Bakhmut near Bohdanivka and Vasyukivka; west of Bakhmut near Ivanivske; and southwest of Bakhmut near Klishchiivka, Andriivka, and Pivdenne.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[48]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets stated that the Russian command is deploying elements of the 177th Naval Infantry Regiment (Caspian Flotilla) near Kurdyumivka (southwest of Bakhmut) after withdrawing these elements from fighting near Krynky and Pidstepne in east (left) bank Kherson Oblast for reconstitution and replenishment over an unspecified period of time.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">49]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="692" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces recently made advances near Avdiivka and continued positional engagements with Ukrainian forces on December 24. Geolocated footage published on December 24 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced east of Stepove (north of Avdiivka).</span><b><span style="color: red;">[50]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces captured the entirety of the vineyard area southeast of Avdiivka but that Ukrainian forces still control an unspecified part of the nearby industrial zone southeast of Avdiivka.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[51]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Another Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces advanced 200 meters from Vodyane towards Pervomaiske southwest of Avdiivka and 200 meters towards the southwestern outskirts of Avdiivka itself</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[52]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that positional engagements occurred northwest of Avdiivka near Novobakhmutivka and in the direction of Ocheretyne; north of Avdiivka near Stepove; and southwest of Avdiivka near Sieverne, Pervomaiske, and Nevelske.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">53</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Ukrainian Avdiivka City Military Administration Head Vitaliy Barabash stated that Russian forces have intensified shelling of Avdiivka in the past day.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[54]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="692" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #800180;">Russian and Ukrainian forces continued positional engagements west and southwest on Donetsk City on December 24. Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that positional engagements continued west of Donetsk City near Marinka and southwest of Donetsk City near Novomykhailivka and Pobieda</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[55]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Mashovets stated on December 24 that elements of the Russian 39th Motorized Rifle Brigade (68th Army Corps, Eastern Military District) and the 225th and 33rd Motorized Rifle Regiments (both of the 20th Motorized Rifle Division, 8th Combined Arms Army, Southern Military District) are operating near Novomykhailivka.</span><span style="color: red;"><b>[56]</b></span><b style="color: #800180;"> </b><span style="color: #800180;">Mashovets claimed that elements of 139th Separate Motorized Rifle Battalion (29th Combined Arms Army, Eastern Military District) and the 40th and 155th Naval Infantry Brigades (Pacific Fleet, Eastern Military District) are also operating in the Novomykhailivka area.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[57]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="861" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">(Russian objective: Maintain frontline positions and secure rear areas against Ukrainian strikes)</span></strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #800180;">Russian and Ukrainian forces reportedly did not conduct offensive operations in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area on December 24. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces did not conduct offensive operations in the area.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[58]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> A Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian and Russian forces mostly engaged in mutual shelling and that Russian forces conducted several unsuccessful attacks near Staromayorske (south of Velyka Novosilka) in the past week.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[59]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="661" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian and Russian forces continued positional engagements in western Zaporizhia Oblast on December 24, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline. Ukrainian and Russian sources stated that positional engagements occurred near Robotyne and Verbove and south of Hulyaipole (36km east of Orikhiv).</span><b><span style="color: red;">[60] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Russian milbloggers continued to comment that poor weather conditions are affecting Russian and Ukrainian forces‘ ability to conduct ground maneuver</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[61] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">A Russian milblogger claimed that a poorly trained "special contingent” deployed to the Robotyne area and reinforced an unspecified Russian airborne (VDV) unit – in line with Russian VDV Commander Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky’s December 23 statement that new graduates of the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School deployed to combat zones before their intended deployment date.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[62</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Elements of the Russian 247th VDV Regiment (7th VDV Division) are reportedly operating near Verbove.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[63]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pyatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pyatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Zaporizhia%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="614" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Zaporizhia%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian forces maintain positions in east (left) bank Kherson Oblast as of December 24, but neither Russian nor Ukrainian forces made confirmed advances in the area. Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that positional engagements continued on the east bank, including near Krynky.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[64]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces have been unable to push Ukrainian forces out of the bridgehead in Krynky in the past week due to effective Ukrainian drones and electronic warfare (EW) complexes.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[65] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets stated that the 2nd VDV Battalion of the Russian 337th VDV Regiment (104th VDV Division) moved to the Krynky area to join the “Enerhodar” combat group of forces.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[66]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Mashovets stated that detachments of the 345th VDV Regiment (104th VDV Division) from reserves of the Russian “Dnepr” Grouping of Forces replaced the 2nd VDV Battalion within the “Enerhodar” group. Mashovets stated that elements of the Russian 328th and 337th VDV Regiments (104th VDV Division); 26th Motorized Rifle Regiment (70th Motorized Rifle Division, 18th Combined Arms Army, Southern Military District); and 810th Naval Infantry Brigade (Black Sea Fleet) have been operating near Krynky for the past three weeks.</span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><img height="774" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Expand combat power without conducting general mobilization)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #800180;">The newly formed 337th Airborne (VDV) Regiment (104th VDV Division) operating near Krynky in east (left) bank Kherson Oblast is continuing to suffer losses. The mother of a Russian mobilized serviceman in the 337th VDV Regiment recorded a video appeal in which she stated that the entire 1st Company of the regiment was recently buried after fighting in the Krynky area.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[67]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The mother added that servicemen operating in this direction do not have effective guidance from mid-level commanders, lack artillery support, and spend 20 days in a row in trenches without water and other supplies. The mother concluded her appeal by asking Russian commanders to not use elements of the regiment as “cannon fodder.” Russian VDV Commander Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky published a video on December 23, in which he likely tried to address Russians’ concerns over Russia’s inability to push Ukrainian forces to the west (right) bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast and mentioned some VDV manpower losses.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[68]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> It is possible that Teplinsky, at least in part, was attempting to address concerned relatives of servicemen of the 104th VDV Division – which, he observed, was less combat effective than other Russian VDV elements.</span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #800180;">Teplinsky and the Russian VDV command also appear to be facing issues with insubordination within the ranks of the 104th VDV Division. Russian opposition outlet </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mobilization News</em><span style="color: #800180;"> amplified a video on December 24, which shows a Russian commander punishing several men of the newly-formed 345th VDV Regiment (104th VDV Division) for failing to follow his orders by making them jump into a hole completely naked at night</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[69]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Elements of the 345th VDV Regiment are reportedly operating under Teplinsky’s command within the Russian “Dnepr” Group of Forces in southern Ukraine, and this footage indicates that Teplinsky may be facing insubordination challenges as a result of VDV losses on the east bank of the Dnipro River and/or the inexperience and insufficient preparation of VDV soldiers and their junior officers in this area.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">70]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Technological Adaptations</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Introduce technological innovations to optimize systems for use in Ukraine)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Nothing significant to report.</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Activities in Russian-occupied areas</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Consolidate administrative control of annexed areas; forcibly integrate Ukrainian citizens into Russian sociocultural, economic, military, and governance systems)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #800180;">Russian officials claimed that Russia’s handling of the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is sufficient, despite recent unsafe incidents during Russian occupation of the plant. Kremlin newswire </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">TASS </em><span style="color: #800180;">stated on December 24 that the Permanent Mission of Russia to international organizations in Vienna told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that there is a sufficient number of personnel at the ZNPP to ensure its safe operation in cold and hot shutdown modes and conduct scheduled maintenance and that radiation at the facility does not exceed permissible levels.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">71</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] Ukrainian nuclear energy operator Energoatom reported on November 16 that Russian authorities’ actions at the ZNPP led to a leak of a boric acid solution into steam generators, and the Ukrainian Energy Ministry and IAEA recently reported on December 2 that the ZNPP lost connection with both of its external power lines for five and a half hours.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[72]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="color: #800180;">Russian occupation authorities continued to build out electoral infrastructure in occupied Ukraine as part of efforts to legitimize Russian occupation and elections. Occupation officials stated that signature collection points to support Russian President Vladimir Putin’s presidential campaign began operating in occupied Luhansk, Zaporizhia, Kherson oblasts and that citizens must have Russian passports to participate.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">73]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Russian Information Operations and Narratives</span></span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Nothing significant to report.</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Significant activity in Belarus</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian efforts to increase its military presence in Belarus and further integrate Belarus into Russian-favorable frameworks and Wagner Group activity in Belarus)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Nothing significant to report.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Note:</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #424242; font-size: 1em;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;">ISW does not receive any classified material from any source, uses only publicly available information, and draws extensively on Russian, Ukrainian, and Western reporting and social media as well as commercially available satellite imagery and other geospatial data as the basis for these reports. References to all sources used are provided in the endnotes of each update.</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></p><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="1" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; float: none; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><b>References</b></u></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[1] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/24/eu-foreign-policy-chief-fears-rightwing-surge-in-june-elections" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/24/eu-foreign-policy-chief-fe...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[2] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/24/eu-foreign-policy-chief-fears-rightwing-surge-in-june-elections" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/24/eu-foreign-policy-chief-fe...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[3] <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/24/eu-foreign-policy-chief-fears-rightwing-surge-in-june-elections" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/24/eu-foreign-policy-chief-fe...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[4] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar122323%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar122223%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-21-2023%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar122023%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar121923%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar121523%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar122323 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar122223 ; https:...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[5] <a href="https://armyinform.com%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com dot</a> ua/2023/12/24/rosiyany-shukayut-ti-zasoby-vrazhennya-yakymy-u-vichnyj-polit-buly-vidpravleni-vorozhi-su-34-yurij-ignat/ ; <a href="https://suspilne%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://suspilne dot</a> media/646656-ignat-rf-dronami-sukae-zasobi-akimi-ukraina-zbila-tri-vinisuvaci-su-34/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[6] <a href="https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1517" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1517</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[7] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-16-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[8] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar120323" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar120323</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[9] <a href="https://armyinform%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform dot</a> com.ua/2023/12/23/na-kupyanskomu-ta-bahmutskomu-napryamkah-vorog-skorotyv-zastosuvannya-aviacziyi-prote-zbilshyv-kilkist-udarnyh-bpla-volodymyr-fito/ ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-22-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[10] <a href="https://armyinform.com%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://armyinform.com dot</a> ua/2023/12/24/rosiyany-shukayut-ti-zasoby-vrazhennya-yakymy-u-vichnyj-polit-buly-vidpravleni-vorozhi-su-34-yurij-ignat/ ; <a href="https://suspilne%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://suspilne dot</a> media/646656-ignat-rf-dronami-sukae-zasobi-akimi-ukraina-zbila-tri-vinisuvaci-su-34/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[11] <a href="https://t.me/kpszsu/8836%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; 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border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[40] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-26-2023%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-4-2023%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar121323%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar121123" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[41] <a href="https://t.me/adamtactic/462" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/adamtactic/462</a> ; <a href="https://x.com/PuenteUribarri/status/1738862000652861914?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/PuenteUribarri/status/1738862000652861914?s=20</a> ; <a href="https://x.com/klinger66/status/1738876681098518730?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/klinger66/status/1738876681098518730?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[42] <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17182" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17182</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[43] <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17182" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17182</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[44] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0SfvK5ZPMDfptC3H75NnS55pgpgkKiH7QpTgpYAJkrvWq7Ez2JkAPXhqnjcMQZpL4l%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0SfvK5ZPMDfptC3H75Nn...</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0gcWeoM5nhwxstpQ8H1Jpaj5hhCSJ4CnhonnaHFUKxiRkwa9C3TxyPSkyad9fAX32l" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0gcWeoM5nhwxstpQ8H1J...</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0RADz83yRaPycRGahoJqtXHSH4ApvKH84V6LfyYSYJxwpMEN9thwtAQ3EydkogkGNl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0RADz83yRaPycRGahoJq...</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33934" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33934</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107289" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107289</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58843" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58843</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33930%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33930 ;</a> <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17182" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17182</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58843" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58843</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[45] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0SfvK5ZPMDfptC3H75NnS55pgpgkKiH7QpTgpYAJkrvWq7Ez2JkAPXhqnjcMQZpL4l" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0SfvK5ZPMDfptC3H75Nn...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[46] <a href="https://t.me/sons_fatherland/11809" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sons_fatherland/11809</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[47] <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17182" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17182</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[48] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0gcWeoM5nhwxstpQ8H1Jpaj5hhCSJ4CnhonnaHFUKxiRkwa9C3TxyPSkyad9fAX32l" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0gcWeoM5nhwxstpQ8H1J...</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0RADz83yRaPycRGahoJqtXHSH4ApvKH84V6LfyYSYJxwpMEN9thwtAQ3EydkogkGNl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0RADz83yRaPycRGahoJq...</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0SfvK5ZPMDfptC3H75NnS55pgpgkKiH7QpTgpYAJkrvWq7Ez2JkAPXhqnjcMQZpL4l%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5674%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/dva_majors/31460%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17182%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/dva_majors/31462%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0SfvK5ZPMDfptC3H75Nn...</a> <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58897" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58897</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[49] <a href="https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1516%C2%A0" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1516 </a>(Kurdyumivka)</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[50] <a href="https://twitter.com/small10space/status/1738934615677530386;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/small10space/status/1738934615677530386;</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/klinger66/status/1738966964591071408;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/klinger66/status/1738966964591071408;</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/klinger66/status/1738962484759773584;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/klinger66/status/1738962484759773584;</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C1PVuBvtZyp/?igsh=cGUxNnJmbnNnZjJq&img_index=1" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.instagram.com/p/C1PVuBvtZyp/?igsh=cGUxNnJmbnNnZjJq&img_index=1</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[51] <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17182%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17182 ;</a> <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5699" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5699</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[52] <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58876" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58876</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[53] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0SfvK5ZPMDfptC3H75NnS55pgpgkKiH7QpTgpYAJkrvWq7Ez2JkAPXhqnjcMQZpL4l%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0SfvK5ZPMDfptC3H75Nn...</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0gcWeoM5nhwxstpQ8H1Jpaj5hhCSJ4CnhonnaHFUKxiRkwa9C3TxyPSkyad9fAX32l" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0gcWeoM5nhwxstpQ8H1J...</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0RADz83yRaPycRGahoJqtXHSH4ApvKH84V6LfyYSYJxwpMEN9thwtAQ3EydkogkGNl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0RADz83yRaPycRGahoJq...</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17182%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58876%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58876%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17182 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58876 ; https:/...</a> <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5699" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5699</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[54] <a href="https://suspilne/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://suspilne</a> dot media/646464-misto-zminuetsa-ne-po-dnah-a-po-godinah-barabas-pro-obstrili-avdiivki/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[55] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0SfvK5ZPMDfptC3H75NnS55pgpgkKiH7QpTgpYAJkrvWq7Ez2JkAPXhqnjcMQZpL4l%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0SfvK5ZPMDfptC3H75Nn...</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0gcWeoM5nhwxstpQ8H1Jpaj5hhCSJ4CnhonnaHFUKxiRkwa9C3TxyPSkyad9fAX32l" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0gcWeoM5nhwxstpQ8H1J...</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17182%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/dva_majors/31462%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58849%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid ; https://t.me/wa...</a> <a href="https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1517" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1517</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[56] <a href="https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1517%C2%A0" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1517 </a>(Novomykhailivka)</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[57] <a href="https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1517" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1517</a> (Novomykhailivka)</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[58] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0SfvK5ZPMDfptC3H75NnS55pgpgkKiH7QpTgpYAJkrvWq7Ez2JkAPXhqnjcMQZpL4l%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0SfvK5ZPMDfptC3H75Nn...</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0gcWeoM5nhwxstpQ8H1Jpaj5hhCSJ4CnhonnaHFUKxiRkwa9C3TxyPSkyad9fAX32l" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0gcWeoM5nhwxstpQ8H1J...</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0RADz83yRaPycRGahoJqtXHSH4ApvKH84V6LfyYSYJxwpMEN9thwtAQ3EydkogkGNl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0RADz83yRaPycRGahoJq...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[59] <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17196" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17196</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[60] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0SfvK5ZPMDfptC3H75NnS55pgpgkKiH7QpTgpYAJkrvWq7Ez2JkAPXhqnjcMQZpL4l%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0SfvK5ZPMDfptC3H75Nn...</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0gcWeoM5nhwxstpQ8H1Jpaj5hhCSJ4CnhonnaHFUKxiRkwa9C3TxyPSkyad9fAX32l" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0gcWeoM5nhwxstpQ8H1J...</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0RADz83yRaPycRGahoJqtXHSH4ApvKH84V6LfyYSYJxwpMEN9thwtAQ3EydkogkGNl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0RADz83yRaPycRGahoJq...</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5682%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/dva_majors/31460%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17182" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5682 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/31460 ;...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[61] <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5682%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107291%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52915" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5682 ; https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107291...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[62] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar122323%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/dva_majors/31460" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar122323 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/31460</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[63] <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58880%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58880 ;</a> <a href="https://t.me/prigozhin_2023_tg/6037" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/prigozhin_2023_tg/6037</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[64] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0SfvK5ZPMDfptC3H75NnS55pgpgkKiH7QpTgpYAJkrvWq7Ez2JkAPXhqnjcMQZpL4l%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0SfvK5ZPMDfptC3H75Nn...</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0gcWeoM5nhwxstpQ8H1Jpaj5hhCSJ4CnhonnaHFUKxiRkwa9C3TxyPSkyad9fAX32l" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0gcWeoM5nhwxstpQ8H1J...</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0RADz83yRaPycRGahoJqtXHSH4ApvKH84V6LfyYSYJxwpMEN9thwtAQ3EydkogkGNl%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0RADz83yRaPycRGahoJq...</a> <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5679" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5679</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[65] <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17196" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17196</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[66] <a href="https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1516" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1516</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[67] <a href="https://t.me/mobilizationnews/16967" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mobilizationnews/16967</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[68] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[69] <a href="https://t.me/mobilizationnews/16966" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mobilizationnews/16966</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[70] <a href="https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1462;%C2%A0https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1516" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1462; https://t.me/zvizdecmanhustu/1516</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[71] <a href="https://tass%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://tass dot</a> ru/ekonomika/19617803</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[72] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-16-2023%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-2-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">[73] <a href="https://t.me/sons_fatherland/11811%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/vrogov/13463" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sons_fatherland/11811 ; https://t.me/vrogov/13463</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></p><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </b><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b>Tags</b></span></u></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><br /></b></span></u></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> </b><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Ukraine Project</b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></b></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"> </span><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #444444;"> File Attachments:</span></u></b></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #444444;"><br /></span></u></b></span></div></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftUkraineCoTDecember%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=902264">DraftUkraineCoTDecember 24,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Luhansk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2159580">Luhansk Battle Map Draft December 24,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1511484">Bakhmut Battle Map Draft December 24,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2235969">Avdiivka and Donetsk City Battle Map Draft December 24,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2306080">Donetsk Battle Map Draft December 24,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1230793">Vremivka Salient Battle Map Draft December 24,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pyatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1185241">Pyatykhatky and Robotyne Battle Map Draft December 24,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Zaporizhia%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1210119">Zaporizhia Battle Map Draft December 24,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1443734">Kherson-Mykolaiv Battle Map Draft December 24,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/jpeg" /></span><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Babel%20Street%20email%20logo_0_23.jpg" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/jpeg; length=18200">Babel Street email logo_0.jpg</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-25609228996114050682023-12-25T02:29:00.000-08:002023-12-30T06:52:14.894-08:00It took Indian Army to show to world that 'enough is enough': Gen Naravane on Eastern Ladakh <p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b><br /></b></u></span></p><p><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red; font-size: large;"><u> IS AGNIVEER SCHEME <span> A DISASTER ?</span></u></span></b></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><b> <u>https://youtu.be/4MbYmqAkbbc</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #800180; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">It will be interesting to find out WHO framed the AGNIVEER Scheme because such a disgusting idea can never occur to a </span><span style="background-color: #800180;"><span style="color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> MAN IN UNIFORM </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Open Sans; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">To CRYSTAL-GAZE the mettle of the future AGNIVEER and with that also include to cascading & go a step further to visualize even the efficacy of topmost RANKS in the Armed Forces . One does'nt have to search far, just study the</span><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"> <b>first fifteen days</b></span></u><span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">of the UKRAINE WAR 2022. The Glaring </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #800180;"><b> DRAW BACKS of THE RUSSIAN ARMY</b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> is a smell like that of </span><span style="color: #800180;"> rotten </span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">EGG.</span><span style="color: #800180;"> State of the RUSSIAN ARMY glares out like SOS of very light shots in the sky. AGNIVEER has very strong commonalities with the RUSSIAN SYSTEM of recruitment upto the extent that the first observation has been that it may have the</span></span><span style="color: #800180; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: large;"> CHARACTERSTICS OF ITALIAN ARMY IN WORLD WAR -2 </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Open Sans";"><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;">RUSSIAN ARMY IN ON GOING UKRAINE WAR CAN BE SUMMARIZED IN ONE SENTENCE</span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: "Open Sans";"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">" RUSSIANS CAPTURE A PIECE OF GROUND BEFORE LAST LIGHT</span></b></span><b style="font-family: "Open Sans";"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> & </span></b><b style="font-family: "Open Sans";"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">UKRANIANS THROW THEM BACK AFTER LAST LIGHT BACK INTO THEIR TRENCHES "</span></b></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4MbYmqAkbbc" width="320" youtube-src-id="4MbYmqAkbbc"></iframe></b></span></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXsGn4ZV0F8djV_2tJfFdMsm3TCZoar1sbsuNdeEO7FW35JsCcp7EJc26gc3U3OlSJuZdvb1xrZEI4RH70V7MjeRKGRMqRle5T_Jd3GlyABsvQPHyVPtdJvfZMAsoEyVuKzFb6nlFB-EdueHJPUSoTMMyAYXc_mNj8tRq2J4Z9Vag4xKHkSQXQP1TauiO/s1899/Screenshot%202023-12-18%20155740.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1899" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXsGn4ZV0F8djV_2tJfFdMsm3TCZoar1sbsuNdeEO7FW35JsCcp7EJc26gc3U3OlSJuZdvb1xrZEI4RH70V7MjeRKGRMqRle5T_Jd3GlyABsvQPHyVPtdJvfZMAsoEyVuKzFb6nlFB-EdueHJPUSoTMMyAYXc_mNj8tRq2J4Z9Vag4xKHkSQXQP1TauiO/w640-h290/Screenshot%202023-12-18%20155740.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: white;"><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b></span></div> </span><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: white;"> </span><span style="color: white;">SITE OF CLASH ON 08 AUG 2020</span></span><br /></b></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-size: large;"><u>SOURCE :</u></span></b></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">( ) </span><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="" style="font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Gen Naravane ने बताया Agnipath किसका प्लान, Laddakh का सच बताया, आपत्ति किसे?Four Stars of Destiny:</u></span></yt-formatted-string><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;">https://youtu.be/pv95lcN0eD8</span></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pv95lcN0eD8" width="320" youtube-src-id="pv95lcN0eD8"></iframe></b></div><b><br /><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); border: 0px; color: #131313; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Agniveer Abhinav report - </span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); border: 0px; color: #131313; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--highlight-text-decorator" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 8px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1px;"><a aria-label="YouTube Channel Link: Agniveer पर पूर्व सैनिक ने इतनी कड़वी..." class="yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--display-type yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color" force-new-state="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0tEKvVUc0A&t=0s" rel="nofollow" style="align-items: center; display: inline-flex; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="0" target=""> <span class="yt-core-attributed-string--inline-flex-mod" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline-flex; height: 1.4em; margin: 0.5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="yt-core-attributed-string__image-element yt-core-attributed-string__image-element--image-alignment-vertical-center yt-core-image yt-core-image--content-mode-scale-to-fill yt-core-image--loaded" src="https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon.png" style="align-self: center; background: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 10px; margin: 0px; min-height: 1px; min-width: 1px; object-fit: fill; padding: 0px; visibility: inherit; width: 14px;" /></span> • Agniveer पर पूर्व सैनिक ने इतनी कड़वी... </a></span></span></b></span><span class="yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color" style="background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.05); border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #131313; font-size: 14px;">
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Rakhwale: General MM Naravane (R), Indian Army's 28th Chief of Staff has penned down a memoir - Four Stars of Destiny: An Autobiography. As per PTI, he has revealed the decesion making process behind Agnipath scheme, that replaced the recruitment policy in all three services. Now soldiers are recruited for a 4 year term. Only 25 percent are retained after this contract. Other revelations include events of August 2020 when India and China were on the brink of war in Eastern Ladakh. </span></span></p><p><b><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white;"> ( ) </span></b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;"><span style="color: red;"><u><b>Gen Naravane on Eastern Ladakh :</b></u></span></span></p><p><b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: white;">https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/it-took-indian-army-to-show-to-world-that-enough-is-enough-gen-naravane-on-eastern-ladakh/articleshow/106067214.cms?fbclid=IwAR0h7Rjk3tkvaerTKPyxJCHXc5Y0WdSvu7_K4Nes65TLdVvokj5hkgTDdPk</span></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62lgiGS0oAdgCAdUx6J0yjcr65LziUsjuozxI5OWiGGJTFM8uE7sI02bwo6-1DgyA3dg2PvL_U9e_ZlQCdKZ0cvUf6MgvZ94RaSTRbVdMFcLVNPBexLgfy2GyEnvNDx-ZTbMCt2VMCGN_0uP3s0K15MZf9zbFB9RHcnee34RC6lLltPQvjZHlYc1kHR-I/s301/Capture.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="301" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62lgiGS0oAdgCAdUx6J0yjcr65LziUsjuozxI5OWiGGJTFM8uE7sI02bwo6-1DgyA3dg2PvL_U9e_ZlQCdKZ0cvUf6MgvZ94RaSTRbVdMFcLVNPBexLgfy2GyEnvNDx-ZTbMCt2VMCGN_0uP3s0K15MZf9zbFB9RHcnee34RC6lLltPQvjZHlYc1kHR-I/w640-h481/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b> Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane</b></span></span><p></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></b></p><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">It took Indian Army to show to world that 'enough is enough': Gen Naravane on Eastern Ladakh</u></span></h3><p><br /></p><div class="bold" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u><b>Synopsis</b></u></span></div><div class="bold" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><h2 class="summary" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><i style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane, the 28th Chief of Army Staff, one of the foremost Army Generals, provided a gripping account of the India-China confrontation before and after the deadly Galwan Valley incident, India's overall response to the Chinese action and how it served as a catalyst to firm up the Army's combat readiness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).</i></span></h2><div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Dec 17, 2023,</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;"><span style="color: #800180;">New Delhi: China followed "wolf-warrior diplomacy" and "salami-slicing" tactics with impunity browbeating smaller neighbours and it took the</span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;"> Indian Army to show to the world that "enough is enough" and challenge the "neighbourhood bully", says Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane, the 28th Chief of Army Staff, recounting the Indian response to the Chinese aggression in Eastern Ladakh in 2020. In his memoirs 'Four Stars of Destiny', Naravane, providing a rare insight into the deadly Galwan Valley clashes,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">, says Chinese President Xi Jinping will not forget June 16 any time soon as China's People's Liberation Army suffered "fatal casualties" for the first time in over two decades in the fighting.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">Naravane, one of the foremost Army Generals, provided a gripping account of the India-China confrontation before and after the deadly Galwan Valley incident, India's overall response to the Chinese action and how it served as a catalyst to firm up the Army's combat readiness along the Line of Actual Control(LAC)</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"It was one of the saddest days of my entire career," says Naravane recalling the death of 20 Army personnel in the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></span><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: arial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">His tenure as the Army Chief from December 31, 2019 to April 30, 2022 was primarily marked by the Chinese challenges along the contested border as well as the rolling out of long-term reform measures to enhance the combat capabilities of the force.</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: arial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: arial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"June 16 is (Chinese President) Xi Jinping's birthday. This is not a day he will forget any time soon. For the first time in over two decades, the Chinese and the PLA had suffered fatal casualties," Naravane writes.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br /><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"They had been following wolf-warrior diplomacy and salami-slicing tactics everywhere with impunity, browbeating smaller neighbours like Nepal and Bhutan, while staking their ever-increasing claims in the South China Sea, without having to pay any costs, especially in terms of human lives."</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></span><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"It took India and the Indian Army to show to the world that enough is enough and to challenge the neighbourhood bully."</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">Delving into the overall situation along the frontier, Naravane, at the same time, suggests having a "non-aggression" pact between the two countries pending the settlement of the overall boundary dispute, saying it would go a long way in restoring confidence and pave the way for de-escalation and de-induction of forces.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></span><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">'Four Stars of Destiny' published by Penguin Random House India will hit the stands next month.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">On the Galwan Valley incident, Naravane says it occurred in view of the Chinese PLA refusing to remove two tents that it had erected in Patrolling Point 14 (PP-14), adding following the adversary's refusal, the Indian Army decided to pitch its own tents in the same general area.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></span><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">The eastern Ladakh border row began in May 2020. Naravane says flag-level meetings had been continuing at other locations then, including at PP-15 and PP-17A, where troops fell back over agreed distances, thereby reducing the chances of violent face-offs.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br /></span></div></div></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: arial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: arial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"At PP-14, however, whenever we asked the PLA to remove their tents, they kept changing their stance. From 'some more time was needed', to 'we will check with our superiors', to it 'being beyond the mandate of the talks'."</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></span><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"From this stonewalling, it became evident that there had been no intention of removing those tents in the first place. To counter this, we also decided to pitch our own tents in the same general area," he writes.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br /></span></div></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: arial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">Naravane says when Indian Army personnel went to pitch the tents, there was a violent reaction from the Chinese side.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"Col Santosh Babu, Commanding Officer of 16 BIHAR, went forward with a small party of troops to attempt to defuse the situation but the PLA were in no mood to relent and attacked the CO's party too," he says.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></span><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: arial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"Thereafter, it became a free-for-all. With darkness setting in, both sides rushed in additional troops and a see-saw engagement continued throughout the night," he recounts.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">Although armed, neither side opened fire, instead using batons or clubs and throwing or rolling down stones on each other's positions, he says.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">The former Army Chief says due to better connectivity on their side, the PLA were able to move troops forward in armoured personnel carriers which changed the balance in their favour.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">Naravane says he told then Northern Army Commander Lt Gen YK Joshi during a phone call at 1:30 am on June 16 that the Army must hit back and make the PLA pay the price for their misadventure. "Daylight revealed a not-so-favourable situation."</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br /></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: arial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"Few jawans who could not make it back at night or who had been separated started trickling back. Five jawans had died of injuries in the melee. The next morning, as the head count was taken, we realised many were missing," he says.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"As tense negotiations began, many of our boys, who had either got disoriented or had been briefly detained by the PLA without food or medical aid, returned to base," he says.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></span><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: arial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"However, 15 of them succumbed to the combined effects of their injuries and hypothermia. It was one of the saddest days of my entire career."</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">The Galwan Valley clashes on June 15, 2020 marked the most serious military conflicts between India and China in decades and the full extent of the deadliest confrontation was known the next day.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></span><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"We are in a profession where death is always lurking around the corner.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"Every patrol or ambush can be your last. As a Company and Battalion Commander, my unit had suffered casualties, and I was always stoic in the face of adversity or bad news. Yet, losing 20 men in a day was hard to bear," he notes.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br /></span></div></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: arial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">About the casualties on the Chinese side, Naravane says it was evident that they "too suffered substantially".</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"Our men who were in Chinese hands had been kept out in the open and they had seen several bodies being fished out of the river. Whenever that happened, they were subjected to a fresh round of beatings," Naravane writes.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"The sheer savagery of their response was in itself indicative of the losses they had suffered. Initially, they did not admit to any casualties at all; then many months later, admitted to four or five killed, including the CO on their side," he says.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">Naravane also mentioned a report by a group of Australian researchers that put the figure of Chinese fatalities to at least 38, A separate Russian (TASS) report put the figure closer to 45 killed, which was consistent with other </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">intelligence reports, including those from the US, he says.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></span><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: arial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">Naravane says the time is ripe for the resumption of the special-representative level talks to settle the border question between the two sides.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"Pending the settlement of the boundary dispute, which is likely to be time-consuming, articulation of a 'non-aggression' pact between the two countries would go a long way in restoring confidence, paving the way for de-escalation and de-induction of forces from Tibet/Ladakh," he said.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"Such a pact would be somewhat akin to what China and the ASEAN countries are attempting to formalise," he said.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">The former Army Chief says the crisis in eastern Ladakh served as a catalyst for the Army's rebalancing to the northern front. The Army moved many key units to the northern front from other parts following the Chinese aggression.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"Though still inadequate, the increase in force ratios on the Northern Front will definitely make the PLA think twice before embarking on any misadventure, especially now that we have the offensive capability to take the battle into Chinese territory," Naravane says.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></span><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">"In our posture against China, we have moved up from dissuasive deterrence (defensive) to credible deterrence (offensive defence). With these developments, the PLA must have realised that a military solution to the border problem is improbable," he adds.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana;">'Wolf-warrior' diplomacy is a term used for a kind of assertive diplomacy. Salami Slicing is a tactic used to capture territory piece by piece.</span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /></span><br style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Montserrat, Verdana; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" /><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-5988743934588328752023-12-24T21:21:00.000-08:002023-12-29T08:50:09.661-08:00IRAN UPDATE, DECEMBER 24, 2023 <p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><u> SOURCE :</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"> ( )</span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;"> <u>IRAN UPDATE, DECEMBER 24, 2023 : </u></span></b><b> </b></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b> https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-24-2023</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>( ) </b></span><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">The </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">Pentagon confirmed</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">(? )</span></u></span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">that Iran conducted the one-way drone attack on the Israeli-linked <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Chem Pluto</em> off the coast of India on December 23</span><span style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;">.</span></span></strong><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: red;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[49]</strong><span style="font-size: 1em;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">CTP-ISW previously assessed that the attack was likely part of Iran and the Axis of Resistance’s efforts to signal their capability and willingness to attack maritime targets beyond just the Persian Gulf and Red Sea</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[50]</span></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><b> https://youtu.be/DA2NLNC318Q</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DA2NLNC318Q" width="320" youtube-src-id="DA2NLNC318Q"></iframe></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><h1 class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #0f0f0f; display: -webkit-box; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 2.8rem; margin: 0px; max-height: 5.6rem; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; word-break: break-word;"><span style="font-size: small;"><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="" style="background-color: white;"> </yt-formatted-string><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style=""> </yt-formatted-string><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="">Hidden Attack on India I Deep State and</yt-formatted-string><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style=""> </yt-formatted-string><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="">Pakistan I New Anti Bharat Attack I</yt-formatted-string></span></span></h1><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="" style="background-color: white;"> </yt-formatted-string></div><div><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #800180; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></div><div><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #800180; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"> <u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">SUMMARY OF THE TEXT</u></strong></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="" style="background-color: #fcff01;"><br /></yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="" style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;">Iran and the Houthis are functioning as a coalition to conduct combined military operations targeting international shipping in the Red Sea. Iran considers the Axis of Resistance as its unconventional alliance of state, semi-state, and non-state actors. Their anti-US and anti-Israeli ideology unites the Axis of Resistance, creating strategic alignment across its members. Multiple US officials have highlighted the role Iran plays in the targeting and execution of Houthi attacks against international shipping. Iran provides the weapons and uses advisers on the ground in Yemen and at least one spy ship anchored in the Red Sea to support its Houthi partners, who execute the attacks based on Iranian advice and intelligence.</span></span></yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="" style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="" style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="" style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"> _________________________________</span></b></yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="" style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></yt-formatted-string></div><div><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="" style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></yt-formatted-string></div><div><br /></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iran Update, December 24, 2023</u></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Brian Carter, Annika Ganzeveld, Johanna Moore, and Nicholas Carl</span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Information Cutoff: 2:00pm EST</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The Iran Update provides insights into Iranian and Iranian-sponsored activities abroad that undermine regional stability and threaten US forces and interests. It also covers events and trends that affect the stability and decision-making of the Iranian regime. The Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) provides these updates regularly based on regional events. For more on developments in Iran and the region, see our</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </span></em><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/661fd12b23f442b781be64cf323ef573/?draft=true" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">interactive map of Iran and the Middle East</em></a></strong><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</em></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Note</u></span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: medium;">: CTP and ISW have refocused the update to cover the Israel-Hamas war. The new sections address developments in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as noteworthy activity from Iran’s Axis of Resistance. </span></em><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We do not report in detail on war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. </em><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We utterly condemn violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.</em></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Click</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"> </span></em><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://isw.pub/IsraelBattleMap" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;">here</span></em></a></strong><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">to see CTP and ISW’s interactive map of Israeli ground operations. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.</span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">Note: </span><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">I</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: medium;">SW a</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">nd CTP will not publish a</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">n Israel–Hamas War (Iran) Update</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (or maps) tomorrow, December 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. Coverage will resume Tuesday, December 26.</strong></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Key Takeaways:</u></span></strong></p><ol style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The Houthi movement likely conducted four attacks targeting civilian and military vessels in the Red Sea. Iran and the Houthis are functioning as a coalition to conduct combined military operations targeting international shipping in the Red Sea.</i></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Multiple Israeli sources told Israeli media that Egypt presented a three-stage ceasefire and hostage-for-prisoner exchange deal to Israel and Hamas. Informed sources told Saudi Arabia-based al Sharq that Hamas “expressed agreement” with a separate Egyptian initiative that seeks to form a “technocratic” Palestinian government after the war.</span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Israel announced that </span><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">15 of its soldiers were killed by</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> enemy action across the Gaza Strip in several engagements.</span></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Israeli Army Radio’s military correspondent</span><i><span style="color: red;"> reported that Hamas is implementing lessons learned in the fight against the IDF to improve its ability to defend against IDF operations.</span></i></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Palestinian militias continued trying to defend against IDF clearing operations in Jabalia. Israeli forces continued clearing operations in Khan Younis.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Palestinian militias conducted at least one rocket attack from the Gaza Strip targeting southern Israel.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters four times across the West Bank.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Iranian-backed militias, including Lebanese Hezbollah, conducted six attacks from southern Lebanon into northern Israel.</span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Iranian Foreign Affairs Ministry Senior Advisor Ali Asghar Khaji discussed the Israel-Hamas war in a meeting with Russian Foreign Ministry Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process Vladimir Safronkov in Tehran.</span></li></ol></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCoTDecember24%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCoTDecember24%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">The Houthi movement likely conducted four attacks targeting civilian and military vessels in the Red Sea on December 23.</u></span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">US CENTCOM reported that unidentified fighters fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles from Houthi-controlled Yemeni territory into international shipping lanes in the southern Red Sea</span><b><span style="color: red;">.<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[1]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">A Yemeni journalist reported that Houthis launched both missiles from Huban, Taiz governorate</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[2]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">CENTCOM said that no ships reported that they were hit by the missiles.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[3]</span></b></span></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">US CENTCOM reported that unidentified fighters targeted the USS </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Laboon</em><span style="color: #800180;"> in the southern Red Sea with four drones.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[4]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> CENTCOM reported that the drones originated from Houthi-controlled Yemeni territory. The USS </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Laboon</em><span style="color: #800180;"> intercepted all four drones and reported no injuries or damage from the attack.</span></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Houthi fighters conducted two attacks targeting the Norwegian-flagged </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Blaamanen</em><span style="color: #800180;"> and Indian-flagged </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Saibaba </em><span style="color: #800180;">with one-way attack drones in the southern Red Sea.</span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[5]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Blaamanen </em><span style="color: #800180;">reported that the Houthi drone missed the ship. The </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Saibaban </em><span style="color: #800180;">reported that one attack drone hit the ship but did not cause in casualties among the crew. CENTCOM reported that the USS </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Laboon </em><span style="color: #800180;">responded to distress signals from both vessels at approximately 2000 local time.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[6]</span></b></span></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Iran and the Houthis are functioning as a coalition to conduct combined military operations targeting international shipping in the Red Sea.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Iran considers the Axis of Resistance as its unconventional alliance of state, semi-state, and non-state actors<b>.</b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[7]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Their anti-US and anti-Israeli ideology unites the Axis of Resistance, creating strategic alignment across its members. Multiple US officials have highlighted the role Iran plays in the targeting and execution of Houthi attacks against international shipping.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[8]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Iran provides the weapons and uses advisers on the ground in Yemen and at least one spy ship anchored in the Red Sea to support its Houthi partners, who execute the attacks based on Iranian advice and intelligence</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[9]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Iranian state media claimed that the US-led Red Sea security coalition, Operation Prosperity Guardian, is collapsing</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">.</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[10]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="color: #800180;">An Iranian state Arabic-language media outlet claimed that France, Spain, and Italy’s decision to operate outside of</span><u><b> Operation Prosperity Guardian </b></u><span style="color: #800180;">was evidence that they and other countries in the coalition are unwilling to be the</span><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b> "aggressor”</b> </span></span><span style="color: #800180;">in the Red Sea to protect Israeli economic interests.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[11]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The outlet reiterated the Houthi’s false claim that its fighters only target ships en route to Israel. Recent Houthi attacks have targeted many commercial ships not traveling to Israel. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian on December 18 as a multinational security force to address security challenges in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden following Houthi attacks threatening freedom of navigation.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[12]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Austin reported that the coalition is composed of the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[13]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Italy and France released separate statements announcing that their forces would operate independently in the Red Sea to secure freedom of navigation and would not operate under Operation Prosperity Guardian.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[14]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Spanish officials said separately that their forces would only operate under a NATO- or EU-led operations</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[15]</span></b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Gaza Strip</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Erode the will of the Israeli political establishment and public to launch and sustain a major ground operation into the Gaza Strip</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Degrade IDF material and morale around the Gaza Strip.</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><u>Multiple Israeli sources told Israeli media that Egypt presented a three-stage ceasefire and hostage-for-prisoner exchange deal to Israel and Hamas.</u></span></strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[16]</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large;">The</span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #800180; font-size: large;"> <b>first phase</b></span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b> </b>of the deal would include Hamas releasing 40 women, the elderly, and sick men in exchange for a two-to-three week pause in fighting. The <b style="background-color: #fcff01;">second phase </b>would include the release of female Israeli soldiers and dead hostages and discussion on the “day after” the war in the Gaza Strip.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[17]</span></b></span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> The</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b> <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">third phase</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="background-color: #d0e0e3; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">would include the release of Israeli men and soldiers in return for the release of Palestinian fighters from Israeli prisons and the withdrawal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: #800180;">Senior Israeli officials told an Israeli journalist that the Egyptian proposal was not ready and “preliminary” but that the presentation of the proposal was “positive.</span><span style="color: #800180;">”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[18]</b></span> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">One official added that Israel is “considering” the plan, but another official added that it is “difficult to see” how Israel could agree to the plan’s third stage.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[19</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> The official added that the plan’s first stage is nearly identical to the hostage exchange plan that Mossad Director David Barnea proposed to Qatar on December 18, which called for the release of forty Israeli hostages in exchange for at least a weeklong pause in fighting.</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[20]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">A senior Israeli official told the journalist that Israeli officials are not sure if Hamas would agree to the plan. Hamas said on December 23 that it will not discuss any prisoner exchange until there is a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[21]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">A separate Israeli media outlet reported that Israel is prepared to execute the plan’s first stage, but that the second two phases are unacceptable.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[22]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Informed sources told Saudi Arabia-based al Sharq that Hamas “expressed agreement” with a separate Egyptian initiative that seeks to form a “technocratic” Palestinian government after the war.</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">23]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Al Sharq reported on December 24 that Egypt presented the concept to unspecified Palestinian factions. The initiative notably does not contain a provision to disarm or disband Hamas as a governing body or a military force based on the details reported publicly. Israel’s stated objective for the war is the destruction of Hamas’ military and governing capacity. Al Sharq reported that Hamas seeks to hold its Israeli hostages as leverage to encourage Israel to end the war.</span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">A Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) delegation traveled to Cairo on December 24, to discuss hostage-for-prisoner exchanges with Egypt, meaning that PIJ would likely be involved in any the Egyptian initiative to end the war and form a “technocratic” government</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[24</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> A PIJ official told Reuters that its talks in Cairo would “center on ‘ways to end’” the Israeli ground operation into the Gaza Strip. The official added that PIJ would not release hostages for prisoners until Israel agrees to a “ceasefire.”</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Israel announced that 15 of its soldiers were killed by enemy action across the Gaza Strip in several engagements on December 23 and 24</span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">.</span></strong><span style="color: red;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[25]</strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">This rate of casualties makes December 23 and 24 one of the deadliest two-day periods for the IDF since the war began.</span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[26]</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The IDF has said that 154 of its soldiers have died since the ground operation into the Gaza Strip began.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[27]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s war aims in response to criticism from his economy minister on December 24.</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The minister said that it is “unacceptable that [Israel] would endanger [Israeli] soldiers” by sending troops into uncleared areas without preparatory bombardments.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[28</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Netanyahu responded that the IDF makes its decisions based on the context on the ground. He also reiterated that Israel "will fight to the end” and that “this will be a prolonged war” aimed at freeing hostages and “eliminating Hamas.”</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[29]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red;">The Israeli Army Radio’s military correspondent reported on December 24 that Hamas is implementing lessons learned in the fight against the IDF to improve its ability to defend against IDF operations.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span><i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: medium;">The correspondent said that Hamas is now executing</span><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-size: large;"> “guerrilla warfare.</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: medium;">” He said that Hamas is learning “how the IDF works and what its weak points are.</span></i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large;">”</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[30]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The correspondent said that Hamas learned that the IDF uses unarmored vehicles to travel down some roads that Israeli forces believe are safe and that the Hamas has begun to target these unarmored vehicles</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[31</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #800180;"> He added that the IDF is forced to prioritize "strategic tunnels” due to the large number of Hamas tunnels, which allows Hamas to take advantage of other small tunnel shafts to mount attacks on IDF units</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[32]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Palestinian militias continued trying to defend against IDF clearing operations in Jabalia on December 24.</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades—the militant wing of Hamas—said that they engaged advancing Israeli forces with thermobaric rockets and anti-tank rockets between an unspecified “military camp” and Jabalia City</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[33]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The National Resistance Brigades—the militant wing of X—said that its forces were defending against IDF advances in Jabalia City.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[34]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The al Qassem Brigades also claimed two attacks in al Qasaib neighborhood in Jabalia, including a combined operation with the al Quds Brigades—the militant wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">35]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The IDF’s 460</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Brigade Combat Team reported on December 24 that it killed seven Hamas fighters and destroyed four Hamas observation posts in Jabalia.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[36]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian militias continued to attack Israeli forces behind the Israeli forward line of advance in Zaytoun on December 24. The al Quds Brigades claimed that it fired two rocket propelled grenades and detonated an anti-tank sticky grenade targeting Israeli vehicles in Zaytoun.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[37]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades also attacked Israeli infantry conducting clearing operations near Juhor ad Dik on December 24.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[38]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> It claimed that the attack killed six Israeli soldiers but provided no supporting evidence.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Israeli forces continued clearing operations in Khan Younis on December 24. </strong>I</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">sraeli forces captured a weapons and explosives cache in Khan Younis on December 24</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[39]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Quds Brigades shelled advancing Israeli forces east of Khan Younis.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[40]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Martyr Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades—the militant wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine—said that it attacked Israeli forces advancing east of Khan Younis.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[41]</span></b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2024%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2024%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Palestinian militias conducted at least one rocket attack from the Gaza Strip targeting southern Israel on December 24. </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The al Quds Brigades claimed that it shelled Sufa using mortars on December 24</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[42]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian media said that rocket fire targeting two other areas in southern Israel causing sirens to sound off</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[43]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">CTP-ISW could not verify launches or impacts elsewhere in southern Israel, and no Palestinian militias claimed the attacks.</span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2024%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2024%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Recorded reports of rocket attacks; CTP-ISW cannot independently verify impact.</b></span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">West Bank</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward the West Bank and fix them there</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters four times across the West Bank overnight on December 24</span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">.</span></u></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[44]</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Palestinian fighters blocked roads with burning tires and targeted Israeli forces with multiple improvised explosive devices (IED) in Tulkarm and Tulkarm refugee camp.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[45]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Nablus locals posted footage of heavy fire exchanges between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[46]</span></b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>This map is not an exhaustive depiction of clashes and demonstrations in the West Bank.</b></span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Southern Lebanon and Golan Heights</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward northern Israel and fix them there</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Set conditions for successive campaigns into northern Israel</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Iranian-backed militias, including Lebanese Hezbollah (LH), conducted six attacks from southern Lebanon into northern Israel on December 24.</span></u></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[47]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">LH claimed five attacks targeting civilian and military targets in Israel.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[48]</span></b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; color: #006699; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iran and Axis of Resistance</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Demonstrate the capability and willingness of Iran and the Axis of Resistance to escalate against the United States and Israel on multiple fronts</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>Set conditions to fight a regional war on multiple fronts</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">The </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-size: x-large;"><u><span style="color: #cc0000;">Pentagon confirmed </span>(? )</u></span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">that Iran conducted the one-way drone attack on the Israeli-linked <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Chem Pluto</em> off the coast of India on December 23</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: red;">.</span></span></strong><span style="color: red;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[49]</strong><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><span style="color: #800180;">CTP-ISW previously assessed that the attack was likely part of Iran and the Axis of Resistance’s efforts to signal their capability and willingness to attack maritime targets beyond just the Persian Gulf and Red Sea</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[50]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Iranian Foreign Affairs Ministry Senior Advisor Ali Asghar Khaji discussed the Israel-Hamas war in a meeting with Russian Foreign Ministry Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process Vladimir Safronkov in Tehran on December 24</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">.</span></span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">[51]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: 1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: 1em;">Khaji and Safronkov discussed “political ways” to end the Israeli ground operation in the Gaza Strip, implement an immediate ceasefire, and provide humanitarian aid to Gazans.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="1" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; float: none; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u>References :</u></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[1]</span> <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/international/4375697-houthis-fire-missiles-at-ships-in-red-sea-pentagon/#:~:text=Yemen" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://thehill.com/policy/international/4375697-houthis-fire-missiles-a...</a>'s%20Houthi%20rebels%20fired%20two,were%20hit%20by%20the%20missiles.</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[2]</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1738775814450114960?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/Alsakaniali/status/1738775814450114960?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[3]</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1738719550122975698" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1738719550122975698</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[4]</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1738719550122975698" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1738719550122975698</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[5]</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1738719550122975698" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1738719550122975698</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[6]</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1738719550122975698" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/1738719550122975698</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[7]</span> <a href="https://www.aei.org/research-products/report/pivot-to-offense-how-iran-is-adapting-for-modern-conflict-and-warfare/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.aei.org/research-products/report/pivot-to-offense-how-iran-i...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[8]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-involved-red-sea-attacks-white-house-claim/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-involved-red-sea-attacks-white-house-c...</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2023/12/19/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-and-nsc-coordinator-for-strategic-communications-john-kirby-34/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2023/12/19/pres...</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/3605010/houthi-attacks-on-commercial-shipping-in-international-water-continue/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/...</a></span>; <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-allies-mull-naval-task-force-to-protect-shipping-in-red-sea-after-houthi-attacks/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-allies-mull-naval-task-force-to-protect...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[9]</span> <a href="https://www.aei.org/research-products/report/yemens-houthis-and-the-expansion-of-irans-axis-of-resistance/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.aei.org/research-products/report/yemens-houthis-and-the-expa...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[10]</span> <a href="https://www.alalam/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.alalam</a> dot ir/news/6774433/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%88--%D8%A5%D9%86%D9%87%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%B1</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[11]</span> <a href="https://www.alalam/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.alalam</a> dot ir/news/6774433/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%88--%D8%A5%D9%86%D9%87%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%AD%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%B1</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[12]</span> <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3621110/statement-from-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-ensuring-freedom-of-n/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3621110/statement-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[13]</span> <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3621110/statement-from-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-ensuring-freedom-of-n/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3621110/statement-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[14]</span> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us-red-sea-taskforce-gets-limited-backing-some-allies-2023-12-20/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/us-red-sea-taskforce-gets-limited-backing-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[15]</span> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us-red-sea-taskforce-gets-limited-backing-some-allies-2023-12-20/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/us-red-sea-taskforce-gets-limited-backing-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[16]</span> https://13tv dot co.il/item/news/politics/state-policy/new-deal-903862804/?pid=7&cid=902992383; <a href="https://www.mako/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.mako</a> dot co.il/news-military/6361323ddea5a810/Article-da9659a9c1c9c81027.htm?partner=lobby</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[17]</span> https://13tv dot co.il/item/news/politics/state-policy/new-deal-903862804/?pid=7&cid=902992383</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[18]</span> <a href="https://news.walla/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://news.walla</a> dot co.il/item/3630967</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[19]</span> <a href="https://news.walla/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://news.walla</a> dot co.il/item/3630967</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[20]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://news.walla/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://news.walla</a></span> dot co.il/item/3630967; <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/19/israel-offer-hamas-pause-fighting-hostages" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.axios.com/2023/12/19/israel-offer-hamas-pause-fighting-hostages</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[21]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49227" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49227</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49228" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/hamaswestbank/49228</a></span></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[22]</span> Https://13tv dot co.il/item/news/politics/state-policy/new-deal-903862804/?pid=7&cid=902992383</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[23]</span> <a href="https://asharq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://asharq</a> dot com/politics/75530/%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%AA%D8%B4%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D9%83%D9%86%D9%88%D9%82%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%BA%D8%B2%D8%A9/</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[24]</span> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-pushes-control-northern-gaza-biden-netanyahu-discuss-outlook-2023-12-24/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-pushes-control-northern...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[25]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://x.com/manniefabian/status/1738861473231691786?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/manniefabian/status/1738861473231691786?s=20</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://x.com/manniefabian/status/1738952191354806725?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/manniefabian/status/1738952191354806725?s=20</a></span></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[26]</span> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-pushes-control-northern-gaza-biden-netanyahu-discuss-outlook-2023-12-24/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-pushes-control-northern...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[27]</span> <a href="https://x.com/manniefabian/status/1738952191354806725?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/manniefabian/status/1738952191354806725?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[28]</span> <a href="https://www.mako.co/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.mako.co</a> dot il/news-politics/2023_q4/Article-b652afdf94b9c81027.htm?sCh=31750a2610f26110&pId=173113802</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[29]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.mako/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.mako</a></span> dot co.il/news-politics/2023_q4/Article-b652afdf94b9c81027.htm?sCh=31750a2610f26110&pId=173113802</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[30]</span> <a href="https://x.com/Doron_Kadosh/status/1738835742544056358?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/Doron_Kadosh/status/1738835742544056358?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[31]</span> <a href="https://twitter.com/Doron_Kadosh/status/1738835742544056358?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/Doron_Kadosh/status/1738835742544056358?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[32]</span> <a href="https://x.com/Doron_Kadosh/status/1738835744100122935?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/Doron_Kadosh/status/1738835744100122935?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[33]</span> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1027" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1027</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[34]</span> <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4009" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4009</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[35]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1032" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1032</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1029" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1029</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17049" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17049</a></span></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[36]</span> <a href="https://x.com/idfonline/status/1738818395259253078?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/idfonline/status/1738818395259253078?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[37]</span> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17045" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17045</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[38]</span> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1031" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1031</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[39]</span> <a href="https://x.com/idfonline/status/1738818395259253078?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/idfonline/status/1738818395259253078?s=20</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[40]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17046" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17046</a></span>; <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17039" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17039</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[41]</span> <a href="https://t.me/kataebabuali/10559" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebabuali/10559</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[42]</span> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17044" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17044</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[43]</span> <a href="https://t.me/newpress1/62675" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/newpress1/62675</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[44]</span> <a href="https://t.me/newpress1/62613" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/newpress1/62613</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/jeninnews1/83170" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jeninnews1/83170</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/jeninnews1/83169" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jeninnews1/83169</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/jeninnews1/83175" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jeninnews1/83175</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/newpress1/62621" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/newpress1/62621</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/HebronNewss/32945" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/HebronNewss/32945</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/HebronNewss/32947" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: dotted 1px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/HebronNewss/32947</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/jeninnews1/83168" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jeninnews1/83168</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/jeninnews1/83182" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jeninnews1/83182</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/jeninnews1/83179" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jeninnews1/83179</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/jeninnews1/83188" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jeninnews1/83188</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[45]</span> <a href="https://t.me/jeninnews1/83170" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jeninnews1/83170</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/jeninnews1/83169" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jeninnews1/83169</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/jeninnews1/83175" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jeninnews1/83175</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/newpress1/62621" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/newpress1/62621</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/HebronNewss/32945" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/HebronNewss/32945</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/HebronNewss/32947" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/HebronNewss/32947</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/jeninnews1/83168" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jeninnews1/83168</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/jeninnews1/83182" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jeninnews1/83182</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[46]</span> <a href="https://t.me/jeninnews1/83179" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jeninnews1/83179</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/jeninnews1/83188" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/jeninnews1/83188</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[47]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42456" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42456</a></span></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[48]</span> <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42421" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42421</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42458" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42458</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42492" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42492</a></span>; <span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42495;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42495;</a></span> <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42490;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42490;</a> <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42484;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42484;</a> <a href="https://www.haaretz/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.haaretz</a> dot com/israel-news/2023-12-24/ty-article-live/biden-and-netanyahu-discuss-objectives-and-phasing-of-gaza-war-in-call/0000018c-9905-d47c-a7fd-dbcd39ab0000?liveBlogItemId=752801115&htm_source=site&htm_medium=button&htm_campaign=live_blog_item#752801115</span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[49]</span> <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-says-iran-drone-struck-an-oil-tanker-near-india-db4a1233" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/u-s-says-iran-drone-struck-an-oil-...</a></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[50]</span> <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-23-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-23-2023</a></span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[51]</span> <a href="https://www.farsnews/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.farsnews</a> dot ir/news/14021003000248</span></b></p></div></div></div><h3 id="tagtitle" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Tags</u></span></h3><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> Iran Project</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">File Attachments: </u></b></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCoTDecember24%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2066787">DraftIsraelCoTDecember24,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=5438119">Regional IDF Battle Map Draft December 24,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1855572">Gaza Evacuation Zone Map December 24,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2024%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1624783">Gaza Clearing Map December 24, 2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2024%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1089853">Southern Israel Battle Map December 24, 2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1578450">West Bank Battle Map December 24,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2024%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1564913">Northern Israel Battle Map December 24,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/jpeg" /></span><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Babel%20Street%20email%20logo_0_24.jpg" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/jpeg; length=18200">Babel Street email logo_0.jpg</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-88649290958461538792023-12-24T06:46:00.000-08:002023-12-30T06:53:10.143-08:00RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, DECEMBER 23, 2023 <p><u><span style="color: #800180;"> </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>SOURCE : </b></span></u></p><p><b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;">( ) </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red; text-decoration-line: underline;">RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, DECEMBER 23, 2023:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023</span></b></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>( )</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSP0NKLKNGUg8os9WYAcZ_2tezE5lGRk8lUDR_Rjkz0PqpLCGWWlkn_I86NbTrcyLYmw49GWs7cDCaL6qRssrKoG_DykjMGd8nYbEqOrBTIrb5WDPFMwrvWYAeTFvBmYY4p-z-1aR6coubArnF74dUOrtg1yVd1JCSzbCbkiLSbrgyIr1UM5DeMcsRk3V/s1319/Capture.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1319" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSP0NKLKNGUg8os9WYAcZ_2tezE5lGRk8lUDR_Rjkz0PqpLCGWWlkn_I86NbTrcyLYmw49GWs7cDCaL6qRssrKoG_DykjMGd8nYbEqOrBTIrb5WDPFMwrvWYAeTFvBmYY4p-z-1aR6coubArnF74dUOrtg1yVd1JCSzbCbkiLSbrgyIr1UM5DeMcsRk3V/w640-h420/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: large;">( ) </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="css-175oi2r r-18kxxzh r-1b7u577 r-onrtq4 r-1awozwy" style="align-items: center; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex: 0 0 40px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 12px 0px 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r" data-testid="Tweet-User-Avatar" style="align-items: stretch; 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font-size: medium;"><b>·</b></span></span></div><div class="css-175oi2r r-18u37iz r-1q142lx" style="align-items: stretch; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><a aria-label="7 minutes ago" class="css-1rynq56 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-rjixqe r-16dba41 r-xoduu5 r-1q142lx r-1w6e6rj r-9aw3ui r-3s2u2q r-1loqt21" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/ChuckPfarrer/status/1738934734426636384" role="link" style="border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline-flex; flex-shrink: 0; flex-wrap: wrap; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; gap: 4px; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; text-overflow: unset; text-wrap: nowrap;"><time datetime="2023-12-24T14:48:43.000Z"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fcff01;">7m</b></span></time></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="css-175oi2r r-1jkjb" style="align-items: stretch; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 8px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-175oi2r r-1awozwy r-18u37iz r-1cmwbt1 r-1wtj0ep" style="align-items: center; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: row; flex-shrink: 0; 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display: inline-flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; inset: 0px; list-style: none; margin: -8px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px; position: absolute; transition-duration: 0.2s; transition-property: background-color, box-shadow; z-index: 0;"></div><svg aria-hidden="true" class="r-4qtqp9 r-yyyyoo r-dnmrzs r-bnwqim r-1plcrui r-lrvibr r-1xvli5t r-1hdv0qi" viewbox="0 0 24 24"><g></g></svg><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fcff01;"><path d="M3 12c0-1.1.9-2 2-2s2 .9 2 2-.9 2-2 2-2-.9-2-2zm9 2c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2zm7 0c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2-2 .9-2 2 .9 2 2 2z"></path></b></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="css-175oi2r" style="align-items: stretch; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-basis: auto; flex-direction: column; flex-shrink: 0; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 0;"><div class="css-1rynq56 r-8akbws r-krxsd3 r-dnmrzs r-1udh08x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-37j5jr r-a023e6 r-rjixqe r-16dba41 r-bnwqim" data-testid="tweetText" dir="auto" id="id__86cu3s77a0o" lang="ro" style="-webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 10; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: -webkit-box; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: 20px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" style="background-color: #fcff01; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-overflow: unset; white-space: inherit;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b>AVDIIVKA AXIS /1500 UTC 24 DEC/ Heavy combat continues: UKR breaks up 40 Russian attacks near Avdiivka, Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Sieverne & Nevelske.</b></span></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu76pez4qkPqP-ONckUdqEHO7sr76C2z9F_EXQZDVXKeQmeHb2ysaBQ9KOxEIsIQDOg7uKIemxArY9Kim44ZAukttmVdaExX4DXWNzYrv_xWDyfYHBDT3j0PlkFeZY7JSbVmlkg5215ENOxo8OLarhFih_EMOo4XqJv5YODnOwTkTyg0aBLErys1y4bJj1/s1306/Capture.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">Russia’s Own Troops Are Being Blown Up By Low Quality Artillery Ammo From North Korea: </u><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: x-large;"><u><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: x-large;"><u><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"><br /></span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;"><u><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">GOOGLE TO OPEN URL</span></u><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: "Playfair Display", serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Playfair Display", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> </b></span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Playfair Display, serif; font-size: large;"><b>https://www.kyivpost.com/post/25872</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: Playfair Display, serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div></span><p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6n9WW5A42iaDGHMYSPD3eANV80ynnGaMFoDIi-I70K-j4D-paPbBiLBqg9gfRt3BrhtcImXkGvBSOofySwOiEdtnsOz5h0Hza4G6rKJhTxJqtpeszc7Jp8iuRhlwuekbVpldJ5nOzY_3Enwa7yjU7EKubp_SgD7uIurvfCVbWTYV5S6DNKlCeDO5hvW9/s577/Capture.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="577" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6n9WW5A42iaDGHMYSPD3eANV80ynnGaMFoDIi-I70K-j4D-paPbBiLBqg9gfRt3BrhtcImXkGvBSOofySwOiEdtnsOz5h0Hza4G6rKJhTxJqtpeszc7Jp8iuRhlwuekbVpldJ5nOzY_3Enwa7yjU7EKubp_SgD7uIurvfCVbWTYV5S6DNKlCeDO5hvW9/w640-h472/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">SUMMARY OF THE TEXT</u></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: red; text-decoration-line: underline;">The New York Times (NYT) </span><span style="color: #800180;"><u>-</u> citing former and current senior Russian, US, and international officials - reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin is using back channels and intermediaries to signal his interest in a ceasefire, despite Putin’s recent public statements to the contrary. NYT reported that Western officials have been picking up renewed signals through backchannels since September 2023 that Putin is interested in a ceasefire that freezes the current frontlines, but noted that Western officials warned the backchannels could be “Kremlin misdirection” and may not reflect a “genuine willingness” to negotiate. NYT suggested several possible motivations Putin may have for his reported interest in a ceasefire: the upcoming March 2024 Russian presidential election, a desire to “keep his options open” regarding the war’s resolution and take advantage of perceived waning Western support for Ukraine, and the “distraction” of the Israel-Hamas war. All these motivations reflect temporary reasons why Putin might pursue a temporary ceasefire that would benefit Russia by allowing Russia the time to prepare for renewed aggression against Ukraine, as ISW has routinely assessed. The NYT noted that Putin’s public rhetoric, which has recently reasserted Russia’s maximalist objectives that are tantamount to full Ukrainian and Western surrender, is at odds with Putin’s reported private desire to “declare victory and move on.” Neither the NYT nor its sources offered any reason to believe Putin’s backchannel communications would be more reflective of his goals than his public speeches addressing domestic, Ukrainian, and international audiences. The NYT report also failed to make clear whether Putin’s alleged interest in a ceasefire is for a temporary pause or a permanent end to the war.</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #800180;"><br /></span></i></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">_____________________________________</span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><u>Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 23, 2023</u></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large;">Angelica Evans, Kateryna Stepanenko, Karolina Hird, Christina Harward, and Frederick W. Kagan</span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large;"> December 23, 2023, 8:30pm ET</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click </strong><a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/36a7f6a6f5a9448496de641cf64bd375" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">here</span></strong></a><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">to see ISW’s interactive map of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></strong><a href="https://understandingwar.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/3dviewer/index.html?appid=1602762dbcde419bb957dea358449580" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">here</span></strong></a><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">to see ISW’s 3D control of terrain topographic map of Ukraine. Use of a computer (not a mobile device) is strongly recommended for using this data-heavy tool.</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Click</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </span></strong><a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/733fe90805894bfc8562d90b106aa895" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">here</span></strong></a><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">to access ISW’s archive of interactive time-lapse maps of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These maps complement the static control-of-terrain map that ISW produces daily by showing a dynamic frontline. ISW will update this time-lapse map archive monthly.</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Note:</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The data cut-off for this product was 1:30pm ET on December 23.</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"> ISW will cover subsequent reports in the December 24 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment.</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">New York Times</em> <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(NYT</em>) - </span></u><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">citing former and current senior Russian, US, and international officials - reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin is using back channels and intermediaries to signal his interest in a ceasefire, despite Putin’s recent public statements to the contrary.</span></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: large;"><b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[1]</span> </b></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NYT</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> reported that Western officials have been picking up renewed signals through backchannels since September 2023 that Putin is interested in a ceasefire that freezes the current frontlines, but noted that Western officials warned the backchannels could be “Kremlin misdirection” and may not reflect a “genuine willingness” to negotiate.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[2]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NYT</em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;"> suggested several possible motivations Putin may have for his reported interest in a ceasefire: the upcoming March 2024 Russian presidential election, a desire to “keep his options open” regarding the war’s resolution and take advantage of perceived waning Western support for Ukraine, and the “distraction” of the Israel-Hamas war</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[3]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">All these motivations reflect temporary reasons why Putin might pursue a temporary ceasefire that would benefit Russia by allowing Russia the time to prepare for renewed aggression against Ukraine, as ISW has routinely assessed.</span></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NYT</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> noted that Putin’s public rhetoric, which has recently reasserted Russia’s maximalist objectives that are tantamount to full Ukrainian and Western surrender, is at odds with Putin’s reported private desire to “declare victory and move on.”</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[4]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Neither the </span></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NYT</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> nor its sources offered any reason to believe Putin’s backchannel communications would be more reflective of his goals than his public speeches addressing domestic, Ukrainian, and international audiences. The </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NYT </em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">report also failed to make clear whether Putin’s alleged interest in a ceasefire is for a temporary pause or a permanent end to the war.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NYT </em><span style="color: #800180;">that “Russia continues to be ready [for negotiations], but exclusively for the achievement of its own goals” in response to a question about Russia’s willingness to negotiate a ceasefire on the current lines.</span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[5]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Putin has recently reiterated that his maximalist objectives in Ukraine - “denazification,” “demilitarization,” and the imposition of a “neutral status” on Ukraine - remain unchanged, and Putin and senior Kremlin officials have increasingly expressed expansionist rhetoric indicating that Putin’s objectives do not preclude further Russian territorial conquests in Ukraine</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[6]</b></span></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The timing of Putin’s reported interest in a ceasefire is more consistent with Russia’s ongoing efforts to delay and discourage further Western military assistance to Ukraine, than with a serious interest in ending the war other than with a full Russian victory.</strong> </span></u><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">ISW observed similar Kremlin efforts to mislead Western policymakers into pressuring Ukraine to negotiate with Russia in winter 2022-2023, and effectively redirecting Western focus onto hypothetical negotiations rather than ensuring that Ukraine has sufficient materiel before its spring-summer counteroffensive</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[7]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"><b> T</b>he Kremlin is likely using backchannels to achieve a similar effect amidst Western debates for further military aid to Ukraine.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) Commander Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky obliquely indicated that VDV forces are under significant pressure to conduct rapid offensive operations near Bakhmut and repel Ukrainian attacks on the east (left) bank of Kherson Oblast.</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Teplinsky published a prerecorded commencement speech on December 23 to congratulate the winter graduates of the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School in which he outlined the VDV’s involvement in ongoing combat operations in Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson oblasts.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[8]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Teplinsky claimed that VDV forces repelled the Ukrainian counteroffensive in Zaporizhia Oblast throughout the summer and fall of 2023 and added that elements of the Russian 98th Guards VDV Division and 106th Guards VDV Divisions began offensive operations on the Soledar-Bakhmut direction in November. Teplinsky carefully caveated his discussion of VDV operations with the observation that the VDV is deliberately maintaining a slow tempo of attacks in the Bakhmut direction to avoid high casualty rates and to prioritize attriting Ukrainian forces over pushing them out from their positions. Teplinsky’s emphasis on slow advances may be an attempt to message to the highest echelon of the Russian military command – such as Chief of the Russian General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov – that the command’s expectations of rapid advances near Bakhmut are unrealistic without significant VDV casualties and sacrifices. Teplinsky released a similar video in February 2023 in which he condemned the higher military command for committing VDV troops to senseless attacks to achieve minor tactical gains at a high manpower cost, likely in reference to VDV involvement in battles for Soledar in January 2023.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[9]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Teplinsky also stated that elements of the newly formed 104th VDV Division are tirelessly fighting to repel Ukrainian forces from the east bank of the Dnipro River in occupied Kherson Oblast, despite the fact that these elements are not as combat effective as other (more experienced) VDV forces. Teplinsky stated that despite the VDV’s efforts Ukrainian forces are continuing to deploy additional reinforcements to the east bank but claimed that Russia’s victory is only a matter of time. ISW observed Russian President Vladimir Putin single out the tactical and operational situation in Krynky on the east bank during his "Direct Line" forum on December 14, which may have reflected Putin’s sensitivity to continued Russian information space neuralgia about Russian operations in the area.</span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[10]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">ISW assessed that Putin’s comment highlighting Russian forces’ inability to oust Ukrainian forces from the east bank was likely also a critique of Teplinsky, whom he appointed to command Russian “Dnepr” Grouping of Forces in late October 2023.</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[11]</span> </span><span style="color: #800180;">Teplinsky has repeatedly weaponized the Russian information space to his advantage and may have used this commencement speech to respond to the pressure from the Russian military command and the Kremlin.</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[12]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">Teplinsky specifically uses greeting videos addressed to Russian military personnel to indirectly voice his problems with the Russian military command, and the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) notably even removed his August 2 VDV Day greeting after he revealed the total number of VDV casualties since February 2022.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[13]</b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Teplinsky may also be setting information conditions to retain support from other commentators who have repeatedly voiced concern about Russia’s inability to push Ukrainian forces to the west (right) bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[14]</b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Teplinsky also implied that the Russian military command is deploying new </span><span style="font-size: large;">VDV officers and troops </span><span style="font-size: medium;">promptly to the frontlines without having them complete pre-combat training. </span></span></u></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large;">Teplinsky stated that “unfortunately” the April graduates of the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School deployed to combat zones before their intended unspecified autumn deployment date. While Teplinsky did not specify </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">why</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large;"> the April graduates deployed significantly earlier than their slated deployment date, it is likely that these VDV forces were meant to undergo some advanced individual or unit-wide training over a six-month period – a requirement that the Russian military command evidently neglected. Teplinsky added that April graduates have already suffered casualties on the frontlines in November in an unspecified direction. Teplinsky stated that many of the December graduates will join the ranks of the 104th VDV Division in the Kherson direction and noted that the graduates have hard work ahead of them to “speed up” Ukraine’s defeat. Teplinsky may have explicitly observed that the 104th VDV Division is less combat effective to resurface the issue of the Russian command sending recent graduates of military command schools to the frontlines. ISW has long assessed that the Russian military command is committing all available forces to immediately reinforce its war effort in Ukraine at the expense of combat effectiveness and long-term capacity building, and Teplinsky’s account further demonstrates that similar issues also plague formerly elite forces such as the VDV.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[15]</b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">Russia's Black Sea Fleet's 810th Naval Infantry Brigade confirmed that it is deliberately using chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces in an apparent violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which Russia is a party. </span></u></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">The 810th Naval Infantry Brigade published a long post to its Telegram channel on December 22 detailing a</span><u><b><span style="color: #990000;"> "radical change in tactics"</span></b></u><span style="color: #800180;"> that the brigade is using against Ukrainian forces in Krynky (on the eastern bank of Kherson Oblast).</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[16]</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The post claimed that elements of the 810th Naval Infantry Brigade rotated into the Krynky area and are applying the new tactic of "dropping K-51 grenades from drones" onto Ukrainian positions to smoke Ukrainian forces out of their positions and expose them to fire from various arms</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[17]</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The 810th Naval Infantry Brigade additionally published footage that apparently shows such a K-51 drop on a Ukrainian position, presumably in Krynky.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[18]</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">K-51 aerosol grenades are filled with irritant CS gas (2-Chlorobenzalmalononitrile), a type of tear gas used for riot control (also known as a Riot Control Agent [RCA])</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[19]</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) prohibits the use of RCAs as a method of warfare, and Russia has been a state party to the CWC since 1997</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[20]</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> ISW previously observed that Russian forces used K-51 grenades against Ukrainian positions in Donetsk Oblast in November 2022.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[21]</b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian forces conducted a series of Shahed-136/131 drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of December 22-23. </span></u></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian military officials reported that Russian forces launched nine Shahed drones from Balaklava, occupied Crimea and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai on the night of December 22 to 23 and that Ukrainian forces shot down all of the drones</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[22]</b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Recent analysis by OSINT analyst MT Anderson confirms that while Russian forces have moved the bulk of Black Sea Fleet (BSF) assets away from occupied Sevastopol, the BSF maintains a limited naval presence in Sevastopol</span><span style="color: red;">.<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[23]</span> </span></strong><span style="color: #800180;">Anderson posted high-resolution satellite imagery from December 20 showing that two Bora-class corvettes, two Ropucha-class landing ships, one Krivak-class frigate, and the </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Matros Koshka</em><span style="color: #800180;"> bulk carrier remain at the otherwise empty BSF frigate pier in southern Sevastopol.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[24]</b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Anderson noted that it appears that Russian forces have rebuilt many of the defenses at the entrance of Sevastopol Harbor following a powerful Black Sea cyclone at the end of November.</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[25]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">Anderson also posted satellite imagery of the BSF headquarters in Sevastopol and noted that it does not appear to be undergoing renovations following a massive Ukrainian strike on the headquarters on September 22</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[26]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">The satellite imagery additionally shows that one Ropucha-class landing ship, one Natya-class minesweeper, one Alexandrit-class minesweeper, and the </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ivan Khurs</em><span style="color: #800180;"> Ivanov-class intelligence ship remain at the pier at Pivdenna Bay, but that the submarine pen is empty.</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[27]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">The satellite imagery confirms the absence of several major BSF naval assets, including specialized Kalibr cruise missile carriers, from the docks at Sevastopol, which supports ISW's assessment that Russia has moved many major BSF assets out of Sevastopol to Novorossiysk on an enduring basis</span><span style="color: red;">.<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[28]</b></span></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The Russian information space exploited news of a Ukrainian journalist’s decision not to return to Ukraine after an assignment abroad to amplify ongoing Russian information operations about resistance to full mobilization efforts in Ukraine that purposefully ignore the much more substantial Russian resistance to Russia’s partial mobilization of reservists in September 2022. </span></u></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Russian state media and milbloggers amplified news that a Ukrainian television journalist decided to stay in Brussels after covering the EU Summit there from December 14 to 15.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[29]</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Russian milbloggers claimed that the Ukrainian journalist stayed in Brussels to avoid mobilization.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[30]</b></span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian outlets naturally did not mention that at least 700,000 Russians immediately left Russia when Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the “partial mobilization” of 300,000 reservists on September 21, 2022</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[31]</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The unpopularity of Russia’s partial mobilization and ensuing mass emigration led Russian authorities to engage in crypto-mobilization efforts that continue today, including recruiting volunteers and forcibly conscripting migrants and newly naturalized Russian citizens</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[32]</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Resistance to mobilization is to be expected in a protracted and bloody war, and the disproportionate amplification of a singular prominent Ukrainian citizen’s behavior is part of ongoing Russian information operations that attempt to paint a picture of widespread resistance to the full mobilization in Ukraine made necessary by Russia’s invasion.</span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian milbloggers used the granting of Russian citizenship to Palestinian refugees on December 23 to promote the idea of Russia’s “compatriots abroad” - an oft-used Kremlin justification for its war in Ukraine.</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Dagestani authorities granted 45 Palestinian refugees, including seven minors, Russian citizenship on December 23, after the refugees reportedly evacuated to Dagestan from Gaza.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">33]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Select Russian milbloggers, including Kremlin-appointed Russian Human Rights Council member Alexander “Sasha” Kots, expressed shock at the speed and ease of the refugees’ citizenship process and called for Russian authorities to apply this expedited citizenship process to the whole country and to Russian “compatriots” abroad who are “risking everything” to support Russia.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[34]</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Kremlin has intentionally and broadly defined “compatriots” as ethnic Russians and Russian speakers living in the Russian sphere of influence, which is not limited to those with Russian citizenship or residing in Russia</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[35]</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently renewed his rhetoric about the concept of “compatriots abroad” when discussing Russia’s "sovereignty,” the fiction of a “genocide in Donbas,” and Russia’s duty to protect these “compatriots” as part of justifications for Russia’s maximalist objectives in Ukraine</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[36]</b></span><span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The fact that Kots, who is notably one of the “trusted persons” who can campaign on Putin’s behalf, invoked the narrative about</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;"> “compatriots abroad” </span><span style="color: #800180;">in connection with news about Palestinian refugees – as opposed to other Kremlin narratives more directly related to the Israel-Hamas war, such as Putin’s recent anti-Israel rhetoric - suggests that the “compatriots abroad” narrative may be of particular importance to the Kremlin, or is perceived as such at least by important voices in the Russian information space</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[37]</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Select Russian information space actors may continue to seize on the issue of Palestinian refugees in Russia to advocate for a more maximalist and holistic approach to Putin's Russian World (Russkiy Mir) ideology and the intensified integration of Russian “compatriots” into the Russian world. </span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Key Takeaways:</u></span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The <em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">New York Times</em> (<em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NYT</em>) - citing former and current senior Russian, US, and international officials - reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin is using back channels and intermediaries to signal his interest in a ceasefire, despite Putin’s recent public statements to the contrary.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The timing of Putin’s reported interest in a ceasefire is more consistent with Russia’s ongoing efforts to delay and discourage further Western military assistance to Ukraine, than with a serious interest in ending the war other than with a full Russian victory.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) Commander Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky obliquely indicated that VDV forces are under significant pressure to conduct rapid offensive operations near Bakhmut and repel Ukrainian attacks on the east (left) bank of Kherson Oblast.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Teplinsky also implied that the Russian military command is deploying new VDV officers and troops promptly to the frontlines without having them complete pre-combat training.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Russia's Black Sea Fleet's 810th Naval Infantry Brigade confirmed that it is deliberately using chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces in an apparent violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which Russia is a party.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Recent analysis by OSINT analyst MT Anderson confirms that while Russian forces have moved the bulk of Black Sea Fleet (BSF) assets away from occupied Sevastopol, the BSF maintains a limited naval presence in Sevastopol.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The Russian information space exploited news of a Ukrainian journalist’s decision not to return to Ukraine after an assignment abroad to amplify ongoing Russian information operations about resistance to full mobilization efforts in Ukraine that purposefully ignore the much more substantial Russian resistance to Russia’s partial mobilization of reservists in September 2022.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Russian milbloggers used the granting of Russian citizenship to Palestinian refugees on December 23 to promote the idea of Russia’s “compatriots abroad” - an oft-used Kremlin justification for its war in Ukraine.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Russian forces made recent confirmed advances near Kupyansk and Kreminna, northeast of Bakhmut, southwest of Donetsk City, and in east (left) bank Kherson Oblast and</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"> continued positional engagements along the entire line of contact.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Russian state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec subsidiary United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Head Yuri Slyusar stated during a television interview on December 19 that UAC will increase its production of combat aircraft in 2024 and 2025, including its production of new types of aircraft.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Russian occupation authorities are building out electoral infrastructure in occupied Ukraine to set conditions for the upcoming presidential election.</span></strong></li></ul></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></strong></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftUkraineCOTDecember%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="706" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftUkraineCOTDecember%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></a></span></strong></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We do not report in detail on Russian war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. We will continue to evaluate and report on the effects of these criminal activities on the Ukrainian military and the Ukrainian population and specifically on combat in Ukrainian urban areas. We utterly condemn Russian violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.</span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></em></strong><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></p><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine </span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">(comprised of two subordinate main efforts)</span></b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 –</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and encircle northern Donetsk Oblast</span></b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 –</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast</span></b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis</u></b></span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Russian Technological Adaptations</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Activities in Russian-occupied areas</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Russian Information Operations and Narratives</b></span></li></ul><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><span style="color: red;">NOTE: </span></u><span style="color: #800180;">ISW has restructured the operational kinetic axis sections of the daily Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment to more accurately reflect the positional nature of fighting on the battlefield. Operational kinetic axis paragraphs will be shorter and more synthetic to convey the same assessment in fewer words and not to overwhelm the reader with long lists of settlement names. The level of detail included in the report has not decreased. The report’s endnotes still contain the same level of sourcing, and ISW encourages readers interested in tactical granular details to read them. ISW will explicitly flag major operational inflections in axis text as usual, so the lack of named settlements should not be taken as an indication of gains or losses of territory or changes in the frontline. ISW will lead operational axes with confirmed map changes to accord with the daily map products produced by the Geospatial Intelligence Team, supplemented by Ukrainian and Russian claims, and will also list order of battle (ORBAT) details in each axis section when available. </span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine</u></span></span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u>Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 </u>– Luhansk Oblast</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and northern Donetsk Oblast)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces recently made confirmed advances near Kupyansk and Kreminna. Geolocated footage posted on December 23 indicates that Russian forces made marginal gains in northern Synkivka (northeast of Kupyansk) and south of Dibrova (southwest of Kreminna).</span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[38]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Russian and Ukrainian forces continued positional engagements in the Kupyansk direction near Synkiva, Lake Lyman (just northwest of Synkivka), and Ivanivka, and west of Kreminna near Zhytlivka, Terny, Torske, and the Serebryanske forest area.</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[39]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">Elements of the Russian 6th and 20th Combined Arms Armies (CAAs) (both of the Western Military District [WMD]) are operating in the Kupyansk and Kreminna directions, respectively.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[40]</b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></p></div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Luhansk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="841" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Luhansk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></a></span></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 – Donetsk Oblast</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces recently marginally advanced northeast of Bakhmut. Geolocated footage published on December 23 indicates that Russian forces advanced southwest of Spirne.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[41]</b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces reportedly advanced on Bakhmut’s northern, western, and southern flanks as of December 23, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline in this area. Russian sources claimed on December 23 that Russian forces advanced northwest of Bakhmut near Khromove; west of Bakhmut near Ivanivske; and southwest of Bakhmut near Klishchiivka, although ISW has not yet observed visual evidence to verify these claims</span><b><span style="color: red;">.<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[42]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Russian sources claimed that Russian forces entered the outskirts of Bohdanivka (northwest of Bakhmut).</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[43]</b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> A Ukrainian source stated that Ukrainian forces withdrew from some positions near the railway near Klishchiivka.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[44]</b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian and Russian sources stated that positional engagements occurred northwest; west; and southwest of Bakhmut near Andriivka.</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[45]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">Elements of the Russian 98th Airborne (VDV) Division reportedly continue to operate near Bakhmut.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[46]</b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></p></div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="703" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></a></span></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces reportedly advanced near Avdiivka as of December 23, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline in this area. Russian sources claimed that Russian forces advanced northwest of Avdiivka near the Avdiivka Coke Plant and towards Ocheretyne; southwest of Avdivika from Vodyane and Optyne; and southeast of Avdiivka from the industrial zone, although ISW has not observed visual evidence to verify these claims.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[47]</b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces advanced 200 meters towards Novokalynove (northwest of Avdiivka)</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[48]</b></span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that positional engagements occurred northwest of Avdiivka near Novobakhmutivka, Novokalynove, and Stepove and southwest of Avdiivka near Sieverne, Pervomaiske, and Nevelske.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">49]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Elements of the Russian 110th Motorized Rifle Brigade (1st Donetsk People’s Republic [DNR] Army Corps) are reportedly operating near Avdiivka.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[50]</b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2012232023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="761" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2012232023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></a></span></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces recently made marginal advances southwest of Donetsk City. Geolocated footage published on December 22 indicates that Russian forces marginally advanced southeast of Novomykhailivka.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[51</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced southeast of Marinka (on the western outskirts of Donetsk City) and near Pobieda (south of Marinka).</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[52]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">A Russian source claimed that elements of the Russian 255th Motorized Rifle Regiment (20th Motorized Rifle Division, 8th Combined Arms Army, Southern Military District) advanced west of Marinka</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[53]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">Russian and Ukrainian forces stated that fighting also occurred near Mainka, Novomykhailivka, and Pobieda</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[54]</b></span></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></strong></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="861" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></a></span></strong></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Maintain frontline positions and secure rear areas against Ukrainian strikes)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces reportedly unsuccessfully attacked west of Staromayorske (south of Velyka Novosilka) on December 23, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area.</span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[55]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Elements of the Russian 143rd Motorized Rifle Regiment (127th Motorized Rifle Division, 5th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Eastern Military District [EMD]) are reportedly operating southwest of Velyka Novosilka near Pryyutne.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[56]</b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="661" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></a></span></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian and Ukrainian forces continued positional engagements around Robotyne on December 23, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline. Russian forces reportedly attacked along the Kopani-Robotyne-Novoprokopivka-Verbove line south and east of Robotyne, and also attacked near Novopokrovka (northeast of Robotyne).</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[57]</b></span><span><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">A Russian milblogger also claimed that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian positions along the Robotyne-Verbove line</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[58]</b></span><span><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Zaporizhia Oblast occupation official Vladimir Rogov amplified footage that shows a Russian serviceman walking through a muddy trench, suggesting that weather conditions in the area are still complicating maneuver.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[59]</b></span><span><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Elements of the Russian 247th Guards Airborne (VDV) Regiment (7th Guards VDV Division) are reportedly continuing to operate near Verbove</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[60]</b></span><span><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian Melitopol Mayor Ivan Fedorov reported that Russian forces are continuing to fortify Tokmak and northwestern and southern Melitopol in occupied Zaporizhia Oblast</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[61]</b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces carried out a drone attack on Berdyansk on December 22 and struck a Tokmak administration building with HIMARS rockets.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[62]</b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></p></div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pryatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="660" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pryatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></a></span></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Zaporizhia%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png'" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="650" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Zaporizhia%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces recently marginally advanced on the east (left) bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast. Geolocated footage published on December 23 shows that Russian forces advanced in the western part of Krynky on the east bank.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[63]</b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> A Russian milblogger claimed that elements of the Russian 810th Naval Infantry Brigade (Black Sea Fleet) captured some positions in the Krynky area.</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[64]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian forces maintained their positions around Krynky, where positional battles are ongoing.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[65]</b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="774" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></a></span></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Expand combat power without conducting general mobilization)</strong></u></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec subsidiary United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Head Yuri Slyusar stated during a television interview on December 19 that the UAC will increase its production of combat aircraft in 2024 and 2025, including its production of new types of aircraft.</span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[66]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Slyusar specifically highlighted the Su-57 aircraft as an example of UAC’s improved aircraft and claimed that Russian forces are using Su-57s in Ukraine.</span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian news outlet </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Zvezda</em><span style="color: #800180;"> reported on December 22, citing an unnamed Russian commander, that Russian forces are using a new type of 152-mm high-explosive fragmentation shells with an increased firing range in Ukraine.</span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[67]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The serviceman claimed that the shells have a firing range of more than 30 kilometers.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Technological Adaptations</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Introduce technological innovations to optimize systems for use in Ukraine) </strong></u></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces are reportedly developing protective measures against Ukrainian naval drone strikes. A Russian milblogger claimed on December 23 that Russian forces are using buoys to block the entrances to harbors, and also flying various aircraft and helicopters, including radar-equipped “Seagull” Be-12 aircraft to counter Ukrainian naval drone strikes.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">68]</span></b></span><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The milblogger claimed that Russian forces are also using radio-electronic equipment to jam drones’ communications and are launching VT-40 strike drones from small boats to destroy incoming Ukrainian naval drones.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">69</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian naval drone strikes have previously damaged several Russian ships in the Black Sea and Sevastopol Bay and Russian forces.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[70]</b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Activities in Russian-occupied areas</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Consolidate administrative control of annexed areas; forcibly integrate Ukrainian citizens into Russian sociocultural, economic, military, and governance systems)</strong></u></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian occupation authorities are building out electoral infrastructure in occupied Ukraine to set conditions for the upcoming presidential election. Russian sources reported on December 23 that election headquarters began collecting signatures for Russian President Vladimir Putin's nomination in occupied Crimea and Zaporizhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk oblasts</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[71</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Kremlin newswire </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">TASS </em><span style="color: #800180;">noted that occupation authorities opened a signature collection point in Henichesk, occupied Kherson Oblast, in a local market for the "convenience" of residents, suggesting that occupation officials are co-locating election infrastructure with basic service infrastructure to coerce people into participating in electoral processes.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: red; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[72]</b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russian Information Operations and Narratives</u></span></span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian officials are setting conditions to falsely claim that Ukrainian forces are planning to launch combat flights from NATO airbases. Russian Deputy Defense Minister Sergei Ryabkov claimed on December 22 that Western officials are discussing allowing Ukraine to use NATO airfields for combat operations since Ukrainian airfields are so damaged, and warned that this decision would have “grave consequences.”</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">73]</span></b></span><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov issued a thinly-veiled threat towards NATO on December 18, claiming that Western discussions about allowing Ukrainian forces to use NATO airfields are “dangerous thoughts.”</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[74]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">Western officials have repeatedly stated their intention to send F-16 aircraft to Ukraine, and there is no indication that Western officials intend for Ukrainian forces to operate any aircraft from NATO airbases.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">75]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Significant activity in Belarus</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian efforts to increase its military presence in Belarus and further integrate Belarus into Russian-favorable frameworks and Wagner Group activity in Belarus)</strong></u></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Nothing significant to report.</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red; font-size: 1em;">Note:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"> I</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;">SW does not receive any classified material from any source, uses only publicly available information, and draws extensively on Russian, Ukrainian, and Western reporting and social media as well as commercially available satellite imagery and other geospatial data as the basis for these reports. References to all sources used are provided in the endnotes of each update.</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></p><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br clear="all" /><br /><hr align="left" size="1" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; color: #424242; float: none; font-size: 13px; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">References</u></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref1" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[1]</a> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-war-cease-fire.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-war...</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref2" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[2]</a> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-war-cease-fire.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-war...</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[3]</a> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-war-cease-fire.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-war-cease-fire.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121523" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121523</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar112723" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar112723</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar081723" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar081723</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref4" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[4]</a> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-war-cease-fire.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-war-cease-fire.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121923" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121923</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref5" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[5]</a> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-war-cease-fire.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-war...</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref6" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[6]</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-14-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-14-2023</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121723" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121723</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121523%C2%A0;%C2%A0https:/isw.pub/UkrWar121623%C2%A0;%C2%A0https:/isw.pub/UkrWar121023%C2%A0;%C2%A0https:/isw.pub/UkrWar121323" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121523</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121023</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121323" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121323</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref7" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[7]</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-12-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-12-2023</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref8" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[8]</a> <a href="https://t.me/NeoficialniyBeZsonoV/31776" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/NeoficialniyBeZsonoV/31776</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref9" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[9]</a> <a href="https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-30-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-ass...</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref10" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[10]</a> <a href="https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-14-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-ass...</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref11" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[11]</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-29-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-29-2023</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref12" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[12]</a> <a href="https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-30-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-30-2023</a> ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-16-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-16-2023</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref13" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[13]</a> <a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-airborne-forces-casualties-ukraine/32532550.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-airborne-forces-casualties-ukraine/325325...</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref14" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[14]</a> <a href="https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/51840" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/51840</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/milinfolive/109580" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/milinfolive/109580</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/dva_majors/29429" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/dva_majors/29429</a> ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-21-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-21-2023</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar111023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar111023</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar111323" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar111323</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar112823" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar112823</a> ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-14-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-14-2023</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref15" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[15]</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-1-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-1-2023</a> ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-20-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-20-2023</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar101423" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar101423</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar100623" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar100623</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar090123" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar090123</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar110323" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar110323</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar120523" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar120523</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref16" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[16]</a> <a href="https://t.me/morpeh_810/2339" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/morpeh_810/2339</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref17" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[17]</a> <a href="https://t.me/morpeh_810/2339" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/morpeh_810/2339</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref18" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[18]</a> <a href="https://t.me/morpeh_810/2340" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/morpeh_810/2340</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref19" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[19]</a> <a href="https://cat-uxo.com/explosive-hazards/grenades/k-51-hand-grenade" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://cat-uxo.com/explosive-hazards/grenades/k-51-hand-grenade</a>; <a href="https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/have-chemical-weapons-been-used-ukraine" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/have-c...</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[20]</a> <a href="https://www.opcw.org/our-work/what-chemical-weapon#:~:text=Riot%20Control%20Agents%20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.opcw.org/our-work/what-chemical-weapon#:~:text=Riot%20Contro...</a>(RCAs),time%20following%20termination%20or%20exposure. ; <a href="https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/customary-ihl/v1/rule75#Fn_B57A3C3D_00007;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/customary-ihl/v1/rule75#Fn_B57A3C3D_00...</a> <a href="https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/cwcsig" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/cwcsig</a>; <a href="https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/have-chemical-weapons-been-used-ukraine" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/have-c...</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref21" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[21]</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-14" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref22" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[22]</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0aG32uqgtsGmLL4KEKoZvp5jdkK2CSXwLXww7wLkp8MRPq7MSa1YVpeAviMZnJWMSl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0aG32uqgtsGmLL4KEKoZvp5jdkK2CSXwLXww7wLkp8MRPq7MSa1YVpeAviMZnJWMSl</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kpszsu/8796" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kpszsu/8796</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref23" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[23]</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1738397253541191843" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1738397253541191843</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref24" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[24]</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1738397254891831310" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1738397254891831310</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref25" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[25]</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1738397258490458541" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1738397258490458541</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref26" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[26]</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-25-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-25-2023</a>; <a href="https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1738397260554084567" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1738397260554084567</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref27" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[27]</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1738397262466682976" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1738397262466682976</a>; <a href="https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1738397264299573488" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/MT_Anderson/status/1738397264299573488</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref28" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[28]</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukrainian-strikes-have-changed-russian-naval-operations-black-sea" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukrainian-strikes-have-cha...</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref29" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[29]</a> <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/223868" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/223868</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107186" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107186</a>; <a href="https://t.me/miroshnik_r/13564" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/miroshnik_r/13564</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/notes_veterans/14421" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/notes_veterans/14421</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52895" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52895</a>; <a href="https://t.me/vrogov/13458" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/vrogov/13458</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref30" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[30]</a> <a href="https://t.me/vrogov/13458" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/vrogov/13458</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/miroshnik_r/13564" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/miroshnik_r/13564</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107186" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107186</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52895" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52895</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/notes_veterans/14421" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/notes_veterans/14421</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref31" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[31]</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-21#:~:text=Russian%20President%20Vladimir%20Putin's%20announcement,resolve%20in%20the%20coming%20months" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-21#:~:text=Russian%20President%20Vladimir%20Putin's%20announcement,resolve%20in%20the%20coming%20months</a>. ; <a href="https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-28" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-28</a> ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-30" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-30</a> ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-28" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-28</a> ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-25-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-25-2023</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref32" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[32]</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-20-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-20-2023</a> ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-3-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-3-2023</a> ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-11-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-11-2023</a> ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-september-3-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref33" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[33]</a> <a href="https://ria/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://ria</a> dot ru/20231223/palestina-1917671253.html ; <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/223927" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/223927</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref34" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[34]</a> <a href="https://t.me/sashakots/44109" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sashakots/44109</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/warhistoryalconafter/138482" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/warhistoryalconafter/138482</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/NeoficialniyBeZsonoV/31789" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/NeoficialniyBeZsonoV/31789</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref35" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[35]</a> <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121723" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121723</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref36" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[36]</a> <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121723" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121723</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121923" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121923</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref37" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[37]</a> <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar122223" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar122223</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121023</a> ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-22-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-22-2023</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121223" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121223</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b> </b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref38" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[38]</a> * WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT * <a href="https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8809;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8809;</a> <a href="https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8806" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8806</a>; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tgoy2OqGVc" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tgoy2OqGVc</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref39" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[39]</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02wKzEWjoEeFpsshmCSWJSo82ojHk4Zn95Utv5PysJ42hwyrbjoemmaRoQQxEvy1vrl;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02wKzEWjoEeFpsshmCSWJSo82ojHk4Zn95Utv5PysJ42hwyrbjoemmaRoQQxEvy1vrl;</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02g9s14CkR5CAmmJh6poDeveqJZ7QVxNBqRVWniSqVJWCesGYz36GQySX6dbkEFmjGl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02g9s14CkR5CAmmJh6poDeveqJZ7QVxNBqRVWniSqVJWCesGYz36GQySX6dbkEFmjGl</a>; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yCYRcwdBCCLh7RU3gJrDtxvGjFLKTceWR7wPLVcqhdaX2nmFer8WPYPmYivhhGwtl;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yCYRcwdBCCLh7RU3gJrDtxvGjFLKTceWR7wPLVcqhdaX2nmFer8WPYPmYivhhGwtl;</a> <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33901" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33901</a>; <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33903" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33903</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33912;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33912;</a> <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33895" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33895</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref40" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[40]</a> <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33901" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33901</a>; <a href="https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52888" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/voenkorKotenok/52888</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref41" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[41]</a> <a href="https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8800" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/WarArchive_ua/8800</a>; <a href="https://t.me/ogshb8/276" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/ogshb8/276</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref42" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[42]</a> <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55278" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55278</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/dva_majors/31394" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/dva_majors/31394</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58821" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58821</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58771" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58771</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/negumanitarnaya_pomosch_Z/13398" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/negumanitarnaya_pomosch_Z/13398</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5653" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5653</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/rezervsvo/41840" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rezervsvo/41840</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/geromanat/16348" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/geromanat/16348</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107142" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107142</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref43" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[43]</a> <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5653" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5653</a> <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58821" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58821</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref44" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[44]</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GirkinGirkin/status/1738521919270298071" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/GirkinGirkin/status/1738521919270298071</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref45" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[45]</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02wKzEWjoEeFpsshmCSWJSo82ojHk4Zn95Utv5PysJ42hwyrbjoemmaRoQQxEvy1vrl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02wKzEWjoEeFpsshmCSWJSo82ojHk4Zn95Utv5PysJ42hwyrbjoemmaRoQQxEvy1vrl</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02g9s14CkR5CAmmJh6poDeveqJZ7QVxNBqRVWniSqVJWCesGYz36GQySX6dbkEFmjGl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02g9s14CkR5CAmmJh6poDeveqJZ7QVxNBqRVWniSqVJWCesGYz36GQySX6dbkEFmjGl</a>; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yCYRcwdBCCLh7RU3gJrDtxvGjFLKTceWR7wPLVcqhdaX2nmFer8WPYPmYivhhGwtl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yCYRcwdBCCLh7RU3gJrDtxvGjFLKTceWR7wPLVcqhdaX2nmFer8WPYPmYivhhGwtl</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33903" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33903</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33913" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33913</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55278" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55278</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/dva_majors/31394" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/dva_majors/31394</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58771" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58771</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17167;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17167;</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GirkinGirkin/status/1738521919270298071" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/GirkinGirkin/status/1738521919270298071</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref46" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[46]</a> <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33894" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33894</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref47" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[47]</a> <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58798" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58798</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17167" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17167</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref48" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[48]</a> <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58798" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58798</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref49" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[49]</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02wKzEWjoEeFpsshmCSWJSo82ojHk4Zn95Utv5PysJ42hwyrbjoemmaRoQQxEvy1vrl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02wKzEWjoEeFpsshmCSWJSo82ojHk4Zn95Utv5PysJ42hwyrbjoemmaRoQQxEvy1vrl</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02g9s14CkR5CAmmJh6poDeveqJZ7QVxNBqRVWniSqVJWCesGYz36GQySX6dbkEFmjGl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02g9s14CkR5CAmmJh6poDeveqJZ7QVxNBqRVWniSqVJWCesGYz36GQySX6dbkEFmjGl</a>; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yCYRcwdBCCLh7RU3gJrDtxvGjFLKTceWR7wPLVcqhdaX2nmFer8WPYPmYivhhGwtl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yCYRcwdBCCLh7RU3gJrDtxvGjFLKTceWR7wPLVcqhdaX2nmFer8WPYPmYivhhGwtl</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58798" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58798</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17167" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17167</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/batalyon15/3412" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/batalyon15/3412</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref50" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[50]</a> <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58804" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58804</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref51" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[51]</a> <a href="https://x.com/GeoConfirmed/status/1738518793364672771?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/GeoConfirmed/status/1738518793364672771?s=20</a>; <a href="https://x.com/NOELreports/status/1738300743042412808?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/NOELreports/status/1738300743042412808?s=20</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref52" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[52]</a> <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55270" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55270</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17167" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17167</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref53" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[53]</a> <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58833" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58833</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref54" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[54]</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02wKzEWjoEeFpsshmCSWJSo82ojHk4Zn95Utv5PysJ42hwyrbjoemmaRoQQxEvy1vrl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02wKzEWjoEeFpsshmCSWJSo82ojHk4Zn95Utv5PysJ42hwyrbjoemmaRoQQxEvy1vrl</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02g9s14CkR5CAmmJh6poDeveqJZ7QVxNBqRVWniSqVJWCesGYz36GQySX6dbkEFmjGl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02g9s14CkR5CAmmJh6poDeveqJZ7QVxNBqRVWniSqVJWCesGYz36GQySX6dbkEFmjGl</a>; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yCYRcwdBCCLh7RU3gJrDtxvGjFLKTceWR7wPLVcqhdaX2nmFer8WPYPmYivhhGwtl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yCYRcwdBCCLh7RU3gJrDtxvGjFLKTceWR7wPLVcqhdaX2nmFer8WPYPmYivhhGwtl</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33903" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33903</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33914" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33914</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55270" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55270</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17167" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17167</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref55" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[55]</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02g9s14CkR5CAmmJh6poDeveqJZ7QVxNBqRVWniSqVJWCesGYz36GQySX6dbkEFmjGl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02g9s14CkR5CAmmJh6poDeveqJZ7QVxNBqRVWniSqVJWCesGYz36GQySX6dbkEFmjGl</a>; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yCYRcwdBCCLh7RU3gJrDtxvGjFLKTceWR7wPLVcqhdaX2nmFer8WPYPmYivhhGwtl;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yCYRcwdBCCLh7RU3gJrDtxvGjFLKTceWR7wPLVcqhdaX2nmFer8WPYPmYivhhGwtl;</a> <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17167" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17167</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref56" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[56]</a> <a href="https://t.me/Vmsd127/165" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/Vmsd127/165</a>; <a href="https://t.me/voin_dv/6372" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/voin_dv/6372</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref57" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[57]</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02wKzEWjoEeFpsshmCSWJSo82ojHk4Zn95Utv5PysJ42hwyrbjoemmaRoQQxEvy1vrl;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02wKzEWjoEeFpsshmCSWJSo82ojHk4Zn95Utv5PysJ42hwyrbjoemmaRoQQxEvy1vrl;</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02g9s14CkR5CAmmJh6poDeveqJZ7QVxNBqRVWniSqVJWCesGYz36GQySX6dbkEFmjGl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02g9s14CkR5CAmmJh6poDeveqJZ7QVxNBqRVWniSqVJWCesGYz36GQySX6dbkEFmjGl</a>; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yCYRcwdBCCLh7RU3gJrDtxvGjFLKTceWR7wPLVcqhdaX2nmFer8WPYPmYivhhGwtl;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yCYRcwdBCCLh7RU3gJrDtxvGjFLKTceWR7wPLVcqhdaX2nmFer8WPYPmYivhhGwtl;</a> <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17167;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17167;</a> <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58830;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58830;</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref58" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[58]</a> <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55278" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55278</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/dva_majors/31394" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/dva_majors/31394</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref59" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[59]</a> <a href="https://t.me/vrogov/13451" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/vrogov/13451</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref60" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[60]</a> <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55278" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55278</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/dva_majors/31394" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/dva_majors/31394</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref61" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[61]</a> <a href="https://t.me/ivan_fedorov_melitopol/4105" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/ivan_fedorov_melitopol/4105</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref62" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[62]</a> <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5659" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5659</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref63" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[63]</a> <a href="https://t.me/kiber_boroshno/5891" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kiber_boroshno/5891</a>; <a href="https://t.me/aeronavtyua/1961" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/aeronavtyua/1961</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref64" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[64]</a> <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5656" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5656</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref65" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[65]</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02wKzEWjoEeFpsshmCSWJSo82ojHk4Zn95Utv5PysJ42hwyrbjoemmaRoQQxEvy1vrl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02wKzEWjoEeFpsshmCSWJSo82ojHk4Zn95Utv5PysJ42hwyrbjoemmaRoQQxEvy1vrl</a>; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02g9s14CkR5CAmmJh6poDeveqJZ7QVxNBqRVWniSqVJWCesGYz36GQySX6dbkEFmjGl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02g9s14CkR5CAmmJh6poDeveqJZ7QVxNBqRVWniSqVJWCesGYz36GQySX6dbkEFmjGl</a>; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yCYRcwdBCCLh7RU3gJrDtxvGjFLKTceWR7wPLVcqhdaX2nmFer8WPYPmYivhhGwtl;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yCYRcwdBCCLh7RU3gJrDtxvGjFLKTceWR7wPLVcqhdaX2nmFer8WPYPmYivhhGwtl;</a> <a href="https://t.me/SJTF_Odes/4281;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/SJTF_Odes/4281;</a> <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55270;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55270;</a> <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55278" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55278</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/dva_majors/31394;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/dva_majors/31394;</a> <a href="https://t.me/negumanitarnaya_pomosch_Z/13412;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/negumanitarnaya_pomosch_Z/13412;</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref66" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[66]</a> <a href="https://tass/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://tass</a> dot ru/ekonomika/19583109</b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref67" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[67]</a> <a href="https://tvzvezda/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://tvzvezda</a> dot ru/news/202312221135-uAR6x.html ;<a href="https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107172" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107172</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref68" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[68]</a> <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5646" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5646</a> </b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref69" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[69]</a> <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5646" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5646</a> </b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref70" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[70]</a> <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar091623" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar091623</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar091523" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar091523</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar081823" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar081823</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar080523" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar080523</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref71" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[71]</a> <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/223898;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/223898;</a> <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/223879;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/223879;</a> <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/223851" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/223851</a>; <a href="https://t.me/sons_fatherland/11782;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sons_fatherland/11782;</a> <a href="https://t.me/razvozhaev/4985" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/razvozhaev/4985</a>; <a href="https://t.me/pushilindenis/4110" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/pushilindenis/4110</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref72" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[72]</a> <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/223879" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/223879</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref73" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[73]</a> <a href="https://www.interfax/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.interfax</a> dot ru/interview/937457; <a href="https://meduza/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://meduza</a> dot io/news/2023/12/22/mid-rf-zayavil-chto-ne-derzhitsya-obeimi-rukami-za-diplomaticheskie-otnosheniya-s-ssha</b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref74" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[74]</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-18-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-23-2023#_ednref75" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[75]</a> <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar122223" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar122223</a> ; <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar082023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar082023</a> ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-11-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-11-2023</a></b></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><h3 id="tagtitle" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"> Tags</u></span></h3><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><b style="font-size: x-large;"><u><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">Ukraine Project</span></u></b></div><div><b style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"><u><br /></u></b></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>Ukraine</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-size: large;"> File Attachments: </span></u></b></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftUkraineCOTDecember%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=897696">DraftUkraineCOTDecember 23, 2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Luhansk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2148767">Luhansk Battle Map Draft December 23, 2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2310920">Donetsk Battle Map Draft December 23, 2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1557971">Bakhmut Battle Map Draft December 23, 2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2012232023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2241210">Avdiivka and Donetsk City Battle Map Draft December 12232023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Zaporizhia%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1283376">Zaporizhia Battle Map Draft December 23, 2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1236433">Vremivka Salient Battle Map Draft December 23, 2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pryatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1262867">Pryatykhatky and Robotyne Battle Map Draft December 23, 2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1443753">Kherson-Mykolaiv Battle Map Draft December 23, 2023.png</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/jpeg" /></span><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Babel%20Street%20email%20logo_4_40.jpg" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/jpeg; length=18200">Babel Street email logo_4.jpg</a></b></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-85292209377293588312023-12-24T01:17:00.000-08:002023-12-29T08:50:22.432-08:00 Iran Update, December 23, 2023 <p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><u> SOURCE:</u></b></span></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b> ( ) </b></span><b><u style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-transform: uppercase;">IRAN UPDATE, DECEMBER 23, 2023:</u><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023</span></span></b></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><span style="color: #800180;"> ( ) </span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b></span></span><yt-formatted-string class="style-scope ytd-watch-metadata" force-default-style="" style="font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">Drone attack on Indian Ship I India and Red Sea Crisis I Israel War and Red Sea I Ofer Gabriel Aadi : </u><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></b></span></yt-formatted-string><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b> </b></span></span></span><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b>HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/MHNPFAFLRK8</b></span></span><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b></b></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mHNPfafLrk8" width="320" youtube-src-id="mHNPfafLrk8"></iframe></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNuFoGuPujavuwBbhXYqt8Pddj_plt6r31g5AK8JiDZbOgEvEIWVn57cdD8iHlzrydIAq68se8dTxcf0uEAbgpuM2QRpcKdGI2qr1ayZi9fdIjaT8khshV3w7G8q50bbyWxI5O7QzakbdeUmAvOV4NpHooW-IAM3k8whwnOTp1Wl995_tbiL6qa7X5vUI/s942/Capture.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="942" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNuFoGuPujavuwBbhXYqt8Pddj_plt6r31g5AK8JiDZbOgEvEIWVn57cdD8iHlzrydIAq68se8dTxcf0uEAbgpuM2QRpcKdGI2qr1ayZi9fdIjaT8khshV3w7G8q50bbyWxI5O7QzakbdeUmAvOV4NpHooW-IAM3k8whwnOTp1Wl995_tbiL6qa7X5vUI/w640-h408/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><u><span style="color: #cc0000;">DO WE INDIANS ARE GOING TO SEE </span></u></b></span></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b> <u>PLA (N) FLEET ENTERING</u></b></span></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b> <u>" BAY OF BENGAL" </u></b></span></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b> <u>IN NEXT WEEK OR SO</u></b></span></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #800180; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"> <u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">SUMMARY OF THE TEXT</u></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Iran and its so-called </span>“Axis of Resistance” <span style="font-weight: 400;">are signaling their capability and willingness to attack maritime targets beyond just the Persian Gulf and Red Sea. A one-way drone struck a commercial vessel off the coast of India, causing structural damage to the ship, on December 23. The vessel is partially Israeli-owned. Israeli media reported that Iran was responsible for the attack, which is consistent with the ongoing anti-shipping campaign that Iran and the Houthi movement have conducted around the Bab al Mandeb in recent weeks. This attack follows the Islamic Resistance of Iraq—a coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias—claiming on December 22 that it conducted an unspecified attack on a “vital target” in the Mediterranean Sea. There is no evidence that the Islamic Resistance of Iraq conducted an attack into the Mediterranean Sea at the time of writing. The claim, nevertheless, signals the readiness of the Iraqi group to participate in the Iran-led attack campaign on maritime targets. Finally, a senior commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naghdi, threatened to expand the anti-shipping campaign to the Mediterranean Sea and Strait of Gibraltar on December 23. Naghdi frequently makes inflammatory threats toward Iranian adversaries, but his statement is particularly noteworthy given the drone attack off the Indian coast and the claimed attack by the Islamic Resistance of Iraq. Iran and its Axis of Resistance are likely messaging their capability and willingness to widen geographically their anti-shipping attack campaign in response to the United States forming a multinational naval task force to safeguard commercial traffic around the Red Sea.</span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-large;"> <u>_________________________</u></span></i></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Iran Update, December 23, 2023</u></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large;">NicholasCarl,Ashka Jhaveri,BrianCarter,&Johanna Moore</span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: large;">Information Cutoff: 2:00 pm EST</span></span></span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: #800180;">The Iran Update provides insights into Iranian and Iranian-sponsored activities abroad that undermine regional stability and threaten US forces and interests. It also covers events and trends that affect the stability and decision-making of the Iranian regime. The Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) provides these updates regularly based on regional events. For more on developments in Iran and the region, see our</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></i></span><b><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/661fd12b23f442b781be64cf323ef573/?draft=true" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">interactive map of Iran and the Middle East</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span></i></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">Note</span></u></b><span style="color: #800180;">:<b style="background-color: white;"> CTP and ISW have refocused the update to cover the Israel-Hamas war. The new sections address developments in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria, as well as noteworthy activity from Iran’s Axis of Resistance. </b></span></em><b style="background-color: white;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We do not report in detail on war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. </em><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We utterly condemn violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.</em></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Click</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b> </b></span></em><a href="https://isw.pub/IsraelBattleMap" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b>here</b></span></em></a><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-large;"><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">to see CTP and ISW’s interactive map of Israeli ground operations. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.</span></em></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Key Takeaways:</u></span></strong></p><ol start="1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Iran and its so-called <span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">“Axis of Resistance” </span>are signaling their capability and willingness to attack maritime targets beyond just the Persian Gulf and Red Sea. Iran has invested in building “drone carriers” to add to its naval forces in recent years, which will amplify the threat that the Axis of Resistance poses to international shipping and other maritime targets.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Palestinian militias continued trying to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Jabalia and Sheikh Radwan in the northern Gaza Strip. Israeli forces continued executing tasks consistent with holding operations in some areas of Gaza City.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>The al Qassem Brigades conducted several complex attacks on Israeli forces conducting clearing operations in Juhor ad Dik.</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The IDF spokesperson said that the IDF is in</span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;"> “operational control” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">of most of the northern Gaza Strip.</span></b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Israeli forces continued clearing operations in Khan Younis for the third week as Palestinian militia fighters attempted to defend against Israeli advances.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Israel’s public broadcaster said that the IDF will transition to the third phase of its ground operation in the Gaza Strip in the “coming weeks” and outlined five aspects of the third phase.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Palestinian militias conducted four indirect fire attacks from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters eight times across the West Bank.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Iranian-backed fighters, including Lebanese Hezbollah, conducted five attacks from southern Lebanon into northern Israel.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>The Shia Coordination Framework—a loose coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi Shia parties—established a special committee to appoint provincial councils and governors.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>The Iranian regime is continuing its diplomatic and informational campaign trying to exploit the Israel-Hamas war to isolate Israel in the international community.</b></span></li></ol></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTDecember%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTDecember%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><br />Iran and its so-called “Axis of Resistance” are signaling their capability and willingness to attack maritime targets beyond just the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.</span></u></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> A one-way drone struck a commercial vessel off the coast of India, causing structural damage to the ship, on December 23.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[1]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The vessel is partially Israeli-owned</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[2]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli media reported that Iran was responsible for the attack, which is consistent with the ongoing anti-shipping campaign that Iran and the Houthi movement have conducted around the Bab al Mandeb in recent weeks</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[3]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">This attack follows the Islamic Resistance of Iraq—a coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias—claiming on December 22 that it conducted an unspecified attack on a “vital target” in the Mediterranean Sea</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[4]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> There is no evidence that the Islamic Resistance of Iraq conducted an attack into the Mediterranean Sea at the time of writing. The claim, nevertheless, signals the readiness of the Iraqi group to participate in the Iran-led attack campaign on maritime targets. Finally, a senior commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naghdi, threatened to expand the anti-shipping campaign to the Mediterranean Sea and Strait of Gibraltar on December 23.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[5]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Naghdi frequently makes inflammatory threats toward Iranian adversaries, but his statement is particularly noteworthy given the drone attack off the Indian coast and the claimed attack by the Islamic Resistance of Iraq. Iran and its Axis of Resistance are likely messaging their capability and willingness to widen geographically their anti-shipping attack campaign in response to the United States forming a multinational naval task force to safeguard commercial traffic around the Red Sea.</span></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iran has invested in building “drone carriers” to add to its naval forces in recent years, which will amplify the threat that the Axis of resistance poses to international shipping and other maritime targets. Iran has built several forward base ships and other offensive vessels, sometimes constructed from converted commercial tankers, to conduct expeditionary and out-of-area operations since 2021.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[6]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> These Iranian vessels can carry drones as well as other platforms, such as fast attack craft, helicopters, and missiles, which facilitates Iranian force projection. These Iranian ships would not likely survive conventional engagements with the United States. They can, however, support attacks on commercial traffic similar to the recent Houthi attacks around the Bab al Mandeb.</span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian assistance to the Russian invasion of Ukraine will compound further the threat that Iranian drones pose. The war has incentivized Iran and Russia to expand their capacities to manufacture Iranian-designed, one-way attack drones. CTP-ISW previously reported on how Iran is helping to establish drone manufacturing facilities in Russia and Belarus.</span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[7]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">These facilities will, in theory, allow Russian forces to more rapidly field Iranian-designed drones in Ukraine. The use of Iranian drones in Ukraine is furthermore providing Moscow and Tehran opportunities to test these platforms in a modern combat zone and learn lessons on how to use such platforms more effectively.</span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><br />Gaza Strip</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Erode the will of the Israeli political establishment and public to launch and sustain a major ground operation into the Gaza Strip</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Degrade IDF material and morale around the Gaza Strip.</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Palestinian militias continued trying to defend against Israeli clearing operations in Jabalia and Sheikh Radwan in the northern Gaza Strip on December 23. </strong><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades—the militant wing of Hamas—repurposed two unexploded Israeli rocket shells to build and detonate improvised explosive devices (IED) targeting five Israeli tanks in Jabalia on December 23</span><b><span style="color: red;">.<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[8]</span> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The militia claimed several other attacks on Israeli infantrymen and vehicles in Jabalia and Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, using anti-personnel munitions, rocket propelled grenades (RPG), and thermobaric rockets</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[9]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">The al Quds Brigades—the militant wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)—claimed that it destroyed two Israeli vehicles using unspecified explosives in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[10]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">The National Resistance Brigades—the militant wing of Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP)—claimed that its fighters conducted a sniper attack on Israeli soldiers during clashes in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[11</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Palestinian militias have claimed nearly daily attacks in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood since the humanitarian pause expired on December 1, suggesting that it is one of the remaining areas with significant Palestinian militia defensive capabilities in the northern Gaza Strip</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[12]</b></span></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Israeli forces continued executing tasks consistent with holding operations in some areas of Gaza City on December 23</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">. </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli forces identified three Palestinian fighters firing at them on the outskirts of al Shati refugee camp and directed close air support to attack the fighters</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[13]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli special operations forces (SOF) located a Hamas headquarters south of Gaza City that included a multi-level tunnel network connected to water and electrical infrastructure.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[14]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The IDF reported that Palestinian militias used the tunnels as a command-and-control center and that the tunnel allowed fighters to move between different sectors of Gaza City.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[15]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Israeli military analysts told the </span></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wall Street Journal </em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">on December 23 that the IDF is increasing its focus on destroying tunnels in the northern Gaza Strip.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">16]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades mortared an Israeli combat outpost south of Gaza City.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[17]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Enemy fighters frequently attack holding forces as they execute defensive and offensive tasks to degrade and destroy the enemy force’s military infrastructure.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The al Qassem Brigades conducted several complex attacks on Israeli forces conducting clearing operations in Juhor ad Dik on December 23.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The IDF reported on December 22 that it was clearing the Juhor ad Dik area and that it located rocket launchers that Palestinian fighters used to fire rockets at Tel Aviv.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[18]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades reported on December 23 that its fighters engaged Israeli forces in ”fierce battles” along Israeli lines of advance</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[19]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> This activity suggests that Hamas forces in the area are trying to execute a deliberate defense against Israeli advances. CTP-ISW previously assessed that Hamas fighters are attacking IDF units south of Gaza City likely from relative safe haven in the Gaza Strip’s central governorate.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[20]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Palestinian militia fighters are also operating north of Wadi Gaza in Juhor ad Dik proper.</span></span></span></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades detonated a mine field targeting Israeli forces.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[21]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> The militia also fired anti-tank RPGs at Israeli tanks and mortars and rockets at Israeli forces.</span></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades detonated an anti-personnel improvised explosive device (IED) and fired small arms targeting an Israeli patrol.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;"><b>[22]</b></span></span></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades detonated a tunnel entrance rigged with explosives targeting Israeli SOF, after which the militia fighters mortared Israeli forces.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[23]</span></b><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p></span></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The IDF spokesperson said on December 23 that the IDF is in “operational control” of most of the northern Gaza Strip</span></strong><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[24] </span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">CTP-ISW previously reported that the IDF appears to be nearing the final stages of its clearing operations in some of parts of the northern Gaza Strip but that the IDF is continuing clearing operations in other areas.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[25]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> IDF units are executing tasks consistent with the US military’s doctrinal definition of a holding operation in al Shati Camp and Beit Hanoun.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[26</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The IDF is continuing clearing operations in Juhor ad Dik and Jabalia, however (see above). IDF operations in most of the northern Gaza Strip are not consistent with the US military’s doctrinal definition of a holding operation, which “involves disrupting [enemy] activities in an area and providing a good security environment for the population” and “focuses on securing the population.”</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[27]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Israeli forces continued clearing operations in Khan Younis for the third week on December 23 as Palestinian militia fighters attempted to defend against Israeli advances.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The IDF reported on December 23 that a SOF unit specializing in guerilla warfare has been operating in Khan Younis for weeks.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[28]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> The al Qassem Brigades claimed that its forces lured five Israeli SOF engineers into a tunnel rigged with explosives east of Khan Younis. The militia claimed that they killed all five engineers</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[29]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The al Qassem Brigades and al Quds Brigades claimed several mortar and rocket attacks on concentrations of Israeli forces east of Khan Younis, some of whom were advancing into Khan Younis City</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[30]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Israel’s public broadcaster said that the IDF will transition to the third phase of its ground operation in the Gaza Strip in the “coming weeks” and outlined five aspects of the third phase.</strong> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The first phase involved beginning clearing operations in the northern Gaza Strip, and the second phase involved expanding clearing operations into the southern Gaza Strip. The report said that the third phase will include the end of major combat operations, a “reduction in forces” in the Gaza Strip, the release of reservists, a “transition to targeted raids,” and the establishment of a security buffer zone within the Gaza Strip.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[31]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Western media reported previously that this third phase will ”resemble. . . [the] narrow” US counterterrorism campaigns that aimed to kill or capture terrorist leaders in Iraq and Afghanistan</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[32]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> This strategy failed to destroy terrorist organizations in both countries.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[33]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Targeted raids aimed at killing or capturing terrorist leaders can degrade a terrorist organization but cannot destroy one, particularly one as large, established, and well-organized as Hamas.</span></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Top former Israeli officials and an Israeli war correspondent also published analysis of the war. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that Israel now only has two options to end the war: a “ceasefire with living hostages” or a “forced cessation of hostilities with dead [hostages].”</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[34]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> The former head of the IDF Operations Directorate argued that the IDF must remain in the Gaza Strip for six more months to cement its gains and accomplish Israel’s stated political objectives of destroying Hamas</span><span style="color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[35]</b></span><b> A</b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> veteran Israeli war correspondent’s report roughly corroborated that timeline.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[36]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> IDF officials told the correspondent that the IDF can accomplish its objectives but that it will take ”a lot of time” and ”a heavy toll in casualties.”</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">[</span><b><span style="color: red;">37]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> The former Operations Directorate chief said that Israel could turn to former Palestinian Authority (PA) security official Mohammed Dahlan in the aftermath of the war.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[38]</span></b></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Dahlan is a top Fatah party official currently exiled in the UAE, who previously led a 20,000-strong PA security force with close ties to the United States and Israel.</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[39]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">Dahlan said in a November 2023 interview with </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Time </em><span style="color: #800180;">that he would not participate in a future Palestinian government but that he would help rebuild the Palestinian political system.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[40]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="634" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Palestinian militias conducted four indirect fire attacks from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel on December 23. </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The National Resistance Brigade claimed two attacks targeting Kissufim and Holit.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[41]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The al Quds Brigades conducted one rocket attack targeting Kfar Saad.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[42]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> Unspecified militias conducted one rocket attack targeting Beeri</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[43]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Recorded reports of rocket attacks; CTP-ISW cannot independently verify impact.</b></span></em></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">West Bank</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward the West Bank and fix them there</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters eight times across the West Bank on December 23</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[44] </span></strong><span style="color: #800180;">The Hornets’ Nest, which is part of the al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, fired small arms targeting Israeli forces operating in Jenin and Jenin refugee camp on December 22 and 23, respectively</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><b>.</b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>[45]</b></span><b> </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">The al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades and the Tulkarm Battalion of the al Quds Brigades separately fired small arms targeting three Israeli checkpoints around Tulkarm.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[46]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>This map is not an exhaustive depiction of clashes and demonstrations in the West Bank.</b></span></em></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Southern Lebanon and Golan Heights</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Draw IDF assets and resources toward northern Israel and fix them there</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Set conditions for successive campaigns into northern Israel</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Iranian-backed fighters, including Lebanese Hezbollah (LH), conducted five attacks from southern Lebanon into northern Israel on December 23</span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">.[</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">47]</span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;"> LH claimed three unspecified attacks on IDF positions in northeastern and northwestern Israel</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[48]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Israeli media reported on December 22 that the IDF will pull reservists from the line in northern Israel and replace them with regular units after the shift to the third phase of operations in the Gaza Strip</span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">.[49]</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="625" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><br />Iran and Axis of Resistance</u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Axis of Resistance campaign objectives:</span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Demonstrate the capability and willingness of Iran and the Axis of Resistance to escalate against the United States and Israel on multiple fronts</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Set conditions to fight a regional war on multiple fronts</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">The Shia Coordination Framework (SCF)—a loose coalition of Iranian-backed Iraqi Shia parties—established a special committee to appoint provincial councils and governors on December 23</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">.[50]</span><span style="color: #800180;"> </span></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iraq held its first provincial elections since 2013 on December 18. The special committee will be responsible for negotiating with Iraqi political parties to appoint provincial council members and governors based on party seat allocations. The results of the provincial elections, which are not yet finalized, will determine party seat allocations. The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced on December 21 that it will release the final results in the coming days</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[51]</span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The Iraqi Council of Representatives passed election law amendments in March 2023 that reestablished a list-based system. Under a list-based system, winning parties determine which of their candidates will be appointed to the seats the party won in the election..</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[52</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> IHEC released initial results that show that the SCF parties won over half of the total provincial council seats.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[53]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">US Special Envoy to Yemen Timothy Lenderking said that the United States is attempting to “avoid a wider war” and “use the tools available. . . to encourage the Houthis to dial back their reckless behavior” in an interview with the </span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">New York Time</span><span style="color: red;">s</span></em></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">.</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[54] </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The Houthis already widened the war by committing acts of piracy and terrorism targeting international shipping in the Bab al Mandeb and Red Sea.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The Iranian regime is continuing its diplomatic and informational campaign trying to exploit the Israel-Hamas war to isolate Israel</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">. </span></u></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Tehran is especially focused on trying to isolate Israel from Arab and Muslim states.</span></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called on Muslim states to cut ties and trade with Israel during a speech on December 23.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[55]</span><span style="color: #800180;"> Khamenei stated that Muslim populations abroad should pressure their respective governments to this end. Khamenei’s website framed Muslim states as having a responsibility to prevent commercial goods and energy products from going to Israel. This rhetoric is consistent with Khamenei’s previous calls for an international embargo on Israel since the Israel-Hamas war began.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[56]</span></b></span></span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><u><br /></u></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi spoke at a regime-hosted international conference on Palestinian issues in Tehran on December 23</span><b><span style="color: red;">.</span></b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">[57</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">]</span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Raisi repeated his usual criticisms of the United States and Israel. Raisi also downplayed the role of Hamas’ October 7 attack in initiating the war and instead framed the war as part of a larger historical struggle between Israel and Palestine. Raisi also framed Hamas’ October 7 attack as a defensive measure in response to Israeli “crimes” against the Palestinian people. Raisi called for an immediate ceasefire.</span></span></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi held a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi on December 23 to discuss bilateral relations and the Israel-Hamas war.<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">[58]</span> Raisi called on Egypt to do everything possible to stop Israeli attacks into the Gaza Strip. Raisi also framed Israel as “a cancerous tumor” and criticized the United States for supporting Israel, according to the official Iranian readout on Raisi‘s website.</span></li></ul></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></p></div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="640" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023_0.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="512" /></a></span></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="1" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; float: none; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><b>References</b></u></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref1" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[1]</a> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/israel-affiliated-merchant-vessel-hit-by-aerial-vehicle-off-india-uk-firm-2023-12-23/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/israel-affiliated-merchant-v...</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref2" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[2]</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ItayBlumental/status/1738572576572555654" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/ItayBlumental/status/1738572576572555654</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref3" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[3]</a> <a href="https://www.mako.co/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.mako.co</a> dot il/news-world/2023_q4/Article-b431cc842469c81026.htm?sCh=31750a2610f26110&pId=173113802</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref4" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[4]</a> <a href="https://t.me/elamharbi/167" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elamharbi/167</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref5" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[5]</a> <a href="http://www.defapress/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.defapress</a> dot ir/fa/news/639761</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref6" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[6]</a> <a href="https://www.aei.org/research-products/report/pivot-to-offense-how-iran-is-adapting-for-modern-conflict-and-warfare/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.aei.org/research-products/report/pivot-to-offense-how-iran-i...</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref7" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[7]</a> <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-august-1-2023#:~:text=Iranian%20state%20media%20and%20officials,expel%20US%20forces%20from%20Syria" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-august-1-2023#:~:te...</a>.</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref8" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[8]</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassambrigades/29702" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassambrigades/29702</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref9" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[9]</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassambrigades/29699" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassambrigades/29699</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref10" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[10]</a> <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5382" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5382</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref11" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[11]</a> <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4005" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4005</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref12" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[12]</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-22-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-22-2023</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref13" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[13]</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1738456098699649196" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1738456098699649196</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref14" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[14]</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1738456071264432255;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1738456071264432255;</a> <a href="https://www.idf/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.idf</a> dot il/165147</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref15" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[15]</a> <a href="https://www.idf/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.idf</a> dot il/165147</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref16" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[16]</a> <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israeli-military-says-it-is-close-to-controlling-gazas-north-cfda96ef?mod=middle-east_news_article_pos1" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israeli-military-says-it-is-close-...</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref17" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[17]</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassambrigades/29704" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassambrigades/29704</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref18" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[18]</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1738090645821026370" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1738090645821026370</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref19" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[19]</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassambrigades/29703" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassambrigades/29703</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[20]</a> <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-16-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-16-2023</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref21" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[21]</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassambrigades/29708" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassambrigades/29708</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref22" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[22]</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1022" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1022</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref23" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[23]</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassambrigades/29700" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassambrigades/29700</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref24" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[24]</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1738264100071723440" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1738264100071723440</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref25" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[25]</a> <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-19-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-19-2023</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref26" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[26]</a> <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-20-2023#_edna4de92bc10a704be71ce60fec39984abref1" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-december-20-2023#_e...</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref27" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[27]</a> <a href="https://irp.fas.org/doddir/army/fm3-24.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://irp.fas.org/doddir/army/fm3-24.pdf</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref28" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[28]</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1738605771636498752" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/idfonline/status/1738605771636498752</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref29" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[29]</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1020" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassam1brigades/1020</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref30" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[30]</a> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17035;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17035;</a> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17032;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17032;</a> <a href="https://t.me/qassambrigades/29705;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/qassambrigades/29705;</a> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17036" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17036</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref31" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[31]</a> <a href="https://www.kan/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.kan</a> dot org.il/content/kan-news/defense/660419/; <a href="https://www.haaretz/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.haaretz</a> dot com/israel-news/2023-12-22/ty-article/.premium/the-unbridgeable-gulf-between-israeli-politicians-rhetoric-and-the-reality-in-gaza/0000018c-8e1e-da31-adff-8e5eb1060000</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref32" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[32]</a> <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/05/politics/israel-ground-operation-us-warnings/index.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/05/politics/israel-ground-operation-us-warnings/index.html</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref33" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[33]</a> <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/us-general-islamic-state-afghan-affiliate-closer-to-attacking-western-targets/7008633.html;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.voanews.com/a/us-general-islamic-state-afghan-affiliate-clos...</a> <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ending-the-us-presence-in-syria-could-cause-a-rapid-isis-reconstitution-and-threaten-core-us-national-security-interests;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ending-the-us-presence-in-syria...</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/report/al-qaeda-iraq-resurgent#:~:text=Al%2DQaeda%20in%20Iraq%20is,havens%20in%20and%20around%20Baghdad" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/report/al-qaeda-iraq-resurgent#:~:text=...</a>.</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref34" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[34]</a> <a href="https://www.haaretz/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.haaretz</a> dot com/opinion/2023-12-22/ty-article-opinion/.premium/israels-choice-cease-fire-now-or-dead-hostages-later/0000018c-8e2c-da81-a1bc-cebc4fd00000</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref35" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[35]</a> <a href="https://www.mako/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.mako</a> dot co.il/news-columns/2023_q4/Article-6c8738498209c81026.htm?sCh=31750a2610f26110&pId=1714799902</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref36" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[36]</a> <a href="https://www.ynet/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ynet</a> dot co.il/news/article/bypef84vt#autoplay</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref37" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[37]</a> <a href="https://www.ynet/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ynet</a> dot co.il/news/article/bypef84vt#autoplay</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref38" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[38]</a> <a href="https://www.mako/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.mako</a> dot co.il/news-columns/2023_q4/Article-6c8738498209c81026.htm?sCh=31750a2610f26110&pId=1714799902</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref39" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[39]</a> <a href="https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_palestinian_politics/mohammed_dahlan/;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_palestinian_politics/mohammed_dahlan/;</a> <a href="https://time.com/6337833/mohammed-dahlan-exclusive-palestine-israel/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://time.com/6337833/mohammed-dahlan-exclusive-palestine-israel/</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref40" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[40]</a> <a href="https://time.com/6337833/mohammed-dahlan-exclusive-palestine-israel/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://time.com/6337833/mohammed-dahlan-exclusive-palestine-israel/</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref41" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[41]</a> <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4004" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4004</a>; <a href="https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4007" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataeb_moqawma/4007</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref42" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[42]</a> <a href="https://t.me/sarayaps/17038" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/sarayaps/17038</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref43" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[43]</a> <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/347931" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/347931</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref44" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[44]</a> <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/347742" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/347742</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/347782" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/347782</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/884" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/884</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/885" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/885</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/886" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/886</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/887" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/887</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5379" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5379</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5380" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5380</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5380" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5380</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5381" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5381</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2595" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataebaqsapalestine/2595</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/347774" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/347774</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/347966" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/347966</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref45" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[45]</a> <a href="https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/884" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/884</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/884" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/884</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/884" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/884</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/887" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kataipshohdaaalaqsa/887</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5379" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5379</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref46" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[46]</a> <a href="https://t.me/QudsN/347782" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/QudsN/347782</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5380" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/elaqsa_1965/5380</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref47" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[47]</a> <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42410" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42410</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42407" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42407</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42395" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42395</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42405" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42405</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1738574532439359491" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/manniefabian/status/1738574532439359491</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref48" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[48]</a> <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42410" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42410</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42407" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42407</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/C_Military1/42395" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/C_Military1/42395</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref49" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[49]</a> <a href="https://www.haaretz/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.haaretz</a> dot com/israel-news/2023-12-22/ty-article/.premium/the-unbridgeable-gulf-between-israeli-politicians-rhetoric-and-the-reality-in-gaza/0000018c-8e1e-da31-adff-8e5eb1060000</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref50" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[50]</a> <a href="https://www.shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.shafaq</a> dot com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%82%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B4%D9%83-%D9%84-%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%86%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%B3-%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%B4%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref51" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[51]</a> <a href="https://www.shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.shafaq</a> dot com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%86%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%82%D9%8A-%D9%8A%D8%B4%D9%83-%D9%84-%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%86%D8%A9-%D9%85%D8%B3-%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%AA%D8%B4%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%B8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%88%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7 ; <a href="https://www.shafaq/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.shafaq</a> dot com/ar/%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/%D8%B9%D8%AF-%D9%88%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%B2-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B6%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D8%BA%D9%8A%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7-%D8%AC-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%B9%D8%AF%D9%85%D9%87-%D9%8A%D8%AA%D8%B6%D8%AD-%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF-3-%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%85</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref52" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[52]</a> <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-march-27-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-march-27-2023</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref53" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[53]</a> <a href="https://almadapaper/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://almadapaper</a> dot net/view.php?cat=303232</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref54" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[54]</a> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/us/politics/gaza-houthi-yemen.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/23/us/politics/gaza-houthi-yemen.html</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref55" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[55]</a> <a href="http://www.farsi.khamenei/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.farsi.khamenei</a> dot ir/news-content?id=54687</span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref56" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[56]</a> <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-khamenei-calls-upon-muslim-countries-boycott-israel-2023-11-01/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-khamenei-calls-upon-musl...</a></span></b></p></div><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref57" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[57]</a> <a href="http://www.president/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.president</a> dot ir/fa/149004</span></b></p></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/iran-update-december-23-2023#_ednref58" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="">[58]</a> <a href="http://www.president/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.president</a> dot ir/fa/149000</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Tags</u></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"> <u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> Iran Project</u></span></b></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><h3 id="tagtitle" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Iran </span></span></h3><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>File Attachments:</b></u></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftIsraelCOTDecember%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2022368">DraftIsraelCOTDecember 23,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=5790761">Regional IDF Battle Map December 23,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Clearing%20Map%20December%2023%2C%202023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1605476">Gaza Clearing Map December 23, 2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Gaza%20Evacuation%20Zone%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1814993">Gaza Evacuation Zone Map December 23,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Southern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1112395">Southern Israel Battle Map December 23,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/West%20Bank%20Battle%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1547470">West Bank Battle Map December 23,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Northern%20Israel%20Battle%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1559958">Northern Israel Battle Map December 23,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Regional%20IDF%20Battle%20Map%20December%2023%2C2023_0.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=5790761">Regional IDF Battle Map December 23,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/jpeg" /></span><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Babel%20Street%20email%20logo_4_39.jpg" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/jpeg; length=18200">Babel Street email logo_4.jpg</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div></div><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p><p><strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #f2ece0; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><u><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></i></u></span></span></strong></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-32919282415269769172023-12-22T22:36:00.000-08:002023-12-30T06:54:32.286-08:00THE HIGH PRICE OF LOSING UKRAINE: PART 2 — THE MILITARY THREAT AND BEYOND <p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b> SOURCE ;</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="color: #800180;">PART 2</b><b style="color: #800180;"><span> ( ) </span> </b><b><span><u style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">THE HIGH PRICE OF LOSING UKRAINE: PART 2 — THE MILITARY THREAT AND BEYOND:</u><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine-part-2-%E2%80%94-military-threat-and-beyond</span></b></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #800180;">PART 1</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> <span> </span></span><span><u style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">(</u><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> </span><u style="background-color: white; color: #800180; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">)</u></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> </span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;"> </span></u></span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">THE HIGH PRICE OF LOSING UKRAINE : </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> </span></u><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine</span></span></span></b></p><p><b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif"><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">( ) </span></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; text-transform: uppercase;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif"><u style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">ENDGAME UKRAINE AND BEYOND:</u><span style="background-color: white; color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span><span face="Roboto, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe;">https://youtu.be/DCAaIjBXPZk</span></b></span></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: small; text-transform: uppercase;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: small; text-transform: uppercase;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DCAaIjBXPZk" style="display: inline;" width="320" youtube-src-id="DCAaIjBXPZk"></iframe></span></div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-size: small; text-transform: uppercase;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;" /></span><p><b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></span></b></p><p><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">SUMMARY OF THE TEXT</u></strong></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Allowing Russia to win its war in Ukraine would be a self-imposed strategic defeat for the United States. The United States would face the risk of a larger and costlier war in Europe. The United States would face the worst threat from Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union, as a victorious Russia would likely emerge reconstituted and more determined to undermine the United States — and confident that it can. A Russian victory would diminish America’s deterrence around the world, emboldening others with an explicit or latent intent to harm the United States. A Russian victory would create an ugly world in which the atrocities associated with Russia’s way of war and way of ruling the populations under its control are normalized. Most dangerous of all, however, US adversaries would learn that they can break America’s will to act in support of their strategic interests.</i></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></p><p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"> _________________________</span></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The High Price of Losing Ukraine:</span></u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"> Part 2 — </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The Military Threat and Beyond</span></u></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/press-media/staff-bios/nataliya-bugayova" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>Nataliya Bugayova</b></span></a></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b>December 22, 2023</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Allowing Russia to win its war in Ukraine would be a self-imposed strategic defeat for the United States.</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The United States would face the risk of a larger and costlier war in Europe. The United States would face the worst threat from Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union, as a victorious Russia would likely emerge reconstituted and more determined to undermine the United States — and confident that it can. A Russian victory would diminish America’s deterrence around the world, emboldening others with an explicit or latent intent to harm the United States. </span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">A Russian victory would create an ugly world in which the atrocities associated with Russia’s way of war and way of ruling the populations under its control are normalized.</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Most dangerous of all, however, US adversaries would learn that they can break America’s will to act in support of their strategic interests. </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The ground truths of this war have not changed:</span><span style="background: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Russia still explicitly intends to erase Ukraine as a concept, people, and state; Ukraine’s will to fight remains strong; Russia has made no operationally significant advances this year; and Ukraine’s will combined with the West’s collective capability </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #cc0000; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(204, 0, 0); border: 0px; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: white;">(which dwarfs Russia’s) </span></span><span style="background: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">can defeat Russia on the battlefield</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: red;">.[1] </span></b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;">US interests still include preventing future Russian attacks on Ukraine and helping Ukraine liberate its people and territory. Supporting Ukraine is still the best path for the United States to avoid higher costs, larger escalation risks, and a greater Russian threat. What’s changing is Americans’ perceptions of their interests, not the interests themselves. That American perceptions are changing is not an accident. It is, in fact, precisely the effect the Kremlin has been seeking to achieve. The Kremlin’s principal effort is destroying America’s will by altering Americans’ understanding of their interests, and this effort appears to be working. </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cc0000; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If Russia wins in Ukraine because of the collapse of Western aid, it will be because Russia has managed to shape Americans’ understanding of reality such that the United States willingly chooses to act against its interests and values without realizing that it is doing so. </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Russia will have manipulated America into abandoning its own interests in a fight it could and should have won. </span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">That’s a dangerous lesson for China, Iran, and other US adversaries to learn. America’s security now and in the future, in Asia and the Middle East as well as in Europe, depends </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">on remaining solidly connected with our strategic interests and values and demonstrating that we will not fall prey to efforts to manipulate our perceptions of those interests.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">ASSESSED RISKS OF FAILURE IN UKRAINE FOR THE UNITED STATES</u></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Another war under worse conditions</b></span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="color: #cc0000;">A self-imposed defeat in Ukraine will confront the United States with the real risk of another war in Europe with higher escalation risks and higher costs.</span></u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;"> Cutting aid to Ukraine will not freeze the frontlines, as ISW has assessed</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-weight: bold;">.[2] </span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">It will instead diminish Ukraine’s ability to hold off the Russian military and accelerate Russia’s military drive further and further west because the fundamental driver of this war — the Kremlin’s intent to eradicate Ukraine’s identity and statehood — has not changed. Putin regularly restates this intent, most recently on December 19.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-weight: bold;">[3] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">If Russia defeats Ukraine’s conventional military, </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;">Ukrainians will likely turn to an <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">insurgency</span>,</span><span><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> as their will to defend against the existential threat remains strong. Such an insurgency will likely last years if not decades and is unlikely to be contained within Ukraine’s borders. The United States and NATO will likely face a Russian military deployed along the NATO border from the Black Sea to the Arctic Ocean and face enormous costs and risks in deterring further Russian aggression against NATO itself, as ISW has assessed.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[4]</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">In an alternative scenario</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> in which Russia gets a reprieve via a premature ceasefire or insufficient Western aid that halts Ukraine’s advance, but without allowing Russia to complete its conquest, Russia will rebuild and launch new attacks on Ukraine. The United States would face the high likelihood of another Russian invasion of Ukraine to complete the conquest at a higher cost of Ukrainian lives and US taxpayer dollars, the same or worse escalation risks, and under conditions that favor Russia, including degraded global support for Ukraine, degraded cohesion within Ukraine, a strengthened Putin regime, a stronger Russian military and narratives, more advantageous starting lines for Russia compared to February 2022, and higher Russian immunity to coercive measures.</span></b></span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The United States risks needlessly choosing a path antithetical to its interests and values when it can still help Ukraine succeed</span>.</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The military challenge facing Ukraine is great but not insurmountable.</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The West already has in its arsenals the capabilities necessary to address nearly all challenges confronting Ukraine on the battlefield, as ISW assessed</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">.[5] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Russia, on the other hand, has not yet gotten onto the right side of the capability curve</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The Kremlin has been investing in regaining its offensive capability in Ukraine and with time Russia may be able to do so, but it has not been able to do so yet. </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">The window to expel Russia from Ukraine remains open.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The West has the tools to deny Russia the reprieve on the battlefield and access to global resources Russia needs to reconstitute and end the war on the West’s terms and in the West’s interests.</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Greater Russian threat to the United States</u></b></span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">A Russian victory in Ukraine would present the West with a reconstituted and emboldened Russia that is more determined to undermine the United States. There is no going back to the pre-2022 status quo. The United States is on track to be blindsided by Russia’s transformation — again.</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><u style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has permanently changed Russia. It has cemented an ultra-nationalist ideology that believes in expansion by force and that is inherently anti-Western.</span> </span></u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">A Russian victory in Ukraine is a certain path to another Putin or worse</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">. </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Putin has been consolidating Russia’s elites and society around his pro-war agenda through a ‘get out or get in line’ approach</span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">.[6] </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">His invasion necessarily relies on Russians who support the war, are willing to rally support, or are simply willing to get in line. This reliance has illuminated and nurtured the full range of Russian nationalists — from the ultra-nationalists willing or seemingly willing to pursue Putin’s expansionist goals in Ukraine regardless of the cost to those largely subscribed to Putin’s goals but diverging on ways to achieve them</span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">.[7] </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Putin has chosen not to silence and, in some cases, has empowered the Russian milblogger community and the nationalist constituency they represent, as they have shown themselves to be effective at rallying Russians in support of the war.</span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">[8]</span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> Russian nationalists in power and society are intent on restoring Russia’s greatness and undermining the United States.</span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">[9] </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">They are inherently anti-Western. They are also, ironically and depressingly, the closest thing to civil society Russia currently has. If Russia loses in Ukraine, their future is uncertain. Their power will most certainly grow if Russia keeps its gains in Ukraine, however, as Putin will have demonstrated by success that Russia can afford to pay horrific costs and still win because the West will eventually back down. He and his successors will seek to apply that lesson to a larger game — the destruction of NATO.</span></span></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">The next Russian leader after Putin may or may not be like or worse than Putin if Russia loses in Ukraine. A Russian victory in Ukraine is a nearly guaranteed path to another Putin or worse, however, because of the political imperatives that an empowered nationalist community would create. Putin recently revived his expansionist narratives that deny Ukrainian territorial integrity as part of his presidential campaign, likely to appeal to these communities.</span><span style="color: red;">[10]</span><span style="color: #800180;"> The nationalists will carry Putin's intent forward (the same intent toward Ukraine, the United States, and NATO that led to the full-scale invasion) and may even generate and pursue a more extreme version of this intent.</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Kremlin is rallying Russians for a long-term fight with the West. The anti-Western narrative will become the foundation of the Kremlin’s next national myth if Russia wins.</span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">The narrative of confrontation with the West has increasingly defined Putin’s rule.[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-weight: bold;">11]</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;"> Missing Putin’s accumulating grudge is exactly why the West has been strategically surprised by Putin in the past.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-weight: bold;">[12]</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;"> The 2022 invasion has taken anti-American narratives in Russia to new heights.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-weight: bold;">[13</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">] Confrontation with the West has become the Kremlin’s central domestic justification of this war and a key justification for its own increasingly authoritarian rule — after the initial justifications about denazification, demilitarization, etc. became less resonant. Anti-Western rhetoric in Russia comes in many forms: from the Kremlin talking heads discussing a potential nuclear strike on the US[</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-weight: bold;">14</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b style="color: #800180;">]; to Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev’s insinuations about a civil war in the US[</b><span style="color: red;"><b>15]</b></span><b style="color: #800180;">; to constant explicit and thinly veiled threats against NATO states,</b><b><span style="color: red;">[16]</span></b><b style="color: #800180;"> including Russian propagandist Dmitry Kiselyov’s statements that one “Sarmat” [nuclear] missile is enough to drown the United Kingdom</b><span style="color: red;"><b>[17] </b></span><b><span style="color: red;">[18</span></b><b style="color: #800180;">]; to falsely blaming the United States for the Kremlin’s failures, and even implying that the United States supports terrorism in Russia.</b><span style="color: red;"><b>[19] </b></span><b style="color: #800180;">It is easy to dismiss these statements as lunacy. But narratives rule Russia, they have got us where we are today with Russia, and they will shape Russia’s foreign policy for years to come. If Russia wins in Ukraine, these narratives will serve as the basis for the next Russian national myth.</b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u>The Kremlin explicitly intends to reconstitute its large-scale warfighting capability — an effort that disproportionally depends on whether Russia keeps or loses its gains in Ukraine</u></span><u>.</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Russia has significantly depleted its military capability in Ukraine. </span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">But, unlike in 2022, the Kremlin today is acutely aware of its capability gap and seeks to close it. Russia is pursuing large-scale military reforms</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">,[20] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">revamping its defense industrial base (DIB), investing in technological adaptation, and reconfiguring its international web of capability partners. The Russian military uses Belarus’ trainers and training grounds to augment Russian force generation capabilities</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">.[21]</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The Kremlin has accelerated its militarization of Russian society by instituting mandatory patriotic and military education in Russian schools, among other measures, as it seeks to expand Russia’s future recruitment base via the indoctrination of its population.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[22</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">]</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;"> [23] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The Kremlin’s progress is constrained by its decision to employ half-measures for DIB revitalization, as well as the invasion cannibalizing Russia's long-term military reforms</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">.[24]</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> But the potential for Russia to rebuild its military should not be underestimated if the Kremlin gets a reprieve or a win in Ukraine and can focus on reconstitution with full force, new knowledge, stronger commitment, and</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;"> a resilient web of </span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: red;">military capability partners — like Iran and North Korea</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;"> — that the Kremlin has codified throughout the invasion.</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><u>Russia would absorb — not just control — any areas of Ukraine and Belarus it seizes, expanding Russia’s military footprint and resource base.</u></span></span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Russia has made alarming progress in normalizing a continuous military presence in Belarus, including securing unprecedented basing access and freedom of movement even beyond Belarusian military infrastructure.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[25] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">A Russian victory in Ukraine would free up the Kremlin’s capacity to finalize its control over Belarus. But in such a case the Kremlin will likely go beyond control and use Russia’s ‘digestion’ playbook </span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180;">(its brutal rapid version in Ukraine and a softer slower version in Belarus) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">to erase local identity in any areas of Ukraine and Belarus that Russia manages to control.</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large;">The Kremlin is likely to pursue an outright absorption of Belarus and areas of Ukraine it manages to seize for two reasons.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"> First,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large;"> Ukraine and Belarus are core to Putin’s vision of the Russian world and also to Putin’s accelerated effort to reverse the Slavic demographic decline to prevent a looming social cohesion crisis in Russia.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: large;">[26]</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: large;"> (For similar reasons Putin has been obsessed with increasing the birth rate among Slavic Russians, russification of non-ethnic Russians, and deporting and reeducating Ukrainian children in Russia.)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: large;">[27</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: large;"><u>Second,</u></span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> unlike in the pre-2022 world, Putin may assess that the only way to solve the Ukraine and Belarus problem for good (that is, to eliminate the risk that they might drift away from Russia in the future) is to absorb any areas Russia manages to control. Any areas in Ukraine or Belarus that Russia gets would also become permanent de facto or de jure Russian military basing. (<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Russia occupies 17.8 percent of Ukraine today, compared to 7.1 percent in 2021, and stands in this scenario — at a minimum — to absorb this territory to transform it into a lodgment from which to launch future offensives. The end of Western military aid would allow Russia to expand the area it controls dramatically.</span>) Expanded Russian basing along NATO’s border will impose major risks, costs, and obligations on the alliance to defend against this expanded Russian posture</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-size: medium;">.[28] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Absorbing parts of Ukraine and Belarus would significantly increase Russia’s power, adding millions of people, including the skilled labor and industrial assets that remain and the territory not scorched, for the Kremlin to use for the reconstitution of the Russian military.</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="color: #cc0000;">A Russian victory in Ukraine would increase the likelihood of military action against other Russian neighbors. </span></u></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><b style="color: #800180;">The Kremlin still intends to re-establish control over its other neighbors.[</b><span style="color: red;">29] </span><b style="color: #800180;">Only now the Kremlin may </b></span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">have to </em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">rely on force to regain influence, as several former Soviet countries have tried to diversify away from Russia while the Kremlin has been preoccupied with Ukraine.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-weight: bold;">[30] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">The Kremlin is acutely aware of this drift, with Kremlin outlets suggesting</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;"> that Russia should</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold;"> invade Kazakhstan</span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">,</em><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[31]</span></em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;"> Medvedev threatening Georgia with Russia’s capability to annex South Ossetia and Abkhazia,</span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[32]</span></em><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">and Kremlin proxies trying to destabilize Moldova</span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</em><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[</em><span style="color: red;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">33]</em><span style="background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-weight: bold;">In a world in which Russia keeps its gains in Ukraine, little will stop Putin from integrating other territories it chooses to perceive as its sphere of influence by force via its hybrid schemas (e.g., breakaway republics) or an outright absorption.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><u>The Kremlin would resume its presently constrained effort to expand its global military footprint and broader influence</u>.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The Kremlin still intends to expand its foothold in the Arctic and establish control over the Northern Sea Route, pursue broader influence and military basing in Africa, and it has maintained its campaign in the Balkans</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">.[34] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The Kremlin will pursue these and other efforts with new energy, legitimacy and resources if it solidifies its gains in Ukraine.</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Kremlin would get closer to a real opportunity to break NATO. </span>Putin sought to use its invasion of Ukraine to break NATO</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> — an objective he failed at but continues to pursue.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[35] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">A key Russian threat to NATO is the risk of the Kremlin manipulating NATO into disavowing its principles.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[36]</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> NATO will be discredited if Russia keeps its gains in Ukraine and its defense guarantees will be undermined. NATO’s Article 5 — the commitment to mutual self-defense — is not a magic shield. It draws its legitimacy in part from the United States’</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">persistent decision to commit to its partners. American leaders must remember, as the Russians surely do, that any NATO state under attack can invoke Article 5, which states that in the case of an armed attack on a member state, each other member state shall take </span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span>“</span><span>forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary....”</span></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Article 5 does not automatically and legally commit every member of NATO to use military force to defend a member under attack. Each N</span></span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: #800180;">ATO state will have to decide how to act. The question of the resolve of all NATO member states to go to war in defense of a member under attack is thus paramount in the efficacy of Article 5 in deterring aggression. That efficacy, therefore, is not at all independent of the demonstrated willingness of the United States and other NATO states to stand by commitments to non-NATO states. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">If the United States</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">abandons Ukraine, as it abandoned its partners in Afghanistan, the certainty that the United States would fight Russia in defense of, say, one of the Baltic States, will be harmed.</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;"><span> </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There is every reason to think that the United States will, in fact, honor its Article 5 obligations — but also every reason to fear that Putin and his successors will assess that it will not,</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> in this scenario</span><span>. </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Deterrence would be weakened, and the risk of a NATO–Russia war would increase. Putin will go after NATO’s cohesion with new force, as in this scenario Russia will have an expanded military footprint on NATO’s border and an increased ability to target societal and political cohesion within the alliance. Russia will also accelerate its information operations trying to convince Americans that the United States simply does not need NATO — a campaign that is more likely to succeed in a scenario where the Kremlin already managed to convince the United States</span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">to decrease or cease its support to Ukraine. </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The future of</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;"> <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">NATO is bound up with the future of Ukraine</span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> much more tightly than most people understand.</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Degrading America’s will</u></b></span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russia targets what it perceives to be the US center of gravity — America’s will to act. The Kremlin is using its information-based warfare together with military operations to persuade the United States to choose inaction in Ukraine. If Russia succeeds, it will not only result in catastrophic consequences for Ukraine, but also establish that the Kremlin’s reflexive contro</span><span style="color: red;">l</span></strong><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[37]</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></b><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">is an effective asymmetric warfare capability against the United States — for other US adversaries to use if they can master it.</strong></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Kremlin seeks to strip America of its will to act. This is one of the very few ways, and certainly the fastest, for Russia to gain the advantage in Ukraine and restore its power globally. </span></u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The Kremlin perceives the United States to be the only sovereign state that stands — in terms of will and capability — between Russia and the Kremlin’s ‘rightful’ place in Ukraine and globally.</span><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span style="background-color: red;">Moscow sees the United States as an enemy.</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The Kremlin thus seeks not just to compete with the United States but to diminish US power and global influence. </span><span style="background-color: #b6d7a8; color: #800180;">The US Department of Defense (DoD) defines a center of gravity as a source of power that provides moral or physical strength, freedom of action, or will to act</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[38] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The Kremlin has limits on its ability to compete with or meaningfully degrade US physical strength.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[39]</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The Kremlin has been, therefore, focused on diminishing America’s will to act, which it likely sees as America’s center of gravity. Russia seeks to shape America’s behavior to act against its interests and values, to strip the United States of the will to act altogether, and to convince the world that the United States can and should be dismissed.</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">The Kremlin is engaged in several lines of effort in support of this objective:</u></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">1</span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">) </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russia seeks to undermine Americans’ belief in the value of action as such. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Putin needs the United States to choose inaction in Ukraine, otherwise, Russia cannot win.</span> </span></span><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">T</span><span style="background-color: transparent;">his model has worked for Putin domestically, where the Kremlin has established </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">inaction as a default response</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> by Russian citizens to external and internal stimuli. Putin convinced Russians that an alternative to him is either worse or too costly to fight for.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[40] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The Kremlin seeks to convince the United States that Ukraine’s victory is unattainable, too costly or not in America’s interest.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[41]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #800180;">2) </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u>Russia seeks to undermine the perception of US credibility, power, leverage, and righteousness around the world to diminish America’s ability to inspire others to act.</u></span><span style="color: #800180;"> Even when preoccupied in Ukraine, Russia is investing in anti-US narratives, often supported by physical means, from Africa to South America.</span><span style="color: red;">[42] </span><span style="color: #800180;">The Kremlin is also targeting US allies and partners — a core pillar of US power — while simultaneously investing in an anti-US coalition in support of the same effort.</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">3) </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: rgb(255, 242, 204); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180;">T<u>he Kremlin is targeting global will to act.</u> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Putin is working to create an international order that would simply accept, and never fight, Russian principles — such as the Kremlin’s claimed right to own Ukraine and commit atrocities inside of Russia and globally at will.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;"> [43] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Russian officials frame this effort as Russia’s goal to “architect a fair global future.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[44]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">If Russia wins in Ukraine, US adversaries will learn that the United States can be manipulated into abandoning its interests in a winnable fight.</u> </span><span style="color: #800180;">Russia cannot achieve its objectives in Ukraine if Ukraine’s will to fight persists along with adequate Western support. The Kremlin has long understood that one of the very few ways to reconcile its goals and means in Ukraine is to slow Western support to buy Russia time to regain the battlefield initiative and rebuild capability (which is what happened in winter 2022–2023)</span><span style="color: red;">[45]</span><span style="color: #800180;"> or, ideally, convince the United States to stop supporting Ukraine altogether. The Kremlin has invested heavily in this effort. A recent display of confidence by Russian propagandists and Putin amid hesitations in Western discourse likely indicates the Kremlin’s perception that the United States is starting to act in Russia’s interest.</span><span style="color: red;">[46] </span><span style="color: #800180;">If the West cuts its support for Ukraine, it will likely be because the United States let Russia shape its behavior — as the fundamentals of this war, such as US interests, capabilities, and Ukraine’s will to fight, have not changed. The global anti-Western coalition will learn that<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"> it can asymmetrically defeat the West through manipulation and by outlasting it.</span></span><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"> </span><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Learning how to diminish US decision superiority is a dangerous lesson for US adversaries, especially China, to learn.</span></span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">This scenario would necessarily mean that one of the few Russian capabilities that poses a real threat to the United States — information-based warfare — has received a major boost</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">. </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Russian information-based warfare and reflexive control specifically have been among the stronger Russian capabilities and a core element of Russia’s strategy against the United States for years.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[47] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Reflexive control </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">is</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> how Russia fights, and it is one of the true ways in which Russia poses a threat to America beyond its nuclear arsenal. Russia’s true sphere </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">is</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> its global information space — communities penetrated by the Russian narratives, including in the United States. If Russia wins in Ukraine, it will likely mean that Russia has managed to change America’s perception of itself, its interests, and the risks and costs it is willing to incur — and for what purpose.</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Altering America’s will is no small thing</span>.</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"> America is an idea. America is a choice. America is a belief in the value of action. US domestic resilience and global power come in no small part from people and countries choosing the United States and from Americans preserving their agency to act with intent. An adversary learning how to alter these realities is an existential threat — especially when ideas are that adversary’s core weapon.</span></b></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">A geostrategic environment that favors US adversaries</u></b></span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Allowing Russia to win in Ukraine would result in </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #800180;">a</span><span style="background-color: #800180;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: #800180; color: white; font-size: medium;">reshaped global orde</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: #800180;"><span style="color: white;">r</span></span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">that favors US adversaries and normalizes the following ideas:</span></span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Russia (and other states strong enough) deserves its perceived sphere of influence, regardless of its neighbors’ will.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Predators can redraw borders by force and victims must justify their right to exist.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Western international institutions fail to fulfill the very missions they were built for.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>Russia can treat people in areas it controls any way it wants, including subjecting them to perpetual atrocities.</b></span></li><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>The United States will face an international environment in which moral relativism further resurges and values further erode, fueled by arguments to the effect of<em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> if Russia won, maybe they were not that bad, maybe it wasn’t a black and white issue after all.</em></b></span></li></ul><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>These principles are antithetical to the rules-based international order, which remains a pillar of US prosperity and security.</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">An ugly world</u></b></span></em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Russia winning in Ukraine would result in a world accepting of the Russian way of war and of life. </span>Billions of people are watching this war. They will not remember the nuances. They will remember the results, including the principles that humanity collectively confronted or tolerated.<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"> If Russia wins, many horrific practices that the Kremlin is trying to justify will be normalized.</span> To name a few:</b></span></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Atrocities as a way of war</span><span style="color: #800180;"> that are not only not condemned but are often lauded by the Russian media, such as Russia’s deliberate attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.</span><span style="color: red;">[48]</span></b></span></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;">Brutality as a way of life </span><span style="color: #800180;">— both as a means to control civilian populations and to discipline warfighters, like the horrific practice of late PMC Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin having his own men executed with sledgehammers and ‘Prigozhin’s sledgehammer’ then becoming a lauded symbol within the Russian nationalist community.</span><span style="color: red;">[49]</span></b></span></li></ul><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">A playbook for ‘disappearing’ or ‘digesting’ a nation</span><span style="color: #800180;"> through an identity and statehood eradication campaign that Russia is undertaking across occupied Ukraine, including forceful deportation of children.</span></b></span></li></ul><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b>If Russia wins, it will refocus its information efforts on rewriting history and launching narratives for why the above mentioned actions were justified through its information sphere of influence.</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">RISKS OF ESCALATION</u></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The cost of failure for the United States in Ukraine is higher than the risks implicit in helping Ukraine win.</span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There will always be a risk of escalation, including when Putin invades Ukraine again if Russia is allowed to freeze the lines.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> In this scenario, however, the United States would likely face an even larger escalation risk because Russia will be closer to a direct confrontation with NATO.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[50] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Basing US policy on the assumption that</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> the United States can never run the risk of a nuclear escalation means the United States has <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">subordinated its national security to any nuclear power.</span> Unless the United States chooses to do so,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> accepting the risk now to decrease the chances of a larger risk of escalation in the future remains a prudent course of action.</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The West needs to recalibrate its perception of escalation based on the experience of the past two years.</span><span style="color: #800180;"> The Kremlin has shifted its multiple stated ‘red lines’ and has not changed its response even to direct attacks on its prized Black Sea Fleet, as well as drone strikes and operations deep into Russia.</span><span style="color: red;">[51]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Putin remains a rational actor and often a risk-averse one. </span><span style="color: #800180;">He invaded Ukraine at a moment when he expected minimal resistance from Ukraine and the West as <span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">evidenced by his assessment that Russia could conquer Ukraine in a matter of days</span></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">.</span>[52] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">He also invaded only after he had ensured that his domestic grip on power was solid.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red;">[53] </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Both facts are indicative of a risk-aware actor. Putin also has been cautious about testing the limits of the Kremlin’s information control — as the stability of his regime in part depends on it. Putin still refuses to call Russia’s war a war and is not precisely defining his vision for the end of the war. The</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"> “special military operation”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> framing likely reaches the limit of what Putin assesses he can demand of the Russian people, as he tries to conceal the sacrifices that Russian people will need to make to support this war —</span><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;"> i.e., mobilization.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> His assessment of his regime’s stability has self-confined him to suboptimal ways of fighting.</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The risk of nuclear war is inherent in any attempt to resist the aggression of any nuclear-armed state.</span> It will be manifest if Russia attacks Ukraine again or if it threatens or attacks NATO. It will be present if China attacks Taiwan. An American policy that refuses to accept any risk of nuclear use anywhere is a policy of permanent and limitless surrender to nuclear-armed predators. Such a policy will encourage their predation and it will also encourage other predators such as Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">CONCLUSION</u></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A Russian victory in Ukraine would create a world fundamentally antithetical to US interests and values with an empowered anti-Western coalition. </span>US deterrence power and geopolitical standing will diminish. The cost of protecting the homeland and operating globally will rise, as will the number of national security issues the United States will have to tackle. More states and groups will challenge America at home and abroad. Latent adversarial intent is more likely to transform into action — which is how we got here in the first place, when Russia perceived the West to be weak.</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">The asymmetry goes both ways:</u> Ukraine is the lynchpin on which the future of Russia’s power hinges.</span> Russia’s ability to reconstitute; to maintain and increase its control and influence over its neighbors; the power of the Kremlin’s global narratives and ability to manipulate US will and perceptions; and the strength of Russia’s coalitions, including with US adversaries, all depend on whether Russia wins or loses in Ukraine. Helping Ukraine win would not only prevent Russia from erasing an independent nation and save the Ukrainian people from Russian atrocities and murder but would also land an asymmetric blow to the Russian threat and the anti-US coalition.</b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><b><i style="background-color: #fcff01;">As long as Ukraine remains committed to defending itself against Russia’s aggression, the best course of action for the United States is to commit to the path of helping Ukraine win. </i></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></p><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="1" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; float: none; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /></div><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></u></b></p><p style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 1em;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-size: x-large;">References:</span></u></b></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[1] <a href="https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/if-west-cuts-aid-ukraine-russia-will-win-if-west-leans-ukraine-can-win" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/if-west-cuts-aid-ukraine-russi...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[2] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[3] <a href="https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/if-west-cuts-aid-ukraine-russia-will-win-if-west-leans-ukraine-can-win;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-19-2023;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/if-west-cuts-aid-ukraine-russi...</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-14-2023;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-17-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[4] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[5]<a href="https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/if-west-cuts-aid-ukraine-russia-will-win-if-west-leans-ukraine-can-win" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/if-west-cuts-aid-ukraine-russi...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[6] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/putin-track-disappoint-multiple-competing-factions-russia" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/putin-track-disappoint-mul...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[7] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/putin-track-disappoint-multiple-competing-factions-russia;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/putin-track-disappoint-mul...</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-20;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-21" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[8] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-12-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-10;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-9;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-10;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-26-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[9] <a href="http://kremlin%20dotru/events/president/news/72863;%C2%A0https://t.me/notes_veterans/14163;%C2%A0https://t.me/notes_veterans/14062;%C2%A0https://t.me/notes_veterans/14061;%C2%A0https://t.me/aleksandr_skif/2787;%C2%A0https://t.me/aleksandr_skif/2542;%C2%A0https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9072" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://kremlin dotru/events/president/news/72863; https://t.me/notes_v...</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9040" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/Sladkov_plus/9040</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[10] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-19-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[11] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/report/how-we-got-here-russia-kremlins-worldview;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/report/putins-offset-kremlin%E2%80%99s-geopolitical-adaptations-2014;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/report/confronting-russian-challenge;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/kremlin%E2%80%99s-expanding-media-conglomerate;%C2%A0https://www%C2%A0dot" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/report/how-we-got-here-russia-kremlins-...</a> labirint dot ru/books/184753/</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[12] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/report/how-we-got-here-russia-kremlins-worldview" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/report/how-we-got-here-russia-kremlins-...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[13] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-17-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-19-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-14-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[14] <a href="https://lenta/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://lenta</a> dot ru/news/2022/01/16/fedorov/; <a href="https://www.gazeta/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.gazeta</a> dot ru/politics/news/2022/01/17/17148931.shtml; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA9mVLomYo8;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA9mVLomYo8;</a> <a href="https://strana.today/news/393698-solovev-uhrozhaet-ssha-jadernoj-vojnoj.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://strana.today/news/393698-solovev-uhrozhaet-ssha-jadernoj-vojnoj....</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[15] <a href="https://twitter.com/MedvedevRussiaE/status/1710587836922053105" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/MedvedevRussiaE/status/1710587836922053105</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[16] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-17-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[17] <a href="https://life/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://life</a> dot ru/p/1491184</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[18] <a href="https://life/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://life</a> dot ru/p/1491184</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[19] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-17-2023;%C2%A0https://t.me/zarubinreporter/1740" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">; </span><a href="https://t.me/zarubinreporter/1739" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/zarubinreporter/1739</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[20] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia%E2%80%99s-military-restructuring-and-expansion-hindered-ukraine-war;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia%E2%80%99s-military-...</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-11-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[21] <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/10/world/europe/belarus-russia-ukraine.html;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/10/world/europe/belarus-russia-ukraine.h...</a> <a href="https://www.stopcor.org/section-uanews/news-rf-zbilshue-vijskovu-prisutnist-u-bilorusi-u-270-km-vid-lutska-rozgortayut-tabir-suputnikovi-foto-06-11-2022.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.stopcor.org/section-uanews/news-rf-zbilshue-vijskovu-prisutn...</a> ; <a href="https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2022/11/6/7375215/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2022/11/6/7375215/</a> ; <a href="https://motolko.help/ru-news/belarusskie-voennye-izbegayut-poligonov-na-kotoryh-nahodyatsya-rossijskie-mobiki/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://motolko.help/ru-news/belarusskie-voennye-izbegayut-poligonov-na-...</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/Hajun_BY/5626;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/Hajun_BY/5626;</a> <a href="https://nv.ua/world/countries/kak-putin-i-lukashenko-gotovyat-voennyh-dvuh-stran-v-belarusi-zhurnalist-poslednie-novosti-50281885.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://nv.ua/world/countries/kak-putin-i-lukashenko-gotovyat-voennyh-dv...</a> ; <a href="https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1588785425140928512;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1588785425140928512;</a> <a href="https://carnegieendowment.org/politika/88191;%C2%A0https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-9000-russian-troops/32085574.html;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://carnegieendowment.org/politika/88191; https://www.rferl.org/a/b...</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=426544162992001&set=a.229159252730494;%C2%A0https://facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02Pf3cSvrwVRsVocEcMYLhFBngtbxVwZgyCz17s6HJC9NQ6a5hkLLcsvHHrpEpRMZQl;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=426544162992001&set=a.2291592527304...</a> <a href="https://motolko.help/en-news/over-130000-tons-in-a-year-the-lukashenko-regime-supplies-russia-with-ammunition-which-is-transported-to-crimea-and-the-area-bordering-georgia/;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://motolko.help/en-news/over-130000-tons-in-a-year-the-lukashenko-r...</a> <a href="https://belzhd.info/military-transportation/informacziya-po-vyvozu-boepripasov-s-arsenalov-hraneniya-respubliki-belarus-za-2022-nachalo-2023-goda/;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://belzhd.info/military-transportation/informacziya-po-vyvozu-boepr...</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Hajun_BY/status/1587825443289403392" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/Hajun_BY/status/1587825443289403392</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[22] <a href="https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1735722832439492827" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1735722832439492827</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[23] <a href="https://meduza.io/en/feature/2023/12/06/captive-audience;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://meduza.io/en/feature/2023/12/06/captive-audience;</a> <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/223344;%C2%A0https://novayagazeta" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/223344; https://novayagazeta</a> dot ru/articles/2019/05/09/80461-deti-vyhodyat-iz-stroya; <a href="https://www/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www</a> dot forbes dot ru/mneniya/498157-bitva-za-molodez-pocemu-v-rossii-uvelicivaut-rashody-na-patrioticeskoe-vospitanie</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[24] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia%E2%80%99s-military-restructuring-and-expansion-hindered-ukraine-war" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia%E2%80%99s-military-...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[25] <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/images-show-new-deployments-forces-150-helicopters-southern-belarus-maxar-2022-02-25/;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/images-show-new-deployments-forces-...</a> <a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/satellite-images-russia-buildup-belarus/32121143.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.rferl.org/a/satellite-images-russia-buildup-belarus/32121143...</a> ; <a href="https://gur.gov.ua/content/v-bilorusi-hotuiutsia-pryiniaty-20-tysiach-mobilizovanykh-z-rf.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://gur.gov.ua/content/v-bilorusi-hotuiutsia-pryiniaty-20-tysiach-mo...</a> ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia%E2%80%99s-zapad-2021-exercise" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russia%E2%80%99s-zapad-202...</a> <a href="https://t.me/modmilby/11634;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/modmilby/11634;</a> <a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-russia-exercises-ukraine-invasion-putin/31709569.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-russia-exercises-ukraine-invasion-putin/...</a> ; <a href="https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/11/4/7375025/;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/11/4/7375025/;</a> <a href="https://t.me/Hajun_BY/7582;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/Hajun_BY/7582;</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Hajun_BY/status/1682494135712792576;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/Hajun_BY/status/1682494135712792576;</a> <a href="https://t.me/Hajun_BY/6534;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/Hajun_BY/6534;</a> <a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-dismantling-russian-training-grounds-satellite-images/32492923.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-dismantling-russian-training-grounds-sat...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[26] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWazqN0moz0;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-28-2023;%C2%A0Putin" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWazqN0moz0; https://www.understandingw...</a>’s 2021 essay “On the Historical Unity of Russians and Ukrainians,” despite primarily concerning his demands of Ukraine, noted that both Belarusians and Ukrainians have always belonged to the Russian nation.<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a href="http://en/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://en</a></span> dot kremlin dot ru/events/president/news/66181 ; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-22-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[27] <a href="https://www/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www</a> dot rbc dot ru/politics/22/08/2023/64e4cdcd9a7947455d982fa6; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-6-2023;%C2%A0" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar120523" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar120523</a></span>; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-7-2023;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-9-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[28] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[29] <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-moldova-sergey-lavrov-ukraine-6f11bfee;%C2%A0http://kremlin%C2%A0dot" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-moldova-sergey-lavrov-ukraine-6f11bf...</a> ru/events/president/news/72863; <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/223662%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://theins%C2%A0dot" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/tass_agency/223662%C2%A0; https://theins dot</a> ru/news/253742</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[30] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-14-2023;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-5-2023%C2%A0https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/moldovas-sandu-urges-speed-unity-ukraine-moldovas-eu-accession-bids-2023-11-21/;%C2%A0https://www.rferl.org/a/interview-georgia-zurabishvili-green-light-eu-member-russia/32727836.html;%C2%A0https://kginform%C2%A0dot" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a> com/ru/news/20231205/53896.html; <a href="https://t.me/rybar/54827;%C2%A0https://www.themoscowtimes%C2%A0dot" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/54827; https://www.themoscowtimes dot</a> com/2023/09/28/kazakhstan-wont-help-russia-to-bust-sanctions-president-a82599</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[31] <a href="https://central/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://central</a> dot asia-news dot com/ru/articles/cnmi_ca/features/2022/11/30/feature-02; <a href="https://twitter.com/francis_scarr/status/1650603721435258882" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/francis_scarr/status/1650603721435258882</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[32] <a href="https://t.me/medvedev_telegram/386;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/medvedev_telegram/386;</a> <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/23/russias-medvedev-warns-georgian-breakaway-regions-could-be-annexed" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/23/russias-medvedev-warns-georgian...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[33] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-14-2023;%C2%A0https://apnews.com/article/moldova-protests-russia-unrest-plot-24b55d877401cf3d2122c21fe17ef1da" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[34] <a href="https://www.gmfus.org/news/threats-north-failure-ukraine-would-imperil-baltic-arctic-security;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.gmfus.org/news/threats-north-failure-ukraine-would-imperil-b...</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-11-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-12-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-21-2023;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a> <a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/eastern-europe-and-former-soviet-union/russias-second-front-europe" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.foreignaffairs.com/eastern-europe-and-former-soviet-union/ru...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[35] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/weakness-lethal" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/weakness-lethal</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[36] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/weakness-lethal" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/weakness-lethal</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[37] For a discussion of the ’reflexive control’ concept please see p. 34 of ISW’s report: <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/ISW%20CTP%20Report%20-%20Confronting%20the%20Russian%20Challenge%20-%20June%202019.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/ISW%20CTP%20Report%...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[38] <a href="https://www.doctrine.af.mil/Portals/61/documents/AFDP_3-0/3-0-D30-Appendix-1-COG-Analysis.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.doctrine.af.mil/Portals/61/documents/AFDP_3-0/3-0-D30-Append...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[39] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/report/putins-offset-kremlin%E2%80%99s-geopolitical-adaptations-2014;%C2%A0https://www.mitre.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/prs-19-1004-russian-military-thought-concepts-elements.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/report/putins-offset-kremlin%E2%80%99s-...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[40] See p. 17: <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/report/putins-offset-kremlin%E2%80%99s-geopolitical-adaptations-2014" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/report/putins-offset-kremlin%E2%80%99s-...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[41] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-12-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-20-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-16-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-12-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-4-2023;%C2%A0https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/if-west-cuts-aid-ukraine-russia-will-win-if-west-leans-ukraine-can-win;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-1-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-4-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-17-2023%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-28-2023%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-29-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[42] <a href="https://www.state.gov/the-kremlins-efforts-to-covertly-spread-disinformation-in-latin-america/;%C2%A0https://www.state.gov/gec-special-report-exporting-pro-kremlin-disinformation-the-case-of-nova-resistencia-in-brazil/;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.state.gov/the-kremlins-efforts-to-covertly-spread-disinforma...</a> <a href="https://www.fpri.org/article/2023/08/russian-disinformation-in-africa-no-door-on-this-barn/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.fpri.org/article/2023/08/russian-disinformation-in-africa-no...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[43] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/report/putins-offset-kremlin%E2%80%99s-geopolitical-adaptations-2014;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-19-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-13-2023;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/report/putins-offset-kremlin%E2%80%99s-...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[44] <a href="https://vz%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://vz dot</a> ru/news/2023/11/28/1241741.html<span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> ; </em></span><a href="https://senatinform%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://senatinform dot</a> ru/news/matvienko_za_vyborami_prezidenta_v_rf_budet_sledit_ves_mir_/; <em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1732028427639587039" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1732028427639587039</a></em></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[45] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-29-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[46] <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67711802;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67711802;</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/francis_scarr/status/1737430302539034726" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/francis_scarr/status/1737430302539034726</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[47] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/report/confronting-russian-challenge" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/report/confronting-russian-challenge</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[48] <a href="https://t.me/svobodnieslova/774;%C2%A0https://twitter.com/francis_scarr/status/1579867583494656001;%C2%A0https://twitter.com/JuliaDavisNews/status/1579524323953737728" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/svobodnieslova/774; https://twitter.com/francis_scarr/stat...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[49]<a href="https://newizv/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://newizv</a><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"> dot ru/news/2023-08-28/chtob-dur-vybivat-kak-prigozhinskaya-kuvalda-stala-novym-orudiem-chinovnikov-417770; </span><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-14" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">; <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-13-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[50] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[51] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-october-21-2023;%C2%A0https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-1-2023;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukrainian-strikes-have-changed-russian-naval-operations-black-sea" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukrainian-strikes-have-cha...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[52] <a href="https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/weakness-lethal-why-putin-invaded-ukraine-and-how-war-must-end" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/weakness-lethal-why-putin-inva...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b>[53] <a href="https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/weakness-lethal-why-putin-invaded-ukraine-and-how-war-must-end" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/weakness-lethal-why-putin-inva...</a></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"> Tags</u></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> Ukraine Project</u></b></span></p></div></div></div><h3 id="tagtitle" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.25; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;"><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> File Attachments: </u></span></h3><div><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: x-small;"><b><img alt="PDF icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="application/pdf" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/The%20High%20Price%20of%20Losing%20Ukraine%20Part%202%20-%20The%20Military%20Threat%20and%20Beyond%20PDF.pdf" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="application/pdf; length=249907">The High Price of Losing Ukraine Part 2 - The Military Threat and Beyond PDF.pdf</a></b></span></span></div></div></div><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7881121750623742708.post-7381607280501902252023-12-22T05:00:00.000-08:002023-12-30T06:54:52.562-08:00RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, DECEMBER 21, 2023 <p><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><b><u>SOURCE :</u> </b></span></p><p><b style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;">( )</b><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-large;"> </span><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, DECEMBER 21, 2023:</span></u></b> <b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-21-2023</span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></b><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: -webkit-center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;">SUMMARY OF THE DAY</u></strong></p><p><span style="font-family: Open Sans; font-size: large;"><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="color: #444444;">The failure of Russian operations in Ukraine to achieve Russian President Vladimir Putin’s maximalist objectives thus far is not a permanent condition, and only continued Western support for Ukraine can ensure that Putin’s maximalist objectives remain unattainable. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on December 20 that Putin has already failed to achieve his principal objective of </span><u><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>“erasing [Ukraine] from the map and subsuming it into Russia.” </b></span></u><span style="color: #444444;">The Russian military has failed to force Ukraine to capitulate to Putin’s maximalist objectives to replace the Ukrainian government with one acceptable to the Kremlin under veiled calls for “denazification,” to destroy Ukraine’s ability to resist any future Kremlin demands under calls for “demilitarization,” and to prohibit Ukraine’s right to choose its own diplomatic and military partnerships under calls for Ukrainian “neutrality.”</span></i></span></p><p><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></p><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December 21, 2023</u></span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Karolina Hird, Riley Bailey, Nicole Wolkov, Christina Harward, George Barros, and Frederick W. Kagan</span></strong></p><p align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">December 21, 2023, 7:15pm ET</strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Click</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </span></strong><a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/36a7f6a6f5a9448496de641cf64bd375" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">here</span></strong></a><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">to see ISW’s interactive map of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This map is updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; font-size: large; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Click </strong><a href="https://understandingwar.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/3dviewer/index.html?appid=1602762dbcde419bb957dea358449580" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;">here</span></strong></a><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;">to see ISW’s 3D control of terrain topographic map of Ukraine. Use of a computer (not a mobile device) is strongly recommended for using this data-heavy tool.</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Click</span><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span></span></strong><a href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/733fe90805894bfc8562d90b106aa895" style="background: transparent; font-size: x-large; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">here</span></strong></a><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"> </span><span style="color: #800180;">to access ISW’s archive of interactive time-lapse maps of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These maps complement the static control-of-terrain map that ISW produces daily by showing a dynamic frontline. ISW will update this time-lapse map archive monthly.</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">Note:</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent;"> The data cut-off for this product was 1:15pm ET on December 21. ISW will cover subsequent reports in the December 22 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment.</span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The failure of Russian operations in Ukraine to achieve Russian President Vladimir Putin’s maximalist objectives thus far is not a permanent condition, and only continued Western support for Ukraine can ensure that Putin’s maximalist objectives remain unattainable.</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="color: #800180;">US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on December 20 that Putin has already failed to achieve his principal objective of</span><b style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"> “erasing [Ukraine] from the map and subsuming it into Russia.”</b><b><span style="color: red;">[1] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Russian military has failed to force Ukraine to capitulate to Putin’s maximalist objectives to replace the Ukrainian government with one acceptable to the Kremlin under veiled calls for “denazification,” to destroy Ukraine’s ability to resist any future Kremlin demands under calls for “demilitarization,” and to prohibit Ukraine’s right to choose its own diplomatic and military partnerships under calls for Ukrainian “neutrality.”</span><b><span style="color: red;">[2]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Kremlin has also pursued additional undefined objectives for territorial conquest in Ukraine that have resulted in the illegal annexation of parts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson oblasts and the occupation of small parts of Kharkiv and Mykolaiv oblasts, none of which represents either a departure from or the full accomplishment of Putin’s initial “principal” objectives.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[3]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Putin has recently re-emphasized that his maximalist objectives in Ukraine remain unchanged, and Putin and senior Kremlin officials have increasingly expressed expansionist rhetoric indicating that these objectives do not preclude further Russian territorial conquests in Ukraine</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[4]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian victory on Putin’s terms does not necessarily portend the full-scale annexation of Ukraine into Russia and the erasure of a Ukrainian state altogether, to be sure, but they certainly entail at least the destruction of the current Ukrainian state and its recreation into an entirely Russian-dominated entity, for which the full-scale Russian military occupation of Ukraine will very likely be required.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ISW has assessed that the collapse of Western aid would likely lead to the eventual collapse of Ukraine’s ability to hold off the Russian military and that the current positional war in Ukraine is not a stable stalemate because the current instable balance could readily be tipped in either direction by decisions made in the West</strong><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">.</span><span style="background-color: #cc0000;">[</span></span></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: red;">5] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Continued Western security assistance that empowers Ukrainian forces to repel ongoing and future Russian offensive efforts and to liberate more Ukrainian territory is the only course of action at this time that can make the Russian failure to achieve Putin’s maximalist objectives in Ukraine permanent.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby stated that the White House assesses that Russian forces will be able to conduct offensive operations more easily when winter weather conditions become more conducive for mechanized maneuver warfare (likely in January–February 2024) — an assessment that is consistent with ISW’s observations and assessments about the tempo of fighting in Ukraine during the winter.</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Kirby stated on December 20 that Russian forces intend to continue offensive operations, particularly around Avdiivka, and that the White House believes that it will be easier for Russian forces to conduct offensive operations when cold temperatures freeze the ground in the end of January and into February 2024</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">.[6] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The fall mud season has hampered ground maneuver for both Ukrainian and Russian forces since 2014, but periods of prolonged freezing temperatures that typically start in late December freeze the ground and allow armored vehicles to move more easily than in muddy autumn and spring months</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">.[7] </span></b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">Weather is variable, however, and the upcoming period of hard freeze may come later in the year — or not at all if it is a mild winter — and presents a shorter window of favorable terrain for mechanized maneuver warfare. Russian forces have launched localized offensive operations throughout eastern Ukraine during a period of the most challenging weather of the fall–winter season in an effort to seize and retain the initiative rather than waiting for the hard freeze</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">.[8]</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Russian forces will likely try to sustain or intensify these offensive operations regardless of weather conditions this winter, as Russian forces did in winter 2022–2023.</span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian forces conducted a series of drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of December 20 to 21</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">. </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched 35 Shahed-131/-136 drones from Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Krasnodar Krai, occupied Cape Chuada in Crimea, and Kursk Oblast targeting Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, Kherson, Zaporizhia, Mykolaiv, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Poltava, Chernihiv, and Kirovohrad oblasts</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[9] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Ukrainian Air Force stated that Ukrainian forces shot down 34 Shaheds.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[10]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">Japan is reportedly preparing to revise its defense equipment export policy to backfill US stockpiles of Patriot missiles and UK artillery ammunition stores.</span></u></strong><span style="color: red;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[11]</strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></span><span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The Japanese government will reportedly meet on December 22 to finalize plans to allow for Japan’s first export of lethal military equipment since 1967, when Japan established its Three Principles on Arms Exports, which prohibits the export of defense equipment to countries party to a conflict</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">.[12] </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">The revision will reportedly allow Japanese manufacturers to export completed defense equipment to the </span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">country in which the manufacturing license for that weapon originated.[13]</span></b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;"> Japanese Patriot missiles exported to the US will help fill US stockpiles, allowing the US to send more Patriot missiles to Ukraine. The </span></span><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Financial Times </em><span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180;">(FT) reported on December 21 that Japan is also considering exporting 155mm artillery shells to the United Kingdom (UK) to indirectly aid Ukraine in a similar way</span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">.[14]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) objected to military exercises in Japan involving the Japanese military, possibly in an effort to deter or respond to the Japanese government’s decision to change its defense equipment export regulations.</span></u></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> The Russian MFA</span><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">claimed on December 21 that it sent an official objection to the Japanese Embassy in Russia on December 18 about regular military exercises among Japan, the US, and Australia on Hokkaido Island, claiming that the exercises posed a potential security threat to Russia.</span><b><u><span style="color: red;">[15]</span></u></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed on December 18 that Russia has “closed” all territorial disputes with Japan.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">16]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi disputed Lavrov’s claim on December 19, stating that Russia did not want to continue negotiations on its territorial disputes with Japan after Tokyo imposed sanctions on Russia.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[17</span></b><span style="color: #800180;">] The Yama Sakura 85 trilateral exercises with the US, Japan, and Australia occurred from December 4 to 12, and US Indo-Pacific Command stated that the exercises symbolize the participants’ commitment to the shared vision of a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, suggesting that the exercises are highly likely aimed at China, not Russia.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[18] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Russia’s insistence that exercises on Japanese territory involving the Japanese military threaten Russia, despite Russia’s alleged and self-proclaimed lack of territorial disputes with Japan, suggests that Russia wants to be seen as a Pacific power as part of the Kremlin’s pursuit of an equal defense partnership with China.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[19]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The MFA may also have announced its complaints about the exercises’ alleged threat to Russian security in an effort to deter Japan from making the reported possible changes to Japanese defense equipment export regulation policies.</span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) summoned Russian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Oleg Malginov after Russian ultranationalist and former Russian State Duma Deputy Zakhar Prilepin suggested that Russia should annex part of Uzbekistan, likely demonstrating post-Soviet countries’ concerns about intensifying Russian imperial designs against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">Prilepin stated that Russia should annex territory from which labor migrants in Russia originate, “for example, [territory] in Uzbekistan,” at a press conference on December 20.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[20]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Prilepin is a prominent Russian ultranationalist voice who has affiliations with Rosgvardia and led a Russian battalion to fight in Donbas prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[21]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Prilepin also survived an alleged Ukrainian assassination attempt in May 2023.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[22]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The Uzbek MFA reported that it had summoned Malginov to a meeting regarding Prilepin’s statements and noted that “such rash statements” do not correspond with Uzbekistan and Russia’s strategic partnership.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[23]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian MFA Spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Prilepin’s statements do not “even remotely” reflect the official Russian government position on its relations with Uzbekistan and claimed that Russia’s use of foreign labor migrants benefits both Russia and migrants’ countries of origin.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[24] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Prilepin’s statements likely reflect increasing public discontent in the Russian ultranationalist community about the role of migrants in Russian society.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[25] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The Uzbek MFA’s response likely indicates that the Uzbek government views Prilepin’s statements as sufficiently threatening to warrant a demand for an official Russian response. Central Asian governments have notably previously responded to statements from Russian officials questioning Central Asian states’ territorial integrity and sovereignty by summoning their respective Russian ambassador</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[26]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><u>An investigation by Africa-based French-language outlet <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jeune Afrique </em>highlights the Kremlin's ongoing efforts to maintain and expand Russia's influence in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Sahel while subsuming Wagner Group operations on the continent</u></span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.</strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: red;">[27]</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jeune Afrique </em><span style="color: #800180;">noted that since the Wagner Group's aborted June 24 armed rebellion and Wagner financier Yevgeny Prigozhin's subsequent death in August, operatives of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (GRU) have increasingly accompanied Wagner fighters in Mali as part of the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD)'s efforts to take control of former Wagner elements in Mali and other African states.</span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Jeune Afrique </em><span style="color: #800180;">cited an anonymous source reportedly close to French intelligence who claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to consolidate control over former Wagner operatives in Mali so as to not<b> </b></span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #800180;"><b>"create another Frankenstein's monster" </b></span></span><span style="color: #800180;">by overly empowering Wagner's independent operations in Africa. The </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jeune Afrique</em><span style="color: #800180;"> investigation also highlighted efforts by the Russian MoD and GRU to assure the leadership of the CAR, where Wagner has historically been particularly active, that the CAR–Russian partnership will continue to operate fruitfully even following Prigozhin's death. </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jeune Afrique </em><span style="color: #800180;">additionally</span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </em><span style="color: #800180;">emphasized that the Burkinabe junta is trying to expand relations with Russia for "military and security purposes” and that Russia is generally interested in working with the newly formed Alliance of Sahel States, comprised of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. CTP previously assessed that Russia is exploiting shifting power dynamics in Africa by strengthening partnerships with Sahelian juntas.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[28] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">These partnerships allow Russia to evade Western sanctions levied against Russia due to the war in Ukraine and to spoil Western strategic influence on the continent.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[29]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to formalize avenues for the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia under the guise of humanitarian services</span></u><span style="color: #800180;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">.</span> </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">Putin signed a decree on December 21 "on measures of social support for families with children affected by the aggression of Ukraine," which expands Russian control over occupied areas of Ukraine through financial coercion and includes a key provision that further formalizes an existing set of deportation schemes under medical pretexts.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[30] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The decree holds that the guardians of children who were under the age of 18 after February 2022 and suffered an injury while living in occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson oblasts are eligible to receive a one-time 100,000-ruble ($1,076) compensation payment. The financial support provision codifies social control of occupied areas of Ukraine in a threefold way—first, by generating financial dependence on Russian authorities for social support payments; second, by collecting personal information on Ukrainian children and their guardians; and finally, by framing the Ukrainian military as dangerous to Ukrainian civilians in a way that propagates a negative view of the Ukrainian state. The decree also stipulates that occupation authorities must refer children to "sanatorium-resorts" or otherwise provide children with the "opportunity to travel to a place of rest of treatment" in the case of certain "medical indicators." This provision of the decree essentially will allow Russian occupation officials to tabulate personal information on children who have been registered as injured and send those children to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation purposes. ISW has frequently reported that Russian occupation officials use the promise of various medical and psychiatric programs in Russia to justify the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[31]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The deportation of children on humanitarian and medical grounds is likely still a violation of international law because Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine created the conditions that endangered Ukrainian children in the first place.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[32]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;"><u>Kremlin-appointed Commissioner on Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova continues to implicate herself in the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia against the backdrop of the death of a 12-year-old Ukrainian girl in Russian custody. </u></span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">Russian opposition outlet </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Meduza </em><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">reported on December 21 that a 12-year-old girl from Sorokyne (Krasnodon), occupied Luhansk Oblast, died from an excessively high fever on a train that was traveling from the "Olympic" Children's camp in Tyumen Oblast back to occupied Luhansk Oblast</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[33]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian media reported that following the girl's death, Russian Railways stopped the train in Penza, Saratov Oblast, and the Russian Health Ministry reported that it hospitalized 86 children from the train with symptoms of Acute Respiratory Viral Infection (AFVI).</span><b><span style="color: red;">[34] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Lvova-Belova responded to the situation and emphasized that she is monitoring what is happening with the remaining children who are hospitalized in Saratov Oblast, acknowledging that the children from Sorokyne were on the train for "vacation" in Tyumen Oblast.</span></span><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: red;">[35]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian occupation officials have long used children's vacation and rest/rehabilitation camps to facilitate the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, while also using the camps to instill pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Ukrainian children, as ISW has frequently assessed.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[36]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> It is notable that Lvova-Belova acknowledged that the Tyumen Oblast "Olympic" children's camp is part of the network of children's camps that figure into Russia's wider scheme of deporting Ukrainian children, which implicates her further in the overall deportation process. The Ukrainian girl’s death also further demonstrates an apparent violation of Russia's obligations under international law. Under international law, Russia, as the occupying power, must ensure the health and safety of "protected persons" that are part of a removed or deported population, including children.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[37]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The apparent rapid spread of AFVI and dangerous flu-like symptoms to up to 86 Ukrainian children, toward whom Russia has international legal obligations, represents a further case of Russia's contempt for international standards.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">The US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced a series of sanctions against oil traders with opaque ownership and a Russian-owned ship manager that have been helping Russia skirt the G7 price cap on Russian oil and petroleum products</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">. </span></strong><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #800180;">OFAC announced on December 20 that it sanctioned a Russian-owned ship manager who managed a vessel that OFAC previously identified as having transported Russian crude oil above the $60 price cap under the cover of a US-based service provider.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">38]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> OFAC also sanctioned two ship managers based in Hong Kong and one based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which have reportedly made over 150 port calls to transport Russian oil above the price cap since summer 2023.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[39]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> OFAC stated that it will strengthen review processes for service providers to better enforce the price cap in accordance with recent G7 commitments.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[40]</span></b></span></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bloomberg </em><span style="color: #800180;">reported on December 20 that roughly five million barrels of Russian crude oil that were scheduled to reach Indian refiners have not done so in the past four weeks for unspecified reasons</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[41] </span></b><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Bloomberg </em><span style="color: #800180;">reported that five ships that intended to deliver the Russian crude oil are idling several kilometers from their destination and belong to Russian state tanker company Sovcomflot PJSC, which owns six of the eight tankers that OFAC has previously sanctioned</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[42]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Another Sovcomflot-owned tanker reportedly loaded oil cargo on December 19 and still set course for delivery to Indian refiners scheduled for January 5, however</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[43]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Key Takeaways:</u></span></strong></p><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The failure of Russian operations in Ukraine to achieve Russian President Vladimir Putin’s maximalist objectives thus far is not a permanent condition, and only continued Western support for Ukraine can ensure that Putin’s maximalist objectives remain unattainable.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">ISW has assessed that the collapse of Western aid would likely lead to the eventual collapse of Ukraine’s ability to hold off the Russian military and that the current positional war in Ukraine is not a stable stalemate because the current instable balance could readily be tipped in either direction by decisions made in the West.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby stated that the White House assesses that Russian forces will be able to conduct offensive operations more easily when winter weather conditions become more conducive for mechanized maneuver warfare (likely in January–February 2024) — an assessment that is consistent with ISW’s observations and assessments about the tempo of fighting in Ukraine during the winter.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Russian forces conducted a series of drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of December 20 to 21.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Japan is reportedly preparing to revise its defense equipment export policy to backfill US stockpiles of Patriot missiles and UK artillery ammunition stores.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) objected to military exercises in Japan involving the Japanese military, possibly in an effort to deter or respond to the Japanese government’s decision to change its defense equipment export regulations.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) summoned Russian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Oleg Malginov after Russian ultranationalist and former Russian State Duma Deputy Zakhar Prilepin suggested that Russia should annex part of Uzbekistan, likely demonstrating post-Soviet countries’ concerns about intensifying Russian imperial designs against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">An investigation by Africa-based French-language outlet<em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> Jeune Afrique</em> highlights the Kremlin's ongoing efforts to maintain and expand Russia's influence in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Sahel while subsuming Wagner Group operations on the continent.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to formalize avenues for the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia under the guise of humanitarian services.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Kremlin-appointed Commissioner on Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova continues to implicate herself in the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia against the backdrop of the death of a 12-year-old Ukrainian girl in Russian custody.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #d9ead3; color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced a series of sanctions against oil traders with opaque ownership and a Russian-owned ship manager that have been helping Russia skirt the G7 price cap on Russian oil and petroleum products.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: red; font-size: medium;">Russian forces made confirmed advances near Kreminna, Bakhmut, and Avdiivka and continued positional meeting engagements along the entire frontline.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">The Russian government continues efforts to digitalize and organize conscription through a unified digital register as part of ongoing attempts to improve the effectiveness of issuing military summonses and prevent draft dodging.</span></strong></li></ul><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Russian authorities are using Rosgvardia to perform law enforcement functions and strengthen occupational control in occupied Ukraine.</span></strong></li></ul></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftUkraineCoTDecember%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="706" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftUkraineCoTDecember%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">We do not report in detail on Russian war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. We will continue to evaluate and report on the effects of these criminal activities on the Ukrainian military and the Ukrainian population and specifically on combat in Ukrainian urban areas. We utterly condemn Russian violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.</span></em></strong></p><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine </span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">(comprised of two subordinate main efforts)</span></b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 –</span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;"> Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and encircle northern Donetsk Oblast</span></b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 </span></u><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #800180;">– Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast</span></b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis</u></b></span></li></ul><div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><b><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></u></b></span></div><ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px 1.5385em 1.5385em 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1.5385em; vertical-align: baseline;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Russian Technological Adaptations</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Activities in Russian-occupied areas</b></span></li><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Russian Information Operations and Narratives</b></span></li></ul><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: red;">NOTE: </span></u><span style="font-family: Open Sans;"><i><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">ISW has </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;"><b>r</b></span></i><i><b><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: #cc0000;">estructured the operational kinetic axis</span> </b></i><i style="background-color: #fff2cc;">sections of the daily Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment to more accurately reflect the positional nature of fighting on the battlefield. Operational kinetic axis paragraphs will be shorter and more synthetic to convey the same assessment in fewer words and not to overwhelm the reader with long lists of settlement names. The level of detail included in the report has not decreased. The report’s endnotes still contain the same level of sourcing, and ISW encourages readers interested in tactical granular details to read them. ISW will explicitly flag major operational inflections in axis text as usual, so the lack of named settlements should not be taken as an indication of gains or losses of territory or changes in the frontline. ISW will lead operational axes with confirmed map changes to accord with the daily map products produced by the Geospatial Intelligence Team, supplemented by Ukrainian and Russian claims, and will also list order of battle (ORBAT) details in each axis section when available.</i></span></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine</u></span></span></strong></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 – Luhansk Oblast</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and northern Donetsk Oblast)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian and Ukrainian forces continued positional engagements northeast of Kupyansk on December 21. Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that fighting continued in the Kupyansk direction near Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, and Stelmakhivka.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[44] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian Ground Forces Command Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Volodymyr Fityo reported that Ukrainian forces destroyed nine Russian tanks and 19 armored vehicles in the Kupyansk and Lyman directions on December 20.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[45]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces recently made a marginal confirmed advance northwest of Kreminna. Geolocated footage published on December 21 indicates that Russia forces recently made a marginal gain east of Yampolivka.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[46]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Ukrainian and Russian sources stated that positional engagements occurred west of Kreminna near Terny and south of Kreminna near Dibrova and Bilohorivka.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[47]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Luhansk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="841" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Luhansk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><u><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fcff01; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 – Donetsk Oblast</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #fff2cc; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas)</strong></u></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces reportedly advanced northwest of Bakhmut near Spirne, but there are no confirmed changes to the frontline in this area</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[48]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces recently made a confirmed advance near Bakhmut. Geolocated footage published on December 20 indicates that Russian forces advanced along a section of the railway line east of Klishchiivka (southwest of Bakhmut).</span><span style="color: red;"><b>[49] </b></span><span style="color: #800180;">A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces pushed Ukrainian forces out of positions near Bohdanivka (northwest of Bakhmut) and west of Klishchiivka.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[50] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian and Russian forces stated that fighting occurred on Bakhmut’s northwestern and southwestern flanks near Andriivka, Klishchiivka, Khromove, Ivanivske, and Bohdanivka, and northwest of Horlivka (south of Bakhmut).</span><b><span style="color: red;">[51]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Elements of the Russian 98th Airborne (VDV) Division reportedly continue to operate northwest of Bakhmut, and elements of the Russian 58th Spetsnaz Battalion (1st Donetsk People’s Republic [DNR] Army Corps) reportedly continue to operate near Bakhmut.</span><span style="color: red;">[<b>52]</b></span></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="695" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces recently made a confirmed advance near Avdiivka. Geolocated footage published on December 19 indicates that Russian forces advanced northwest of Krasnohorivka on Avdiivka’s northwestern flank.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[53] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">A Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces withdrew from positions in the Avdiivka Coke Plant in northwestern Avdiivka</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[54]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Russian sources also claimed that Russian forces advanced near Stepove and advanced up to 200 meters towards Novokalynove (northwest of Avdiivka)</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[55]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> ISW has not observed visual confirmation of these Russian claims, however. Ukrainian and Russian sources stated that Russian forces attacked northwest, east, southeast, and southwest of Avdiivka near Sieverne, Pervomaiske, Vodyane, and Nevelske and near the Avdiivka Coke Plant</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[56] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Elements of the Russian 9th Motorized Rifle Brigade (1st DNR Army Corps) are reportedly operating in the Avdiivka direction</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[57]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> The spokesperson for a Ukrainian brigade operating in the Avdiivka direction stated that there is room for maneuver near Avdiivka, unlike in the Zaporizhia direction where there are only narrow cleared corridors through minefields, and that Russian forces are continuing waves of both infantry and mechanized assaults.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[58]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="724" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces made a confirmed advance southwest of Donetsk City, and positional engagements continued west and southwest of Donetsk City. Geolocated footage published on December 21 indicates that Russian forces advanced south of Novomykhailivka (southwest of Donetsk City).</span><b><span style="color: red;">[59]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> A Russian milblogger claimed that elements of the Russian “Kaskad” Operational Tactical Combat Formation of the DNR Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) advanced near Novomykhailivka.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[60] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian and Russian sources stated that fighting occurred near Marinka, Novomykhailivka, and Pobieda</span><b><span style="color: red;"> [61]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="861" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: rgb(252, 255, 1); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><u>Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis</u></span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"> </span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">(Russian objective: Maintain frontline positions and secure rear areas against Ukrainian strikes)</span></strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian forces reportedly advanced in western Zaporizhia Oblast on December 20 and participated in positional combat engagements with Ukrainian forces on December 21. A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces advanced west and south of Robotyne on December 20, although ISW has not seen visual confirmation of this claim.[</span><b><span style="color: red;">62] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces made unspecified gains along the Novoprokopivka-Verbove line on December 20 and 21.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[63] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Russian and Ukrainian sources reported on December 21 that positional fighting occurred south of Robotyne, west of Verbove, and near Novofedorivka and Novoprokopivka</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[64]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="661" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pyatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="660" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pyatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Zaporizhia%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="650" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Zaporizhia%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000;">Ukrainian forces maintain a presence on the east (left) bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast as of December 21, but there have been no confirmed changes to the frontline in this area</span></i></b><span style="color: #800180;">. Ukrainian military observers and Russian milbloggers claimed that</span><u style="color: #800180;"><b style="background-color: #fcff01;"> positional fighting continued near and in Krynky,</b></u><span style="color: #800180;"> with one milblogger claiming that Russian forces advanced towards the center of the settlement.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[65] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Ukrainian officials reported that Ukrainian forces repelled 30 Russian attempts to dislodge Ukrainian forces from positions on the east bank in the past day</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[66] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">A Ukrainian military observer reported that elements of the Russian 47th Motorized Rifle Division (18th Combined Arms Army) and the Russian 328th and 337th Airborne (VDV) Regiments (both of the 104th VDV Division) participated in unsuccessful Russian assaults near Krynky</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[67] </span></b><b><span style="background-color: #ffe599; color: red;">A Russian milblogger claimed that elements of the Convoy private military company (PMC) are also operating near Krynky.</span></b><b><span style="color: red;">[68]</span></b></span></p></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><img height="763" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" width="500" /></span></a></p></div></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #cc0000; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Expand combat power without conducting general mobilization)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Russian government continues efforts to digitalize and organize conscription through a unified digital register as part of ongoing attempts to improve the effectiveness of issuing military summonses and prevent draft dodging. Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a set of orders on December 18 that instructed the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) to conduct the fall 2024 conscription cycle in October to December 2024 using the unified digital register</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[69] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Putin also ordered Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to determine the Deputy Minister of Defense that will be responsible for implementing and developing the unified digital register.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[70] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Shoigu has yet to publicly identify who will be responsible for the effort. Putin instructed the Russian MoD and Ministry of Digital Development to ensure that citizens are registered for military service without needing to physically appear at military registration and enlistment offices.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[71]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith stated on December 20 that North Korea continues to provide military equipment and ammunition to Russia. Smith reported that North Korea has transferred over 1,000 containers of military equipment and munitions to Russia via cargo ship.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[72] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">Smith stated that North Korea is likely seeking advanced military technology from Russia such as fighter aircraft, surface-to-air missiles, armored vehicles, and ballistic missile production equipment.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[73]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Smith reported that deepening Russian-North Korean relations could extend the war in Ukraine and demonstrates the relevance of geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific to NATO</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[74]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have reportedly increased their exports of raw materials used for manufacturing gunpowder to Russia. Russian opposition outlet </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Vazhnye Istorii</em><span style="color: #800180;"> (</span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">iStories</em><span style="color: #800180;">), Kazakh opposition outlet </span><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #800180; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Vlast,</em><span style="color: #800180;"> and the Organized Crime and Corrupting Reporting Project published a joint investigation on December 21 that found that Kazakh and Uzbek exports of cotton cellulose, a key component in manufacturing gunpowder, to Russia have increased since 2022.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[75] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The investigation found that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan together supplied almost $4 million worth of cotton cellulose to Russia in 2021 and supplied almost $10 million worth of cotton cellulose in 2022.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[76] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The report found that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan together supplied Russia with a little over $10 million worth of cotton cellulose to Russia from January to September 2023.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[77]</span></b></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Russian Technological Adaptations</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Introduce technological innovations to optimize systems for use in Ukraine)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">A Russian milblogger claimed on December 21 that Russian forces operating in an unspecified location, likely in Ukraine, received new 9K57-1 Uragan-1 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) complexes on BAZ-69092 chassis</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[78] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The milblogger claimed that the 9K57-1 Uragan-1 MLRS complex is more maneuverable and can more accurately and quickly fire rockets than previous models</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[79]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Activities in Russian-occupied areas</span></strong><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian objective: Consolidate administrative control of annexed areas; forcibly integrate Ukrainian citizens into Russian sociocultural, economic, military, and governance systems)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian authorities are using Rosgvardia to perform law enforcement functions and strengthen occupational control in occupied Ukraine. A video posted to Rosgvardia's official Telegram channel on December 21 shows Rosgvardia "mobile units" searching civilian cars and checking documents in an unspecified part of occupied Ukraine and reported that these Rosgvardia units are working "around the clock" to ensure law and order and enforce martial law in occupied Ukraine.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[80]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Rosgvardia claimed that these groups are meant to detect and detain "accomplices of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," and that Rosgvardia agents have detained several dozens of such "accomplices" in occupied Kherson and Zaporizhia oblasts over the last month.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;">Russian Information Operations and Narratives</span></span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">Russian Chief of the General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov briefed foreign military attaches on December 21 and reiterated a number of Kremlin narratives, including about the world’s increasing multipolarity and the West’s alleged role in increasing the potential for conflict in the Asia Pacific region and Europe and creating instability in Africa</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[81]</span></b><span style="color: #800180;"> Gerasimov reiterated Kremlin narratives about the creation of the Leningrad Military District (LMD) and Moscow Military District (MMD) as justifiable responses to NATO expansion with Finland’s accession and Sweden’s planned accession, despite the fact that Finland and Sweden only applied to NATO shortly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Gerasimov also claimed that Russia deployed forces to the Arctic not as a demonstration of military force but only to ensure Russian economic development in the region. Russia has been expanding its military presence in the Arctic since before its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in part to expand its defense posture and gain strategic advantage over the US and China.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[82]</span></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #800180;">The Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation reported on December 21 that unspecified Russian actors plan to promote several information operations aimed at degrading Ukrainian morale through a network of fake Telegram channels disguised as official accounts of Ukrainian regional officials and military brigades.</span><b><span style="color: red;">[83] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The fake Telegram channels will reportedly promote narratives that Ukraine will lose the war and that the West no longer wants to aid Ukraine</span><b><span style="color: red;">.[84] </span></b><span style="color: #800180;">The fake Telegram channels will also reportedly promote desertion from the Ukrainian military, alleged division between Ukrainian political and military leadership, and allegations government corruption</span><span style="color: red;">.[85]</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Significant activity in Belarus</span></strong><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Russian efforts to increase its military presence in Belarus and further integrate Belarus into Russian-favorable frameworks and Wagner Group activity in Belarus)</strong></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Nothing significant to report.</span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: medium;">Note:</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> ISW does not receive any classified material from any source, uses only publicly available information, and draws extensively on Russian, Ukrainian, and Western reporting and social media as well as commercially available satellite imagery and other geospatial data as the basis for these reports. References to all sources used are provided in the endnotes of each update.</span></strong></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></strong></p><div style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><hr align="left" size="1" style="background: rgb(172, 143, 83); border: none; clear: both; float: none; height: 2px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; width: 590px;" width="33%" /></div><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fcff01;">References</u></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[1] <a href="https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-at-a-press-availability-44/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-at-a-press-availability...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[2] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[3] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[4] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121423</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[5] <a href="https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/if-west-cuts-aid-ukraine-russia-will-win-if-west-leans-ukraine-can-win%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/high-price-losing-ukraine" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/if-west-cuts-aid-ukraine-russi...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[6] <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/12/20/press-gaggle-by-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-and-nsc-coordinator-for-strategic-communications-john-kirby/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/12/20/pre...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[7] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar120422" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar120422</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[8] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar120923" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar120923</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[9] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kpszsu/posts/pfbid0tGr9LHxYu8qDy23RC73Hjm7isxj1btS7Ci4cquhZSCCEivwEmDHUpcC8Dso79GNTl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/kpszsu/posts/pfbid0tGr9LHxYu8qDy23RC73Hjm7isxj1...</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02SvswKAKucVxFsnPXQpXiBgiqp3bREnLttoB4rW6EE1N6g3aTBvSuQgL57LF9qSYVl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02SvswKAKucVxFsnPXQp...</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/kpszsu/8718" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/kpszsu/8718</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[10] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kpszsu/posts/pfbid0tGr9LHxYu8qDy23RC73Hjm7isxj1btS7Ci4cquhZSCCEivwEmDHUpcC8Dso79GNTl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/kpszsu/posts/pfbid0tGr9LHxYu8qDy23RC73Hjm7isxj1...</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02SvswKAKucVxFsnPXQpXiBgiqp3bREnLttoB4rW6EE1N6g3aTBvSuQgL57LF9qSYVl%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/kpszsu/8718" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02SvswKAKucVxFsnPXQp...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[11] <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/12/19/us-japan-patriot-missiles-ukraine/%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://asia%C2%A0dot" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/12/19/us-japan-pat...</a> nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Japan-seen-fulfilling-U.S.-request-for-Patriot-missiles#:~:text=TOKYO%20%2D%2D%20The%20Japanese%20government,details%20with%20the%20ruling%20coalition. ; <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/435a3362-87db-442b-8923-7c530e418f26%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/21/world/asia/japan-postwar-missile-defense-sales.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ft.com/content/435a3362-87db-442b-8923-7c530e418f26 ; http...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[12] <a href="https://www.mofa%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.mofa dot</a> go.jp/fp/nsp/page1we_000083.html ; <a href="https://www.mofa%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.mofa dot</a> go.jp/policy/un/disarmament/policy/index.html ; <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/12/19/us-japan-patriot-missiles-ukraine/%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://asia%C2%A0dot" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/12/19/us-japan-pat...</a> nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Japan-seen-fulfilling-U.S.-request-for-Patriot-missiles#:~:text=TOKYO%20%2D%2D%20The%20Japanese%20government,details%20with%20the%20ruling%20coalition. ; <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/435a3362-87db-442b-8923-7c530e418f26%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/21/world/asia/japan-postwar-missile-defense-sales.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ft.com/content/435a3362-87db-442b-8923-7c530e418f26 ; http...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[13] <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/12/19/us-japan-patriot-missiles-ukraine/%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://asia%C2%A0dot" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/12/19/us-japan-pat...</a> nikkei.com/Politics/Defense/Japan-seen-fulfilling-U.S.-request-for-Patriot-missiles#:~:text=TOKYO%20%2D%2D%20The%20Japanese%20government,details%20with%20the%20ruling%20coalition. ; <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/435a3362-87db-442b-8923-7c530e418f26%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/21/world/asia/japan-postwar-missile-defense-sales.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ft.com/content/435a3362-87db-442b-8923-7c530e418f26 ; http...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[14] <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/435a3362-87db-442b-8923-7c530e418f26" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.ft.com/content/435a3362-87db-442b-8923-7c530e418f26</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[15] <a href="https://t.me/MID_Russia/33861" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/MID_Russia/33861</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[16] <a href="https://tass%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://tass dot</a> ru/politika/19568673</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[17] <a href="https://tass/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://tass</a> dot ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/19574535</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[18] <a href="https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/3614224/yama-sakura-85-the-crucial-role-of-multilateral-partnerships-among-the-us-austr/%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.dvidshub.net/news/460169/yama-sakura-closing-ceremony%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/3606420/ceremony-opens-yama-sakura-85-for-australian-us-troops-jgsdf-members/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/3614224/yama-...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[19] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar121123" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar121123</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[20] <a href="https://t.me/tass_agency/223662%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; 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margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[22] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-may-6-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[23] <a href="https://mfa%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://mfa dot</a> uz/ru/press/news/2023/chpp-rossiyskoy-federacii-v-respublike-uzbekistan-omalginov-priglashen-v-mid---35043</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[24] <a href="https://t.me/MID_Russia/33863" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/MID_Russia/33863</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[25] <a href="https://isw.pub/UkrWar122023%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar121323%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar121123%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://isw.pub/UkrWar120523" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://isw.pub/UkrWar122023 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar121323 ; https:...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[26] <a href="https://tengrinews%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://tengrinews dot</a> kz/kazakhstan_news/posla-rossii-vyizvali-v-mid-kazahstana-dlya-obyyasneniy-253416/ ; <a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakh-russian-gift-comments/31035059.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.rferl.org/a/kazakh-russian-gift-comments/31035059.html</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[27] <a href="https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1515879/politique/en-afrique-poutine-reprend-la-main-sur-wagner-orphelin-de-prigojine/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1515879/politique/en-afrique-poutine-repren...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[28] <a href="https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/salafi-jihadi-movement-update-special-edition-western-failures-military-coups-and-kremlin-gains-undermine-us-geostrategic-and-counterterrorism-interests-in-the-sahel;" style="background: transparent; 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<a href="http://kremlin%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://kremlin dot</a> ru/acts/news/73080</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[31] <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-11-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-1-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-29-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-4-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-18-2023;%C2%A0https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-april-2-2023;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-february-6-2023" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[32] <a href="https://guide-humanitarian-law.org/content/article/3/deportation-1/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://guide-humanitarian-law.org/content/article/3/deportation-1/</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[33] <a href="https://meduza%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://meduza dot</a> io/feature/2023/12/21/deti-iz-samoprovozglashennoy-lnr-s-ezdili-v-ozdorovitelnyy-lager-v-tyumeni-na-obratnom-puti-12-letnyaya-devochka-umerla-v-poezde-esche-u-pochti-100-detey-vyyavili-simptomy-orvi</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[34] <a href="https://meduza%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://meduza dot</a> io/feature/2023/12/21/deti-iz-samoprovozglashennoy-lnr-s-ezdili-v-ozdorovitelnyy-lager-v-tyumeni-na-obratnom-puti-12-letnyaya-devochka-umerla-v-poezde-esche-u-pochti-100-detey-vyyavili-simptomy-orvi; 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margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[36] <a href="https://t.me/glava_lnr_info/421;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/glava_lnr_info/421;</a> <a href="https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaignassessment-november6;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaignasse...</a> <a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaignassessment-october-26;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign...</a> <a href="https://t.me/vrogov/5791;" style="background: transparent; 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margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2008</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[40] <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2008" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2008</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[41] <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-20/russia-s-sokol-oil-gets-stuck-on-tankers-while-en-route-to-india" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-20/russia-s-sokol-oil-ge...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[42] <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-20/russia-s-sokol-oil-gets-stuck-on-tankers-while-en-route-to-india" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-20/russia-s-sokol-oil-ge...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[43] <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-20/russia-s-sokol-oil-gets-stuck-on-tankers-while-en-route-to-india" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-20/russia-s-sokol-oil-ge...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[44] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02NzdVFavwKfbwaWkv7keX35kwpKJoAVXRo3h9jaYDrUebrXizUWjbdbj5mJy82LhZl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0232275UwvFSjQ9uYCnCKAbhgVLk9QFScvjXyP8AtfDdeKA8rvjjxAHmrCdywdGY23l%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0Vdvah4B5szuWSQQXd88AXYauXKKGK9D7TEqknX8RBcNgtDPjdrrVLQzghnhBVkKSl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02NzdVFavwKfbwaWkv7k...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[45] <a href="https://suspilne/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://suspilne</a> dot media/644418-rosiani-zbilsuut-zastosuvanna-droniv-kamikadze-pid-bahmutom-fito/</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[46] <a href="https://x.com/ejshahid/status/1737831882736480761?s=46&t=vFLDRETpBQy_d1pFeickIw;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/ejshahid/status/1737831882736480761?s=46&t=vFLDRETpBQy_d1p...</a> <a href="https://x.com/EjShahid/status/1737833155506401654?s=20;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/EjShahid/status/1737833155506401654?s=20;</a> <a href="https://x.com/EjShahid/status/1737834051221021137?s=20;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/EjShahid/status/1737834051221021137?s=20;</a> <a href="https://t.me/omb_97/82" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/omb_97/82</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[47] <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33837" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33837</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33839" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33839</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02NzdVFavwKfbwaWkv7keX35kwpKJoAVXRo3h9jaYDrUebrXizUWjbdbj5mJy82LhZl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0232275UwvFSjQ9uYCnCKAbhgVLk9QFScvjXyP8AtfDdeKA8rvjjxAHmrCdywdGY23l%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0Vdvah4B5szuWSQQXd88AXYauXKKGK9D7TEqknX8RBcNgtDPjdrrVLQzghnhBVkKSl%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/mod_russia/33802%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02NzdVFavwKfbwaWkv7k...</a> <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58665" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58665</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[48] <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58665" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58665</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[49] <a href="https://x.com/blinzka/status/1737598171444805708?s=20;%C2%A0https://x.com/blinzka/status/1737598173302960369?s=20" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/blinzka/status/1737598171444805708?s=20; https://x.com/bl...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[50] <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55197" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55197</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[51] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0Vdvah4B5szuWSQQXd88AXYauXKKGK9D7TEqknX8RBcNgtDPjdrrVLQzghnhBVkKSl%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02NzdVFavwKfbwaWkv7keX35kwpKJoAVXRo3h9jaYDrUebrXizUWjbdbj5mJy82LhZl%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0232275UwvFSjQ9uYCnCKAbhgVLk9QFScvjXyP8AtfDdeKA8rvjjxAHmrCdywdGY23l%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/mod_russia/33837%C2%A0https://t.me/mod_russia/33840%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/dva_majors/31247%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/rybar/55197%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17142%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58669%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58641%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/mod_russia/33804" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0Vdvah4B5szuWSQQXd88...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; 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margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://x.com/blinzka/status/1737613612821422123?s=20; https://x.com/bl...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[54] <a href="https://t.me/dva_majors/31247" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/dva_majors/31247</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[55] <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58635%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/smotri_z/23867;%C2%A0https://t.me/sashakots/44064" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58635 ; https://t.me/smotri_z/23867; https://t...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[56] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0Vdvah4B5szuWSQQXd88AXYauXKKGK9D7TEqknX8RBcNgtDPjdrrVLQzghnhBVkKSl%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0Vdvah4B5szuWSQQXd88...</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02NzdVFavwKfbwaWkv7keX35kwpKJoAVXRo3h9jaYDrUebrXizUWjbdbj5mJy82LhZl;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0232275UwvFSjQ9uYCnCKAbhgVLk9QFScvjXyP8AtfDdeKA8rvjjxAHmrCdywdGY23l%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/dva_majors/31247;%C2%A0https://t.me/rybar/55206%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17142%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02NzdVFavwKfbwaWkv7k...</a> <a href="https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58635" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RVvoenkor/58635</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[57] <a href="https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107020" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/boris_rozhin/107020</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[58] <a href="https://suspilne%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://suspilne dot</a> media/644234-v-oboroni-avdiivki-duze-dobre-sebe-pokazali-amerikanski-bradley-lazutkin/</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[59] <a href="https://twitter.com/moklasen/status/1737903753330852160;%C2%A0https://twitter.com/moklasen/status/1737903758825202135;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://twitter.com/moklasen/status/1737903753330852160; https://twitte...</a> <a href="https://t.me/rt_russian/184116" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rt_russian/184116</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[60] <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17149" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17149</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[61] <a href="https://t.me/dva_majors/31247;%C2%A0https://t.me/rybar/55206%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0Vdvah4B5szuWSQQXd88AXYauXKKGK9D7TEqknX8RBcNgtDPjdrrVLQzghnhBVkKSl%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://t.me/wargonzo/17142" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/dva_majors/31247; https://t.me/rybar/55206 ; https://www...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[62] <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55197" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55197</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[63] <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5606" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5606</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5578" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5578</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/rybar/55197" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/rybar/55197</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[64] <a href="https://t.me/dva_majors/31247;%C2%A0https://t.me/rybar/55206%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/dva_majors/31247; https://t.me/rybar/55206 ;</a> <a href="https://t.me/wargonzo/17142" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/wargonzo/17142</a> ; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0Vdvah4B5szuWSQQXd88AXYauXKKGK9D7TEqknX8RBcNgtDPjdrrVLQzghnhBVkKSl%C2%A0;%C2%A0https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02NzdVFavwKfbwaWkv7keX35kwpKJoAVXRo3h9jaYDrUebrXizUWjbdbj5mJy82LhZl%C2%A0;" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0Vdvah4B5szuWSQQXd88...</a> <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33837" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/mod_russia/33837</a> ; <a href="https://t.me/mod_russia/33842" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; 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vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/grey_zone/21715</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[69] <a href="http://kremlin%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://kremlin dot</a> ru/acts/assignments/orders/73079</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[70] <a href="http://kremlin/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://kremlin</a> dot ru/acts/assignments/orders/73079</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[71] <a href="http://kremlin%20dot/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://kremlin dot</a> ru/acts/assignments/orders/73079</b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[72] <a href="https://www.state.gov/digital-press-briefing-with-ambassador-julianne-smith-u-s-permanent-representative-to-the-north-atlantic-treaty-organization-nato-2/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.state.gov/digital-press-briefing-with-ambassador-julianne-sm...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[73] <a href="https://www.state.gov/digital-press-briefing-with-ambassador-julianne-smith-u-s-permanent-representative-to-the-north-atlantic-treaty-organization-nato-2/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.state.gov/digital-press-briefing-with-ambassador-julianne-sm...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[74] <a href="https://www.state.gov/digital-press-briefing-with-ambassador-julianne-smith-u-s-permanent-representative-to-the-north-atlantic-treaty-organization-nato-2/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.state.gov/digital-press-briefing-with-ambassador-julianne-sm...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[75] <a href="https://storage.googleapis/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://storage.googleapis</a> dot com/istories/stories/2023/12/21/kazakhstan-i-uzbekistan-snabzhayut-rossiyu-khlopkovoi-tsellyulozoi-dlya-proizvodstva-porokha-i-sanktsii-im-ne-meshayut/index.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=mainpage ; <a href="https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/central-asian-cotton-powers-russias-sanctioned-gunpowder-plants" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/central-asian-cotton-powers-russ...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[76] <a href="https://storage.googleapis/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://storage.googleapis</a> dot com/istories/stories/2023/12/21/kazakhstan-i-uzbekistan-snabzhayut-rossiyu-khlopkovoi-tsellyulozoi-dlya-proizvodstva-porokha-i-sanktsii-im-ne-meshayut/index.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=mainpage ; <a href="https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/central-asian-cotton-powers-russias-sanctioned-gunpowder-plants" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/central-asian-cotton-powers-russ...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[77] <a href="https://storage.googleapis/" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://storage.googleapis</a> dot com/istories/stories/2023/12/21/kazakhstan-i-uzbekistan-snabzhayut-rossiyu-khlopkovoi-tsellyulozoi-dlya-proizvodstva-porokha-i-sanktsii-im-ne-meshayut/index.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=mainpage ; <a href="https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/central-asian-cotton-powers-russias-sanctioned-gunpowder-plants" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.occrp.org/en/investigations/central-asian-cotton-powers-russ...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[78] <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5604" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5604</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[79] <a href="https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5604" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/5604</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[80] <a href="https://t.me/RosgvardOfficial/4404" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://t.me/RosgvardOfficial/4404</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[81] <a href="https://www.iswresearch.org/2019/03/russia-in-review-march-15-26-2019.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iswresearch.org/2019/03/russia-in-review-march-15-26-2019.html</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[82] <a href="https://www.iswresearch.org/2019/03/russia-in-review-march-15-26-2019.html" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.iswresearch.org/2019/03/russia-in-review-march-15-26-2019.html</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[83] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/protydiyadezinformatsiyi.cpd/posts/pfbid02ifz4wffZiE8WknLRmJySLH5QiyfSGsDhCKytrzUfSbC25c6mvmFtewtq7exeiTRZl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/protydiyadezinformatsiyi.cpd/posts/pfbid02ifz4w...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[84] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/protydiyadezinformatsiyi.cpd/posts/pfbid02ifz4wffZiE8WknLRmJySLH5QiyfSGsDhCKytrzUfSbC25c6mvmFtewtq7exeiTRZl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/protydiyadezinformatsiyi.cpd/posts/pfbid02ifz4w...</a></b></span></p><p style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.5385; margin: 0px 0px 1.5385em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #800180; font-size: x-small;"><b>[85] <a href="https://www.facebook.com/protydiyadezinformatsiyi.cpd/posts/pfbid02ifz4wffZiE8WknLRmJySLH5QiyfSGsDhCKytrzUfSbC25c6mvmFtewtq7exeiTRZl" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.facebook.com/protydiyadezinformatsiyi.cpd/posts/pfbid02ifz4w...</a></b></span></p></div></div></div><h3 id="tagtitle" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></h3><h3 id="tagtitle" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.25; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"> Tags</u></span></h3><div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u style="background-color: #fcff01;"><br /></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><u><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> Ukraine Project</b></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #800180; font-size: large;"><u><b style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><br /></b></u></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> File Attachments:</u></b></span></div><div class="field field-name-field-file-attacments field-type-file field-label-above" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-items" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="field-item even" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/DraftUkraineCoTDecember%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: dotted 1px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=898191">DraftUkraineCoTDecember 21,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Luhansk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2150866">Luhansk Battle Map Draft December 21,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Bakhmut%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1575733">Bakhmut Battle Map Draft December 21,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Avdiivka%20and%20Donetsk%20City%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2196961">Avdiivka and Donetsk City Battle Map Draft December 21,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Donetsk%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=2317551">Donetsk Battle Map Draft December 21,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Vremivka%20Salient%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1230286">Vremivka Salient Battle Map Draft December 21,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Pyatykhatky%20and%20Robotyne%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1267894">Pyatykhatky and Robotyne Battle Map Draft December 21,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Zaporizhia%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1306227">Zaporizhia Battle Map Draft December 21,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><img alt="Image icon" class="file-icon" src="https://www.understandingwar.org/modules/file/icons/image-x-generic.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="image/png" /><a href="https://www.understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Kherson-Mykolaiv%20Battle%20Map%20Draft%20December%2021%2C2023.png" style="background: transparent; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;" type="image/png; length=1393304">Kherson-Mykolaiv Battle Map Draft December 21,2023.png</a></span></b></span></div><div class="field-item even" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="file" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="field-item odd" style="background-attachment: initial; 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