ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 4, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 4, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• South Korea Imposes and Lifts Martial Law
• Rebel Offensive Restarts Large-Scale Fighting for First Time in Syria Since 2020 Ceasefire
• China Bans Exports of Critical Materials to the United States

South Korea Imposes and Lifts Martial Law

On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Seok Yeol imposed martial law citing reasons to “protect a free South Korea from the North Korean communist forces.” Thousands of citizens gathered in front of the National Assembly in Seoul expressing anger over the declaration and demanding President Yoon's impeachment. Following the declaration, South Korea’s Won and stocks fell, causing economic unease. At the plenary session that day, the resolution calling for the lifting of martial law was passed with 190 votes in favor. President Yoon lifted the martial law early Wednesday (local time), during a cabinet meeting six hours after he declared it. All troops mobilized under the martial law order have been demobilized and have returned to their units. Protestors have been demanding the president’s resignation, while top aides to the president, including the national security adviser and the chief of staff for policy, have submitted their resignations.

Rebel Offensive Restarts Large-Scale Fighting for First Time in Syria Since 2020 Ceasefire

A rebel offensive in Syria’s northwest region has restarted large-scale fighting in the country’s 13-year civil war for the first time since a ceasefire was declared in 2020. In late November, Turkish-backed rebel forces led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise offensive that quickly took control of significant territory in the northwest including Aleppo, once Syria’s largest city. Government forces halted the offensive north of the city of Hama, where fighting is ongoing. U.S.-affiliated Kurdish forces in the country’s east subsequently resumed attacks on government forces in the city of Deir ez-Zor. HTS leaders have stated that they launched their offensive in response to heightened government shelling of civilian areas, though some HTS sources also claimed to have begun the operation in response to perceived weaknesses in Lebanese Hezbollah and Russian forces, which back Syria’s government. Both of those factions have devoted significant resources to their ongoing conflicts with Israel and Ukraine, respectively. It is unclear how long fighting will continue in the new offensive. Allies of the government, including Russia, have pledged to step up efforts to support government forces.

China Bans Exports of Critical Materials to the United States

On December 3, 2024, China’s Commerce Ministry announced that it would ban the exports of critical minerals like gallium, germanium, and antimony to the United States. The order, which takes immediate effect, also requires a stricter review of end-usage for graphite, a component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Gallium, germanium, and antimony are widely used in semiconductors, infrared technology, fiber optic cables, ammunition, infrared missiles, and nuclear weapons. It is also important to note that China is the world's largest producer of these three materials. China made the announcement after the United States placed added restrictions on sales of advanced semiconductors to China a day earlier. The Chinese ban is likely to cause supply chain disruptions for the producers of semiconductors and other forms of advanced technologies.