ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 24, 2025

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - January 24, 2025

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

• Syria Ends Russian Port Lease Supporting Tartous Military Base
• Hundreds of Bomb Threats Issued Against Schools in Hungary
• Military Offensive Launched Against ELN Rebels in Catatumbo, Colombia

Syria Ends Russian Port Lease Supporting Tartous Military Base

Syria’s new government canceled the 49-year port lease agreement with Russia, which allowed the latter to operate a naval base out of the port city of Tartous. The base was Russia’s only naval facility in the Mediterranean and allowed Moscow to project power into the Middle East and Africa. The cancelation follows reports that talks had broken down between Russia and Syrian authorities over future use of the base.

Hundreds of Bomb Threats Issued Against Schools in Hungary

Around 240 Hungarian schools across the country were evacuated after receiving email threats. The messages were reportedly sent from the same source. Bulgarian media houses reportedly received similar threats against schools a day earlier and traced the source to a Russian internet platform.

Military Offensive Launched Against ELN Rebels in Catatumbo, Colombia

Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo announced Colombia started a military operation against the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group in the northeastern region of Catatumbo. The operation comes after dozens were killed in clashes between ELN and rival rebels, forcing thousands to flee. A major operation could lead to ELN attacks elsewhere in the country as the group seeks to preserve valuable revenue streams. ELN and the government of President Gustavo Petro have been involved in on-and-off peace talks since 2023, but the latest operation makes peace talks unlikely in the short term.