US forces to fortify Kobani; attack on government in Chad

THE WAR NEWSLETTER — JAN 14 2025

Today’s email brings you news from Syria and Chad.

1 - SYRIA

1 thing to know

The US is starting a new military base in the Kurdish city of Kobani.

The context 

The US military is building a significant base in Kobani, a Kurdish town near the Turkish border. Concrete fortifications and military convoys have recently arrived in the area. 

Kobani has historically been a symbol of Kurdish resistance against ISIS, and the base construction comes as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasizes the continued need for US military presence in Syria to prevent ISIS resurgence.

More from the region

• The US Treasury issued a 6-month general license on January 6 easing some restrictions on Syria's new transitional government, allowing certain humanitarian aid and energy transactions while keeping core sanctions in place

• Six EU member states (Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain, Finland, Denmark) are pushing for temporary suspension of some EU sanctions on Syria in areas like transport, energy, and banking, to be discussed January 27

• Kurdish forces (SDF) are currently negotiating with the new Damascus government while simultaneously fighting pro-Turkish militia groups

• US Defense Secretary Austin warns that ISIS remains a threat, with 8,000-10,000 fighters in detention camps in Kurdish territory, including 2,000 considered highly dangerous

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TECH SPOTLIGHT: MULBERRY HARBOR

The Mulberry harbor was one of WWII's most impressive engineering feats - imagine building an entire portable harbor that could be towed across the English Channel! Each harbor was roughly the size of Dover's port and could handle massive cargo ships.

The British came up with this innovative design in 1942 and managed to build two of them in less than a year in total secrecy. The harbors were made of huge concrete blocks, sunken ships serving as breakwaters, floating bridges, and special piers that could move up and down with the tides.

What it’s used for

These giant floating ports were crucial for the D-Day invasion of Normandy in 1944. The Allies needed a way to get millions of troops, vehicles, and supplies onto the French beaches, but the existing ports were heavily defended by the Germans. 

One harbor (Mulberry A) was unfortunately destroyed by a storm, but the other (Mulberry B, nicknamed "Port Winston") was an incredible success. Over just 10 months, it helped land almost 3 million troops, 500,000 vehicles, and 4 million tons of supplies onto the beaches of Normandy. 

This massive supply chain was vital for the Allied push into France. The temporary harbor was so well-built that you can still see parts of it today off the coast of Arromanches, France.

2 - CHAD

1 thing to know

The presidential office in Chad was attacked by a group armed with knives, but were thwarted by security forces.

The context

Nineteen people were killed when they attempted to attack the presidential palace in Chad. Security forces have called responding to the incident called it a terror attack, but quickly got the situation under control.

The attackers arrived in three vehicles, and carried out the attack using knives. One guard was killed, and the group penetrated only a short distance before the army neutralized the attack, also shutting down all roads to area and deploying tanks.

The survivors among the attackers were found to be under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and an investigation into the attack is pending.

More from the region

• Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi was also visiting the country at the time of attack as part of a tour of four African countries

• A military base was attacked by Islamic militants late last year, killing 40

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