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Today’s focus: Beheading of Hezbollah’s most secretive leader reveals hidden treasury; US punishes 6 Chinese companies for selling Iranian weaponry; 8 North Korean soldiers killed in Ukraine, first captured soldier appears; Chinese mercenaries reveal grim situation on Russia-Ukraine battlefield; US-Japan “Sword” military exercise with thousands of troops underway.
Could you imagine how wealthy Hezbollah in Lebanon, a group that doesn’t produce anything but maintains a massive army, can be? Recently, the Israeli Defense Forces discovered Hezbollah’s treasury while carrying out operations against the organization in Lebanon.
On October 21st, an Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson, Major General Hagar, confirmed that Israeli forces recently killed a high-ranking Hezbollah leader responsible for fundraising for the organization through sales of oil. This exposed Hezbollah’s most secretive “Unit 4400” and revealed the organization’s treasury.
According to the IDF spokesperson, the slain Hezbollah official oversaw Unit 4400, responsible for generating significant funds through oil sales to support Hezbollah’s operations. This official played a role similar to that of the organization’s finance minister. The treasury, hidden beneath the Sahel Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, was found to contain over $500 million USD (approximately 16 billion New Taiwan Dollars) in cash and gold.
The underground treasury was owned by Hezbollah’s former secretary-general, Nasrallah, who was targeted by the IDF. The IDF spokesperson highlighted how Hezbollah misused the funds during Lebanon’s severe economic crisis, strengthening its control in Lebanon and launching attacks on Israeli cities. The IDF warned that they were monitoring the treasury’s activities closely.
Apart from Unit 4400, the IDF spokesperson also revealed two other channels through which Hezbollah acquired funds – through diplomatic cover by selling oil revenue from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard’s Al-Quds Force, and through commercial investments in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Turkey, establishing a quasi-state within Lebanon.
While the IDF has not bombed the hospital above the treasury, most of the funds stored in banks were not as fortunate. On the previous day, October 20th, the IDF conducted nighttime airstrikes on 20 Hezbollah financial institutions, targeting underground vaults filled with cash and gold.
It is clear that Israel strategically targeted the majority of Hezbollah’s treasuries before revealing the remaining untouched one, showcasing a powerful message. This approach, akin to a cat leaving one rat alive to send a message, may be seen as more insulting than damaging.
Moving to the involvement of various countries in conflicts, since North Korea publicly sent over ten thousand troops to join Russia, on October 19th in the Donetsk battlefield in Ukraine, reports surfaced of 8 North Korean soldiers being killed and one soldier being captured by Ukrainian forces. This soldier appeared malnourished and short in stature.
On October 19th, North Korea issued propaganda urging Ukrainian soldiers to surrender to the Korean People’s Army, challenging them that resistance would be futile, reminiscent of Communist China’s “Resist US” propaganda. South Korea responded by initiating psychological warfare against North Korean soldiers and residents near the border, revealing the truth behind the deployment of compatriots to die in Ukraine.
South Korean media suggested that in response to North Korea’s military support to Russia, South Korea might deploy military and intelligence personnel to support Ukraine.
Apart from sending a large quantity of 155mm artillery shells to Ukraine, the South Korean government and military are considering sending personnel, including intelligence officers specializing in North Korean affairs, and tactical experts to assist Ukrainian forces. This move may lead to a situation where soldiers from both Korean nations are involved in a conflict far from the Korean Peninsula.
In another turn of events on the Russia-Ukraine battlefield, scenes emerged of North Korean and Chinese soldiers together. On October 19th, two Chinese mercenaries, nicknamed “Old Wang” and “Prison Warden,” live-streamed discussions revealing the inept commanding of Russian officers as routine.
“Prison Warden” disclosed a startling figure – 153 Chinese mercenaries had died on the front lines in Luhansk, Ukraine, while eight North Korean soldiers were killed in just one day, including high-ranking officers.
The Chinese mercenaries also described the brutal consequences for deserters by Russian forces on the battlefield, painting a chilling picture.
Another Chinese mercenary in a different sector of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, in a video on October 20th, detailed the inadequate logistical support from Russian forces, waiting in dire conditions for supplies, including severe water shortages.
Lastly, following the rushed conclusion of the CCP’s “Joint Sword-2024B” flash military exercise lasting only 13 hours, the actual “Sword” joint exercise between the US military and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces with a large-scale deployment was officially launched on October 22nd.
The “Sword” exercise occurs every two years and is the largest live military exercise between the US and Japan, with approximately 33,000 Japanese personnel, 12,000 American troops, totaling about 45,000 participants, including 40 warships and 370 aircraft, engaging in naval operations, integrated missile defense, and other joint exercises.
On the same day, October 22nd, Japan’s Chief of Joint Staff, Keishu Yoshida, and US Pacific Fleet Commander Kohler held a joint press conference aboard the US amphibious transport dock ship, San Diego. Yoshida subtly criticized China’s unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the Indo-Pacific and highlighted potential crises similar to Ukraine and the Middle East in Japan’s vicinity, emphasizing the need for enhanced cooperation between Japan and the US.
On the same day, perhaps sensing a need to compensate for the lackluster conclusion of the “Joint Sword-2024B,” reports emerged that CCP conducted two missile tests in secret, towards the nearest landmass to Taiwan, Niu Shan Island in Fujian. Despite the proximity, the effectiveness of this intimidation may be less impactful than North Korea’s threatening posters targeting Ukrainian soldiers.
In my view, rather than wasting time on such endeavors, it would be more insightful to observe the US and South Korean “Sword” exercises. Otherwise, bringing Chinese and North Korean troops together in Vladivostok, under Russian occupation, to listen to Russia’s lessons might be more enlightening.
That wraps up this edition of “Current Affairs Scan.” We appreciate your support; please subscribe to our channel, like, comment, and share. Direct financial support is also greatly appreciated. Until next time.
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