20 July 2026
Iran War
Three US servicemen were killed this weekend. Two were killed in an Iranian attack on a US base in Jordan, while another was killed during a controlled detonation of an Iranian drone in Iraq. The United States carried out its ninth night of strikes against Iranian targets since hostilities reignited. Iran’s nuclear energy agency stated that the US struck a construction site of a planned nuclear power plant in the southwest.
Ukraine-Russia War
During the weekend, Ukraine struck two warehouses of the Russian online store, Wildberries. Wildberries has been described as Russia’s Amazon. However, on Wildberries, one can buy spools of fibre optic cable and body armour. Poorly equipped Russian soldiers are ordering their kit from the site. Ukraine stated that this was a legitimate target because of that. Eight people were killed, and 62 were injured.
Mali
At least 50 Malian soldiers were killed by Tuareg rebels and jihadists as they were leaving the strategic northern town of Anefis. At least 24 soldiers were taken prisoner. Russian mercenaries were not part of this convoy, according to local sources. Recently, Mali declared that its forces, with Russian mercenaries, took control of Anefis. A key town before marching onto the city of Kidal.
Pakistan
Pakistani border posts at Kurrum were attacked by the Afghan Taliban with heavy weapons and mortars. Pakistan responded with mortars and light artillery. The attack was repelled. Pakistani authorities attributed this attack to the Afghan Taliban and not Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or the Pakistani Taliban. This indicates that tensions are rising again between Afghanistan and Pakistan, enough so for the Afghan Taliban to attack Pakistani positions. And not hide behind the Pakistani Taliban who enjoy sanctuary in Afghanistan.
South Korea
Controversy is brewing around Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back’s military service. His mandatory service began on 5 November 1983 and he was discharged on 31 August 1985. At the time, territorial defence soldiers served for 14 months, not 22. His accuser claims that the “discrepancy reflects an absence without leave lasting several months, a period of detention and a subsequent order to complete additional service.” Ahn and the Ministry of National Defence said he never deserted his unit and attribute irregularities in his military record to administrative errors.
Somalia
A tanker was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. This is the second tanker to have been hijacked in the past three months, a signal that Somali piracy is on the return. Somali piracy essentially stopped three years ago, but the recent increase in activity indicates it remains a cause for concern for the shipping industry. It also may have returned due to increased tensions with the Strait of Hormuz and the threat that the Red Sea will be under duress by the Houthi rebels. Those concerns could lead to bigger payouts.
United Kingdom
Andy Burnham was appointed as the UK’s seventh prime minister in a decade. Burnham pledges that his government will set out a 10-year plan to put the country back in the right direction. Burnham has to increase defence spending due to the pledges made by his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer. The government will most likely undergo a cabinet reshuffle, and it is unclear what Burnham will do on the defence portfolio.
Social Media Wires
Ukraine hit another Wildberries center
Presiden Trump complaining about Canadian wildfire smoke
Featured Photo: “Mykhailo Fedorov at the 2023 World Economic Forum” – Wikimedia Commons, 2026
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The Wires Brief is a daily breaking-news report that incorporates wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates. Feature photos are altered with grayscale and cropping.