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File image of burnt-out vehicles following an attack by Tuareg rebels in Mali. (Credit: ymphotos / Shutterstock.com)

SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES

Militants Ambush a Malian Army and Russian Africa Corps Convoy, Killing More Than 50

Tuareg separatists and al-Qaeda-linked jihadists ambushed a Malian army and Russian Africa Corps convoy in northern Mali, killing more than 50 soldiers and taking others hostage.

The attack occurred near Tabrichat along a key 125-mile supply route linking Anefis and Gao. The Azawad Liberation Front and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin claimed joint responsibility for the attack. (Read More)

Video Shows Colombia's Jungle Commandos Extracting Under Fire Aboard a Black Hawk

A widely shared video appears to show Colombia’s National Police Jungle Commandos boarding a UH-60 Black Hawk under enemy fire, with officers providing cover during the extraction.

The video’s authenticity and location have not been independently verified. It emerges as Colombia faces record cocaine production, with groups such as the Clan del Golfo and FARC dissidents fighting for control of drug trafficking routes. (Read More)

Video: Chinese and -Philippine Crews Brawl with Batons and Oars at a Disputed South China Sea Shoal

Chinese coast guard crews and Philippine Navy sailors traded blows at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, wounding a Filipino sailor. Manila said Chinese personnel struck its unarmed crew with a wooden baton, while Beijing said the Filipinos swung first.

It was the most serious clash there since a Filipino sailor lost a thumb in 2024. The incident lands days before China's foreign minister visits Manila. (Read More)

Reliable IT at the Mission's Edge

As defense operations shift toward distributed, data driven decision making at the tactical edge, technology must process more information, integrate faster, and adapt quickly to changing mission requirements. MilDef develops rugged mission computers, high performance displays, and integrated networking systems designed to meet these evolving demands in real operational environments.

Our platforms support open architecture and edge processing strategies that enable faster deployment, seamless system integration, and reliable performance in extreme conditions. From vehicle platforms to forward deployed command systems, MilDef products deliver the computing power and durability required for today’s modernization priorities.

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QUICK UPDATES

CONFLICT UPDATES

➤ U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. will strike Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain, an underground facility near the Natanz nuclear complex that U.S. and Israeli officials suspect could be used for nuclear activity, “very heavily” and “pretty soon.” Israeli intelligence reportedly assessed that Tehran moved centrifuges to the facility. (Read More)

➤ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired Ukraine’s top general Oleksandr Syrskyi after nearly a week of protests calling for his removal. The decision followed the ouster of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, whose disagreements with Syrskyi over military strategy contributed to the leadership crisis. Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi will replace Syrskyi. (Read More)

➤ A Russian missile strike on the Turkish-owned cargo ship Golden Leo near Odesa in Ukraine killed 10 people, including a Ukrainian port pilot and nine foreign crew members. Ukraine said the vessel was carrying corn, while Russia claimed it carried military cargo without providing evidence. (Read More)

SECURITY UPDATES

➤ Israel has reportedly spent at least $50 million on U.S.-based firms to improve its image among Americans. The effort comes as polls show declining U.S. support, with 69% of Americans holding an unfavorable view of the Israeli government. (Read More)

➤ Meta is facing a Tennessee lawsuit accusing Instagram of intentionally using addictive features such as autoplay, Reels, and notifications to keep teenagers engaged while hiding research on potential harms. Meta denies the allegations, arguing that the alleged harms result from user-generated content and that the Communications Decency Act protects the company from liability for third-party content. (Read More)

➤ Hackers breached a healthcare software firm used by more than 2,000 U.S. hospitals and pharmacies, stealing internal and customer data. The company, Craneware, said much of the data was non-sensitive and that its services stayed online. An investigation into the breach is ongoing. (Read More)

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES

➤ The U.S. Marine Corps selected Allen Control Systems’ AI-powered Bullfrog system under its Ground Based Air Defense program to counter low-cost weaponized drones. The autonomous weapon detects, tracks, and engages aerial targets and will integrate with the L-MADIS platform. Bullfrog is already used by the Army and Navy. (Read More)

➤ Northrop Grumman launched a satellite-servicing spacecraft with robotic arms that experts say could potentially be used against enemy satellites. The company did not rule out military applications for the Mission Robotic Vehicle, though CEO Kathy Warden said any such use would be determined by the U.S. government. (Read More)

➤ The Air Force is seeking a ground-based missile launcher to defend its bases from drones and cruise missiles. The effort follows Iranian strikes on U.S. and allied bases in the Middle East that reportedly destroyed a U.S. E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft, damaged at least five KC-135 tankers and crippled multiple air defense radars. (Read More)

Delivering Every Advantage. Enabling Dominance

Achieving mission advantage requires secure, connected, and data-driven capabilities designed for speed, resilience, and scale. Parsons delivers solutions that help customers strengthen readiness, defend critical systems, accelerate decision-making, and operate with confidence across complex environments.

Mission Advantage Starts Here →

SPECIAL CATEGORY

➤ Anthropic’s Fable 5 AI model reportedly disproved the nearly 90-year-old Jacobian conjecture after mathematician Levent Alpöge used it to find a counterexample. The breakthrough follows other AI-assisted discoveries, including OpenAI’s reported disproof of another major math problem earlier this year.

➤ Researchers developed a paintable polymer electrode that can be applied directly to the skin to track heart rate, muscle activity, and brain waves. The system remained accurate even after mild sweating, potentially outperforming traditional wearable sensors in some conditions.

➤ Google’s Debug initiative is seeking approval to release up to 32 million sterilized male mosquitoes in California and Florida to reduce mosquito populations. The males do not bite or spread disease but are designed to mate with disease-carrying females, producing eggs that do not hatch.

On this day in history: On July 22nd, 1934, FBI agents gunned down the notorious bank robber John Dillinger outside a Chicago movie theater. His death capped a nationwide manhunt and helped cement the young FBI's reputation as America's premier crime-fighting force.

SENTIMENT COLLECTION

Would you want the government to be able to shut down a company's AI with an emergency ‘Kill Switch’?

Yes

Unsure

Yesterday’s Results:

Should kids under 16 be kept off social media?

Yes: (85.7%)
No: (9.4%)
Unsure: (4.9%)

n=701

Have your own question that you would like polled? Email us at editor@sofx.com.

HALO: Fielded, Resilient Communications for Drone Dominance

Elsight’s HALO multilink connectivity platform enables resilient, beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) operations in GNSS-denied and electronically contested environments by fusing diverse communication paths into a single, self-healing network.

This ensures uninterrupted command, control, and real-time data flow for ISR, targeting, and autonomous swarm coordination, capabilities central to the Drone Dominance program. Halo’s low SWaP profile supports Group 1–3 UAS as well as larger platforms, extending mission endurance without sacrificing payload capacity. By delivering consistent connectivity where traditional links fail, HALO enhances operational tempo, survivability, and mission success across distributed, multi-domain operations.

Learn more about Halo →

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About SOFX: We are an independent media and communications technology company reporting on the conflicts, security, and technology issues impacting your lives and businesses. SOFX was founded by former special operations & intelligence professionals, not career journalists or Big Tech / Big Media.

Have feedback for us? We want to hear any and all comments you may have. Contact us at editor@sofx.com.

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The SOFX Report

Jihadi Ambush kills 50 Russian Mercenaries and Malian Soldiers

SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES

Militants Ambush a Malian Army and Russian Africa Corps Convoy, Killing More Than 50

Video Shows Colombia's Jungle Commandos Extracting Under Fire Aboard a Black Hawk

Video: Chinese and -Philippine Crews Brawl with Batons and Oars at a Disputed South China Sea Shoal

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QUICK UPDATES

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SPECIAL CATEGORY

SENTIMENT COLLECTION

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