The Wire - January 19, 2024

this is the wire for 2330 zillu January 19th 2024 precedences routine information cut off is 2230 bottom line up front houie forces begin targeting American oil tankers beginning with international events in the Middle East conflict continues in Gaza over the past few days fighting along the northern border with Lebanon has intensified following Israeli raids Hezbollah has also increased rocket attacks with the Israeli Port City of hia being struck with rockets overnight in the Red Sea Horn of Africa region The Vessel targeted yesterday in the Eastern Gulf of Aiden has been identified as the merchant vessel Kim Ranger an American-owned tanker vessel this marks the first deliberate targeting of an American-owned tanker so far in this conflict in the Far East China continues military drills in the vicinity of the Taiwan straight following Taiwanese elections last week on the home front in the United States Congress quietly passes a stop Gap funding bill to avoid a government shutdown the funding bill passed with bipartisan support will fund the government until March 1st analyst comments for this wire information is limited and contradictory as to the damage sustained in the attack on the merchant vessel Kim Ranger ccom claims that both cruise missiles fired at the vessel missed other sources claimed that the missiles did hit the vessel resulting in severe damage at this time independent verification cannot be conducted to verify either claim this concludes the wire for 2330 Zulu January 19th 202 24