Hanwei Global Security Information
This issue summarizes the security intelligence and dynamics across global regions from December 9 to December 15, 2024. According to security risk assessments, the security levels of various regions are as shown on the global risk map, with Afghanistan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Pakistan, Ukraine, Palestine, and Israel being extremely high-risk areas. During this period, these regions experienced frequent security incidents such as armed conflicts and terrorist attacks. Chinese enterprises operating abroad are advised to enhance their security precautions. (This information is solely for internal risk assessment purposes.)
Middle East Region
(1) Syria
Multiple areas targeted by Israeli airstrikes.From December 9 to 10, Israel conducted over 300 airstrikes on military targets in Syria, including the capital Damascus and the central city of Homs. Several Syrian air defense bases, military airports, long-range missile depots, strategic weapon storage facilities, and dozens of tunnels connecting Syria and Lebanon were destroyed. Additionally, Israeli forces crossed the Syrian-Israeli military buffer zone, occupying and fully controlling several towns in the Damascus countryside province near the Lebanese border and military outposts on Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights. Israeli Defense Minister Katz stated that this action aimed to establish a demilitarized "defensive zone" on the Syrian side of the buffer zone to prevent "hostile forces" from approaching Israel. In response, Syria's Permanent Representative to the UN, Koussay Dakhak, filed a complaint with the UN Security Council and the Secretary-General, calling for an end to Israeli aggression against Syria and to prevent Israel from benefiting from regime change in Syria.
Scene of the Israeli airstrike on Mazzeh Airport in Damascus, Syria
U.S. military strikes ISIS targets in Syria. On December 9, media reported that the U.S. military conducted airstrikes on December 8 against an extremist ISIS militant camp in central Syria, targeting 75 objectives, including ISIS leaders and facilities, with no civilian casualties reported.
(2) Palestine and Israel
Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Palestine conflict exceeds 45,000.From December 9 to 15, the Israeli Defense Forces continued airstrikes on central and southern Gaza, resulting in significant Palestinian casualties. As of December 12, the latest round of the Israel-Palestine conflict has claimed over 45,000 Palestinian lives and injured more than 106,000. Among these, Israeli airstrikes on the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza and multiple southern areas on the evening of December 12 killed at least 70 people and injured over 100.
Scene of the bombing at the Nuseirat refugee camp on December 12
Jerusalem bus attack leaves 4 injured. On December 11, an Israeli bus was shot at on a highway in the West Bank south of Jerusalem, injuring four people, including a boy. The gunman remains at large.
(III) Lebanon
Israeli airstrike in the south kills 5.On December 11, southern Lebanon was hit by an Israeli airstrike, resulting in 5 deaths. According to Lebanese government statistics, the ongoing conflict between Lebanon and Israel over the past year has led to approximately 4,000 deaths and displaced over 1.2 million people in Lebanon.
Israel withdraws first batch of troops from southern Lebanon. On December 11, the Israeli Ministry of Defense confirmed that the Israeli military withdrew forces from the strategic town of Khiam in southern Lebanon that day. This marks the first withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon since the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah was reached. Under the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces must withdraw from all areas of southern Lebanon by the end of January next year.
(IV) Yemen
Cholera outbreak spreads.On December 11, statistics from health departments under Yemeni government control showed that the country has reported nearly 220,000 cholera cases since the beginning of the year, with Aden alone recording 40,000 cases. To combat the outbreak, the Yemeni government, in collaboration with the World Health Organization and UNICEF, has launched cholera vaccination campaigns in multiple regions.
Asia-Pacific Region
(I) Afghanistan
Suicide bombing in Kabul capital kills 4, injures 4.On December 11, the headquarters of the Afghan interim government's Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation in Kabul was targeted by a suicide bombing, killing four people, including acting minister Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani, and injuring four others. That day, after Haqqani returned to the headquarters following prayers, a suicide bomber detonated explosives in his office. The extremist group "Islamic State Khorasan Province," a branch of ISIS, later claimed responsibility for the attack.
(II) Pakistan
Multiple attacks leave 5 dead, 1 injured.On December 9, a bomb explosion in the garden of a civilian hospital in Qilla Abdullah district, Balochistan, Pakistan, killed at least 2 people. The same day, a police attack in Shah Deo area, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, injured one officer and left two terrorists dead. On December 10, the former chairman of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) unified alliance was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Baldia No. 7 in Baldia Town, Karachi.
(III) Thailand
Explosion in Tak province kills 3, injures 48.On December 13, a bomb explosion occurred in Omphang District, Tak Province, Thailand, resulting in 3 deaths and 48 injuries. Preliminary investigations revealed that two suspects engaged in a dispute due to conflicts, and one of them detonated a bomb they were carrying.
Explosion scene
Africa Region
(1) Nigeria
Zamfara State village attacked.On December 9, media reported that a village in Zamfara State, northwestern Nigeria, was attacked by armed gunmen on the 8th, who kidnapped over 50 women and children. Dozens of assailants arrived on motorcycles, armed with assault rifles, and went door-to-door abducting residents.
Security alert. According to a monitoring report by Hanwei International's West Africa security officer, around 8:30 AM on December 10, approximately 30 suspected armed individuals appeared in the Orokan River Basin of Benue State. They harassed villagers fetching water and had been active in the area for at least three days, suspected of conducting reconnaissance for kidnappings. Chinese enterprises and individuals in the area are advised to enhance security precautions.
(2) South Africa
Chinese citizen kidnapped in Gauteng Province.On December 9, media reported that a Chinese citizen was kidnapped by five abductors in Springs City, Gauteng Province, South Africa, on the 8th. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of up to 3 million rand (equivalent to 1.22 million RMB). Durban Security Company, in collaboration with the police, swiftly took action, successfully rescuing the hostage, arresting three suspects, and seizing some ammunition.
Two traffic accidents result in 13 deaths and multiple injuries. On December 9, two consecutive traffic accidents occurred in Free State Province, South Africa, killing 13 people in total. The first accident happened in the Ficksburg area, where a minibus collided with a truck, killing 7 people on the spot and injuring multiple others. The second accident occurred on the N1 highway, where a taxi full of passengers overturned for unknown reasons, killing 6 and leaving many seriously injured.
(3) Niger
Multiple attacks leave 87 dead and 7 injured.On December 10, a terrorist attack on a market in Tillabéri Region, Niger, killed 63 people. On the same day, 14 fishermen were killed by Boko Haram members in Diffa Region. On December 12, a terrorist attack in a border town of Tillabéri Region resulted in 10 deaths and 7 injuries.
(4) Democratic Republic of the Congo
Chinese Embassy in the DRC issues security alert.On December 10, the Chinese Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) issued a security alert, stating that the security situation in North Kivu, Ituri, and Tanganyika provinces continues to deteriorate, with illegal armed groups such as M23, ADF, CODECO, Mai-Mai militias, and Zaire militias persistently causing chaos in North Kivu, Ituri, and Haut-Uele provinces. Incidents of violent clashes, armed robberies, and kidnappings occur frequently. The embassy reminds all Chinese citizens in the DRC to avoid traveling to high-risk areas such as Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, and Haut-Uele provinces. Chinese citizens and businesses still in these areas are urged to evacuate or relocate to safer zones as soon as possible. Non-essential travel to Lualaba, Haut-Katanga, Bas-Uele, Tanganyika, Maniema, and Central Kasai is discouraged. Chinese citizens already in these regions are advised to promptly register their personal information with the embassy.
(5) Sudan
Armed conflicts persist.From December 9 to 15, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continued intense clashes in areas around the capital Khartoum, the western city of Omdurman, and multiple fronts in central Sudan, resulting in significant casualties on both sides and among civilians. Notably, on December 11, a market in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, and the Zamzam refugee camp were shelled by the Rapid Support Forces, killing 15 and injuring 64, with most victims being women and children. The ongoing armed conflict, which has lasted over a year, has claimed approximately 28,700 lives in Sudan and displaced more than 12.06 million people.
Europe and America
(1) Ukraine
The Russia-Ukraine armed conflict continues.From December 9 to 15, Russia's special military operation in Ukraine continued. The Russian Ministry of Defense recently released a combat report stating that over the past week, the Russian military conducted large-scale long-range strikes on Ukraine's critical fuel and energy infrastructure using high-precision long-range air- and sea-based weapons, as well as attack drones. This marks the 12th large-scale airstrike by Russian forces on Ukrainian energy facilities this year. They also gained control of the "Zarya" settlement in the Donetsk region, destroyed Ukrainian equipment assembly areas, drone production workshops, and multiple military assets including tanks, armored vehicles, and U.S.-made howitzers, and shot down four U.S.-made "HIMARS" rockets and 97 drones. Additionally, Russian armed forces continued engagements with Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region, retaking control of the "Novoivanovka" settlement. On the Ukrainian side, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine recently reported that within the week, Ukrainian air force, missile, and artillery units destroyed several Russian troop assembly areas and command posts, repelling multiple Russian attacks in the Kharkiv, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove directions. Current major hostilities are concentrated in the Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, and Vremivka regions.
(II) Haiti
Violent attack in the capital Port-au-Prince leaves 184 dead.On December 9, media reported that the impoverished neighborhood of Cité Soleil in Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince was subjected to a large-scale violent attack by an armed gang on the 7th, resulting in at least 184 deaths, including dozens of elderly individuals. The incident reportedly stemmed from a gang leader suspecting residents of Cité Soleil of casting a curse on his child, leading to the child's illness and death. The Haitian government condemned the gang's "unbearably brutal methods" and vowed to "use all available means to apprehend and eliminate the criminals." UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attack, urging Haitian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure all perpetrators are brought to justice.
(III) Brazil
Armed attack on Bahia state prison leads to escape of 16 inmates.On December 13, the Unaípolis Prison in Bahia state, northeastern Brazil, was attacked by a local armed gang, resulting in the escape of at least 16 inmates. Armed assailants used high-caliber weapons to storm the prison, broke into two cell blocks, and released the prisoners. Police forces are currently investigating the incident and searching for the escaped inmates.
(IV) Netherlands
Attack leaves 1 dead and 1 injured.On December 9, a shooting occurred in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, resulting in one death; on the same day, a stabbing incident took place in Breda, southern Netherlands, leaving one person injured. The attackers have been arrested by the police. Currently, the police are investigating the above incidents.
(5) Chile
Chinese restaurant in the capital Santiago robbed.On December 9, a Chinese restaurant in the Quilicura district of Santiago, Chile, was robbed. During the incident, three criminals broke into the owner's residence, tied up two adults and two children, and then fled with electronic products from the store, 2 million pesos (approximately 720,000 RMB) in cash, and a car.
(6) Ecuador
Multiple attacks leave 6 dead and 4 injured.On December 9, two staff members of the Manabí Provincial Transportation Committee in Ecuador were shot by unidentified individuals in Puerto López, resulting in one death and one injury; on the same day, an armored cash transport vehicle was robbed by armed assailants on Malecón and Eloy Alfaro streets in Quevedo, Los Ríos Province, injuring two guards and one civilian; on December 10, a shooting occurred on 8th Street and East Street in Cristo del Consuelo, Guayaquil, Ecuador, leaving five dead. Four armed suspects fled the scene after the attack.
(7) France
Shooting in Dunkirk, France, leaves 5 dead.On December 14, a shooting occurred near Dunkirk in northern France, resulting in five deaths. The victims included one business owner, two security personnel, and two undocumented immigrants from a nearby camp. On the same day, a French man turned himself in to the local gendarmerie, admitting to being the perpetrator of the shooting. The suspect's motive is still under investigation.
(8) Mexico
Fireworks explosion in Guerrero injures 30.On December 13, a fireworks explosion occurred in a church in Tlalchapa, Guerrero, Mexico, during celebrations for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, injuring 30 people, including three children. The explosion was caused by candles accidentally igniting fireworks used for the mass celebration.
Maritime Security
(1) Somali Waters
Piracy incident involving Chinese nationals off Cotonou, Benin.On December 9, media reported that a fishing vessel named "FAYALI-2" was attacked by pirates approximately 9 nautical miles southeast of Cotonou Port, Benin, on December 7. A Chinese captain was kidnapped, and crew members' personal belongings were stolen. There is currently no information about ransom demands for the kidnapped Chinese citizen or the pirates.
(2) Red Sea
Houthi forces attack U.S. warships.On December 10, Yemen's Houthi forces claimed to have launched multiple attacks on two U.S. destroyers and three frigates navigating the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The U.S. Central Command responded that two U.S. Navy destroyers successfully repelled a series of weapons fired by the Houthis while traversing the Gulf of Aden that day.
(3) South Korea
Fishing boat capsizes off Gyeongju coast, leaving 7 dead and 1 missing.On December 9, a South Korean fishing boat capsized after colliding with a large sand carrier approximately 6 kilometers southeast of Ganpo Port in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, resulting in 7 deaths and 1 missing. The sand carrier involved caused no casualties or property damage.
(4) Tunisia
Shipwreck off Sfax coast claims 9 lives.On December 10, a boat carrying 42 African migrants capsized off the coast of Sfax, a southern Tunisian city, killing 9 people and leaving 6 missing. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.
