Hanwei Global Security Information
This issue summarizes the security intelligence dynamics across various global regions from October 21 to 27, 2024. According to security risk assessments, the security levels of these regions are as shown on the global risk map, with Afghanistan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Pakistan, Ukraine, Palestine, and Israel being classified as extremely high-risk areas. During this period, armed conflicts, terrorist attacks, and other security incidents were frequent in these regions, requiring overseas Chinese enterprises to enhance their security precautions. (This information is solely for internal risk assessment purposes.)
Middle East Region
(1) Syria
Multiple areas attacked by Israel, resulting in 3 deaths and 10 injuries.On October 21, a car in the Mezzeh district of western Damascus, Syria, was hit by an Israeli missile strike, killing 2 and injuring 3, with the vehicle destroyed and surrounding buildings severely damaged. On October 24, the Israeli military launched airstrikes on two locations in the Kafr Sousa district of western Damascus and a military facility in the central Homs province, killing 1 soldier and injuring 7. On October 26, military facilities in southern and central Syria were again targeted by Israeli airstrikes, with damage assessments ongoing.
Scene of the attack in the Mezzeh district of western Damascus on October 21
U.S. military base in Deir ez-Zor province attacked.On October 22, a U.S. military base in eastern Syria's Deir ez-Zor province was struck by multiple rockets, with casualties and property damage unknown. Subsequently, the U.S. military conducted airstrikes on seven villages controlled by the Syrian government east of the Euphrates River.
(2) Iraq
18 ISIS militants killed.From October 20 to 22, Iraqi security forces carried out airstrikes on hideouts of ISIS militants in the northern Salahuddin province, killing the group's leader in Iraq, Jasim al-Mazrui, and 8 other senior members, while seizing a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and equipment and destroying a workshop for making explosive devices. On October 24, the Iraqi military conducted operations in the western Anbar province, killing 9 ISIS militants.
Turkey conducts cross-border strikes against Kurdish forces.On October 24, the Turkish Ministry of Defense stated that Turkish Air Force jets had struck bases of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq and Syria, destroying at least 32 targets, killing one leader, and detaining 176 suspects. Turkey also claimed the strikes were in retaliation for the PKK's attack on the Turkish Aerospace Industries on October 23.
(3) Palestine and Israel
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has resulted in over 42,924 Palestinian deaths.From October 21 to 27, the Israeli Defense Forces continued intense clashes with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in central and southern Gaza, among other areas. As of October 26, since the outbreak of the latest round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed 42,924 Palestinians and injured 100,833. Notably, on October 23, Israeli warplanes conducted over 20 airstrikes in northern Gaza, killing 74 people, injuring over 100, leaving dozens missing, and forcing thousands to flee their homes. On October 26, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, through his spokesperson, called on all parties in the Middle East to cease all military actions to prevent a full-scale regional war.
(4) Lebanon
The Lebanon-Israel conflict persists.From October 21 to 27, Hezbollah and Israel continued fighting in multiple areas, including southern Lebanon's border region. During the week, Hezbollah launched hundreds of attacks on targets such as Tel Aviv, Israeli military bases, and settlements in northern Israel. Israeli ground forces continued "limited, localized, and targeted ground incursions" in southern Lebanon. According to statistics released by Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health on October 23, since early October last year, clashes between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 2,574 people in Lebanon, including Hezbollah Executive Council head Safieddine, and injured over 12,000. On October 22, Israel attacked near the largest public hospital in southern Beirut, killing 13 and injuring 57. Additionally, on October 23 and 25, UNIFIL personnel and facilities in southern Lebanon were attacked three times.
Scene of an Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, on October 22
(5) Yemen
Hodeidah International Airport hit by U.S.-UK airstrikes.On October 23, Hodeidah International Airport, controlled by Yemen's Houthi rebels, was struck twice by U.S. and UK airstrikes, with no immediate reports of casualties or property damage.
(6) Turkey
Attack on defense company in capital Ankara kills 5, injures 22.On October 23, a suicide bombing attack by the Kurdistan Workers' Party targeted the Turkish Aerospace Industries in the Kahramankazan district of Ankara, Turkey's capital, resulting in at least 5 deaths and 22 injuries. On the same day, two armed militants indiscriminately shot employees at the company's entrance and detonated a car bomb, causing dozens of casualties. The two terrorists were subsequently killed. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated on the 24th that the male attacker was named Ali Örek and the female attacker was Mine Sevik Açıkgöz, both members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party.
(7) Iran
Multiple locations hit by Israeli airstrikes, killing 2 soldiers.In the early hours of October 26, multiple locations in Iran were struck by Israeli airstrikes, killing 2 Iranian soldiers. Iran's air defense forces claimed to have successfully intercepted Israeli attacks on some military bases in Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam provinces, with "limited" damage caused by the strikes. Israel stated that the targets of its military operations were Iranian missile manufacturing facilities and anti-aircraft artillery positions, and the objectives had been achieved. In response, the Chinese Embassy in Iran reminded Chinese citizens and institutions in Iran to closely monitor local security developments, remain vigilant, ensure safety, reduce unnecessary outings, strengthen risk prevention and emergency preparedness, and avoid crowded and sensitive areas.
Sistan and Baluchestan Province border patrol attacked, leaving 10 dead.On October 26, an armed attack targeted an Iranian border patrol in Taftan, Sistan and Baluchestan Province in the southeast of the country, killing 10 soldiers and border police. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
Asia-Pacific Region
(1) Afghanistan
Kabul bomb attack injures 11.On October 23, a bomb explosion occurred at a clothing market in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, injuring 11 people, including 2 children. No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
(2) Pakistan
Multiple attacks leave 13 dead and 7 injured.On October 21, media reported that a shooting incident occurred near the Saddar Jaranwala police station in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan, on the 20th, resulting in 1 death. On the same day, a home invasion and murder took place in the Lyari area of Karachi, Pakistan, leaving 4 dead. The perpetrators fled the scene after the crime. On October 23, the irrigation department office in Khuzdar, Balochistan, was attacked with grenades, injuring 2 people. On the same day, a bank in Bela town, Mach district, Balochistan, was robbed by unidentified armed individuals, resulting in the death of 1 security guard and injuries to 2 others. On October 26, a suicide bombing targeted a security checkpoint in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing at least 7 people and injuring 3. No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack.
2 terrorists killed in Balochistan.On October 21, Pakistani security forces conducted counter-terrorism operations in Pishin and Zhob districts of Balochistan, killing 2 terrorists and arresting 5 others.
(3) Philippines
Chinese man kidnapped.On October 21, media reported that a Chinese citizen was kidnapped by armed men while fishing in Bustos town, Bulacan province, northern Metro Manila, Philippines, on the 20th. It was reported that 4 unidentified individuals forced the victim into a vehicle and drove away. The victim's companion later received a ransom demand of $300,000 from the kidnappers. The whereabouts of the kidnapped man remain unknown, and police have launched an investigation.
(4) Myanmar
Attack on Karen Army headquarters leaves 1 injured.On October 22, the headquarters of the Karen National Liberation Army in Pa-an district, Myanmar, was attacked by a drone, injuring 1 soldier.
Ferry capsizes in Tanintharyi Region, killing 8 and leaving 18 missing.On October 21, a passenger ferry capsized in the waters of Palaw township, Myeik district, Tanintharyi Region, southern Myanmar, due to bad weather, killing at least 8 people and leaving 18 missing. Rescue operations were promptly launched, and 11 people were rescued. The search and rescue efforts are still ongoing.
(5) Thailand
2 Chinese men kidnapped.On October 21, 5 armed assailants stormed the workplace of 2 Chinese men in Bangkok, Thailand, demanding 3.2 million baht (approximately 680,000 RMB) in cash. After the victims handed over the money, they were forced into a vehicle and taken to a remote suburb, where an additional $600,000 was demanded. The victims borrowed $270,000 from relatives in China and transferred it to the kidnappers before being released. Police have launched an investigation into the case.
(6) Nauru
Overseas Chinese injured in attack.On October 24, a Chinese national was injured in an attack by assailants in the Yaren District of Nauru and is currently in stable condition. Following the incident, the Chinese Embassy in Nauru immediately lodged a strong protest with the Nauruan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and police, demanding that the perpetrators be swiftly apprehended and brought to justice. The Nauruan authorities stated that they would mobilize all available resources to provide the victim with the best possible medical care, spare no effort to capture the perpetrators, ensure they face due punishment, and guarantee the safety of Chinese citizens in Nauru.
(7) Bangladesh
257 deaths from dengue fever.On October 22, the Directorate General of Health Services of Bangladesh released statistical data showing that, as of now, the country has reported a total of 52,058 confirmed cases of dengue fever this year, with 257 deaths. Dengue fever is an acute infectious disease caused by the dengue virus, primarily transmitted through mosquito vectors. Typical symptoms include persistent fever, headache, muscle pain, and joint pain, and it can be fatal in severe cases.
Africa Region
(1) Nigeria
Helicopter crash kills 3.On October 24, a helicopter in Nigeria crashed en route from Port Harcourt in the southern part of the country to an offshore oil production facility, resulting in at least 3 deaths. The helicopter carried 8 people, including 6 passengers and 2 crew members. So far, 3 bodies have been recovered, and search and rescue operations are ongoing.
Central and southern regions warned of floods.According to a monitoring report by Hanwei International's security officer in West Africa, due to the release of floodwaters from Cameroon's Lagdo Dam, at least 25 communities along the Niger River in Edo State were flooded on October 22. The Ore Bridge on the Ijebu Ode-Benin Highway (near 6°45'40.6"N 4°07'22.5"E) collapsed due to flooding, leaving many vehicles stranded. Currently, water levels are rising in Bayelsa State, Rivers State, and Ondo State. Chinese enterprises and individuals in the affected areas are advised to closely monitor flood-related information, exercise caution when traveling, and take necessary precautions.
(2) South Africa
Fire at Cape Town's Table Mountain cable station.On October 24, a fire broke out at the Table Mountain cable station in Cape Town, South Africa, trapping approximately 400 tourists on the mountaintop. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was caused by a lithium battery. The fire has now been brought under control, and roads near the Table Mountain cable station remain closed.
Scene of the incident
(3) Chad
Attack on villages in the Hadjer-Lamis Region leaves 3 dead and 1 injured.On October 24, unidentified armed militants attacked several villages in the Hadjer-Lamis Region of southwestern Chad, killing 3 and injuring 1. The identities of the attackers remain unknown, and the police have launched an investigation into the incident.
(4) Mozambique
Protests in the capital Maputo escalate into riots, leaving 3 injured.On October 21, demonstrations erupted in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, protesting the shooting deaths of two opposition figures on the 19th. Hundreds of protesters gathered at the scene of the shooting, burning flags of the ruling party to express dissatisfaction with the government. The protests escalated into riots, with police firing warning shots and using tear gas to disperse the crowd, while protesters retaliated with stones. During the clashes, two journalists and one security personnel were injured.
(5) Sudan
Armed conflicts persist.From October 21 to 27, 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 the central region. The year-long armed conflict has resulted in approximately 24,800 deaths and displaced over 10.42 million people in Sudan. Notably, between October 20 and 25, the Rapid Support Forces launched large-scale attacks in the eastern part of Gezira State, killing dozens of civilians and forcing thousands of families to flee their homes. On the 26th, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, condemned the recent violent attacks in Gezira State and called on both sides of the conflict to fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law and cease hostilities.
(6) Uganda
Fuel tanker explosion kills 11 and injures many.On October 22, a fuel tanker overturned and exploded in Wakiso District, central Uganda, triggering a massive fire that killed at least 11 people, including two minors, injured many others, and burned down multiple buildings. Most of the victims were local residents who had been siphoning fuel from the overturned tanker.
Europe and the Americas
(1) United States
Two shootings leave 6 dead and 1 injured.On October 21, a shooting at a residence in Seattle, Washington, killed five people, including three teenagers, and injured one. Police stated that the suspect and victims appeared to be members of the same family, and their relationships were under investigation. On the same day, a shooting in San Antonio, Texas, resulted in the death of an infant after a young child accidentally pulled the trigger.
(2) Ukraine
Armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues.From October 21 to 27, Russia's special military operation in Ukraine continued. The Russian Ministry of Defense recently reported that over the past week, Russian forces conducted 42 cluster strikes using precision-guided weapons and drones against targets such as Ukrainian military-industrial enterprises, energy facilities, electronic warfare stations, drone depots, and foreign equipment assembly points across various fronts. Dozens of tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, and other equipment were destroyed. Three settlements in the Donetsk region were taken under control. The Russian Navy destroyed multiple Ukrainian unmanned boats in the Black Sea waters. In the Kursk region, Russian forces repelled Ukrainian attacks on areas like Novaya Volovka. On the Ukrainian side, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine recently stated that hundreds of battles occurred along the frontlines this week. Ukrainian forces halted Russian advances in regions such as Kharkiv, Kupiansk, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove. In the Kursk region, despite suffering over 300 casualties, Ukrainian forces inflicted significant losses on Russian troops.
(3) Mexico
19 militants killed in Sinaloa.On October 21, during an operation to arrest a drug cartel leader in the outskirts of Culiacán, Sinaloa, in northwestern Mexico, Mexican military forces engaged in a gunfight with cartel members, resulting in the deaths of 19 cartel members. The cartel's founder, Ismael Zambada García, and seven other members were arrested, while a large quantity of firearms, ammunition, and seven vehicles were seized.
16 dead and 7 injured in Guerrero shootout.On October 24, two criminal groups clashed in Tecpan, Guerrero, southern Mexico. When police and National Guard arrived to intervene, a shootout ensued, leaving two police officers dead, four officers and three National Guard members injured, and 14 cartel members killed.
24 killed in Zacatecas traffic accident.On October 26, a head-on collision between two vehicles in Zacatecas, northern Mexico, resulted in 24 fatalities. In the early hours of the day, a container truck loaded with corn lost control on a road near the Zacatecas-Aguascalientes border and collided with a passenger bus. The bus veered off the road and plunged into a valley, causing casualties.
(4) Haiti
UN helicopter comes under gunfire.On October 24, a humanitarian aid helicopter from the United Nations World Food Programme was shot at by local gang forces in Haiti. That day, the helicopter carrying 18 people took off from Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, and was subjected to multiple rounds of gunfire in the air, with the fuselage being hit. For safety reasons, the pilot made an emergency landing, and no injuries were reported. Currently, the World Food Programme is investigating the incident and has canceled the flight plan originally scheduled for the 25th.
(5) Russia
Attack in Grozny, the capital of the Chechen Republic, results in the death of one soldier.On October 24, a convoy of the Russian National Guard was attacked by a group of unidentified armed individuals in the suburbs of Grozny, the capital of the Chechen Republic, Russia, resulting in the death of one soldier. So far, no organization or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack.
