Hanwei Global Security Information
This issue summarizes the security intelligence dynamics in various regions worldwide from October 14 to 20, 2024. According to security risk assessments, the security levels of each region are as shown in the global risk map, with Afghanistan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Pakistan, Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and other areas being extremely high-risk zones. During this period, armed conflicts, terrorist attacks, and other security incidents frequently occurred in these regions, requiring overseas Chinese enterprises to enhance their security precautions. (This information is for internal risk assessment purposes only.)
Middle East Region
(1) Syria
Israeli airstrike on Latakia City injures 2.On October 17, Latakia City in northwestern Syria was hit by an Israeli airstrike, injuring 2 civilians and damaging some buildings. The Syrian military stated that Israel launched 2 missiles from the Mediterranean direction toward the southeastern part of Latakia City in the early hours of the 17th. Israel claimed the target of the attack was a weapons depot supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Scene of the attack
(2) Iraq
Shooting incident in Baghdad Province leaves 1 dead.On October 14, a shooting incident occurred on Palestine Street in Baghdad Province, Iraq, resulting in 1 death.
4 ISIS militants killed in Kirkuk Province.On October 15, the Iraqi military conducted two airstrikes on hideouts of ISIS militants in Kirkuk Province, killing 4 militants, including 1 key leader of the group, while destroying some weapons, communication equipment, and logistical supplies.
(3) Palestine and Israel
Palestinian-Israeli conflict has resulted in over 42,400 Palestinian deaths and nearly 100,000 injuries.From October 14 to 20, the Israeli Defense Forces continued intense clashes with Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in central Gaza and southern cities such as Khan Younis. As of October 17, since the outbreak of the latest round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in 42,438 deaths, including Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and 99,246 injuries. On October 16, Israel bombed the UNRWA aid distribution center in Jabalia, northern Gaza, causing approximately 40 casualties, drawing strong condemnation from multiple countries. A UN report released on October 17 under the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) revealed that over 1.8 million residents in Gaza are in a state of "extreme crisis" famine, with more than 130,000 reaching "catastrophic" levels. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed shock at the findings and demanded Israel open border crossings and remove man-made obstacles to allow UN agencies to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Multiple attacks in Israel resulted in 4 deaths.On October 16, a shooting in Basmat Tab'un, northern Israel, killed one man, with the identities of the attacker and victim unknown; police are investigating. On October 18, two Jordanian armed individuals crossed the border and fired at Israeli soldiers, injuring two before being killed by Israeli forces. The Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan later claimed the attackers were members who had participated in pro-Gaza and anti-Israel activities. On October 19, a drone launched from Lebanon struck Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea, causing no casualties as he and his wife were absent. The same day, over 120 rockets from Lebanon hit Acre, northern Israel, killing one person. The IDF stated most rockets were intercepted, though some struck buildings.
(4) Lebanon
The Lebanon-Israel conflict continues.From October 14 to 20, Hezbollah and Israel engaged in continuous clashes in southern Lebanon and other border areas. On October 18, the Lebanese government's emergency committee reported that since Israel began its offensive against Lebanon, it had launched over 10,000 attacks, resulting in 2,400 deaths and more than 10,000 injuries. As of October 17, Israel had 'not fully occupied any village.' Hezbollah carried out raids on Israeli troop gathering points in southern Lebanon, marking the first use of precision-guided missiles against Israeli forces. Currently, clashes continue in eastern and southern Lebanon, with Hezbollah persistently firing missiles and rockets into Israeli territory.
Roads disrupted after airstrikes in southern Lebanon
(5) Yemen
Capital Sana'a hit by U.S.-UK airstrikes.On October 17, the Houthi-controlled capital Sana'a and northern Saada province in Yemen were targeted by joint U.S.-UK airstrikes, with no immediate reports of casualties or property damage. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that B-2 'Spirit' stealth bombers had precisely struck five underground weapons storage sites in Houthi-controlled areas. The Houthis have yet to respond.
Asia-Pacific Region
(1) Pakistan
Multiple attacks leave 6 dead, 4 injured.On October 15, a police station in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was attacked by Taliban militants, killing 3 officers and 1 civilian. The same day, a roadside bomb targeted a security forces vehicle in the same province, killing 1 and injuring 2. On October 16, a military vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device in North Waziristan, killing 1 and injuring 2. Also on the 16th, unidentified gunmen attacked a construction site in Quetta, Balochistan, burning multiple heavy machinery units. On October 17, a remote-controlled bomb struck a police vehicle in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, injuring 5 officers.
(2) Philippines
Makati City shooting leaves 1 dead.On October 17, a shooting at a hotpot restaurant in Makati City, Manila province, killed one Chinese national. The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has intervened, and police are investigating.
Leptospirosis claims 509 lives.On October 18, the Philippine Department of Health reported that cases of leptospirosis (commonly known as "hookworm disease") have been on the rise this year. To date, the country has recorded 5,835 cases of leptospirosis, including 509 fatalities. Leptospirosis is an acute infectious disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira bacteria and is classified as a zoonotic disease. Typical symptoms include generalized body aches, fatigue, and high fever, while severe cases may lead to pulmonary hemorrhage, encephalitis, or kidney failure.
(3) Myanmar
The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) claims to have captured Hsipaw Township in northern Shan State.On October 14, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) of Myanmar announced that it had fully occupied Hsipaw Township in northern Shan State as of that day.
Oil tanker fire in Tanintharyi Region kills 8 and injures 3.On October 15, a fire broke out while an oil tanker was unloading at a port in Dawei Township, Tanintharyi Region, southern Myanmar, resulting in 8 deaths, 3 injuries, and 1 missing person. The fire has since been extinguished.
(4) Australia
Melbourne shooting leaves 1 injured.On October 14, a shooting occurred at a street intersection in Melbourne's CBD, Australia, injuring one person. The assailant remains at large, and the nearby prominent apartment building, West Side Place, has been cordoned off by police.
The area around the West Side Place apartment building has been sealed off.
Africa Region
(1) Nigeria
Multiple attacks and kidnappings result in 7 deaths and 3 injuries.According to monitoring reports from Hanwei International's West Africa security officers and media coverage, on October 14, Anambra State police thwarted an attempted kidnapping of a foreigner by armed criminals in the southern part of Orumba. A gunfight ensued between police and the assailants, leaving two officers injured. On October 15, a military camp in Borno State was attacked by Boko Haram militants, killing 2 people. On October 16, armed militants attacked a village in Plateau State, resulting in 5 deaths.
Tanker explosion in Jigawa State kills 147.On October 15, a tanker explosion in Jigawa State, northern Nigeria, killed at least 147 people and injured dozens. That day, a tanker lost control and overturned on a road in Majia Town, Taura Local Government Area. Hundreds of nearby residents rushed to the scene to scoop fuel, but the tanker suddenly exploded, triggering a massive fire that caused heavy casualties.
Scene of the explosion
Central and western regions on alert for armed attacks and kidnappings.According to the monitoring report by Hanwei International's security officer in West Africa, on October 16, armed militants were spotted gathering in the central-western region of Nigeria. In the coming days, armed kidnapping incidents may occur in the Omu-Aran area of Kwara State and the Yagba West area of Kogi State. Chinese enterprises and individuals in Nigeria are advised to avoid traveling to the aforementioned regions recently, enhance armed security escort arrangements for trips, and prevent Chinese personnel from being kidnapped or subjected to armed attacks.
(2) South Africa
Three suspects arrested in KwaZulu-Natal Province.On October 16, South African police conducted an arrest operation targeting suspects involved in a previous shooting incident in KwaZulu-Natal Province, apprehending three suspects. With this, all four suspects linked to a case resulting in 18 deaths have been arrested. On the evening of September 27, a shooting occurred in the Lusikisiki suburb of South Africa's Eastern Cape Province, leaving 18 dead.
Chinese national injured in robbery in Cape Town.On October 14, media reported that a Chinese man was robbed and shot while resisting in the Howard Center parking lot in the Pinelands suburb of Cape Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa. Police have launched an investigation into the robbery.
(3) Somalia
Shooting in capital Mogadishu leaves 2 dead and 1 injured.On October 17, a shooting occurred in the suburbs of Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, resulting in 2 deaths and 1 injury. Police stated that the attack was related to a commercial dispute, and an investigation is ongoing.
Military operation kills 39 al-Shabaab militants.On October 19, Somali government forces launched a 24-hour joint air and ground operation against al-Shabaab militants hiding in the Middle Shabelle and Galguduud regions, killing 39 militants, including senior al-Shabaab leader Malin Aro, and wounding 29 others.
(4) Democratic Republic of the Congo
Attacks and clashes leave 7 dead.On October 16, an unidentified armed group attacked the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Equateur Province, killing 3 people. On the same day, clashes between government forces and unidentified armed groups in eastern Mai-Ndombe Province resulted in the deaths of 2 soldiers and 2 militants.
(5) Sudan
Armed conflict has claimed 24,000 lives.From October 14 to 20, fierce clashes continued between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in the capital Khartoum and its surrounding areas, including North Khartoum and Omdurman, forming the capital region, as well as in the western Darfur region. As of October 15, the armed conflict in Sudan has resulted in at least 24,800 deaths, nearly 40,000 injuries, and over 10.17 million people displaced. Additionally, approximately 3.1 million people in Sudan are at risk of cholera infection.
Scene of clashes in North Darfur State
Europe and America
(1) United States
Three shootings in Chicago leave 3 dead.On October 14, a shooting occurred in the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, USA, resulting in one death. On the same day, a woman in the Southwest Side of Chicago was fatally shot at close range by a man while in her car. Also on the same day, a man was shot and killed in the Greater Grand Crossing area of Chicago's South Side. Police stated that the motives behind the shootings remain unclear. According to data from the U.S. "Gun Violence Archive" website, the country has witnessed 420 mass shootings this year, with over 13,000 people killed in various gun violence incidents.
Scene of the shooting in Greater Grand Crossing, Chicago
(2) Ukraine
Ongoing armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine.From October 14 to 20, Russia's special military operation in Ukraine continued. The Russian Ministry of Defense recently reported that over the past week, Russian forces conducted 36 rounds of strikes using precision-guided weapons and drones targeting Ukrainian military-industrial enterprises, energy facilities, military airfields, and drone production and storage facilities. They gained control of five settlements in the Luhansk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions and intercepted and shot down multiple rockets and hundreds of drones on various fronts. In the Kursk region, Russian forces engaged in intense clashes with Ukrainian troops, killing 525 Ukrainian soldiers and destroying 17 armored vehicles of various types. On the Ukrainian side, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that Ukrainian forces engaged in hundreds of battles with Russian troops on multiple fronts this week and repelled several Russian attacks. Ukrainian missile and artillery units targeted Russian troop concentrations, command posts, and ammunition depots. Additionally, on the 19th, both sides exchanged 95 prisoners of war each.
(3) Mexico
Mayor of Oaxaca assassinated.On October 15, Román Ruiz Bohórquez, the mayor of Oaxaca City in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, was murdered by unidentified armed assailants. Details of the incident have yet to be reported. This marks the second mayor assassinated in Mexico within the past 10 days.
(4) Russia
Bus in Belgorod Oblast attacked by drone, injuring 8.On October 15, a bus in Russia's Belgorod Oblast was attacked by a Ukrainian military drone, injuring eight people, including four minors.
Car explosion in Moscow injures three.On October 15, a car explosion occurred in the southwest of Moscow, Russia's capital, injuring three people. The Moscow Investigative Committee is currently investigating the incident.
Maritime Safety
(1) Greece
Migrant boat sinks near Kos Island, killing four.On October 15, a migrant boat sank near Kos Island, Greece, resulting in the deaths of two children and two women. It is reported that there were 30 people on board, with 26 rescued. The cause of the accident is under investigation.
