Global Security Briefing
This issue summarizes global security intelligence dynamics from July 14 to 20, 2025. According to security risk assessments, regional security levels are as shown on the global risk map, with Afghanistan, Syria, Myanmar, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sudan, Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and other regions classified as extremely high-risk areas. During this period, frequent armed conflicts, terrorist attacks, and other security incidents occurred in these regions. Overseas Chinese enterprises are advised to enhance their security precautions. (This briefing is for internal risk assessment purposes only.)
Middle East Region
(1) Syria
Southern conflict results in 638 deaths.From July 14 to 18, armed clashes continued between Druze factions and Bedouin tribes in the southern Syrian province of Suwayda. Meanwhile, Syrian security forces engaged in firefights with Druze factions while attempting to intervene. Israel launched large-scale airstrikes on government institutions and civilian facilities in Damascus and other areas under the pretext of protecting Syrian Druze, causing significant casualties. The "Syrian Observatory for Human Rights" reported on the 18th that the armed clashes in Suwayda and Israeli airstrikes have resulted in 638 deaths and displaced 79,000 people. In response, the Syrian Foreign Ministry issued a statement strongly condemning Israel's actions, calling its continued aggression and interference in Syria's internal affairs "unacceptable." On July 19, Syrian Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddin Baba announced that all Bedouin tribal fighters had left Suwayda City, and the conflict had ceased.
Syrian General Staff building in Damascus hit by Israeli airstrike on July 16
(2) Iraq
Kurdish oil fields attacked by drones.On July 16, oil fields in the northern Kurdish regions of Zakho, Faysh Khabur, Tawuq, and Badr in Duhok Province were targeted by drone attacks, damaging some facilities. No casualties were reported. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Additionally, on July 14, Iraqi forces shot down an explosive-laden drone near Erbil International Airport, causing no casualties or property damage.
Supermarket fire in Wasit Province kills 60.On July 16, a fire broke out at a large supermarket in Kut City, Wasit Province, eastern Iraq, killing at least 60 people, with many others missing. The fire has been contained, and the cause is under investigation.
Scene of the fire
(3) Palestine and Israel
Palestinian death toll reaches 58,667 in conflict.From July 14 to 20, the Israeli military continued attacks across the Gaza Strip, causing significant casualties. Between July 17 and 18 alone, Israeli operations resulted in 94 Palestinian deaths and 367 injuries. As of July 17, the ongoing conflict has claimed 58,667 Palestinian lives and injured 139,974.
Israel targeted by Houthi attacks.On July 15, a military target in Israel's Negev region and the Red Sea port of Eilat were hit by Houthi drones from Yemen, with no casualties or damage reported. On July 16, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Sarea claimed the group launched a "Zulfiqar" ballistic missile at Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport, "successfully hitting the target."
(4) Lebanon
Israeli airstrike in Bekaa kills 12, injures 12.On July 15, an Israeli airstrike targeted a military site and refugee camp in Lebanon's Bekaa region, killing seven Syrians and five Lebanese, with 12 injured. Israel stated the strike aimed at Hezbollah's Radwan Force camp and weapons depots.
(5) Turkey
153 ISIS-linked suspects arrested.On July 18, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that police had arrested 153 suspects linked to ISIS across 28 provinces in the past two weeks. The suspects were accused of funding ISIS-affiliated groups or promoting terrorism through social media.
Asia-Pacific Region
(1) Pakistan
Bus attack in Balochistan kills 3, injures 7.On July 16, terrorists intercepted and fired on a bus traveling from Quetta to Karachi in Pakistan's Balochistan province, killing three and injuring seven. Armed militants ambushed the bus, opening fire as it passed. No group has claimed responsibility.
(2) Australia
Two attacks leave 3 injured.On July 14, media reported an attack in Nowra, New South Wales, injuring one person on the 13th. The same day, a shooting near Roxburgh Park in Melbourne, Victoria, injured two. Investigations are ongoing.
(3) Myanmar
Clashes erupt in Sagaing Region.From July 14 to 15, Myanmar's military clashed with anti-government "People's Defense Forces" (PDF) in Kambalu Township, Sagaing Region, causing casualties (numbers unspecified). PDF fighters hid in dump trucks before ambushing government troops.
(4) Vietnam
Ha Long Bay boat capsizing kills 35.On July 19, a tourist boat carrying 49 people capsized during a storm in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, killing 35, including eight children. Ten were rescued, while 45 remain missing as search efforts continue.
Accident scene
Africa Region
(1) Nigeria
Multiple attacks kill 37, ~100 kidnapped.On July 15, an armed attack in Nigeria's central-north Plateau State killed at least 27. On July 16, a Chinese national's convoy in Benin City, Edo State, was ambushed, leaving one police escort dead and one Chinese citizen missing. The attackers stole an AK-47, ammunition, and 5 million naira. On July 19, gunmen in Zamfara State killed nine civilians and abducted ~100.
Security alert.According to a July 15 report by Hanwei International's West Africa security team, Nigerian bandits plan imminent attacks in Nasarawa (Awe, Azara, Tunga, Keana), Benue (Abinsi, Ugba), and Taraba (Wukari, Ibi, Rafin Kada) targeting foreigners. Chinese entities in these areas should minimize travel and bolster defenses.
High-risk area map
(2) Somalia
15 extremists killed in Hiran operation.On July 14, Somali forces and international partners raided an extremist hideout in Mahas, Hiran region, killing 15 militants and wounding five. Pursuit of fleeing suspects continues.
(3) DR Congo
ADF attack in Ituri kills 66.On July 14, media reported that Uganda's rebel Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attacked Irumu, Ituri Province, on the 12th, killing 66 civilians. The attack may retaliate against ongoing joint Congo-Uganda military operations.
Government and M23 sign ceasefire.On July 19, Congo's government and the M23 rebel group signed a ceasefire agreement in Doha, Qatar, committing to immediate cessation of hostilities and further peace talks.
(4) Sudan
Ongoing armed conflict.From July 14 to 20, clashes between Sudan's military and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continued nationwide. Fierce battles for control of El-Obeid in North Kordofan caused heavy civilian casualties. Over two years of war have killed 30,000+ and displaced 12.9 million.
(5) Angola
Chinese citizen injured in Luanda robbery.On July 17, armed robbers attacked a Chinese merchant in Luanda's "China Town," injuring one. The assailants attempted to abduct the victim before being intercepted by police.
Europe & Americas
(1) United States
Four shootings kill 4, injure 4.On July 14, a Lexington, Kentucky shooting left three dead (including the suspect) and two wounded. The same day, Chicago's Garfield Park saw a 16-year-old critically injured. On July 15, one died in a Knoxville, Tennessee motel shooting, while Milwaukee, Wisconsin reported another injury.
Lexington shooting scene on July 14
LA car ramming injures 30.On July 19, a driver plowed into a crowd outside a Los Angeles nightclub, injuring 30 (seven critically). The suspect, ejected from the club earlier, was subdued by bystanders.
(2) Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine war continues.From July 14 to 20, Russia's Defense Ministry reported five mass strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial sites, airfields, drone facilities, and recruitment centers, claiming control of 10 settlements across Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions. Ukraine's General Staff stated its forces repelled hundreds of Russian attacks, destroying tanks, artillery, and air defense systems.
(III) Mexico
Two shooting incidents leave 7 dead.On July 16, a shooting occurred on a street in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, resulting in 1 death. At the time of the incident, a man and a woman were having a fierce argument on the street, and then the man pulled out a gun and shot the woman dead at close range. On July 17, a shooting took place in Uriangato, Guanajuato, central Mexico, killing 6 people. The victims were from 2 families and were working at a construction site when they were shot. Currently, the police have launched investigations into the aforementioned shooting incidents.
(IV) Ecuador
Shooting in Guayaquil leaves 2 dead.On July 14, a shooting occurred in the center of Guayaquil, Ecuador, resulting in the death of 2 men. At present, there is no report on the cause and process of the incident.
(V) Canada
Three attack incidents cause 3 deaths and 2 injuries.On July 14, an attack occurred outside Vancouver General Hospital in British Columbia, Canada, injuring 1 medical staff. On July 15, a shooting happened near Centennial Park in Etobicoke, Ontario, wounding 1 man. On the same day, a car with 4 people on board was shot at while traveling on 84 Avenue, 140 Street in Newton, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, resulting in 3 deaths.
(VI) Russia
Ukrainian drone attacks leave 16 injured.From July 15 to 17, regions such as Moscow Oblast, Voronezh Oblast, Rostov Oblast, Lipetsk Oblast and Bryansk Oblast in Russia were attacked by Ukrainian drones, causing 16 injuries and damage to many residential buildings, commercial facilities, etc. Railway traffic in Rostov Oblast was temporarily interrupted, and more than 50 trains were delayed.
(VII) Norway
Shooting at Oslo shopping mall leaves 1 injured.On July 19, a shooting occurred at a shopping mall in Oslo, the capital of Norway, injuring 1 person. On that day, 2 people had an argument, and one of them opened fire on the other and then left. Currently, the suspect is at large.
(VIII) Montenegro
Shooting in capital leaves 1 dead and 1 injured.On July 19, a shooting occurred in Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, resulting in 1 death and 1 injury. At present, the police and prosecutors are jointly conducting an urgent investigation to find out the details of the incident, identify and arrest the suspect.
Maritime Safety
(I) Indonesia
Speedboat capsizing in West Sumatra leaves 11 missing.On July 14, a speedboat capsized in the waters near the Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, Indonesia, resulting in the disappearance of 11 people, including children. On that day, the speedboat is suspected to have hit a reef and capsized while sailing from Sikakap Island to Sipora Island. There were 18 people on board, 7 were rescued and 11 are missing. At present, the search and rescue work is still ongoing.
