Hanwei International Security Weekly (August 11-17, 2025)
Hanwei Global Security Information
Middle East Region
(I) Syria
2 attacks in Deir ez-Zor Governorate leave 1 dead: On August 11, media reports stated that a shooting incident occurred on August 10 in Tiban Town, eastern Deir ez-Zor, Syria, killing 1 person; the attacker remains at large. On the same day, a military outpost of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Zar Village, eastern Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Syria, was attacked by Islamic State (IS) militants, with no casualties reported.
Ammunition depot explosion in Idlib Governorate kills 4, injures 5: On August 14, an explosion occurred at an ammunition depot near Idlib City in northern Syria’s Idlib Governorate, killing at least 4 people and injuring 5 others. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
Explosion Scene
(II) Iraq
Anti-terrorism operation arrests 11 IS militants: On August 12, Iraqi anti-terrorism forces launched anti-terrorism operations against Islamic State (IS) militants in Nineveh Governorate, Kirkuk Governorate, Salahuddin Governorate, and Sulaymaniyah Governorate. A total of 11 militants were arrested, multiple hiding dens and tunnels were destroyed, and various weapons and equipment were seized.
(III) Palestine and Israel
Israeli-Palestinian conflict kills 61,800 Palestinians: From August 11 to 17, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched continuous attacks on multiple locations in the Gaza Strip, resulting in heavy casualties. Among these, on August 11, an IDF air strike hit a tent where journalists were staying in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, killing 6 Palestinian journalists. From August 12 to 14, intensive bombings were carried out on Gaza City for three consecutive days, killing 94 Palestinians and injuring hundreds. As of August 15, since the outbreak of the new round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, IDF military operations in Gaza have killed 61,827 Palestinians and injured 155,275 others. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the IDF for "serious violations of international humanitarian law" and called for immediate and unimpeded access to the Gaza Strip for all journalists.
Damaged Buildings in Gaza City
(IV) Lebanon
Multiple locations bombed by Israel: On August 15, the Bekaa Valley in southern Lebanon and the ancient city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon were bombed by Israel, forcing a hospital in Baalbek to cease operations. Additionally, 3 Hezbollah militants were captured by the IDF.
(V) Libya
Election institutions attacked: On August 15, election institutions in two regions—the western coast and Zawiya in western Libya—were attacked and set on fire, injuring 1 security personnel and destroying election-related materials and equipment. Libya's High National Election Commission strongly condemned the attack, calling it a blatant assault on the election process.
(VI) Yemen
Capital power plant attacked by Israel: On August 17, the Hizyahd Power Plant in Sanaa (the Yemeni capital controlled by the Houthi armed forces) was attacked by Israel and caught fire, causing the generators to stop operating.
Asia-Pacific Region
(I) Afghanistan
Kabul bomb attack kills 1, injures 11: On August 11, a magnetic bomb attack occurred in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, killing 1 person and injuring 11 others. Currently, no organization or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack.
(II) Pakistan
3 attacks kill 20, injure 35:
On August 11, a military camp in the Basmiyah area of Washuk, Balochistan Province, Pakistan, was attacked by Baloch militants, killing 9 people (including 1 captain) and injuring 6 others.
On August 12, a police vehicle and a rapid response force were ambushed by militants in Washuk, Balochistan Province, killing at least 9 soldiers and injuring 6 civilians and 4 soldiers.
On the same day, a Pakistani military convoy was ambushed in Inayata Qila Pathak, Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, killing 2 security personnel and injuring 19 others.
(III) Thailand
1 Thai soldier injured by landmine on Thailand-Cambodia border: On August 12, a Thai Army soldier was injured by a landmine while patrolling in the area of Wat Damntong on the Thailand-Cambodia border in Surin Province. At the time of the incident, the soldier was conducting a routine patrol near Wat Damntong in Surin Province and stepped on a landmine laid by Cambodia, resulting in severe injuries to his left ankle.
Africa Region
(I) Nigeria
Multiple attacks kill 9, injure 1, and kidnap 4: According to monitoring reports from Hanwei International’s security officers stationed in West Africa:
On August 11, a farm in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria, was attacked by suspected Fulani armed herdsmen, killing 3 people.
On August 12, the Ikembe Ezza Community in the Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State was attacked by the Biafra National Separatist Organization, killing 4 people and burning down a large number of houses.
On the same day, Fulani armed herdsmen attacked Gwom Rim Village in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing 1 villager and injuring 1 other.
On August 13, the Lafiagi Local Government Area of Kwara State was attacked by the "Mahmoud" terrorist organization, killing 1 person and kidnapping 4 others.
Special operation kills at least 592 terrorists: On August 13, Nigerian media reported that over the past eight months, the Nigerian Air Force has carried out a special operation code-named "Hadin Kai" in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria. The operation killed at least 592 terrorists, destroyed 206 vehicles and 166 logistics hubs, and significantly weakened the combat capabilities of the extremist groups "Boko Haram" and "Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)".
(II) South Africa
Traffic accident in Limpopo Province kills 7, injures 7: On August 14, a police van transporting prisoners was involved in a traffic accident on the R101 Highway between Mokopane and Mookgophong in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The accident killed 1 police officer and 6 detainees, and injured 7 other detainees. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.
Accident Scene
(III) Angola
Chinese national robbed in Huíla Province: On August 11, an attempted robbery targeting a Chinese national occurred in Lubango City, Huíla Province, Angola. That night, 3 suspects broke into the residence of Mr. Wang (a 60-year-old Chinese business owner) with weapons, took him hostage, and stole a safe. The next morning, workers noticed something unusual and reported to the police. The Angolan police arrested the 3 suspects and rescued the victim.
(IV) Serbia
Anti-government demonstrations trigger violent clashes, injuring over 100: On August 13 and 14, anti-government demonstrations broke out in multiple locations including Belgrade (the capital of Serbia), triggering violent clashes. A total of 69 police officers and more than 80 civilians were injured, and 84 people were detained by the police. During the period, demonstrators attacked the office of the ruling party "Serbian Progressive Party" and clashed with the police and supporters of the ruling party, resulting in a large number of casualties.
(V) Sudan
Armed conflict continues: From August 11 to 17, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continued to exchange fire in multiple locations across Sudan. This week, the two warring parties fought fiercely in El Fasher (the capital of North Darfur State in western Sudan). The exchange of fire killed more than 40 civilians and injured 19 others. The ongoing armed conflict (which has lasted for more than two years) has killed over 30,000 people and displaced more than 12.9 million people in Sudan.
Europe and America Region
(I) United States
3 shooting incidents kill 6, injure 8:
On August 11, a shooting occurred in the parking lot of a Target (a chain supermarket) in Austin, Texas, killing 3 people.
On August 13, a shooting occurred in Pittsylvania County, southern Virginia, injuring multiple law enforcement officers.
On August 17, a shooting occurred at a club in Brooklyn, New York City, killing 3 people and injuring 8 others.
Scene of the August 13 Shooting in Pittsylvania County
(II) Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine armed conflict continues: From August 11 to 17, Russia continued its special military operation in Ukraine. The Russian Ministry of Defense recently released a battle report stating that over the past week, the Russian military has launched concentrated strikes on Ukraine’s military-industrial complex, ammunition depots, drone assembly and storage bases, as well as deployment points of Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries. It destroyed targets such as Ukrainian electronic warfare stations, air defense radars, and ammunition depots. The Russian air defense system shot down a total of 2 Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 fighter jets, 27 missiles, 20 U.S.-made HIMARS rockets, 2 Neptune long-range missiles, and 2,134 drones. It also took control of 6 residential areas in the Donetsk region.
(III) Colombia
Colombian Army attacked in Bolívar Province, killing 1, injuring 7: On August 15, the Colombian Army was attacked by anti-government armed drones while performing a mission in San Rosa del Sur, Bolívar Province. The attack killed 1 soldier, injured 7 others, and left 4 missing.
(IV) Ecuador
2 shooting incidents kill 15, injure 3:
On August 11, a shooting occurred in Santa Lucía, Guayas Province, western Ecuador, killing 8 people and injuring 3 others. On the same day, a group of armed men arrived at an entertainment venue in pickup trucks and motorcycles, opened fire on the crowd, and then fled by car. The police have launched an investigation into the attack.
On August 17, a shooting occurred in Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas Province, northwestern Ecuador, killing 7 people. On the same day, several armed men in black broke into a billiards hall in Santo Domingo (the capital of the province) and opened fire on the people present, resulting in 7 deaths. The deceased included a foreign national, a retired police officer, and a suspected gang leader.
(V) Haiti
Three-month state of emergency imposed in central regions: On August 11, the Haitian government announced a three-month state of emergency due to a surge in gang violence in the Ouest Department, Artibonite Department, and Centre Department.
(VI) Russia
Multiple locations attacked, killing 3, injuring 25:
On August 11, an oil refinery in Saratov Oblast (southwestern Russia) was attacked by Ukrainian drones, killing 1 person and causing an oil tank explosion and fire.
On August 13, the government building of Belgorod Oblast, Russia, was damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack, with no casualties reported.
On August 14, Ukrainian drones attacked Rostov-on-Don (the capital of Rostov Oblast), injuring 13 people, damaging 20 buildings, and evacuating 200 residents. On the same day, an oil refinery in the Volgograd area of Belgorod Oblast was attacked by drones, causing an oil leak and fire.
On August 15, a Ukrainian drone attacked a multi-story residential building in the Zheleznodorozhny District of Kursk Oblast, killing 1 person and injuring 10 others.
On August 17, two sections of a highway in Kursk Oblast, Russia, were attacked by Ukrainian drones, killing 1 person and injuring 2 others. The General Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense confirmed the attack on the highway in Kursk Oblast on the same day, stating that the injured included a Russian military general.
172 terrorist attacks foiled so far this year: On August 12, Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee stated that since the beginning of this year, Russia has foiled a total of 172 terrorist attacks and detained more than 290 foreign immigrants. The targets listed for the attacks included military facilities, infrastructure, military personnel, and government officials.
Maritime Security
(I) Italy
Migrant boat sinks near Lampedusa, killing 27: On August 13, two boats carrying illegal immigrants sank near the island of Lampedusa in southern Italy, killing 27 people and leaving many missing. It is reported that one of the boats took on water and began to sink on the night of August 12; when the migrants transferred to another boat, the second boat capsized. Currently, 60 people have been rescued, and the search and rescue operation is still ongoing.
Italian Coast Guard Transporting Rescued Migrants to Shore
(II) Japan
Ship collision off the coast of Oita Prefecture kills 1, leaves many missing: On August 13, a collision occurred between a sand and gravel transport ship and a yacht off the coast of Tsukumi City, Oita Prefecture, Japan. The collision killed 1 person and left many others missing. Currently, the status of the yacht’s crew and the cause of the collision are unknown, and the Japan Coast Guard is continuing the search and rescue work.
(III) Liberia
Container ship catches fire: On August 13, the "Marie Maersk"—a large container ship owned by Maersk—caught fire near the coast of Liberia while en route from Rotterdam (the Netherlands) to Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia). No casualties were reported. Currently, the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage are unknown.
