Global Security Intelligence Briefing (January 19–25, 2026)
This briefing summarizes global regional security intelligence updates from January 19 to 25, 2026. According to security risk assessments, regional security levels are as indicated on the Global Risk Map. Afghanistan, Syria, Myanmar, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sudan, Ukraine, Palestine, and Venezuela are classified as extremely high-risk areas. During this period, security incidents such as armed conflicts and terrorist attacks occurred frequently in these regions. Chinese-funded enterprises stationed overseas must strengthen their safety precautions. (This information is for internal risk assessment purposes only.)
Middle East Region
(1) Syria
Drone attack in Hasakah kills 7, injures 20. On January 21, Syrian Transitional Government forces were targeted in a drone attack by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Hasakah Governorate, resulting in 7 soldier deaths and 20 injuries. On the same day, while Transitional Government troops were raiding a factory storing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and drones, the SDF launched a suicide drone attack against them, causing multiple casualties.
Ceasefire agreement extended by 15 days. On January 24, the Syrian Transitional Government's Ministry of National Defense announced that the ceasefire period across all its combat zones would be extended by 15 days starting from 23:00 on the same day. The extension is intended to facilitate the transfer of Islamic State (ISIS) fighters detained in northeastern Syria to Iraq.
(2) Palestine and Israel
Israel-Palestine conflict leaves 71,500 dead in Gaza Strip. On January 21, Israeli forces launched attacks on central, northern, and southern Gaza, killing at least 11 people—including 3 journalists—and injuring several others. As of January 22, since the first-phase Gaza ceasefire agreement took effect, Israeli attacks have killed 477 Palestinians and injured 1,294 others. Since the outbreak of the new large-scale Israel-Palestine conflict, Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip have resulted in a total of 71,551 Palestinian deaths and 171,372 injuries. In addition, the headquarters facilities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem were forcibly demolished by Israel on January 20. In response, the United Nations condemned Israel for seriously violating the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and the Charter of the United Nations, describing the act as a blatant violation of the full legal immunity of UN agencies.
(3) Yemen
Car bomb attack in Aden kills 3, injures 4. On January 21, a car bomb attack occurred in Aden, a port city in southern Yemen, killing 3 people and injuring 4 others. On the same day, the convoy of Hamdi Shukri, commander of the "Southern Giants Brigade" affiliated with Yemen's Joint Forces, was attacked by an explosive-laden vehicle on the outskirts of Aden, which exploded and caught fire. So far, no organization has claimed responsibility for the attack.
(4) Lebanon
Israeli military attacks injure 19. On January 21, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched six rounds of strikes on southern and northern Lebanon, injuring 19 people in total. Among the attacks, the IDF carried out intensive bombing on 7 buildings in the town of Ghajar in southern Lebanon, wounding 8 journalists; four border crossings adjacent to Syria in the Hermel area of northern Lebanon were hit by Israeli airstrikes, causing multiple injuries.
Scene of the Israeli attack on Ghajar on January 21
(5) Iran
Counter-terrorism operation neutralizes 1 terrorist leader. On January 21, Iran's intelligence and security forces launched a counter-terrorism operation against Islamic State (ISIS) militants hiding in the suburban areas of Zahedan city, Sistan and Baluchestan Province in southeastern Iran. The operation neutralized 1 terrorist leader, arrested 11 members, and seized a batch of weapons, ammunition, and bomb-making equipment.
Recent riots kill 3,117 people. On January 21, Iran's National Security Council announced that recent riots in Tehran and other cities had resulted in 3,117 deaths and over 3,700 injuries. Among the fatalities, 2,427 were civilians and law enforcement personnel. Additionally, the riots led to the burning or damage of over 250 schools, 300 mosques, 90 religious seminaries, and multiple government institutions. Public and private properties such as markets, shops, banks, public transportation, medical centers, and gas stations in Tehran suffered severe damage.
Image: Burnt Tehran Tax Office
Asia-Pacific Region
(1) Afghanistan
Bomb attack in capital kills 7, including 1 Chinese citizen. On January 19, a suicide bomb attack occurred near a Chinese restaurant in the Shah Nawaz district of Kabul, Afghanistan's capital, killing 7 people and injuring 13 others. The casualties included 1 dead and 5 injured Chinese citizens. Following the incident, the Afghan branch of the Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attack. In response, China lodged an urgent representation with Afghanistan, demanding that the Afghan side make every effort to treat the injured, further take effective measures to protect the safety of Chinese citizens, projects, and institutions in Afghanistan, and quickly investigate the truth and punish the perpetrators. The Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan once again reminded Chinese citizens not to travel to Afghanistan for the time being, and advised Chinese citizens and enterprises already in Afghanistan to closely monitor the security situation, enhance vigilance, strengthen security measures for residences and travel, and contact the police and the embassy immediately if any anomalies are detected or emergencies occur.
(2) Pakistan
Multiple attacks kill 7, injure 15. On January 21, a security force post in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, was attacked by terrorists using drones, killing 1 soldier and injuring 4 others; on the same day, a military patrol was attacked by the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) in the Bazdar area of Awaran, Balochistan Province, resulting in 1 soldier death and 1 injury; on the same day, the residence of Amjad Ali, Housing Minister of the Swat district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, was targeted in a grenade attack by unknown assailants, causing damage to the building's exterior wall with no casualties reported. On January 23, a suicide bombing at a wedding venue in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, killed at least 5 people and injured 10 others. So far, no organization has claimed responsibility for the attack.
(3) Tajikistan
4 cross-border terrorists neutralized. On January 19, Tajikistan's border guard forces killed 4 illegal cross-border terrorists in the area bordering Afghanistan. On the same day, the 4 terrorists illegally crossed into the Shamsiddin Shohin district of Tajikistan from Afghanistan. They put up armed resistance during law enforcement operations by Tajik border guards and were ultimately neutralized.
(4) Australia
2 shooting incidents kill 3, injure 3. On January 19, a shooting occurred at a residence in Adelaide, capital of South Australia, injuring 2 people. The shooter remains at large, and investigations are ongoing. On January 22, a shooting incident in Lake Cargelligo, New South Wales, killed 3 people and seriously injured 1 other.
(5) Tajikistan
Chinese Embassy in Tajikistan issues security alert. On January 19, the Chinese Embassy in Tajikistan announced that the security situation in the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border area is currently severe and complex, with frequent terrorist activities. It reminded Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border area in the near future. Chinese enterprises and citizens in the border area are advised to closely monitor the regional security situation, enhance risk awareness, strengthen security measures, and evacuate the area as soon as possible if non-essential.
(6) Philippines
Shooting in Maguindanao del Sur kills 3, injures 2. On January 25, an attack targeting local officials occurred in Maguindanao del Sur Province on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, killing 3 people and injuring 2 others. On the same day, suspects opened fire from a vehicle on the car carrying the mayor of Shariff Aguak town, wounding 2 bodyguards while the mayor himself escaped unharmed. The 3 gunmen were killed during the manhunt. Police are currently conducting an in-depth investigation to determine the motive behind the attack.
Africa Region
(1) Nigeria
Multiple attacks kill 15, kidnap 177. According to monitoring reports from Hanwei International's security officers stationed in West Africa: On January 18, three churches in the Kurmin Wali community of Kajuru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, were attacked by armed groups, with 177 people abducted. On January 20, Nigerian troops conducting clearance operations in the Timbuktu Triangle area of Borno State were targeted in a suicide attack by the extremist group Boko Haram, killing at least 8 soldiers and injuring approximately 50 others. On January 22, an armed attack on the Kuru mining area in Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State in central Nigeria killed 7 miners.
(2) South Africa
3 shooting incidents kill 7, injure 4. On January 20, a shooting occurred in the Maitland area on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa's legislative capital, killing 2 people and injuring 2 others. Police preliminarily determined that the case may be related to gang conflicts and have launched an investigation. On the same day, a shooting at the Booysens Magistrate's Court in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, killed 1 lawyer and injured 2 others. On the same day, another shooting on the outskirts of Cape Town killed 4 people. The shooter remains at large, and relevant investigations are underway.
(3) Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Chinese Embassy in DRC issues security alert. On January 21, the Chinese Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo issued a security alert stating that the security situation in Ituri, South Kivu, Haut-Uélé, North Kivu, and Lomami Provinces of the DRC is currently severe, with frequent armed conflicts and violent attacks, especially targeting Chinese citizens and enterprises, such as violent clashes, armed robberies, and kidnappings. It reminded Chinese citizens not to travel to eastern DRC provinces including North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, and Haut-Uélé in the near future, nor cross the border into these areas from Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, the Central African Republic, or other countries. Chinese citizens and enterprises still residing in eastern DRC should evacuate as soon as possible. In case of emergencies, please contact the police and the Chinese Embassy in the DRC or other relevant embassies immediately.
(4) Sudan
Armed conflict continues. From January 19 to 25, continuous clashes took place between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in multiple parts of Sudan. This week, intense fighting occurred between the two sides in Khartoum, Sudan's capital, and the central-southern Kordofan region. In Khartoum, the Sudanese Armed Forces recaptured the General Command of the Armed Forces and the Signal Corps base in North Khartoum. In the Kordofan region, the Rapid Support Forces took control of the entire West Kordofan State and most parts of South Kordofan and North Kordofan States. In addition to causing massive casualties, the nearly three-year-long armed conflict has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. Currently, over 13.6 million people have been displaced nationwide, 33.7 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, 21.2 million face severe food shortages, 37% of medical facilities are non-operational, and infectious diseases such as cholera continue to spread. Meanwhile, over 8 million children are out of school due to the closure of 6,400 schools.
(5) Mozambique
Extreme weather kills 131. On January 24, Mozambique's National Emergency Operations Center released the latest data showing that extreme weather during the rainy season has caused 131 deaths, 144 injuries, and multiple missing persons. Additionally, 5,585 houses were destroyed, over 83,000 houses were flooded, more than 700,000 people from 160,000 households were affected, dozens of bridges were damaged, and power supply was cut off in some areas. Recently, the Mozambican government declared a nationwide red alert for floods.
Image: Flooded village
Europe and the Americas Region
(1) United States
5 attacks kill 4, injure 2. On January 19, a shooting occurred at a residence on Locust Street in Ambridge, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, killing 2 people. On the same day, a stabbing incident took place near West 9th Street and 51st Street in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, New York, injuring 1 person. On the same day, a shooting at a club in Miami killed 1 person and seriously injured 1 other. On January 24, an immigration enforcement shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota's largest city, killed a 37-year-old U.S. male citizen. The incident further heightened local tensions and worsened the rift between the federal government and local authorities. On the same day, a shooting at a club in Carver, Massachusetts, injured multiple people.
(2) Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine armed conflict continues. From January 19 to 25, Russia's special military operation in Ukraine continued. The Russian Ministry of Defense recently released a battle report stating that over the past week, Russian forces carried out one large-scale strike and five concentrated strikes against Ukraine using land-based and sea-based precision-guided weapons and attack drones. Targets included Ukrainian military-industrial facilities, energy and transportation infrastructure, ammunition and fuel depots, temporary deployment points of Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries, and production workshops for long-range attack drones. Russia's air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 9 Ukrainian guided aerial bombs, 7 HIMARS rockets, and 1,468 fixed-wing drones. In addition, Russian forces took control of 5 settlements in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and other areas. On the Ukrainian side, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated that within the week, the Ukrainian Air Force, missile forces, and artillery carried out strikes on Russian personnel and weapon concentration areas, command posts, and artillery systems. Ukrainian troops launched multiple attacks on Russian forces in the Kupyansk and Lyman directions and repelled 144 Russian offensive attempts in the Pokrovsk direction. In addition, Ukrainian forces attacked multiple energy facilities including oil refineries and storage tanks, such as the oil depot in Russia's Krasnodar Krai.
(3) Czech Republic
Shooting in northern region kills 2, injures 6. On January 19, a shooting occurred inside the town hall of Hřibská in the Děčín District of northern Czech Republic, killing 2 people—including the shooter—and injuring 6 others. Police stated that the case was triggered by a personal dispute, and the shooter was shot dead.
Scene of the shooting incident
(4) Colombia
Bomb attack in capital kills 1, injures 13. On January 22, a bomb attack targeting a shop occurred in downtown Bogotá, Colombia's capital, killing at least 1 person and injuring 13 others. Preliminary investigations showed that 2 attackers threw an explosive device at a shop from a motorcycle and fled the scene. Currently, police have cordoned off the incident site and launched relevant investigations.
(5) Peru
2 attacks injure 1. On January 19, an explosion in Trujillo destroyed a bus. Police preliminarily determined that the case is related to extortion crimes. On January 20, an explosion attack on the headquarters of the Public Prosecutor's Office in Trujillo, La Libertad Region, injured 1 person. The Peruvian government has classified the attack as an "act of urban terrorism" and announced that security in the area will be jointly taken over by military and police forces.
(6) Russia
Multiple regions attacked, killing 3 and injuring 19. On January 20, an apartment building and a parking lot in the Takhtamukaysky District of the Republic of Adygea in southwestern Russia were attacked by Ukrainian drones, triggering a fire that injured at least 11 people—including 3 children—and burned 15 vehicles. On the same day, an oil refinery in the Krasnodar Krai of southwestern Russia was hit by a drone attack, causing a fire with no casualties reported. On January 21, the port of Varna in the Krasnodar Krai of southwestern Russia was attacked by drones, killing 3 people, injuring 8 others, and causing 4 oil storage tanks to explode and catch fire.
(7) Belgium
Stabbing in Antwerp injures 6. On January 22, a stabbing incident occurred during a Kurdish demonstration in Antwerp, injuring 6 people. Police have arrested 4 suspects, and the motive for the attack remains unclear.
(8) Germany
Shooting in Berlin injures 5. On January 25, a shooting occurred at an apartment in the Tiergarten district of Berlin, Germany's capital, injuring 5 people, 2 of whom are in serious condition. Police arrested several suspects at the scene, and relevant investigations are ongoing.
Maritime Security
(1) Eastern Pacific
U.S. military attack kills 2. On January 23, the U.S. Southern Command announced that the U.S. Joint Task Force Southern Spear carried out a strike on a "drug trafficking vessel identified as belonging to a terrorist organization" in the Eastern Pacific on the same day, killing 2 people on board and allowing 1 person to escape. Currently, the U.S. Coast Guard is searching for the escapee.
(2) Caribbean Sea
U.S. military seizes another oil tanker. On January 20, an oil tanker named Sagitta was seized by the U.S. military in the Caribbean Sea. The U.S. military claimed that the tanker was operating in violation of the U.S. "ban" in the Caribbean waters. This is the seventh oil tanker seized by the U.S. in the waters recently.
(3) Mediterranean Sea
French Navy seizes an oil tanker. On January 22, the French Navy seized an oil tanker flying the Comorian flag that departed from Russia in the Mediterranean Sea. The French side stated that the tanker is subject to international sanctions and the flag it is flying may be a false flag.
