Hanwei Global Security Intelligence
This issue summarizes global regional security intelligence updates from February 16 to 22, 2026. Based on security risk assessments, regional security levels are shown on the global risk map.
Middle East
(I) Syria
- U.S. forces fully withdraw from SyriaOn February 18, media reported that the United States is withdrawing approximately 1,000 troops from Syria, ending a 10-year military presence. The U.S. stated that it had largely completed the withdrawal from Al-Tanf and Al-Shaddadi military bases, and would pull out from remaining sites in Syria within the next two months. It added that there was no need for a U.S. military presence as the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) was nearly “disbanded”.
- Attack in Raqqa Governorate kills 2On February 22, Syrian forces in a village in northern Raqqa Governorate were attacked by unidentified gunmen, killing 1 soldier and 1 civilian.
(II) Palestine and Israel
Israeli-Palestinian conflict kills 72,000 Palestinians
On February 16, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched attacks on Khan Yunis in southern Gaza and al-Faluja in northern Gaza, killing 9 Palestinians and wounding many others.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry on February 21, Israeli strikes have killed 612 people and injured 1,640 since the first phase of the Gaza truce agreement took effect.
Since the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip have killed 72,070 Palestinians, injured 171,738, and left thousands missing.
(III) Lebanon
Israeli airstrikes kill 13, injure many
On February 20, the IDF carried out six airstrikes on buildings in the Bekaa Valley, eastern Lebanon, killing at least 11 people including a senior Hezbollah official and injuring 35.
On the same day, an Israeli airstrike on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon, southern Lebanon, killed 2 people and wounded several others.
(IV) Yemen
Clashes in Aden kill 1, injure 23
On February 19, supporters of the Southern Transitional Council stormed the presidential palace in Aden and clashed with guards, leaving 1 dead and 23 injured.
Security forces first fired warning shots and then live ammunition to disperse the crowd, causing casualties.
(V) Egypt
Traffic accident in Port Said kills 18, injures 3
On February 19, a heavy truck collided with a pickup truck transporting workers in Matarieh, Port Said Governorate, killing 18 people and injuring 3. Preliminary investigation cited speeding as the cause.
Asia-Pacific
(I) Afghanistan
Pakistan airstrikes target terrorist camps
On the night of February 21, Pakistani forces airstruck 7 terrorist camps and hideouts in Paktika and Nangarhar provinces near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, killing dozens of militants.
Afghanistan stated the strikes killed 18 and injured 5. Pakistan linked the operation to recent suicide bombings claimed by the Pakistani Taliban and IS-Khorasan.
(II) Pakistan
- Two attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa kill 9, injure 12On February 16, a blast outside a police station in Bannu killed at least 2 people (including 1 child) and injured 12.On February 17, a suicide car bombing at a security checkpoint in Bajaur killed 7 security personnel.
- Counterterrorism operation kills 5 militantsOn February 21, a security operation in Bannu killed 5 terrorists; 2 soldiers were killed when a bomb-laden vehicle rammed their convoy.
(III) Australia
Sydney stabbing attack kills 1, injures 2
On February 17, a stabbing in Merrylands, Sydney, killed 1 person and seriously injured 2. A man was arrested nearby.
(IV) Japan
- Chinese tourist assaulted in SapporoOn February 18, a Hong Kong Chinese tourist was assaulted in a restaurant in Sapporo, Hokkaido. The Chinese Embassy and Consulate in Sapporo protested to Japanese authorities. The assailant was arrested.The Chinese Embassy again advised citizens to avoid traveling to Japan.
- Fukuoka library stabbing injures 3On February 19, a stabbing at Fukuoka City Library injured 3 people. The suspect was arrested.
Africa
(I) Nigeria
Multiple attacks kill 100, abduct 9
According to Hanwei International security monitoring:
Feb 15: Attack on a military base in Borno State killed 8 soldiers, injured 23.
Feb 16: Attacks in Plateau and Bauchi states killed 3 civilians, abducted 3.
Feb 17: Kidnapping along a highway in Benue State abducted 6 passengers.
Feb 18: Terrorist attack in Kebbi State killed 34 people.
Feb 19: Attack in Zamfara State killed at least 50 people; attack in Plateau State killed 5 civilians.
Mine accident in Plateau State kills 38, injures 27
On February 18, a toxic gas leak and explosion at a lead mine killed at least 38 people and injured 27.
(II) South Africa
Chemical plant explosion in Germiston
On February 19, a fire and explosions occurred at a chemical plant in Germiston, Gauteng Province. Casualties and damage are unknown.
(III) DRC
Attacks in eastern DRC cause multiple casualties
On February 18–19, the M23 rebel group attacked army positions in North Kivu and villages in South Kivu. Both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire.
(IV) Mali
Airstrike kills 50 terrorists
On February 20, the Malian Air Force conducted a targeted strike in Sikasso Region, killing more than 50 terrorists and destroying weapons and equipment.
(V) Sudan
Armed conflict continues
From February 16 to 22, clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continued across Sudan.
Drone attacks on markets, schools, hospitals and refugee camps killed 57 civilians.
On February 21, WHO Director-General Tedros noted 5 attacks on health facilities since January 2026, killing 69 and injuring 49.
UN data shows nearly three years of conflict have killed over 30,000 people, displaced 12.8 million, and left 21.2 million facing acute food insecurity.
Europe & Americas
(I) United States
Three shootings kill 6, injure 13
Feb 16: Shooting near a mall in West Baltimore killed 1, injured 3.
Feb 16: Shooting at an ice hockey arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, killed 3 (including the gunman) and injured 3.
Feb 21: Shooting in Richmond, Virginia, killed 2, injured 7.
(II) Ukraine
Russia-Ukraine conflict continues
From February 16 to 22, Russia’s special military operation continued.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported large-scale strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial, energy and drone facilities, and shot down hundreds of drones and missiles.
Ukraine stated its forces had repelled attacks, made tactical breakthroughs in Zaporizhzhia, and recaptured areas in Donetsk. Ukrainian forces used “Flamingo” cruise missiles to strike a military factory and energy facilities in Russia.
(III) Mexico
Anti-drug operation kills 7 cartel members
On February 22, Mexican forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes (El Mencho), leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and 6 other members in Tapalpa, Jalisco.
(IV) Russia
- Drone attacks on Moscow and other regions injure manyOn February 15, large-scale drone attacks hit multiple Russian regions, injuring people, disrupting airports, and cutting power and water supplies.
- 7 Chinese tourists drowned in Lake BaikalOn February 20, a vehicle carrying 8 Chinese tourists fell into an ice crack on Lake Baikal, killing 7 and leaving 1 survivor.
(V) Argentina
Parcel bomb explodes in Buenos Aires, injuring 4
On February 20, a parcel bomb exploded at the National Gendarmerie Higher School in Buenos Aires, wounding 4 people. The addressee was a former school principal.
Maritime Security
(I) Pacific & Caribbean Sea
U.S. operations kill 14
On February 18, U.S. naval forces destroyed 3 boats in the Pacific and Caribbean, killing 11.
On February 20, a strike on a “drug boat” in the eastern Pacific killed 3.
Since September 2025, U.S. operations have killed 143 people in these regions.
(II) Greece
Migrant boat capsizes off Crete, killing 5, 20 missing
On February 21, a wooden boat carrying dozens of migrants capsized south of Crete, killing 5 and leaving 20 missing. Search and rescue operations continue.
