Hanwei Global Security Briefing
Based on security risk assessments, the security levels of various regions are shown on the Global Risk Map. Regions including Afghanistan, Syria, Myanmar, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sudan, Ukraine, Palestine and Venezuela are classified as extremely high-risk areas. Armed conflicts, terrorist attacks and other security incidents occurred frequently in these regions during this period. Chinese-funded enterprises overseas shall strengthen safety precautions.
Middle East
1. Syria
On May 25, media reports stated that security and intelligence agencies of Turkey and Syria arrested 10 Turkish nationals affiliated with the extremist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on May 23. All ten suspects were on Interpol's Red Notice List and have since been repatriated to Turkey.
2. Iraq
On May 25, a mortar shell exploded at a military base of the Popular Mobilization Forces during maintenance operations in northern Salah ad-Din Governorate, leaving one person dead and three injured.
3. Iran
On May 25, Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, announced that U.S. forces launched what they called "self-defense strikes" against missile launch sites and mine-laying vessels in southern Iran, causing multiple casualties.
On May 26, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement, condemning the US for blatantly violating the ceasefire and repeatedly attacking and harassing Iranian merchant ships in Hormozgan Province. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also reported shooting down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone and forcing an F-35 fighter jet to leave Iranian airspace over the Persian Gulf the same day.
On May 27, U.S. military carried out strikes on a ground drone control station in Bandar Abbas, a port city in southern Iran, and shot down four one-way attack drones operated by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.
On May 28, Iran launched ballistic missile attacks on Ali Al Salem Air Base of the US military in Kuwait, injuring multiple U.S. service members.
4. Palestine and Israel
On May 26, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted airstrikes on the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza and multiple areas in southern Gaza, killing at least eight people including Muhammad Odah, the newly appointed military leader of Hamas, and wounding 12 others.
On May 27, an Israeli airstrike hit a residential building in Gaza City, leaving at least seven dead and 18 injured.
On the night of May 31, a Palestinian man carried out a vehicle ramming attack at an intersection in Gush Etzion in the southern West Bank, injuring two people. The attacker was shot dead by Israeli troops.
5. Lebanon
On May 26, Israel launched airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, killing at least 31 people and wounding 40. The Qaraoun Dam in the Bekaa Valley of eastern Lebanon was struck three times the same day.
On May 28, multiple rounds of Israeli airstrikes targeted Tyre and Sidon in southern Lebanon, killing 17 people and injuring 78, including 13 children.
Figures released by Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health on May 29 showed that since the resurgence of armed conflicts between Lebanon and Israel on March 2, Israeli attacks have killed 3,355 people and injured 10,095 in Lebanon. UNICEF stated on May 29 that 77 children in Lebanon were killed or wounded in the past week, equivalent to 11 child casualties every 24 hours.
The IDF confirmed on May 25 that one Israeli soldier was killed and another seriously wounded in fighting in southern Lebanon. On May 31, the IDF announced that another soldier was killed and four others injured in clashes in southern Lebanon.
6. Yemen
On May 29, Yemeni military sources said a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone was hit and crashed while flying over Marib Governorate in northeastern Yemen. The US and the Houthi movement have not yet issued statements regarding the incident.
Asia-Pacific Region
1. Afghanistan
On May 25, the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan issued a security alert. The overall security situation in Afghanistan remains severe, with frequent criminal cases including kidnapping, extortion and armed robberies reported in Kabul, Herat and other cities. The embassy reminded Chinese citizens and institutions in Afghanistan to stay alert, tighten security measures for residences and travels, and avoid crowded places such as religious sites and large shopping malls.
2. Pakistan
On May 25, Pakistani rescue organizations updated that a bomb attack on a passenger train in Balochistan killed 47 people and injured 98, including 20 security personnel. The blast took place near a railway crossing in Quetta, the provincial capital, on May 24. The train was carrying security staff returning home for Eid al-Adha holidays. Three carriages derailed, two of which overturned and caught fire, and nearby vehicles were also affected. Investigations showed the attackers used over 70 kilograms of vehicle-borne explosives. The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack.
3. Thailand
A shooting incident occurred in Phuluang Village, Basa District, Surin Province on May 26, leaving one person dead. The gunman has been arrested by police.
4. Myanmar
Media reported that a landmine explosion in Naikhongchhari, Bandarban District near the Myanmar-Bangladesh border on May 24 killed three Bangladeshi nationals.
5. Japan
On May 29, anti-war demonstrations broke out in multiple cities of Japan to protest against the government's military expansion and constitutional revision. More than 10,000 people attended a rally themed "No More War" in front of the National Diet Building in Tokyo. Synchronized protests were held at around 150 locations nationwide.
6. South Korea
On May 26, part of an overpass collapsed during demolition works in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, killing three people and injuring three others. On-site search and rescue operations have been completed.
(Photo: Accident scene)
7. Indonesia
On May 31, a leftover bomb from World War II detonated in Papua Province in eastern Indonesia, killing five people and leaving three missing. The explosion caused severe damage to surrounding houses in the densely populated area. The site has been cordoned off over fears of additional unexploded ordnance, and search operations will resume on June 1.
Africa
1. Nigeria
On May 25, armed groups raided Yashikira Community in Baruten Local Government Area, Kwara State, kidnapping 10 people and partially burning down the Emir's Palace. An attack on the local police station was repelled. On the same day, bandits struck Dugul Community, Matazu Local Government Area, Katsina State, killing four residents.
On May 30, retired Major General Rabiu Abubakar and his wife were abducted by armed robbers in Katsina State.
Monitoring on May 31 indicated that criminal gangs planned to kidnap employees of Chinese road construction enterprises in Oyo State and Kwara State. Relevant Chinese enterprises and individuals are urged to strengthen security precautions.
2. South Africa
Violent protests and riots broke out in Rocklands, Bloemfontein, capital of the Free State Province in the early hours of May 25. Shops run by foreign nationals, including many Chinese-owned liquor stores and supermarkets, were looted. Police arrested nearly 100 suspects involved in the unrest. Riot police have been deployed to maintain order and prevent further escalation.
3. Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
The DRC Ministry of Health reported on May 27 that as of May 26, there had been 1,077 suspected Ebola cases nationwide, including 238 fatalities. The epidemic has spread to multiple areas in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces in the east.
4. Sudan
On May 25, drone strikes on two markets in Al Qunayyah and Tine, North Darfur, killed at least 19 civilians.
On May 28, a large-scale drone attack hit Mula west of Bara, North Kordofan, leaving 27 civilians dead.
On May 29, a grain warehouse of the World Food Programme in Al Fasher, capital of North Darfur, was bombed, destroying the warehouse and all grain reserves.
5. Kenya
A fire broke out at a girls' school dormitory in Nakuru on May 28, killing at least ten students and injuring many more. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Europe & Americas
1. United States
An explosion occurred at a factory in Longview, Washington State on May 27. A large storage tank holding corrosive chemical liquids detonated, leaving 8 dead, 8 injured and 3 missing. The factory is affiliated with Nippon Paper Group, mainly producing kraft pulp and paper packaging products. The cause of the explosion is under investigation.
2. Ukraine
The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that over the past week, Russian forces carried out one large-scale strike and five group strikes against Ukrainian military command posts, air bases and defence industrial facilities using hypersonic ballistic missiles and attack drones. Russian air defence systems shot down 2,628 fixed-wing drones and took control of 10 residential areas including Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy.
Ukraine's General Staff said Ukrainian troops launched precision strikes on key Russian military facilities, including an air defence radar station in Feodosiia of Crimea, as well as multiple drone command posts, material depots and ammunition depots in Donetsk. Ukraine also continued long-range strikes against military and energy targets in Russia and Russian-controlled areas.
3. Russia
On May 25, Belgorod city and surrounding areas in Belgorod Oblast came under missile attacks by Ukraine, killing one person and injuring another. Local energy infrastructure, buildings and vehicles were damaged, and water and power supplies were cut off in multiple areas.
On May 28, a vehicle carrying maintenance workers of a water company in Donetsk was attacked by Ukrainian forces, leaving three dead and one seriously injured.
4. Switzerland
A stabbing incident took place at Winterthur Railway Station, Zurich Canton on May 28, injuring three people. The suspect, a dual national of Switzerland and Turkey born in 1994 who was previously linked to ISIL, was arrested on the spot. Local authorities confirmed the incident as a terrorist attack.
5. Colombia
An explosive attack near a military camp in Riohacha, capital of La Guajira Department in northern Colombia on May 27 injured at least 12 soldiers. Assailants threw explosives from a moving vehicle. The National Liberation Army was accused of orchestrating the attack.
6. Ecuador
A shooting incident at the entrance to Potrerillo, Calderón Parish on May 25 left one dead and one injured. Relevant investigations are underway.
7. Romania
A drone struck an apartment building in Galați County near the Romania-Ukraine border on May 29, injuring two people and causing severe structural damage.
8. Germany
A shooting incident in downtown Dortmund on the night of May 29 left at least two people injured. The case is still under investigation.
(Photo: Scene of the shooting)
Maritime Security
1. Gulf of Oman
On May 29, a cargo ship flying the Gambian flag en route to an Iranian port was hit by a U.S. missile in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, losing navigation capability. U.S. Central Command said the vessel ignored repeated warnings before being struck by a Hellfire missile.
2. Eastern Pacific Ocean
On May 26, U.S. Southern Command announced that U.S. forces targeted a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Eastern Pacific, killing one person and detaining two survivors.
On May 27, another vessel was attacked, leaving two dead.
On May 30, a third suspected drug-smuggling boat was struck, killing three people on board. No U.S. military casualties were reported in the above operations.
