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HOZINT | Horizon Intelligence
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Welcome to the Global Security Brief, your weekly go-to source for incident highlights, risk assessment, and future threats from around the world. In this newsletter, we bring you timely updates on security incidents worldwide, along with risk analysis and future events to help you stay informed and prepared.
Updated on: 29 April 2024
Global Incident Highlights
Africa
Burkina Faso: On April 23, 30 people were killed in a JNIM militant attack in Seguenega, Yatenga. Moreover, on April 25, 60 militants were neutralized by the Burkinabe Army in two operations in Gganga, East. The incidents occurred at a base in Boungou at an undetermined time.
Djibouti: On April 23, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), at least 21 people died, and 28 went missing after a migrant boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti. 77 people were on board the vessel.
Mali: On April 22-23, 29 militants were killed, and 1 FAMa soldier was injured following security operations in Niafunké, Tombouctou. The incidents occurred in Saraféré and Kalifare.
Somalia: On April 24, the SNA claimed the killing of 30 Al-Shabaab militants after an operation in Harardhere, Galmudug. The incident occurred in the Arfuuda area at an unspecified time. On April 25, the SNA reportedly killed 70 Al-Shabaab militants and injured 30 others following a security operation in Harardhere, Galmudug. The incident occurred in the Tabar-Mooge area. The operation was conducted jointly by the national army and its international security partners.
Americas
Brazil: On April 26, at least 10 people died and 11 were injured following the outbreak of a fire at a guesthouse in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. The incident occurred at around 2 am local time on Avenida Farrapos, between Garibaldi and Barros Cassal streets, towards the Center-neighborhood.
Colombia: On April 25, 15 FARC dissidents were killed, and 12 were injured following clashes with security forces in Argelia, Cauca. The incident occurred in El Plateado town at an unreported time.
Asia-Pacific
Cambodia: On April 27, 20 soldiers were killed, and several were injured following an explosion at a military base in Sangkat Chbar Mon, Kampong Speu. The incident occurred at Banteay Zone 3 in Chamkar Dong in the afternoon local time. The cause of the incident was not clear yet.
Philippines: On April 22, 12 Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) militants were killed, and 7 soldiers were injured following clashes in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur. The clashes occurred between 6 am and 3 pm in Kitango.
Europe
Norway: On April 25, the airspace over southern Norway was temporarily closed due to a technical error at the Oslo air traffic control center. The error occurred around 6.30 am, and air traffic was fully operational by 9.30 am. A day later, a broken fiber optic cable in Bodø, Norway led to significant delays in air travel across northern Norway. Flights were unable to take off or land for about six hours while crews fixed the issue.
United Kingdom: On April 25, the UK Border Force reportedly experienced a nationwide technical outage affecting e-gates at airports across the country. This resulted in longer wait times for arriving travellers.
MENA
Tunisia: On April 23, it was reported that 19 migrants died off the coast of Sfax. The bodies of the migrants were recovered by the Tunisian Coast Guard. The exact time of the incident was not specified while the search for bodies allegedly took place over 24 hours on April 22-23. The migrants were reportedly sailing towards the Italian coasts.
Conflict Zones Watch
Israel – Palestinian Territories
The past week witnessed a significant escalation in violence between Israel and Palestinian militant groups, particularly Hezbollah.
Israeli airstrikes targeted locations across the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.
Hezbollah retaliated with a drone attack on Israeli military targets within Israel. This exchange marks the deepest strike into Israeli territory since the current Gaza conflict began.
The targeting of a Red Cross building and an aid team by Israeli forces raises serious concerns about adherence to international law and the protection of civilians.
On April 26, an Egyptian delegation arrived in Israel, to invigorate stagnant negotiations geared towards securing the release of hostages and instating a ceasefire in Gaza, as confirmed by Egyptian and Israeli officials.
Additionally, the delegation intends to persist in discussions with Israeli counterparts regarding security coordination concerning a potential Israeli operation in Rafah.
Egypt's apprehensions revolve around the potential ramifications of a large-scale Israeli intervention in Rafah, situated near its border, where approximately a million displaced Palestinians have sought refuge in recent months. Despite months of mediated discussions by Qatar and Egypt, significant disparities in key demands between Israel and Hamas have hindered the attainment of an agreement.
Myanmar
On April 24, an armed ethnic faction in Myanmar pulled back its forces from a town bordering Thailand in response to a counteroffensive launched by the ruling junta, which had lost control of the key trading post to rebel fighters earlier this month.
The Karen National Union (KNU) announced a "temporary retreat" from Myawaddy, stated spokesperson Saw Taw Nee, as junta troops reclaimed the strategically significant area.
Thailand remains vigilant as conflict persists near its border. These developments unfold amidst ongoing clashes between anti-junta ethnic factions and the military vying for dominance over Myawaddy, a pivotal trade centre situated just across from the Thai village of Mae Sot.
On April 24, an armed ethnic faction in Myanmar pulled back its forces from a town bordering Thailand in response to a counteroffensive launched by the ruling junta, which had lost control of the key trading post to rebel fighters earlier this month.
The Karen National Union (KNU) announced a "temporary retreat" from Myawaddy, stated spokesperson Saw Taw Nee, as junta troops reclaimed the strategically significant area.
Thailand remains vigilant as conflict persists near its border. These developments unfold amidst ongoing clashes between anti-junta ethnic factions and the military vying for dominance over Myawaddy, a pivotal trade centre situated just across from the Thai village of Mae Sot.
Russia – Ukraine
Ukraine has started using longer-range ballistic missiles against Russia, provided by the US. These missiles, part of the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), were discreetly delivered this month as a component of a prior US support initiative. At least one such missile has already been employed to target Russian installations in occupied Crimea.
Additional US assistance is en route to Kyiv, with expectations of imminent delivery following President Joe Biden's recent authorization of a new aid package totalling USD 61 billion.
In response, Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has vowed to escalate strikes on Ukrainian storage facilities harbouring Western-provided armaments.
Moreover, Shoigu reiterated Russia's claims of capturing several Ukrainian villages, including Pervomaiske, Bohdanivka, and Novomykhailivka. However, Ukrainian forces contest these assertions, maintaining control over a significant portion of Novomykhailivka.
Russian military sources boast of seizing Western weaponry in recent operations, including Swedish grenade launchers, American anti-tank Javelins, and NATO electronic warfare systems.
On April 28, Russian advancements near Avdiivka resulted in the seizure of two villages and the expansion of a strategic corridor around Ocheretyne, which they entered a week earlier. Ukrainian officials acknowledge the challenging situation in the Donbas region, with ongoing Russian offensives on multiple fronts. Despite setbacks, they stress that the situation remains manageable, despite the recent surprise Russian maneuvers to establish territorial gains.
Additional US assistance is en route to Kyiv, with expectations of imminent delivery following President Joe Biden's recent authorization of a new aid package totalling USD 61 billion.
In response, Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has vowed to escalate strikes on Ukrainian storage facilities harbouring Western-provided armaments.
Moreover, Shoigu reiterated Russia's claims of capturing several Ukrainian villages, including Pervomaiske, Bohdanivka, and Novomykhailivka. However, Ukrainian forces contest these assertions, maintaining control over a significant portion of Novomykhailivka.
Russian military sources boast of seizing Western weaponry in recent operations, including Swedish grenade launchers, American anti-tank Javelins, and NATO electronic warfare systems.
On April 28, Russian advancements near Avdiivka resulted in the seizure of two villages and the expansion of a strategic corridor around Ocheretyne, which they entered a week earlier. Ukrainian officials acknowledge the challenging situation in the Donbas region, with ongoing Russian offensives on multiple fronts. Despite setbacks, they stress that the situation remains manageable, despite the recent surprise Russian maneuvers to establish territorial gains.
The week ahead
The following is a roundup of upcoming protests scheduled to take place around the world during the week of April 29 – May 5, 2024
April 29
Portugal: Unionized penitentiary workers to stage 24-hour strike.
United Kingdom: Border Force officers to take 4-day strike action at Heathrow Airport.
United States: Pro-Palestine demonstrations in Orono, Maine; Portland, Oregon.
April 30
Argentina: Association of State Workers (ATE) to go on a nationwide strike.
France: Pharmacy workers to strike nationwide.
Germany:
– 'Extinction Rebellion' protest in Nuremberg, Bavaria.
– Anti-right wing protest in Oldenburg, Lower Saxony.
– Anti-capitalism protest in Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia.
Lebanon: Pro-Palestinian protest in Beirut.
Pakistan: Farmers' demonstrations across Punjab.
United Kingdom: Pro-Palestinian protest in Lichfield, England.
May 1
Various countries: International Workers' Day demonstrations and protests, including in the United States, Sweden, France, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Norway, Denmark, and Austria.
United Kingdom: Pro-Palestine protest in Brighton and Hove, England.
Spain: Pro-Palestine protest in Barcelona, Catalonia.
United States: Pro-Palestine demonstrations in various cities including Los Angeles, Washington D.C., New York City, San Francisco, and more.
France: Pro-Palestine protests in Lyon, Aubenas, and other locations.
May 2
Australia: Pro-Palestine protest in Brisbane, Queensland.
Netherlands: Pro-Palestine sit-in in Amsterdam.
Pakistan: JUI-F rally against alleged electoral fraud in Karachi, Sindh.
May 3
Italy: RFI railway infrastructure maintenance workers plan to take 24-hour strike action nationwide.
May 4
Germany: 'Extinction Rebellion' protest and road blockade in Munich, Bavaria.
United Kingdom: Rally to mark International Worker's Day in Nottingham, England.
Belgium: Extinction Rebellion to stage blockade during protest in Brussels.
Germany: Pro-Palestine protest in Krefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia.
Austria: 'Letzte Generation' protest in Vienna.
France: Protest in support of Vietnamese victims in Paris.
May 5
United States: Pro-Palestinian protests in Spokane, Washington; Manchester, New Hampshire.
New Zealand: Pro-Palestine rally in Queenstown, Otago.
Denmark: Pro-Palestinian protest in Copenhagen.
Germany: Kidical Mass bicycle demonstration in Berlin.
Portugal: Unionized penitentiary workers to stage 24-hour strike.
United Kingdom: Border Force officers to take 4-day strike action at Heathrow Airport.
United States: Pro-Palestine demonstrations in Orono, Maine; Portland, Oregon.
April 30
Argentina: Association of State Workers (ATE) to go on a nationwide strike.
France: Pharmacy workers to strike nationwide.
Germany:
– 'Extinction Rebellion' protest in Nuremberg, Bavaria.
– Anti-right wing protest in Oldenburg, Lower Saxony.
– Anti-capitalism protest in Aachen, North Rhine-Westphalia.
Lebanon: Pro-Palestinian protest in Beirut.
Pakistan: Farmers' demonstrations across Punjab.
United Kingdom: Pro-Palestinian protest in Lichfield, England.
May 1
Various countries: International Workers' Day demonstrations and protests, including in the United States, Sweden, France, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Norway, Denmark, and Austria.
United Kingdom: Pro-Palestine protest in Brighton and Hove, England.
Spain: Pro-Palestine protest in Barcelona, Catalonia.
United States: Pro-Palestine demonstrations in various cities including Los Angeles, Washington D.C., New York City, San Francisco, and more.
France: Pro-Palestine protests in Lyon, Aubenas, and other locations.
May 2
Australia: Pro-Palestine protest in Brisbane, Queensland.
Netherlands: Pro-Palestine sit-in in Amsterdam.
Pakistan: JUI-F rally against alleged electoral fraud in Karachi, Sindh.
May 3
Italy: RFI railway infrastructure maintenance workers plan to take 24-hour strike action nationwide.
May 4
Germany: 'Extinction Rebellion' protest and road blockade in Munich, Bavaria.
United Kingdom: Rally to mark International Worker's Day in Nottingham, England.
Belgium: Extinction Rebellion to stage blockade during protest in Brussels.
Germany: Pro-Palestine protest in Krefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia.
Austria: 'Letzte Generation' protest in Vienna.
France: Protest in support of Vietnamese victims in Paris.
May 5
United States: Pro-Palestinian protests in Spokane, Washington; Manchester, New Hampshire.
New Zealand: Pro-Palestine rally in Queenstown, Otago.
Denmark: Pro-Palestinian protest in Copenhagen.
Germany: Kidical Mass bicycle demonstration in Berlin.