MEXICO
Mexico (Country threat level - 4): Mexican officials announced on 18 November 2010 that on 16 November gunmen killed an oil company manager in Tihuatlan, located in the northern part of the state of Veracruz. The victim was a Colombian national and a manager of Weatherford, a U.S.-based oil services firm, which has a drilling contract with Mexico's Pemex oil company. Gunmen seized the man at the company office; his body was later found in an area between Tihuatlan and Poza Rica with several bullet wounds. Officials have yet to establish a motive for the abduction and murder.
CHINA
China (Country threat level - 2): Following the diagnosis of a bird flu case on 17 November 2010, Hong Kong authorities raised the bird flu alert level to "serious," indicating that there is a high risk of others contracting the disease. Doctors stated that a woman had tested positive for the bird flu virus, the first such diagnosis in Hong Kong since 2003. The patient had recently traveled through mainland China, and investigators are working to determine where the woman may have contracted the virus. Health officials indicated that there were no apparent signs of the disease having been spread between humans, and are scheduled to meet on 18 November to discuss necessary precautions to prevent further spreading of the disease. In 2003 Hong Kong implemented health checks on all incoming travelers to identify those exhibiting symptoms of the disease; so far no enhanced health screenings have been ordered for travelers arriving in Hong Kong.
MIDDLE EAST
Yemen (Country threat level - 4): On 18 November 2010 a Yemeni C-130 military aircraft ran off the runway upon landing at Sanaa International Airport (OYSN/SAH). The aircraft slid on one of its wings and one of its engines caught fire. There were no injuries but the incident forced a temporary closure of the airport.
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Cameroon (Country threat level - 3): Suspected pirates attacked a military vessel off the Cameroonian coast overnight on 16-17 November 2010. Reports indicate that the attack took place between midnight and 0300 local time near oil company Perenco’s Moudi FSO oil rig, which is located offshore from the Bakassi Peninsula. Pereco stated that the vessel was transporting security personnel to the offshore rig at the time of the attack. Three soldiers from the Rapid Intervention Batallion (BIR) and two civilian contractors were killed in the ambush. Cameroon deployed the BIR to the Bakassi Peninsula in April 2010 in response to an increase in piracy in the region.The Africa Marine Commando (AMC) group claimed responsibility for the attack. The AMC has carried out several pirate attacks and kidnappings in the region. The most recent incident prior to the 16-17 November development occurred on 12 September, when the AMC attacked three vessels moored near the Douala port and kidnapped six foreign seamen. The hostages -- who included a Croatian, a Philippine and four Ukrainian nationals -- were released on 30 September.
Guinea (Country threat level - 4): Tensions eased in Guinea on 18 November 2010 after the military leadership instituted a state of emergency on 17 November due to ongoing political and ethnic violence. Officials also established an overnight curfew from 1800-0600 local time for the entire country. The state of emergency prohibits civilians from gathering in groups and staging any demonstrations or rallies. Residents are allowed to travel to and from work and for other necessities such as buying food, but must travel individually. The state of emergency is scheduled to remain in affect until the Supreme Court confirms the final results from the run-off election; according to national legislation, the results must be released by early next week.
Reports indicate that the situation was calm in Conakry, the capital, as of the morning hours of 18 November, including in the Hamdallaya, Simbaya, Cosa, Koloma and Bambeto neighborhoods, which had been the scene of much of the violent unrest over the last several days. Military and police forces remain heavily deployed throughout the city and have set up checkpoints throughout various prominent areas and neighborhoods, stopping and searching vehicles and passengers.
There have been no reports of major unrest in locations in the interior of the country over the past two days, nor any disruptions at Conakry’s Gbessia International Airport (GUCY/CKY), and the nation’s borders remain open. The prominent regional Bellzone Mining company has indicated that the ongoing situation in the country has not affected its working environment. On 17 November the British government released a warning to its citizens against non-essential travel to Guinea, and various international organizations warned of the possibility of a serious breakdown of security conditions in the country that could threaten regional stability.
Analyst Comment: Underlying social tensions between the nation’s two main ethnic groups -- the Peuls and Malinkes -- periodically turn violent, especially in response to political developments. The recent violence, which prompted the state of emergency, followed days of rioting mainly by ethnic Peuls after their candidate lost the presidential election that was held on 7 November. Although the situation has calmed since 17 November, tensions remain elevated. The potential for a resumption of violence and a further deterioration in security conditions remains high for both the capital and various locations throughout the country that have seen unrest in recent days. The threat extends to the border regions of neighboring countries such as Sierra Leone and Liberia, where ethnic groups span national borders. Due to the precarious conditions at this time, travelers should consider postponing any non-essential travel to the country until stability and security conditions have improved.
Guinea (Country threat level - 4): Tensions eased in Guinea on 18 November 2010 after the military leadership instituted a state of emergency on 17 November due to ongoing political and ethnic violence. Officials also established an overnight curfew from 1800-0600 local time for the entire country. The state of emergency prohibits civilians from gathering in groups and staging any demonstrations or rallies. Residents are allowed to travel to and from work and for other necessities such as buying food, but must travel individually. The state of emergency is scheduled to remain in affect until the Supreme Court confirms the final results from the run-off election; according to national legislation, the results must be released by early next week.
Reports indicate that the situation was calm in Conakry, the capital, as of the morning hours of 18 November, including in the Hamdallaya, Simbaya, Cosa, Koloma and Bambeto neighborhoods, which had been the scene of much of the violent unrest over the last several days. Military and police forces remain heavily deployed throughout the city and have set up checkpoints throughout various prominent areas and neighborhoods, stopping and searching vehicles and passengers.
There have been no reports of major unrest in locations in the interior of the country over the past two days, nor any disruptions at Conakry’s Gbessia International Airport (GUCY/CKY), and the nation’s borders remain open. The prominent regional Bellzone Mining company has indicated that the ongoing situation in the country has not affected its working environment. On 17 November the British government released a warning to its citizens against non-essential travel to Guinea, and various international organizations warned of the possibility of a serious breakdown of security conditions in the country that could threaten regional stability.
Analyst Comment: Underlying social tensions between the nation’s two main ethnic groups -- the Peuls and Malinkes -- periodically turn violent, especially in response to political developments. The recent violence, which prompted the state of emergency, followed days of rioting mainly by ethnic Peuls after their candidate lost the presidential election that was held on 7 November. Although the situation has calmed since 17 November, tensions remain elevated. The potential for a resumption of violence and a further deterioration in security conditions remains high for both the capital and various locations throughout the country that have seen unrest in recent days. The threat extends to the border regions of neighboring countries such as Sierra Leone and Liberia, where ethnic groups span national borders. Due to the precarious conditions at this time, travelers should consider postponing any non-essential travel to the country until stability and security conditions have improved.
Madagascar (Country threat level - 3): Reports on 18 November 2010 indicate that there are no signs of unrest or increased tension in Antananarivo, the capital, one day after a group of 20 senior military officers staged a coup attempt. The mutineers are reportedly holed up in an army barracks near Ivato International Airport (FMMI/TNR) awaiting negotiations with the government. On 17 November the officers, led by Gen. Noel Rakotonandrasana and Col. Charles Andrianasoavina, stated that they have dissolved the country’s government institutions and formed a military committee to administer the island. They also threatened to shut down the international airport and take over the presidential palace on 18 November; however, reports indicate that so far on 18 November the airport is operating normally. Most shops also remained open for business, and traffic flowed normally in the capital with no signs of an increased police presence.
Analyst Comment: President Andry Rajoelina and Prime Minister Camille Vital have stated that they have no intention of stepping down from office in response to the coup bid, adding that they will put down any rebellion and uphold the rule of law. Vital has stressed that he wishes to avoid violence, calling for soldiers to “respect discipline, respect institutions and show professionalism.” Although approximately 1,000 civilians gathered in Antananarivo on 17 November in support of the mutiny, the demonstration was quickly put down, and so far the rebel officers have been unable to garner support from the regular army ranks, which would be critical to their success; reports indicate that the vast majority of the army remains loyal to Rajoelina. Political opposition leaders, however, have expressed support for the mutiny.
Namibia (Country threat level - 3): An Air Berlin flight from Windhoek to Munich was delayed on 17 November 2010 after Namibian authorities detected suspicious devices in a checked suitcase. The suitcase reportedly contained batteries, wires and a running clock; some reports indicate that a detonator was also discovered. However, there were no explosives in the suitcase, and authorities are still investigating if the device could have exploded. Baggage handlers at Hosea Kutako International Airport (FYWH/WDH) detected the device through routine X-ray screening before loading the luggage onto the aircraft. All 296 passengers and 10 crew members on the flight disembarked after the discovery in order to undergo additional security checks. The flight departed after a six-hour delay and arrived safely in Munich on the morning of 18 November. The incident came on the same day that German officials raised the country’s security level, citing “concrete indications” that terrorists are planning attacks in Germany some time this month.
Uganda (Country threat level - 4): On 17 November 2010 residents of the Bugembe neighborhood in Jinja -- Uganda’s second-busiest commercial city, which is located approximately 54 mi/87 km east of Kampala, the capital -- held a demonstration to protest a three-week power outage in the area. The unrest broke out at approximately 0800 local time. Residents blocked the Jinja-Malaba highway with rocks and burning tires, significantly disrupting traffic in the area. The residents also threw rocks at the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) soldiers and anti-riot police officers who responded to the unrest, forcing them to fire tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd; reports indicate that UPDF soldiers also fired live rounds into the air. The unrest continued for approximately four hours before authorities were able to regain control of the situation. At least two police officers sustained injuries during the riot.
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Madagascar (Country threat level - 3): Reports on 18 November 2010 indicate that there are no signs of unrest or increased tension in Antananarivo, the capital, one day after a group of 20 senior military officers staged a coup attempt. The mutineers are reportedly holed up in an army barracks near Ivato International Airport (FMMI/TNR) awaiting negotiations with the government. On 17 November the officers, led by Gen. Noel Rakotonandrasana and Col. Charles Andrianasoavina, stated that they have dissolved the country’s government institutions and formed a military committee to administer the island. They also threatened to shut down the international airport and take over the presidential palace on 18 November; however, reports indicate that so far on 18 November the airport is operating normally. Most shops also remained open for business, and traffic flowed normally in the capital with no signs of an increased police presence.
Analyst Comment: President Andry Rajoelina and Prime Minister Camille Vital have stated that they have no intention of stepping down from office in response to the coup bid, adding that they will put down any rebellion and uphold the rule of law. Vital has stressed that he wishes to avoid violence, calling for soldiers to “respect discipline, respect institutions and show professionalism.” Although approximately 1,000 civilians gathered in Antananarivo on 17 November in support of the mutiny, the demonstration was quickly put down, and so far the rebel officers have been unable to garner support from the regular army ranks, which would be critical to their success; reports indicate that the vast majority of the army remains loyal to Rajoelina. Political opposition leaders, however, have expressed support for the mutiny.
Namibia (Country threat level - 3): An Air Berlin flight from Windhoek to Munich was delayed on 17 November 2010 after Namibian authorities detected suspicious devices in a checked suitcase. The suitcase reportedly contained batteries, wires and a running clock; some reports indicate that a detonator was also discovered. However, there were no explosives in the suitcase, and authorities are still investigating if the device could have exploded. Baggage handlers at Hosea Kutako International Airport (FYWH/WDH) detected the device through routine X-ray screening before loading the luggage onto the aircraft. All 296 passengers and 10 crew members on the flight disembarked after the discovery in order to undergo additional security checks. The flight departed after a six-hour delay and arrived safely in Munich on the morning of 18 November. The incident came on the same day that German officials raised the country’s security level, citing “concrete indications” that terrorists are planning attacks in Germany some time this month.
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