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01-August-2022

AFRICA

South Africa (Security threat level – 4): On 1 August 2022, police officers deployed live ammunition and rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators in central Thembisa township — located approximately 30 km (20 mi) north of Johannesburg — amid unrest due to dissatisfaction with electricity outages and the cost of local municipal service rates. The violence occurred when demonstrators began rioting and looting, setting several municipal buildings ablaze. At least two people were killed in the violence and several others were injured. The protests began late on 31 July as residents blocked several main roads in the area with rocks and other debris — including the R21 Highway near Hospital View district.

ASIA

Pakistan (Security threat level – 5): On 30 July 2022, an explosion occurred during a soccer match at the Turbat Stadium, located along Airport Road in Baluchistan’s provincial capital Quetta. Police officers suspect that a grenade detonated outside the stadium and caused the blast. At least three individuals sustained injuries in the explosion. The explosion caused a stampede as spectators at the stadium rushed to evacuate the premises. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

Guatemala (Security threat level – 4): On 30 July 2022, gunmen riding in a vehicle fired shots at the delegation associated with President Alejandro Giammattei in the La Laguna village, located in Huehuetenango department near the Guatemala-Mexico border. Giammattei — who traveled to the area amid the inauguration of a highway — was not with his entourage during the attack. The assailants opened fire after being stopped by soldiers at a checkpoint established because of the presidential visit. One of the gunmen — a Mexican national — was wounded during the gunfire exchange and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Other suspects fled toward the Mexican border after the shootout. Mexican soldiers later detained four Guatemalan nationals in connection to the attack and confiscated two rifle grenades.

Analyst Comment: Many organized crime groups conduct illicit trafficking activities along the Guatemala-Mexico border. The attack on the presidential convoy appears to be a collateral event rather than a targeted assault on Guatemalan officials.

EUROPE

Kosovo / Serbia (Security threat levels – 4 / 2): On 31 July 2022, Kosovar authorities announced the closure of Bernjak and Jarinje border crossings located on Kosovo’s northern border with Serbia due to acts of violence and blockades along the Mitrovica-Bernjak and Mitrovica-Jarinje highways. Members of the ethnic Serb minority erected the blockades to protest new Kosovar customs regulations requiring Serbians to switch to Kosovo license plates after every border crossing. Protesters reportedly opened fire on Kosovar border guards, leading to a brief gunfire exchange along the border. No casualties connected to the incident were reported. To avoid further spikes in bilateral tensions, the Kosovar government announced a 30-day suspension of traveler identification requirements for Serbians. Additionally, high-ranking Serbian government officials have pledged to meet with the leadership of NATO’s Kosovo peacekeeping force.

MIDDLE EAST

Iran (Security threat level – 5): As of 30 July 2022, search and rescue operations are ongoing following two days of heavy flooding and landslides in 18 provinces in central Iran. According to state media, at least 80 deaths have been recorded and 45 people remain missing; the mountain resort city of Firouz Kooh — located approximately 130 km (80 mi) east of Tehran — was the most severely affected with at least 10 deaths and 16 injuries reported. Emergency aid distribution efforts and other logistical operations continue to be delayed, as many interprovincial roads and highways remain impassable due to the landslides.

Iraq (Security threat level – 5): On the afternoon of 30 July 2022, Iraqi security forces clashed with supporters of prominent Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr as they stormed the parliament building located in Baghdad’s Green Zone. The demonstrators, who sought to disrupt attempts to form a government, initially gathered at Tahrir Square before and proceeded to the entrance of the Green Zone as security personnel deployed tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets to deter the crowd. The demonstrators have stated that they will conduct a sit-in protest in the parliament building until their demands are met, which include amendments to Iraq’s constitution and early elections. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health reported that the clashes left 125 people injured, including 25 security personnel. Supporters of al-Sadr also entered the Green Zone and briefly occupied the parliament building on 27 July in opposition to former labor and social affairs minister Mohammed al-Sudani’s nomination for prime minister.

OCEANIA

New Zealand (Security threat level – 1): On 1 August 2022, authorities in New Zealand fully reopened the country’s borders to international travelers. Inbound travelers are no longer subject to COVID-19 PCR test or quarantine requirements. Fully vaccinated tourists, international students and other visa holders are now allowed to enter the country. Additionally, international cruise ships and private yachts can dock in New Zealand ports. Coronavirus-related entry restrictions had been gradually removed since February 2022 following the conclusion of strict lockdown measures implemented in March 2020 at the outset of the pandemic.

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Thailand (Security threat level – 3): At approximately 1600 local time (0900 UTC) on 31 July 2022, transportation officials extended the closure of Chiang Rai International Airport (VTCT/CEI), which is located in northern Thailand, until 3 August. The airport temporarily suspended operations after a passenger aircraft skidded off the runway while attempting to land on 30 July. According to local authorities, the Boeing 737-800 aircraft was operating Nok Air Flight DD108 to Chiang Rai from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport (VTBD/DMK) when it skidded and damaged the runway amid heavy rainfall. None of the 164 passengers aboard the aircraft were injured in the incident.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Security threat level – 5): On 29 July 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows: “The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa discourages travel to Goma, Butembo, Beni, and Sake, North Kivu Province; Uvira and Bukavu, South Kivu Province; and Bunia, Ituri Province; Democratic Republic of the Congo due to recent attacks in the area. Starting July 25, protests against UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO escalated into violence with several deaths. The U.S. Embassy does not allow personal travel by official Embassy personnel to the region and has restricted official travel to the region until further notice.”

Mali (Security threat level – 5): On 29 July 2022, the U.S. Department of State released an updated Travel Advisory for Mali, which reads in part as follows: “On July 29, 2022, the Department ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks in areas frequented by westerners. The U.S. Embassy continues to have limited ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Mali.”

The full text of the advisory is available here.