AFRICA

Mali (Security threat level – 5): On 27 July 2022, Islamist militants launched an attack on a military base in the Sonkolo commune, located in the Segou region. Six security personnel were killed and at least 25 more were injured in the attack. Meanwhile in Kalumba, located in the Nara region, assailants killed nine soldiers and three civilians during another attack on a military base. Militants also launched an attack in the town of Mopti the previous day; however, soldiers repelled the assault. There were no reports of casualties in the attack on Mopti.

Somalia (Security threat level – 5): On 27 July 2022, a suicide bomber detonated his explosives at the entrance of the administrative headquarters of the town of Marka, located approximately 90 km (55 mi) south of the capital Mogadishu. At least 11 people were killed in the blast, including the district commissioner, security personnel and civilians, while an unknown number of people were wounded. Separately, an improvised explosive device was detonated at a livestock market in the town of Afgoye — located approximately 30 km southwest of Mogadishu — killing seven people and injuring 14 more. The al-Shabab militant group claimed responsibility for both attacks.

EUROPE

Bulgaria (Security threat level – 3): At approximately 0900 local time (0600 UTC) on 28 July 2022, airport authorities temporarily evacuated both terminals at Sofia Airport (LBSF/SOF) due to a bomb threat. Airport operations were disrupted for approximately one hour. Security personnel conducted a security sweep of the facility but found no explosives.

MIDDLE EAST

Iraq (Security threat level – 5): On 27 July 2022, several hundred demonstrators forcibly entered and occupied the Iraqi parliament building, located in Baghdad’s Green Zone. The demonstrators — mostly supporters of anti-Iranian Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr — had rallied to oppose the nomination of a prime minister by pro-Iran and Iran-backed parties. No legislators were present at the time of the raid and security personnel allowed the protesters to enter without resistance. The protesters occupied the building for several hours until al-Sadr issued a statement on social media advising them to return home, after which they exited the building. Immediately prior to the raid of parliament, security personnel had deployed tear gas and water cannons in an attempt to disperse the protesters as they entered the Green Zone.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Pakistan (Security threat level – 5): On 27 July 2022, the U.S. Mission in Pakistan issued a Security Alert that reads in part as follows: “This Security Message informs U.S. citizens of increased safety concerns and security restrictions during the upcoming Ashura holiday. From now through August 9, there will be a number of large gatherings and moving processions across Pakistan, including in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar. In preparation, the Government of Pakistan is expected to mobilize several thousand additional police officers and military personnel.”

The full text of the alert can be found here.

Peru (Security threat level – 3): On 27 July 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Lima issued a Security Alert regarding protests in Machu Picchu, which reads in part as follows: “Protests are currently ongoing by tourists who do not have a ticket and wish to enter Machu Picchu. Roadblocks, traffic congestion, and disruptions to train service along the main routes to and from Machu Picchu may occur. Travelers using the rail line should contact their rail service provider if there are disruptions to their travel. Avoid areas of demonstrations, as protests and demonstrations can be unpredictable and quickly turn violent.”