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26-May-2022

AMERICAS

El Salvador (Security threat level – 4): On 25 May 2022, lawmakers in El Salvador’s unicameral legislature voted overwhelmingly in favor of extending the current countrywide state of emergency for an additional 30 days. President Nayib Bukele initially declared the state of emergency in late March following a notable spike in gang-related killings. The legislation, which allows security personnel to detain suspected gang members without due process, has since led to the arrests of more than 34,500 suspected members of organized crime groups. Bukele’s supporters argue that the emergency powers have resulted in a significant decrease in daily homicide rates, while international human rights organizations criticize the emergency measure for its violation of due process, which they claim has led to the arrests of innocent people.

Peru (Security threat level – 3): At approximately 0700 local time (1200 UTC) on 26 May 2022, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck nearly 75 km (45 mi) north-northwest of the city of Juliaca, the capital of San Román province. The quake occurred at a depth of 217.8 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Strong to moderate shaking was reported in areas near the epicenter, while light to weak shaking was reported in the cities of Cusco, Arequipa and Tacna. There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage, and no tsunami warning was issued.

ASIA

Afghanistan (Security threat level – 5): On 25 May 2022, an explosion occurred in front of the Hazrat Zakaria Mosque in Kabul’s Police District 4. At least five people were killed and 22 more were injured in the explosion. No group has taken responsibility for the blast; however, the Islamic State Khorasan Province group routinely carries out similar attacks. Meanwhile in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, explosive devices placed in three minibuses detonated across the city, killing nine people and injuring 15 more. The Islamic State Khorasan Province group claimed responsibility for the latter attack.

Pakistan (Security threat level – 5): In the early morning hours of 26 May 2022, riot police in the capital Islamabad fired tear gas at supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan who had gathered in the Democracy Chowk roundabout located outside the National Assembly. There were no immediate reports of casualties in  the incident. Shortly before the deployment of tear gas, the government approved the deployment of army units to the city’s Red Zone to secure government buildings and foreign embassies. Protests in the Red Zone have been banned until further notice.

Later in the morning, demonstrators set fire to Islamabad’s Shaheed-e-Millat metro station, located in the China Chowk area, as security personnel deployed tear gas to disperse the protesters. At least 10 protesters and 15 police officers were injured in the clashes. Supporters of former Prime Minister Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party have staged several medium- to large-scale protests throughout Punjab province as well as in the southern city of Karachi since Khan was removed from office by a vote of no-confidence on 10 April. Khan demanded that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif dissolve Parliament and announce general elections in the next six days or his supporters would return to the streets of the capital and stage an indefinite sit-in.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Israel (Security threat level – 4): On 25 May 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued a Security Alert regarding the ongoing tensions in Jerusalem’s Old City, which reads in part as follows: “U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness as security incidents often take place without warning. The security environment is complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events.

“Due to ongoing tensions and potential security issues in the Old City of Jerusalem, the following restrictions on U.S. government employees and their families remain in effect until Monday, May 30:

  • They cannot enter the Old City after dark (dusk to dawn) or on Fridays;
  • They cannot use Damascus, Herod’s, and Lions’ Gate; and
  • They cannot enter the Old City at any time on Sunday, May 29.”

The full text of the alert can be found here.