Afghanistan (Security threat level – 5): On 28 November 2018, a Taliban militant detonated a car bomb in the PD9 district of Kabul, located on the eastern side of the city. The attack targeted the British G4S security company. Following the explosion, Taliban militants entered the compound and engaged responding security forces in a gunbattle. According to authorities, the attack killed 10 people and injured 19 others. The targeted facility is described as being well-protected, with an armory, blast walls and a bunker.
Bangladesh (Security threat level – 4): On 29 November 2018, textile workers blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in Gazipur, which is approximately 20 km (13 mi) north of Dhaka, to protest the dismissal of approximately 400 factory workers. The demonstrators, wielding sticks and blunt objects, blocked both sides of the highway from 0800-1100 local time (0200-0500 UTC), causing significant traffic congestion. When the protesters ignored police orders to disperse, security officers fired tear gas. There were no reports of injuries. The Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, also known as National Highway 3 (N3), is the main route between the two cities.
India (Security threat level – 3): On 29 November 2018, approximately 100,000 farmers and agricultural workers began marching from Brijwasan outside of Delhi toward the Ramlila Ground in New Delhi to protest against the government’s agricultural policies. The route between the march’s origin and its destination is approximately 25 km (16 mi) long and will pass through the Majnu Ka Tilla, Nizamuddin and Anand Vihar areas. On 30 November, the protesters will march from Ramlila Ground to Parliament, which is approximately 4 km away, to demand a special legislative session to pass reforms, including higher prices for crops and relief from loan debt.
Australia (Security threat level – 2): Queensland officials reported that an estimated 130 bushfires are still burning in the state as of 29 November 2018. The three fires that are most concerning are located at Deepwater, Tinnabar and North Stradbroke. Firefighters were able to contain the fire near Gracemere that forced 8,000 residents to evacuate on 28 November, and residents were permitted to return home on 29 November. Since the fires began on 24 November, two residences, two cabins, 15 sheds and two vehicles have been destroyed, with a similar number of structures damaged throughout the state. There have been no casualties reported thus far. While weather conditions eased for firefighters on 29 November, meteorologists do not expect significant relief from high temperatures for another five days, and authorities are continuing to warn residents to be prepared to evacuate quickly.
Zimbabwe (Security threat level – 4): The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party staged a large-scale anti-government demonstration in Harare on 29 November 2018. Reports indicate that thousands of people participated in the rally, which included a march through the capital and an address by party leader Nelson Chamisa at Africa Unity Square. The protesters denounced ongoing economic issues and shortages of basic goods, demanded justice for MDC supporters who were killed in a post-election protest in August and voiced their opposition to President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Security forces were heavily deployed but there were no reports of clashes between protesters and police officers. Authorities had approved the gathering, lowering the possibility for violence, but there were still concerns that rogue elements could use the event as an excuse to trigger unrest.
Belgium (Security threat level – 3): On 29 November 2018, the U.S. Embassy in Brussels issued a Demonstration Alert that reads in part as follows: “There will be several large demonstrations in Brussels from Friday November 30, 2018 to Sunday December 2, 2018:
“If you have an appointment for a visa interview on Wednesday, we will contact you directly to reschedule your appointment. We regret the inconvenience.”
Haiti (Security threat level – 4): On 29 November 2018, the U.S. Department of State issued an updated Travel Advisory for Haiti, which reads in part as follows:
“Reconsider travel to Haiti due to crime and civil unrest.
“There are currently unpredictable and sporadic demonstrations in Port-au-Prince and elsewhere in Haiti. On November 29, 2018, the U.S. government authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their families. Protests, tire burning, and road blockages are frequent and unpredictable. Violent crime, such as armed robbery, is common. Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents, and emergency response, including ambulance service, is limited or non-existent.
“Travelers are sometimes targeted, followed, and violently attacked and robbed shortly after leaving the Port-au-Prince international airport. The U.S. Embassy requires its personnel to use official transportation to and from the airport, and it takes steps to detect surveillance and deter criminal attacks during these transports.”
Mexico (Security threat level – 4): On 28 November 2018, the U.S. missions in Mexico issued a Weather Alert, which reads in part as follows:
Security threat levels range from 1 (Very Low) to 5 (Very High) and are determined using a comprehensive system that utilizes both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The primary factors used to determine a location’s security threat level are Armed Conflict, Crime, Demonstrations/Strikes, Ethnic/Sectarian Tensions, Graft/Corruption, Kidnapping, Political Instability, Government Restriction and Terrorism.
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