AUSTRALASIA

Australia (Security threat level – 2): At approximately 1800 local time (0830 UTC) on 4 June 2019, a gunman opened fire on individuals inside the Palms Motel in Darwin, Northern Territory. The gunman reportedly entered the facility armed with a shotgun, perpetrated the shootings and subsequently fled the scene; police officers apprehended the shooter approximately 45 minutes later. At least four people were killed and several others were wounded in the shooting. Authorities stated that the incident was not terrorism-related.

EUROPE

United Kingdom (Security threat level – 2): On 4 June 2019, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators are expected to march through central London in response to an ongoing state visit by U.S. President Donald Trump. The march began at Trafalgar Square at 1100 local time (1000 UTC) and is expected to conclude at Parliament Square. Police officers have established several roadblocks in central London and banned demonstrators from approaching Downing Street. Demonstrations are also scheduled in Birmingham, Chester, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Leicester, Oxford, Sheffield and Stoke. In July 2018, approximately 250,000 people participated in a similar march during a visit by President Trump to the United Kingdom.

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Sudan (Security threat level – 5): Scattered incidents of violence were reported across Sudan, including in Khartoum, on 4 June 2019. Reports indicate the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) unit continues to patrol the streets and accost civilians, but there have been no reports of fatalities thus far. Khartoum International Airport (HSSS/KRT) is reportedly open, but travelers should plan for delays and possible disruptions, as the Sudanese Aviation Professionals Association (SAPA) has announced it will participate in civil disobedience. Additionally, Emirates Airline has suspended flights between Khartoum and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, citing unrest.

Meanwhile, on 4 June, Sudan’s ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) announced that it had halted negotiations with opposition leaders and had scrapped the existing agreement between the two parties. The TMC further stated that it plans to organize snap elections within nine months. Sudanese opposition forces — headed principally by the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) — rejected the government’s call for early elections and continued to call for civil disobedience and protests. The two parties had previously settled on a three-year period for Sudan’s transition to a full civilian government.

The TMC’s announcement follows Sudanese security forces’ efforts on 3 June to violently disperse sit-in protesters in central Khartoum and elsewhere in Sudan. According to the Central Commission of Sudanese Doctors, at least 35 protesters were killed and several hundred others were injured during the raids, in which security forces used live ammunition to disperse protesters. Several Western governments, including the U.S., U.K. and Germany, have denounced the Sudanese military’s use of force.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Burkina Faso (Security threat level – 4): On 3 June 2019, the U.S. Department of State issued an updated travel advisory for Burkina Faso, which reads in part as follows:

“Reconsider travel to Burkina Faso due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk.

“Do Not Travel to the following regions due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping:

The Boucle du Mouhoun Region

The Cascades Region

The Centre-Est Region

The Centre-Nord Region

The Centre-Ouest Region except Boulkiemde Province

The Centre-Sud Region

The Est Region

The Hauts-Bassins Region

The Nord Region

The Sahel Region

The Sud-Ouest Region

“The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the listed regions because U.S. government personnel travel to these areas is restricted.

“Do Not Travel to the following parts of the city of Ouagadougou due to terrorism and crime:

Arrondissement 11: Karpala, Balkiui, and Rayongo (also known as Dayongo) neighborhoods.”

Honduras (Security threat level – 4): On 3 June 2019, the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows:

“Location: Honduras, countrywide

“Event: Ongoing demonstrations by members of the health and education sectors. Students, other activists, and workers from other economic sectors, e.g., bus and taxi drivers, may also participate in the protests.

“In light of these ongoing demonstrations, the U.S. Embassy maintains its recommendation to minimize all unnecessary travel throughout the week of June 3 – 7, 2019. Unannounced protests could occur throughout the week and lead to the closure of businesses, and ongoing and persistent roadblocks in major cities and along the highways connecting Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, Choluteca, Choloma, Villaneuva, Tocoa, and other cities and major highways countrywide.”

Liberia (Security threat level – 4): On 3 June 2019, the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia issued a Demonstration Alert, which reads in part as follows:

“Location: Capitol Hill Area, Monrovia, Liberia

“Event: A demonstration is expected to take place on Friday, June 7, 2019, beginning in the morning and possibly continuing the next day. A group known as The Council of Patriots is organizing the demonstration.

“U.S. government personnel have been advised to avoid the area, including rescheduling flights in or out of Roberts International Airport on June 7 and 8, as traffic jams may affect travel to and from the airport.”

Mexico (Security threat level – 4): On 3 June 2019, the U.S. Consulate General in Ciudad Juarez issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows:

“Event: Change in Travel Policy for U.S. Government Employees in Chihuahua State

“The U.S. government has lifted restrictions on employee travel to Ciudad Juarez’s downtown (Centro) area put into effect last year. U.S. government employees may now travel at any time to the area of Ciudad Juarez bounded to the east by Bulevar Independencia; to the south by De los Montes Urales/Avenida Manuel J Clouthier/Carretera de Juarez; to the west by Via Juan Gabriel/Avenida de los Insurgentes/Calle Miguel Ahumada/Francisco Javier Mina/Melchor Ochampo; and to the north by the U.S.-Mexico border.

“U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to all other portions of Ciudad Juarez, except for direct travel to the Ciudad Juarez airport and the factories (maquilas) located along Bulevar Independencia and Las Torres. Additionally, travel to the factory (maquila) and cattle inspection station in San Jerónimo is permitted only through the United States via the Santa Teresa Port of Entry. Travel via Anapra is prohibited.

“U.S. government employee travel restrictions outside of Ciudad Juarez have not changed. U.S. government employees may only travel to Ojinaga, Palomas, and the Nuevo Casas Grandes area via the nearest U.S. port of entry. All travel to Chihuahua must take place during daylight hours via Highway 45, and U.S. government personnel may not visit the Villa, Zapata, or Morelos districts of the city.

“U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to all other areas of Chihuahua State, including Copper Canyon.”

Sudan (Security threat level – 5): On 3 June 2019, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows:

“Location: Each city in metropolitan Khartoum (Khartoum, Omdurman, and Khartoum North) and in other cities and locations across Sudan.

“Event: Road blockages and violence in and around Khartoum.

“American personnel at the U.S. Embassy have been advised to shelter in place at home for the time being.”

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.