Mali (Security threat level – 5): On 5 July 2019, riot police officers clashed with protesters near the headquarters of the G5 Sahel military force — a West African regional security force — in Bamako’s Badalabougou area. Riot police officers fired tear gas to disperse the protesters, who burned tires, erected barriers on roads near the headquarters and threw stones at police officers. At least 35 protesters were injured during the clashes, seven vehicles were damaged and police officers arrested approximately 25 protesters. Local residents have been staging protests on a near weekly basis since the regional military headquarters was relocated to Bamako from the central Mopti region following a June 2018 terrorist attack.
Nigeria (Security threat level – 5): Emerging reports on 9 July 2019 indicate that a protest on the premises of the National Assembly Complex in Abuja has turned violent. Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) who are protesting against the detention of IMN leader Ibrahim el-Zakzaky breached the first gate of the premises, prompting security personnel to fire warning shots to disperse the group. As of the latest reports, protesters are burning vehicles parked in the vicinity of the entrance to the complex; police reinforcements are being deployed to the scene.
Pakistan (Security threat level – 5): On 9 July 2019, two gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire at a roadside tea shop in the Pehlwan Goth neighborhood, located in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Johar district. Reports indicate that the assailants stopped outside the shop, fired multiple rounds and immediately fled the scene. Two people were killed and one more was critically wounded in the attack. While further details regarding the attack are unavailable, authorities suspect that the motive of the shooting was terror-related
Tunisia (Security threat level – 3): On 9 July 2019, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued updated travel advice for Tunisia, which reads in part as follows:
China (Security threat level – 3): Beginning on 13 July 2019, a number of demonstrations are scheduled to take place in Hong Kong as part of the ongoing protests against a now-suspended controversial bill that would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China. A protest organized by the North District Parallel Imports Concern Group against the extradition bill as well as against traders catering the mainland tourists is expected to begin at 1530 local time (0730 UTC) on 13 July in the Sheung Shui area of New Territories. Although the exact protest route is currently unknown, the rally is scheduled to begin at the North District Sports Ground.
Separately, a protest march organized by Shatin Commons is expected to take place in the Sha Tin district in the New Territories at 1530 local time on 14 July. Organizers expect approximately 10,000 attendees, and the march will begin at the Chui Tin Street Soccer Pitch in Tai Wai before moving to the Sha Tin Government Offices, which are located approximately 2 km (1 mi) away.
Other proposed protests are currently being planned for 21 and 28 July, but these still require approval from authorities. The 21 July rally proposed by the Concerned Group for Tseung Kwan O People’s Livelihood and Community Alliance is being discussed to take place in the Tseung Kwan O area of the Sai Kung District in New Territories. It would include a march to the offices of Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) to protest against perceived negative media coverage of the protests by the news outlet. On 28 July, a group plans to march from Tseung Kwan O’s Po Tsui Park to the Velodrome Park approximately 1.5 km to the south.
Demonstrations are also possible in areas where protests have previously taken place, such as the Central District, and near government offices. Despite the expansion of the protests, there are no indications that operations or transportation from and to Hong Kong International Airport (VHHH/HKG) are likely to be affected.
Meanwhile, on 10 July, minor clashes broke out at Yau Tong MTR station, located in the Kowloon area, between supporters and opponents of the controversial extradition bill. The clashes occurred as protesters attempted to erect a “Lennon Wall” (location for citizens to post messages supporting the protests) at the station, and counter-protesters attempted to remove the messages. At least two people were arrested at the station, and the situation resolved by 0000 local time on 11 July. Furthermore, later at approximately 0100 local time, a counter-protester attempting to remove messages at a Lennon Wall in Kowloon Bay assaulted a protester. The attacker was later arrested.
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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