On 3 January 2020, a US drone strike in Baghdad killed Qassem Suleimani, commander of Iran’s Quds Force unit and the second most important figure in Iran. This report explores the security implications in Iraq, the Middle East and further afield of this significant escalation of the US-Iran conflict.
Topic: Insight Reports
Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea Security Overview – January 6, 2020
The Gulf of Guinea (GoG), a vital shipping route in Africa, has consolidated itself as the world’s piracy hotspot, with concerns augmenting in recent months over an increase in frequency and magnitude of crew kidnappings. In the absence of improvements in the rule of law and regional maritime security policies, the piracy threat in the GoG is expected to continue to develop unabated.
Global Kidnap for Ransom Report – November 2019
This issue of Constellis’ Kidnap for Ransom Insight Report covers global kidnapping incidents and trends for the months of September and October 2019. The information is derived from multi-source analysis of kidnap for ransom activity and where known, the outcome or resolution of the events. The report covers current kidnap for ransom hotspots at regional, national and provincial levels, with a particular focus on areas where kidnap for ransom activity is increasing.
Global Kidnap for Ransom Report – November 2019
This issue of Constellis’ Kidnap for Ransom Insight Report covers global kidnapping incidents and trends for the months of September and October 2019. The information is derived from multi-source analysis of kidnap for ransom activity and where known, the outcome or resolution of the events. The report covers current kidnap for ransom hotspots at regional, national and provincial levels, with a particular focus on areas where kidnap for ransom activity is increasing.
Iraq Protests Overview – Post Incident Report October 2019
Over 1-2 October, a significant escalation of protest activity was observed across major urban centers in Iraq, including Baghdad. Over the following days, the death-toll from enduring anti-government protests rose to 20 as protesters defied government-imposed curfews across a number of cities. While a temporary lull is possible in the lead up and during the religious period of Arba’een (19-20 October), protestors will likely increase activity toward the end of the month if tangible progress is not made with regard to their demands.
Global Kidnap for Ransom Report – September 2019
This issue of Constellis’ Kidnap for Ransom Insight Report covers global kidnapping incidents and trends for the months of July, August and September 2019. The information is derived from multi-source analysis of kidnap for ransom activity and where known, the outcome or resolution of the events. The report covers current kidnap for ransom hotspots at regional, national and provincial levels, with a particular focus on areas where kidnap for ransom activity is increasing.
Global Kidnap for Ransom Report – July 2019
This issue of Constellis’ Kidnap for Ransom Insight Report covers global kidnapping incidents and trends for the months of May, June and July 2019. The information is derived from multi-source analysis of kidnap for ransom activity and where known, the outcome or resolution of the events. The report covers current kidnap for ransom hotspots at regional, national and provincial levels, with a particular focus on areas where kidnap for ransom activity is increasing.
Global Kidnap for Ransom Report – July 2019
This issue of Constellis’ Kidnap for Ransom Insight Report covers global kidnapping incidents and trends for the months of May, June and July 2019. The information is derived from multi-source analysis of kidnap for ransom activity and where known, the outcome or resolution of the events. The report covers current kidnap for ransom hotspots at regional, national and provincial levels, with a particular focus on areas where kidnap for ransom activity is increasing.
Burjesia IDF Attack – Post Incident Report – 20 June 2019
Early on 19 June, a suspected Iranian-backed militia group conducted a mortar attack in the Burjesia area of the Zubayr Oil Field, located 25km southwest of Basra City. At least one round damaged an accommodation building, wounding up to three local nationals. It is assessed that the intended target was likely the camp of a major international oil company and that the mortar rounds failed to hit their intended target. This aligns with current reporting regarding strained relations between the US and Iran, which has translated into a string of mortar/rocket attacks over the past month against US military and diplomatic facilities elsewhere in the country. Meanwhile, Iran and its proxies have also demonstrated intent to disrupt oil operations in the Gulf of Oman, sabotaging six oil tankers in recent weeks. As such, the threat of subsequent indirect fire targeting US and international oil assets in southern Iraq is assessed to be extant. Such activity may pose a severe collateral risk to personnel in Basra.
Global Kidnap for Ransom Report – May 2019
This issue of Constellis’ Kidnap for Ransom Insight Report covers global kidnapping incidents and trends for the months of March, April and May 2019. The information is derived from multi-source analysis of kidnap for ransom activity and where known, the outcome or resolution of the events. The report covers current kidnap for ransom hotspots at regional, national and provincial levels, with a particular focus on areas where kidnap for ransom activity is increasing.