Africa

Nigeria

Boko Haram Attack Forces Hundreds to Flee from Judumri Village, Maiduguri

Hundreds of residents have fled to the Maiduguri city centre amidst a Boko Haram attack in Judumri, a village on the outskirts of the city. Residents of the city heard gunshots Saturday evening as Muslims were concluding their prayers. About an hour later, groups of men, women and children began to flock into the Maiduguri city centre on foot, fleeing the attack by Boko Haram. The attacked location, which is popularly known as Polo Area, has suffered repeated Boko Haram attacks in recent months. The military and police are now conducting security operations in the area.

Cameroon

Dozens of Students Kidnapped from School near Bamenda, Northwest Region

At least 80 people, mostly students, along with their teacher, school principal and driver have been abducted from a Catholic school near Bamenda in the Northwest Region. Unknown armed men were behind the attack. More details have yet to emerge.

The Republic of Congo

Tankers Attacked by Pirates off the Coast West of Pointe-Noire

Maritime intelligence sources indicate that two tankers were under piracy attack off the coast of Congo, around 102 N. miles west of Pointe-Noire. The incident reportedly occurred when the tankers ANUKET AMBER and BW FRIGG were approached by skiffs carrying pirates. The BW FRIGG reportedly took evasive action and avoided the attack, but the attack on the ANUKET AMBER was carried out.

Americas

Mexico

Shooting Leaves Several Dead in Victoria de Cortazar, Guanajuato State

A shooting in the Lerma neighbourhood of Victoria de Cortazar, Guanajuato state, has left at least six people dead. A group of gunmen reportedly carried out the shooting at a house where the victims were staying, in what is suspected to have been a targeted attack. The attackers escaped without being detained. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Dominican Republic

Multiple Arrests and Injuries due to Clashes Between Demonstrators and Police During General Strike in Cibao Region

At least 48 people were arrested and a further three were injured by the National Police during the ongoing 24-hour general strike denouncing the rise of fuel prices in the Cibao region. Clashes occurred after strikers reportedly gathered and formed spontaneous demonstrations. Closed local businesses have been ransacked. The protest action had been organised by the Coalition of Popular Organisations, several trade unions and social and community organisations. Units of the National Army were dispatched and were patrolling the streets to maintain order. In Tenares, unidentified people threw incendiary bombs at the building hosting the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) headquarters. Further demonstrations and clashes are to be expected in the near future.

Chile

Police Utilise Tear Gas During Protests in Concepcion, Bio Bio Region

Clashes between protesters and riot police occurred in the city of Concepcion located in the Bio Bio region. The protesters were demanding the resignation of the local mayor, Alejandro Tati Urbieta, who they accuse of corruption. Police used tear gas in order to disperse the protesters. Imagery indicates several demonstrators assaulted police and threw projectiles at them. It is not yet certain if there were any injuries due to the demonstrations.

Middle East and North Africa

Iraq

Islamic State Militants Arrested in Al-Amria, Anbar Province, Following Security Operation

Iraqi security forces arrested two members of the Islamic State group in the al Amria district in Anbar Province. Security forces also detonated 15 explosive charges, ready to be used in bomb attacks, in different parts in Albu Hassan area in Anbar during the security operation. In Ramadi, the forces also exploded 10 explosive charges and two jerry cans filled with explosive materials in the al Humayra area. The security operation is ongoing.

Yemen

Scores Killed as Clashes Continue near Port City of Hodeidah

As many as 80 people were killed as clashes flared between Yemen’s government forces and the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. The majority of those killed were Houthi fighters targeted by Saudi-led airstrikes during the ongoing fighting. Earlier, the Houthi fighters and pro-government Yemeni forces exchanged heavy artillery bombardment. Preliminary reports indicate that 61 Houthi rebels and 19 soldiers were killed in the clashes which lasted for nearly 24 hours.

 

Palestinian Territories & Israel

Israeli Military Operation in Gaza Strip Prompts Hamas Rocket Fire

According to regional media outlets, Hamas fired at least 17 rocket projectiles into Israel following an overnight Israeli military operation within the Gaza Strip. At least seven fatalities occurred during the Israeli raid, which Hamas officials have stated targeted a group of the organisation’s operatives, resulting in at least one military commander being killed. Airstrikes in the vicinity of the operation were also reported. Israeli media states that in the ensuing Hamas rocket barrage, at least three were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defence system, and communities along the border with Gaza were advised to remain in shelters overnight. These measures have since been lifted.

Europe

Russia

Hundreds Evacuated Following the Flooding of a Bridge in Rostov-on-Don, Rostov Oblast

At least 350 people had to be evacuated following flooding which began to sink a bridge in Rostov-on-Don. The bridge, which connects Zelyony Island to mainland Rostov-on-Don to the North, began to sink after it was flooded on Sunday, 4 November. Boats and engineering equipment were brought in to evacuate residents off the Island, while engineers worked to pump water from the bridge and lift it from the water.

Germany

Thousands Take Part in Protests Against Coal Mining in Duren

Thousands of environmental activists from Germany, as well as neighbouring countries converged on the town of Duren to protest against the open cast mining of coal nearby. Local police have a heavy presence at one of the main railway stations in order to carry out checks on the increasing amount of activists coming from other locations. Thus far there have not been any reports of violence. Activists have attempted to set up camps near the Garzweiler surface mine as well as locations within Duren but have been prevented from doing so by police.

Ukraine

Police Detain Dozens of Protesters in Kiev

Security forces detained around 40 protesters in the capital Kiev. The incident took place on the street General Almazov. Activists had balaclavas, batons and pyrotechnics and reports state they tried to set up tents in the area and then proceeded to throw firecrackers at law enforcement officers.

Asia and the Pacific

Sri Lanka

President Moves to Dissolve Parliament; Further Opposition Protests Likely

President Maithripala Sirisena has moved to dissolve Sri Lanka’s parliament. This would trigger a general election in January but is likely to be challenged in the Supreme Court, as it comes amid a political crisis following Sirisena’s attempt to replace the country’s prime minister. President Sirisena’s shock move to replace Wickremesinghe with former President Mahinda Rajapakse and subsequent suspension of parliament has paralysed much of the political administration and caused a constitutional crisis in Sri Lanka. Large-scale protests by supporters of Wickremesinghe and his United National Party (UNP) have taken place since, predominantly in Colombo, claiming the President’s actions to be illegal and unconstitutional.

Pakistan

Nationwide Credit and Debit Card Skimming Operation Hit Thousands of Customers

The head of the Federal Investigation Agency’s cyber-crime unit stated that almost all country’s banks had been hit by a cyber attack and a large amount of money had been stolen. Soon after, Pakistan’s Central Bank reassured investors and consumers that its banking system had not been hacked but that a mass skimming operation hit customers’ credit and debit cards. In late October, criminals were able to obtain the details of at least 20,000 debit and credit cards from as many as 22 banks. No consistent reports have been released in regard to the amount of money that was stolen. Multiple banks, upon identifying potential or alleged breaches, temporarily shut down their international payments system and online services, or blocked customers’ debit and credit cards or cards’ online and international use. It is believed the cards’ details had been sold on the dark web by the hackers. Further details are awaited.

Indonesia

Liberation Army Fighters Killed in Clashes in Lanny Jaya Regency, Papua Province

Two West Papua Liberation Army members were killed in hostilities with security forces Lanny Jaya Regency of Papua province. A military spokesman in West Papua said the military were responding after a local civilian was killed by the Liberation Army and an exchange of gunfire occurred in the rugged terrain in the Highlands region as the military attempted to recover the civilian’s body. Clashes between the military and the Liberation Army in the region are frequent as the armed separatists continue to battle for an independent West Papua. The armed wing of the Free West Papua Movement has been waging a sporadic guerrilla campaign for independence since the 1970s.

 

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Drum Cussac global risk roundup – November 2018

Drum Cussac is a global security consultancy responsible for ensuring the safety of more than 15 million lives across hundreds of organisations on a daily basis. Our Intelligence and Analysis Services team specialises in providing in-depth analysis of global risks via in-house experts, cutting edge technology and a comprehensive global source network.