Our Global Risk partners, Drum Cussac, provide in-depth analysis of global risks via in-house experts, cutting edge technology and through a comprehensive global source network. Here is your summary of the incidents you need to know about from the last 30 days.
Central African Republic
Authorities Declare National Catastrophe as Floods Continue
According to international media reports on Tuesday, 29 October, the Central African Republic government has declared that more than 20,000 people have been made homeless across several provinces and an additional 8,000 individuals in the capital, Bangui, following flooding. In Bangui, hundreds of homes have reportedly been destroyed in the floods. International media reports suggest that there is a lack of drinking water and a higher risk of epidemics, such as cholera. The flooding has rapidly worsened following heavy rains in the last few days, especially after the Oubangi river and its tributaries, located in the southwest of the capital, overflowed on Thursday, 24 October. The flooding was reported as the worst in two decades in the Central African Republic.
Mozambique
Government Forces Clash with Insurgents in Muidumbe District, Cabo Delgado Province
According to local media reports on Thursday, 24 October, government forces have clashed with suspected Islamist insurgents in Muidumbe district, Cabo Delgado province. The fighting reportedly occurred in the vicinity of Miangalewa on Tuesday, 22 October, when security forces deployed artillery against a position occupied by the insurgents. Although a number of militants were reportedly either killed or wounded in the bombardment, operations in the area are ongoing.
Niger
Tens of Thousands Displaced by Flooding in Diffa Region
According to international media outlets on Saturday, 26 October, floods in the Diffa region in the southeast of the country have forced more than 23,000 to flee their homes since early October. Heavy rains have caused the Komadougou Yobe River, which flows through the semi-desert Diffa region into Lake Chad, to burst its banks, inundating villages, flooding fields and damaging crops. Multiple shelters have been opened in areas of Diffa for people affected by the flooding.
Chile
Curfews Confirmed in Major Cities on 24 October
According to local media sources, authorities have declared that curfews will be in place in major cities across Chile again on Thursday night, 24 October, through to Friday morning, 25 October, due to continued unrest. Protests have continued on Thursday, including large –scale gatherings of demonstrators at Plaza Italia in the capital and Plaza de la Independencia in Concepcion. In response, under the continued State of Emergency, curfews have been declared in the following areas:
- Arica: from 2200hrs to 0400hrs (0100 to 0700 UTC)
- Iquique: from 2200hrs to 0500hrs (0100 to 0800 UTC)
- La Serena and Coquimbo: from 2200hrs to 0400hrs (0100 to 0700 UTC)
- Santiago Metropolitan Region: from 2200hrs to 0400hrs (0100 to 0700 UTC)
- Valparaiso Region: from 2200hrs to 0500hrs (0100 to 0800 UTC)
- Rancagua: from 2000hrs to 0600hrs (2300 to 0900 UTC)
- Province of Concepcion: 2300hrs to 0400hrs (0200 to 0700 UTC)
- Valdivia: from 2200hrs to 0600hrs (0100 to 0900 UTC)
Further curfews may still be declared in other areas.
Mexico
Residents Set fire to Vehicles in Salvador Escalante, Michoacan
According to local media sources, locals in Opopeo, in the municipality of Salvador Escalante, Michoacan state, set fire to two vehicles on the road to Ario de Rosales on Friday, 25 October. Around 20 locals armed with machetes, sticks and stones set fire to two commercial vehicles and parked them horizontally across the road to block traffic. The motive for their actions has not been revealed and police have been deployed to the area to restore order.
United States
Tens of Thousands Under Mandatory Evacuation Order as Kincade Fire Spreads Across Sonoma County, California
In an update from earlier reports, a mandatory evacuation order was expanded overnight on Saturday, 26 October, in multiple towns in Sonoma County, California, as the Kincade Fire continues to increase in size. The evacuation order was expanded from 50,000 to 90,000 residents and included the entire towns of Healdsburg and Windsor, while the evacuation zone currently extends from Healdsburg west through the Russian River Valley to Bodega Bay. Extremely high winds, with gusts up to 75 mph (121 km/h), have spread the fire to more than 26,000 acres. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection confirmed Saturday evening that the fire was 11 percent contained and more than 23,500 structures were in danger.
Syria
Top Islamic Leader Al-Baghdadi Killed in US Security Operation in Idlib Province
International media outlets report on Sunday, 27 October, that US President Donald Trump confirmed in a televised address that the top Islamic State (IS) leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was killed in a US security operation. Reports state that al-Baghdadi detonated a suicide vest while cornered in a tunnel in his compound in Barisha, Idlib province. The US President further stated that many of his loyalist supporters were also killed in the operation. Al-Baghdadi was reported to have been under surveillance for a couple of weeks, and that several other raids had been cancelled because of his movements. No US soldiers were killed in the raid, with DNA tests confirming the identity of the leader as al-Baghdadi.
Afghanistan
Dozens of Taliban Militants Killed in Security Operation in Central Faryab Province
International media outlets report on Sunday, 27 October, that at least 53 Taliban militants were killed in the central Faryab province district of Maymana in an overnight security operation. A government spokesperson said in a statement that the operation was in retaliation of an earlier thwarted attack undertaken by the Taliban. The security operation reportedly had US air support in conjunction with ground-based Afghan troops. Four Afghan soldiers were said to have been injured in the battle.
Iraq
Several Killed in front of Iranian Consulate in Kerbala
International media sources are reporting that Iraqi security forces killed three protesters in the early hours of Monday, 4 November, in front of the Iranian consulate in Kerbala. The incident occurred when security forces open fire on a crowd of protesters that at gathered at the consulate. Reports indicate the crowd of protesters had attempted to set fire to the consulate. A further seven people are reportedly injured.
Greece
Police Clash with Demonstrators in Athens following Policing Law Abolition
According to local media reports on Thursday, 31 October, police have fired tear gas at protesters in Athens who had gathered in opposition to the abolition of a law which prevented police from entering university premises. The protesters marched from the University of Athens towards Syntagma Square and clashes broke out near the parliament building, with protesters throwing bricks and Molotov cocktails at police, prompting crowd dispersal operations. It is unclear if unrest in the area has ceased.
Montenegro
Weather Warnings Issued Nationwide for 4 November
Meteoalarm, the European weather service, has issued weather warnings and alerts nationwide for Monday, 4 November. The centre of the country, including Podgorica, has been issued with a red warning, the highest on a four-tier scale, due to forecasts of heavy rain. For the rest of the country, yellow warnings have been issued, with the agency also forecasting wind gusts of up to 38mph (61kph) and possible thunderstorms and hail.
Turkey
Bus Rams Crowd near Bahcesehir University in Istanbul’s Besiktas District
According to local media reports on Sunday, 3 November, at least 13 people have been injured after a bus rammed into a crowd in the vicinity of Bahcesehir University in Istanbul’s Besiktas district. It is currently unclear if the ramming was intentional or the result of a loss of control of the vehicle, however, at least one person was injured after the driver stabbed them with a knife whilst they were fleeing the vehicle. The driver attempted to flee the scene, however, he was later detained by police. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Myanmar
Dozens Killed as Military Sinks Boats Carrying Kidnapped Troops in Rakhine State
International media outlets report on Sunday, 27 October, that the Myanmar army sunk several boats in western Rakhine State carrying dozens of its soldiers and police officers who were abducted by the rebel Arakan Army (AA) a day earlier. The AA said in a statement that the abduction of the members of the security forces was the second carried out in recent weeks, mostly by recruited Buddhists from the local population. The circumstances around the incident remain unclear at this time.
India
Casualties Reported and Thousands Left Homeless following Widespread Flooding in Dimapur, Nagaland
Local media sources are reporting that severe flooding caused by incessant rains has left at least one person dead and thousands of people without homes. Reports from the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) indicate that cyclonic circulation over West Assam area and moisture incursion over the Bay of Bengal has caused severe flooding. Nagaland received a total rainfall of 81 cm (31.5 inches) in 36 hours. The villages severely affected by the floods include Tuolazouma, Bade, Tsithrongse, Seluophe, Naharbari, Darogajan, Domokhia, Purana Bazaar B, Purana Bazaar Model Colony, Khushiabil, Siethekema Basa, Thahekhu, Imkonglenden, Kuhuboto, Khopanala, Sangtamtila and Urra Colony.
Bangladesh
Fatalities Reported following Clashes between Criminals and Police in Sitakunda Upazila, Chittagong
According to local media reports on Tuesday, 29 October, at least three suspected robbers were killed in clashes with police in Sitakunda Upazila, Chittagong. Reports suggest that an exchange of fire broke out in the area of Chhoto Kumira during the early hours of Tuesday morning when a police team came under attack by the assailants. At least three people, thought to be members of an inter-district gang, have been detained and a number of weapons were recovered from the scene.
Global Risk RoundUp – November 2019
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