ARGENTINA(AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS) - Argentina's national carrier, Aerolineas Argentinas, has cancelled a significant number of international and domestic flights to and from the country that were scheduled for between 23 and 30 July. The cancellation is a result of the airline overselling tickets; unconfirmed reports suggest that as many as 300 flights have been cancelled. Related disruptions to operations at Ezeiza International Airport, in Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, have been reported in recent days. Disruptions to Aerolineas Argentinas services, including additional delays and cancellations, should be anticipated due to the airline's reduced capacity. An increased demand for flights on alternative airlines is likely in the immediate-term. Additionally, once flight schedules normalise, residual disruptions resulting from a backlog of flights should be anticipated. Clients intending to fly with Aerolineas Argentinas between 23 and 30 July are advised to contact the airline or their travel provider to confirm the status of their flight(s).

Our records indicate your company did not have any travelers on Aerolineas Argentinas who were ticketed through ATG.

SOMALIA(BAARDHEERE, GEDO REGION) - According to reports, troops from the Somali Armed Forces (SAF) and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) captured the strategic city of Baardheere, located in Somalia's southern Gedo region, on 22 July. Recognised as a long-standing al-Shabaab stronghold in the region, government control over Baardheere serves as a significant development in Somalia's ongoing counterterrorism efforts. Further unconfirmed reports on 24 July assert that government forces have driven Islamist insurgents out of Diinsoor, a town in Somalia's south western Bay region. Notable progress has been made in Somalia with regard to reducing al-Shabaab's operational presence in the country since 2014. This is due in part to counterterrorism efforts led by the AMISOM, SAF and the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) in south central Somalia, as well as successful offensives on al-Shabaab strongholds in the north of the country by the Puntland Security Forces (PSF). Given the strategic importance of Baardheere, significant resistance from al-Shabaab forces is likely as the group launches counter-offensives in an effort to recapture the city. In light of this, insecurity in and around Baardheere is expected to remain elevated in the short- to medium-term. Due to various security concerns, including the risk of extreme conflict, clients are advised against all travel to Somalia, including the southern Gedo region. Persons operating in the country despite this advisory should implement comprehensive travel, residential and personal security measures at all times.
  

INDIA(JAMSHEDPUR, JHARKHAND STATE) - A curfew of indefinite duration continues to be in place in the town of Jamshedpur, in India's eastern Jharkhand state, on 24 July. The 24-hour curfew, which was imposed on 21 July, has been relaxed during certain times of the day since 23 July. In the Mango, Azadnagar, Olidih and MGM areas, which were the worst affected by the violence, the curfew has been relaxed between 8:00 and 10:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00 local time. In other parts of the city, the curfew has been relaxed between 10:00 and 18:00. The curfew was imposed following communal clashes between Hindu and Muslim communities over the alleged harassment of a girl on 20 July. The incident took place near the Gandhi Maidan area of the city. Although the situation has since been brought under control, an elevated security force presence remains in place.  Communal tensions remain elevated at this time and further confrontations and protests by members of the two communities are possible despite the curfew and security force presence. Given the imposition of the curfew, security forces are likely to respond swiftly and decisively to any protest; as such, the potential for violence at any related gatherings is considered high. Persons in or planning to travel to Jamshedpur are advised to monitor local media and abide by the directives of the authorities and the conditions of the curfew. All large public gatherings should be avoided.
 
TURKEY(KILIS PROVINCE & ISTANBUL) - Turkish military forces and suspected Islamic State (IS) militants engaged in a gunfight along the shared border between Turkey (in Kilis province) and Syria (in Aleppo governorate) on 23 July. The skirmish left one soldier dead and a number of others wounded. The engagement has led the Turkish authorities to respond with tank fire and air strikes against IS positions in Aleppo governorate on 23 and 24 July. The Syrian towns of Al-Rai, Havar al-Ayasha and Azaz have been affected by retaliatory attacks. The border violence followed shortly after Turkey agreed to allow US-led coalition aircraft to use its airspace and one of its bases to launch air strikes against IS in Syria. In addition, Turkish security forces reportedly launched a series of raids against suspected IS, Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) and Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) positions in Istanbul on 24 July. Approximately 140 residents were reportedly raided by 5,000 officials in operations across the city. The border clashes are not unprecedented; however, Turkey has largely refrained from targeting rebel and militant positions on Syria since the start of the civil war. However, it has retaliated when fired upon. The current military operations and the decision to allow US coalition flights access to Turkey for bombing attacks in Syria points to a possible change in Turkey's position. An escalation of cross-border violence is possible over the near-term. The border violence and security raids also coincide with an uptick in anti-government civil unrest and a string of low-level shootings and bombings targeting state and government personnel and facilities since the 20 July suspected IS attack in Suruc. Opposition groups, including the PKK, have blamed the government for the attack. The PKK has claimed at least one attack against security force personnel since then. In response, the Turkish government is likely to conduct further raids, akin to the Istanbul raid on 24 July. Additional police and military deployments are also likely in restive towns along the Syrian border and in Kurd majority south eastern urban centres in the country. Clients are advised against all travel to within 10km of the shared border with Syria in the Turkish provinces of Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Mardin and Sirnak, due to the threat of conflict spillover from Syria and an increased risk of terrorism. Heightened caution is advised elsewhere in these provinces (except Sirnak, see below) due to elevated conflict and terrorism risks. Clients are further advised against all non-essential travel to the provinces of Van, Sirnak and Hakkari due to the risk of conflict between the Turkish military and Kurd rebels, as well as elevated risks of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping and crime. In addition, heightened caution is advised in all eastern and south eastern provinces of Turkey, particularly in rural areas, due to the risks of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, crime and Kurd rebel-related conflict. These provinces include Ardahan, Agri, Kars, Igdir, Siirt, Batman, Bitlis, Mus, Bingol, Elazig, Erzincan, Tunceli, Diyarbakir and Erzurum. Travel near state or government facilities and personnel should be avoided.

THAILAND(LOPBURI, PATHUM THANI, BANGKOK & HUA HIN) - The transportation of seven large statues of Thai kings is expected to cause travel disruptions in several of Thailand's central provinces until 29 July. The transportation of the statues, which began on 23 July, is set to affect the province of Lopburi from 24 July, Ayutthaya from 25 July, Pathum Thani on 26 and 27 July, Bangkok from 28 July and Ayutthaya again on 29 July. Motorists have been advised to avoid travel on the Rama II, Phetkasem and Cha-am-Pran Buri highways during the aforementioned times. The statues are expected to reach the coastal area of Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan province on 29 July.  Persons in the aforementioned areas should plan for significant road travel disruptions, particularly on the Rama II, Phetkasem and Cha-am-Pran Buri highways. Clients are advised to contact their travel provider or transport operator for further information on the status of services.

MEXICO(OAXACA) - The National Coordination of Education Workers (CNTE) union is set to hold a protest march in Oaxaca city, in Mexico's Oaxaca state on 24 July. The march has been called in protest of the government's reformation policies regarding the education sector, including the recent dissolution of the Oaxaca State Institution for Public Education (IEEPO). The union believes that current reformation policies will result in a number of redundancies in the sector. Participants are expected to gather at the Monumento a la Madre from 10:00 local time and proceed to march to the Plaza de la Constitucion (Zocalo), where a rally will be held. Increased security measures, including the deployment of additional security forces have been implemented ahead of the protest. Associated demonstrations are also expected in the Chiapas, Guerrero and Michoacan states on the day. While further details regarding the associated demonstrations are currently unavailable, these are likely to take place in the vicinity of main urban centres, education-related facilities and government buildings. The upcoming march forms part of the ongoing protest action by CNTE with regards to a number of education and political reforms. Although the upcoming protest march is expected to conclude peacefully; previous demonstrations have been characterised by low-level violence. As such, the possibility of violence occurring at the upcoming march cannot be discounted. Localised travel disruptions are expected in the vicinity of demonstration-affected sites. As associated grievances are unlikely to be resolved in the short- to medium-term, further such protests should be expected. Persons in Oaxaca are advised to monitor local media for updates regarding planned protests. All protest locations and related gatherings should be avoided as a precaution.

NEPAL - The 30-party opposition alliance led by the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (UCPN-M) has called for a countrywide general strike on 24 July. The strike action has been called to protest against a recent bilateral trade agreement between China and India regarding land in Nepal. Details pertaining to the start and end times of the strike have not been disclosed. Although it is currently unclear how well the strike action will be observed, disruptions to business and transportation services are expected. Civil unrest from strikes, known locally as bandhs, is a regular occurrence in Nepal. As such, the possibility of violence occurring during any strike-related activity cannot be discounted. Persons in Nepal on 24 July are advised to anticipate localised travel disruptions and plan accordingly. In addition, all strike-related protest activity should be avoided in order to mitigate the threat of civil unrest. Clients are further advised to monitor local developments closely.
 

BAHRAIN - The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has warned of countrywide protests in Bahrain on 24 July. The unauthorised protests are expected to be held in several villages. Further details are currently unavailable, including who has called for the protests. The protests are likely initiated by Shiite Muslim opposition parties or activists; these groups hold regular anti-government protests in the country to demand the release of political prisoners and reforms. Demonstrations are prone to low level acts of violence, either directed by militant supporters of these groupings against state interests or by the police against protesters. Police-initiated violence is more likely to occur if protesters block major roads, if they march in Sunni areas or attempt to march into the capital, Manama. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to Bahrain, excluding Manama, the Bahrain International Airport and main roads leading from the airport to the capital. Unaccompanied travel at night outside of secure areas in all locations is ill-advised. All street protests should be avoided.

TURKEY(ISTANBUL) - The Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has called for a rally in Istanbul, Turkey, on 26 July. The rally has been called to denounce the 20 July terrorist attack in Suruc (Sanliurfa province), which left 32 people dead. The gathering is expected to start at 16:00 local time in the Sishane area in the Beyoglu district. The planned event is the latest reaction to the Suruc bombing. Turkey has been affected by a number of anti-government protests, many of which have been affected by violence, and low-level shootings and bombings targeting state and government facilities and personnel. Opposition political groupings, including the HDP, have denounced the government for its failure to prevent the attack. Many groups have also linked the attack to the government. The gathering on 26 July is likely to be well-attended as the HDP enjoys wide support. The potential for low-level confrontations between protesters and the police is considered elevated and will increase further should the gathering display an anti-government sentiment. Clients in Istanbul on 26 July should exercise caution in the planned rally area through the course of the day. All street protests should be avoided as a precaution. In light of the recent increase in acts of violence, clients should also avoid state and government facilities and personnel.

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