UNITED KINGDOM(NORTH SHIELDS, NORTH EAST REGION) - The far-right group, English Defence League (EDL), has called for a mass demonstration in North Shields, located in the UK's North East region, on 1 August. The event has been organised by the EDL in opposition to the closure of a local immigration office, as well several other immigrant-related grievances. Participants are expected to gather at the Garrick's Head public house, located on Saville Street, from 13:30 local time. Unconfirmed reports suggest that counter-protests may take place alongside the EDL demonstration. Far-right groups periodically hold protests and demonstrations in the UK; these often prompt counter-demonstrations by rival groupings. It should be noted that EDL demonstrations have often displayed strong anti-Islam undertones. Violent confrontations involving participants, counter-demonstrators and/or security forces have taken place in the past. Such unrest may pose an incidental risk to bystanders. Localised travel disruptions should be anticipated in the vicinity of any demonstrations on the day. Persons in North Shields on 1 August are advised to expect an increased police presence and should avoid the vicinity of the upcoming gathering. Clients should anticipate localised travel disruptions during the demonstration. Clients are further advised to monitor local media for updates regarding the upcoming event.   

 

CHINA - Chinese authorities have suspended operations at a small regional airport in the country's east, state media reported on Wednesday, after an arson attack aboard a local flight left two passengers injured. A witness told state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) that a man had set fire to a curtain and newspapers in the first class cabin on the flight from the coastal city of Taizhou to the southern metropolis of Guangzhou. The arsonist boarded the Shenzhen Airlines flight from Taizhou with a knife, lighter and gasoline, despite bans on carrying the items, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing airport and witness reports. Passengers and crew restrained the man after he tried to start the fire as the plane was landing on Sunday morning, reports said. Authorities sacked two aviation officials in Taizhou over the incident, Xinhua reported, citing local government officials. China's civil aviation authority shut down Taizhou's airport on Wednesday, citing "severe safety risks". Xinhua said the closure was temporary, and provided no further details.

 

PORTUGAL(LISBON) - Baggage handlers associated with the Union of Workers of the Aviation and Airports (SITAVA) in Portugal are expected to launch a work stoppage at the Lisbon Portela Airport on 31 July. The strike, which has been called in response to various salary and privatisation-related grievances, is scheduled to take place between 09:00 and 15:00 local time on the day. Disruptions to flight and baggage services are anticipated for the duration of the action.  Authorities at Lisbon Portela Airport are likely to implement contingency plans to minimise the effect of the upcoming work stoppage. Given that the strike action is being undertaken as part of an ongoing labour dispute, further such action is possible in the short- to medium-term. It should be noted that strikes of this nature may be extended or suspended on an ad hoc basis. Clients scheduled to transit through the Lisbon Portela Airport on 31 July should anticipate delays and are advised to contact their airline or travel provider to enquire about the status of their flight(s).

 

MEXICO(MEXICO CITY) - At least five Uber taxis were destroyed, and several others damaged, during a protest by taxi drivers in Mexico's capital, Mexico City, on 28 July. The incident, in which Uber taxis were attacked with sticks, rocks and other objects, occurred near the Mexico International Airport.  Uber is a mobile application-based transportation network that uses a smartphone application to receive taxi ride requests from customers; ride requests are then sent to member drivers. Local taxi drivers consider this an uncompetitive practice and therefore a threat to their business. Further attacks on Uber vehicles, including those occupied by passengers, remain possible in the short-term. Although the initial violence targeted vehicles operating near the Mexico City International Airport, the threat extends to all areas of the city. Due to various security concerns, clients in Mexico City are advised to limit their use of taxi services in the city to those pre-arranged through their accommodation or via a reputable service provider. Due to safety concerns, the use of unregistered and/or taxis hailed off the street should be avoided.

 

IRAQ(DAHUK & ARBIL GOVERNORATES) - (Update) Turkey's military continues to conduct air strikes and artillery attacks against Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) positions near the shared border with Iraq and Turkey in Iraq's northern Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) region. The latest strikes, which began on 24 July, were reported on 28 and 29 July and affected Mount Matin (Dahuk governorate) and parts of the Soran district (Arbil governorate). The Iraqi government has condemned the Turkish military action. The increase in Turkish military action against the PKK follows a period of increasing insecurity in Turkey, where the PKK has escalated low-level attacks against the government in response to the Islamic State (IS) attack in Suruc, southern Turkey, on 20 July. The PKK has blamed the Turkish government for the attack. The Turkish government has also increased its involvement in the conflict against IS in Syria, heeding a plea from its Western allies, specifically the US. It has used this position to increase military action against the PKK, which maintains positions of strength in south eastern Turkey and in the immediate border areas of northern Iraq in the KRG. The strikes against the PKK in northern Iraq are unlikely to spread beyond the immediate border region. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)-controlled regions of Dahuk, Arbil and Sulaymaniyah (including Halabja) due to ongoing conflict in the region and the threat of terrorism. This region includes core Kurd territory located east of the Green Line and does not include disputed territory west of the Green Line, of which the KRG assumed control in June 2014. Clients are further advised against all travel to this disputed area. Heightened caution is advised near the Green Line in the KRG. In light of the recent air strikes, clients intending to travel in rural and remote areas near the shared border with Turkey in Iraq's Arbil and Dahuk governorates should reconsider the need for travel. If travel is undertaken, this should be conducted with a security escort.   

 

ISRAEL(THE GAZA STRIP) - Several activist and civil rights groups have called for a mass demonstration in Romania's capital, Bucharest, on 31 July. The event has been organised to demand more severe sentences for perpetrators of sexual assaults in the country. Participants are expected to gather at University Square (Piata Universitatii), located near the University of Bucharest, from 17:00 local time. The upcoming demonstration is expected to conclude peacefully; however, the possibility of isolated low-level clashes cannot be discounted. Such unrest may pose an incidental risk to bystanders. The protest is likely to be well attended; as such, localised travel disruptions should be expected. Persons in Bucharest on 31 July are advised to avoid the demonstration and associated large street gatherings. Local media should be monitored for any updates on the upcoming protest. Itineraries should be kept flexible in order to make allowances for localised travel disruptions in the vicinity of University Square.   

 

INDIA(GUJARAT STATE) - According to reports released on 29 July, heavy rains and associated flooding has left at least 26 people dead and resulted in disruptions in India's western state of Gujarat over the past 48 hours. Casualties have been reported in the districts of Ahmedabad, Banaskantha, Patan, Kutch, Rajkot, Sabarkantha, Surat, and Navasari. The heavy rain has also impacted the state's largest city, Ahmedabad, where disruptions have been reported, although the Banaskantha district has reportedly been worst impacted; an unknown number of disaster response teams, accompanied by additional police have been deployed to the district to assist with recovery operations there. Across the flood-affected districts, almost 3,000 villages remain without power, and at least 11, but possibly more trains have been cancelled in the past 24 hours. Inundated roads have also led to additional land-based travel disruptions. The situation is likely to deteriorate further as additional rain has been forecast for 30 July. As such, further casualties, as well as disruptions to business operations, travel and amenities such as water, telecommunications and electricity should be expected. Large parts of India are affected by the annual monsoon season, which generally runs from June to September. Gujarat is not historically as heavily affected as areas on the country's south western coastline or north east. However, the recent bout of heavy rainfall, as well previous heavy rain and flooding which resulted in fatalities in late June indicates that no area of India is immune from the risk. Persons currently in Gujarat state are advised to monitor weather developments and heed any advisories issued by the local authorities. Furthermore, clients are advised to exercise caution in flood-prone areas, particularly low-lying areas in close proximity to rivers and on flood plains.

 

SAUDI ARABIA(AL-JESH, QATIF GOVERNORATE) - A police patrol was attacked in the Al-Jesh area of Saudi Arabia's eastern Qatif governorate late on 28 July. The attack left one police official dead and two others wounded. Two suspects were arrested following the attack. The incident is indicative of the ongoing insecurity in the region where anti-government sentiment among the Shiite Muslim population is elevated and regularly results in periods of violent or disruptive civil unrest. Violent incidents (low-level shootings) have also regularly been reported targeting police interests (police patrols, stations and checkpoints). These are typically blamed on militant elements within the local community. Eastern Saudi Arabia has also been affected by Sunni extremist attacks in recent weeks (22 and 29 May) against Shiite mosques. At present, it is unclear which grouping could be responsible for the 28 July shooting. Clients travelling in the Qatif governorate are advised to exercise a heightened level of caution, particularly in rural areas and near security force personnel and facilities.

 

PAKISTAN(PUNJAB PROVINCE) - At least 13 suspected militants have been killed in a gun battle with security forces in Pakistan's Punjab province late on 28 July. Among those killed include the leader of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Sunni extremist group, Malik Ishaq. According to reports, Ishaq and his two sons were arrested several days previously; security forces were moving him from a detention centre in the city of Multan to the nearby city of Muzaffargarh when the transport convoy was attacked in Muzaffargarh district by gunmen who freed Ishaq and his sons. However, the fleeing suspects were cut off by police, following which a gun battle ensued, resulting in the aforementioned casualties. The incident has since concluded. This incident is significant as it has resulted in the death of Ishaq and other senior members of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. The group, which has a sectarian-based agenda is thought to be responsible for high-profile attacks that have left hundreds of Shiite civilians dead in recent years, especially in the western city of Quetta. Despite Ishaq's death, Pakistan is host to numerous armed non-state groups with a variety of motivations, such as attacks on Shiites, the implementation of Sharia law, the overthrow of the government or a combination thereof. As such the extreme threat of terrorism is likely to persist for the medium-term at least. Moreover, although there have been no warnings pertaining to such, the possibility of reprisal attacks from Lashkar-e-Jhangvi-aligned militants in the coming days cannot be discounted. Clients are advised against all travel to Pakistan. Clients currently in the country are advised to monitor local developments closely, exercise heightened situational awareness at this time and report any suspicious people, packages or activities to authorities immediately.   

 

TURKEY(HAKKARI, DIYARBAKIR, SIRNAK & AGRI PROVINCES) - (Update) A number of low-level security incidents were reported in south eastern Turkey on 27 July. These included the shooting and killing of a soldier in Semdinli (Hakkari province), the kidnapping of a police official by suspected Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants along the Diyarbakır-Bingol highway in the Lice area of Diyarbakir province, as well as the wounding of three people, including two civilians and one police officer, by a bomb explosion along Berivan Street in Cizre (Sirnak province). The Cizre attack coincided with protests against the government's initiation of air strikes against PKK targets in northern Iraq. Elsewhere, the Turkey to Iran natural gas pipeline was sabotaged in the Dogubeyazıt district of Agri province on 27 July. The incidents coincide with increasing tensions in Turkey following a suspected Islamic State (IS) suicide attack in Suruc (Sanliurfa province) on 20 July. The PKK and a number of other opposition groups have blamed the government for the attack or for not doing enough to prevent the incident. The government has reacted to the bombing by deploying military forces to the shared border with Syria near IS positions in Syria, conducting raids against militant sites across Turkey, initiating air strikes against the PKK in northern Iraq, and increasing security in the country's restive south east. The government's response has escalated since 24 July. The tensions are unlikely to ease over the near-term and further violence is anticipated. State facilities and personnel are the most likely to be targeted in the south east by the PKK. The probability of further IS-initiated attacks in the country can also not be discounted. These are more likely near the shared border with Syria; however, incidents elsewhere cannot be discounted.  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. Travellers in high-risk regions should avoid travel near security force personnel and facilities and persons or buildings associated with the government.

 

EGYPT(GIZA) - A security operation has been launched in the city of Giza, Egypt, following a shooting incident outside the Embassy of Niger in the Al-Haram district early on 29 July. At least one police officer was killed and one other wounded while guarding the embassy when the attack took place. The attack has not been claimed by any group. Streets in the vicinity of the embassy have been shut down as security forces conduct search operations to apprehend the perpetrators. The incident is the latest in a string of low-level attacks in Egyptian urban centres in recent months. These have been attributed to Islamist extremists, supporters of Islamist political parties and anarchist groups. The spate of attacks targeting state, police and military personnel and facilities, including bombings and armed assaults, is expected to persist for the near-term at least. Increased security measures, including checkpoints, road closures and patrols, are anticipated in the vicinity of the recently affected areas in the near-term. Clients in the affected area are advised to exercise heightened security awareness and adhere to all directives issued by local authorities. Persons in Giza are advised to avoid all unnecessary travel near security force and government personnel and facilities as a precaution.

 

BANGLADESH - Protests and calls for strike action should be expected in Bangladesh following a 29 July decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the death sentence of Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, a senior leader of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).  Chowdhury was found guilty by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in October 2013 for war crimes committed during Bangladesh's 1971 war for independence from Pakistan. Disruptive and violent protests, which were well attended, took place in response to the verdict at that time, and similar action has taken place in response to subsequent verdicts and/or sentencings of at least ten senior opposition leaders since 2010. The BNP, and the Islamist Jemaat-e-Islami party, which has also had senior leaders tried in the ICT have stated the trials are politically motivated and an attempt by the ruling Awami League (AL) to weaken opposition parties. Should strike action take place, it is likely to impact on business and travel operations throughout the country. Associated demonstrations carry a high threat of violence, as security forces often use force as a first resort when dealing with dissent. It should be noted that public transport services such as busses are at heightened threat during strikes and associated protests, as this form of transport is often subject to arson attacks, which pose a clear threat to those using such services. Counter-protests by groups supportive of the verdict are also possible. Clients in or planning to be in Bangladesh in the coming days are advised to monitor local developments closely, avoid all protest action, possible strike-related activity and concentrations of security forces, and request regular updates from their security provider.

ISRAEL(JERUSALEM) - LGBT activists will participate in the Jerusalem March for Pride and Tolerance 2015 on 30 July. The gathering is expected to begin at Independence Park (Gan HaAtsmaut) at 17:00 local time. Participants will then march to Liberty Park near the German Colony. The parade is due to conclude at 20:30. The parade is likely to result in some minor road travel disruptions along the marching route and in its immediate vicinity during the evening of 30 July. Security may also be increased due to the possibility of counter-protests. Clients in Jerusalem are advised to exercise caution in the planned parade area on 30 July. All protests should be avoided. Travellers should adjust itineraries due to possible disruptions.

 

BOSNIA(SARAJEVO) - The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Bosnia and Herzegovina (SSSBIH) has called on its members to hold a demonstration against proposed labour law reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina's capital, Sarajevo, on 30 July. Participants are expected to gather outside the Parliament building, located on Hamdije Kresevljakovica street, from 10:00 local time. The protest has been scheduled to take place ahead of a parliamentary session in which voting on the new Labour Act will take place. The adoption of the law is reportedly a prerequisite for Bosnia and Herzegovina to receive financial support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). SSSBIH asserts that the new Labour Act would violate workers' rights in the country; the demonstration has thus been organised to prevent politicians from passing it into law. It should be noted that all protests in Bosnia and Herzegovina carry an elevated risk of violence; as such, the possibility of violence occurring at the upcoming demonstration cannot be discounted. Localised travel disruptions are expected in the vicinity of the Parliament building.  Persons in Sarajevo on 30 July are advised to avoid all protest gatherings and concentrations of security forces as a precaution. Localised travel  

 

ROMANIA(BUCHAREST) - Several activist and civil rights groups have called for a mass demonstration in Romania's capital, Bucharest, on 31 July. The event has been organised to demand more severe sentences for perpetrators of sexual assaults in the country. Participants are expected to gather at University Square (Piata Universitatii), located near the University of Bucharest, from 17:00 local time. The upcoming demonstration is expected to conclude peacefully; however, the possibility of isolated low-level clashes cannot be discounted. Such unrest may pose an incidental risk to bystanders. The protest is likely to be well attended; as such, localised travel disruptions should be expected. Persons in Bucharest on 31 July are advised to avoid the demonstration and associated large street gatherings. Local media should be monitored for any updates on the upcoming protest. Itineraries should be kept flexible in order to make allowances for localised travel disruptions in the vicinity of University Square.

 

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