UNITED STATES - In response to the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris, the United States government is making changes to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows citizens of 38 member countries to enter the U.S. without a visa for 90 days or less. The changes include enhanced tracking of past travel to countries considered terrorist safe havens, offering VWP countries assistance with vetting and screening travelers, and identifying new programs to collect fingerprints and photographs for the VWP. Because most of the Paris attackers were citizens of France or Belgium, both of which are VWP countries, the attacks have prompted bipartisan scrutiny of the program over the last two weeks, with lawmakers calling for a tightening of rules for travelers from VWP nations. Also announced was a review to take place within two months of all VWP countries to assess their level of intelligence cooperation and information sharing with the U.S., which could eventually mean a reduction in the number of VWP member nations. The administration also said it would ask Congress to increase fines for airlines that fail to verify a traveler's passport data.
UNITED STATES/THAILAND - Thailand-based airlines cannot establish new service to the United States, including through codeshares, now that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has downgraded the country's rating for civil aviation standards to Category 2. After an assessment in July and discussions with Thailand's government through Oct. 28, the FAA determined that the country does not comply with International Civil Aviation Organization safety standards. Category 2 countries can continue existing service to the United States, but Thailand's only airline with a capable fleet, Thai Airways, ended its only U.S. service, to Los Angeles, in October. Thailand had maintained a Category 1 rating, indicating compliance with ICAO standards, since 1997.
FRANCE - Unionised employees of France's national air carrier, Air France, are expected to participate in a strike on 2 and 3 December. Labour unions, ALTER and Union of Air France Pilots (SPAF), have called on their members to observe the strike action to protest against a number of concerns, including proposed job cuts and charges laid against Air France employees suspected of involvement in violent unrest during a related 5 October protest. The strike is set to occur from 00:01 local time on 2 December until 23:59 on 3 December. An associated protest is expected in the capital, Paris, on 2 December, where participants will gather outside the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Bobigny, on Avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier in the Bobigny area, from 12:00. It is currently unclear how well the strike action will be observed, although airline authorities have indicated that minimum services will be available on the affected days. Nonetheless, disruptions are anticipated, including delays and cancellations. Furthermore, an increase in demand for alternative carriers and transport is anticipated. Localised travel disruptions are anticipated in the vicinity of the associated demonstration site. Persons intending to fly with Air France during the aforementioned strike period are advised to contact the airline or their travel provider to confirm the status of flights. Clients are further advised to avoid any large street gatherings and concentrations of security forces as a precaution.
INDIA(KOLKATA) - Several unions representing taxi drivers have called for 48-hour strike in Kolkata, in India's north eastern state of West Bengal, on 3 and 4 December. The strike has been called to protest against current working conditions and salaries. The strike was originally called from 1 to 4 December, although the first two days were called off by the unions representing the drivers. Further details are unavailable. Should it go ahead, the strike is likely to result in road travel disruptions and an increased demand for alternative forms of transport. Furthermore, given the precedent set during previous strikes, protests are likely to accompany the agitation. Should protests take place, the possibility of confrontations between police and protesters cannot be discounted. Clients in Kolkata state on 3 and 4 December are advised to monitor local media for updates regarding the strike, and to avoid all street protests as a precaution. In addition, clients are advised against all non-essential travel to rural and remote areas of West Bengal state, due to ongoing security risks posed by a Maoist insurgency.
INDIA(TAMIL NADU) - (Update) Heavy rain and associated flooding in Tamil Nadu state continue to be reported. Despite a slight decrease in rainfall on 2 December, many areas remain flooded, including large parts of the state capital, Chennai. Flights at Chennai International Airport have been suspended due to a flooded runway. Rail services also remain impacted, with numerous cancellations reported and a number of roads and highways closed. Power cuts have been widely reported. Tamil Nadu and several other southern states are likely to be affected by further heavy rainfall and associated flooding over the near-term. Additional disruptions to rail, road and air travel services should be anticipated. Clients in the region are advised to monitor local media closely for updates and advisories. Caution is advised in all flooded areas. Travellers should reconfirm the status of their flight(s) and other scheduled transport services with their travel provider or the relevant transport authority prior to departure.
MEXICO(SINALOA STATE) - Two Australian nationals, Dean Lucas and Adam Coleman, were reported missing in Mexico's Sinaloa state on 20 November shortly after arriving in the state, via ferry, from Baja California. Their fire-damaged van was discovered in the Navolato area of the state over the weekend of 28 and 29 November, with two bodies reportedly inside the vehicle. DNA tests are being conducted to identify the two bodies; however, it is believed that the victims are the two Australians. Further details regarding the case are unavailable. Sinaloa state is considered a high-risk destination due to elevated kidnapping and crime levels. Security is undermined by pervasive organised crime and drug-cartel activity. The risk to foreigners, particularly those travelling without an escort, is considered elevated. Heightened caution is advised in Sinaloa state due to the threats of crime and kidnapping and the incidental risk of organised crime-related conflict. This is particularly relevant outside of all major cities and primary resort areas in the country. Clients operating in Sinaloa state should consider travel with a trusted local contact or security escort. Travel should be conducted during the day only.
YEMEN(ZINJIBAR & JAAR(ABYAN GOVERNORATE)) - Militants linked to Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) issued a statement on 2 December stating that they had captured Zinjibar and Jaar in Yemen's southern Abyan governorate. The capture of the cities followed a brief assault and clashes with local Popular Committee militia. The takeover was confirmed by some local residents. The capture of the cities, if confirmed, would serve as a blow to efforts by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, which supports Yemen President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, to retake control of the country. The coalition is currently battling Houthi militia and Yemen military forces loyal to former president, Ali Saleh, in central and northern Yemen. Islamist extremists have taken advantage of the coalition's focus on this area to take territory in the east, including in Hadramawt governorate and now, Abyan. Clients are advised against all travel to Yemen. Persons in the country should travel with a security escort and reside in a secure compound. Crisis management plans should be regularly reviewed in conjunction with a security provider.
SAUDI ARABIA/YEMEN(NAIJRAN PROVINCE & SAADA GOVERNORATE) - - Media reports on 1 December indicate that the Houthis attempted to storm Saudi military positions in southern Saudi Arabia, near the city of Najran, but were repelled, resulting in heavy casualties among the Houthi force. The assault was launched from Yemen's northern Saada governorate. Houthi forces are engaged in an ongoing battle against a Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Yemen. This battle has also impacted on southern Saudi Arabia at times, with numerous Houthi assaults across the frontier reported in recent months. The incursions have largely been short-lived, and ended with the Houthis withdrawing. Saudi military border positions have been degraded in many areas. Further cross-border fighting should be expected. Clients are advised against all travel to within 10km of the shared border with Yemen and against all non-essential travel to a further 20km beyond the 10km extreme-risk zone due to the risks of conflict and terrorism. Persons operating in this area should do so with a security escort and reside in secure compounds. Clients are advised against all travel to Yemen. Similar elevated security measures are advised to persons travelling in this country.
JORDAN(IRBID GOVERNORATE) - Jordanian authorities issued a statement on 1 December indicating that two police officials on patrol near the Syrian border in Jordan's Irbid governorate were attacked by unidentified gunmen and killed during the evening of 30 November/1 December. Jordan's northern border has been severely insecure since the start of the 2011 civil war in Syria. Large refugee flows and the regular cross border movement of fighters from Syria have undermined the overall security environment. Attacks on Jordanian security forces, who have been deployed in large numbers to secure the frontier, have been infrequent but remain a persistent risk. Heightened caution is advised in the immediate vicinity of the shared borders with Syria and Iraq due to the threat of conflict spillover.
INDIA(BHOPAL, DELHI) - The 31st anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy will take place in India on 3 December. Given past precedent, protest action is expected in Bhopal, in Madhya Pradesh state, as well as in the capital, Delhi. The anniversary marks the 1984 accidental leak of methyl isocyanate gas and other chemicals into the atmosphere by the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant. The gasses were blown over the city of Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh state, exposing over 500,000 people to the chemicals. Local authorities claimed that nearly 4,000 people were killed in the immediate aftermath of the highly toxic gas leak; however, estimates as high as 8,000 were also reported. In addition, tens of thousands of people experienced partially or severely disabling injuries and thousands of others died of illnesses related to the gas leak in the years that followed. As civil and criminal cases are pending, protests are expected on the anniversary, particularly in Bhopal and outside the prime minister's office in Delhi. Incidents of violence at such events are possible, as security forces are prone to overreaction in the event of unrest and often resort to force. Indeed, previous protests over this issue have degenerated into violence. Clients in Bhopal and Delhi on 3 December are advised to exercise heightened situational awareness. Large protest gatherings and concentrations of security forces should be avoided as a precaution.
ECUADOR - Ecuador's National Assembly is due to convene in the capital, Quito, on 3 December to promulgate amendments to the constitution, including stipulations regarding the presidential term limit. Groups opposed to the amendments, including the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) and the Workers United Front (FUT), have called for a national strike on the day and a protest near the National Assembly building in the Arbolito Park area. Opponents of the amendments have also called for countrywide demonstrations. The planned protest in Quito is expected to draw a large crowd on 2 December. The above-mentioned groups have staged regular anti-government protests over the amendment issue and other concerns in 2015. Should the amendments pass, protests may escalate further over the near-term. Protests on 2 December remain a possibility. The protest in Quito on 3 December may be preceded by street marches by protesting groups moving towards the National Assembly. This may result in road travel disruptions. Protests outside of Quito are likely to concentrate on major public squares, city centres and government buildings. The risk of low-level confrontations at all protest events is considered elevated. Clients in Ecuador are advised to monitor local developments closely. All street protests should be avoided as a standard precaution.
THAILAND - Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej will celebrate his 88th birthday on 5 December; various celebratory events are set to occur across the country from 3 to 5 December. In the capital, Bangkok, events are set to be held at Sanam Luang, on the grounds of the Grand Palace. Road closures associated with celebratory events are scheduled for Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, as well as Sanam Chai, Charoen Krung, Thai Wang, Phra Phiphit, Na Phra Lan, Ratchadamnoen Nai and Na Phra That roads. Although unconfirmed, precedent suggests that events will also be held at the Klai Kangwon Palace, located in the Hua Hin district in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Associated events are expected to conclude without incident; however, political tensions remain elevated following the May 2014 military coup. Although not anticipated, upcoming events may serve as a platform for opposing political and civic groups to voice their political grievances against the coup. Should such protests occur, they are likely to centre on Bangkok and possibly Hua Hin. However, such demonstrations are likely to be isolated. Heightened security measures should be anticipated in all major cities for the coming days. Such measures may involve increased police presence at strategic locations, additional security checkpoints and road closures. Associated disruptions to business and transport services should be anticipated in the vicinity of the Grand Palace (Bangkok), and throughout Hua Hin district (Prachuap Khiri Khan). Clients in Thailand in the coming days, particularly in Bangkok and Hua Hin, are advised to avoid any politically motivated gatherings as a precaution, and should anticipate road closures and localised traffic disruptions due to the commemorative events.
INDONESIA - Indonesia is set to hold regional head elections, on 9 December, amid a heightened security presence. The upcoming election is set to occur amid an elevated threat of civil unrest and terrorism. The Indonesian armed forces have deployed a total of 135,000 security force personnel to strategic locations across the country to assist police in preventing election-related violence and unrest during the period leading up to, and on the day of, the elections. Furthermore, the underlying risk of terrorism in Indonesia is high. The threat stems from Islamist extremists, such as regional terrorist organisations and self-radicalised small-scale groups, and lone-wolf individuals. Although security forces have not identified an explicit terrorist threat, the possibility that such groups may seek to disrupt the polls by launching small-scale attacks against state symbols or election-related facilities cannot be discounted. Lastly, voter turnout is expected to be high; as such, disruptions to business and transport services should be anticipated on the day. Clients in Indonesia on 9 December are advised to avoid all polling stations, politically motivated gatherings, political party offices, and state buildings and personnel as a precaution. In light of the potential for travel disruptions, clients should adapt their itineraries if necessary. Furthermore, due to a number of ongoing security-related concerns, all non-essential travel to Papua, West Papua and Aceh provinces is advised against.
