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Travelers are urged to use caution as well as prepare for travel delays in many parts of the world:

ECUADOR(MARISCAL LAMAR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT) - (Update) Mariscal Lamar International Airport, which serves the city of Cuenca in southern Ecuador, will remain closed until 21:30 local time on 5 May. The airport was closed on 28 April, following an aircraft accident. The delay in reopening the airport is reportedly due to the ongoing inspection of the runway. In light of repeated delays in finalising the inspection of the runway and the airport facilities, further extensions of the closure or flight delays past 5 May are possible. Persons scheduled to transit Mariscal Lamar International Airport in the near-term are advised to contact the airport, their airline or their travel provider for an update on the status of their flight(s) and for travel alternatives.

IRELAND(DUBLIN) - Significant disruptions to Luas light rail tram services are expected in Ireland's capital, Dublin, on 4 May, due to a strike by unionised employees. The action is set to affect both the Green and Red lines of the Luas network on the day; however, normal services are set to resume at approximately 05:30 local time on 5 May. The upcoming strike forms part of an ongoing agitation by Luas drivers, represented by the Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU), in response to a long-running pay dispute. Disruptions to Luas services and an increased demand for alternative modes of transport should be anticipated during the strike period. As negotiations between Luas operator, Transdev, and the union remain ongoing; the upcoming strike may be cancelled or postponed on an ad hoc basis. It should be noted that SIPTU has called for additional strike actions throughout the course of the month, including on 13, 20, 26 and 27 May. Clients in Dublin on 4 May are advised to adjust their itineraries to accommodate Luas service disruptions, or seek alternative methods of transport. Local media should be monitored for updates on the strike action.

ETHIOPIA/SOUTH SUDAN - Recent reports indicate that at least 32 kidnapped Ethiopian children have been recovered by South Sudanese authorities in Likuangole county, located in South Sudan's newly formed Boma state. The children were kidnapped by suspected Murle tribesmen, following a cross-border raid into Ethiopia's Gambela region on 15 April. Local media assert that the children were collected from three villages in the aforementioned country by the respective chiefs; at least 93 other abductees remain at large. The children are expected to be taken to South Sudan's capital, Juba, in the coming days before they are repatriated. Further details regarding their release have not been disclosed. As many as 208 people were killed and 75 others wounded, following a violent cross-border raid in Gambela by South Sudanese-based tribesmen on 15 April. In addition to stealing an estimated 2,000 heads of cattle, the attackers also abducted at least 125 local children. A swift security operation was launched by security forces after the raids, which Ethiopian authorities blamed on members of the Murle ethnic group in South Sudan. The motivation for the initial attack still remains unclear; however, communal violence within Gambela, including areas along the shared border with South Sudan, is often triggered by competition for natural resources or as a result of reprisal attacks. Although foreign nationals are not directly targeted, there is an incidental risk to persons in the vicinity of the communal conflict. All travel to the western Gambela region, and to areas within 20km of Ethiopia's border with South Sudan, is advised against due to the threat of communal violence and regular cross-border clashes between various ethnic groups. Clients in areas recently affected by violence are advised to maintain a low profile, avoid all non-essential road travel and remain aware of local developments.

TURKEY(MERSIN) - Two Israeli nationals, Saleh Muhammad Katnani and Saher Ibrahim Katnani, from the Bedouin city of Rahat in southern Israel, were kidnapped for ransom in Turkey in late April. The victims, who were studying in Armenia but had flown to Turkey to purchase gold on 28 April, were abducted by an unidentified gang. The kidnappers reportedly threatened to sell the victims to the Islamic State (IS) if a ransom of US$170,000 was not paid. The demand was later reduced to US$30,000. The victims were released on 30 April. It is unclear where the initial abduction occurred, and what the circumstances of the release were. Media reports indicate that the pair was transported to Mersin in southern Turkey on 30 April, where they were met by representatives of the Israeli diplomatic staff in Turkey. The risk of kidnapping in Turkey is assessed as medium. The risk stems from various non-state armed groups, including Kurdish separatists, who are operational in the south east predominantly, and criminal groupings that operate nationally. Kidnappings by separatists typically target members of the Turkish state. Criminal groupings operate widely, and mostly target wealthy locals and/or their dependants, for ransom; however, intermittent kidnappings of foreign nationals do occur. The majority of incidents are resolved fairly quickly, and victims are generally released unharmed. Clients operating in Turkey should exercise a heightened level of personal security awareness, maintain a low public profile, and ensure that itineraries are kept to a need-to-know basis. This is particularly relevant outside of tourist areas.

SENEGAL(COUNTRYWIDE) - The US Embassy in Dakar has warned of the risk of terrorist attacks in unspecified locations in Senegal, including locations frequented by foreign nationals, in a security message on 29 April. The warning follows a general increase in the terrorism risk for Senegal, following a number of high-profile attacks in West Africa in recent months. West Africa has experienced a number of acts of terrorism recently. Affected states include Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Mali. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has carried out the bulk of the attacks and has targeted areas that had previously been largely immune from Islamist militant-related violence. There are concerns that AQIM and other like-minded groupings may coordinate further attacks in West Africa over the near-term, including in Senegal. As a member of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie and an operational hub for past French counterterrorism operations in the region, including Operation Serval (2013 and 2014) against extremists in northern Mali, Senegal is a possible future target. Senegal also hosts a large expatriate community and thousands of foreigners visit the state each year. The likelihood of an attack has led the local authorities to review and increase security in recent weeks. Local authorities have also ordered increased security measures in the capital, Dakar, and asked hotels to increase security measures. Clients in the country, particularly in Dakar, are advised to monitor security-related developments closely. Caution is advised in crowded areas, particularly those frequented by foreigners. Suspicious persons and packages should be reported to the police. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to the Casamance area, which includes the Ziguinchor, Sedhiou and Kolda administrative regions, due to a low-level insurgency and associated insecurity in the region. This issue is separate from and does not impact on the terrorism risk, which stems from Islamist militants.

ISRAEL(NILIN(WEST BANK)) - Israeli security forces launched an operation in the West Bank town of Nilin, late on 1 May. The operation was initiated after an Israeli national was reportedly abducted by three unidentified assailants. The details of the abduction remain unclear; however, information available suggests that the assailants crossed the security barrier (West Bank barrier) separating Palestinian and Israeli territory and abducted the Israeli national, before returning to Nilin. The exact location of the abduction is unclear. Following the initiation of the operation, clashes were reported between the Israeli security forces and local residents. The kidnap victim was later found and released unharmed. Kidnappings are rarely reported in the West Bank, given the elevated security in the area and the separation of Israeli/Jewish communities from Palestinian residential areas by security barriers. However, kidnapping remains a threat in the area and is likely to continue to be utilised by persons opposed to the presence of Israeli security forces and Jewish communities in the West Bank. The purported abduction coincides with a general increase in anti-Israel agitation since October. The frequency of related incidents (protests, stabbings, low-level bombings, shootings and vehicular attacks) has decreased notably, but incidents still occur and are likely to continue for the foreseeable future, given a number of ongoing disputes between the Palestinian polity and the Israeli state, including Jewish settlement construction and the status of Jerusalem. Clients are advised against all non-essential travel to the West Bank. Persons travelling in the territory should do so with a trained security driver. Travel at night should be avoided. Accommodation in the West Bank should be well secured, with 24-hour security presence at a minimum.

IRAQ(BAGHDAD) - A car bombing in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, on 2 May has killed 13 people. The bomb targeted a group of Shiite pilgrims in the Saydiyah area. Thousands of Shiite pilgrims have gathered in the capital to commemorate the anniversary of the martyrdom of the revered religious figure, Musa al-Kadhim, on 2 May or 25 Rajab on the Islamic calendar. The incident on 2 May underlines the elevated terrorism risk in the country, which stems predominantly from Sunni extremists. Attacks in the capital are regularly reported; these typically impact on Shiite interests or state interests. Clients are advised against all travel to the Baghdad governorate. Persons in the region should travel with a security escort and reside in secure compounds or hotels. Recent violence-affected areas should be avoided.

SAUDI ARABIA - Saudi Arabia's Binladin Group is reportedly planning to lay off approximately 50,000 foreign labourers, an estimated 25 percent of its workforce. The development, and the company's apparent failure to pay wages to some workers, has prompted protests near its offices across the country in recent days. On 30 April, protesting workers set seven busses alight at the Binladin Group's Mecca offices. The Binladin Group is one of Saudi Arabia's largest companies. The group is involved in large-scale construction projects, and has a presence countrywide. Further protests are likely in the coming days. These may escalate once layoffs are made official, or if wages remain unpaid. Binladin Group construction sites and offices are likely gathering points. Clients in Saudi Arabia should exercise caution near all sites associated with the Binladin Group. All protests should be avoided.

HAITI - The Haitian Tet Kale Party (PHTK) opposition group has called on its members and supporters to observe a countrywide general strike in Haiti on 2 May. The agitation has been organised in response to the indefinite postponement of the country's 24 April run-off election, and against the establishment of a commission to evaluate and verify the elections held in 2015. The PHTK is also calling for the replacement of interim President Jocelerme Privert, whose mandate is set to expire on 14 May. It should be noted that the Society of Providence United for the Economic Development of Petion-Ville (SOPUDEP) and the Fanmi Lavalas party have called for a mass demonstration in support of the aforementioned commission on 4 May. The action is set to take place in the capital, Port-au-Prince; however, further details regarding the demonstration have not been disclosed. It is currently unclear how well supported the general strike on 2 May will be; however, localised disruptions to business and transport services are possible on the day. As political tensions in the country remain elevated, there is a credible risk of clashes between opposing groups of supporters, as well as between protesters and security forces, during the upcoming demonstration on 4 May. Such unrest may pose an indiscriminate risk to bystanders. Due to a number of ongoing security concerns, all non-essential travel to Haiti is advised against. Persons in Haiti on 2 and 4 May are advised to avoid all strike-related activities and protest gatherings as a standard precaution. Local media should be monitored closely for updates on the upcoming agitations, as well as for related advisories from the authorities.

MOZAMBIQUE(MAPUTO) - Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is scheduled to visit Mozambique from 4 to 8 May. Significant security measures are set to be implemented in the capital, Maputo, and in Beira, as a precautionary measure ahead of possible protests between 3 and 7 May. Unknown activists have circulated calls for demonstrations in the capital. A general strike call has also been issued; however, it remains unclear how well supported either action will be. The Portuguese presdient's visit comes amid a spike in political tensions in Mozambique, stemming from various socio-economic and political concerns. Primarily, the strike and protest call appears to be linked to the country's ongoing economic woes, which are partly related to the discontinuation of foreign aid amid a corruption scandal. Furthermore, tensions between the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) and opposition Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) are currently elevated, following a series of internecine attacks in central and northern areas of the country. Although Maputo and Beira have been unaffected by the increased violence, related civil unrest remains a possibility. Heightened security measures, including police checkpoints, random identification checks, exclusion zones and other movement-restrictive measures, are likely to be implemented in the near-term. Clients in Maputo or Beira on the affected dates are advised to anticipate possible travel disruptions and should plan accordingly. Furthermore, travellers are advised to avoid all large gatherings and any demonstrations due to the possibility of civil unrest.

PHILIPPINES - (Update) Elevated security measures have been implemented across the Philippines, ahead of the country's general elections on 9 May. The general elections are scheduled to encompass the election of the president and vice president, as well as members of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Provincial boards, mayoral committees and city councils are also expected to be elected. At least five presidential candidates are set to contest the upcoming ballot, including Rodrigo Duterte of the PDP-Laban party and Senator Grace Poe, who is running as an independent. Incumbent president, Benigno Aquino III, is constitutionally barred from seeking re-election. Although no overt threats have been identified for the upcoming general elections, those sympathetic to separatist militant groups present in the south of the country may seek to cause disruptions in the run up to and during the polls. As such, there is a heightened threat from terrorism, politically motivated violence and associated civil unrest during the upcoming election period. Increased security should be anticipated in the vicinity of polling stations, political offices and other related buildings, institutions and activities on 9 May. Additional security checkpoints and road blockades are possible, and may result in localised travel disruptions. Furthermore, as the election date has been declared an official public holiday, localised disruptions to business and transport services are anticipated on 9 May. It should be noted that, after the election results have been released, the possibility of low-level protests cannot be discounted. Although foreign nationals are not likely to be directly targeted during such events, an incidental risk to bystanders remains. Persons in the Philippines in the coming days are advised to avoid all election-related facilities, events and personal as a standard precaution. Due to ongoing operations by rebels and terrorists, as well as regular clashes between these groups and the Philippine military, clients are advised against all travel to the southern Mindanao region and the Sulu Archipelago. This advisory does not extend to the eastern Caraga and Davao regions of Mindanao, to which non-essential travel is advised. Heightened caution is advised in the remote and rural areas of the Philippines, especially in close proximity to security force personnel and installations.

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