Bangladesh: A strike called by an Islamist organization protesting government policies promoting expansion of women’s rights led to dozens of injuries and at least one fatality on 3-4 April 2011. At least one person was killed during a pre-strike rally on 3 April. A young man was struck and killed by a stray bullet during clashes between authorities and demonstrators in Jessore, located approximately 175 mi/280 km away from Dhaka. Police did not state who fired the shot. At least 25 additional people sustained injuries during the fighting, including several police officers.
On 4 Apirl, a roadblock on the highway between Dhaka and Chittagong, Bangladesh’s main port city, was the site of heavy fighting between police and protesters. The roadblock halted traffic for several hours, until police cleared the demonstrators with tear gas and water cannons. There were several more skirmishes throughout the capital city.
Azerbaijan: On 2 April 2011 authorities detained dozens of opposition activists who were attempting to stage a protest rally in central Baku. Organizers of the demonstration failed to receive approval from authorities for the rally near Fountains Square but tried to protest anyway, prompting police officers to seize demonstrators and detain them in buses. There were no reports of clashes or injuries. While the government did not indicate how many demonstrators were detained, an opposition leader stated that more than 200 were arrested.
“While opposition leaders continue to plan additional anti-government rallies, it is unlikely at the current time that the actions will develop into a mass protest movement akin to those seen in the Middle East and North Africa recently. The actions will, however, continue to carry a risk of violence, as authorities are unlikely to sanction future demonstrations, and police routinely use violence to disperse unauthorized protests.”
Greece: On 4 April 2011 a charter flight from Bristol Airport (EGGD/BRS) in the United Kingdom to the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh (HESH/SSH) made a safe emergency landing at Athens’ Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (LGAV/ATH) after receiving a bomb threat. The aircraft involved was a Boeing with 213 passengers on board; it had been chartered by Thomson Airways. Security personnel are searching the aircraft, and no further details are currently available.
United Kingdom: A bomb planted underneath a vehicle exploded in Omagh on 2 April 2011, killing an officer with the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The detonation occurred as the targeted officer was driving to work around 1600 local time. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but dissident republicans opposed to the peace process – such as the Real IRA or a group known as Oglaigh na hEireann — are suspected of planting the device. The incident was the first lethal attack by dissidents in Northern Ireland since March 2009.
Egypt: On 2 April 2011 the Israeli Counter Terrorism Bureau issued a terrorism alert warning that militant groups may attempt to kidnap or attack Israeli tourists in the Sinai Peninsula region. The alert strongly advised all Israelis vacationing in the Sinai area to return home for the time being. Although there were no indications of what specific information prompted the warning, officials did state that suspects known to be terrorist collaborators are currently residing in the Sinai Peninsula. Investigators claim that the suspects have been collaborating with militant groups to stage attacks and kidnappings to mark the upcoming Jewish holiday of Passover.
Kuwait: Air traffic was halted in Kuwait on 4 April 2011 after a dust storm reduced visibility to less than 150 m/500 ft at Kuwait International Airport (OKBK/KWI). Incoming flights are being diverted to neighboring countries. Strong winds of up to 28 mph/24 kt are also impacting conditions, and the storm has also forced the suspension of oil exports. It is not known when the airport will reopen.
Morocco: Approximately 4,000 protesters took to the streets of the major coastal city of Casablanca on 3 April 2011 to demand government reforms. Demonstrators called for an end to corruption and social injustice and the promotion of democratic ideals. There were no reported incidents of violence or unrest during the event.
“The recent protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations in the country in the past few weeks calling for democratic reform. Most protests have remained generally peaceful and while social and political tensions are elevated, a serious deterioration in conditions is not expected at this time.”
Syria: A tense calm has prevailed in Syria since violence broke out in several cities throughout the country on 1 April 2011 on a previously announced “Day of Martyrs.” In the northern Damascus suburb of Duma, as many as 3,000 people gathered for anti-government demonstrations on 1 April. At least six, put possibly as many as eight, protesters were killed when Syrian security officers apparently opened fire on the crowd. Elsewhere in the Damascus area, security officers fired rubber bullets on protesters in the suburb of Kafr Sousa. Outside the capital, violence also took place in the southern town of al-Sanameen near Deraa in the southwest, where approximately 25,000 people marched toward the town until being blocked by approximately 1,000 security officers at a military checkpoint. Demonstrations also took place in Deraa, in al-Qamishli and nearby towns in the northeast, as well as in Latakia and Banias in the west and in Homs in central Syria.
In the wake of the violence on 1 April, many shops were closed on 2 April, as security forces remained heavily deployed in the locations most affected by the unrest. A tense calm also reigned on 3 April, when several thousand people gathered in Duma for the funerals of those killed during the 1 April unrest.
The volatile security environment prompted the U.S. Department of State to issue its third updated Travel Warning for Syria within the past week on 3 April. The warning stated that the U.S. is offering free flights out of Syria to family members of U.S. government employees, and stressed that U.S. citizens currently in Syria should closely examine their security situation and consider leaving the country. The warning also advised against all non-essential travel to Syria at this time. The complete text of the statement can be found in the Government Warnings section below.
In political developments, on 4 April President Bashar al-Assad appointed a new governor to the southern town of Deraa, which has been the epicenter for anti-government protests since they broke out in mid-March. Deraa’s former governor was fired on 23 March. The development follows Assad’s appointment of a new prime minister on 3 April. Former agricultural minister Adel Safar is expected to announce a new Cabinet within the next few days. Assad fired his Cabinet on 29 March in an effort to appease the protesters. However, the move and subsequent associated developments have done little to calm the situation in Syria, as the majority of political power remains with Assad. Although the Syrian government has acknowledged the protesters demands, it continues to blame the violence on “armed gangs,” refusing to admit that the country’s security forces are largely responsible for the unrest.
Yemen: Anti-government protesters clashed with security forces in the cities of Taiz and Hudaida on 4 April 2011. Hundreds of protesters were injured, and at least five were killed when security forces opened fire using tear gas and live rounds in Taiz on 4 April. Protests began at approximately 0200 local time and have continued throughout the day. Dozens of protesters in Hudaida, located on Yemen’s southern coast, attempted to march on the city’s presidential palace; injuries occurred during clashes with security forces.
On 2 April the opposition coalition Common Forum offered a plan for the handover of power to President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s deputy. The plan demands that Saleh resign and hand over power to Vice President Abdu Rabu Hadi. Additional demands include the restructuring of security forces to make them accountable to the government, the establishment of an interim government based on national reconciliation, the establishment of a new electoral commission, and an investigation into the deaths of protesters. Yemeni officials have not yet received a copy of the plan.
Protest actions continue to spread across Yemen, and further violence associated with these protests is likely in the coming days and weeks
Côte d’Ivoire: Forces loyal to internationally-recognized President Alassane Ouattara are preparing for a final push against forces loyal to incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo in Abidjan, the economic capital, on 4 April 2011. Hundreds of Gbagbo supporters have surrounded the presidential palace, responding to a request to form a human shield around the complex. Fighters loyal to Ouattara now control approximately 80 percent of the country and have the city of Abidjan completely encircled.
French forces took over control of Abidjan’s Port Bouet Airport (ABJ/DIAP) on 2 April. France is also sending 300 additional troops to the country as part of its Licorne peacekeeping mission to protect foreigners from attacks and looting. Meanwhile, on 3 April the United Nations began evacuating approximately 200 of its remaining essential personnel from their mission building in Abidjan. U.N. officials have reportedly been flown by helicopter to the Abidjan airport and are to be transported to the city of Bouake, located in the northern area of the country.
Sporadic fighting continues to occur in Abidjan, though not at the levels seen in previous days. This is likely due to the amassing of pro-Ouattara forces around the city ahead of a final push toward the presidential palace, where Gbagbo is allegedly holed up. Major clashes between pro-Ouattara forces and forces loyal to Gbagbo are a near certainty.
At least 800 civilians, and perhaps as many as 1,000, were reported massacred in the town of Duekoue on 3 April. It is not yet known which group is responsible for the killings, though the incident occurred in an area controlled by pro-Ouattara forces. The United Nations is launching an investigation, which Ouattara said he supports.
Côte d’Ivoire: Due to the ongoing violence and significant deterioration in security and stability conditions in Cote d’Ivoire — as addressed above — and in light of long-term security implications, MEDEX Global Solutions has raised the country threat rating for Cote d’Ivoire to a level 5. The city threat rating for Abidjan, the economic capital, has also been raised to a level 5. The changes are effective as of 2 April 2011.
Nigeria: Logistical problems forced Nigeria’s electoral commission to postpone the country’s legislative, presidential and state gubernatorial elections by one week. The legislative poll, which was due on 2 April, was delayed twice, first to 4 April and then to 9 April due to a lack of ballots and tally sheets at most polling stations. Voting had already begun in several locations in 2 April before the postponement was officially announced. The legislative poll delay has also forced the highly-anticipated presidential election and state gubernatorial elections to be delayed. The presidential poll will now be held on 16 April, followed by the gubernatorial polls on 26 April.
The postponement of the election sparked unrest in at least two cities. In Gombe in northeastern Nigeria, would-be voters rioted after officials announced the postponement, prompting police officers to fire tear gas to disperse the crowd. In the southwestern city of Ibadan, a group of youths marched through a neighborhood shouting threatening slogans. Authorities also arrested youths in Kano and Katsina states. Although many Nigerians are upset over the delay, it has failed to spark any additional unrest. There are concerns, however, that politicians may use the extra time before the polls to mobilize their supporters. Violence had already marred the run-up to the polls, and additional incidents are likely before, during and in the immediate aftermath of the elections.
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