Situation update

• Kazakhstan continues to experience significant nationwide unrest with major disruptive impacts across sectors. As a result, President Tokayev called on the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Russian-dominated regional security bloc, for help in quelling the violence. Some 2,500 Russia troops deployed to Kazakhstan to help secure strategic infrastructure and assist domestic security forces.
• President Tokayev issued a critical "red-level" terror alert for the country, classifying all protesters as "terrorists" and empowering local security forces to shoot on sight and without warning. The order also allows security forces broad ability to search and seize, block movement, and monitor telecom activity. At least 130 protesters have been killed thus far while at least 20 security personnel have also been killed in the unrest since 04 January. 
• While the scale of protest activity and violence has reportedly began to diminish outside Almaty, an unknown number of Kazakhstani police and military have joined protesters or been disarmed. Additionally, weapons depots have been looted, raising the specter of heavy violence in the future.
• The city of Almaty continues to experience unrest and clashes through 07 January, with reports of an explosion in the northeastern part of the city followed by a chemical smell. Additional violence is likely in central Almaty and other parts of the city. 
• An internet blackout continues in Kazakhstan, along with disruptions to telecom services, making it difficult to confirm government reporting on the situation. All internet-dependent industries continue to face disruptions.
• Grocery stores, banks, and gas stations continue to experience supply or security issues.
• Both Almaty International Airport and Nur-Sultan International Airport are reportedly under Russian military control, with no commercial or private flight operations allowed; however, Air Astana will reportedly resume services from Nur-Sultan airport later today, with international flights to Dubai and Moscow and domestic flights to Atyrau, Shymkent and Turkestan. Additional international services to Frankfurt and Kutaisi (Georgia) will resume on 8 January 2022 and to Istanbul on 9 January 2022.
  

Situation update

• Overnight on 04-05 January 2022 and through the morning, at least 5,000 people took to the streets of the commercial capital Almaty, the political capital Nur-Sultan, Aktau, and other cities to protest rising fuel prices and shortages. As the protests expanded, they grew more broadly antigovernmental in nature.
• The unrest in Almaty turned violent, with protesters setting fire to the Akimat government building near Republic Square. Security forces used rubber bullets, tear gas, and flash grenades to attempt to clear protesters. At least 200 protesters and 100 police officers have been injured in the unrest in Almaty alone.
• Reports indicate President Tokayev accepted the resignation of the Prime Minister along with government ministers.
• There is now an internet blackout in Kazakhstan, along with disruptions to telephone services and several websites have been blocked as well. 
• Protesters reportedly entered and occupied Almaty International Airport during afternoon hours local time on 05 January, prompting evacuation of airport staff. Passengers had been evacuated earlier in the day as a precaution.
• Protesters reportedly entered and occupied Almaty International Airport during afternoon hours local time on 05 January, prompting evacuation of airport staff. Passengers had been evacuated earlier in the day as a precaution.
• President Tokayev declared a state of emergency, which includes a 2300-0700 curfew, for Almaty and the Mangistau region, while a curfew is in effect for the capital Nur-Sultan. Both are set to last until at least 19 January. 

Situation update

• On 20 December 2021, the U.S. Department of State declared a “Level 4: Do Not Travel Advisory” for Ukraine, citing “increased threats from Russia.” This warning comes amid a major Russian military buildup along Ukraine’s borders that began in late March. Starting in November, Russia began to mobilize its logistics and other military support units in a deliberate and highly overt manner, giving Moscow the ability to initiate offensive operations in Ukraine with little notice or warning.

Situation Update

• On 02 November 2021, the U.S. Department of State declared a “Level 4: Do Not Travel Advisory” for Ethiopia, restricting U.S. Embassy personnel from traveling outside of Addis Ababa and advising all U.S. citizens in Ethiopia to leave the country.
  
  
• The advisory comes after rebel groups – the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) – seized two strategically important towns 235 miles north of the capital along Ethiopia’s north-south A2 highway, effectively splitting the country in two. Armed conflict and civil unrest continue in Amhara, Afar, and Tigray.
  
  
• The Ethiopian central government declared a six-month state of emergency and authorities in Addis Ababa and the state of Amhara have also called on residents to register any weapons and prepare to fight. The state of emergency gives the government wide legal power to arrest anyone suspected of providing financial, material, or moral support to the rebel group. Reports of the arrests of ethnic Tigray in Addis have circulated over the past several days.
  
  
• Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (HAAB/ADD) is still fully operational; however, it is unclear if ADD will remain open to commercial flights should conflict reach the outskirts of the city. Flights are reported to be fully booked, as diplomats, expatriates, government officials, and Ethiopian citizens flee Addis.

Situation Update

On 16 October, assailants in Port-au-Prince, Haiti kidnapped 17 members of an Ohio-based Anabaptist Christian aid group, including five children. The victims include 16 Americans and one Canadian. Local police suspect the involvement of the 400 Mawozo gang, who also kidnapped five priests and two nuns earlier this year.

Situation update

At approximately 1100 local time, sniper fire was reported against members and supporters of Lebanon’s Shia Hezbollah and the Amal Movement near the Palace of Justice in the Tayouneh area of Beirut, southeast of the city center.

THREAT REPORT

On Saturday, 18 September, 2021, upwards of 700 people will return to the U.S. Capitol to rally in support of defendants charged in connection with the January 6 storming of the Capitol building following the pro-Trump "Stop the Steal" rally. The demonstration is planned for noon at Union Square, which encompasses the U.S. Capitol. Multiple road closures will be in effect.