Recent World Wide Alerts

Syria (Security threat level - 5): In view of volatile internal conditions in Syria, a prolonged worsening of the overall political and security environments and the lack of indication that any improvements in the political and/or security spheres will occur in the foreseeable future, FrontierMEDEX has evaluated the situation in Syria as warranting an increase in the country security threat rating to 5 (Very High) from 4 (High). The overall threat picture in Syria has changed significantly since anti-government protests initially began in March 2011. Those events were met with a violent response and ongoing crackdowns by the government, raising both political and sectarian tensions. An armed rebellion against the regime has also taken shape in recent months amid continued defections from the armed forces, and incidents of alleged terrorism have also increased in frequency and will remain a serious concern for the foreseeable future. Moreover, the international community, including most Western states as well as the Arab League, has imposed sanctions against Syria and led efforts to increase international pressure against the regime, which has increased security concerns for both Western and Arab interests in Syria. At this time, volatile conditions are expected to persist and may deteriorate further as the upheaval continues unabated. Damascus has not been untouched by the upheaval and has experienced an increase in violence in recent months. This has affected primarily the outlying suburbs, but there have also been attacks in the city proper since late 2011. Attesting to security concerns in Damascus, the U.S. Embassy closed down on 6 February. However, the situation is better in the capital than in much of the rest of Syria, especially cities such as Homs, Hama or Deraa; Damascus’ threat rating of 4 (High) will remain unchanged for the time being. FrontierMEDEX will continue to monitor conditions in Syria, and will re-evaluate threat ratings as necessary.

Pirate attacks against vessels in East and West Africa accounted for the majority of world attacks in 2011, signalling a rising trend, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) global piracy report revealed today. Of the 439 attacks reported to the IMB in 2011, 275 attacks took place off Somalia on the east coast and in the Gulf of Guinea on the west coast of Africa. The report showed  a slight drop in the total number of recorded incidents of piracy and armed robbery  worldwide,  comparing the 439 recorded incidents of piracy and armed robbery in 2011 to 445 in 2010. The falling numbers come after four consecutive years of increased piracy and armed robbery worldwide. The 802 crew members taken hostage in 2011 also marks a decrease from the four-year high of 1,181 in 2010. Overall in 2011, there were 45 vessels hijacked, 176 vessels boarded, 113 vessels fired upon and 105 reported attempted attacks. A total of eight crew members were killed throughout the year, the same number as 2010. Somali pirates remain greatest threat Somali pirates continue to account for the majority of attacks – approximately 54%. But while the overall number of Somali incidents increased from 219 in 2010 to 237 in 2011, the number of successful hijackings decreased from 49 to 28. The overall figures for Somali piracy could have been much higher if it were not for the continued efforts of international naval forces, IMB reports. In the last quarter of 2011 alone, pre-emptive strikes by international navies disrupted at least 20 Pirate Action Groups (PAGs) before they could become a threat to commercial fleets. The last quarter of 2010 saw 90 incidents and 19 vessels hijacked; in 2011, those numbers fell to 31 and four, respectively. “These pre-emptive naval strikes, the hardening of vessels in line with the Best Management Practices (BMP) and the deterrent effect of Privately Contracted Armed Security Personnel (PCASP), have all contributed to this decrease,” said Captain Pottengal Mukundan, Director of the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC), which has been monitoring piracy worldwide since 1991. “The role of the navies is critical to the anti-piracy efforts in this area.” Although the number of vessels employing and reporting the carriage of PCASP increased in 2011, the regulation and vetting of PCASP still needs to be adequately addressed, Captain Mukundan warned. Until such time as a comprehensive legal framework is in place, owners and Masters should follow the International Maritime Organization and industry guidelines on the carriage of PCASP. The IMB report shows that Somali pirate attacks were predominantly concentrated within the cross roads of the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden.  However, 2011 marked the first hijacking by Somali pirates of an anchored vessel from within the territorial waters of a foreign State – namely, Oman – highlighting the need for ports and vessels at anchorages in the region to be vigilant. Other African hotspots Elsewhere, Nigeria and Benin continued to be piracy hotspots. While 10 attacks were reported in Nigeria, including two hijackings, IMB warns that this number is not representative of the real threat of Nigeria piracy. Underreporting of attacks in Nigeria continues to be a cause for concern, and IMB states that it is aware of at least another 34 unreported incidents in Nigerian waters. Also in 2011 a probable extension of Nigerian piracy into neighbouring Benin included 20 incidents against tankers, eight of which were hijacked and had cargoes partly stolen. Although the average length of captivity for ships taken off the coasts of Nigeria and Benin tends to be roughly 10 days, compared to six months in Somali hijackings, IMB warns that these attacks can be more violent. Improvements in South East Asia, Indian Subcontinent In South East Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, vessels in Bangladesh reported 10 incidents of armed robbery in the approaches to Chittagong. This is a significant reduction from the 23 incidents reported in 2010 and reflects the initiatives taken by the Bangladesh Coast Guard to curb piracy in their waters. Nonetheless, anchorages in the approaches to Chittagong remain an area of concern. Indonesia has seen a rise in armed robbery for the second straight year. The incidents continue to be local and opportunistic, according to IMB, and usually against anchored vessels. The 46 reported incidents – up from 40 in 2010 – include 41 vessels boarded, two attempted attacks, and three cases of tugs and barges being hijacked whilst underway. Attacks in the South China Sea fell from 31 in 2010 to 13 in 2011. This included nine boarded vessels, three attempted attacks, and the hijacking of one tug and its barge. The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC) is the world’s only manned centre receiving and disseminating reports of piracy and armed robbery 24 hours a day, across the globe. As part of the ICC, it is an independent body set up to monitor attacks, free of political interference. IMB strongly urges shipmasters and owners to report all actual, attempted, and suspicious piracy and armed robbery incidents to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre. Transparent statistics from an independent, non-political organization is vital to encouraging authorities to allocate resources to tackle piracy firmly.

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines because of the high threat of terrorist attack and the high level of serious crime.

• Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
• Violent crime is a significant problem in the Philippines. .
• Recent bombings and kidnappings in Zamboanga demonstrate a heightened threat environment in that area.  Possible targets include locations where people gather, which may include hotels, shopping centres, restaurants and educational and government facilities in and around Zamboanga City.
• We strongly advise you not to travel to central and western Mindanao, including the Zamboanga Peninsula and Sulu Archipelago, due to the very high threat of terrorist attack, kidnapping, violent crime and violent clashes between armed groups.  Australians in these areas should leave immediately.
• Terrorist attacks could occur at anytime, anywhere in the Philippines, including in Manila.  We continue to receive credible reports indicating terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets in a variety of locations, including places frequented by foreigners.  You should avoid places known to be terrorist targets (see the "Safety and security" section).
• There is a danger of kidnapping throughout the Philippines, particularly in the southern Philippines, including coastal and island tourist resorts, dive sites, and live-aboard dive boats including in remote locations in the Sulu Sea.  Terrorists have kidnapped foreigners from these areas in the past.  If you decide to travel to an area where there is a particular threat of kidnapping, you should ensure you have personal security measures in place, seek professional security advice and take out kidnapping insurance.  See our Kidnapping Threat travel bulletin.
• On 1 February 2012, two foreign nationals were kidnapped in the Sulu Archipelago (Tawi Tawi province), close to the border with Malaysia.  On 5 December 2011, an Australian citizen was kidnapped in Zamboanga Sibugay.  On 12 July 2011, two US citizens and their Filipino relative were kidnapped from an island near Zamboanga City.  Other kidnappings have been reported in the Zamboanga Peninsula and Sulu Archipelago in 2011 involving Philippine nationals and citizens of Korea, Malaysia and India.
• We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to eastern Mindanao (including the provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur) due to the very high levels of violent crime.
• The typhoon season normally runs from late May to early December.  This is also the rainy season when tropical storms, flooding and landslides may occur.
  • Be a smart traveller.  Before heading overseas:
  • organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
  • register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
  • subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.

There is a threat of kidnap by armed tribes, criminals and terrorists in Yemen.  UK and Western nationals are potential targets for these groups and successful ransom negotiations concluded recently by Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) could encourage more kidnappings.  The threat to Westerners is further heightened by the current security situation in Yemen, and AQAP’s evolving presence in the south is likely to lead to a situation more conducive to kidnappings.  The upcoming interim Presidential elections on 21 February may also present increased opportunities for kidnapping.

Visitors to Haiti should exercise extreme caution due to the high levels of criminal activity and violence throughout the country, including the small but growing risk of kidnapping. Travel should wherever possible be fully supported by organisations operating in the country that provide professional security advice, evacuation options and medical support.

• We advise against all travel to slum districts of Port-au-Prince, including Carrefour, Cite Soleil, and Martissant as there is minimal policing in these areas and personal security cannot be guaranteed.