Intelligence Fusion Newsletter 5/13/2023

 

Friday 13th January 2023

Hi there,   Here's your weekly rundown of the global security landscape, highlighting key incidents that have taken place in each region in the last seven days;

MIDDLE EAST & ASIA Guangzhou, China At 17:25 on the 11th January a car ploughed through a group of pedestrians at an intersection in the Tianhe district in the Southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, killing five and injuring a further 13 in multiple collisions before crashing at an intersection.   The driver, a 22-year old man, then, bizarrely, threw banknotes in the air and in one video appeared to claim he was the son of the Party’s provincial governor. He was detained at the scene. While luxury cars are often driven recklessly in China, eyewitnesses say the man deliberately drove through the crowd before making a U-turn for a second attack. The incident appears to be another case of a “revenge against society” attack, which has seen several mass murders of innocents over the past few years in China, usually either in the form of vehicle attacks in public places or mass stabbings, often targeting children.

AFRICA Algeria AQIM (Al Qaeda in the Maghreb) released an audio in which they refuted the fatwas prohibiting jihad against the government as the group continues its attempts to capitalise on discontent in Algeria and win support among anti-government Hirak activists that have organised non-violent protests across Algeria in recent years. AQIM has argued that real change can only be achieved through violent means. The Hirak movement has lost momentum in the post-COVID era.   The movement’s fourth anniversary is approaching in February 2023. However, the levels of repression have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic and there has been a crackdown on dissent, imprisonment of critics and activists and banning independent media. Former French ambassador to Algeria, Xavier Driencourt, warned against France’s short-term tactics to appease the current regime owing to its need for gas, asserting that millions of Algerians will flee and that France will be their primary destination. Algeria’s economy continued to recover in the first half of 2022, helped by the return of oil production to pre-pandemic levels, and is projected to continue recovery into 2023.

EUROPE Davos, Switzerland Next week, the World Economic Forum (WEF) will hold its Annual General Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The meeting will attract numerous high profile individuals from around the world; all of whom have been the subject of controversy during the COVID-19 lockdowns and the ongoing, adverse economic and social effects. The most notable being the Founder and Chief Executive Klaus Schwab who is well known for his remarks of "you will own nothing and be happy."   With the controversies which surround the WEF, Klaus Schwab and all the members of the WEF, the weeklong event is bound to draw in opponents who will want to protest against the WEF and its members. Consequently, this will mean increased threats of protests and increased police presence around Davos. Between now and the meeting's conclusion on 20th January, there is likely to be several protests/attempted protests and possible clashes with police.

NORTH AMERICA Illinois, United States On the 10th January, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law a bill that bans many semi automatic weapons with Illinois becoming the eighth state alongside the District of Columbia to introduce similar legislation. The ban does not affect existing weapon holders who will instead have to register their weapons with state police.   The ban is likely to draw criticism and possibly protests from the pro-gun lobby including organisations such as the National Rifle Association and Illinois State Rifle Association. However, the ban follows high profile shootings in 2022 including the killing of seven people and injury of 48 others during an Independence Day parade in Highland Park. Also, the shooting of over 50 people during the Memorial Day weekend across Chicago.   The ban also follows the controversial shooting of three men by Kyle Rittenhouse in August 2020 during civil unrest just over the state border in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It is likely the Illinois ban will contribute to continued debate over the Second Amendment and issue of gun control across the United States during the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

SOUTH AMERICA Brasilia, Brazil On Sunday 8th January 2023, approximately a week after the inauguration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, supporters of the former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed the Planalto Palace, the Supreme Court and the National Congress building in Brasília. Rioters broke through barricades, took to the roof and vandalised the interior and exterior of all three buildings by smashing windows, defacing items and leaving graffitied messages. Tear gas, force and rubber bullets were used to disperse and control the rioters.   In the aftermath, over 400 arrests have been made, along with Bolsanoro denouncing the violent actions of his supporters. The Federal District’s Governor has been suspended pending investigation for 90 days under suspicion of consent and incitement, and camps set up by pro-Bolsonaro supporters have been disassembled in Brasilia and Cuiabá.   On the morning of 12th January 2023, security forces were deployed to the Three Powers Plaza square amid rumours of further pro-Bolsonaro protests. Temporary road blocks have been implemented which are likely to cause travel disruptions and interrupt supply chain within the area.

Residents ordered to shelter as fire hits Illinois chemical plant   A major fire broke out at a chemical plant in LaSalle County, Illinois, Wednesday 11th January, forcing residents to shelter in place.   Plumes of smoke towered over the city of LaSalle, a small city of around 10,000 people, as fire officials responded to a 'well-involved' structural fire at the Carus Chemical plant, around 09:00 local time, after an explosion at the plant.   Hours later, fire officials were able to contain the fire, which is said to have caused significant damage. There were no reported injuries, and all employees were accounted for. LaSalle police have stated that a green-coloured oxidiser had been released in the area, and warned residents not to touch the substance.   At the time of writing, additional equipment is being sent to the scene to help fully extinguish the fire, while a shelter order remains in place for residents north and west of the incident.   Thanks to server member 'Curteous' for sharing links to the planned protests with members of our OSINT community.

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