News Watch

August 2009 issue | Appears on page 20

Extreme weather

In May, Cyclone Alia caused widespread flooding and crop damage in coastal regions from Bangladesh’s Khulna district to Sagar Island in West Bengal, India. About 2.3 million people were displaced. Because of better warning systems and shelters, there were only 210 deaths compared to 500,000 in 1970 and 3,500 in 2007.

Torrential rains in Australia caused flooding in Queensland and on the east coast of New South Wales, closing the Sydney-Brisbane highway for a few days.

Across...

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August 2009 issue | Appears on page 20

Mogadishu battle

In June, battles between Islamist extremist guerrillas and government forces escalated in and around Mogadishu, Somalia, with more than 250 people killed, including civilians. Bombings at mosques and markets and battles along roads into and out of the city caused a UN-estimated 120,000-plus people to flee the city.

August 2009 issue | Appears on page 20

Terrorists in Yemen

Nine foreigners (German, British and South Korean) were kidnapped while picnicking in the Saada area of northern Yemen in mid-June. Seven of them were found dead and two of three children were found alive. No group has claimed responsibility. The victims worked with an international aid group that has a hospital in nearby Jebla.

The US Department of State advises deferring nonessential travel to Yemen, where the security threat level remains high due to terrorist activities. The...

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August 2009 issue | Appears on page 20

Mali concerns

The Department of State continues to warn against all travel to northern Mali due to kidnapping threats against Westerners. Also of concern are continued Tuareg unrest, sporadic banditry and the porous nature of Mali’s northern borders with Algeria, Niger and Mauritania.

US government employees in Mali need approval before traveling to the region of Kidal, areas north and east of Gao (and along the road to Ansongo), Timbuktu and points north. This restriction includes the site of the...

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August 2009 issue | Appears on page 21

Clashes in Chad

The Department of State recommends avoiding all travel to eastern Chad and the Chad/Central African Republic border area due to insecurity caused by banditry, recent clashes between Chadian government and rebel forces, and current political tension between Chad and Sudan. Rebel activity tends to increase during the dry season, late September to July. Chadian rebels continue to operate out of Sudan.

August 2009 issue | Appears on page 21

Civil unrest in Iran

Huge street protests took place throughout Iran following the presidential election on June 12. President Ahmadinejad claimed an overwhelming victory, but opposition groups led by Mousavi claimed the results were rigged. In Tehran, security forces, militia and riot police clashed repeatedly with protesters, resulting in more than 17 deaths and scores of arrests.

Access by foreign journalists was limited, but information got out via Internet, cell phones, texting and video taken by...

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August 2009 issue | Appears on page 21

Iraq attacks persist

While the security environment in Iraq has shown significant improvement over the past year, attacks against military and civilian targets continue. Kidnappings still occur.

The security situation in Sulymaniya, Erbil and Dohuk governorates in northern Iraq has been relatively more stable than the rest of Iraq in recent years, but violence persists. Mosul continues to experience intense violence and instability.

August 2009 issue | Appears on page 21

Pakistan warning

Pakistani military forces are currently engaged in a campaign against extremist elements across many areas of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and parts of the Northwest Frontier Province, including the Swat Valley. In response, militants have vowed to step up attacks against both civilian and government targets in Pakistan’s cities. Militant groups pose danger throughout Pakistan, especially in western border regions.