Mexico
21:26 - Guadalajara: Expect disruption on 23 August during planned demonstration
Expect disruption on 23 August in Guadalajara (Jalisco state) during a scheduled demonstration and plan journeys accordingly. Participants will gather at 10.00 (local time) at Parque Rojo before marching towards Plaza de la Liberacion via Avenida Juarez. The event is being held by various civil society and community groups to demand clean drinking water, as well as to denounce potential plans for the privatisation of the local water system. While the demonstration should pass off peacefully, it is likely to disrupt traffic along its route and be accompanied by heightened security.
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Peru
21:07 - Ayacucho region: Exercise caution, expect disruption following magnitude 6.7 earthquake near Upahuacho (Revised)
Exercise caution and expect disruption in the coming hours after an earthquake struck 23 miles (38km) north-west of Upahuacho (Ayacucho region) at 13.00 (local time) on 20 August. According to revised data from the US Geological Survey, the temblor registered at magnitude 6.7 at a depth of 61 miles (99km). Meanwhile, the Geophysical Institute of Peru recorded the earthquake at magnitude 7.2. There have been no reports of major damage or injuries thus far. However, minor landslides near Coracora (Ayacucho) prompted evacuations of residents in the vicinity, while power outages were also reported in Nazca (Ica region). Follow official directives in the affected areas.
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Israel
20:54 - Expect, avoid further anti-government protests in coming weeks
Expect further anti-government protests over the coming weeks and avoid them due to the risk of unrest. Following the dissolution of the Knesset (parliament), the country has entered the official campaign period for the 27 October general election. Recent demonstrations have been linked to growing public dissatisfaction. Issues include the government’s handling of regional military operations (see related alerts), corruption charges against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and an ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) military conscription bill. Related demonstrations have caused traffic disruption and occasionally turned unruly.
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Israel
18:11 - Tel Aviv: Reconfirm flights, expect disruption at Ben Gurion Airport over coming hours (Revised)
Reconfirm flights and expect disruption at Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), which serves Tel Aviv (Tel Aviv district), over the coming hours. According to local media, a sudden wildcat strike by airport employees affiliated to the New General Workers' Federation (Histadrut) resulted in the temporary suspension of check-in and arrival services earlier on 20 August. However, Histadrut has reportedly denied calling the strike and attributed the disruption to persistent staffing shortages. While normal operations have since resumed at the airport, residual delays are likely as airlines attempt to clear the backlog of flights.
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Ukraine
17:40 - SPECIAL ADVISORY: Kyiv: Continue to shelter in place, abide by official directives following Russian airstrikes (Revised)
Continue to shelter in place and follow official directives in the capital Kyiv over the coming hours following Russian airstrikes earlier on 20 August. Local reports indicate that debris from an intercepted drone caused a structure fire in Holosiivskyi district. Since the attack, water supply disruption has been reported in parts of Desnianski and Dniprovksi districts. At least one person has been killed and two others injured. The emergency services remain in the affected areas, co-ordinating response efforts. Further air-raid alerts and airstrikes are possible in the coming hours.
TSPECIAL ADVISORY
French Polynesia (France)
17:09 - Papeete: Expect disruption near Motu-Uta bridge amid firefighting operations
Expect disruption near the Motu-Uta bridge in the capital Papeete over the coming hours amid firefighting operations. A fire broke out inside a waste sorting centre on the Motu Uta island, prompting the temporary closure of the bridge. No injuries have been reported. Firefighting efforts are ongoing. Expect a heightened emergency services presence in the area over the coming hours and follow all official directives.
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Spain
15:59 - Barcelona: Expect disruption on 22 August near Placa de Sant Jaume during protest, counterdemonstration
Expect disruption on 22 August in Barcelona (Catalonia autonomous community) due to an anti-immigration rally and counterdemonstration. Supporters of the Save Europe Act movement will gather from 19.00 (all times local) at Placa de Sant Jaume to demand the deportation of migrants. Meanwhile, activist groups have scheduled a counterdemonstration at the same location from 18.00. The gatherings are likely to be heavily policed, though scuffles between protesters, counterdemonstrators and the police cannot be ruled out. This could pose incidental risks to bystanders.
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Syria
14:23 - Israeli airstrike on military base highlights Israel-Turkiye tensions, risk of sporadic aerial attacks
Israel on 19 August carried out airstrikes targeting Abu al-Duhur airbase (Idlib governorate), citing rising security concerns. It alleges that Turkiye was building a military presence at the facility, which Turkiye denies. A Turkish delegation visited the base on the day before it was targeted. The attack was likely to have been intended as a deterrent and reflects Israel’s broader intention to limit Turkish influence in Syria. This is a notable development, occurring in conjunction with Israel’s regular military operations in southern Syria, which the Syrian authorities have repeatedly criticised. Monitor domestic developments and minimise time spent near military interests.
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Indonesia
12:19 - Flores Island: Defer travel to Manggarai, Nagekeo regencies until further notice following magnitude 7.7 earthquake
Defer travel to Manggarai and Nagekeo regencies on Flores Island (East Nusa Tenggara province) until further notice following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake on 15 August. The offshore temblor has generated over 3,000 aftershocks as of 19 August, concentrated across central and western Flores, with the strongest measuring magnitude 6.2. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB), 72 people have been killed and more than 40,000 displaced across seven regencies. Most airports across Flores are operating, though flight cancellations have been reported. Aftershocks are triggering fresh landslides and disrupting relief operations. The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) have warned of continued aftershocks through mid-September.
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Afghanistan
11:58 - Recent attacks underscore persistent threat posed by armed groups (Revised)
The anti-Taliban Afghanistan United Front (AUF) group issued a statement on 9 August in which it claimed to have killed 18 Taliban members across the country since 29 July. Other anti-Taliban groups have also claimed attacks in recent days. These include the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF), which alleged an attack on a vehicle in Fayzabad (Badakhshan province) on 13 August that killed the local mayor. The Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) claimed to have killed four Taliban members and injured five others on 19 August in an attack on a security post in Fayzabad. These developments underscore the persistent threat posed by armed groups in the country.
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United States
11:44 - Columbus, environs (Ohio state): Exercise caution, plan journeys on 20 August accounting for flash flooding
Exercise caution in and around Ohio state’s capital Columbus over the coming hours and plan necessary journeys accounting for flash flooding. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), up to 4.5 inches (11cm) of rain earlier on 20 August fell in Franklin county, which includes Columbus, as well as neighbouring Fairfield and Licking counties. Disruption has been reported on Interstate 71 (I-71) and State Route 161 (SR-161), as well as other roads in the area. The emergency services have also undertaken water rescues in Pataskala (Licking). There are no confirmed casualties thus far. Follow official directives, including any evacuation orders.
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Asia & the Pacific
11:13 - Monitor developments following latest reported missile launch by North Korea (Revised)
Monitor developments in the coming hours following a reported North Korean missile launch. According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, at least ten short-range ballistic missiles at around 17.10 (local time) on 20 August were fired from Pyongyang (North Korea) into the Sea of Japan (East Sea). According to the Japanese authorities, the projectiles fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. The launch occurred during a truncated South Korea-US joint military exercise (see regional alert) that will now conclude on 21 August.
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Puerto Rico (US)
Australia
10:03 - Adelaide: Expect localised disruption on 23 August during protest march
Expect localised disruption on 23 August in Adelaide (South Australia state) during a protest march by activists. The event has been organised to demand an end to construction works involving Adelaide Park Lands tree felling. Participants will gather from 12.00 (local time) at Victoria Square and march along Wakefield Street before reaching Victoria Park. While the event should pass off peacefully, it is likely to be accompanied by a heightened police presence and may disrupt nearby traffic.
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Australia
09:39 - Sydney: Plan journeys accounting for disruption on 23 August during demonstration, counter-protest
Plan journeys on 23 August in Sydney (New South Wales state) accounting for disruption during a demonstration and a related counter-protest. Activists will gather from 12.00 (local time) at Martin Place Amphitheatre to demand amendments to the Sexual Discrimination Act. An opposing group has called for a counter-demonstration from 11.00 outside Sydney Town Hall. There is potential for localised scuffles involving rival protesters and the police. Any such disturbances would pose incidental risks to bystanders.
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Thailand
Germany
08:51 - Lower Saxony state: Avoid area near B27 Leine Bridge in Gottingen during bomb disposal operation
Avoid the area near B27 Leine Bridge in Gottingen (Lower Saxony state) over the coming hours during efforts to defuse a Second World War bomb. Local residents have been evacuated from buildings and road closures, including of Federal Highway 27 in both directions, are in place around the affected area. A 984-foot (300 metre) exclusion zone has also been established. The operation is due to begin at 11.00 (local time) and it is unclear when it will conclude. Follow official directives if travelling nearby and allow additional time for journeys.
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Indonesia
08:26 - Papua region: Expect increased security operations following fatal insurgent attacks (Revised)
Expect increased security force deployments and operations over the coming weeks targeting separatist militants in Papua region. On 17 August, the militant West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) ambushed troops at a military outpost in Jila district (Mimika regency, Central Papua province). The attack, which coincided with Independence Day celebrations, killed one soldier and injured two. Security operations continue against the TPNPB, which characterises Tolikara regency (Highland Papua province) as a ‘war zone’ and has warned of further attacks targeting government officials in the region. TPNPB activity informs our HIGH travel risk rating for Central Papua and Highland Papua provinces.
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Asia & the Pacific
Chile
05:18 - Antofagasta, Tarapaca regions: Exercise caution over coming days due to adverse weather
Exercise caution and expect disruption over the coming days in Antofagasta and Tarapaca regions due to adverse weather. The National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (SENAPRED) has issued a red alert (highest on a three-tier scale) for mudslides following intense rainfall in Antofagasta. Additionally, yellow warnings (middle) are in place for mudslides in parts of Tarapaca. Road disruption, power outages and evacuations have been reported in the affected states. Emergency response and restoration efforts are ongoing.
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Colombia
02:55 - Exercise caution, follow official directives amid wildfires
Exercise caution and follow official directives over the coming days amid wildfires across multiple departments. On 18 August, the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) issued a red alert for at least 344 municipalities for wildfire risks. Reports suggest that wildfires are active in Antioquia, Cesar, Narino, Norte de Santander, Santander and Tolima departments. The authorities have deployed firefighters, military personnel, emergency responders and aerial resources to contain the fires. Further wildfires, evacuations and associated travel disruption are possible amid hot and dry conditions.
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Mexico
01:58 - Michoacan state: Exercise caution, expect residual disruption following blockades by armed groups
Exercise caution and expect residual disruption across Jiquilpan, La Piedad and Zamora (all Michoacan state) over the coming hours following blockades. Federal authorities carried out a security operation to capture an alleged local leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) earlier on 19 August. This prompted armed criminal groups to erect blockades and burn vehicles in affected areas. Reports suggest that the authorities have reopened Federal Highway 15-D connecting Morelia (Michoacan) and Guadalajara (Jalisco state). While the situation has largely stabilised, security remains heightened in the affected states and further incidents are possible in the coming days, particularly in HIGH-risk areas.
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United States
00:25 - San Diego county (California state): Exercise caution, abide by official directives amid wildfire
Exercise caution and abide by official directives in San Diego county (California state) over the coming hours amid a wildfire. The ‘Dehesa 7 Fire’ broke out earlier on 19 August near the 6100 block of Dehesa Road. It has since spread to 0.14 square miles (0.37 sq km) and is zero percent contained. An evacuation order is in effect for the immediate area and the authorities have closed nearby roads amid response efforts. There are no reports of related injuries thus far. Further short-notice evacuation orders and associated road closures are possible.
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Philippines
00:04 - Metro Manila: Exercise caution, expect disruption linked to forecast heavy rain until at least 21 August
Exercise caution and expect weather-related disruption in Metro Manila until at least 21 August. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has forecast heavy rain enhanced by weather systems until at least 20 August. It has also warned of localised flooding and landslides. Heavy rain since 16 August has inundated roads in parts of the capital Manila, with accumulations of more than eight inches (20cm) in some areas. Reconfirm the status of routes and abide by official directives.
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