Hanwei International Security Weekly ( march 02

Based on security risk assessments, regional security levels are shown on the global risk map. The following regions are classified as Extreme High-Risk Areas: Afghanistan, Syria, Myanmar, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sudan, Ukraine, Palestine, and Venezuela.

During this period, security incidents such as armed conflicts and terrorist attacks occurred frequently in these areas. Chinese-funded enterprises stationed overseas are required to enhance their security precautions.

This information is for our company’s internal risk assessment use only.

Middle East

(1) Syria

The Chinese Embassy in Syria issued a security alert.

On March 5, the Chinese Embassy in Syria issued a security alert stating that the security situation in the Middle East is severe, military conflicts are ongoing, and missile debris has continuously fallen in Syria, causing casualties.

The embassy once again reminded Chinese citizens not to travel to Syria in the near future. Chinese citizens and institutions already in Syria should closely monitor the local situation, strengthen security precautions, travel cautiously, maintain unobstructed communication, and contact the embassy promptly in case of emergencies.

(2) Iraq

U.S. facilities attacked.

March 3: The Harir Air Base in the Kurdistan Region, Erbil Province, northern Iraq, was attacked by two drones. No casualties or property damage were reported. The Iraqi militia “Islamic Resistance” claimed responsibility.
March 4: A logistics support camp near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad International Airport was attacked by a drone. No casualties, but some facilities were damaged.
March 7: The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq was attacked by rockets. The embassy’s air defense system intercepted the projectiles; no casualties have been reported.

(3) Iran

Military conflicts with the U.S. and Israel continue.

From March 2 to 8, the United States and Israel continued military strikes against Iran, while Iran continued its Honest Pledge – 4 counteroffensive.

On March 6, U.S. Central Command stated that since the joint U.S.-Israel strikes began, U.S. forces including B‑2, B‑52, and F‑35 fighter jets had struck more than 3,000 targets in Iran.

The Israeli military carried out 13 rounds of airstrikes, focusing on missile bases and air defense systems in Tehran and Isfahan. Iran’s navy was severely damaged, with more than 20 naval vessels and 1 submarine sunk.

On March 6, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had launched 26 waves of counterattacks against the U.S. and Israel, using heavy-duty missiles including Khorramshahr‑4, Emad, and Kheibar. Targets included:

Downtown Tel Aviv, Ben‑Gurion International Airport, Israeli air force bases, and the Haifa oil refinery;
5 U.S. THAAD anti‑missile systems in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, and the UAE;
20 U.S. military facilities in Bahrain, the UAE, and Kuwait;
The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and multiple U.S. warships in the Gulf of Oman.

Casualties and losses:

Iran: According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society on March 8, U.S.‑Israeli strikes have killed 1,332 people, injured more than 4,000, and damaged 9,669 civilian facilities, including 7,942 residences, 1,617 commercial facilities, 32 medical institutions, 65 schools, and 13 Red Crescent facilities.
U.S. military: Officially reported 7 deaths, 18 injuries, 3 F‑15E fighter jets crashed due to friendly fire, and 27 bases in the Middle East attacked.
Israel: 11 deaths, 677 injuries, and multiple buildings damaged in Tel Aviv.

U.S. and Israeli military operations have had a major impact on the region and the world. Many Middle Eastern countries closed their airspace, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz caused a sharp drop in shipping. Many countries called for resolving the crisis through peaceful means to avoid further tension and instability.

Scene of the attack in the capital Tehran

(4) Palestine

Israeli strikes have killed 72,000 people in the Gaza Strip.

On March 6, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that since the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement took effect, Israeli strikes have killed 630 people and injured 1,698.

Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed 72,079 Palestinians, injured 171,796, and left nearly 10,000 missing.

(5) Lebanon

Israeli attacks cause over 1,000 casualties.

From March 2 to 8, Israel carried out airstrikes on southern Beirut, southern and eastern towns in Lebanon.

As of March 8 (local time), the Lebanese Ministry of Health reported:

394 dead (including 83 children)
1,130 injured
Over 450,000 displaced
Dozens of buildings completely destroyed; vehicles and commercial facilities severely damaged.

The Israel Defense Forces stated it had completed a new round of airstrikes targeting dozens of Hezbollah sites, including rocket and missile launch sites south of the Litani River and a drone production facility. Two Israeli soldiers were injured.

On March 6, the headquarters of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Ghanaian battalion was hit by an Israeli missile, seriously injuring two Ghanaian peacekeepers and damaging facilities. UN Secretary‑General António Guterres strongly condemned the attack and demanded that Israel respect the safety of UN personnel and property and hold perpetrators accountable.

Scene of the attack in southern Beirut

(6) United Arab Emirates

Iranian attack kills 1 person.

March 3: A drone attack near the U.S. Consulate in Dubai, UAE; no casualties.
March 7: Debris from an Iranian ballistic missile intercepted by UAE air defense struck a car in Al Barsha, Dubai, killing the driver.

(7) Bahrain

U.S. oil tanker attacked: 1 dead, 2 injured.

On March 2, the U.S. product tanker Stena Imperative was hit by an Iranian missile while berthed at Bahrain Port, causing a fire, 1 death, 2 injuries, and severe ship damage.

Refinery attacked.

On March 5, the Bahrain National Oil Company refinery, adjacent to the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, was hit by an Iranian missile and caught fire. The fire was controlled; no casualties.

(8) Qatar

Al Udeid Air Base attacked.

On March 4, Qatar’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that Iran launched two ballistic missiles at Qatar. One struck the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base; no casualties.

Asia‑Pacific

(1) Afghanistan and Pakistan

Afghan‑Pakistani armed conflicts continue.

From March 2 to 8, cross‑border armed clashes continued between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting Tarar stated that Pakistan carried out strikes on Kabul, Bagram Air Base, Khost, Jalalabad, and other locations in Afghanistan, capturing 35 outposts and 226 checkpoints, destroying 198 tanks, 56 military bases, ammunition depots, and drone warehouses.

As of March 6:

527 Afghans killed, over 755 injured.
Afghanistan stated it had killed about 150 Pakistani soldiers and destroyed multiple Pakistani outposts.
Clashes remain ongoing.

(2) Pakistan

Two attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa kill 3, injure 50.

March 6: A suicide bombing at a security checkpoint in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed 1 and injured 18. A Pakistani Taliban affiliate claimed responsibility.
March 7: An improvised explosive device (IED) attack during a police patrol in South Waziristan killed 2 police officers, injured 5 police and 27 civilians. No group claimed responsibility.

(3) Australia

Sydney stabbing: 1 dead, 2 injured.

On March 3, a stabbing attack occurred in Sydney, New South Wales, killing 1 and injuring 2. A man stabbed two women outside an apartment building in the CBD, then was shot dead by police after a standoff.

(4) Azerbaijan

Drone attack injures 2.

On March 5, a drone attack on the airport terminal in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic injured 2 and damaged facilities.

Azerbaijani President Aliyev demanded an explanation and apology from Iran. Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff denied deploying drones against Azerbaijan.

(5) Japan

Chinese Embassy in Japan issues security alert.

On March 4, the Chinese Embassy in Japan reminded Chinese citizens to guard against “crash robbers” in Japan.

These offenders deliberately elbow or ram foreign tourists, women, children, and the elderly in crowded areas (Ikebukuro, Shibuya, Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori, etc.), then escape.

The embassy advised:

Stay alert; avoid high‑risk areas.
Maintain safe distance from others.
Preserve evidence (photos, witnesses, surveillance).
Report to police immediately.

Africa

(1) Nigeria

Multiple attacks kill 9, kidnap 338.

According to security monitoring by Hanwei International’s West Africa officer:

March 1: Boko Haram‑suspected attack in Geidam, Yobe State: 2 dead, 8 injured.
March 4: Attack in Gidan Tama, Kaduna State: 3 dead, 15 kidnapped.
March 4: Ambush on Igbeti–Kishi highway, Oyo State: 4 travelers kidnapped.
March 5: Attack in Kubwa, Abuja: 6 villagers kidnapped.
March 5: Attack on checkpoint in Bagudu, Kebbi State: 2 police dead.
March 5: Attack in Dandume, Katsina State: 2 dead, 13 kidnapped.
March 6: Attack in Ngoshe, Borno State: over 300 people (including women and children) kidnapped.

Nigerian President Tinubu ordered the military to urgently rescue the hostages.

(2) South Africa

Building collapse in Johannesburg kills 6, 3 missing.

On March 2, a building under construction collapsed in Eldorado Park, south Johannesburg, killing 6 and leaving 3 missing. Rescue operations continue.

Accident scene

(3) South Sudan

Attack in Abimnon County kills 169, injures 50.

On March 2, an attack by unidentified gunmen in Abimnon County, Luluan region, killed at least 169 people (including 90 women, children, elderly; 79 police and soldiers) and injured 50.

The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) strongly condemned the attack and urged an immediate end to hostilities.

(4) Sudan

Armed conflict continues.

From March 2 to 8, clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continued across Sudan, especially in Kordofan and greater Khartoum.

On March 4–5, shelling and drone attacks in Dilling, South Kordofan killed 15 and injured 89.

Economic impact:

~1,800 factories damaged
650 factories destroyed
Losses exceed $58 billion

The UN called on all parties to abide by international humanitarian law, stop attacks on civilians and infrastructure, and open unimpeded humanitarian access.

(5) DRC

Landslide in North Kivu kills over 200.

On March 4, heavy rain triggered a landslide at a coltan mining site in Rubaya, North Kivu, eastern DRC. More than 200 people (including ~70 children) were killed. Rescue operations are underway.

Europe and Americas

(1) United States

Stabbing in Virginia kills 2, injures 3.

On March 4, a stabbing incident occurred on I‑495 in Fairfax County, Virginia, killing 2 and injuring 3. A suspect was shot dead by police.

(2) Ukraine

Russia‑Ukraine armed conflict continues.

From March 2 to 8, Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine continued.

Russia: Carried out 7 cluster strikes on Ukrainian energy and military infrastructure; destroyed nearly 100 aerial bombs, HIMARS rockets, Neptune cruise missiles, and over 2,000 drones; the Black Sea Fleet destroyed 8 Ukrainian unmanned boats; seized 8 settlements.
Ukraine: Repelled Russian offensives; struck 8 troop concentrations, 3 command posts, 8 artillery systems, 2 ammunition depots; shot down 1,722 tactical drones.

On March 5–6, Ukraine and Russia conducted a new prisoner exchange, each repatriating 700 personnel.

(3) Colombia

Shooting in Cali kills 1.

On March 2, a shooting in Los Almendros, Cali, killed one person. An attacker attempting armed robbery was shot dead by a UNP bodyguard.

(4) United Kingdom

Large rally in London protests U.S.‑Israel strikes on Iran.

On March 7, anti‑war groups held a large demonstration in London, condemning U.S. and Israeli bombing of Iran and demanding an immediate halt to military action. About 20,000–30,000 people participated.

(5) Peru

Nightclub explosion in Trujillo injures 30.

On March 7, an explosion at a nightclub in Trujillo injured more than 30 people (including 3 minors), 5 critically. Investigation ongoing.

Maritime Security

(1) Mediterranean Sea

Russian LNG tanker attacked.

On March 3, the Russian LNG tanker Polyarnaya Metagaz was hit by a Ukrainian unmanned boat and sank in the Mediterranean. All 30 Russian crew members were rescued. Russia classified the incident as international terrorism and piracy.

(2) Indian Ocean

Iranian warship attacked: 87 dead.

On March 4, the Iranian Navy frigate IRIS Dena was sunk by a U.S. Navy submarine in the Indian Ocean, killing 87 personnel — the first time a U.S. submarine has torpedoed an enemy warship since WWII.

The attack occurred about 40 nautical miles south of Galle, Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Navy rescued 35 crew members.

(3) Persian Gulf & Strait of Hormuz

U.S. oil tanker attacked.

On March 5, a U.S. oil tanker in the northern Persian Gulf was attacked and set on fire by Iranian naval aircraft.

The IRGC Navy warned that military and commercial vessels of the U.S., Israel, and their supporters are banned from the Strait of Hormuz and will be targeted.

Two ships attacked: 4 dead, 3 injured.

March 4: A Maltese‑flagged container ship was hit by a missile and caught fire; crew abandoned ship.
March 6: A UAE‑flagged tugboat assisting the stricken container ship was struck by a missile, killing at least 4 and seriously injuring 3.

Hanwei International Security Weekly ( march 02 - 08 , 2026)