Hanwei Global Security Briefing
This weekly bulletin compiles global regional security‑related intelligence updates from September 14 to September 20, 2026. Per security‑risk assessment, regional security levels are shown on the Global Risk Map. Afghanistan, Syria, Myanmar, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sudan, Ukraine, Palestine, Venezuela and other territories are classified as Extreme‑Risk Zones. During this period, armed conflicts, terrorist attacks and other security incidents occurred frequently in these areas. Overseas Chinese‑funded enterprises shall strengthen their own security precautions.
(This briefing is for internal corporate risk‑assessment purposes only.)
Middle East
(1) Syria
Two attacks left 1 dead and 1 injured. On September 14, an assault in Raqqa Governorate, Syria caused one injury. On the same day, unidentified armed gunmen opened fire on security forces on the Izra‑Shakra highway in Daraa Governorate, killing one person. The attackers’ identities and motives remain unknown; no group has claimed responsibility.
An explosion in Deir ez‑Zor Governorate killed 11 people. On September 18, an explosion struck a garrison of troops belonging to Syria’s transitional government in eastern Deir ez‑Zor Governorate, killing 11 personnel from the Ministry of Defence. The transitional government of Syria has not yet released investigation findings.
(2) Iraq
Sulaymaniyah Governorate came under rocket fire. On September 14, five rockets hit Sulaymaniyah Governorate within the Kurdistan Autonomous Region in northern Iraq; no casualties were reported. Security sources stated the intended target was a camp belonging to Iranian‑Kurdish anti‑government militants. Relevant authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
An IED blast attack in Kirkuk left four service members wounded. On September 16, an operational military vehicle was targeted by an improvised explosive device in the Gala Mountains, Dibis District, northwest Kirkuk, Iraq. Four soldiers sustained injuries. Security forces are conducting manhunt operations; the perpetrators remain unidentified.
(3) Iran
Ongoing maritime stand‑off with the United States. Between September 14 and 20, the United States maintained its blockade against Iran, with both sides remaining in confrontation across the Strait of Hormuz. On September 19, U.S. Central Command announced it continued maritime interdiction missions targeting Iran. As of September 19, U.S. forces had diverted 104 merchant vessels. On the same day, U.S. Central Command declared that naval mines had been cleared from key shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran reported repeated shoot‑downs of U.S. drones over the Strait of Hormuz and continued strikes against vessels attempting transit. According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), three U.S. MQ‑1 drones were shot down above the Strait of Hormuz between September 15‑17. During this week, Iran carried out strikes against three oil tankers seeking passage through the waterway.
(4) Palestine and Israel
The Israel‑Palestine conflict has caused 73,500 fatalities in the Gaza Strip. From September 14‑20, Israel launched multiple strikes across Gaza, resulting in numerous casualties.
Sep 15: An Israeli airstrike hit the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, killing one person. On the same day, a civilian vehicle was attacked in southern Gaza City, leaving one dead and two wounded.
Sep 16: An Israeli airstrike on western Gaza City injured nine people. A fresh Israeli assault on the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood of northern Gaza City killed one child and one Palestinian civil‑defence staff member.
According to figures released by the Gaza Ministry of Health on September 16: since the entry‑into‑force of Phase‑One Gaza ceasefire accord in October 2025, Israeli military operations in Gaza have killed 1,375 people and injured 4,686. Since the outbreak of the renewed Israel‑Palestine conflict in October 2023, Israeli military campaigns in the Gaza Strip have resulted in 73,503 deaths and 174,797 injuries.
(5) Yemen
Saudi‑led airstrikes caused 3 fatalities plus multiple injuries. Between September 14‑15, 52 Saudi Arabian air raids struck Taiz Governorate (south‑west), Al‑Bayda Governorate (central), together with Saada, Al‑Jawf and Amran Governorates (northern Yemen). Three civilians including two children were killed and several more wounded. Schools, bridges, roads and other civilian infrastructure sustained damage.
Armed hostilities displaced over 100 000 people. On September 15, UNHCR stated that “rapidly escalating hostilities” along Yemen’s western coastal belt had internally displaced more than 100 000 Yemenis; thousands fled across the Bab‑el‑Mandeb Strait seeking refuge in Djibouti.
(6) Saudi Arabia
Houthi attacks caused one fatality and 15 injuries. On September 15, Turki Al‑Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi‑led coalition, reported that Houthi forces launched ballistic‑missile and drone strikes “against civilian targets across Saudi Arabia” on September 14, injuring 13 civilians. On September 16, the Houthis announced missile‑drone airstrikes hitting Saudi Aramco facilities in western Saudi Arabia plus an airbase in the southwest, claiming several ballistic missiles struck their targets accurately. On September 17, Saudi air‑defence forces intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone over Taif. Falling debris killed one person and wounded two; multiple buildings and vehicles were damaged.
(7) Turkey
Istanbul shooting incident left 3 dead, 1 injured. On September 15, gunfire erupted at a currency‑exchange shop in the Fatih district of Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, killing three people and wounding one. The shooting broke out following an argument between the shop‑operator and a customer. Police have detained one suspect; the investigation remains ongoing.
Asia‑Pacific Region
(1) Afghanistan
Outpost attack in Helmand left two soldiers dead. On September 14, government‑force outpost in Nawzad district, Helmand Province, Afghanistan was assaulted by fighters belonging to an anti‑government united‑front faction; two soldiers were killed.
(2) Pakistan
Attack in Balochistan killed five persons. On September 16, unidentified armed assailants raided a security checkpoint in Khuzdar, Balochistan Province, Pakistan. Four security guards together with one police officer were killed.
Suicide bombing spree in Khyber‑Pakhtunkhwa caused 31 deaths. On September 18, a police compound in Kohat, north‑west Khyber‑Pakhtunkhwa Province suffered sequential suicide bombings. The death toll reached 31 (including 16 police personnel) with over a hundred wounded. Friday prayers were underway at the mosque inside the compound. The first attacker rammed an explosives‑laden vehicle through the perimeter wall and detonated it, collapsing the mosque. The second suicide bomber then detonated his payload near the police administration building. The armed group “Tehrik‑e‑Jihad Pakistan” claimed responsibility for this attack.
Scene of mosque attack
(3) Philippines
School shooting in South Cotabato resulted in 6 dead and 17 wounded. On September 18, gun violence occurred at a state‑run high school in Banga, South Cotabato Province, Philippines, leaving six fatalities and 17 injured. The perpetrator died from a self‑inflicted gunshot wound; motive unknown. Police have cordoned‑off the site and opened investigations.
(4) Malaysia
Fatal stabbing incident in Kedah. On September 14, a fatal knife assault took place at a residential house in Taman Delima, Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia. Police reported a woman was stabbed to death by her husband amid domestic‑family conflict.
(5) Myanmar
Myanmar army ambushed with 40 killed. On September 14, a Myanmar government troop formation exceeding 100 personnel was ambushed by the Kachin Independence Army near Kanghkyanyang village in the direction of Bhamo. At least 40 soldiers were killed; multiple troops remain unaccounted‑for.
(6) Australia
Sydney stabbing attack: one child killed, three wounded. On September 20, a knife‑attack incident happened within the Blue Mountains area, west of Sydney, Australia. Inside a vehicle in the township of Valley Heights, three children and one woman were stabbed; one child died at the scene while the other three sustained critical injuries.
Africa Region
(1) Nigeria
Series of attacks killed a total of 25 people. Per monitoring reports submitted by Hanwei International West‑Africa security officers:
Night of Sep 13: Armed assaults hit Jos‑South, Mangu and Riyom local‑government areas in Plateau State; 4 fatalities.
Sep 14: Suspected Boko‑Haram militants struck Bitiruya community, Hong LGA, Adamawa State killing 4 persons. On the same day, political rioters attacked the monthly meeting of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) at Obuoffia Ward, Nkanu‑West LGA, Enugu State causing 8 injuries. An on‑duty police officer providing guard‑duty at the residence of Rex Anunobi (Commissioner for Trade & Investment, New Owerri, Imo State) was murdered by unknown attackers. That same night, a police detachment was ambushed in Logo LGA, Benue State with two officers killed.
Sep 15: Plateau State police confirmed a bus‑targeted attack on Sep 13 in the state killed 9 passengers.
Sep 18: Armed militants raided Friday Market within Mangu LGA, Plateau State; at least five killed, several critically hurt.
(2) South Africa
Shooting in Eastern Cape left two police officers dead. On September 18, a shooting incident took place in Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. An armed gang targeted street‑side shops demanding money from vendors. Two responding police officers were subsequently found shot dead.
Road‑traffic crash in Western Cape killed 21. On September 14, a severe road accident occurred in Western Cape Province, South Africa, with a minimum death toll of 21. Police stated two minibus taxis collided head‑on along the N1 highway; crash‑cause investigations are underway.
Traffic‑accident site
(3) Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Ebola outbreak caused 3,605 deaths. On September 17, the DRC National Institute for Public Health released an update: as of September 16, cumulative confirmed cases for the current Ebola outbreak stood at 7,475 including 3,605 deaths, corresponding to a case‑fatality rate of 48.2 %. The outbreak has spread to 62 health zones across 7 provinces; Ituri Province accounts for 77.7 % of national confirmed infections. Dr. Kaseya, Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, commented on Sep 17 that current data does not confirm the Ebola outbreak in DRC has peaked; the epidemic remains uncontrolled.
(4) Sudan
Ongoing armed conflict. Between September 14‑20, sustained fighting continued across multiple locations in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This week hostilities were concentrated in North Kordofan, South Kordofan, Blue‑Nile states and Darfur region. Both factions deployed drones recurrently in offensive‑defensive operations causing civilian casualties. Damazin, capital of Blue‑Nile State endured successive drone strikes which killed four civilians, wounded many others and destroyed residential dwellings plus civilian infrastructure.
(5) Cameroon
Far‑North region village attack killed 13 inhabitants. On September 17, suspected Boko‑Haram fighters raided a village in Cameroon’s Far‑North Region, leaving 13 people dead.
(6) Mozambique
Sino‑funded mining site in Zambezia Province mob‑attacked. On September 15, local residents stormed a Chinese‑funded mine facility within Gilé District, Zambezia Province, Mozambique. Three persons (including one Chinese national) sustained severe injuries. A large crowd of demonstrators armed with clubs and blunt implements forced entry into the mine, vandalized and looted site property. Multiple excavators and motor‑vehicles were set alight; fuel and other supplies were ransacked. The unrest has since been quelled and two individuals taken into custody.
(7) Mali
Armed raid on Dioura military barracks caused dozens of casualties. On September 14, heavily‑armed assailants assaulted the Dioura army camp in the Mopti Region of Mali. 50 Malian soldiers and 5 personnel affiliated with Russian Africa Corps were killed; dozens of service‑members were captured. Al‑Qaeda‑linked group Jama’at Nusrat al‑Islam wal‑Muslimin (JNIM) subsequently claimed responsibility for this assault.
(8) Ethiopia
Gurage‑zone attack left 16 dead plus multiple abductions. On September 14, unidentified armed fighters launched an attack in Abeshge Woreda, Gurage Zone in central Ethiopia. At least sixteen local residents were killed; sixteen women and children were abducted and more than 30 head of livestock stolen.
Europe & the Americas
(1) United States
Two aircraft crashes resulted in 3 fatalities and one injury. On September 15, a helicopter went down between two commercial buildings in Chatsworth, Los Angeles triggering a large blaze; three people died and one person was injured. Four motor‑vehicles plus two storage containers sustained damage. On September 17, a USAF F‑16 fighter jet crashed and caught fire during a training mission near Blair Township in northern Michigan; there were no casualties.
Air‑crash site
(2) Ukraine
Russia‑Ukraine armed conflict continues. From September 14‑20, armed engagements persisted between Russian and Ukrainian forces. According to recent operational briefings released by Russia’s Ministry of Defence: over the past week, Russian high‑precision munitions and drones struck Ukrainian military‑industrial facilities, port installations, metallurgical sites, radio‑communication assets and energy‑transport infrastructure within Kyiv Oblast, Odesa Oblast and elsewhere. Russian tactical aviation, attack‑drones, missile‑troops and artillery engaged logistical hubs, energy‑transport infrastructure, drone‑assembly workshops and depots across 142 localities of Ukraine. The Russian Black Sea Fleet destroyed one Ukrainian unmanned surface vessel off the Crimean coast. Russian ground forces kept advancing along the Kharkiv, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia axes, seizing control over 7 additional population centres. From the Ukrainian side, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported that Ukrainian troops repelled Russian assaults on multiple fronts and launched a counter‑offensive along the Lyman axis, recapturing several settlements. Ukraine continued deploying drones and long‑range missiles targeting domestic Russian refineries, Russian military airfields in Crimea, drone launch sites, ammunition depots and command‑and‑control nodes, prioritizing disruption to Russian rear‑area fuel and logistics supply chains. Additionally, on September 17, a prisoner‑of‑war corpse‑swap took place: Russia handed over 252 bodies of fallen service‑members to Ukraine, while Ukraine repatriated 23 remains to Russia.
(3) Russia
Drone strikes inflicted 5 deaths plus multiple injuries. Media reports dated Sep 14 covered a September 12 Ukrainian drone attack against a diesel‑tanker convoy delivering fuel for the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, killing two Russian soldiers and wounding others. Sep 15: Ukrainian drone raids ignited fires at the Syzran oil‑refinery plus a separate industrial site in Samara Oblast; the same day drone strikes hit central Kursk city injuring two civilians. Sep 17: A cooling‑tower belonging to one reactor unit at Kursk Nuclear Power Plant was impacted by a drone, reactor operations remained unaffected. Sep 18: Ukrainian attacks across Kursk Oblast and Belgorod Oblast killed one civilian and wounded four. Late Sep 19 through early Sep 20: Hundreds of drones targeted Moscow and surrounding districts of the Russian capital. At least two residents died, six were hurt. One oil‑refinery sustained damage; two out of Moscow’s four major airports suspended flight operations.
(4) Sweden
Shooting incident in Östergötland left two wounded. On September 14, gunfire broke out in the town of Finspång, south‑eastern Östergötland County, Sweden; two persons sustained gunshot wounds. Multiple suspects have been arrested; police investigations are underway.
(5) Netherlands
Two stabbing assaults caused two non‑fatal injuries. On September 15, a knife‑attack on Petermer Street, Alkmaar left one injured; the suspect was arrested by police. On September 16, a second stabbing incident took place on Leibnizstraat in Amsterdam‑Nieuw‑West, injuring one victim.
(6) Mexico
Fatal shooting in Sinaloa State capital killed one person. On September 16, a shooting occurred in the capital city of Sinaloa State, Mexico resulting in one fatality.
Rescue of two abducted Chinese nationals in Puebla State. On September 14, Mexican police conducted an arrest‑operation near the Vasequilo highway and freed two kidnapped Chinese citizens. The two victims had been lured into Mexico by fraudulent job‑recruitment postings before being abducted. Approximately USD 12 000 in cash was stolen, and MXN 60 000 was withdrawn from their bank‑cards.
Maritime Security
(1) Strait of Hormuz
Oil‑tanker attacks. On September 14, the IRGC reported an oil‑tanker Al‑Ghayya struck a naval mine and exploded into flames after attempting navigation inside a “prohibited‑navigation zone” in the southern Strait of Hormuz; two crew‑members were listed as missing. On September 16, a vessel operating under contract for the U.S. government came under attack close to the Strait of Hormuz from four drones plus at minimum one missile; one missile impacted the hull causing minor crew‑injuries. On September 18, the IRGC announced it had struck a Togo‑flagged oil‑tanker trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker caught fire and has ceased navigation.
(2) Eastern Pacific Ocean
U.S. forces anti‑narcotics vessel engagement left four fatalities. On September 15, U.S. Southern Command stated that the Joint Interagency Task Force‑West intercepted a so‑called “maritime fuel‑station” vessel supporting illicit‑at‑sea narcotics‑trafficking in the Eastern Pacific. After removing persons aboard, US forces sank the ship. On September 19, US forces targeted a suspected drug‑smuggling speedboat within the Caribbean Sea resulting in four fatalities on‑board. U.S. military sources stated intelligence indicated the fast craft was engaged in drug‑trafficking operations.
