ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - February 1, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - February 1, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Significant Disruptions Expected in Lebanon as Oil and Gas Importers Cease Operations
• Farmers Protests Continue in France and Belgium
• Fierce Clashes Between Separatists and Army Likely to Continue in Balochistan

Significant Disruptions Expected in Lebanon as Oil and Gas Importers Cease Operations

The Association of Petroleum Importing Companies (APIC) announced that the body’s members suspended fuel distribution operations for an indefinite period of time as of January 31, 2024, to protest a newly passed parliamentary budget which would increase taxes paid by private oil and gas importers. For the duration of the strike, significant shortages of heating and automotive fuel should be expected, along with long lines at gas stations and related supply chain disruptions.

Farmers Protests Continue in France and Belgium

French and Belgian farmers continued to blockade numerous roads, including major motorways leading into Paris and Brussels. Organizers accuse their national governments and the European Union (EU) of imposing onerous environmental regulations and price cutting measures that imperil the livelihood of agricultural workers. In response, the EU Commission has begun to offer concessions—pausing regulations that would require a certain percentage of farmland to be kept fallow and pledging to limit the import of Ukrainian agricultural products into the bloc. It is not clear whether these conciliatory measures will be enough to placate protesting farmers.

Fierce Clashes Between Separatists and Army Likely to Continue in Balochistan

Dozens of people have been killed in clashes between the army and separatists belonging to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) in the western province of Balochistan. The clashes started after three BLA suicide bombers attacked army positions in Bolat, Balochistan, before gunmen joined in the coordinated assault. The latest attacks came after the BLA vowed a response to Pakistani targeting of BLA positions inside Iran. The Pakistani airstrikes were a response to Iranian attacks on supposed Iranian Baloch groups inside Pakistan.