ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - March 5, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - March 5, 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

• U.S. Updates Sanctions Program Targeting Zimbabwe
• Houthi-struck Cargo Ship Sinks in Red Sea After Nearly Two Weeks Adrift
• Haiti Declares Nationwide State of Emergency After Prison Break and Ahead of Foreign Police Intervention

U.S. Updates Sanctions Program Targeting Zimbabwe

The United States has updated sanctions targeting Zimbabwean officials and institutions over corruption allegations and human rights abuses. President Emmerson Mnangagwa and 10 other top officials, including the first lady and vice president, were added to the sanctions list along with Sakunda Holdings entities, Fossil Agro, and Fossil Contracting. The officials' assets have been effectively banned in the United States. Dozens of officials have also been removed from the sanctions list, initially imposed in 2003. U.S. officials have accused Zimbabwean officials of funding illicit diamond and gold mining activities and stated that the sanctions are against government officials with the aim of not affecting Zimbabweans.

Houthi-struck Cargo Ship Sinks in Red Sea After Nearly Two Weeks Adrift

Officials from Yemen’s internationally recognized government reported that a cargo ship struck by two Houthi missiles on February 18 had sunk in the Red Sea after being abandoned by its crew. The Belize-flagged, UK-owned MV Rubymar is the first ship lost to the Houthis since Israel’s invasion of Gaza in October 2023. It has been at risk of sinking since the attack, which struck the engine room and caused the vessel to begin taking on water. Environmental groups and government agencies are now warning that Rubymar’s shipment of fertilizer could contaminate surrounding waters.

Haiti Declares Nationwide State of Emergency After Prison Break and Ahead of Foreign Police Intervention

Haiti declared a state of emergency after gangs launched a prison break, freeing thousands of prisoners in the capital, Port-au-Prince. Gangs, who already control large swathes of territory, have stepped up their violence in recent weeks ahead of the deployment of an international police force that was supposed to arrive in early January. The deployment is led by 1,000 officers from Kenya. Kenya's Supreme Court delayed the intervention, but a workaround was announced on March 1, which likely triggered the new round of gang violence. Gang leaders also announced plans to kidnap leading police and political figures over the weekend.