ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - March 26, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - March 26, 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

• French Government Raises Security Alert to Highest Level
• Search and Rescue Operations After Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapses
• Houthis Strike Chinese Ship in Red Sea

French Government Raises Security Alert to Highest Level

On March 25, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced that authorities had increased the country’s official security threat designation to its highest level. This measure was implemented following a deadly terrorist attack by gunmen associated with the Islamic State (ISIS) on a concert hall outside Moscow, Russia on March 22. Overall, it is likely that the French government will maintain enhanced security measures in the run-up to the Paris Olympic Games, which are scheduled to take place in July and August 2024. Americans traveling in France should exercise caution when visiting popular tourist areas. US citizens should also avoid protests or large gatherings of people and report all suspicious activity to local law enforcement.

Search and Rescue Operations After Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapses

Rescue operations have begun—amid freezing temperatures and limited-visibility conditions—after a container ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early this morning. The bridge collapse reportedly led to vehicles crashing into the water while the ship was seen catching on fire. The casualty count is still being determined at the time of writing. A video of the incident shows the central supports of the bridge giving out, causing 1.6 miles of the bridge crashing into the Patapsco River below.

Houthis Strike Chinese Ship in Red Sea

On March 24, United States military sources reported that Yemen-based Houthi rebels had struck a Chinese-owned oil tanker in the Red Sea despite past promises by the group to not target Chinese assets. The US Central Command stated that the Houthis fired four anti-ship ballistic missiles at the MV Huang Pu, which started a fire onboard and forced the crew to issue a distress signal. No casualties were reported. It is unclear if the ship was targeted in error; earlier this year, the Houthis struck an Iranian cargo ship despite receiving much of their financing and weaponry from Iran. The Houthis launched a wave of drones alongside the missile attack, most of which were intercepted by the American warship USS Carney.