ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - June 26, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - June 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

• Philippines Sets Up New Anti-Ship Missile Base to Counter China’s Aggression in South China Sea
• Flash Floods in Bangladesh Strand Nearly 2 Million, Kill at least 31
• Demonstrators Storm Parliament in Nairobi over Finance Bill

Philippines Sets Up New Anti-Ship Missile Base to Counter China’s Aggression in South China Sea

The Philippines is reportedly building its first BrahMos anti-ship missile base in Zambales province on the west coast of Luzon island amid rising tensions with China in the South China Sea. The base is set to house the supersonic cruise missiles acquired from India in a landmark USD 375 million deal in 2022. The missiles have an operational reach of around 300 km (186 mile), targeting the disputed Scarborough Shoal occupied by China. The installation of an anti-ship base gives the Philippines a significant deterrence boost against China, increasing the missile threat to Chinese naval forces and denying them uncontested access to the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China and the Philippines had a string of confrontations in the South China Sea including a collision in the Second Thomas Shoal last week. Although China still has the upper hand amid escalating regional tensions, its operational and tactical maneuverability will likely be constrained in areas covered by the BrahMos missile base.

Flash Floods in Bangladesh Strand Nearly 2 Million, Kill at least 31

On June 25, sources reported that flash floods had stranded over 2 million people in eastern Bangladesh, with at least 31 reported dead. Areas of Sylhet division in the country’s northeast are the hardest hit; rural areas surrounding Sylhet city are the worst affected while the city itself may be vulnerable to additional flooding.

Demonstrators Storm Parliament in Nairobi over Finance Bill

On June 25, demonstrators stormed Parliament in Nairobi, Kenya, as legislators voted, and eventually passed, a controversial finance bill that proposed tax hikes over various goods and services. Police officers fired live ammunition, tear gas, and water cannons at protesters, and portions of the Parliament building and the Governor's Office were set ablaze amid the protest. Several casualties were reported and at least five protesters have been shot dead by Kenyan police, while a section of parliament has been set ablaze amidst escalating demonstrations against new tax proposals. Demonstrations have occurred in Nairobi and throughout Kenya since the previous week to protest the bill, and business operations and traffic were significantly disrupted in the area. Meanwhile, a widespread internet outage was reported to be ongoing throughout Kenya. A heavy security presence will likely remain in Nairobi due to the escalation of violence. The demonstration is one of the most violent to occur in Kenya since President William Ruto took office in 2022.