ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence (PSI) Daily Brief - July 17, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - July 17, 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

• Suspected Terrorist Attack Kills at Least Nine People in Muscata
• Zelensky Will Seek Resignation of PM and Reshuffle Cabinet
• Five Killed in Clashes As Job Quota Protests Continue in Bangladesh

Suspected Terrorist Attack Kills at Least Nine People in Muscat

On July 16, a shooting at a mosque in the Omani capital of Muscat killed at least nine people, including three attackers, and wounded over two dozen. Four Pakistanis, one Indian, and a police officer were among the dead. Omani authorities are labeling the incident as a terrorist attack, a rare occurrence in the generally stable country. Islamic State (IS), the Sunni Muslim militant group, has taken responsibility for the attack, stating three of its members were involved. The attack came during Ashura, a day of commemoration that has in the past sparked tensions between Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims. Oman is majority Sunni, but the attack targeted Shia worshipers.

Zelensky Will Seek Resignation of PM and Reshuffle Cabinet

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will reportedly seek the resignation of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and reshuffle his cabinet next week. According to sources, the presidential administration informed the Verkhovna Rada to be prepared to discuss and vote on new cabinet appointments on July 23. While ZeroFox cannot verify the veracity of these reports, a cabinet shuffle of this magnitude may signal new priorities for Zelensky.

Five Killed in Clashes As Job Quota Protests Continue in Bangladesh

On July 16, Bangladeshi police reported that at least five people died during clashes between rival groups amid ongoing nationwide protests related to the country’s government job quota system. University student groups have led protests for over a week to denounce quotas that reserve half of lucrative government jobs for specific groups, including children of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence. Protesters claim the system does not leave enough open positions for other applicants and overwhelmingly benefits individuals more likely to be aligned with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, whom many accuse of democratic backsliding. Protests will likely continue in the near term and may escalate to include more violence. At least 100 people have been injured since protests began earlier this month.