ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - July 28, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - July 28, 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

• Houthis Vow Significant Retaliation Against Israeli Following Yemeni Port Attack
• Death Toll from Ethiopian Landslides Jumps to 229
• China’s Revises Law on Guarding State Secrets to Take Effect in September 2024

Houthis Vow Significant Retaliation Against Israeli Following Yemeni Port Attack

Houthi Movement forces have promised large-scale retaliation after Israeli fighter jets struck Yemen’s Hodeidah Port on July 20 sparking a major fire and killing at least 6 people. The Israeli attack, the first of its kind on Yemen, was in response to a Houthi-launched drone that killed one person in Tel Aviv on July 21, 2024. The Houthis will likely increase drone and missile strikes towards Israel. However, the effectiveness of these attacks has been limited throughout the war in the Gaza Strip due to the crudeness of the projectiles and Israel’s air defense systems, meaning it remains unlikely that the conflict will significantly escalate in the region.

Death Toll from Ethiopian Landslides Jumps to 257

In southern Ethiopia, the death toll from two devastating landslides has risen to 257, with fears that it could increase further as rescue operations continue. The landslides occurred consecutively in the Gofa zone of the Southern Ethiopia regional state following heavy rains. The first landslide occurred early this week, burying individuals, while a second landslide affected those gathered to assist in rescue efforts. The casualties included children and police officers, among others. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed profound sadness over the loss of life and announced federal efforts to reduce the disaster's impact.

China’s Revises Law on Guarding State Secrets to Take Effect in September 2024

China officially unveiled a new set of regulations to protect sensitive information, including tighter screening of government officials working with state secrets. Under the newly revised state secrets law, officials must draw up lists of state secrets with their respective areas of responsibility and face tighter screening, training, and travel restrictions to keep sensitive information safe. Additionally, manufacturers are required to innovate security and secrecy products and confidential technical equipment using new technologies, methods, and processes, and companies must obtain specific qualifications to work on products related to state secrets, and the nationality of personnel working in those related positions must be Chinese. The revised regulations expand the scope and depth and come as the Chinese government sees potential vulnerabilities in foreign competitors being able to obtain data on China ranging from political and economic statistics to environmental information. The new regulations will take effect on September 1, 2024.