ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - August 11, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - August 11, 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

• Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina Resigns; Indefinite Curfew Imposed
• ZeroFox Intelligence Assessment - Threats to the Democratic National Convention
• Hamas Appoints New Political Head Following Haniyeh’s Death

Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina Resigns; Indefinite Curfew Imposed

On August 5, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country after tens of thousands of protesters calling for her ouster defied a curfew and stormed heavily barricaded parts of the capital, Dhaka. Army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman announced he would oversee the formation of an interim government and pledged to work with the protest groups that led weeks of violent unrest, in addition to other stakeholder groups. Authorities have imposed an indefinite nationwide curfew that has shuttered most businesses and have deactivated mobile internet services. In July, university students facing high unemployment began protesting a restrictive quota system for government jobs. Those protests quickly morphed into a mass movement demanding Hasina’s resignation. At least 300 people died in the ensuing unrest, including over a dozen police officials. Meanwhile, some factories in Bangladesh, including those manufacturing ready-made garments (RMG), have reportedly resumed operations following days of severe unrest. Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate and long-time political adversary of Bangladesh's ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been appointed as the country's interim leader. The appointment came a day after Hasina left the nation following weeks of deadly protests that resulted in her resignation.

ZeroFox Intelligence Assessment - Threats to the Democratic National Convention

The recent change in the Democratic nominee for president and the July 13 assassination attempt on former President Trump have likely shifted the threat landscape significantly for the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Potential allies, such as international diplomats and business leaders, as well as adversarial protesters and foreign intelligence agencies will likely be using the DNC to learn about a new slate of politicians, some of whom they may know little about. The event is very likely to attract a wide array of foreign interests, which increases the likelihood of espionage attempts to discern the policy positions of the possible new administration and some of its leading actors who will be in attendance at the DNC.

Hamas Appoints New Political Head Following Haniyeh’s Death

Hamas announced that Yahya Sinwar, one of the group’s senior military leaders, would become head of its political bureau following the death of Ismail Haniyeh last week. Sinwar was reportedly heavily involved in the planning of the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and is believed to remain in Gaza despite Israel’s ongoing campaign there. He is one of the few senior Hamas leaders left alive after months of fighting. Sinwar’s promotion is unlikely to affect the group’s day-to-day operations but may spur redoubled efforts by Israel to determine his location. Meanwhile, Russia has reportedly begun delivering air defense systems to Iran after Iranian officials requested them, for use in a potential conflict against Israel.