ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - August 16, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - August 16, 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

• Another State of Emergency in Jamaica Related to Rampant Gang Crime
• Germany Investigates Act of Sabotage at Air Base
• Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Resigns and New PM Likely in September 2024

Another State of Emergency in Jamaica Related to Rampant Gang Crime

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared a 14-day state of emergency for the southern parish of Clarendon following a rise in gang crime. The emergency orders will likely involve night time curfews, checkpoints, and increased authority for police to conduct searches. There is a roughly equal chance that the emergency order will be extended. While the emergency orders due typically coincide with a significant reduction in violence, gang activity usually resumes shortly after they end. Clarendon was last under a state of emergency in November 2023, which saw a 50 percent drop in violence. The high levels of violence seen in Jamaica are ubiquitous across the region, where unregistered guns are fueling gang turf wars and elevated homicide rates. The Caribbean Community has agreed to a range of measures to clamp down on rising gun violence, including stronger law enforcement and stopping the import of illegal firearms. However, the measures will likely be difficult to enforce.

Germany Investigates Act of Sabotage at Air Base

German officials are investigating a potential act of sabotage at the Cologne-Wahn air base, a NATO hub that provides military support for Ukraine. Investigators suspect an intruder cut a hole through a fence near the base's drinking water unit. Officials feared the facility's water supply may have been contaminated and warned personnel not to consume the water. The base then shut off drinking water supplies from its network, pending the outcome of tests for contaminants. Officials also reported another incident at a NATO air base in Geilenkirchen, Germany. A NATO spokesperson said an unauthorized person attempted to enter the base, but was prevented by security personnel. However, the spokesperson noted they do not believe the incident was connected to the suspected sabotage at Cologne-Wahn.

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Resigns and New PM Likely in September 2024

Japanese Prime Minister (PM) Fumio Kishida announced he would not run in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) leadership election next month. The move is effectively a resignation, with the winner of the internal party vote replacing Kishida as PM for the remainder of his term due to expire on October 31, 2025. PM Kishida's popularity has been dented due to scandals and sluggish economic growth. Kishida has prioritized increasing defense ties with the United States and resuscitating Japan's sluggish birth rate. However, both issues have deeply indebted the country. Kishida is hoping his resignation will distance the LPD party from his lack of popularity in time for the next election.