ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - September 28, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - September 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

• Japan Sends Warship Through Strait of Taiwan Likely Worsening Relations with China
• Sudan Army Launches Biggest Military Escalation in Months with Attack on Khartoum Capital
• Libya's Rival Governments Reach Initial Agreement to Ease Bank Crisis

Japan Sends Warship Through Strait of Taiwan Likely Worsening Relations with China

On September 26, 2024, Japan sent a military ship through the Taiwan Strait for the first time ever. The passage was conducted with naval ships from Australia and New Zealand ahead of planned drills in the disputed South China Sea. China put its military on high alert, although only a week earlier, it sent three of its own ships for the first time between two Japanese islands near Taiwan. China has numerous similar territorial disputes with its neighbors over control of shipping lanes, although it also claims control of Taiwan. Japan's involvement in territorial conflicts of other states, previously for the Philippines and now Taiwan, is part of a recent uptick in military assertiveness from Japan and comes alongside a significant boost in military spending after decades of relatively limited military spending and engagement.

Sudan Army Launches Biggest Military Escalation in Months with Attack on Khartoum Capital

On September 26, 2024, Sudan's army, which is effectively the ruling government, launched a major military operation to retake control of the capital, Khartoum, from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia. This is the first major army-led offensive in months and could signal a wider offensive to end the civil war that started in April 2023. Expect mass casualties and a worsening refugee crisis if the conflict escalates. RSF and the army are former allies who became enemies when the army tried to absorb the RSF in talks to form an interim government in April 2023. Since then, the RSF has taken considerable territory from the military, including the capital and most of Western Sudan, with the army retreating to the eastern city of Port of Sudan. The fighting threatens the stability of the entire region, where refugees and fighting could impact the neighboring states of Egypt and Ethiopia.

Helene Hits Southeastern United States, Leaving Millions Without Power

Helene started as a Category 4 hurricane as it struck the Florida Big Bend region at 140 mph on Thursday. The hurricane is leaving in its wake at least three dead and life-threatening storm surges causing power outages for two million households. In what is known as a record-breaking storm, the hurricane struck areas of Georgia with a speed of 110 mph and is expected to continue weakening. At the time of writing, storm watches and warnings are in place. About 25 people have been rescued from flooding and swift water emergencies in Atlanta.