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Jan 6, 2024
A weekly supplement to the AlertsUSA
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WEEKLY THREAT AND ALERT ROUNDUP
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The Strasbourg Christmas Market, site of the Dec 2018 terror attack that killed 5 and wounded 11. Image: DepositPhotos.com - ALLOW IMAGES
U.S. and Allies Warn Houthis Over Red Sea Attacks
Jan 6, 2024
On January 3rd, the following related Flash SMS
message was sent to AlertsUSA subscriber mobile devices:

1/3 - The US and 11 nations issue a joint statement to Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen warning of "consequences" for continued attacks on Red Sea shipping. See email.

 
What You Need To Know

On Wednesday, AlertsUSA subscribers were informed of a joint statement issued simultaneously by the U.S. and 11 other nations (Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the UK) effectively warning the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen to cease their attacks on vessels in the Red Sea or face potential military action.

At least 23 attacks on shipping have carried out in response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza just since Dec. 19th, using unmanned aerial vehicles, small boats, and missiles, including anti-ship ballistic missiles.

The final paragraph of the joint statement:

"Let our message now be clear: we call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews. The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways. We remain committed to the international rules-based order and are determined to hold malign actors accountable for unlawful seizures and attacks."

The only Middle Eastern country to sign on to the statement was Bahrain.

One day after the release of the joint statement, the Houthis launched an unmanned surface vehicle packed with explosives towards US Navy and commercial vessels, but it detonated over a mile away from the ships.

And one day after that incident, Danish shipping giant Maersk announced it will continue rerouting its ships around the Cape of Good Hope for the “foreseeable future.”

According to a statement by Maersk:

“The situation is constantly evolving and remains highly volatile, and all available intelligence at hand confirms that the security risk continues to be at a significantly elevated level. We have therefore decided that all Maersk vessels due to transit the Red Sea / Gulf of Aden will be diverted south around the Cape of Good Hope for the foreseeable future."

Readers are reminded that ~15% of global trade transits the Red Sea and Suez Canal annually, and there is only one other way for vessels to get from the Indian Ocean to the Med. That 4,500 mile trip around the southern tip of Africa adds up to four weeks for cargo delivery, is considerably more expensive, and the impact is felt globally.

A Houthi military spokesperson framed these attacks as part of their ongoing campaign targeting all commercial maritime traffic headed to or affiliated with Israel.

AlertsUSA continues to monitor the overall domestic and international threat environment and will immediately notify service subscribers, via SMS messages and email, of breaking incidents of national significance, as well as any new alerts, warnings or advisories impacting the overall threat picture for American citizens, as events warrant.


AlertsUSA

SMS ALERTS FROM THIS WEEK
NOT DETAILED IN THIS NEWSLETTER ISSUE

1/1 - M 7.4 earthquake, 39 km NE of Anamizu, Japan. NOAA: Tsunami threat exists for parts of the pacific located closer to the epicenter. Monitoring..

1/1 - Tsunami warnings / advisories in effect for all Japanese prefectures with coasts facing the Sea of Japan. Coastal residents urged to move to higher ground.

1/4 - AlertsUSA monitoring reports of multi-victim shooting, Perry High School, Perry, IA. Police asking public to avoid the area. Add'l alerts as warranted.

1/4 - One dead, five injured in Perry High School shooting. Police report discovery of improvised explosive device at scene. Shooter dead from self-inflicted GSW.

1/5 - Pensacola Naval Air Station in lockdown following bomb threat. All gates to the installation closed during investigation. Add'l alerts as warranted.

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Israel-Hamas War Update.  Image: DepositPhotos.com -  ALLOW IMAGES
Israel-Hamas War Update
Jan 6, 2024
 
What You Need To Know

Large caches of Chinese-made weaponry and ammunition, including QBZ assault rifles and QLZ87 automatic grenade launchers, have been seized by the IDF in Gaza. Stockpiles of hi-tech supplies contained telescopic sights for rifles, as well as an array of communications equipment such as listening devices and tactical military radios.

The Iranian-backed Houthi movement and Iranian-backed Iraqi proxy militias are driving escalation in the region by attacking global shipping and US forces. The United States has so far not responded to Houthi attacks with military action targeting the Houthis’ ability to attack commercial shipping

Israel's defense minister suggested that Israel keep security control of Gaza after Hamas has been defeated with an undefined, Israeli-guided Palestinian body running day to day administration and the US, European Union and regional partners taking responsibility for the reconstruction of the territory.


Pivot Points: Creating a Culture of Preparedness and Resiliency in America - by Paul T. Martin. ALLOW IMAGES

10 Conflicts to Watch in 2024  - ALLOW IMAGES
Commentary / Analysis / Research
Jan 6, 2024

10 Conflicts to Watch in 2024

Can we stop things falling apart? 2024 begins with wars burning in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine and peacemaking in crisis. Worldwide, diplomatic efforts to end fighting are failing. More leaders are pursuing their ends militarily. More believe they can get away with it.

~ READ MORE HERE (Foreign Policy) ~

A Better Cyber Service

2024 will mark the fifth year of America’s newest military service, the Space Force. Its success has led to increased calls for a new service for the DoD’s fifth recognized domain of warfare, cyberspace. These calls have grown so loud as to have reached the point where current U.S. Senate proposals for the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act include a provision that will task the Department of Defense to study the possibility of an independent cyber force.

~ READ MORE HERE (War on the Rocks) ~

The Trouble with a Cease-Fire

Given that Hamas promised to repeat the October 7 attack until Israel's annihilation, it is no wonder that Israelis nearly uniformly want, as one Israeli politician put it, to finish the job this time around. To Israelis, the international calls for a cease-fire ring hollow.

~ READ MORE HERE (RAND) ~


Fleet and Marine Tracker Map as of Jan 4, 2024.  - ALLOW IMAGES
U.S. Navy Fleet and Marine Tracker
As of Jan 04, 2024

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Jan 4, 2024 based on U.S. Navy, public data provided by the U.S. Naval Institute, and open source reporting.


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Army Rangers assault targets during a live-fire training exercise at Fort Johnson, La., Dec. 3, 2023. Image: DoD  - ALLOW IMAGES
World News Roundup
Jan 6, 2024

AMERICAS

Perry, Iowa school shooter kills 1, injures 5
US and Europe start new diplomatic push to quell Gaza war
NYC sues Texas bus companies over migrant dropoffs
El Salvador says murders fell 70% in 2023 as it cracked down on gangs
Ecuador's president seeks to hold referendum on security measures
Mexican authorities free 31 kidnapped migrants
Mexican cartel forces locals to pay for makeshift Wi-Fi under threat of death
1 Columbian soldier killed, 12 injured in cartel attack
JetBlue flight diverted after ‘violent’ passenger says he’s the ‘devil’
Argentina court suspends Milei's 'mega-decree' labor reforms
Al Jazeera journalist arrested in Tunisia amid press crackdown

EUROPE

Ukraine and Russia in 'biggest prisoner swap' so far
IS Issues renewed call for murder of Europe’s Christians and Jews
Tajiks, Uzbeks among those arrested after suspected Cologne terror threat
Spain sees highest jihadist-related terror arrests in 20 years
Russia approves deal to purchase ballistic missiles from Iran
As losses mount, Ukrainians fiercely debate future of draft
Ukraine’s top general asks politicians to fight – media
Germany warns of "very real" Israel-Hezbollah war risk amid border fire
Putin: Western elites, not Ukraine, are Russia's true enemies
Russia has used N. Korean missiles in Ukraine and is seeking more in Iran

MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA

The war in Gaza may widen. The Biden admin is getting ready for it
More than 100 killed in 'bombing near tomb of Iranian Guards' Soleimani
ISIS claims responsibility for deadly attack in Iran, Tehran vows revenge
Airstrike in central Baghdad kills Iran-backed militia leader
U.S. strike kills militia leader blamed for Iraq attacks - U.S. official
Houthis claim attack on French container ship in Red Sea
US warns Houthis to cease attacks on Red Sea vessels
UK is ready to attack Houthi rebels, says Grant Shapps
Houthi rebels defy US warning with new Red Sea explosion
US reaches agreement with Qatar to keep operating largest military
Hezbollah leader vows ‘punishment’ after killing of Hamas official in Lebanon
US intelligence confirms Hamas used Al-Shifa hospital as command center

ASIA / OCEANIA

Xi Jinping is purging China's military, disrupting race with US
US intelligence shows flawed China missiles led Xi to purge army
A severe Taiwan Strait crisis still a top US threat
Taiwan’s Matsu Islands prepare for a possible China invasion
Kim Ju-ae likely heir to North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, says South’s spy agency
N. Korea fires artillery rounds near border, violating of 2018 mil agreement
Houthis launch sea drone to attack ships hours after US, allies issue warning
Train collision in Indonesia kills four, injures 42
Terrible scenes across Japan’s western coast after quake kills 84
Man charged over stabbing of S Korea opposition leader Lee Jae-myung
Three injured in stabbing incident on Tokyo train, woman in custody
Myanmar junta to free 9,652 prisoners on humanitarian grounds
Taliban arrest women for ‘bad hijab’ in the first dress code crackdown

PUBLIC HEALTH

Portland: Explosion of ‘infectious illness that spreads through fecal matter’
Influx of Illegal Immigrants Strains Southern California Hospitals
Doctor issues warning on risk of polio in New York


Peak Prosperity with Dr. Chris Martenson.

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Travel Security Resources

With tensions rapidly increasing in most regions, readers planning international travel, even to such common destinations as Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands, are strongly encouraged to research the security situation at your destination prior to booking, and again prior to departure.

The U.S. Dept. of State Travel Website is the authoritative federal source for information on the security situation at travel destinations worldwide.

Active USGOV Travel Notices

Active USGOV Travel Advisories

Other USGOV Travel Resources

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) - Registering your overseas trip with the Department of State STEP program allows you to receive information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.

Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) - Joining OSAC provides a variety of USGOV resources to enhance the safety and security of the U.S. private sector businesses and organizations operating abroad.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - The CDC travel website is the authoritative federal source for information on current health issues related to specific destinations worldwide. These issues may arise from disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, natural disasters, or other conditions that may affect travelers’ health.

Foreign Sources of Travel Guidance

See what other governments are telling their own citizens about the safety and security aspects of your destination.



Take Advantage of These Resources

Our social media channels provide a steady steam of important news and resources between issues of Threat Journal with little or no overlap of content. Combined with the AlertsUSA service for instant mobile notification of the really bad developments, you have an unmatched set of tools to keep yourself fully up to speed on the nation's threat environment. With times getting worse by the day, we urge you to utilize these resources.


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Ezekiel 33:3 - "Then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head."

 

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