Hot Spots
4/02/2015
Contents
ASIA

Philippines

Thailand
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

United Arab Emirates
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Kenya

Tanzania
GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Kenya
Hot Spots Report
ASIA
Philippines (Security threat level - 4): As of 0900 UTC on 2 April 2015, Typhoon Maysak was located 840 mi/1,350
km east of Manila and was headed in a northwesterly direction at approximately 8 mph/7 kt. At that time, the storm was
registering sustained winds of 132 mph/115 kt and gusts of up to 160 mph/140 kt. According to meteorologists at
Wilkens Weather Technologies, the storm has maintained its strength over the last several hours; however, it is
expected to steadily weaken before making landfall in northeast Luzon Island on 5 April, at which point sustained winds
and gusts are expected to be well below 100 mph/85 kt. The storm is unlikely to directly affect the Manila metropolitan
area; however, heavy rains and strong winds are a possibility.
Thailand (Security threat level - 3): On 1 April 2015, the military junta that has ruled Thailand since May 2014 lifted
martial law for almost all of the country. However, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the former head of the Royal
Thai Army, took steps to replace martial law with a different set of rules aimed at preserving the military’s control of
Thai politics. Gatherings of more than five people will still be banned, and the military will have the discretion to
prosecute any person or group suspected of having taken any action that could “destroy peace and order, and national
security.” Critics from human rights groups and the United Nations contend that the new rules do not constitute an
improvement over martial law; instead, the restrictions they impose are even more severe. Prayuth and other military
leaders lashed out against this criticism on 2 April, claiming that foreign entities are misjudging the lifting of martial law.
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
United Arab Emirates (Security threat level - 2): A sandstorm disrupted aviation operations in the United Arab
Emirates on 2 April 2015. The extent of the disruptions is unclear. Some reports indicate that several flights to and from
Dubai International Airport (OMDB/DXB), al-Maktoum International Airport (OMDW/DWC) and Abu Dhabi International
Airport (OMAA/AUH) have been canceled, delayed or diverted due to the weather; however, other sources suggest
that disruptions have been minimal overall. The weather conditions and poor visibility are forecast to persist in some
areas of the UAE at least through 3 April and possibly through the weekend; therefore, transportation disruptions may
continue in the coming days.
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Kenya (Security threat level - 4): On 2 April 2015, al-Shabab gunmen attacked Garissa University College in northern
Kenya at 0530 local time (0230 UTC). As of 1630 local time (1330 UTC) police officers and military personnel were still
battling the gunmen, who have taken shelter in one of the university’s dormitories. Al-Shabab stated that the assailants
released all Muslims and were holding an undisclosed number of non-Muslim hostages. The group further stated that
the attack was in retaliation for Kenyan troops fighting al-Shabab in Somalia. The latest reports indicate that 20 people
have been killed and 65 others have been hospitalized thus far. However, the Interior Ministry stated that 535 students
are unaccounted for; therefore, the numbers are likely to change as additional information is released.
According to reports, the government acquired intelligence last week that al-Shabab was planning to attack a major
university, which prompted several universities in the capital city of Nairobi to warn their students about a possible
attack. It is unknown whether Garissa University College or other universities in the country received the warning from
the government. Garissa is located approximately 90 mi/150 km from the Somalia border and has been targeted by alShabab on a number of occasions in the past, prompting Western governments to advise against travel to the area.
The U.S. and U.K. governments, for example, advise against travel to Garissa county.
Tanzania (Security threat level - 3): According to reports on 1 April 2015, a fuel shortage has affected the semiautonomous archipelago of Zanzibar for the past five days. Motorists have been forced to wait in line for hours to fill
their vehicles with gas, and some passenger buses have reportedly stopped operating, causing travel disruptions for
commuters. A government official blamed the shortage on a delay of the delivery of fuel from Mombasa, Kenya. The
official stated that a shipment of fuel was expected on 2 April.
GOVERNMENT WARNINGS
Kenya (Security threat level - 4): On 2 April 2015, the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi issued an Emergency Message, which
reads in part as follows: “The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has received reports of an ongoing attack at Moi University,
Garissa Campus, in Garissa, Kenya. According to the reports, there have been explosions and heavy gunfire at the
school; hostages have been taken and al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack. While the city and county
of Garissa are currently restricted for travel of U.S. Government personnel, we urge private U.S. citizens to avoid any
travel in the Garissa area. U.S. citizens throughout Kenya are encouraged to remain vigilant, review their own personal
security measures, and stay tuned to local media reports for the latest information on the situation.”