Project BIDGOOD II. Threat Assessment: Medina Conference Centre and Hotels

Transcription

1 Project BIDGOOD II Threat Assessment: Medina Conference Centre and Hotels Date of Submission: Monday, 24 September 2018

2 1. Contents 1. Contents Executive Summary Preamble Tunisia Overview: Tunis: Hammamet: Other: Terrorism Threat & Political Stability: Local Medical Facilities & Options: Conclusions & Recommendations... 7 a. Recommendations Risk Matrix Tunis & Hammamet... 9 b. Tunis... 9 c. Hammamet Page 2 of 10

3 2. Executive Summary Threat Assessment Tunisia is overall assessed to be safe to travel to The coastal city of Hammamet is assessed to be safe for travel. Since 2015, no incidents of terrorism or moderate significance have been recorded in the area Tourists themselves are more likely to be victims of petty theft or financial fraud (opportunistic crimes) as opposed to more violent crimes. Tunisia and tourist towns such as Hammamet are always under a residual threat of terrorism from Islamic State (IS) and al Qaeda-aligned groups and vigilance should be exercised. Site Security Assessment Overall, the site offers solid physical and electronic security measures which mitigate against the most common security threats in the area. Internal and external access controls were found to be overall satisfactory, although weaknesses remain and site specific security plan is highly recommended. Page 3 of 10

4 3. Preamble Salama Fikira have been requested to provide a security assessment of the Medina Solaris & Thalasso Hotel in Hammamet Yasmine to include the hotels and the associated conference facilities. The below report will focus initially on a threat assessment for respectively followed by a discussion of site security and will conclude with summarising remarks and a risk matrix. 4. Tunisia Overview: Located in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, Tunisia borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north and lies between Algeria and Libya. The terrain is largely mountainous toward the coast and around the capital, Tunis, while transitioning to a drier central plain and a semi-arid southern region that merges with the Sahara Desert. The country has a population of around 11.5 million, with the overwhelming majority residing in the northern half of the country, and just over two million inhabitants in the capital. Natural hazards include flooding, earthquakes, and droughts. The climate in the north of the country is characterised by hot summers and mild, wet winters. Tunis is approaching its rainy season which typically starts at the end of September and lasts through the month of May. Tunisia is an Arab state consisting of predominantly Sunni Muslims (99%) and practices a mixed legal system of civil law, based on the French civil code, and Islamic law. 5. Tunis: Tunisia s capital city Tunis is assessed to be generally safe for travel, but a state of increased caution is advised. Notable crimes against foreigners include residential burglaries in areas frequently inhabited by expatriates (i.e. La Marsa, Sidi Bou Said, Manzah No. 1 No. 9, al Manar, Ennasr, Lac No. 1 and Lac No. 2, and Carthage) and crimes of opportunity such as pickpocketing and petty theft. Cases have been reported of hit-and-run tactics used by criminals where young men on motorised scooters attempt to snatch valuables such as phones and purses from unsuspecting tourists while passing by. More serious crimes like armed robberies do occur, but are rare and often involve a knife or a crude weapon rather than a firearm. It is advised to avoid the Altathamon, Ennour, Fouchena, Mhamdeya, and Khlidiya neighbourhoods, as higher rates of criminal activity have been observed in these areas. Additionally, demonstrations often take place in the Bab Souika neighbourhood of the city. These protests can occur without warning and sometimes include vandalism or physical assault between demonstrators and police. Moreover, criminal elements often use civil unrest as an opportunity to carry out petty theft, arson, looting and other forms of criminal activity. The West Le Kram area of Tunis is also known for its high rates of theft and should be avoided. An underlying threat of kidnapping for ransom does exist against both foreign and Tunisian nationals, but is more of a risk in the country s southern region along the Libyan and Algerian borders where armed groups maintain a stronger presence. The occurrence of homicide and sexual assaults are low and are usually reported in more rural, impoverished neighbourhoods. For the most recent official statistics available ( ), crimes of theft and property showed a slight decline while economically-motivated crimes and Page 4 of 10

5 incidents of fraud increased. Natural hazards such as flooding can as well be a problem in the capital during the winter as the city s drainage systems often become overtaxed causing street flooding and washed-out roads. 6. Hammamet: The coastal city of Hammamet is assessed to be safe for travel. The city s population is just over 100,000 but fluctuates widely as it tends to attract long-term tourists. Since 2015, no incidents of terrorism or moderate significance have been recorded in the area. On 08th January 2018, demonstrations against the government s purposed economic reforms took place in which protestors clashed with security forces but did not result in any substantial violence. On 04th December 2017 a French national reported to be a resident of Hammamet was found dead behind a police station following unclear circumstances. Tourists themselves are more likely to be victims of petty theft or financial fraud (opportunistic crimes) as opposed to more violent crimes. Even so, popular tourist destinations in Tunisia such as Hammamet are always under a residual threat of terrorism from Islamic State (IS) and al Qaeda-aligned groups and vigilance should be exercised. 7. Other: While much of the northern part of the country is assessed safe for travel, the mountainous areas in the country s west, including in the vicinity of Chaambi Mountain National Park should be avoided due to threats of terrorism. Movements from both Islamic State and al Qaeda-affiliated groups have been recorded in the area. Other locations assessed as high-risk due to threat of terrorism include Sidi Bou Zid in the central plains, southeastern Tunisia along the border with Libya, Jendouba south of Ain Drahem and west of RN15, El Kef; and Kasserine, next to the Algerian border. The desert area South of El Borma and Dhehiba is designated a military zone and requires a special permit from the Tunisian government for travel. Due to Libya s insecurity and spillover of armed militia conflicts, the border area with Tunisia is assessed to be high risk, including the border towns of Dehiba and Ben Guerdane, the latter of which experienced violent protests by Tunisians in July. Illegal smuggling of fuel and goods by armed militia groups is common along the Tunisia-Libya border and contributed to the recent closing of the Ra s Adjir border crossing. 8. Terrorism Threat & Political Stability: In 2011 the country was affected by the emergence of the Arab Spring. The political uprising saw the overthrow of the Ben Ali regime after 23 years in power. Secular and Islamist parties proposed divergent views for a new political path, one propagating a Sharia-based Islamist government, with the other, supported by the majority of voters, wanting the State to remain secular. In 2015, two attacks targeted western tourist venues, one at the Bardo National Museum of Tunis and the other in Sousse, at the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Port El Kantaoui. However, since this time terrorist activity has markedly decreased across the country. Islamic State (IS) and Page 5 of 10

6 al Qaeda-aligned militant organisations operating in Tunisia have been under elevated pressure from both Tunisian and Western governments who are engaged in a joint counter-terrorism campaign to reduce the presence and efficacy of these groups, chiefly in highly-populated areas and tourist destinations. Even so, the state of emergency implemented in 2015 remains in effect due to the threat of terrorism, with the most recent notable occurrence on 08th July, when militants conducted an attack against Tunisian security forces near Ghardimaou, along the Algerian border. The security environment along particular stretches of the border with Algeria and Libya has deteriorated in recent years, as elaborated below. There has also been a noticeable uptick in cases of civil unrest since the end of While political demonstrations have not specifically targeted foreign entities, it does provide a potential opportunity for violent extremist organisations to capitalise on in the form of recruitment opportunities and renewed attacks. 9. Local Medical Facilities & Options: Hospital Bouchifa Address: C35, Bouficha, Tunisia Hours: 24HR Phone: rlha=0&rllag= , ,8389&tbm=lcl&ved=2ahukewig0bib5lddahvue8a KHa3IDzMQtgN6BAgEEAQ&tbs=lrf:!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:2&rldoc=1 Hospital Hammamet Address: Ave Mongi Slim, Hammamet, Tunisia Phone: rllag= , ,1229&tbm=lcl&ved=2ahukewjdpasl5bddahxdicakhtl0a _YQtgN6BAgAEAQ&tbs=lrf:!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:2&rldoc=1 Polyclinique Hammamet Address: Hammamet Sud, Tunisia Open 24 hours Phone: nisia/data=!4m6!4m5!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x12fd618e4c249559:0x273059a3da50a8 42?sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjGibqX5bDdAhWLL8AKHf1cBf4Q48ADCDQwAQ Page 6 of 10

7 Clinique Violet Address: Route d'hammamet Nabeul, BP 14, 8000 Nabeul Avenue Dali Jazi, Nabeul 8000, Tunisia Open 24 hours Phone: l,+bp+14,+8000+nabeul%d8%8c+avenue+dali+jazi,+nabeul%e2%80%8e+8000,+tun isia/data=!4m6!4m5!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x13029ee1c736b555:0x897c14a5bfd65e8 7?sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjK1Z6d5rDdAhWKI8AKHQgcAXEQ48ADCB0wAA Hospital Regional Nabeul Address: Mrezga 8000, Tunisia Open 24 hours Phone: isia/data=!4m6!4m5!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x130298bdfd01814d:0x8b60d0915fa36d6 d?sa=x&ved=0ahukewjh1tgo57ddahxmbsakhv2qd58q48adcbywaa 10. Conclusions & Recommendations a. Recommendations Overall, security measures in the Medina Hotel and Conference complex are assessed to be at an international standard offering the best possible protection against common threats. All access into and out of the hotels are closely controlled and manged with manned gates all of which are covered comprehensively by security cameras. The hotels are built and furnished to international standards with staff trained operating and supervised by a clear management structure. The Medina Solaris Hotel and Medina complex are two separate and distinct sites set apart by around 400 metres within some of the region s largest and busiest hotels within the same area. The overall threat level at the Medina Complax is considered to be low, with no inhibitive risks identified during the assessment. Comprehensive security measures physical, human and technical have been implemented across the site, which are assessed to effectively mitigate most common security threats in the Hammamet area. While crime rates are at a low level throughout Tunisia as a relatively conservative Islamic nation, the high volumes of international tourism can potentially can create frictions. Usual precautions and recommendations to travellers would be advised and travelling between any locations would require well planned and delivered secure journey management. Page 7 of 10

8 The size of the proposed AFRINIC event would require site specific security management with clear and well-planned access control, risk management and standard operating procedures ensuring coordination with both the hotel staff as well as local law enforcement. Maintaining perimeter security for the entirety of the event is an obvious priority and will be relatively difficult to deliver within the Medina Complex / Hotel given the separate sites and the multiple users of the site. As such, to increase internal physical security for the event and to better monitor delegates movements between the different locations, additional security guards could be positioned at key points of the event, such as the entrance of the conference centre and the hotels as well as the parking facilities and key circulation points leading into the conference areas. Page 8 of 10

9 11. Risk Matrix Tunis & Hammamet THREAT LIKELIHOOD IMPACT Risk Rating Risk Category HP C I V Mean P A E R Mean TERRORIST ATTACK Moderate OPPORTUNISTIC CRIME KIDNAPPING CORRUPTION/FRAUD VIOLENT CRIME Low Low Low Low CIVIL UNREST / PROTEST Moderate OVERALL RISK RATING Negligible Low Moderate High Very High b. Tunis Page 9 of 10

10 c. Hammamet THREAT LIKELIHOOD IMPACT Risk Rating Risk Category HP C I V Mean P A E R Mean TERRORIST ATTACK Moderate OPPORTUNISTIC CRIME KIDNAPPING CORRUPTION/FRAUD VIOLENT CRIME Low Low Low Low CIVIL UNREST / PROTEST Low OVERALL RISK RATING Negligible Low Moderate High Very High Page 10 of 10