THE BUREAU OF DIPLOMATIC SECURITY (DS)...Diplomatic Security’s ability to detect and counter...
Transcript of THE BUREAU OF DIPLOMATIC SECURITY (DS)...Diplomatic Security’s ability to detect and counter...
2014
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATEBUREAU OF DIPLOMATIC SECURITY
To advance American interests and U.S. foreign policy,
DS protects people, property, and information at more
than 280 State Department posts worldwide. As a
leader in international investigations, threat analysis,
cyber security, counterterrorism, dignitary protection,
and security technology, DS is the most widely
represented U.S. security and law enforcement
organization in the world. Political Violence Against
Americans is produced by the Bureau’s Directorate of
Threat Investigations and Analysis to provide a
comprehensive picture of the spectrum of politically
motivated threats and violence that American citizens
and interests encounter worldwide on an annual basis.
Created in May 2008, the Directorate of Threat
Investigations and Analysis strives to improve
Diplomatic Security’s ability to detect and counter
threats, and to upgrade the Bureau’s capacity to rapidly
disseminate threat and security information to U.S.
embassies, consulates, and the private sector.
THE BUREAU OF DIPLOMATIC
SECURITY (DS) IS THE LAW
ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY
ARM OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF STATE, PROVIDING A SECURE
ENVIRONMENT FOR THE CONDUCT
OF AMERICAN DIPLOMACY.
On the cover: Afghan security forces secure the scene of a
vehicle suicide bombing in eastern Kabul that claimed the lives
of two U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) contractors and
seven Afghan civilians. Two DOD contractors were wounded in
the February 10, 2014 attack. (AP/Wide World Photos)
2 Introduction
2 A Special Note Regarding Conflict Zones
3 A Statistical Overview of 2014
4 Americans in Captivity
6 Near East
12 South and Central Asia
16 Europe
20 Sub-Saharan Africa
22 Western Hemisphere
24 Conclusion
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A Special Note Regarding
Conflict Zones
Introduction
As in previous editions of Political Violence Against Americans, this report includes
incidents of violence involving U.S. citizens and facilities with the exception of incidents
against American military personnel serving in combat positions.
Additionally, instances of rocket and mortar attacks against U.S. diplomatic facilities are
included only when they resulted in casualties or property damage. Active conflict zones
involve special circumstances. Given the complex security context within these countries,
it is understandably difficult to obtain detailed, reliable information on every single
incident involving citizens of the United States. Moreover, it is often virtually impossible
to distinguish acts of targeted political violence and terrorism from general conflict-zone
hazards. The criteria established above provide a certain practical, albeit imperfect,
standard for determining those assaults most relevant to this report. Some incidents may
have been omitted due to their sensitive nature, as have the names of American citizens
for privacy purposes.
Since its inception in 1987, the goal of Political Violence Against Americans has been to
document terrorist activity and political violence, including protests, directed against
American citizens and U.S. Government personnel and interests overseas on an annual
basis. This includes (whenever possible) the goals and ideology of those responsible.
The goal of this publication is to provide the reader with a better understanding and
awareness of the many threats that U.S. citizens and diplomatic personnel face abroad.
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political violence against americans 2014
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A Stati�icalOverview of 2014
63 Total Incidents in 20140
30Of the 63 incidents that involved U.S. citizens and interests, 35 are believed to have resulted from intentional targeting of Americans. The 28 incidents where Americans or American interests apparently were not targeted due to nationality are indicated with an asterisk (“*”) within the text.
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16
6
15
Near East
Sub-Saharan Africa
South and Central AsiaEurope
Western Hemisphere
WESTERN HEMISPHERE: 3 ANTI-AMERICAN INCIDENTS
Targets Types
1 Bomb2 Violent demonstration
3 U.S. Government
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: 6 ANTI-AMERICAN INCIDENTS
Targets Types
2 Armed attack2 Assassination1 Assault1 Violent demonstration
2 U.S. Government
2 Private
2 Other
Types
2 Abduction3 Armed attack1 Attempted assassination3 Murder1 Other1 Release from captivity
1 Rocket7 Small Arms Fire1 Stabbing2 Vehicle assault1 Violent demonstration
NEAR EAST: 23 ANTI-AMERICAN INCIDENTS
Targets
7 Private
6 U.S. Business
9 U.S. Government
1 U.S. Military
SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: 16 ANTI-AMERICAN INCIDENTS
Targets Types
8 Armed attack1 Insider attack1 Rocket
2 Suicide 3 SVBIED +1 Violent demonstration
+ “Suicide-vehicle borne improvised explosive device”
2 U.S. Business
3 U.S. Government
1 U.S. Military
10 Private
EUROPE: 15 ANTI-AMERICAN INCIDENTS
Targets Types
2 Assault3 Detained1 Missile3 Vandalism6 Violent demonstration
1 U.S. Military
2 U.S. Business
10 U.S. Government
2 Other
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August 13, 2011 – Lahore, Pakistan
A U.S. citizen working for a U.S. Agency for International Development-affiliated non-governmental organization was kidnapped. Al-Qa’ida claimed responsibility. The victim remained in captivity at the end of 2014.
August 13, 2012 – Syria
A U.S. freelance journalist was reported kidnapped. The victim remained missing at the end of 2014.
October 2012 – Syria
A U.S. journalist was kidnapped. On August 24, 2014, he was freed after being held in captivity by armed groups, including the Syrian-based terrorist group al-Nusrah Front. He was handed over to UN peacekeepers in the Golan Heights.
October 8, 2012 – Afghanistan
A U.S. citizen and her Canadian husband were kidnapped in Kabul; both were believed to be held by the Taliban in North Waziristan, Pakistan at the end of 2014.
November 22, 2012 – Idlib Province, Northwest Syria
A U.S. freelance journalist was kidnapped. On August 19, 2014, the terrorist organization Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (hereafter, referred to as ISIL) posted a video to the Internet showing his murder.
August 4, 2013 – Syria
A U.S. citizen working for a nongovernmental organization was kidnapped in Syria. She was believed to be held in Syria at the end of 2014.
Americans in Captivity
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August 4, 2013 – Syria
A U.S. freelance journalist was kidnapped. On September 2, 2014, the terrorist organization ISIL posted a video to the Internet showing his murder.
October 1, 2013 – Syria
A U.S. aid worker was kidnapped. On November 16, 2014, the terrorist organization ISIL posted a video to the Internet confirming his murder.
April 21, 2014 – Slovyansk, Ukraine
A U.S. journalist was held against his will for several days by pro-Russian separatists before being released unharmed.
April 29, 2014 – Donetsk, Ukraine
Two American citizens working for a non-governmental organization were detained and held for ten days by pro-Russian separatists. While the U.S. citizens were not physically harmed, they were interrogated, isolated, and moved to various locations during their captivity.
May 2, 2014 – Slovyansk, Ukraine
Several foreign reporters, including two U.S. journalists, were held against their will by pro-Russian separatists for several hours before being released unharmed.
May 2014 – Khost Province, Afghanistan
A U.S. journalist went missing. He was believed to be held by the Haqqani Network terrorist organization in North Waziristan, Pakistan at the end of 2014.
June 12, 2014 – West Bank
An Israeli-American dual-national citizen was abducted with two Israelis while hitchhiking near Hebron. On June 30, the bodies of the three teenage boys were found in a village just north of Hebron.
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* Incidents where Americans or American interests apparently were not targeted due to nationality are indicated with asterisks.
nearea�
1 Bahrain
1 Egypt
5 Iraq
4 Jerusalem
2 Libya
4 Syria
1 UAE
3 Yemen
1 West Bank
1 Saudi Arabia
Countries with Anti-American incidents
*February 23 Manama, Bahrain
Anti-government protesters throwing Molotov cocktails struck the personally owned vehicle of two U.S. Department of Defense personnel traveling on Isa Al Kabeer Avenue. They managed to drive out of the attack zone. At the time of the attack, a Ministry of Interior (MOI) police vehicle was traveling alongside the DOD personnel. It is believed the MOI vehicle was the intended target, as it sustained extensive damage. The Americans’ vehicle sustained minor damage, but neither individual was hurt.
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February 25 Tripoli, Libya
In the early morning hours, a U.S. Embassy vehicle
returned to the mission compound. Embassy
security personnel noticed what appeared to be
two bullet impacts on the right rear window. The
personnel stated they had not heard any sounds of
rounds hitting the vehicle. No one was hurt in the
incident, and there is no direct evidence that the
vehicle was targeted because of its affiliation with
the Embassy.
*April 28 Baghdad, Iraq
Multiple 7.62-caliber rounds struck the U.S.
Embassy compound’s helicopter pad and
containers at a storage compound immediately
adjacent to the tarmac. No one was injured, and
damage was minimal.
*May 20 Sana’a, Yemen
A firefight erupted between local Yemeni tribesmen
and host-government security forces regarding
an ongoing land dispute. During the exchange
of gunfire, a stray round impacted a U.S. Marine
Security Force rooftop observation post at the
Diplomatic Transit Facility-Sana’a (a secured
residential facility for U.S. diplomats). The round
struck ballistic-resistant glass on the side of the
observation post, causing minor damage. No
Embassy personnel were injured. Less than an hour
later, the gunfire had subsided.
*June 12 West Bank
An Israeli-American dual-national citizen was
abducted with two Israelis while hitchhiking
near Hebron. On June 30, the bodies of the three
teenage boys were found in a village just north
of Hebron. Israeli Defense Forces subsequently
shot and killed two Palestinian suspects during
an attempt to apprehend them. An Israeli military
court sentenced a third Palestinian with ties to
Hamas to 75 years in prison for planning the attack.
*July 3 Baghdad, Iraq
Small-arms fire impacted on and near the Embassy
Baghdad compound. No one was injured, and
property damage was minimal.
*July 20 Tripoli, Libya
The U.S. Embassy Annex compound received
small-arms fire and one round of indirect fire.
No one was injured, and minimal damage was
reported. It is believed the Annex was not
specifically targeted, but rather the incident was
the result of continued fighting between opposing
militia groups.
August 6 Western Desert, Egypt
Gunman abducted and murdered a U.S. citizen
working for a U.S.-based energy exploration and
production company. The terrorist group Ansar
Bayt al-Maqdis claimed responsibility for the
attack.
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August 19 Syria
Militants from the terrorist group ISIL posted a video
to the Internet showing the murder of an American
journalist. The journalist had been kidnapped on
November 22, 2012, in northwest Syria.
*August 24 Syria
An American journalist abducted in October
2012 was freed after being held in captivity by
armed groups, including the Syrian-based terrorist
organization Al Nusrah Front. He was handed over to
UN peacekeepers in the Golan Heights.
*August 31 Baghdad, Iraq
A U.S. soldier on the U.S. Embassy compound was
slightly injured when an unknown projectile grazed
his left arm.
September 2 Syria
Militants from the terrorist group ISIL posted a video
to the Internet showing the murder of an American
journalist. The journalist had been kidnapped in
August 2013.
*September 2 Baghdad, Iraq
As two U.S. civilian contractors were walking
on the U.S. Embassy compound, a high-speed
projectile believed to be small arms fire struck the
ground behind them. No one was injured, and no
property was damaged.
October 14 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
A lone gunman opened fire on three U.S. citizens
at a gas station a half-mile from their residential
compound. The Americans were employed by an
American military contractor supporting Saudi
National Guard modernization efforts in Riyadh.
One American was killed and another wounded in
the shooting. The alleged gunman was shot and
wounded by police and is in custody. The subject
expressed hatred for the U.S. military, appeared to
have been inspired by various jihadi websites, and
specifically targeted Americans he believed to be
former U.S. military service members.
October 21 Baghdad, Iraq
Three 107 mm rockets were fired in the direction
of the U.S. Embassy. One rocket impacted a wall
of the Embassy compound. Two other rockets flew
over the compound. There were no injuries and
only minor damage to the Embassy wall.
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*October 22 Jerusalem
A Palestinian man drove his car into a crowd of
people disembarking from a train at a Jerusalem
light rail station. A three-month-old U.S. citizen
residing in Jerusalem and another individual
were killed, and at least nine people — including
the infant’s U.S. citizen parents — were injured.
The driver, who Israeli authorities suspected of
being affiliated with the terrorist organization
Hamas, died from wounds sustained when police
attempted to apprehend him.
*October 29 Jerusalem
A lone gunman shot and seriously wounded an
Israeli-American rabbi and activist in a failed
assassination attempt as the victim left an event
at the Menachem Begin Heritage Center. The
next day, police shot and killed the suspected
shooter during a raid to apprehend him.
*November 5 Jerusalem
A Palestinian man drove a van into a crowd of
pedestrians along a major thoroughfare and
at a Jerusalem light rail stop before exiting his
vehicle and attacking people with an iron bar,
killing a police officer and injuring at least eight
other people. A 24-year old U.S. citizen who was
nearly hit by the vehicle experienced shock after
the incident. She was treated at a local hospital
and released within a few hours. Police shot and
killed the driver, whom the terrorist organization
Hamas claimed was one of its members.
ISRAELI POLICE INSPECT THE SCENE OF AN ATTACK IN JERUSALEM, OCTOBER 22, 2014, BY A PALESTINIAN MOTORIST WHO DROVE HIS CAR INTO A CROWD OF COMMUTERS AT A RAIL STATION, KILLING A THREE-MONTH-OLD U.S. CITIZEN AND ANOTHER PERSON. (AP/WIDE WORLD PHOTOS)
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November 16 Syria
Militants from the terrorist group ISIL posted a video to the Internet confirming the
murder of an American aid worker. The aid worker had been kidnapped October 1, 2013, in
northeastern Syria while delivering medical supplies to Syrian refugees.
*November 18 Jerusalem
Two assailants identified as cousins stormed the Kehilat Bnei Torah synagogue located
in Har Nof, killing five people and injuring more than a dozen. Three of the dead were U.S.
citizens, as was one of the wounded. Police shot and killed the perpetrators.
November 26 Sana’a, Yemen
A lone gunman armed with an AK-47 rifle opened fire on the U.S. Embassy compound,
killing a member of the Yemeni Special Security Forces guarding the Embassy. The
gunman was shot and killed by Yemeni security officers. No group has claimed
responsibility for the attack.
We live in a world with more unstable and dangerous locations. Our foreign policy often demands that we send our people to work in those very places that are increasingly perilous. We cannot eliminate risk. The threats evolve. As a result, the work of securing our facilities and safeguarding our people is never complete.
—Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security Gregory B. Starr, 2014
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December 1 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
A female assailant stabbed to death a U.S. citizen in a public restroom at a shopping mall
on Reem Island. The suspect was arrested and charged in connection with the murder as
well as the planting of a bomb outside the home of an American doctor. The improvised
explosive device was defused by host-country explosive ordnance disposal technicians.
The suspect subsequently was linked to the terrorist organization al-Qa’ida in the
Arabian Peninsula.
December 6 Shabwah Province, Yemen
An American photojournalist and a South African teacher were killed by their captors
during a rescue operation by U.S. forces. The American had been kidnapped in
September 2013 by al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula.
A VEILED SUSPECT IN THE STABBING OF AN AMERICAN TEACHER AT A SHOPPING MALL IS SEEN IN A SECURITY CAMERA VIDEO DEPARTING THE COMMERCIAL FACILITY IN ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, DECEMBER 1, 2014. (ABU DHABI POLICE VIA AP/WIDE WORLD PHOTOS)
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* Incidents where Americans or American interests apparently were not targeted due to nationality are indicated with asterisks.
south & centra� asia
14 Afghanistan
2 Pakistan
Countries with Anti-American incidents
January 17 Kabul, Afghanistan
A suicide bomber and two gunmen attacked a restaurant and adjoining guesthouse. One of the insurgents detonated his suicide vest at the main entranceway of the guesthouse, facilitating entry for the two gunmen. Shortly afterward, Afghan National Police arrived and engaged the gunmen. After four hours, Afghan security forces had killed the two gunmen and secured the site. The attack resulted in the death of 21 people, including two Americans who worked for the American University of Afghanistan and a Somali-American who worked for the United Nation’s Children's Fund. At least six people were injured. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
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February 10 Kabul, Afghanistan
A suicide bomber driving
an explosives-laden Toyota
Corolla targeted a two-vehicle
International Security Assistance
Force convoy en route to Pol-e
Charkhi Prison in eastern Kabul
city. The explosion killed two U.S.
Department of Defense (DOD)
contractors and seven Afghan
civilians. Two DOD contractors
were wounded in the attack.
March 20 Kabul, Afghanistan
Four militants entered the Serena
Hotel, bypassing security by
hiding six handguns in their
shoes. They entered the hotel’s
main restaurant where they ate
before opening fire on patrons.
Afghan security forces responded
to the hotel and, after a 6-hour
operation, shot and killed all four
gunmen. The attackers killed
at least six Afghans and four
foreigners, including a U.S. citizen.
The Taliban claimed responsibility
for the attack.
OFFICERS WITH AFGHANISTAN'S INTELLIGENCE SERVICE DISPLAY SOME OF THE WEAPONS AND BELONGINGS USED BY ASSAILANTS IN A MARCH 20, 2014, ATTACK ON KABUL’S SERENA HOTEL. THE ATTACKERS KILLED AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE, INCLUDING A U.S. CITIZEN. (AP/WIDE WORLD PHOTOS)
U.S. SOLDIERS SEARCH THE SITE WHERE A SUICIDE ATTACKER RAMMED AN EXPLOSIVES-LADEN VEHICLE INTO A NATO CONVOY, KILLING TWO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CONTRACTORS IN KABUL, FEBRUARY 10, 2014. (AP/WIDE WORLD PHOTOS)
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March 28 Kabul, Afghanistan
Four militants detonated an explosives-laden vehicle
to breach the outer perimeter wall of the Deh Sabz
guesthouse compound, whose occupants included
employees of the U.S.-based Roots for Peace
nongovernmental organization. Afghan security
forces immediately responded to the scene. After
nearly five hours, Afghan security forces announced
the building had been cleared and that all attackers
had been killed. Two Afghan citizens, a young girl
and a bystander, were killed in the attack, and 10
Afghans (five civilians and five security forces) and
one U.S. citizen were injured. The Taliban claimed
responsibility for the attack.
April 24 Kabul, Afghanistan
A member of the Afghan police detail assigned
to protect the Cure International Hospital opened
fire on a group of doctors who had just entered
the hospital compound. The attacker killed three
American doctors and wounded two other doctors
and an American nurse. An Afghan security guard
opened fire on the gunman, wounding him. The
attacker then attempted to take his own life, but
survived.
May 28 Herat, Afghanistan
Unidentified insurgents fired a rocket-propelled
grenade at a three-vehicle convoy from the U.S.
Consulate as it traveled from the diplomatic mission
to the International Security Assistance Force’s
Camp Arena. The rocket penetrated the back and
exited through the left side of one of the convoy
vehicles. It fragmented but did not detonate. Two
American security contractors suffered non-life-
threatening wounds from the impact. The convoy
was able to continue to Camp Arena, where the
victims received medical treatment.
*July 20 Kandahar Province, Afghanistan
A suicide bomber detonated explosives hidden in
his turban, killing an Afghan-American dual-national
citizen (a close relative of then-President Hamid
Karzai). At the time of the attack, visitors were
reportedly celebrating Eid al-Fitr at the victim’s home
when the attacker, posing as a guest, joined the
celebration and detonated the hidden explosives.
August 5 Western Kabul Province, Afghanistan
An Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier opened
fire on International Security Assistance Force
(ISAF) and Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF)
personnel at the ANA Officer Academy at Camp
Qargha in western Kabul Province during an outdoor
presentation. The ISAF and ANSF personnel were
standing approximately 15 meters away and facing
away from the shooter when the gunman opened fire
from the ground-floor window of a nearby building.
The assailant killed a U.S. Army major general and
wounded at least 15 others, including eight American
soldiers, one German and two Afghan generals, and
four or five unidentified others. The gunman was
killed by ANSF personnel who returned fire.
*August 31 Islamabad, Pakistan
While returning to the U.S. Embassy, an unmarked
Embassy vehicle was hit with stones by several
protesters who had strayed from a nearby protest
site. There is no reason to believe the Embassy
vehicle or personnel were specifically targeted. The
vehicle received only minor damage.
A U.S. CONSULATE VEHICLE SHOWS THE DAMAGE FROM A ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE THAT STRUCK IT ON MAY 28, 2014, NEAR HERAT, AFGHANISTAN. TWO U.S. SECURITY CONTRACT PERSONNEL WERE INJURED IN THE ATTACK. (U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE PHOTO)
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*September 4 Ghazni City, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan
Unidentified militants detonated
two truck bombs at the compound
housing the National Directorate
of Security headquarters and
General Department of Police
Special Unit. Following the
detonation, at least 10 insurgents
entered the compound and fought
a gun battle with government
forces inside. The attack left 16
Afghan security personnel, two
civilians, and more than a dozen
assailants dead, and at least 202
Afghans injured. In addition to the
security directorate compound,
the two large explosions caused
extensive damage to the nearby
Ministry of Justice building and
almost completely destroyed
the Lincoln Learning Center,
a partnership between the
U.S. Embassy and host-nation
institutions that provided the
Afghan public with access to
current and reliable information
about the United States.
September 16 Kabul, Afghanistan
A suicide bomber detonated his
explosives-laden vehicle near a
two-vehicle International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) convoy,
killing three ISAF personnel and
wounding 13 Afghan civilians.
Among the dead were a U.S.
soldier and a U.S. contractor. The
Taliban claimed responsibility for
the attack.
*September 29 Kabul, Afghanistan
A suicide bomber targeted
National Directorate of Security
(NDS) personnel gathered near
the traffic circle at the main
entrance to Kabul International
Airport. The explosion killed four
NDS personnel and some Afghan
civilians – including a locally hired
U.S. Embassy employee – and
wounded eight Afghan civilians.
November 27 Kabul, Afghanistan
A suicide bomber detonated his
explosives-laden vehicle near
the compound gate of a U.S.-
based technology corporation.
Following the explosion, two
additional attackers targeted the
facility with small-arms fire and
rockets but were killed by Afghan
security forces. The attack killed
one American and wounded
two others. The Taliban claimed
responsibility.
November 29 Kabul, Afghanistan
Three militants attacked the
residential compound of the U.S.-
based Partnership in Academics
and Development educational
charity. One of the insurgents
detonated his suicide vest at the
gate, allowing the other armed
insurgents to breach the perimeter
and enter the guesthouse.
After a three-hour gun battle,
Afghan security forces killed the
two remaining insurgents and
rescued seven people. The attack
resulted in the death of three
South African citizens — the
charity’s Afghanistan director
and his teenage children — and
one Afghan citizen. The Taliban
claimed responsibility for the
attack.
December 12 Helmand Province, Afghanistan
Taliban insurgents killed 12 Afghan
employees of a U.S. company who
were clearing land mines in the
area between Shorabak and Nadali
Districts. Afghan Security Forces
responded, killing three attackers
and capturing four others. The
Taliban claimed responsibility for
the attack.
*December 16 Peshawar, Pakistan
Six militants stormed the Army
Public School and killed more
than 150 people. Among the 134
slain children was a 15-year-old
Pakistani-American dual-national
citizen. More than 120 others were
injured. The terrorist organization
Tehrik-e Taliban claimed
responsibility for the attack,
citing the educational institution’s
affiliation with the Pakistani
Military. This was the most lethal
terrorist attack in Pakistan to date.
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* Incidents where Americans or American interests apparently were not targeted due to nationality are indicated with asterisks.
europe
1 Belgium
1 Greece
2 Russia
5 Turkey
6 Ukraine
Countries with Anti-American incidents
February 18 Kyiv, Ukraine
More than 400 people arrived at the U.S. Embassy to protest U.S. involvement in Ukraine’s political affairs. About an hour into the event, protesters began throwing eggs at the security checkpoint to the consular services section. After an hour of egging, they began to throw a red liquid at the facility and hung signs on the front of the building. As Embassy visitors were being escorted through a rear exit, protesters ran up to the Embassy fence line and began throwing eggs at them; no one was hit. Several demonstrators then began throwing glass bottles and jars, some containing a red liquid, resulting in the evacuation of the security screening area. After about three and a half hours, the protesters departed the area. No Embassy personnel were injured.
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*April 4 Brussels, Belgium
Between 25,000 and 30,000 members of various labor unions protested in the streets of the capital against
austerity measures being implemented throughout European Union countries. Protesters set off fireworks and
flares, and threw rocks, bottles, and cans as they passed the U.S. Embassy. Two Embassy vehicles sustained
minor damage from the debris. One Federal Police officer assigned to the Embassy sustained a minor injury and
was taken to the hospital. Two members of the Embassy’s local guard force sustained minor hearing damage
when an M-80 firecracker exploded near their position. Both guards were sent to the hospital for examination.
PROTESTORS IN BRUSSELS HURL DEBRIS TOWARD POLICE DURING A TRADE UNION DEMONSTRATION AGAINST EUROPEAN UNION AUSTERITY MEASURES, APRIL 4, 2014. SOME U.S. EMBASSY SECURITY PERSONNEL AND A POLICE OFFICER WERE INJURED AND TWO OFFICIAL VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED AS THE PROTEST MOVED PAST THE DIPLOMATIC MISSION. (AP/WIDE WORLD PHOTOS)
PROTESTERS DEMONSTRATING AGAINST U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN UKRAINE’S POLITICAL AFFAIRS DEFACE THE EXTERIOR OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS SECTION AT THE U.S. EMBASSY IN KYIV, FEBRUARY 18, 2014. (U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE PHOTO)
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LOCAL RESIDENTS VIEW THE AFTERMATH OF AN ATTACK JULY 15, 2014, BY PROTESTERS WHO VANDALIZED TENTS AND FACILITIES PREPARED TO HOST AN IFTAR DINNER IN DIYARBAKIR, TURKEY. A U.S. CONSULATE DELEGATION WHICH WAS SCHEDULED TO ATTEND THE EVENT WAS WARNED IN ADVANCE OF THE PROTEST BY LOCAL POLICE. (U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE PHOTO)
*April 21 Slovyansk, Ukraine
A U.S. journalist was held against his will for several
days by pro-Russian separatists before being
released unharmed.
*April 29 Donetsk, Ukraine
Two American citizens working for a non-
governmental organization were detained and held
for ten days by pro-Russian separatists. While
the U.S. citizens were not physically harmed, they
were interrogated, isolated, and moved to various
locations during their captivity.
*May 2 Slovyansk, Ukraine
Several foreign reporters, including two U.S.
journalists, were held against their will by pro-
Russian separatists for several hours before being
released unharmed.
June 30 Vladivostok, Russia
A pedestrian approached the U.S. Consulate
General on foot and threw a rock at two of the
consulate’s vehicles. A police officer approached
the subject, who appeared intoxicated, to question
him. The man broke contact with the officer and
threw a second rock at one of the vehicles, causing
minor damage to the rear panel. The officer
arrested the subject, who made numerous anti-
American comments, including several related to
events in Ukraine. He further stated that he came
to the Consulate with the intention of causing
damage, that he hated Americans and the guards
who worked for the Consulate, and that he would
be back to do more damage. City police arrived and
took the man into custody.
July 4 St. Petersburg, Russia
Four individuals threw smoke bombs and set a U.S.
flag on fire in front of the U.S. Consulate General.
Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs officers posted at
the Mission detained one of the individuals, but the
other three fled. No damage or injuries were reported
as a result of the incident.
July 15 Diyarbakir, Turkey
A group of 200 to 300 people vandalized and
destroyed tents set up for an Iftar dinner which was
to be attended by a U.S. Consulate delegation. Prior to
the arrival of the U.S. delegation, the protesters also
burned an American flag and chanted anti-American
and anti-Israeli slogans. The protest was believed to
be in response to ongoing Israeli-Hamas hostilities
in Gaza. Approximately half a dozen local workers
setting up the event were injured.
*July 17 Ukraine
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down by a
surface-to-air missile over Donetsk Oblast. All 298
passengers perished, including a Dutch-American
dual-national citizen.
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19
July 19 Adana, Turkey
Approximately 250 individuals
gathered outside the U.S. Consulate
to protest ongoing Israeli-Hamas
hostilities in Gaza. Some 30
protesters broke off from the main
group, knocked down the barrier in
front of the Consulate, and began
to throw rocks and bottles over
the compound wall. Police pushed
the group back to the original
protest area. After two hours, the
demonstration ended. No U.S.
personnel were injured; however,
two Turkish policemen received
minor injuries. There was also minor
damage to the front of the Consulate
and exterior police booths.
July 20 to 21 Adana, Turkey
An estimated 1,000 demonstrators
gathered at 5 January Square to
protest the ongoing Israeli-Hamas
hostilities in Gaza. From there,
the protesters drove to the U.S.
Consulate, where they exited their
vehicles and threw rocks over the
compound wall, striking the building
and causing minor damage to a
mission vehicle before continuing
on to the Incirlik Air Base. No U.S.
personnel were injured.
July 23 Istanbul, Turkey
Approximately 100 individuals
from Ozgur-Der, a Turkish
nongovernmental organization,
protested at the U.S. Consulate
General. Participants chanted
anti-American and anti-Israeli
slogans, burned American and
Israeli flags, and spray painted
a derogatory statement on the
compound’s perimeter wall. The
protest concluded within an hour.
August 14 Athens, Greece
Police arrested an individual after
he threw a brick at glass partitions
at the main entrance to the U.S.
Embassy, causing significant
damage to one of them. During
questioning, he stated that he “had
been planning to do this for a long
time and was fed up with all the
damage the Americans have done
to others.” No one was hurt in the
incident.
ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE REPRESENTATIVES (IN THE BACKGROUND) SEARCH FOR CLUES AT THE CRASH SITE OF A MALAYSIA AIRLINES JET NEAR THE VILLAGE OF HRABOVE, EASTERN UKRAINE, JULY 19, 2014. THE PASSENGER AIRLINER WAS SHOT DOWN AMID THE CONFLICT BETWEEN UKRAINIAN GOVERNMENT FORCES AND RUSSIAN-BACKED REBELS. (AP/WIDE WORLD PHOTOS)
October 4 Kyiv, Ukraine
During a conversation at a local
grocery store, a U.S. official
was asked if he was American.
The American answered in the
affirmative. The American departed
the store and walked home. As he
neared his apartment, a vehicle
pulled up alongside him, and three
men jumped out and physically
assaulted him with their fists. The
men got back in the car and departed
the scene. The American sustained
several non-life-threatening injuries.
November 14 Istanbul, Turkey
Three U.S. sailors from the USS
Ross were assaulted in the Eminonu
neighborhood of Istanbul by
members of the left-wing nationalist
party Turkish Youth Union (Turkiye
Genclik Birligi, or TGB). The TGB
members circled the sailors and
called them murderers. They
then started to chant, “Yankee go
home!” and “Down with American
imperialism!” While chanting
slogans, the members hurled red
paint at the sailors and put hoods
over their heads. None of the sailors
sustained serious injuries.
directorate of threat investigations and analysis
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* Incidents where Americans or American interests apparently were not targeted due to nationality are indicated with asterisks.
sub-saharan afric�
1 Kenya
1 Nigeria
1 Republic of Congo
3 Somalia
Countries with Anti-American incidents
*April 12 Mbomo, Republic of the Congo
Approximately 200 protesters arrived at the African Parks headquarters to protest their operations within the Odzala National Park. The protesters breached the perimeter of the facility and assaulted and injured (not seriously) local and international employees, to include a U.S. citizen. Congolese security personnel from a nearby town responded and eventually restored order.
political violence against americans 2014
21
*July 23 Mogadishu, Somalia
A Somali-American dual-national citizen who
was a Member of Parliament and her driver were
shot and killed by unknown gunmen. The terrorist
organization Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for
the attack.
*November 17 Mogadishu, Somalia
A Somali-American dual-national citizen working
as a contractor for a United States Agency for
International Development-funded project was shot
and killed in what may have been a targeted killing.
*December 1 Wajir City, Kenya
Five locally hired staff from the U.S. Embassy
conducting on-site planning for the U.S.
Ambassador’s visit to Wajir City were dining at the
Ngamia Hotel when armed gunmen attacked a night
club and police station located 800 meters away.
Upon hearing two loud explosions and small-arms
fire, the Embassy personnel fled the hotel, narrowly
escaping serious injury. One of the staff members
received minor lacerations. The attack lasted 20
minutes and resulted in three people killed and 13
others injured. No group claimed responsibility for
the attack, but the al-Shabaab terrorist organization
is suspected.
*December 24 Kaduna, Nigeria:
A U.S. Embassy two-vehicle motorcade en route
to Kano was stopped at a military checkpoint
in Kaduna. The passengers were told to exit the
vehicles so they could be searched. A locally
employed staff (LES) investigator tried to explain
to the soldiers that the diplomatic vehicles were
not subject to search. At that point, the soldiers
demanded to see diplomatic identification from the
passengers. When a soldier tried to snatch the ID
card from one of the passengers, the LES investigator
tried to intervene. He was then escorted to the
rear of a nearby building and assaulted, suffering
superficial injuries to his leg and face. The group was
able to contact a Nigerian Army officer in charge
of the area who resolved the issue. The Embassy
motorcade was permitted to continue on to Kano.
December 25 Mogadishu, Somalia
At least four armed al-Shabaab terrorists attacked
African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)
facilities at the Mogadishu International Airport.
AMISOM forces responded to the attack, killing
the assailants over the course of the day and the
following morning. Three AMISOM soldiers and
three civilians, including a U.S. citizen, were killed
and several others were wounded. The terrorist
organization Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for
the attack.
We have seen that al-Shabaab has changed its strategies somewhat, and they have been involved in attacks across the East African region. We will continue to work with governments in those regions to try to address that threat.
—Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of
African Affairs, 2014
directorate of threat investigations and analysis
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* Incidents where Americans or American interests apparently were not targeted due to nationality are indicated with asterisks.
we�er� hemisphere
3 Colombia
Countries with Anti-American incidents
September 21 Tumaco, Narino Province, Colombia
Gas cylinders packed with explosives were launched at a Colombian police airbase housing U.S.-government-owned, Colombian-operated helicopters used in coca-plant eradication operations. Two Colombian policemen suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and four helicopters, the hangar, and office facilities were damaged.
political violence against americans 2014
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November 18 Bogota, Colombia
Three Colombians, who were part of an ongoing
protest across the street from the U.S. Embassy,
walked to the vehicle-inspection area of the
Embassy compound. Two of the men chained
themselves to one of the metal poles holding
up a permanent canopy. Shortly afterwards,
Colombian National Police (CNP) officers arrived
on the scene and attempted to cut the chains off.
During a short scuffle, the third male protester,
who was not chained, punched the Embassy’s
assistant regional security officer, who suffered
a bruise to his right cheek and neck. The CNP
subdued all three individuals. The men belonged
to a group called Colmotores, comprised of
former General Motors employees who had been
protesting across from the Embassy for more
than three years.
November 19 Bogota, Colombia
A protester from the ongoing Colmotores
protest across the street from the U.S. Embassy
entered Embassy grounds and made his way to
the vehicle gate while being challenged by three
members of the Embassy’s local guard force.
The protester attempted to chain himself to the
vehicle gate with a steel chain and lock. The local
guard force personnel and Colombian National
Police (CNP) officers escorted the protester
away from the Embassy grounds. The protester
subsequently struck a CNP officer in the face
with the steel chain and attempted to remove the
officer’s handgun from its holster before being
restrained and arrested.
COLOMBIAN SOLDIERS PATROL SEPTEMBER 22, 2014, NEAR A POLICE AIRBASE WHERE U.S. GOVERNMENT-OWNED ANTI-NARCOTICS AIRCRAFT WERE DAMAGED IN A TERRORIST ATTACK THE PREVIOUS DAY. (COLOMBIAN ARMY PHOTO)
directorate of threat investigations and analysis
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Historically, overseas environments have presented potential hazards to citizens and
diplomats of the United States. As our nation’s diplomatic presence and its commercial
tourist trade broadened considerably throughout the twentieth century, potential dangers
and vulnerabilities increased as well. Over the past quarter-century in particular, the rise
of international terrorism and criminal activity has contributed to a worldwide increase in
incidents of violence against individuals, organizations, and facilities of the United States.
In some cases, U.S. citizens have been victimized randomly; in other cases, assaults
appear to have been intentional.
This edition of Political Violence Against Americans serves both as a record and a reminder
that vigilance, preparation, and sensible discretion are valuable safeguards. Reasonable
precautions can significantly minimize opportunities for those who would do harm to the
people of the United States and their interests.
conclusion
—Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security Gregory B. Starr,
2013
THE POLITICAL VIOLENCE AGAINST AMERICANS PUBLICATION SERIES
Political Violence Against Americans, formerly Significant Incidents of Political
Violence Against Americans, is produced by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s
Directorate of Threat Investigations and Analysis and the Office of Public Affairs
to provide readers with a comprehensive picture of the broad spectrum of
political violence that American citizens and interests encounter abroad on an
annual basis.
These reports are available in PDF format at the Internet address below and from
the QR code to the right. To view the PDF, you may need to download and install
the Adobe Acrobat Reader. http://www.state.gov/m/ds/rls/rpt/19691.htm
CORRECTION FROM 2013 EDITION Under South and Central Asia, on page three, the data should read: 7 U.S. Government and 1 Other (not 7 U.S. Business and 1 U.S. Government)
United States Department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security Directorate of Threat Investigations and Analysis Washington, D.C. 20522-2008
Released March 2016www.diplomaticsecurity.state.gov