SITREP, March 2026

The Month in Review

Asia

Iran: The US and Israel launched widespread strikes on 28 February, targeting Iran's missile infrastructure, military sites and leadership in the capital, Tehran, and across the country. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led the country since 1989, was killed during the first wave of strikes. Israel's military said dozens more senior figures in the powerful Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) were also killed.

Lebanon: Lebanese media reported a new strike in Beirut’s Dahieh district, a Hezbollah stronghold, saying the attack hit an apartment rather than the building that had previously been warned to evacuate. Lebanon’s MTV channel said the strike targeted an apartment, suggesting what it described as a likely assassination attempt. Lebanese broadcaster Al-Jadeed reported the building struck is located near the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council. Separately, Iran’s Tasnim news agency its reporters in three border provinces had found no evidence that armed Kurdish militants crossed into Iran from Iraq, denying reports circulating in some media outlets.

United Arab Emirates: Tourists stranded in Dubai amid escalating tensions with Iran say they were struggling to get home, facing repeated flight cancellations and growing security concerns as the State Department urges U.S. citizens to leave parts of the region. US surges forces to Middle East as Pentagon warned Iran Fight "will take some time". This came as the State Department urges Americans to leave more than a dozen countries across the Middle East.

America

USA: The millions of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice under the Epstein Files Transparency Act continue to spark fallout around the world. The roughly 3.5 million pages of material have reignited questions about who was connected to Jeffrey Epstein and what the consequences should be for maintaining contact with him. But while public backlash has led to a wave of resignations, one thing the release has not produced, at least in the U.S. so far, is a new round of criminal charges, and nobody can give a reliable count of how many abusers remain uncharged.

Mexico: The head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was killed in a US intelligence-aided Mexican military operation. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico has issued a spring break advisory for Americans traveling to Mexico. It notes that while violence from last month has subsided, risks of kidnapping and crime remain.

Cuba: Cuba has suffered three nationwide power grid collapses in March alone. The island has not received oil shipments in over three months following the US-enforced oil blockade triggered by the removal of Venezuela’s Maduro. Daily blackouts of up to 15 hours in Havana (worse in the interior), fuel rationing, suspended surgeries, and flight cancellations are affecting all operations.

Africa

Sudan: The civil war continues with intensified fighting in the Kordofan region. The RSF is working to re-establish a cordon around the SAF stronghold of Kadugli while SAF offensives further north are driving RSF units out of key positions. Drone strikes from both sides have killed hundreds of civilians, including strikes on markets and health facilities. Chad has closed its border with Sudan indefinitely, cutting off a key escape route for civilians in Darfur.

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): The Congolese army has conducted drone strikes in Goma for the first time since January 2025. On 11 March, a drone strike on a residential area killed a French UNICEF employee and two other civilians. The intensification of aerial combat demonstrates the inability of international partners to enforce a ceasefire. The security situation in eastern DRC continues to deteriorate.

Niger: Suspected Islamic State jihadists attacked the Tahoua airport and adjacent Air Base 401 on 9 March, targeting Niger’s Bayraktar TB2 drone fleet. This marks the second such attack on a Nigerien military air base in 2026, following an IS-claimed assault on Niamey’s main airport in January. Jihadist groups are increasingly targeting strategic aviation infrastructure across the Sahel.

Europe

Europe: Attacks against US and Jewish sites across the continent indicate an elevated risk of terrorist activity linked to the Iranian conflict. As Europe’s political and military involvement grows, security managers should review threat levels for personnel and facilities.

Ukraine: Russian forces are closing in on the so-called Fortress Belt amid warnings of a spring ground offensive. Meanwhile, Middle Eastern countries have approached Kyiv for drone assistance, which Ukraine is likely to leverage for critical weapon stocks in return. The success of Russia’s spring offensive could jeopardise Ukraine’s strategic survivability.

Cyprus: Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Great Britain and France have deployed naval units to the eastern Mediterranean to protect Cyprus. The increased military presence of European states came after an Iranian Shahed drone struck the British air base RAF Akrotiri near Limassol earlier this month. According to the Cypriot government in Nicosia, the drone was launched from Lebanon by the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia.

We tested global ride-sharing and transport apps so you don’t have to!

Our findings:

Uber: Widely available across most major cities worldwide, with a user-friendly app, upfront pricing, and multiple ride options (economy, premium, shared). More or less safe due to driver tracking, ratings, and trip monitoring features.

Bolt: Popular in parts of South America and Africa, often cheaper than Uber. However, service quality can vary significantly by location. It's very inconsistent in driver professionalism and vehicle condition.

Secure Express, Request a Ryde (South Africa): A premium chauffeur service focused on security and professionalism. Drivers are thoroughly vetted, and rides are pre-booked, making it ideal for business travel, airport transfers, or anyone prioritizing safety over cost.

Cabify (e.g. Argentina): A solid alternative to Uber with similar pricing and service structure. Known for slightly more regulated drivers and vehicles in some regions, but availability is limited primarily to Spanish-speaking markets like Argentina.

Lyft (USA & Canada): Uber’s main competitor in North America. Comparable pricing and safety features, with a strong presence in major cities. Not available internationally.

Careem (Middle East, parts of Africa & Asia): Owned by Uber but operates as a separate app. Offers ride-hailing plus additional services like food and package delivery. Known for good service quality in its core regions.

Taxis: Traditional taxis vary heavily by country. In many places, they can be unreliable, lack transparent pricing, or require cash. However, regulated systems like Yellow Cabs in New York City or black cabs in London are generally safe and dependable.

Airport Transfers & Private Hire: Services like Blacklane or local chauffeur companies offer fixed pricing, professional drivers, and higher-end vehicles. More expensive, but ideal for stress-free travel, especially in unfamiliar cities.

Public Transport: Google Maps can show you public transportation routes, which is helpful in dense cities, offering cheaper and faster alternatives via trains, buses, or trams. Especially in Europe the public transportation system is relatively reliable, affordable and safe.

Community Q and A

We saw missile strikes in the Middle East this month and we never know when the next disaster will strike. In a crisis you can have three main options:

1. Stay (Hibernate): Sheltering in a safe location in-country, reducing movement and exposure while monitoring the situation and preparing a plan if things worsen. For example in UAE hotels offered free stays and had the capacity to host travelers while stranded in the city. Make sure to stay updated about the latest news, stay away from the windows and have enough groceries for an extended period of time.

2. Relocate (in country): Moving from a higher-risk area to a safer region within the same country (e.g., from a conflict zone to a more stable city). Big cities and their infrastructure in the Middle East were targeted. Move out of these regions, possibly with secure ground transport and safe accommodation while awaiting further decisions.

3. Repatriate (Out-of-country): Leaving the country entirely, either via commercial flights, charter, or evacuation if needed, to a safer third country or directly home when possible. That is easier said when the air space is closed. Your best options where ground transportation to Riyadh or Muscat and then flying abroad.

We are always ready to assist you if you need help in country! Just text us or write us an e-mail.

Have a question? Reply to this email, and we might feature it in next month's Q&A.

From the Team

The Safety Huddle welcomed Nikki and Mary Beth, two operators whose conversation on the realities of the work is worth the full listen. No. 31 is on building resilience when the environment refuses to settle.

No. 32 is the harder one: surviving violence, and what a person can do for themselves before anyone else arrives.

Medics on Tour

Two medics from Germany spent the month in Johannesburg, riding a live response car and seeing the South African system from the inside. Episode No. 19 explains the program; details at medicsontour.com.