Weapons on the increase in the Middle East and North Africa

There are more weapons on the streets of North Africa and the Middle East than ever before. The last two years since the Arab Springs, have seen conflict and civil unrest spread throughout the region.

Weapons and their ammunition know no boundaries they don’t stop at borders and the illegal ones don’t respect immigration officials.  They just move from one conflict to another.

The proliferation of illegal weapons and peoples’ use of them is greater than before and is continually on the increase.

In Egypt, by way of an example, armed robberies are on the rise from 233 in 2010 to 2804 in 2012 (source: UN and other intelligence organizations) and the murder rate from 774 to 2144.  The influx of weapons from the conflict in Libya to the west and Middle East to the east as well as Sudan to the south, means that their use is much more widespread in the country.

In Jordan, traditionally always seen as a peaceful Kingdom, crimes using weapons have risen from 535 in 2010 to 1384 in 2012 (Jordanian Security Directorate).  These figures show nearly a threefold increase in just two years and according to RPS security experts in Jordan these may well be set to rise even higher in the near future. 

Out of a population of nearly 6 million people in Jordan, these figures may not seem very high but for countries, which prior to the Arab Springs, had very few firearms incidents and even less murders, it is something to be aware of when travelling to these areas, 

You will see weapons on the streets in the Middle East, carried by security forces and in some areas you may well see the locals carrying weapons for protection.  Some are legally held and others not.  You may also hear celebratory gunfire for weddings or other events in some areas, so getting used to weapons being around you is vital when travelling.

If you need any further information about travel to North Africa and the Middle East please contact us at [email protected]

If you would like a specific weapons awareness training session or a bespoke seminar let us know and one of our experts can dispel the myths surrounding them. We can enable you to understand the threats they pose, so you can travel and work more safely in the region and other countries.

Photo:  Riot police in Jordan (news.yahoo.com)