In the central Bago region of Myanmar, riots and violent attacks in villages left at least 40 people dead in March. Violence escalated between Buddhists and Muslims in the town of Meiktila, north of Yangon, with fighting in the streets and attacks on some mosques, shops and homes.
Coastal eastern Sabah (part of Malaysian Borneo) was declared a Special Security Area in March after a series of gun battles took place between security forces and an armed group that invaded from the southern Philippines. At least 20 people were killed in the exchange.
The US Department of State continues to warn against travel to Syria. Armed conflict between government and antigovernment groups persists throughout the country, with an increased risk of kidnappings, bombings, murder and terrorism.
The US Department of State warns against all travel to Mali because of ongoing fighting in northern Mali, fluid political conditions and continuing threats of attacks and kidnappings of Westerners.
As of March 13, the US Embassy in Tunis is no longer on ordered departure status but continues to operate with limited staffing. The security situation in Tunisia remains unpredictable. Sporadic episodes of civil unrest have occurred throughout the country.
Although the West African republic of Guinea has been relatively calm since the democratically elected president took office in December 2010, legislative elections, which should have taken place shortly after the presidential elections, have been delayed.
In the wake of several well-publicized incidents of sexual assault against Indian nationals, on March 24 the president of India signed a bill that greatly expands the penalties for a range of crimes, many of them dealing with sexual assault and human trafficking.