Somalia offensive….300 new militants in Mogadishu! July 28, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Armed escort, Chris Mark, gulf of aden, gulf of aden security, InfoSec, maritime piracy, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security, risk management, somali pirates, Somalia
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Heavy fighting broke out in Mogadishu on Thursday. Al-Shabab, Somalia’s dominant militant group, has sent 300 reinforcement fighters to Mogadishu in recent days, said Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda, spokesman for the African Union peacekeeping force.
The African Union force believes that al-Shabab is trying to prevent aid from reaching the tens of thousands of famine refugees who have arrived in Mogadishu this month.
The al-Shabab militants already have killed men who tried to escape the famine with their families, saying it is better to starve than accept help from the West. The World for Food Program says it cannot reach 2.2 million people in need of aid in the militant-controlled areas in southern Somalia because of insecurity.
Somalia has been mired in conflict since 1991 when long time dictator Siad Barre was overthrown by warlords who then turned on each other. Islamist militants led by al-Shabab are attempting to overthrow the weak U.N.-backed government that is being propped up by about 9,000 AU peacekeepers from Uganda and Burundi.
The hopelessness that young Somali men are experiencing will only make piracy a more enticing proposition that will ultimately lead to more attacks and greater ships being hijacked.
Pirates new tactics! July 26, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Armed escort, armed security, gulf of aden, gulf of aden security, InfoSec, maritime piracy, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security, risk management, somali pirates, Somalia
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On July 25, 2011 MSC(HOA) reported that a merchant vessel was under attack at 2109Z (a night time attack) again in the southern Red Sea, 55 nm NW of Bab-el-Mandeb and 20 nm east of the attacks on the F Blue and Front Pride.
The vessel was attacked by no less than four skiffs who were firing at the vessel from all directions.
The industry needs to understand that attacks at night will now become normal as ransoms afford pirates better equipment such as night vision technology, easily purchased on the black market. This year alone we’ve seen attacks in the Red Sea and vessels being hijacked during monsoon season; all first time occurrences.
Shipping companies should carefully consider hiring companies that purport less numbers of security team members can do more, or a few weapons of any sort will scare the pirates away. Their attacks will become more brazen and sophisticated over time.
U.S. State Department Insists on Guards on U.S. Vessels July 26, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: armed security, gulf of aden, gulf of aden security, InfoSec, Maritime Security, Piracy & Maritime Security, risk management, Somalia
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As stated on Lloyd’s List, senior US officials have told Hong Kong ship owners that the US now insists that all US flagged vessels carry armed security personnel to defend against pirate attacks. This is the latest sign that the international approval of armed guards is becoming the norm.
NATO rejects plea for extra counter-piracy ships! July 22, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Armed escort, armed security, gulf of aden, gulf of aden security, InfoSec, Maritime Security, NATO, Piracy & Maritime Security, risk management, Somalia
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NATO has turned down a plea from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to deploy extra warships to counter piracy in the Gulf of Aden. Currently there are approximately 20 vessels patrolling the entire Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf comprised of several nations warships. This area is approximately 2.5 million square miles, a daunting task given the limited resources.
With ships being diverted to Libya and massive cutbacks in navies’ budgets worldwide, the International Shipping community should take pro-active steps to protect its own interests and not rely solely on foreign navies’ limited protection.
Sole female Somali cabinet minister kidnapped by terrorists July 21, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Armed escort, gulf of aden, gulf of aden security, InfoSec, maritime piracy, Piracy & Maritime Security, risk management, Somalia
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News reports have confirmed that the fledgling Somali Transitional Federal Government’s only female cabinet member, Asha Osman Aqiil, has been kidnapped. The only woman in the country’s 18-member government, was reportedly taken by Shebab fighters, an Islamist rebel group. The kidnapping occurred 19 miles north of Mogadishu in a town called Balad.
Recent US State Department memos have confirmed that Somali Pirates are paying portions of ransom monies to the terrorist group to maintain a status quo. Roughly a third of Somalia is ruled by the terrorist organization with ties to Al-Qaeda.
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