report on somalia - ms risk · report on somalia may 14 - 20, 2012 (week 19) at sea: • during the...

Report on Somalia Detailed Weekly Piracy Report and On-the-Ground Analysis

Piracy - At Sea - On Land - Domestic News - International Developments

24 hr Global Contact: +44 207 754 3555

www.msrisk.com

http://www.msrisk.com


Report on Somalia ~ SUMMARYMay 14 - 20, 2012 (week 19)

At Sea:

• During the reporting period, there has been a decrease in pirate activity in the High Risk Area with no successful hijackings occurring throughout the week and no reported attacks on vessels.

Updates:

• MV SYMRNI - The hijacked Greek-owned oil tanker and her 26 crew members arrived in Hurdiyo, a small village between Bargal and Hafun in Somalia’s Bari region, late on Friday.

• Hostages:• American journalist, Michael Scott Moore, is being held in a forested area near Gawaan village, which is

located about 130 kilometers from Hobyo. • The captors of the South Korean hostages from the MT Gemini have changed According to reports, the

hijackers moved two of the hostages to Harfuda village while the other two were moved to Miiroon village, located 35 kilometers northeast of Haradhere.

Weather Analysis:

• The weather forecast throughout the following week will be less favorable for pirate activities to occur off the coast of Oman and Somalia. During the beginning of the week, water conditions off the northern end of Somalia and off of Oman will not be favorable for small skiffs and boats, as such, it has been assessed that any pirate attacks or hijackings to occur in the area will be done so by larger vessels, such as motherships. Throughout the remainder of the week, water conditions off Oman and Somalia will continue to worsen, making it difficult for smaller craft to maneuver. Further out in the ocean, water conditions will become more favorable for smaller vessels. Sea conditions off the coasts of Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique will be more favorable for larger vessels throughout this week as small boat operations will experience significant impacts due to a low pressure system that is continuing to intensify in the region.

On Land:

• Insecurity across different regions of Somalia this week resulted in the deaths of at least 65 people while 84 others have been wounded. Much of the fighting has been a result of al-Shabaab attempting to gain back specific regions in Somalia which they have presently lost to the allied forces.


www.msrisk.com

Key Statistics

• Hijacks: 0• Attacks: 0• Releases: 0



Report on Somalia May 14 - 20, 2012 (week 19)

At Sea:

• During the reporting period, there has been a decrease in pirate activity in the High Risk Area with no successful hijackings occurring throughout the week and no reported attacks on vessels.

• 19 May 2012 - it has been reported that the suspicious dhow, which was first seen on 18 May (See Below), is presently in position 20:49N - 064:03E.

• 18 May 2012 - a suspicious dhow was located approximately 120 nautical miles from the coast of Oman in position 19:47N 060:49E. It has been reported that this dhow could be used as a mothership. The dhow is dark in color with a white superstructure and a green and white line along the hull. Vessels are advised to keep well clear of the vicinity and to exercise extreme caution if in the area.

Updates:

• MV SYMRNI - The hijacked Greek-owned oil tanker and her 26 crew members arrived in Hurdiyo, a small village between Bargal and Hafun in Somalia’s Bari region, late on Friday. Puntland’s local officials have also confirmed that the oil tanker had arrived. According to sources, the leaders of the pirate gang are Isse Yulux and Gacan Barwaaqo who have shared a number of operations over the last few months. Isse Yulus is the investor of this group. Looyaan, a well-known pirate negotiator, has been slotted as the negotiator for the tanker, which will likely bring in millions in ransom. Looyaan is presently in Galkayo with his share of the MT Enrico Levoli ransom, which he reportedly received $500,000. Back in November 2011, Looyaan was involved in the negotiations of the Algerian-owned vessel, the MV BLIDA. The pirates have chosen Hurdiyo because it lacks any official government or law enforcement presence. According to reports, the pirate gang have indicated that they plan on moving the vessel from Hurdiyo to Hul-Anod in the coming days. The MT SMYRNI was hijacked by ten pirates from three skiffs on 10 May 2012 with a crew comprising of 14 Filipinos, 11 Iranians and 1 Romanian. The Liberian flagged oil tanker was taken by pirates while underway from Turkey to Indonesia approximately 250 nautical miles south east of Ras Al-Madrakah, Oman. Ten gunmen in two skiffs reportedly chased the ship. The oil tanker managed to evade the first boarding attempt by increasing speed and using evasive maneuvers. However, the pirate skiffs regrouped with nearby a mothership and launched a second attack on the oil tanker in which they were successfully able to board the vessel.

• Hostages:• American journalist, Michael Scott Moore, is being held in a forested area near Gawaan village, which is

located about 130 kilometers from Hobyo. His kidnapper Ali Duulaaye and the pirate gang from the Sacad clan have started to move the hostage about every five days and over the last four weeks they have moved him three times. Initially, the kidnappers were asking for a $10 million ransom however they will be settling on less than $3 million. The group is not only concerned about a rescue attempt but they are also worried that members of the Salebeen clan (who lost relatives in the Navy Seal rescue of the Danish and American hostages) might attempt to take Moore from them.

• According to reports, the captors of the South Korean hostages from the MT Gemini have moved the hostages to Harfuda village while the other two were moved to Miiroon village, located 35 kilometers northeast of Haradhere. The men are the Master, Chief Engineer, Chief Mate and Second Mate however it is unclear which man is in which location. The four men have been held since the ship was hijacked in April 2011 and were kept after the ship was freed in December 2011. The Koreans were held back by Shoobare of the Sa’ad clan who have been very aggressive in trying to manipulate the media to force negotiations. Such movements and rumors of possible movements are typical tactics which have been used by pirates in order to destabilize negotiations, intelligence gathering and potential rescue plans. Sources have also indicated that the hijackers of this group have been involved in inter-clan clashes in Dabo-Galo and they have feared that pirates from the Cayr clan might attack them in order to capture the hostages. Negotiations for the release of the four South Korean men are still ongoing, with hijackers


www.msrisk.com

Key Statistics

• Hijacks: 0• Attacks: 0• Releases: 0



demanding initially at least $4 million however sources have indicated that the ransom demands have dropped to $2 million.

Piracy Related News:

• Two groups of pirates are planning to go to sea to hijack vessels. Pirate sources have indicated that one group of pirates was planning to launch their operation on May 17 in Ceel Qaboobe village, located 30 km southeast of Haradhere, while the other group is also going to sea on May 18, leaving from Ceel-Huur area. Sources have indicated that the first group includes 21 pirates leaving from Ceel-Qaboobe village near Haradhere using three vessels: one large vessel and two speed boats. The leader of this group is Hassan Fuulay, a pirate commander from Abgaal-Hawiye clan. The investor of this group is Mohamed Rashid from the Cayr clan, which is a sub clan of Hawiye. The second group of pirates will be using only three speed boats with 18 armed pirates in total. Most of the pirates of this group are the ones who kidnapped the two Danish Demining Group hostages. They are the part of armed pirates who remained in Ceel-Huur when the US navy Seals rescued the pair. Sources have indicated that Bile Abdirays from the Saleeban clan is the commander of this group while Hassan Duuban is the investor, of this group, he is also one of the investors of the MV Albedo.

• 18 May 2012 - The Republic of Seychelles has agreed to accept for prosecution 11 suspect pirates who were captured by EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) frigate HNLMS Van Amstel on 11 May this year. The 11 suspected pirates had captured an Iranian dhow with 17 iranian fishermen onboard at the beginning of May and it is thought that the dhow is probably related to the unsuccessful attack against the MV Super Lady on May 9. The suspected pirates are expected to be handed over to the Seychelles authorities in the coming days.

• 17 May 2012 - the Turkish Navy vessel TCG Giresun has detained 14 Somali pirates and rescued seven Yemeni sailors who were being held hostage aboard their fishing dhow. The Giresun intercepted the pirates 190 nautical miles off the coast of Oman on Friday morning after the vessel, which was towing a skiff, was spotted by the Giresun’s S-70B Sea Hawk helicopter. Turkish commandoes stormed the Yemeni fishing vessel and seized nine AK-47 assault rifles, one RPG-7 rocket launcher, three RPG-7 warheads, ammunition, and other equipment, including extra fuel barrels, ladders and communication navigation devices. Since 2009, Turkey has contributed to patrolling the pirate-invested waters off Somalia. The Giresun has been involved in previous counter-piracy operations. On 16 March 2009, she along with HDMS Absalon successfully prevented a pirate attack on the Vietnamese cargo ship MV Diamond Falcon. On 5 March 2011, she aided the USS Bulkely in the capture of 4 pirates who had attacked the MV Guanabara. On April 24 of last year, she freed a Yemeni fishing vessel, capturing the pirates on board and freeing seven crew members, who had been held hostage for nearly two weeks. On 17 March of this year, the Giresun captured seven pirates in a skiff off the coast of somalia, capturing five AK-47’s and one RPG-7 rocket launcher.

• 15 May 2012 - European naval aircraft fired at a pirate base on the Somali coastline for the first time in an escalated use of force against piracy which continues to threaten shipments passing through the Horn of Africa. A European Union naval force helicopter attacked the base in Handulle village, which is located about 18 kilometers (11 miles) north of Haradhere town, during the early morning hours on Tuesday, targeting several skiffs that the pirates were storing in the area in which five speedboats were destroyed. According to officials, no one was wounded in the attacks. A new EU policy, which is backed by the Somali government, permits naval officials to shoot pirate strongholds onshore, as well as offshore, which has long been permitted. The EU’s action and its move to publicize the shooting signaled the seriousness of its response to the continuing efforts to combat the piracy problem. The attack was the first by EU forces since its mandate was expanded in March, when foreign ministers approved plans to allow attacks on Somali coastal areas. The extended mandate was enacted by Germany’s parliament last week. The EU’s Operation Atalanta has nine warships deployed in the region and five maritime patrol aircraft. However some industry participants have been skeptical as to how effective this new tactic would be. Inevitably such attacks could make the pirates actions more desperate as they rely on ransom income. One possibility is that they might accuse these strikes as attacking local fisheries and destroying the livelihood of innocent fishermen who are working in the port towns. They might also threaten the safety of those crewmen who are presently still


www.msrisk.com



being held on hijacked vessels if the EU decides to continue with such attacks. Latest figures from the International Maritime Bureau have indicated a decline in incidents in Somalia however the attacks in the region still dominate the global figures and it is unlikely that they will diminish unless further action is taken.

Weather Analysis:

• Gulf of Aden - East-northeasterly winds of 8 - 12 knots and seas of 1 - 3 feet. • Extended Forecast - Winds are expected to be west-northwesterly of 5 - 10 knots with seas of 1 - 3

feet. • Somali Coast - South-southwesterly winds of 10 - 15 knots, gusting upwards to 35 knots in or near

thunderstorms, and seas of 3 - 5 feet.• Extended Forecast - winds will be south-westerly of 10 - 15 knots, gusting to 35 knots in or near

thunderstorms, with seas of 3 - 5 feet. • Arabian Sea - West-southwesterly winds of 15 - 20 knots with seas of 5 - 7 feet with occasional swells of 7 -

9 feet. • Extended Forecast - West-southwesterly winds of 15 - 20 knots with seas of 5 - 7 feet, with occasional

swells of 7 - 9 feet. • Central African Coast/Indian Ocean - Rain showers and thunderstorms continue to impact the Tanzania

and Kenyan coasts. A low pressure system from the east will move into the area by the middle of the week. Strong southwesterly winds and thunderstorms are expected, with south-southwesterly winds of 18 - 22 knots, gusting 35 knots in or near thunderstorms with seas of 5 - 7 feet.

• Extended Forecast - Southerly to south-southwesterly winds of 15 - 20 knots, gusting to 35 knots in or near thunderstorms and seas of 9 - 12 feet, decreasing to 5 - 7 feet after 23 May.

• Mozambique Channel - Southerly winds in the northern channel of 10 - 15 knots and seas of 5 - 7 feet. In the southern channel winds, south-southeasterly of 10 - 15 knots and seas of 5 - 7 feet.

• Extended Forecast - In the northern channel, southerly winds of 15 - 20 knots and seas of 5 - 7 feet, increasing to 9 - 12 feet after 23 May. In the southern Channel, variable winds of 6 - 10 knots, becoming south-southeasterly at 15 - 20 knots and seas of 9 - 12 feet with occasional swells of 12 - 15 feet by the middle of the week.

• Surface Currents - Currents within the Somalia Basin, Gulf of Aden and into the Indian Ocean remain variable with most areas having average speeds of less than 1 knot. The speeds of the currents along the Somali coast, continuing south off the northern Kenya coastline until about 10 degrees south will average around 2 - 3 knots. The Mozambique Channel has an average current of 1 - 2 knots but the current speed along the northwestern portion of the channel will average 2 - 3 knots.


www.msrisk.com



Sea Conditions for This Week:

*** In these graphics, the green shading represents a reduced likelihood of small boats and skiffs operating in the area due to harsh sea conditions, while the red indicates a higher likelihood of favorable sea conditions for skiffs and small boats ***


www.msrisk.com



On Land:

• Insecurity across different regions of Somalia this week resulted in the deaths of at least 65 people while 84 others have been wounded.

• 19 May 2012 - S o m a l i government soldiers are amongst five people that h a v e b e e n killed in the capital city of Mogadishu a f t e r t w o b o m b e x p l o d e d . The attacks h a v e b e e n blamed on al-S h a b a a b . T h e fi r s t b o m b w a s planted under a tree in the north of the c i t y, w h i c h killed at least three soldiers. In the other a t t a c k , a bomb killed at l e a s t o n e person in the B a k a r a market area. A l -Shabaab has continued such attacks in the capital c ity despite retreating last year.

• 18 May 2012 - One civilian died and two others were wounded in Q o q a n i o f Lower Jubba region after the KDF and al-Shabaab exchanged mortar attacks during the early morning hours.

• 17 May 2012 - Three militiamen of ASWJ were wounded in Galgaduud region of central Somalia. The incident comes after a land-mine blast hit the ASWJ soldiers who were patrolling between Wabxo and Warxoole villages of Galgaduud region.


www.msrisk.com

Baki

Dolo Bay

Wajir

MahaddayWeym

Togwajaale

Berbera

Maydh Laasqoray

QandalaButyaalo

Hurdiyo

DudoQardho

Taxeex

Iskushuban

Xudun

Gori Rit

Buuhoodle

Kiridh

Garadag

Oodweyne

XamureSeemadeBeyra

Berdaale

War Galoh

MirsaaleBaxdoMereer-Gur

Ceel Buur

Derri

BuulobardeTayeeglow

BalcadAfgooye

WanlaweynBuurhakaba

Diinsoor

Qoryooley

Haaway

JilibAfmadow

Bilis Qooqaani

Luuq

El Beru Hagia

Baardheere

Werder

Shilabo

K'ebri Dahar

Degeh Bur

Gode

Hargele

ImiMegalo

Asayita

Nazret

Dire Dawa

Jijiga

Dikhil

Garsen

Harer

Ferfer

Bu'aale

Hargeysa

Burco (Burao)

BakiCeerigaabo (Erigavo)

Garoowe

Gaalkacyo (Galcaio)

Dhuusamarreeb(Dusa Marreb)

Beledweyne

Xuddur(Oddur)

Garbahaarrey Baydhabo (Baidoa)

Laascaanood

Boorama

GEDO

BAY

BAKOOLHIRAAN

GALGUDUUD

MUDUG

NUGAAL

S O O L

AWDAL B A R IS A N A AG

TOGDHEER

WOQOOYIGALBEED

SHABELLEHOOSE

JUBAHOOSE

JUBADHEXE

DJIBOUTI

KENYA

Karkaar Mountains

Silil

Der

Dahot Darro

Jaceel

Eyl

Webi Shabeelle

Webi Jubba

Boorama

Dolo Bay

Wajir

Cadale

MahaddayWeym

Saylac

Togwajaale

Bullaxaar Berbera

Karin Xiis Maydh Laasqoray

QandalaButyaalo

Bandar Murcaayo

CaluulaBreeda

Bargaal

Hurdiyo

Xaafuun

BandarbeylaDudo

Qardho

Taxeex

Iskushuban

Xudun

Gori Rit

Buuhoodle

Kiridh

Garadag

Oodweyne

Eyl

Garacad

XamureSeemadeBeyra

Berdaale

War Galoh

HilalayaMirsaale

Hobyo

BaxdoMereer-Gur

Ceel BuurXarardheere

Derri

Buulobarde CeeldheereTayeeglow

Ceel Huur

BalcadAfgooye

WanlaweynBuurhakaba

Diinsoor

Qoryooley

Baraawe

Haaway

Jilib

Jamaame

Afmadow

Bilis Qooqaani

Luuq

El Beru Hagia

Buur Gaabo

Baardheere

Werder

Shilabo

K'ebri Dahar

Degeh Bur

Gode

Hargele

ImiMegalo

Asayita

Nazret

Dire Dawa

Jijiga

Dikhil

Garsen Lamu

Harer

Ferfer

Bu'aale

Hargeysa

Burco (Burao)

BakiCeerigaabo (Erigavo)

Boosaaso (Bender Cassim)

Garoowe

Gaalkacyo (Galcaio)

Dhuusamarreeb(Dusa Marreb)

Beledweyne

Xuddur(Oddur)

Garbahaarrey Baydhabo (Baidoa)

Marka (Merca)

Jawhar (Giohar)

Kismaayo (Chisimayu)

Laascaanood

Boorama

Muqdisho (Mogadishu)

Djibouti

GEDO

BAY

BAKOOLHIRAAN

GALGUDUUD

MUDUG

NUGAAL

S O O L

AWDAL B A R IS A N A AG

TOGDHEER

WOQOOYIGALBEED

SHABELLEDHEXE

BANADIRSHABELLEHOOSE

JUBAHOOSE

JUBADHEXE

ETHIOPIA

DJIBOUTI

KENYA

Raas MaskanRaas

Khansiir

RaasSurud

GeesGwardafuy

RaasBinna

RaasXaafuun

RaasGabbac

RaasKaambooni

IsoleGiuba

Karkaar Mountains

G U L F O F A D E N

I N D I A N O C E A N

Silil

Der

Dahot Darro

Jaceel

Eyl

Webi Shabeelle

Webi Jubba

SOMALIA

The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.

SOMALIA

0

0

100 200 km

50

50 150

100 mi

National capital

Regional capital

Town, village

Airport

International boundary

Regional boundary

Undetermined boundary

Main road

Track

Railroad

- -



• 16 May 2012 - Armed men shot and killed a government official in Baidoa on Wednesday night. Four armed men murdered the deputy chairman of Berdaale District in Baidoa Aden Hayle. It is not presently known who is responsible for these attacks.

• At least four people of rival groups were killed while three others were wounded after heavy fighting between al-Shabaab and ASWJ backed by Ethiopian National Defense Forces erupted in El-Bur, in central Somalia. The fighting came shortly after al-Shabaab launched an offensive against the allied forces in an attempt to gain territory back in the region which they have continually been loosing during the past few months.

• Meanwhile in Garbaharey, at least three people died and two others were wounded in a hit and run attack in Garbaharey district of Gedo region, this according to ASWJ officials. Al-Shabaab fighters attacked Garbaharey district and destroyed the largest water distribution system of the district.

• According to both residents and al-Shabaab officials, at least four al-Shabaab fighters were killed by a land mine explosion in central Somalia. The blast went off while the fighters were traveling in a Toyota Surf near El-Garas village of Galgaduud region. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

• In Mogadishu, three government soldiers were killed and two others were wounded after unknown gunmen launched an offensive against them in Hawl-Wadaag Junction of Mogadishu. According to sources, the perpetrators escaped before security arrived at the scene.

• Pirates attacked trade and fishing vessels in the port of Kismayo on Wednesday. According to witnesses and sources, the pirates tried to hijack a vessel from the port to be used as a mothership. The pirates came from their base in Kaboora using three skiffs. Fishermen and al-Shabaab gunmen fired back, forcing the pirates to retreat. Pirates have used similar tactics in Bosaso, Puntland against charcoal vessels and dhows that use the small harbor. Although pirates normally operate north of al-Shabaab controlled areas, there is one group that has been active in Kaboora Beach.

• 15 May 2012 - Four people were killed and eight others were wounded when a fierce gun-battle erupted between al-Shabaab militants and government soldiers backed by Kenyan forces at Hayo village of Afmadow district in Lower Jubba region. The fighting occurred after the allied forces launched attacks at their rebel base which is located on the outskirts of Hayo village, in an attempt to remove the al-Shabaab militants from the area.

• Three people were killed and three others were wounded after heavy fighting erupted near Qoqnai village of Lower Jubba region. The battle occurred between allied forces and al-Shabaab militants. Sources have indicated that the militants attacked the allied forces military bases in the outskirts of Qoqani.

• In Mogadishu, unknown gunmen with pistols killed one civilian and wounded one other in Hodan District of the capital city during the evening hours. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack however the government has blamed al-Shabaab for this incident.

• 14 May 2012 - Seven people were killed and six others were wounded when a fierce-battle erupted near Badhaadhe District of Lower Jubba region in Somalia. The battle occurred between al-Shabaab militants and Somali national forces backed by Kenyan Defense forces. The motive of the fighting came when militants launched an offensive against the allied forces.

• Meanwhile in Beledweyne, at least three civilians were killed and many others wounded after a remote controlled explosive device exploded. The device was meant to target Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) in the strategic town of Beledweyne. In return, the forces opened fire and killed three civilians. A pro-al-Shabaab website indicated that more than 10 Ethiopian soldiers were killed in the attack however the ENDF has not confirmed how many of their troops were killed or wounded. Although no group has claimed responsibility for this attack, it is likely that al-Shabaab militants are responsible.

International Developments:

• 14 March 2012 - The world’s first private navy for the protection of vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden may be ready to launch by the end of this year. The US $70 million venture is the result of a partnership between international shipping insurers Jardine Lloyd Thompson and Lloyds of London. The Convoy Escort Programme (CEP) will consist of 18 vessels that will be based in Djibouti. The company has indicated that the convoy program could give vessel operators substantial savings. A fee between $US 30,000 and $40,000 will be charged for each vessel in the convoy. In comparison, armed guards cost between $18,000 and $60,000 for each vessel. Furthermore, ship owners pay additional insurance premiums, as much as $80,000, when their routes take them through waters off Somalia. The CEP will buy insurance and use that to cover the ships in its convoys so that owners will no longer be required to pay premiums or to higher on-board


www.msrisk.com



security guards. According to the company, up to four merchant ships will be escorted in each convoy by CEP craft. The CEP plans to purchase seven 150 - foot fast patrol boats and 11 former offshore supply vessels. The ships will also be equipped with fast semi-inflatable, an array of non-lethal anti-piracy devices, such as water canons and .50 caliber heavy machine guns. They boats will be operated by a crew of five and will carry eight additional armed security personnel on board. The boats will also be able to escort up to 470 ships per month, representing about 25 percent of vessel traffic going through the Gulf of Aden. MS RISK is the security advisory resource to the CEP.


www.msrisk.com



***Kindly note that the date of the attack on the Map should be 18 May 2012 ***


www.msrisk.com



report on somalia - ms risk · report on somalia may 14 - 20, 2012 (week 19) at sea: • during the...

Documents