Snapshot of IMB website showing Actual Piracy Attacks, Attempted Attacks, and Suspicious Vessel sightings taken 12 May 2009. (Source: www.icc-ccs.org)
network of Jihad with strong ties to Al-Qaeda. In fact, when the U.S. forces faced a bloody battle in 1995 during what became known as the Black Hawk Down incident, Al-Qaeda joined with a local warlord Aidid who killed and wounded U.S. soldiers and sailors. The insurgents were being supplied by sea with Russian weapons and ammunition, brought in by freighters and transferred over the beach by the same small craft we see today. As reported as recently as Sunday, May 24, the government is locked in a battle with the Al Qaeda backed Somalia's Al Shabaab faction in Somakia and is losing more ground. Tactical Defense Concepts has a team of maritime security experts that contribute to an online maritime security information entitled "TDC Security Alerts." In April of 2009, the Tactical Defense Concept's Security Alert Number 20090429 analyzed the confusing situation in Somalia as follows:
Terrorist-Pirate Links Expected to Increase
onshore." --Andrew Mwangura, head of the East African Seafarers' Assistance Program, as quoted in Reuters, August 24, 2008, "Piracy Ransoms Funding Somalia Insurgency." Given recent media attention on the issue of piracy, it is prudent toaddress the plausible links between East African pirates and radical terrorists. A relationship that difficult to define is only likely to increase. While such ties are not binding and clashes between the two sides will occur, each can provide the other with financing, maritime assets, personnel, and skills. Earlier this month, a spokesperson for Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group that currently controls southern Somalia, Muktar Robow "Abu Mansur," praised the ship hijackings carried out by pirates, saying they are "protecting the coast against the enemies of Allah." The actions were also praised by Sheikh Hassan Abdullahi "Turki," a leader of another group called the Ras Kamboni Brigades, as reported by Garowe Online. Turki described the pirates as "part of the Mujahideen [religious fighters], because they are in a war with Christian countries who
Marine Technology Reporter 21
"According to our information, the money they make from piracy and ransoms goes to support al-Shabaab activities
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