want to misuse the Somali coast," although he criticized them as "money-seekers." CBS News reported on April 16 that a senior Al-Qaeda operative, Sa'id Ali Jabir Al Khathim Al Shihri, has released an audiotape, telling his "steadfast brethren" in Somalia to "increase your strikes against the crusaders at sea and in Djibouti." Based on these statements, TDC expects Al-Qaeda affiliated groups to place an increased focus on maritime terrorism. The relationship between terrorists and pirates, although not believed to be formal or collaborative, is not a new development. Al Qaeda has held a long term objective of disrupting international trade as a method of achieving their goal of weakening the West. Piracy offers that goal, while producing a lucrative source of funds. Ambassador David H. Shinn, speaking at the Somali Piracy Conference on April 7, provided additional information on the links between al-Shabab and the pirates. A portion of his remarks are below: "Somalis are exceptionally entrepreneurial. Piracy is a way to make money. There is no evidence that piracy is directly linked to international terrorism, although many Somali groups get a cut of the ransom money. Jane's has identified a close link between the pirates and the extremist al-Shabab group,which says it has links to alQaeda. The pirates in Kismayu coordinate with the alShabab militia in the area, although al-Shabab apparently does not play an active role in the pirate attacks. AlShabab requires some pirates to pay a protection fee of 5 to 10 percent of the ransom money. If al-Shabab helps to train the pirates, it might receive 20 percent and up to 50 percent if it finances the piracy operation. There is increasing evidence that the pirates are assisting al-Shabab with arms smuggling from Yemen and two central Asian countries. They are also reportedly helping al-Shabab develop an independent maritime force so that it can smuggle foreign jihadist fighters and "special weapons" into Somalia. TDC has concluded that the relationship between pirates, terrorists, and other non-state actors will only increase absent a political resolution ashore and a more effective strategy for the protection of shipping such as armed vessels. Such a relationship is beneficial to both sides financially and operationally. Although Somalia is unique in that it is a lawless state astride vital shipping lanes if such attacks are viewed as successful, one can only expect other groups to adopt these tactics around the world. One need only read the ominous excerpts of an Islamic website posted in April 08 TDC alert to realize a
22 MTR
possible TDC believes many of the statements contained in media interviews of purported Somalia pirates are a well rehearsed rehash of propaganda designed to appeal to audiences and cast Somalia pirates as victims of Western exploitation. (See TDC Alert "Somalia is a trap") In an incident that gained American press attention, Somali-based terrorists armed with rocket-propelled grenades launched an unsuccessful attack on Seaborn Spirit as it rounded the Horn of Africa with American, British and Australian tourists on board. For unexplained reasons, the attack is being treated as an isolated incident and the terrorism link is being all but ignored by journalists. The term "pirates" is routinely used, with only a few reporters calling the attackers "terrorists." The ship came under attack during the early morning hours when the heavily armed terrorists in two speedboats began firing upon the ship with grenade launchers and machine guns. They assailents were repelled by the ship's crew, who implemented their security measures including setting off electronic simulators which created the illusion the ship was firing back at the terrorists. According to passenger accounts of the attack, there were at least three rocket-propelled grenades or RPGs that hit the ship. One hit a passenger stateroom without inflicting injuries. There are now U.S., EU and assorted coalition and combined naval forces to try to prevent attacks and apprehend these modern-day "pirates" in Somali waters. All travel advisories issued by nations throughout the world recognize this area as being among the most dangerous in the world. There are some who oppose this combative approach fearing the opening of a new front in the war on terrorism. But these opponents of using force have no suggestions for dealing with these dangerous situation. The arguments rage about whether or not armed security will solve the problem. The truth is no armed vessel has ever been taken, and while the naval forces are doing a magnificent job patrolling the vast expanse of ocean, naval authorities make it known there are not enough naval assets to guarantee safe passage for all vessels.
Pirates TTPs
There are two sides to the technology and tactics coin. Pirates are no strangers to technology and tactics. Thanks to the availability of AIS, the pirates are able to plan their daily missions and pick and choose which ships to target
June 2009
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