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Date: 29th May 2019Series 13/Issue 179

Weekly Security & Risk Report

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The Security and Risk Report Series focuses on:

• Operational risks in areas of instability which could affect the safety of commercial and private vessels and personnel ashore and at sea.

• In country reporting on key countries where civil conflict are directly impacting on maritime opera-tions; and

• Reporting and analysis of incidents of terrorism, pi-racy and other related criminal activity. MAST has a global reach and presence, delivering first hand, accurate and exclusive intelligence. MAST is entrenched and committed in continuing to supportand promote the awareness of the very real risks thatseafarers and other stakeholders face. This Intelligence Report Series is a brief snapshot ofMAST’s Intelligence capabilities. MAST Intelligencespecialises in providing clients with a suite of prod-ucts and services, including; political and economic risk analysis, detailed port and vessel security briefs, vessel passage plans, threat and risk mitigation and travel risk management. Working closely in conjunction with a host of experts,MAST Intelligence offers a market leading service pertaining to all maritime affairs.

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Editor: David Riderwww.mast-security.com

Issue 179

Contents:

Mast Services

Indian Ocean region

Somalia

Yemen

Mediterranean

Libya

Gulf of Guinea

South East Asia

Central & South America

Severe Weather Warnings

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29th May 2019

24/7 Emergency Telephone+44 (0) 1202 045 833 (Maritime)

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Issue 179 of the series reviews, analyses and threat assesses the fragile and conflict affected coastal states Libya, Somalia and Yemen. The Mediterranean migrant crisis, incidents affecting maritime security and influencing maritime news are also report-ed and analysed, focusing on the keys theatres of maritime instability.

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Hijack

Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity Theft

Incidents: 1. Unnoticed robbers boarded an anchored product tanker, stole ship’s stores and escaped. Incident was noticed during routine rounds at 2000 UTC in position 14:32.56S – 040:39.16E, Nacala Inner Anchorage, Mozambique. Reported (IMB) 26th May (not shown on chart).

Iranian naval mines likely used in UAE tankers attacks: BoltonU.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Wednesday 29th that attacks on oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates this month were the work of “naval mines almost cer-tainly from Iran”.

War risk premiums poised to surge as Middle East tensions riseTwo groups representing tanker owners and operators warned members to upgrade maritime security when transiting the re-gion in a notice on May 28th, according to Lloyd’s List.

Iran set for dialogue with Gulf neighbours as tensions soarIran is ready to engage in dialogue with Gulf Arab countries to address escalating tensions in the Middle East, its deputy foreign minister said on Tuesday 28th.

ECSA Meet on Somalia OperationEuropean Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA)’s Mari-time Security Working Group met with the EU NAVFOR So-malia Operation Atalanta at their operation headquarters in Rota, Spain. Representing the European shipping industry, the ECSA delegation met with the EU NAVFOR’s team to dis-cuss the current state of piracy off the coast of Somalia. The delegation also visited the naval assets participating in Opera-tion Atalanta.

Iran can sink US ships with ‘new secret weapons’, senior military official warnsIran is prepared to deploy ‘secret weapons’ against American warships, a military official in Tehran said, after the Pentagon sent three destroyers to the Persian Gulf amid a wave of in-creased tensions between the two states. Without mincing words, General Morteza Qorbani, an adviser to Iran’s military command, cautioned that should Washington “commit the slightest stupidity, we will send these ships to the bottom of the sea along with their crew and planes.”

Turkish overseas bases project power in Red Sea, Eastern MedWith Turkey already at odds with the Arab states led by Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Turkey’s enhanced strategic powers in the Red Sea and Eastern Mediterranean will lead to volatility, with chances of localised conflicts ballooning into a “wider regional clash”, Hebrew University of Jerusalem fellow Micha’el Tan-chum wrote in a report for AIES.

One Month Since 2019’s First Piracy Attack Off The Somali CoastOn 21st April, suspected pirates seized a fishing dhow off the coast of Somalia, holding 23 people hostage. In a matter of hours, the European Union’s counter-piracy force EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation Atalanta had responded to the attack. Two days later, the incident was over; Operation Atalanta had de-tained five suspects and released 23 hostages. “This incident clearly demonstrates that piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia have not been eradicated,” said Opera-tion Commander Rear Admiral Antonio Martorell Lacave in an interview.

To see MAST’s services in the Indian Ocean Region, please click here.

Indian Ocean Region The Iranian Navy plans to dispatch the 62nd flotilla of warships to free waters in the next few days to protect the country’s cargo ships and oil tankers against pirate attacks. The 62nd fleet includes Bayandor destroyer and Lavan and Bushehr logistic warships. The 61st flotilla of the Iranian Navy had set off for the high seas to safeguard maritime routes used by Iranian vessels in international waters, especially in the Gulf of Aden, in March.

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Control of Somali territory (March 2017) Source: Wikimedia Commons

AnalysisAl Shabaab continues to mount operations throughout the coun-try, despite efforts by US Central Command to degrade its capa-bilities with ongoing airstrikes which aim to remove AS leader-ship. It is questionable as to whether this “body count” policy is working. Threat AssessmentThe political situation has seen increased tension between re-gional states and the Federal Government. Should this continue, there is an opportunity for criminal organisations to return to their previous maritime activities. Al Shabaab continues to challenege the government and efforts to disrupt its operations continue, although AMISOM forces will withdraw some time in 2019. The trade in illegal charcoal by terror and crime groups continues, al-though the Combined Maritime Forces and UN are working on measures to prevent it. Youth unemployment in Somalia has not improved with 67% of Somali male youths aged between 14 to 29 unemployed. Pirate financiers offer lucrative and attractive op-portunities, and were seen to be increasingly active in the last inter-monsoon period. Recent incidents off Somalia have high-lighted the robust protections offered by both BMP5 and well trained, vigilant armed protection teams. Illegal fishing has re-turned to the region and there are wider political concerns that it could spark a resurgence in maritime crime unless checked. There is a risk that complacency in some quarters has seen a reduction in PMSC presence in these waters that could result in a piracy success. A lack of adherence to BMP5 protocol, particu-larly not maintaining a safe distance off the coast, has increased risks to shipping. Merchant vessels would be wise to maintain the same distance from the coast, particularly ensuring that the Socotra Gap isn’t taken. All vessels are advised to update risk as-sessments and register with UKMTO/MSCHOA prior to entering the Indian Ocean High Risk Area (HRA).

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Under control of Al Shabaab and allies Under control of neutral forces Under control of Government and allies Somaliland Government Territory disputed by Puntland and Somaliland

SomaliaSomali Islamist insurgents are making their own explosives, according to a confidential U.N. re-port seen by Reuters, as they mount more frequent and deadly attacks. The findings are a blow for internationally backed efforts to fight the al Shabaab insurgency, which has repeatedly carried out attacks in East Africa and launched dozens in Somalia this year despite a dramatic increase in U.S. air strikes.

Dispute Over Oil Deposits Raises Somalia-Kenya TensionThe Somali government says it’s not ready to take any action that could threaten its relationship with its neighbor Kenya. The announcement comes amidst simmering tensions over potential offshore oil deposits and an incident where Somali government officials and diplomats were denied entry to Kenya last week. In a leaked protest letter, the Somali govern-ment raised concerns about what it called a Kenyan decision to deny entry visas to some lawmakers and diplomats, who had planned to attend a European Union meeting in Nairobi.

US military targets ISIS-Somalia in fifth airstrike since AprilThe US targeted ISIS fighters in Somalia for the fifth time since mid-April, killing two terrorists in an airstrike Wednesday, US Africa Command said in a statement. “Our efforts to locate and eradicate ISIS leaders who control a range of activities -- from operations to financing and communications -- is hitting at the heart of the organization and disrupting their ability to contin-ue their terrorist activities,” Rear Adm. Heidi Berg, the director of intelligence of US Africa Command, said in a statement on Thursday 23rd.

Suicide car bomb kills at least 9Suspected Al Shabaab terrorists detonated a suicide car bomb near the presidential palace in Somalia’s capital on Wednes-day 22nd, killing at least nine people, including former Foreign Minister Hussein Elabe Fahiye, who was an adviser to the cur-rent president.

Suicide attack avertedAn Al Shabaab militant attempted to detonate a suicide vest (SVEST) during a meeting of the leadership of Ahlu Sunna wa al Jama’a (ASWJ), a Somali Sufi group, in Guriel town in Gal-gudud region in central Somalia on May 23rd. ASWJ security forces detained the militant before he could detonate his vest. Galmudug state president Ahmed Duale Gelle was present at the meeting along with senior Sufi religious leaders and politi-cians.

AMISOM to resume patrols in Lower JubbaThe head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Francisco Madeira, met with the President of Somalia’s Jubba-land state, Ahmed Madobe, in the Jubbaland capital Kismayo on May 22nd. The two discussed the Jubbaland presidential elections scheduled for August as well as the resumption of joint AMISOM-Jubbaland operations to secure roads in Lower Jubba region.

Severe Drought Puts 2 Million Somalis at Starvation RiskSevere drought in Somalia is putting more than two million people at risk of starvation and forcing thousands out of vil-lages and into a relief camp outside the capital. The United Nations has called for emergency aid to help those in need, including nearly a million Somali children facing hunger.

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Control of Yemen territory (September 25th 2018)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Houthi

Pro Hadi Government Forces

Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Controlled by Southern Transitional Council

YemenAl Houthi-affiliated al Masirah TV broadcast alleged footage of an al Houthi drone attack on Abu Dhabi International Airport from July 26th, 2018 on May 24th. The UAE has denied that al Houthi drones ever attacked the airport.

Saudi-led coalition targets Houthis in Yemen’s Dalea - Al Ara-biya TVThe Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen has started an op-eration against Houthi targets in the Yemeni province of Dalea, Al Arabiya TV reported on Wednesday 29th.

Saudi Downs Attack Drone From YemenSaudi Arabia on Sunday 26th shot down a bomb-laden drone deployed by Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen to attack an airport in the kingdom, state media reported. The Saudi air force intercepted and destroyed the drone that targeted Jizan airport, close to the southern border with Yemen, the Riyadh-led coalition fighting the rebels was quoted as saying by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Saudi-led coalition air strikes hit arms depots in Yemeni capi-talThe Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Yemen raided an air base adjoining Sanaa’s airport, Al-Hadath TV said late on Tues-day 28th. The coalition air strikes targeted arms depots in the al-Dulaimi Air Base in Sanaa, it added.

Three Hostages Die in Houthi CustodyAt least three captives have recently been tortured to death while under Houthi custody, the Mothers of Abductees Associ-ation reported. “Abductees died in Houthi militia coup prisons in Hodeidah province, west of Yemen. They suffered torture and are suspected of having been beaten to death,” the As-sociation said in a statement.

Several civilians killed in air raids in Yemen’s Taiz provinceAt least nine civilians have been killed in overnight air raids east of Yemen’s third city of Taiz, a medic and rebel forces said on Saturday 25th.

Yemeni Gov’t Forces Seize Control Of Key Houthi Positions In South-WestThe Yemeni government forces took control of key Houthi re-bel positions in the southwestern province of Taizz and killed at least 13 Houthi fighters, pro-government Saba news agency

reported on Saturday 25th, citing a military source. “The army units attacked the positions of the Houthis in the north of the city of Taizz [in Taizz province] and took control of the Al-Jahim station and the nearby buildings, which are one of the most important lines of defense of the Houthis in the north of the city,” the source from the 170th Air Defense Brigade said.

Yemen government slams UN for giving vehicles to Al Hou-thisYemen’s internationally-recognised government has sharply criticised the UN for handing over vehicles to Iran-aligned Al Houthi militants allegedly to help in demining efforts, calling it a “new scandal”.

Peace efforts threatenedPresident Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi sent a letter to UN Sec-retary General Antonio Guterres on May 23rd warning that his government will cease working with UN Special Envoy to Yem-en Martin Griffiths unless the UN reviews Griffiths’ conduct and guarantees impartiality in UN negotiations.

Drone attack failsSaudi Air Defense Forces intercepted an al Houthi drone tar-geting the Najran Regional Airport in southwestern Saudi Ara-bia on May 23rd. This is the third al Houthi drone attack against the airport in three days.

AQAP continues to target ISIS fightersAl Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) released a video criticizing the Islamic State in Yemen on May 21st. The video features an interview with a former Islamic State militant who was imprisoned by the Islamic State before escaping to AQAP-held territory. AQAP has clashed with the Islamic State in al Bayda governorate in central Yemen in recent months.

To see the latest threat analysis and Yemen port information in MASTOPDEIA, please click here.

MAST recommends BMP measures be enforced and watches strengthened during transits in the region.

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Migrant crossings 2016-2019. Source: UNHRC

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Migrant statistics in the Mediterranean (Figures last updated on May 29th 2019). Source: UNHCR

Mediterranean The Armed Forces of Malta say they have rescued more than 200 migrants in the Mediterranean Sea. Malta’s army reported the men, women and children were aboard two rubber dinghies that sent out a distress call late on Friday (24th) night, before being picked up on Saturday morning. The migrants have reportedly been taken to shore, where they will be examined by doctors and given the opportunity to seek asylum. Their nationalities and the condition of those aboard the boats is not known.

About 250 Migrants Rescued by Moroccan Coast Guard Over WeekendThe Moroccan coast guard has rescued 249 undocumented migrants in the Mediterranean Sea over last weekend, local media reported on Monday 27th. According to the Tanja24 media outlet, the migrants were travelling on inflatable boats. All of them have been transported to Morocco.

Fewer migrant deaths in Mediterranean, but higher death rate500 migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean Sea this year as of May 20, according to figures released by UNHCR. Meanwhile, 18,408 migrants arrived in Europe. The risk of death has grown exponentially for those who under-take a journey across the Mediterranean Sea to reach Italy.

Hundreds of migrants saved after rubber boats get into trouble in MediterraneanThree rubber boats were rescued from the sea on Thurs-day 23rd, according to Libya’s navy. The first boat was found about 30 miles from the Libyan capital Tripoli with its bottom collapsed, leaving most of its 87 migrants - including a child - in the water and clinging on to what was left of the boat.

At least 150 migrants saved from the AegeanThe Greek coastguard has reported that around 150 migrants have been picked up in the Aegean Sea in three separate incidents over the past 24 hours. Despite the pact between the EU and Turkey, which means people crossing irregularly from Turkey to Greece can be sent back, boats continue to arrive.

The current migrant smuggling situationWhile crossing figures for the year remain significantly down on 2018, the past week has seen an increase in migrant crossings and rescues in the region. The combination of continuing vio-lence in Libya and fair sea conditions has meant more migrants have attemtped to cross, and regional Coast Guards have been required to act to rescue hundreds. There has been no change in the political landscape. The EU elections have led to an increase in support for right win Italian parties, meaning that little can be hoped for as far as negotiations between the EU and Italy is concerned. The only good news is that the level of crossings remains well below previous years, a trend which many hope will continue.

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Control of Northern Libyan territory (Nov. 7th 2018)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Controlled by the Tobruk led government

Controlled by the Government of National Accord

Controlled by ISIS

Controlled by local forces

Controlled by Tuareg forces

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

LibyaLibyan strongman Khalifa Haftar said his offensive on Tripoli won’t stop and political discussions can’t resume until the country’s militias have been disarmed. In a rare press interview, Haftar told France’s Journal du Dimanche that he marched his military forces on Libya’s capital after six rounds of negotiations with the internationally recognized government in Tripoli failed. Haftar said Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj is incapable of taking decisions because he’s under the control of militias, Bloomberg reported on May 26th.

Wanted Egyptian jihadist transferred from LibyaOne of the most-wanted Egyptian militants who was captured in neighbouring Libya last year has been transferred to Egypt, state media reported on Wednesday. Libyan strongman Khali-fa Haftar handed over Hisham el-Ashmawy after meeting with Egypt’s intelligence services chief in Benghazi, his office said in a statement late on Tuesday 28th.

ISIS commander arrested in Libya, Interior Ministry confirmsThe Ministry of Interior said Sunday 26th that security forces managed to arrest ISIS Amir Al-Hisbah as well as another mili-tant linked to al-Qaeda last month, without disclosing further details. In a statement, the ministry confirmed its coopera-tion with friendly and neighbouring states in joint programs to combat crime and terrorism.

Jordanian armoured vehicles spotted in LibyaIt appears that Jordan has delivered an unknown number of Mbombe 6×6 armoured vehicles to forces in Libya allied to Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) along with Jorda-nian-manufactured Al-Mared 8×8 vehicles, Defence Web re-ports.

Militias clashed over Turkish arms shipment in LibyaAn armed conflict occurred between pro-government militias in western Libya over the delivery of Turkey’s arms shipment, London based pan-Arab daily Asharq Al-Awsat reported on Sunday 26th. Libyan armed groups allied with UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) on May 18th received armoured vehicles and arms from Turkey as they fight against Libyan National Army (LNA).

UN condemns attack on oil corporation’s clinic in LibyaA United Nations (UN) official has condemned an attack on a clinic in Tripoli, as fighting continues between the UN-backed government forces and the east-based army over control of the city. On Friday 24th, the Tripoli Oil Clinic belonging to the NOC was hit by shells, causing a fire in the facility without any human casualties, the NOC said.

Flight data places mysterious planes in Haftar territoryCargo planes were discovered flying clandestinely into bases controlled by renegade Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar and dropping off unidentifed payloads at the time his forces attacked Tripoli last month, an Al Jazeera Arabic TV in-vestigation found.

NOC says plans to develop North Hamada oilfieldLibya’s state-run National Oil Corp (NOC) plans to start devel-oping the North Hamada oilfield, in the northwest of the coun-try, NOC said in statement on Friday 24th. “A technical team held a workshop on May 20 to discuss proposals submitted for the development of the field,” it said.

Haftar slams UN envoy to Libya as biasedKhalifa Haftar told French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche that the Head of the UNSMIL Ghassan Salame has turned into a biased mediator in the Libyan conflict. Haftar added that the partition of Libya is what “our enemies want and maybe what Salame wants too,” saying Salame is giving irresponsible state-ments about Libya’s crisis.

Amnesty International warns of war crimesIndiscriminate attacks in residential areas of Libya’s Tripoli may amount to war crimes, Amnesty International has warned. The human rights organisation sounded the alarm as the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) and forces loyal to rebel general Khalifa Haftar battle it out for control of Libya’s strategically-important capital city.

WHO: 562 killed, nearly 3,000 injured in Tripoli battleAt least 562 people have been killed, including 40 civilians, and 2,855 others injured, among them 160 civilians, since the outbreak of clashes south of Tripoli, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

To read MAST’s Libyan Country report on MASTOPEDIA, please click here.

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Hijack

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Kidnap

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Suspicious Activity

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Gulf of GuineaNigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Pathfinder, said it arrested 18 suspected illegal oil bunkers, specialised in stealing crude oil from the Niger Delta oil and gas rich region and send same to Ghana for sales. In handing the 18 suspected oil thieves over to the Nigeria Police, Rivers State Command last week, the Executive Officer, NNS Pathfinder, Captain Adegoke Ebo, revealed that the leader of the team and Managing Director (MD), Progress Incorporation, Osimili Adah were among those arrested and have since provided useful information to the security agencies.

Incidents: Nothing significant to report.

NPA partners Nigerian Navy on safety of maritime domainThe Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Navy (NN) have resolved to work in unison towards ensuring the security and safety of the Nation territorial waters and Maritime domain. Receiving a team of Naval officers led by the flag officers commanding Western Naval Command Rear Admiral Oladele Bamidele Daji who paid a working visit to the Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority at the organiza-tions corporate headquarters in Marina, Lagos, the Managing Director of the Authority Hadiza Bala Usman said the NPA is desirous of sustaining the existing collaboration between the agency and navy.

We will soon overcome security challenges, says NavyThe Nigerian Navy has declared that the country will soon overcome terrorism, banditry, oil theft and other current secu-rity challenges. In his goodwill message to the Central Naval Command (CNC), Yenagoa during the Navy Week Interde-nominational Church Service, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice-Admiral, I.E. Ibas, however, called for unity in the Armed Forces.

Only international action will stop increase in piracy: BIMCOTurning the tide of piracy and attacks is not a difficult operation in terms of military and law enforcement, according to Jakob P. Larsen, BIMCO Head of Maritime Security. The will to act and get both local and international involvement and cooperation on the other hand, may be. “To be honest, unless we see inter-national naval support and close cooperation between inter-national navies and local law enforcement, I doubt that we will see the numbers go down in any significant way,” Larsen says.

Shell Vows Not To Return Pumping Oil In Troubled Nigerian RegionThe Nigerian unit of Royal Dutch Shell doesn’t have any plans to return to exploring or producing oil in Ogoniland in Nigeria’s Rivers state after it ceased operations there in the 1990s, Igo Weli, General Manager, External Relations, at the Shell Petro-leum Development Company (SPDC) said this weekend at the release of Shell Nigeria’s 2019 Briefing Notes.

We’re not part of plot to declare Niger Delta Republic — 21st Century YouthsA coalition of Niger Delta agitators said the secretive con-spiracy by the Niger Delta Republic Fighters to declare Niger Delta Republic on June 1st, was not a collective plan of agita-tors in the region, but a sponsored political plan to clamp-down on Niger Delta leaders.

Pirates Demand $1m To Free Five Indian SailorsThe Nigerian pirates who took five Indian seafarers hostage last month have demanded $1 million to release them. They made a ransom call to one of the victim’s families in Hary-ana’s Jind district last week. “At first I thought they said $1,000 and thought we could manage the amount and get them released. But one of the pirates repeated his demand as $1 million,” Bharat Deshwal, cousin of Ankit Hooda, one of the abducted seamen, told TOI over phone from Rohtak.

To see MAST Services in the region, please click here. And and to read Nigeria’s country report, please click here.

10MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

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South East AsiaSabah’s dusk-to-dawn sea curfew will be extended for another two weeks until June 10th, says Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah. He said the extension of the 6pm to 6am curfew was needed due to continuous threats from cross-border criminals, including from kidnap-for-ransom groups.

Incidents: 1. Seven persons armed with knives, boarded an anchored bulk carrier and were noticed by the duty watchman who raised the alarm at 1130 UTC in position 03:43S - 114:26.3E, Taboneo Anchorage, Indonesia. Crew mustered. The persons threatened the crew with their knives, stolen ships properties and escaped. Incident reported to Taboneo Port Control. A pa-trol boat was dispatched to investigate. Reported (IMB) 23rd May.

2. A person in a fishing boat approached an anchored sailing vessel and attempted to steal the sailing vessel’s dinghy at 1400 UTC in position 00:53.52S – 131:14.36E, Around 0.18nm SE of Pulau Doom, Sorong, Indonesia. Skipper noticed the person and directed his hand lamp towards the person and shouted at them. Seeing the alert skipper, the person let go of the din-ghy and moved away. Incident reported to the local authori-ties. Reported (IMB) 22nd May.

ASG member killed, 4 others injured in clash in SuluAn Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorist was killed while four oth-ers were wounded when another clash erupted between gov-ernment troops and the local terrorist group in Sulu on Tuesday 28th. A report from the Armed Forces of the Philippines-West-ern Mindanao Command (AFP-WestMinCom), disclosed that Army troopers were on focused military operation when they encountered members of the Abu Sayyaf in Barangay Sandah, Patikul at about 3:30 p.m..

2 children die, several wounded as Abu Sayyaf attacks Sulu communityTwo children were killed and three other civilians were wound-ed in Barangay Igasan, Patikul on Saturday afternoon (May 25th) when some 30 members of the kidnap-for-ranson Abu

Sayyaf group attacked their community. Brig. Gen. Divino Rey C. Pabayo Jr., commander of Joint Task Force Sulu, said the bandit group was “enraged with the civilians for cooperating with” the military.

Washington warns Hong Kong to watch for vessel carrying Iranian oilThe United States has warned Hong Kong to be on alert for a vessel carrying Iranian petroleum that may seek to stop in the Asia financial hub, and said that any entity providing services to the vessel will be violating U.S. sanctions.

Australian navy pilots struck by lasers in South China SeaAssociated Press reported on May 28th that two Australian navy helicopter pilots were hit by lasers while exercising in the South China Sea, forcing them to land as a precaution. Reports suggest that fishing boats were the source of the lasers. Chi-na maintains a robust maritime militia in the South China Sea composed of fishing vessels equipped to carry out missions just short of combat, the report said.

Japan ready to help with Philippines’ security needs, Phl en-voy saysJapan is ready to provide the Philippines its security needs be-cause it wants the South China Sea to remain open to ensure the free passage of its goods, a Filipino envoy said on Tuesday 28th. Philippine Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel V said To-kyo depends on Manila because it is located in an area where its shipments pass through.

To see MAST’s services in the region, please click here.

11MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Hijack

Kidnap

Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity

Theft

Central and South America Nothing significant to report.

Incidents: Nothing significant to report.

Standing advice: The repercussions of a vessel being caught acting as a mule with drugs stowed will depend on the type, amount and na-tional laws, but may be disruptive and costly. When and if operating in these areas, especially Columbia and Peru, it is advised that: • Potential stowage areas such as rudder shafts are denied as far as possible, and/or routinely searched. • Access points are closely monitored by a vigilant watch for the duration of the vessel’s call at port.

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Note: The forecasts are correct as of the day before publication. For latest updates please follow the provided links.

MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Nothing significant to report.

Severe Weather Warnings Warnings detailed on this page are from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and are issued by respective Regional Specialised Metrological Centres, Tropical Cyclone Centres or Na-tional Meteorological Services. For further information on severe weather warnings please click here.