Maritime Security Review 7 Luglio 2017
MSR Newsletter
The latest news for July 7th 2017
| Dear Readers, A week of good and bad news for Asia, as the US Navy joins the Philippines on anti-piracy/counter terror patrols. Unfortunately, the Armed Forces of the Philippines also found the bodies of two Vietnamese crewmen, beheaded by Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists. While the US Navy presence will certainly help security confidence, the ongoing patrols with Indonesia and Malaysia may be a more lasting presence in the Sulu-Celebes seas. In Europe, the Mediterranean migrant crisis shows no signs of abating, with thousands more refugees making the trip in the last week. Sadly, there have been reports of multiple deaths as migrants drown due to poorly constructed vessels. Moves from the EU to bring NGO rescue missions under the control of the Italian and Libyan Coast Guards have been poorly received amid accusations from some NGOs that the move risks lives in the Med. In the Indian Ocean, the IMB has issued its latest piracy report. As always, we would add the caveat that the IMB only reports incidents logged directly with them by Masters or shipping company CSOs. As a result, the figures the IMB release do not include incidents reported to other bodies, such as ReCAAP or media reports. For a full picture of piracy and armed robbery at sea, one would need to collate all of these incidents. Remaining in the region, there are reports that Houthi rebels in Yemen have been laying sea mines off the port of Hodeidah, which the Saudi coalition have been hoping to wrest from Houthi control for some time. The reports are unconfirmed but given their history, it's entirely possible. We end in Nigeria, where things have been relatively quiet of late. A shoot-out between the armed forces and a group of Niger Delta militants who were attempting to kidnap a senior oil worker has put paid to that, however. Whether this was the first move in a new campaign of violence by militants remains to be seen. Regards, David Rider Editor |
