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Date: 27th March 2019Series 13/Issue 170

Weekly Security & Risk Report

2MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

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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.

Follow MAST on LinkedIn and Twitter to keep abreast with these insightful weekly reports and more — including real time security updates.

Editor: David Riderwww.mast-security.com

Issue 170

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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27th March 2019

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

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

Issue 170 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.

4MAST UK: +44 (0)1279 216 726 operations@mast-security.com www.mast-security.com

Hijack

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Approach/Attack

Suspicious Activity Theft

Incidents: Nothing significant to report.

Omani Ports Give U.S. Navy Greater Control Over Strategic Waterway Near IranThe U.S. signed an agreement with Oman that gives its navy access to two Arabian Sea ports, allowing American warships and aircraft carriers greater control over a strategic interna-tional waterway threatened by nearby Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported on March 24th.

Nine Iranians nabbed with 107 kg of heroinNine Iranian nationals were arrested with 107.22 kilograms of heroin which were to be delivered to a drug dealer in Sri Lan-ka, in the seas off the Southern coast today (Mar 24th). The nar-cotic was packaged in 99 parcels and had been concealed in four sacks while being transported in a trawler, Police Spokes-man S.P Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Indian naval crew has rescued more than 192 people in cy-clone-hit MozambiqueAs part of its relief operations in cyclone-hit Mozambique, the Indian Navy has rescued more than 192 people and provided assistance to 1,381 people in medical camps set up by it, a statement said.

UK Hydrographic Office works with Seychelles government to help tackle piracy in the Indian OceanThe UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has carried out a pro-gramme of Security of Navigation, Stabilisation Advice and Training (SONSAT) activities in the Seychelles to support mari-time security in the Indian ocean. Piracy at sea can threaten the security of trade routes, costing the international economy

an estimated US $7 to $12 billion annually.

Merchant navy captain caught by Irani coast guardsAn Indian merchant navy Captain has been arrested at the Dubai Fujairah international border by what media refer to as ‘a coast guard team of Iran police’ on the charge of smuggling of oil.

Egypt’s Navy to participate in French naval training drillEgypt’s Naval Forces will participate in a joint French-Egyptian navy training drill called “Cleopatra- Gapian 2019” in France on Monday, as part of efforts to enhance cooperation between the two nation’s naval forces.

Australian ships arrive in Sri Lanka for defence engagement programHMAS Canberra, the flagship vessel of the Royal Australian Navy, and HMAS Newcastle arrived at the Colombo port today (23rd March) to take part in a defence engagement program with Sri lanka under the Indo Pacific Endeavour 2019 (IPE -19).

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

Indian Ocean Region Members of three key regional maritime security agreements*, which IMO has helped to estab-lish, are undergoing training tackling maritime crime in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (10th – 28th March 2019). Thirty participants from 24 countries** are learning theoretical and practical skills to deal with piracy/robbery against ships, drug trafficking, marine terrorism, weapons smuggling, human trafficking and more.

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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 ca-pabilities with ongoing airstrikes and the work done by AMISOM forces. 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 in 2019. The trade in il-legal charcoal by terror and crime groups continues, although 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 opportunities, and were seen to be increasingly active in the last inter-monsoon period. Recent incidents off Somalia have highlighted the robust protections offered by both BMP5 and well trained, vigilant armed protection teams. Illegal fishing has returned 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 compla-cency 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, particularly 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 assessments 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

SomaliaFive people, including the country’s deputy labour minister, have been killed in an Islamist ex-tremist attack on a government building in the capital, Mogadishu, a Somali police officer has said. Capt Mohamed Hussein said the minister, Saqar Ibrahim Abdalla, was killed in his ground-flooroffice shortly after gunmen stormed the building in Mogadishu. on March 23rd.

Amnesty International Accuses US of War Crimes in SomaliaAmnesty International is accusing the United States of cover-ing up civilian casualties in its secretive air war in Somalia tar-geting the militant group Al Shabaab. The U.S. has carried out over 100 strikes in Somalia since 2017.

Kenya fears over maritime territorial row with SomaliaThe country believes that just like in the past, the two parties have not exhausted all the dispute settlement mechanisms.A leaked document suggests a Somali Minister made a pres-entation at an auction in London, where Kenya’s neighbour auctioned four contested oil blocks, with the agreement due to be implemented in January 2020.

University Staff Member Killed in Mogadishu ExplosionA member of SIMAD University staff was confirmed dead and another wounded in a roadside bomb explosion in Mogadishu on Monday 25th. “The dead staff member was a Driver and the injured was a security guard, no lecturers got harm in the ex-plosion,” said SIMAD University.

5 KDF soldiers reportedly killed in Al Shabaab ambushAt least five KDF soldiers were reportedly killed by a roadside bomb in Elwak Somalia. The soldiers had moved from their base in Busaar and were heading to the Kenyan border when the attack occurred, it was reported on March 21st.

Airstrike takes out Kenyan AS leaderAn unidentified airstrike killed a Kenyan Al Shabaab com-mander in Buaale town in Middle Jubba region in southern So-malia on March 22nd. The commander, Ahmed Iman Ali AKA Abu Zinara, was involved in the January 2016 attack on a Ken-yan base at al Adde. He was the leader of the majority-Kenyan al Hijra faction of Al Shabaab.

No End in Sight for Somalia National Army Pay CrisisHundreds of Somalia National Army solders who are on strike over unpaid salaries said they would not return to work un-til their 4-months’ arrears are sorted. The solders are still in Bal’ad,, 0 kilometers north of Mogadishu refusing to go back to their bases despite intervention by the government on Wednesday 20th.

Security operation in Baidoa, dozens arrestedSomali forces have arrested dozens of people on Thursday 21st following a covert security operation in and around Baid-oa, the administrative capital of Southwest state. Reports in-dicate that the forces conducted door to door security opera-tions for 24 hours.

Al Shabaab attacks army baseAl Shabaab militants attacked a Somali National Army (SNA) base in Bulo-Marer in Lower Shabelle region in southern So-malia on March 20th. The SNA forces rebuffed the attack after several hours and remain in the base

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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

YemenThe Saudi-Led coalition in Yemen launched raids on Houthi camps in the capital Sanaa, including the Al-Dailami air base, Al-Arabiya TV reported on Saturday 23rd. The U.S. ambassador to Yemen blamed the Iran-aligned Houthi movement on Thursday for the hold-up to a U.N.-led peace deal in the main port of Hodeidah and said Houthi weapons pose a threat to other countries in the region.

Heavy weapons fire rocks Yemen’s Hodeidah as U.N. pushes to clinch troop pulloutYemen’s warring parties exchanged heavy weapons fire over-night in Hodeidah, residents and military sources said, as the United Nations scrambled to salvage a ceasefire deal in the Yemeni port city that is a lifeline for millions at risk of starvation, Reuters reported.

Saudi-led coalition attacks drone storage caves in Yemen’s capitalThe Saudi-led military coalition mounted raids on sites of the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen’s capital San-aa, Saudi news agency SPA said on Saturday 23rd. Coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki said the raids targeted two caves used by Houthi forces to store drones, SPA reported.

49 dead and two wounded after four days of fighting in TaizFour days of intense fighting in the Yemeni city of Taiz has left people unable to access health care, with at least one pub-lic hospital forced to close, said the international medical hu-manitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Sunday 24th. Urban warfare in densely populated areas is having devastating consequences for civil-ians and is preventing war wounded people from accessing lifesaving care in Taiz city, said MSF.

US says Houthis reneging on Yemen peace dealThe US ambassador to Yemen, Matthew Tueller, blamed the Houthi group for “reneging on its obligations” under the United Nations (UN)-led peace agreement over the country’s portal city of Hodeidah.

Militias continue fighting in TaizAl Islah party militias launched a large-scale armed attack on a number of opposing groups’ headquarters, including the Abu Abbas and the General People’s Congress headquarters, in Taiz city on March 21st. The attacks are in retaliation for an am-bush by a group of Abu Abbas-affiliated 35th Armored Brigade soldiers on an al Islah-affiliated 22nd Armored Brigade officer in the center of the city on March 19th.

Yemen complains to UNYemeni Foreign Minister Khalid al Yamani submitted a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on March 20 criticiz-ing the United Nations Verification and Inspection for Yemen and the Office of the UN Special Envoy to Yemen for meeting with representatives of the al Houthi movement in Sana’a city.

‘Al Houthis seek to ignite Hodeida fighting’A spokesman for Yemen’s internationally recognized govern-ment says recent comments by the country’s rebels that they won’t give up the key port city of Hodeida, the focus of months of U.N.-brokered talks with the government, amounted to a “declaration of war.” Rajeh Badi said at a press conference on Wednesday that such remarks risk igniting vicious fighting once again in Hodeida, a key entry point for international aid to the war-torn country.

Houthis continue threatsAl Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea reiterated the threat that al Houthi forces have missiles that can reach Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. Sarea also alleged that Hadi government-aligned forces had moved reinforcements into al Hudaydah city in preparation for an escalation of hostilities.

UK media reports SBS casualties in YemenAt least five British troops from an elite Special Forces unit have been injured in battles in Yemen, Plymouth Live reported. They were injured during gun battles and were treated for leg and arm wounds following the fighting in the Sa’dah area of northern Yemen, where up to 30 British troops are based. The casualties are understood to be now recovering in the UK.

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 March. 26th 2019). Source: UNHCR

Mediterranean The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that 11,292 migrants and refugees have entered Europe by sea through 20th March, a 13 per cent decrease from the 13,043 arriving dur-ing the same period last year. Deaths on the three main Mediterranean Sea routes through just over 11 weeks of the year are at 289 individuals – or less than 60 per cent of the total (499 deaths) recorded on the Mediterranean during the same period in 2018. UNHCR figures generally lag behhind those of the IOM.

Four dead as migrant boat sinks off western TurkeyFour people, including a baby, died early on Tuesday 26th morning when a dinghy carrying migrants sank off the north-western coast of Ayvacik in Turkey, the Turkish coast guard said.

NGO wants to detect migrant ships with satellite imageryThe German-run private rescue organization “Sea-Eye” is getting help from space to better serve its mission to res-cue migrant boats in distress in the Mediterranean. On Fri-day, Sea-Eye founder Michael Buschheuer announced the launch of a new charity called “Space-Eye,” which is to start reconnaissance and documentation work on the maritime zone off the Libyan coast “in the coming weeks.”

Italian government seizes professors’ boat after it rescued 49 migrantsTwo Duke professors’ boat rescued 49 migrants from a rub-ber boat in the Mediterranean sea off the coast of Libya, but not without a cost. The Italian government, which has re-peatedly denied non-governmental organizations’ rescue boats entry into its territory, seized the ship. Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, said he wants to halt such ves-sels “once and for all” from transporting those rescued to his country.

Dozens feared drowned after migrant boat capsizes off LibyaJassim Ayoub, a spokesman for the Libyan navy, said the coast guard of the western city of Sabratha has rescued 17 migrants since the boat capsized Tuesday. Bodies, including those of children, have also been retrieved from the water. Most of the migrants were from African countries, he said on Thursday 21st.

The current migrant smuggling situationThe political situation remains unchanged, save for a strength-ening in Italy’s resolve to block access to NGO vessels. Despite a renewed effort to rescue migrants in distress by various NGO groups, Italian politicians have remained firm in their stance, threatening legal action against NGOs who attempt to enter Ital-ian ports. Libya has downplayed concerns over Operation Sophia, but mi-grant agencies continue to issue stark warnings over the treate-ment and conditions endured by migrants in the country itself. While crossing figures remain down year on year, concerns re-main over the number of fatalities despite the return of some NGO missions to the region.

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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

LibyaRelatives and supporters of Libya’s Gaddafi-era intelligence chief, jailed for his alleged role in a bloody crackdown during the country’s 2011 uprising, protested in Tripoli on Saturday 23rd to demand his release. Abdullah al-Senussi, a brother-in-law of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi, was sentenced to death in 2015 over the part he allegedly played in the government’s response to a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 that toppled and killed Gaddafi.

Italy supplies ambulances to cities, towns across LibyaThe Italian Embassy in Libya is giving highly equipped am-bulances to cities and towns in several areas of the conflict-wracked country, it was announced on Monday 25th.

Libyan oil workers at El Sharara, other fields demand salary increaseA number of workers at Libya’s largest oilfield, El Sharara, and two other facilities are demanding a salary increase by two-thirds at a time when the OPEC country’s oil output is surging.

1 killed, 3 kidnapped in southern LibyaSuspected members of the Islamic State (IS) on Monday killed a civilian and kidnapped three others in southern Libya, a se-curity source said. “Gunmen in three vehicles attacked the town of Ghadwa and raided a number of civilian houses. The reasons for the attack are still unknown,” a source of the secu-rity directorate of the southern city of Sabha told Xinhua.

Libya at critical juncture, says UN officialSpecial Representative and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Ghassan Salamé, told UN Security Council members that the mission was working to both “prevent re-cent developments and tensions on the ground from esca-lating”, and “pivot to stability and a political compact” which would end the country’s crisis.

Three abducted Africans freed in Libya’s capitalThe investigation and arrest bureau of the Central Backup De-partment in Tajoura, east of Tripoli, freed three Nigerien nation-als after being kidnapped by two Malian nationals. The Interior Ministry said the three abductees were kidnapped by the two Malian nationals for ransom, local media reported on March 24th.

Libyan dates exported to Morocco through Benghazi portLibyan Sudda Trading Company exported a shipment of dates to Morocco, the Benghazi Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported on March 24th. The variety exported was the al-Saidi which was processed through Benghazi port. The quantity of

about 160 tons was shipped in six refrigerated containers on board the ship Pinara, which completed the shipping proce-dures through the commercial agent, the Waves of Libya, the BCCI reported, in a welcome boost for the local economy.

Al-Sarraj and head of EUBAM review border management assistance in LibyaThe Head of the Presidential Council Fayez Al-Sarraj has met with the Head of the European Union’s Border Assistance Mis-sion in Libya (EUBAM) Vincenzo Tagliaferri in Tripoli and dis-cussed political developments and joint cooperation between Libya and the EU.

Libyan Ambassador to the Security Council: Ballot box is the only way out of Libyan crisisThe Ambassador of Libya to the Security Council, Mahdi Al-Mujrabi, said that the solution to the Libyan crisis is not in the hands of a particular party, but must involve everyone to achieve the desired solution.

Libyan navy plays down suspension of EU’s Operation SophiaThe spokesman for the Libyan Navy, Ayoub Qassim said that the European statements regarding the suspension of Opera-tion Sophia are not of the Libyan state’s concern in any means. “Operation Sophia is a purely European security operation and the EU countries are the ones to be affected by such decision,” Qassim explained via a press statement.

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

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

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Gulf of GuineaThe Nigerian Navy said it arrested over 80 vessels within the last three years for various maritime offences including oil theft. The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the multi-national annual maritime exercise code-named OBANGAME EXPRESS 2019, saying that the vessels were arrested for various acts of maritime illegalities.

Incidents: 1. Passenger boat attacked by seven robbers armed with AK-47, boarded the vessel and robbed the passengers and crew members before escaping at approx 0600 UTC, in position 04:26N - 008:21E, around 8nm SSE of Kwa Ibo coast, Nigeria. Vessel safely berthed at Shoreline Jetty, Calabar, around 1030 UTC. Reported (MDAT) 20th Mar. Local sources suggest five people were adbucted during the attack.

Fed Govt to tackle waterway’s criminalities with Deep Blue projectNigerian Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi has reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to rid the the nation’s territorial waters of criminalities through the integrated secu-rity and waterways protection infrastructure, otherwise known as the Deep Blue Project. Amaechi dropped the hint in Lagos during the graduation for participants of the C4I Intelligence System Operator Course for the Deep Blue Project.

Navy seeks better pact with maritime stakeholders for effec-tive prosecutionThe Nigerian Navy (NN) is seeking better collaboration and un-derstanding with maritime stakeholders for effective prosecu-tion of pirates and sea robbers. It said that lack of collaboration among relevant government agencies had been the reason why suspects are granted bail in court.

Ex-militants hail FG over prompt payment of stipendsEx-agitators of the Niger Delta region have hailed the Fed-eral Government for the prompt payment of their monthly stipends. Gen. Godstime Ogidigba, the Coordinator of phase three of the Ex-Niger Delta Agitators’ Leadership forum, gave the commendation in a statement in Benin on Sunday 24th.

Nigerian Waters Are Safe for Merchant Shipping - Shippers’ Council BossThe Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive, Nigerian Shippers ‘Council, NSC, Hassan Bello, has said that the imposition of surcharges on Nigerian bound cargo due to imaginary security concerns along the Gulf of Guinea region is a misconception of foreign shipping lines.

Naval Forces Africa, Nigeria Celebrate Successful Obangame Express 2019Two weeks of successful multinational training during exercise Obangame Express 2019 (OE19) concluded with a closing cer-emony and press conference in Lagos, Nigeria, March 22nd, 2019. The ceremony featured guest speaker Adm. James G. Foggo III, commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples, and commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa. Represent-atives from each of OE19’s 33 participating countries were also

in attendance.

New Gas Commercialisation Plan Seeks to End Flaring in Three YearsThe Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGF-CP), initiated by the federal government to monetise the vol-ume of gas flared in Nigeria’s oil fields is expected to ensure that wasteful practice ceases to exist in the country within three years from when it becomes operational.

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 AsiaThree members of the Abu Sayyaf Group were believed to be killed in an encounter with the Philippine Marines in Sulu, the military said on Monday 25th. Troops from the Marine Battalion Landing Team-3 clashed with undetermined number of bandits under sub-leader Najir Arik in Simisa Island in Banguigui on Sunday, the Western Mindanao Command said.

Incidents: Nothing significant to report.

Duterte says gov’t can only reduce IS threat to ‘barest mini-mum’The government cannot completely stamp out the threat posed by the Islamic State (IS) in the country in the next three years, President Duterte admitted on Sunday 24th. The Presi-dent, instead, promised the administration would strive to “re-duce” the security threat to the “barest minimum” as much as possible.

The Forgotten Key to Maritime Security in the Sulu-Celebes SeasMaritime insecurity in the Sulu and Celebes Seas is a persis-tent challenge, The Diplomat reports, but an exclusive focus on enforcement capacity risks ignoring an equally important facet of maritime insecurity: economic exclusion and inequal-ity in coastal communities.

Clashes in southern Philippines displace around 50,000 peo-pleRecent clashes between Philippine security forces and insur-gents have displaced nearly 50,000 villagers in the southern island of Mindanao, according to data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Marines seize ASG speed boatGovernment troops seized a speed boat used by the notori-ous Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the island of Simisa, Sulu on Wednesday, March 20th, 2019. A military report disclosed that the relentless and continuous joint operation conducted by the Marine Battalion Landing Team – 3, Naval Task Group/Philippine Marine Ready Force – Sulu, and Joint Task Force-

Sulu resulted in the recovery of the speedboat believed to be the “get-away” vessel of the notorious Abu Sayyaf Group in the island of Simisa, Sulu.

Malaysian Polce seize record-busting 2.06 tonnes of crystal methamphetamine worth RM103.2m in JohorThe police have busted an international drug ring with the sei-zure of 2.06 tonnes of syabu (crystal methamphetamine) worth RM103.2 million. Federal police Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Seri Mohamad Salleh said this was the biggest seizure for the authorities and the drugs could provide an estimated 10.3 million ‘fixes’ to addicts.

The 13th Governing Council Meeting of the ReCAAP Informa-tion Sharing Centre (ISC)The 13th Governing Council Meeting of the ReCAAP ISC was held on 19 to 22nd March 2019 in Singapore, hosted by the Singapore Government. The Council reviewed the activities of ReCAAP ISC in FY2018 and deliberated on its activities for FY2019 and beyond. On 22 March 2019, the Open Session was held with External Participants comprising representatives from three countries and 13 organisations.

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

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Central and South America Ce dros fish er men are call ing for more pa trols, say ing Venezue lan pi rates are at tack ing lo cal fish-er men in ter ri to r i al wa ters. A day af ter Min is ter of Na tion al Se cu ri ty Stu art Young vis it ed Ce dros, pi rates ac cost ed a group of fish er men off the Bonasse jet ty and stole their nets. Dur ing an in ter-view at Fullar ton Beach on Mon day, fish er man Raesh Ram dass said it was be com ing im pos si ble to fish in lo cal wa ters be cause the Venezue lan pi rates were op er at ing open ly at nights un der the noses of the Trinidad & Tobago Coast Guard.

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

South-West Indian Ocean

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.