‘Why Deep Blue project is still hanging’

By Godwin Oritse

THE much awaited take-off of the Deep Blue Sea project, Nigeria’s maritime security initiative, appears to be in further wait before implementation as some preparatory activities are yet to be in place.

A member of the Monitoring Committee on the project who spoke to Vanguard Maritime Report on the condition of anonymity indicated that though the report of the project committee was awaiting the approval of the Federal Executive Council before it is handed over to the relevant authorities for implementation, training and integration issues are yet to be concluded.

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Source: vanguardngr.com

Special forces in Sulu recover ASG firearms, speedboat —AFP

Special forces in Indanan, Sulu on Monday recovered firearms and a speedboat allegedly from the Abu Sayyaf Kidnap for Ransom Group, Joint Task Force Sulu said.

In a statement on Tuesday, JTF Sulu said that 11th Infantry Division commander Major General William Gonzales, operating troops of the 4th Special Forces Company and the 2nd Special Forces Battalion under the 1101st Infantry Brigade were able to recover high-powered firearms and other war materiel in So Andihi, Barangay Malimbaya.

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Source: gmanetwork.com

IRGC Chief Warns Enemies against Miscalculation

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps described military exercises as a reminder that Iran is fully ready to safeguard its interests, warning the adversaries to avoid any miscalculation as Iran’s finger is on the trigger.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Major General Hossein Salami said military drills in Iran demonstrate the country’s deterrent power.

The war games also make it clear to the enemies that they must avoid any miscalculation about Iran’s defense power, the IRGC commander added.

The general also noted that the military drills give the enemies the message that Iran would protect its independence, dignity and identity without any consideration.

“Our fingers are on the trigger on behalf of the great Iranian nation,” he said, underlining that the IRGC forces are prepared to deal with the threats along the border, in the heart of homeland, or deep in the faraway territories.

The Iranian Army and the IRGC have held several exercises across Iran over the past two weeks.

In a war game on Saturday, the IRGC Aerospace Force blasted targets in the northern parts of the Indian Ocean with long-range ballistic missiles from a distance of 1,800 kilometers.

Source: tasnimnews.com

Esszone curfew extended until Jan 30

By MUGUNTAN VANAR

KOTA KINABALU: The curfew in waters off seven districts under the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) has been extended to Jan 30, amid continued threats over cross border criminal activities.

Sabah police commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali said the dawn-to-dusk sea curfew will cover waters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.

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Source: https://www.thestar.com.my

Iraqi explosives experts defuse marine mine in Gulf waters

BAGHDAD, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) — Iraqi explosives experts on Saturday defused a marine mine attached to the hull of an oil tanker in the Gulf waters, the Iraqi military said.

The Iraqi explosives experts of the Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the Iraqi Navy, were able to defuse the limpet mine and launched an investigation into the incident, said a statement by the media office of the Joint Operations Command (JOC).

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Source: xinhuanet.com

Esscom cripples drug trafficking syndicate at Semporna water village

By Avila Geraldine

SEMPORNA: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) busted a drug trafficking syndicate at a water village here, when they arrested seven individuals and seized RM13,000 worth of syabu in two separate raids.

Esscom commander Datuk Ahmad Fuad Othman, in a statement today, said in a recent operation at Kampung Batu, security forces raided a house built on stilts and found drug-related items on the living room floor.

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Source: nst.com.my

Esszone curfew extended

TAWAU: The curfew in the waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone), scheduled to end today (Wednesday), has been extended to Dec 31.

Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hazani Ghazali (pic) said the curfew covers the waters off Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan and Beluran.

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Source: dailyexpress.com.my

Iran Slams Moves Upsetting Maritime Security after Red Sea Tanker Explosion

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh denounced any threat to maritime security after the recent explosion of an oil tanker in the Red Sea.

Asked about the recent explosion and fire in an oil tanker in the Red Sea, Khatibzadeh said on Wednesday, “The Islamic Republic of Iran rejects any provocation and destructive action harming maritime security and safety and freedom of international trade.”

He also reaffirmed Iran’s constant stance on maintaining regional stability and security, expressing hope that the countries in the region would step up efforts to strengthen cooperation to ensure maritime security, fight against pirates, and combat the trade of illicit materials in order to achieve sustainable regional security.

His comments came after an explosion struck a Singapore-flagged oil tanker off Saudi Arabia’s port city of Jeddah on the Red Sea on Monday morning.

Saudi authorities said the fuel transport ship was attacked by an explosive-laden boat. No casualties or injuries has been reported among the 22 sailors on board.

The blast comes after a number of security incidents concerning Saudi oil infrastructure.

Source: tasnimnews.com

Explosion Strikes Tanker Off Jeddah

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Shipping company Hafnia said on Monday that one of its oil tankers had been hit by an unidentified external source that caused fire and explosion while the ship was discharging at Jeddah port in Saudi Arabia.

“BW Rhine has been hit from an external source whilst discharging at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at approximately 00:40 local time on 14 December 2020, causing an explosion and subsequent fire onboard,” Hafnia said in a statement on its website, Reuters reported.

The crew has put out the fire and no one was injured, the company said.

The cause of the blast is not yet known, but according to maritime security consultancy Dryad Global it may have been a limpet mine attack.

Source: tasnimnews.com

Arab Coalition destroys two Houthi explosive-laden boats

File image of suspected Houthi SVBIED (boat bomb), via http://crfimmadagascar.org

RIYADH — The Arab Coalition said late Wednesday its forces intercepted and destroyed two bomb-laden boats belonging to Iran-backed Houthi militia.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency early Thursday, the coalition spokesman Brig. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki said that the armed boats targeted maritime routes south of the Red Sea.

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Source: saudigazette.com.sa