Indian Navy reviews outcome of Sea Vigil exercise

The Indian Navy and several other agencies involved in coastal defence and maritime security brainstormed over the outcome of the ‘Sea Vigil’ exercise — the first-of-its-kind multi-agency drill covering the entire 7,516 km-long Indian coastline and exclusive economic zone.

The mega exercise took place on January 22 and 23 with participation of 13 coastal states and union territories along with all maritime stakeholders with an aim to check the efficacy of maritime security and surveillance.

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Source: business-standard.com

Why the Massive Floating Bomb in the Red Sea Needs Urgent Attention

BY DR. IAN RALBY, DR. DAVID SOUD, AND ROHINI RALBY

A floating storage and offloading (FSO) terminal less than five miles off the coast of Yemen has turned into a massive bomb—capable of explosion due to its contents and lack of maintenance. The risk of explosion increases by the day, and if that were to happen, not only would it damage or sink any ships in the vicinity, but it would create an environmental crisis roughly four and a half times the size of the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

The consequences of that explosion and corresponding environmental devastation would likely be 1) to rupture the fragile aid-focused ceasefire in Hodeidah established under the December 2018 Stockholm Agreement; and 2) to accelerate the already dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen where roughly fourteen million people are on the brink of famine, surviving at the moment on international aid. There is nothing benign about this situation—even in a region with countless immediate needs, this matter is of the utmost urgency.

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Source: atlanticcouncil.org

Abu Sayyaf sub-leader, 8 others killed in Sulu clashes – military

By CNN Philippines Staff

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 12) — A ranking leader of the Abu Sayyaf group and eight other fighters were killed in a series of clashes with government troops in Patikul, Sulu on Thursday, the military said Friday.

A press release from Joint Task Force Sulu identified one of the casualties as Julie Ikit, described as the second-in-command and cousin of senior leader Radullan Sahiron. The elusive Sahiron is among the most wanted terrorists of the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation, with a $1 million bounty on his head.

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Source: cnnphilippines.com

ASG gunman killed in Sulu fighting

BY AL JACINTO

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Government troops clashed with pro-Islamic State (IS) militant groups in Sulu, which killed an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) fighter and wounded two police officers in separated encounters on Tuesday.

Officials said the fighting simultaneously erupted on Simisa Island off Banguingi town and in Patikul town.

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Source: manilatimes.net

Congress Seen As Failing To Prioritize Maritime Cyber Risks

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) routinely responds to cybersecurity breaches on ships at the same time lawmakers are failing to devote the attention and resources needed to help lessen the threat, according to government officials.

“The problems are very severe,” said John Garamendi, a Democratic congressman from California, speaking on a panel on “Securing Maritime Commerce” at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. this week.

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Source: benzinga.com

3 Abu Sayyaf killed in Sulu encounter — AFP

By: Frances Mangosing

MANILA, Philippines — Three members of the Abu Sayyaf Group were believed to be killed in an encounter with the Philippine Marines in Sulu, the military said Monday.

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.

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Source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

The Forgotten Key to Maritime Security in the Sulu-Celebes Seas

Economic development in coastal communities will help stem the flow of illegal behavior.

By Jay Benson

Maritime insecurity in the Sulu and Celebes Seas is a persistent challenge. These waterways have recently been used to conduct incursions into Lahad Datu, orchestrate kidnap for ransom activities by militant groups such as Abu Sayyaf, and facilitate illegal wildlife trafficking. Governments in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia have responded with increased maritime enforcement capacity and presence, as well as enhanced international coordination. Although these are important efforts that need to be maintained, an exclusive focus on enforcement capacity risks ignoring an equally important facet of maritime insecurity: economic exclusion and inequality in coastal communities.

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Source: thediplomat.com

Terror swoop nets 13 linked to Sulu, Abu Sayyaf and Maute groups

PETALING JAYA: Police say 12 Filipinos and one local were arrested on suspicion of terrorist activities in anti-terror operations in Semporna and Tambunan last week.

In a statement, Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the suspects were believed to be involved with the Abu Sayyaf and Royal Sulu Force (RSF) militant groups.

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Source: freemalaysiatoday.com

Niger Delta Agitators Threaten Fresh Oil War, Ask Buhari to Restrain Amaechi

By Emma Amaize

Activists in Niger -Delta, weekend, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to put the Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi, under control before he plunges the nation into another full-blown oil war.

The campaigners under the auspices of 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience, in a statement by self-styled “General” Izon Ebi, said, “This will happen if our rights, aspiration and determination of the people to use their PVCs to choose or elect our preferred candidate and representatives are further trampled upon.”

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Source: allafrica.com

3 soldiers, 2 militants dead in southern Philippine clash

MANILA, March 15 (Xinhua) — Three government soldiers and two Maute group militants have been killed in a clash in the southern Philippines, the Philippine military said on Friday.

Military spokesperson Col. Gerry Besana said three more soldiers have been reported missing in the wake of a clash that broke out around 5 p.m. local time on Thursday in Tubaran town in Lanao del Sur province.

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Source: xinhuanet.com