The Straits of Malacca Under the Threat of a Maritime Terrorist Attack
Source: Turkishweekly
The Straits of Malacca under the threat of a maritime terrorist attack by Jemaah Islamiyah:
From LTTE to Al Qaeda and its affiliate terrorist group operating globally
The current threat posed by a terrorist group in the Straits of Malacca is no other than Al Qaedas regional associate, Jemaah Islamiyah. The re-emergence of Jemaah Islamiyah in the region some three years ago was itself a sign that it had re-grouped and was planning attacks within the region. The threat has long remained overlooked! The Straits is one of JIs most important targets in Southeast Asia and a large scale maritime attack in one of the busiest sea lanes of communication (SLOC) would be disastrous to the economies of the world. The attacks and bombings in Indonesia, Southern Thailand and Southern Philippines escalated over the three years should have alerted the authorities to an immediate response in countering the threat.
The arrest of Al Qaedas operatives in Malaysia last year and early this year clearly proves that Al Qaeda is still operating within our shores and supporting its regional groups within Southeast Asia. Al Qaeda operatives are using Malaysia as a conduit for its operations and planning. The fact remains that Malaysia, Singapore and Australia are a non operational sector for Jemaah Islamiyah and Al Qaedas operatives. Although there were some sources indicating threats within these countries, the authorities have foiled the attempts posed by these groups with the assistance of foreign intelligence agencies. However these operational cells are involved in planning, recruitment and funding activities of terrorist operations, such as a potential maritime attack within the region.
A few years ago, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) had issued warnings to seafarers using the Straits to comply with GAMs request in informing the autonomy granted region, similar protocols for the right of passage and warned that attacks by pirates may be imminent and could not protect vessels that plied the route. However this warning was never to be made legitimate by the GAM Movement as the real intension was to indentify potential cargos for hijacking by using pirates as an alibi to carry out the attacks. An attack that took place early of February 2009 was a pirate attack on a Singapore tug coordinated by the GAM Movement using its operatives as pirates.
The nexus of piracy and terrorism is indeed a real phenomenon that many may disagree upon. Similar other attacks took place in 2003 where three chemical tankers and an oil tanker were attacked by separatist rebels claiming membership of GAM. Other terrorist groups operating in the region have carried out maritime terrorist attacks in the Philippines, the Straits of Malacca, and the Sulu waters and are now growing within the South Asian waters. Sources have indicated that terrorist operatives are moving freely within the region and are beginning to set base in certain Southeast Asian countries. The role of these operatives is not clear but it can be assumed that they are seeking grounds either for operational targets and planning or merely recruiting new members.
The recent arrest of militants in the Aceh region and the major seizure of arms over the period of two months confirmed that militants were undergoing paramilitary trainings which included weapons use and hand-to-hand combat at a camp site in the Acehnese Mountains for preparation for a terrorist and possible maritime attack. The possible link is centered towards the Free Aceh Movement who has strong ties with Jemaah Islamiyah. The coastal waters of Sumatra are poorly protected and terrorist groups operating within Sumatra have a wide range of operational grounds to work from. The Islands on the coastline such as the Aruah, Sinaboi, Rupat Bengkalis and Karimunbesar Islands allow for proper hide outs and protection against security forces. If an attack is to take place, security forces should concentrate within the North entrance of the Straits, the Sinaboi waters and the Southern mouth of the Straits.
The potential threat from a maritime terrorist attack can and will include supertankers, LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) and LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) of chemical carriers being used as floating bombs. The fact remains that an LNG tanker can burst into flames and its heat can cover an area of a 5 mile radius. This high risk phenomenon can cause secondary burns to anyone within the area. The fire cannot be put off as the fuel will burn till all of the natural gas is emptied. There are no adequate immediate measures by the authorities for this disaster and this will lead to the Straits being temporarily closed to seafarers. Terrorist planning for such an attack will target vessels during the late hours of the evening and early hours of the morning prior to sun light. The area of concern will be nearer to the Sumatra coastlines where ample strategic positioning is conducive for the attacks.
Terrorist are equipped with radar surveillance that can monitor vessels plying the straits and to determine if an attack is safe from security forces. These positioning radars are usually located some distance between them and are able to indentify the number of vessels/ships/boats going into the area of surveillance. Operative boats are stationed in between these radars and are sent out when the coast is clear from other approaching boats, such maybe of security forces patrols. Once inside the radar eyes, operatives will swing out to the Vessel and engage the lone target. Any approaching boats within distance of the perpetrated attack will be called back to shore by informants operating the surveillance radars. The Straits of Malacca is positioned for a similar threat scenario. Security forces need to understand the concepts and operations conducted by terrorist on maritime attacks from the many scenarios that have taken place globally.
Other means of creating a threat scenario is where terrorists can blow up a small boat and claim that they have mined the Straits. The scenarios are not limited and hence the authorities need to step up on a preventive measure such as full scale collaboration within the littoral states and the international community for a major emergency disaster relief centre to be set up. This should include all readiness of well trained and equipped personnel, special equipments for sea operations, special ships that are capable of assisting accidents and fires, specialized medical units, rescue teams for search and rescue (SAR), expert teams which are specialized in activities in response to various types of disasters, military support force, coast guard support and provisions of relief supplies. It is impossible to prevent an attack such as the above and the authorities should now prepare for the worst. Terrorist groups are not limited to only maritime attacks on vessels but also fixed platforms at sea or in port, against coastal facilities or settlements, including tourist resorts, port areas and port town or cities.
The authorities must not underestimate Jemaah Islamiyahs capabilities for a maritime terrorist attack. These terrorist groups operating within our region are trained and capable of such an attack. The Liberation Tamil Tigers Elam (LTTE) is the father of all maritime trainings conducted for terrorist groups operating internationally. The LTTE developed maritime capabilities to compensate their loss base in Tamil Nadu, India and eventually developed a full fledge navy that commanded their operations in Sri Lanka. The LTTE has inspired terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda in its operations, tactics, technologies, and techniques and has mimicked LTTEs manipulation of the merchant maritime sphere to perpetrate attacks. Sources indicate that the LTTE group has provided trainings for maritime operations to terrorist groups and this includes Al Qaeda.
Al Qaeda has taken those trainings and capabilities and broadcasted them out to terrorist groups. This over the years has given inspiration in increasing maritime attacks and experimentation. The bombing of the USS Cole in the coast of Yemen in 2000 was an experiment that included trial and error concept in a maritime attack. The threat has proliferated globally transiting from small regional actors to larger international terrorist groups to smaller localized actors. The copy cat phenomena of proliferating techniques are being used by terrorist groups operating internationally and regionally across the globe. This is so for the Southeast Asias regional terrorist group, Jemaah Islamiyah and its associated groups.
The reach of Maritime Terrorism is across the globe and it is decentralized. It is important to critically monitor the activities and capabilities of terrorist groups across the globe to anticipate and prepare for those tactics in your own theatre. Currently the groups with established maritime capabilities in Asia are: Al Qaeda, Jemaah Islamiyah, Free Aceh Movement (GAM),Barisan Revolusi National, Kumpulan Mujahedeen Malaysia, Akaran Army, Pattani United Liberation Organization, Harkat-ul-Jehad-al-Islami, Harkat-ul-Mujihadeen, Tamil Tigers (LTTE), United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA).
The threat conditions conducive for maritime terrorist attacks in the Straits can be directed to ineffective governance, poor national terrorism deterrent capacity, and the level of security preparedness, national security culture and the availability of a right target for an attack. This ineffectiveness can lead to major threats such as causing extensive damage to major coastal infrastructure and industrial area, attack and damage to offshore and coastal oil and gas production facilities, closing of harbors, channels and waterways. The threat of a maritime attack is imminent and the terrorist groups operating in Southeast Asia are well prepared for such an attack in the Straits. The authorities should now be vigilant as the element of surprise will take precedence.
-----
Andrin Raj (andrin.raj@stratad.net) is Counter Terrorism & Security Analyst and Director for Stratad Asia Pacific Strategic Centre (SAPSC) and Director for Chapter-SEA Regional HQ for the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals. He was a Visiting Fellow at the Japan Institute for International Affairs (JIIA) 2008-09.He is also one of the founding members of the Turkish Think Tank Dialogue (TOD TURKEY) of the Turkish Asian Center For Strategic Studies (TASAM) and part of the Think Tank Forum of the Organization of Islamic Countries based in Istanbul, Turkey. He is a Visiting Lecturer at the Institute for Diplomacy and foreign Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia and Lectures at the Monash University, Malaysia campus. He has currently been appointed the Deputy Head of the Defense and Security Committee of the European Union Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Malaysia. The views expressed are of his own and does not reflect those of SAPSC, IACSP, TOD TURKEY, IDFR, MONASH UNI., TASAM, JIIA or the EUMCCI. Wednesday, 24 March 2010
The Straits of Malacca under the threat of a maritime terrorist attack by Jemaah Islamiyah:
From LTTE to Al Qaeda and its affiliate terrorist group operating globally
The current threat posed by a terrorist group in the Straits of Malacca is no other than Al Qaedas regional associate, Jemaah Islamiyah. The re-emergence of Jemaah Islamiyah in the region some three years ago was itself a sign that it had re-grouped and was planning attacks within the region. The threat has long remained overlooked! The Straits is one of JIs most important targets in Southeast Asia and a large scale maritime attack in one of the busiest sea lanes of communication (SLOC) would be disastrous to the economies of the world. The attacks and bombings in Indonesia, Southern Thailand and Southern Philippines escalated over the three years should have alerted the authorities to an immediate response in countering the threat.
The arrest of Al Qaedas operatives in Malaysia last year and early this year clearly proves that Al Qaeda is still operating within our shores and supporting its regional groups within Southeast Asia. Al Qaeda operatives are using Malaysia as a conduit for its operations and planning. The fact remains that Malaysia, Singapore and Australia are a non operational sector for Jemaah Islamiyah and Al Qaedas operatives. Although there were some sources indicating threats within these countries, the authorities have foiled the attempts posed by these groups with the assistance of foreign intelligence agencies. However these operational cells are involved in planning, recruitment and funding activities of terrorist operations, such as a potential maritime attack within the region.
A few years ago, the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) had issued warnings to seafarers using the Straits to comply with GAMs request in informing the autonomy granted region, similar protocols for the right of passage and warned that attacks by pirates may be imminent and could not protect vessels that plied the route. However this warning was never to be made legitimate by the GAM Movement as the real intension was to indentify potential cargos for hijacking by using pirates as an alibi to carry out the attacks. An attack that took place early of February 2009 was a pirate attack on a Singapore tug coordinated by the GAM Movement using its operatives as pirates.
The nexus of piracy and terrorism is indeed a real phenomenon that many may disagree upon. Similar other attacks took place in 2003 where three chemical tankers and an oil tanker were attacked by separatist rebels claiming membership of GAM. Other terrorist groups operating in the region have carried out maritime terrorist attacks in the Philippines, the Straits of Malacca, and the Sulu waters and are now growing within the South Asian waters. Sources have indicated that terrorist operatives are moving freely within the region and are beginning to set base in certain Southeast Asian countries. The role of these operatives is not clear but it can be assumed that they are seeking grounds either for operational targets and planning or merely recruiting new members.
The recent arrest of militants in the Aceh region and the major seizure of arms over the period of two months confirmed that militants were undergoing paramilitary trainings which included weapons use and hand-to-hand combat at a camp site in the Acehnese Mountains for preparation for a terrorist and possible maritime attack. The possible link is centered towards the Free Aceh Movement who has strong ties with Jemaah Islamiyah. The coastal waters of Sumatra are poorly protected and terrorist groups operating within Sumatra have a wide range of operational grounds to work from. The Islands on the coastline such as the Aruah, Sinaboi, Rupat Bengkalis and Karimunbesar Islands allow for proper hide outs and protection against security forces. If an attack is to take place, security forces should concentrate within the North entrance of the Straits, the Sinaboi waters and the Southern mouth of the Straits.
The potential threat from a maritime terrorist attack can and will include supertankers, LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) and LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) of chemical carriers being used as floating bombs. The fact remains that an LNG tanker can burst into flames and its heat can cover an area of a 5 mile radius. This high risk phenomenon can cause secondary burns to anyone within the area. The fire cannot be put off as the fuel will burn till all of the natural gas is emptied. There are no adequate immediate measures by the authorities for this disaster and this will lead to the Straits being temporarily closed to seafarers. Terrorist planning for such an attack will target vessels during the late hours of the evening and early hours of the morning prior to sun light. The area of concern will be nearer to the Sumatra coastlines where ample strategic positioning is conducive for the attacks.
Terrorist are equipped with radar surveillance that can monitor vessels plying the straits and to determine if an attack is safe from security forces. These positioning radars are usually located some distance between them and are able to indentify the number of vessels/ships/boats going into the area of surveillance. Operative boats are stationed in between these radars and are sent out when the coast is clear from other approaching boats, such maybe of security forces patrols. Once inside the radar eyes, operatives will swing out to the Vessel and engage the lone target. Any approaching boats within distance of the perpetrated attack will be called back to shore by informants operating the surveillance radars. The Straits of Malacca is positioned for a similar threat scenario. Security forces need to understand the concepts and operations conducted by terrorist on maritime attacks from the many scenarios that have taken place globally.
Other means of creating a threat scenario is where terrorists can blow up a small boat and claim that they have mined the Straits. The scenarios are not limited and hence the authorities need to step up on a preventive measure such as full scale collaboration within the littoral states and the international community for a major emergency disaster relief centre to be set up. This should include all readiness of well trained and equipped personnel, special equipments for sea operations, special ships that are capable of assisting accidents and fires, specialized medical units, rescue teams for search and rescue (SAR), expert teams which are specialized in activities in response to various types of disasters, military support force, coast guard support and provisions of relief supplies. It is impossible to prevent an attack such as the above and the authorities should now prepare for the worst. Terrorist groups are not limited to only maritime attacks on vessels but also fixed platforms at sea or in port, against coastal facilities or settlements, including tourist resorts, port areas and port town or cities.
The authorities must not underestimate Jemaah Islamiyahs capabilities for a maritime terrorist attack. These terrorist groups operating within our region are trained and capable of such an attack. The Liberation Tamil Tigers Elam (LTTE) is the father of all maritime trainings conducted for terrorist groups operating internationally. The LTTE developed maritime capabilities to compensate their loss base in Tamil Nadu, India and eventually developed a full fledge navy that commanded their operations in Sri Lanka. The LTTE has inspired terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda in its operations, tactics, technologies, and techniques and has mimicked LTTEs manipulation of the merchant maritime sphere to perpetrate attacks. Sources indicate that the LTTE group has provided trainings for maritime operations to terrorist groups and this includes Al Qaeda.
Al Qaeda has taken those trainings and capabilities and broadcasted them out to terrorist groups. This over the years has given inspiration in increasing maritime attacks and experimentation. The bombing of the USS Cole in the coast of Yemen in 2000 was an experiment that included trial and error concept in a maritime attack. The threat has proliferated globally transiting from small regional actors to larger international terrorist groups to smaller localized actors. The copy cat phenomena of proliferating techniques are being used by terrorist groups operating internationally and regionally across the globe. This is so for the Southeast Asias regional terrorist group, Jemaah Islamiyah and its associated groups.
The reach of Maritime Terrorism is across the globe and it is decentralized. It is important to critically monitor the activities and capabilities of terrorist groups across the globe to anticipate and prepare for those tactics in your own theatre. Currently the groups with established maritime capabilities in Asia are: Al Qaeda, Jemaah Islamiyah, Free Aceh Movement (GAM),Barisan Revolusi National, Kumpulan Mujahedeen Malaysia, Akaran Army, Pattani United Liberation Organization, Harkat-ul-Jehad-al-Islami, Harkat-ul-Mujihadeen, Tamil Tigers (LTTE), United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA).
The threat conditions conducive for maritime terrorist attacks in the Straits can be directed to ineffective governance, poor national terrorism deterrent capacity, and the level of security preparedness, national security culture and the availability of a right target for an attack. This ineffectiveness can lead to major threats such as causing extensive damage to major coastal infrastructure and industrial area, attack and damage to offshore and coastal oil and gas production facilities, closing of harbors, channels and waterways. The threat of a maritime attack is imminent and the terrorist groups operating in Southeast Asia are well prepared for such an attack in the Straits. The authorities should now be vigilant as the element of surprise will take precedence.
-----
Andrin Raj (andrin.raj@stratad.net) is Counter Terrorism & Security Analyst and Director for Stratad Asia Pacific Strategic Centre (SAPSC) and Director for Chapter-SEA Regional HQ for the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals. He was a Visiting Fellow at the Japan Institute for International Affairs (JIIA) 2008-09.He is also one of the founding members of the Turkish Think Tank Dialogue (TOD TURKEY) of the Turkish Asian Center For Strategic Studies (TASAM) and part of the Think Tank Forum of the Organization of Islamic Countries based in Istanbul, Turkey. He is a Visiting Lecturer at the Institute for Diplomacy and foreign Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia and Lectures at the Monash University, Malaysia campus. He has currently been appointed the Deputy Head of the Defense and Security Committee of the European Union Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Malaysia. The views expressed are of his own and does not reflect those of SAPSC, IACSP, TOD TURKEY, IDFR, MONASH UNI., TASAM, JIIA or the EUMCCI. Wednesday, 24 March 2010
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