Yemen « Feral Jundi

Monday, February 15, 2010

Maritime Security: Defending Ships From Pirates ‘Slightly Smacks Of Vigilantism’, What?

Small, fast boats with a handful of armed mariners are an “emerging way to handle the [piracy] problem in a safe way,” said Jim Jorrie, CEO of Espada Logistics and Security-MENA, a San Antonio-based company offering such services.

But shipping industry experts frown on the practice.

“It slightly smacks of vigilantism to me,” said Tony Mason, secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping and International Shipping Federation.

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Yet again, who the hell does this Tony Mason dude think he is? This kind of leadership and commentary, is exactly what has made the piracy problem flourish in the first place. Where is the mention of the right to self defense? Or does Tony not care about this basic human right on the high seas? This attitude just kills me, and it is guys like this that keep promoting it.

If a company wants to protect it’s boat and people from armed pirates, then they should have every right in the world to do so. If they want to put armed guys on a boat, or hire out the Yemeni Coast Guard to protect their goods and people, then so be it.

And where does Mason get off on calling this Vigilantism? What a terrible choice of words, and it is this attitude that got the shipping industry into the trouble it is in today. You have pirates who are applying a business model that works, and is only empowering them to do more, and you have a shipping industry that would much rather roll the dice with pirates, or just pay the ransom. It is this attitude of ‘non-action’, which is allowing this vile practice of piracy to flourish. Pffft. I call arming the boats self-defense, and certainly the right of all companies that care about the lives of their people.

The other point that I wanted to mention, is the Yemeni Coast Guard and the Tanzanian Navy both being hired by shipping corporations, is pretty wild. Talk about pre-Westphalia. lol –Matt

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Hired guns secure ships, stir controversy

By Sandra Jontz, Stars and StripesEuropean edition, Monday, February 15, 2010

NAPLES, Italy — As the world struggles to stop piracy in the waters off the coast of Africa and the Middle East, several companies have stepped forward to provide armed escort boats for commercial ships.

But shipping industry experts frown on the practice.

“It slightly smacks of vigilantism to me,” said Tony Mason, secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping and International Shipping Federation.

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Monday, January 25, 2010

Industry Talk: Northrop Grumman Wins Saudi Arabian National Guard Contract Worth $550 Million

Filed under: Saudi Arabia,Yemen — Tags: contract, LAV 25, National Guard, Northrop Grumman, private military company, SANG, Saudi Arabia, Vinnell Arabia, Yemen — Matt @ 1:05 AM

I tell you, every time I hear about this contract, I am just blown away by it’s enormity–yet it gets absolutely zero coverage. The Saudis have some serious money, and they have been purchasing some very high quality equipment and training over the years. Although it takes competent soldiers, along with competent leaders to actually command these armies, and that is something Vinnell cannot provide.

We will see how well they do in future conflict, and especially along the borders with Yemen. I would love to see them decimate some of that Al Qaeda scum in those regions Insha’Allah.

Also, check out this article a friend sent me that came from Strategy Page. It sounds like the Saudis have had some issues with fighting the Houthis. (120 dead soldiers in 3 months) They are also doing the typical rich arab thing, and hiring Yemeni tribes to fight for them to help out. That isn’t really working out either. Could the Saudis one day hire a competent PMC to do their fighting for them? Who knows, but I am sure it has crossed their minds. –Matt

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Northrop Grumman Wins Saudi Arabian National Guard Contract With a Potential Value of $550 Million

Jan. 20, 2010

HERNDON, Va., (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The U.S. Army has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a contract to continue the modernization and training of the Saudi Arabia National Guard (SANG). The contract has a potential value of $550 million.

The five-year, cost-plus-award-fee hybrid contract also contains fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price elements.

Under the terms of the contract, Northrop Grumman Technical Services subsidiary Vinnell Arabia LLC will provide U.S. Army-based doctrine and military training as well as logistics and support services that will further contribute to SANG fulfilling its national defense mission with self-sustained command, control and operational capabilities. Work will be performed throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“Our U.S. Army customer not only has selected a trusted partner who will continue to provide them with seamless continuity for the SANG program, but also a partner who values a culture of performance,” said Robert S. Coffey, program general manager for Vinnell Arabia LLC. “We look forward to continuing to raise our collective bar of excellence with the SANG program, which is an essential force in the long-term defense of the Kingdom.”

(more…)

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Friday, January 1, 2010

Al Qaeda: The Gitmo ‘Catch And Release’ Program

Filed under: Al Qaeda,Cuba,Yemen — Tags: Al Qaeda, Cuba, Gitmo, terrorists, Yemen — Matt @ 10:05 AM

Overall, 14 percent of the more than 530 detainees transferred out of Guantanamo are confirmed or suspected to have been involved in terrorist activities since their release.

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This is as ridiculous as what we are doing with these Somali pirates when we catch them, which is release them. So what do you know! Piracy and terrorism is a kick as means of crime or waging war in today’s world.

To me, this is a prime example of non-state actors, utilizing their strategic advantage of ignoring or abusing the borders and laws of states, in order to achieve their goals. It works very well.

The question I have, is how do you defeat non-state actors? Terrorists, pirates, organized crime, and drug cartels are all non-state actors…so how do you defeat them?

I have some ideas based on how societies and countries have dealt with these issues in the past, but I guarantee the ‘state’ really doesn’t want to hear it. Here is a hint. Laws like Article 1, Section 8 in the U.S. Constitution are in there for a reason. –Matt

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Former Gitmo detainees help al-Qaida grow in Yemen

By MIKE MELIA and SARAH EL DEEB

Dec 31, 2009

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – As a prisoner at Guantanamo, Said Ali al-Shihri said he wanted freedom so he could go home to Saudi Arabia and work at his family’s furniture store.

Instead, al-Shihri, who was released in 2007 under the Bush administration, is now deputy leader of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, a group that has claimed responsibility for the Christmas Day attempted bomb attack on a Detroit-bound airliner.

His potential involvement in the terrorist plot has raised new opposition to releasing Guantanamo Bay inmates, complicating President Barack Obama’s pledge to close the military prison in Cuba. It also highlights the challenge of identifying the hard-core militants as the administration decides what to do with the remaining 198 prisoners.

Like other former Guantanamo detainees who have rejoined al-Qaida in Yemen, al-Shihri, 36, won his release despite jihadist credentials such as, in his case, urban warfare training in Afghanistan.

He later goaded the United States, saying Guantanamo only strengthened his anti-American convictions.

“By God, our imprisonment has only increased our persistence and adherence to our principles,” he said in a speech when al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula formed in Yemen in January 2009. It was included in a propaganda film for the group.

(more…)

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Saturday, December 26, 2009

Yemen: The War In Yemen–Starring Saudi Arabia, Iran, U.S., Contractors, And Al Qaeda

Filed under: Al Qaeda,Iran,Saudi Arabia,Yemen — Tags: contracting, contractors, EADS, Houthis, Iran, Saudi Arabia, security contracting, Vinnell, Yemen — Matt @ 10:22 AM

I am sure I am missing someone, because this war has all sorts of players getting involved. What I have done below, is posted all the current events in Yemen that everyone should key in on, and I also tried to bring in some industry stuff as well.

The things the caught my attention is the Saudis are beginning to use some of that Vinnell training to good use against the Houthis. Vinnell has been training up the SANG, and King Abdullah has been heavily investing in U.S. equipment and trainers for years now. So it is interesting to see them flex some military muscle and apply what they have learned. (on a side note, check out the recruitment brochure at the Vinnell Arabia website-it looks like they treat those guys pretty well)

The other one that caught my eye was the this fence the Saudis are building. They are contracting the services of EADS, and this project is massive and technological. And because of all the problems at the border recently, they are really wanting to ramp up the construction. So that will be providing jobs in the world of contracting. No word yet if they are looking for security contractors to supplement the border patrol or the building of these fences and networks, but you never know.

Then there is the story about the cleric that influenced the Ft. Hood shooter, whom was targeted by a U.S. missile strike in Yemen. That’s right, we are launching missiles into Yemen. Unfortunately, we did not get him, but it does sound like we were able to get a few AQ in the strike.

Now one little interesting tidbit in this whole deal, is Iran and Al Qaeda, and what they are doing in Yemen. The Houthis are Shia, hate the Saudis, and are said to be supported by Iran. Al Qaeda is a Sunni based organization, yet they hate the Saudis as well, and they have established a base in Yemen. Could the Houthis and AQ be working together in Yemen or coordinating their efforts, all with the hopes of defeating the Saudis and the West? I kind of doubt it, but I have seen this theory floating around and was wondering if any of the readership have any thoughts about this?

We will keep our eye on Yemen, and see how that war develops. By the way, I put up a ton of material below, so click the ‘read the rest of this entry’ for the other info.-Matt

Edit: 12/27/2009- Check out the CNAS report on Yemen that I just posted today, on the very bottom. There is a PDF with it too.

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Saudi rid of Yemeni infiltrators, King says

12/26/2009

DUBAI (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia has claimed victory in a conflict with Yemeni rebels, saying the army has driven away the last infiltrators from its territory, an Arabic language daily said on Saturday.

King Abdullah told the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Seyassah that his instructions to Saudi forces were “clear,” demanding operations were confined to Saudi territory without entering Yemen.

Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday the conflict was nearing an end, with at least 73 of its troops killed in fighting against Yemeni rebels since November.

Yemeni rebels, however, said the war was far from over.

King Abdullah told al-Seyassah that his orders to the army were to “only drive away infiltrators and preserve the security and borders” of the kingdom.

“We are not a nation that interferes in other countries’ affairs and do not accept other countries to interfere in ours,” he said.

(more…)

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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

News: Mufsid Fail To Breach US Embassy in Yemen During Attack

Filed under: Al Qaeda,News,Yemen — Tags: Al Qaeda, attack, embassy, mufsid, Yemen — Matt @ 10:16 AM

Two VBIED’s at two entrance points, with snipers as well. These guys were also wearing police uniforms and had a small force on foot that tried to enter through the attack points. Looks like these mufsid failed to get in, thanks to the good work of the security professionals guarding the embassy. Unfortunately, 16 people died in this attack. –Mudeer

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Bush: Embassy attack a reminder nation ‘at war’

By MATTHEW LEE

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush says the attack on the U.S. embassy in the capital of Yemen is a reminder that the United States is “at war” with extremists.

Attackers armed with automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades and at least one suicide car bomb assaulted the embassy. Sixteen people were killed, including six assailants. No Americans were hurt.

The U.S. says the assault has “the hallmarks of an al-Qaida attack.” The United States says a “vicious” attack on the U.S. Embassy in the Yemeni capital was a failed attempt to breach the compound’s walls.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters Wednesday that the embassy’s security upgrades, combined with the response of security officials, stopped attackers armed with automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades and at least one suicide car bomb.

Officials say sixteen people were killed, including six assailants.

McCormack says no Americans were hurt. He says one U.S. embassy guard from Yemen was killed, along with several Yemeni security officials.

He says the assault bears “all the hallmarks of an al-Qaida attack.”

Story Here

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