Somalia

USA-Bound Travelers from “Countries of Interest” Face Tightened Security

Date: January 6th, 2010 |

Anyone flying to the U.S. from or through countries the U.S. government considers state sponsors of terrorism or “other countries of interest” will face enhanced screening under new security measures that took effect Jan. 4. Countries the U.S. considers state sponsors of terrorism are Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria, and the “other countries of interest” [read more]

Somali Piracy: Surge of Attacks in Indian Ocean near Somalia

Date: April 8th, 2009 |

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Somali pirates seized five ships in 72 hours in the Indian Ocean, moving their main area of operations out of the Gulf of Aden to avoid international naval patrols. A French yacht carrying five tourists off the coast of Somalia was taken as well as a former oceanographic research vessel converted to a live-aboard dive [read more]

East Africa: Ongoing Terrorist Threat

Date: January 10th, 2007 |

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The U.S. State Department has reissued its public announcement alerting travelers to the continuing potential for terrorist actions in the region, especially along the coast, and to the risks of piracy near the horn of Africa. The conflict in Somalia may prompt al-Qaeda operatives to flee the country and attempt to relocate elsewhere in the [read more]

Seychelles and Somalia: Pirates Roam Far into Indian Ocean to Take Ships

Date: October 29th, 2009 |

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Piracy off the Horn of Africa and in the nearby Indian Ocean is not news, but a British couple learned recently that any size vessel is a potential target when they and their 38-foot yacht sailing in Seychelles seas was taken by pirates for ransom. Somali pirates have extended their reach from the Horn of [read more]

Horn of Africa: Somali Pirates Attack Cruise Ship

Date: December 3rd, 2008 |

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Pirates attacked but failed to capture or damage a luxury cruise ship in the Gulf of Aden off the Somali coast Nov. 30. The Nautica, operated by Oceania Cruises, Inc. of Miami, sped away from the pirates’ speedboats after the marauders fired eight rifle shots at the ship. The area where the Nautica was cruising [read more]

East Africa: Pirates Attack Cruise Ship off the Horn of Africa

Date: November 8th, 2005 |

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A pirate attack on a Seabourn cruise ship off the coast of Somalia Nov. 5 reinforced the notion that these seas are dangerous. Pirates from largely lawless Somalia have been preying on ships at will in the past year, launching 28 reported incidents since March 15 compared with two in all of 2004. Their most [read more]