AL-QAIDA’S
RICIN
PIPELINE THE ROAD TO AL-QAIDA IN SOMALIA Eye Spy examines the emergence of a disturbing alliance that changes the dimension and threat facing counter-terrorist forces operating in the Horn of Africa ritish intelligence officials are monitoring an increase in young Britons travelling to North Africa whose ultimate objective is to join the emerging alQaida franchise known as Al-Shabaab [translates to the Youth or Boys]. This as colleagues from the CIA continue to tackle various threats in a region of the world that is decidedly unstable.
B
Over the last three years MI6 and the CIA have built up a careful picture of events, including identifying a number of secret land and sea pipelines to Somalia established by al-Qaida from various neighbouring countries. To compound matters, a huge CIA operation uncovered disturbing evidence of ricin production by forces friendly to the group. Another serious problem for the authorities is the emerging alliance between the terror group and pirates who have made Somalia their home base. Some experts still consider this
an unlikely scenario, but the evidence does at the very least - point to cooperation. PIRACY AND AL-QAIDA Pirate gangs, some aligned to al-Qaida are responsible for seizing dozens of ships off the coast of Somalia, but in recent times have started to operate with near impunity inside the Kenyan border. Analysts believe this is evidence of a “coming together” of pirates and al-Qaida. New Scotland Yard has still not ruled out the possibility that a British couple, attacked in September whilst holidaying in a luxury Kenyan hotel complex at the Kiwayu
Flag and logo used by Al-Shabaab Safari Village (close to the border with Somalia), were victims of Al-Shabaab. In this case, David Tebbutt was shot dead and his wife Judith abducted and taken to Somalia. Another high profile incident occurred on 13 October; terrorists simply walked into the sprawling refugee camp at Dadaab, just inside
42 P42/43
EYE SPY INTELLIGENCE MAGAZINE 76 2011
2
1/11/11, 6:17 pm