Countering maritime terrorism
Sri Lankan experience:
The largest ever gathering of Chiefs of Navies
took place recently at Navy War College Newport, Rhode Island, USA where
Navy Commander Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, himself a
distinguished graduate of the College was further honoured by being
invited by United States' Navy Chief Admiral Gary Roughead to address in
the final Panel on 'Leveraging Cooperative Effort to Enhance Maritime
Security Operations' at the 19th Biennial Sea Power Symposium conducted
by the United States' Navy. The symposium held from October 6 to 9
brought together 96 Heads of Navies and Naval Delegates of 20 countries
in the most famous and prestigious gathering of rulers of the seas
Navy Commander Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe |
Following is the speech delivered by Navy Commander Vice Admiral
Thisara Samarasinghe at the 19th International Sea Power Symposium 2009.
A set of fishermen turned smugglers operating across the Palk Straits
in 10 foot dinghies with OBMs, in the late 70s progressed over a period
of time to transform into a formidable and ruthless terrorist outfit by
the late 90s. This terrorist organization was eventually capable of
operating and launching attacks from the jungles, towns, beaches,
coastal waters, underwater, in the high seas and even from the air.
How did they achieve this? They developed the Diaspora support,
International financial potential, transnational logistical network,
global transportation and trained cadres mainly through direct and
indirect support of some foreign countries, agencies and interested
individuals. None of the military equipment and other commercially off
the shelf (COTS) items used by these terrorists were made or
manufactured in Sri Lanka.
Terrorist action
How did these items reach an island nation? Your guess is as good as
mine. Such terrorist action with International support, very nearly
destroyed the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. An
independent Sovereign State, But yet the International community watched
this scenario unfold without extending effective support or collective
counter action, perhaps not realizing the gravity.
However, a committed, democratically elected, fearless executive
leadership with the right attitude, aided by a few friendly countries
and equally committed brave, professional, disciplined and well-trained
Armed Forces supported by the general public defeated a terrorist group,
at one time the most feared and ruthless in the world.
With the Chief of United States Navy Admiral Gary Roughead |
Sri Lanka was compelled to respond to these terrorists aggressively
on all fronts for the survival of the nation and its peace-loving
citizens, irrespective of community. This triumph was an unprecedented
achievement, at a very heavy cost in terms of human life and resources
at the expense of peace, economic progress and national growth of my
country. Had this victory not taken place, I would not be here before
this distinguish audience to share over 30 years of experience in
countering terrorism at sea and on land.
With this preamble, let me now alter course to the classic naval role
and the lessons learnt from this protracted conflict, and focus on the
theme of this prestigious and important 19th sea-power symposium -
Leveraging Cooperative Effort to Enhance Maritime Security Operations.
Navies today see a newly emerging threat forcing them to concentrate
on the littorals. This has brought about a transformation in
contemporary naval forces to come to grips a new form of Naval warfare -
that of the asymmetrical or I prefer to call irregular kind. The Sri
Lankan Navy is a small force but is an experienced battle hardened
robust one that has met this challenge and decisively defeated a
terrorist group that was at the cutting edge of maritime terror.
Terror groups
A group which used 'suicide' as its main weapon and became a model
for other terror groups around the world. A group well-funded, running
an international logistical network and its own shipping organization.
With the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope of the
Royal Navy |
The Sri Lanka Navy used her limited resources to go after the
terrorist gunrunning-shipping network, which took advantage of the
freedom of the seas, using the global commons for their criminal
purpose. Results were achieved after many long painstaking searches,
good intelligence and mutual cooperation with friendly states.
This enemy 'Floating Warehouses' that were systematically interdicted
and destroyed carried a cache of weaponry, explosives, under water
equipment, dual use off the shelf equipment and aircraft - an arsenal
capable of sustaining full scale combat operations for years in Sri
Lanka, had they reached our shores. On the other hand the question still
remains, as to whether the complete consignment of warlike material
carried onboard was to create terror in Sri Lanka alone, or was the
surplus destined to fuel terrorist activity elsewhere?
Some of the ships that spearheaded this task group, were gifts
received from friendly nations without which this task would have been
impossible. What better example can I offer for 'leveraging cooperative
efforts to enhance maritime security operations'?
The Sri Lanka Navy is possibly the only navy today, that has
experienced the maritime terrorist threat from every dimension in every
form and learnt its lessons the hard way - at the expense of good men
who paid with the ultimate sacrifice - that others may one day live in
peace. I can proudly declare that my navy has the experience and what it
takes to fight this irregular threat, be it suicide craft, swarm attack,
semi submersible vessels, low profile high speed explosive laden craft
including jet skis. We have also experienced the deceptive suicide
fishing craft and the suicide under water saboteur.
With the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma of the
Indian Navy |
The Sri Lanka navy also formulated the concept of OBST - On Board
Security Teams which were deployed on board merchant ships for security
whilst transiting through dangerous waters - these well-trained teams
were successful in being an effective deterrent against terrorist
attack. This is the answer to the problem of piracy we are experiencing
and properly trained OBST teams could mitigate this issue in a short
period if deployed now.
Maritime security
The way ahead is for navies worldwide to focus their resources in
enhancing maritime security operations and adopt cooperative efforts to
deny unlawful elements and non-State actors from exploiting the freedom
of the seas. To achieve this we need to share intelligence, resources
and above all have the right attitude and commitment to get the job
done. Our adversary who loiters in open seas is a master of deception;
and will make use of the loopholes in International maritime law to
appear legitimate.
How prepared and more importantly how committed are we in dealing
with this developing threat? I believe this is the real challenge. Are
we, strong enough to provide our Commanding officers realistic ROEs
required to meet today's irregular threat or otherwise?
The strategy Sri Lanka adapted to meet and counter this threat was to
hit the COG of the terrorists, which was their well-established logistic
chain. To achieve this, the Sri Lanka Navy followed a seven-step
strategy. The first being to deter the desire and potentials:
a. The desire for undemocratic action comes from the creation
of an opportunity structure that emanates from the standing of economic,
social and political conditions of a State. This desire has to be
countered by deep understanding of the problem, where the root causes of
the problem have to be positively addressed by targetting the grievances
of the affected group. This aspect received the highest priority of my
Government's agenda. Another area where the potential could be addressed
is to break the desire for a political objective, in this case a
separate State. To achieve this, insurgency and terrorism must be fought
on two fronts, both physical and psychological.
b. The second step is to disrupt the organization and the
network: A terrorist organization with maritime capability needs to
operate from foreign soil or a safe base; the prevention of the use of
foreign soil for all illegal activity particularly on remote islands and
isolated coastal stretches needs to be addressed. Secondly, propaganda
and fund raising for the group should be effectively curbed. This
includes Proscribing the organization, arrest of leaders, probing large
bank transactions neutralizing active cells, disturbing cover up
organizations and preventing the use of State and private mechanisms for
terrorist propaganda. Making use of liberal opportunities for such
activities must be stopped, if detrimental to another country's national
security. The atrocities committed by these terrorists and their
supporters both local and abroad are now coming to light through
surrendered and captured terrorist leaders and it is unfortunate that
some countries had harboured well-known Sri Lankan terrorist cadres
including leaders and permitted them to function within their borders
promoting escalation of violence and terror in Sri Lanka.
c. The third step is to deny terrorist acquisition and point of
origin: Any terrorist group will require the right connections to
purchase military hardware and denying such acquisitions is a key
factor. This is a difficult task, but the best way to achieve it is by
close regional and international intelligence collaboration.
On continuing the third point.... it involves denying the enemy, his
point of origin: It is a well-known fact that the Asian region
especially that of South-East Asia has become a safe haven for illegal
arms shipments and smuggling. Therefore thwarting the use of foreign
ports and the coastline for such activities at the point of origin is
paramount.
d. The fourth step involves enhanced surveillance,
intelligence and monitoring: Superior Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) in
monitoring activities at sea and an integrated information sharing
mechanism is a viable option in deterring this phase. This is a one
point where regional or for that matter international cooperation is
found lacking.
e. The fifth step involves search and detect: Detection by
effective local level surveillance is a must for homeland defence. It is
at this stage that an effective Navy on surveillance with maritime air
surveillance plays a decisive role.
f. The sixth step is the arrest, prosecute and destruct:
When detected and confirmed as a rogue ship, the ROE must be robust
enough to give commanding officers the leeway to act decisively. It
needs clear political-will and military resolve to neutralize the
potential threat.
g. The seventh and last step would be the securing the landing
point: The landing point of enemy logistics must be denied by effective
coastal and ground domination operations.
Lethal cargo
The threat posed to maritime security through the transportation of
large consignments of sophisticated equipment and lethal cargo to
provide logistical support to terrorist groups requires our urgent
attention.
In recent years the Sri Lanka Navy has experienced and exposed to the
world the most unprecedented and dangerous forms of maritime terrorism,
this trend calls for a revision in the existing laws on visit and search
of vessels on the high seas.
We need to revise the legal framework in addressing all aspects of
safety and security of maritime navigation paying particular attention
to ships flying flags of convenience, registration of rogue ships and
the rights of warships. This would make a distinct contribution to
securing global peace and security. United Nations organization has an
immediate role-to play in this regard and International Maritime
Organization needs to break the shackles and act now.
The survival of the global population is dependent on maritime trade.
SLOCS today are highly vulnerable to terrorist and pirate attacks, which
threaten this critical lifeline. Transportation of weapons of mass
destruction and container terrorism are also possibilities that further
complicate the issue. Preparation to counter maritime terrorism cannot
be undertaken alone and needs transnational support, unlike combating
terrorist activity on land.
Financial support
Use of one's land, infrastructure and institutions to perpetrate and
propagate terrorism in another State must never be condoned. The artery
of financial and logistic support is the centre of gravity of maritime
terrorism and this must be countered by decisive action in keeping with
the obligations of a recognized and responsible sovereign State. These
actions should transcend boundaries, and override the common human
tendency to react only when one's own interests are at stake. We all
need to go that extra mile. This is the only way to isolate terrorists
and criminal groups at sea, halting them from shifting their support
block from one place to another.
In fulfilling counter action, strengthening naval forces, in numbers
and capability for superior surveillance and offensive action is
mandatory. Effective protection of choke points and harbours from
suspected high-risk vessels need special attention. Managing a database
of regional merchant traffic by a multilateral regional/sector authority
is what is needed today. The importance of dominating and controlling
ones coastline needs to be emphasized particularly in the case of an
island nation. Last but not least the human related aspects of men
behind these valuable maritime assets deployed for counter action matter
most and must be highly motivated, adequately equipped, professionally
trained and provided with a clear ROE's and unwavering leadership.
Global terrorism
Maritime terrorism is global and asymmetric. Our response must be
global, appropriate and preemptive. We can deter, and defeat terrorism
at sea if the right steps are taken at the right time in a cooperative
effort. Hence a global/regional agreement on cooperative maritime
security supported by stringent laws and aggressive diplomacy must be
immediately pursued. The need of the hour is to formulate required
action and implement the same without delay, led by regional maritime
powers with the collective support of regional navies and relevant
non-military agencies.
It is proposed that such regional forum must meet within three months
from today, to formulate the action plan on the way ahead. To begin
with, a heads of operations (HOD) meeting focussing on newly evolving
threats, the efficacy of ongoing naval operations, improvement to
collaborative effort, enhanced port protection measures,
interoperability and intelligence sharing will set the course and speed.
Sri Lanka is willing to host this first meeting and coordinate
operational level aspects in the Indian Ocean region.
Dear colleagues, Heads of Navies, Senior military officers, President
of the Naval War College and Chief of the US Navy, you and I being the
closest to the political leadership of our respective countries could
and should make such convincing authoritative and professional
recommendations to the executive political leadership, so that their
focus will be only to defeat terrorism. This is the leverage I propose
to you in using your authority and power of influence either through
maritime assets and mechanisms at sea or to convince political circles
of the importance of dealing with this evolving threat now.
Sovereign States
The proposed regional cooperation can be achieved only by changing
the attitude of decision makers that matter most and unconditional
support by all members of the UN towards all those Sovereign States that
are being challenged and attacked by terrorists through their global
terror network. Rationalizing terrorism and double standards, inaction,
discrimination or indifference against those fighting terrorism in any
form is wrong and needs to be reconsidered for the betterment of future
generations. Such action invariably conveys a wrong message and
encourages terrorists and their supporters that they have sympathy and a
support block, no matter what violence they perpetrate.
It should be noted that the former Prime Minister of the United
Kingdom Tony Blair was also onboard and was of the same view on
combating all forms of terror.
Secretary of the Navy used the word together many times in his
opening address. So my dear friends, our collective obligation is
crystal clear. We need to put those words in to practice.
We in Sri Lanka have done exactly that and given a strong message to
insurgents and terrorists worldwide that they can be decisively
defeated. The Sri Lanka Navy in this regard has done her duty in
eradicating a maritime terrorist group supporting terrorists on land.
Now the ball is in our court in supporting Sri Lanka and other countries
in denying them from raising their ugly head again. In conclusion let me
wind up by leaving you with this message which I formulated in 1998;
"Nothing weakens the Enemy strength more than detaching or exploiting
the detachment of enemy's allies, communication and support network.
Then he sees that power and ability now arrayed against him and his
morale is endangered by the obvious thought that the support bloc is
falling apart, and he is isolated and that defeat is probable or
inevitable."
Capt. TSG Samarasinghe - SLN - Sept 1998 |