Maritime terrorism effectively suppressed in Asia
The Myanmar passenger ferry Cherry 2 / Source: Myanmar Logistics Guide
22 August 2023
Robust anti-terrorism initiatives aimed at the suppression of terrorist acts on land and at sea in Asia have been effective, however, continued radicalisation and extremism requires continued vigilance.
By Thomas Timlen, Analyst
At 18:40 local time on Sunday, 18 December 2022, the Myanmar passenger ferry CHERRY 2 departed from her berth with hundreds of passengers on board to cross the Yangon River. Only fifty metres from the berth an improvised explosive device exploded, ripping through the lower deck. Fifteen men and two women aged between 18 and 40 were transported to Yangon General Hospital with serious wounds. Fortunately, none of the wounds were fatal. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
The CHERRY 2 attack took place eighteen years after the infamous SUPERFERRY 14 attack off Manila on 27 February 2004 when eight pounds of TNT concealed in a television caused an explosion and fire that killed 116 of the 899 passengers and destroyed the vessel. The notorious Abu Sayyaf group (ASG) claimed responsibility for the attack.
The CHERRY 2 and SUPERFERRY 14 attacks serve well to illustrate the history of maritime terrorism in Asia and how this compares to terrorist activity across the globe.
Asia, like other regions, has witnessed the establishment of an array of terrorist groups whose members have targeted civilians at commercial establishments such as hotels, markets, places of worship and public transportation facilities. Initiatives in the region to suppress the activities of these groups have been robust and effective, as illustrated by the continued arrests conducted by Indonesia’s Detachment 88 of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah and Jemaah Islamiyah members, while the combined efforts of the Philippine armed forces and counterparts in Malaysia have suppressed the operations of the ASG both on the waters of the Sulu and Celebes Seas and on land.
Another testament to the effectiveness of anti-terrorism measures is the low frequency of commercial vessels that have been targeted. The two aforementioned ferries are the only examples of incidents in which the aim was to target commercial passenger vessels to inflict civilian casualties and structural damage using concealed explosive devices. The remaining terrorist-related activity with a maritime dimension in Asia has been executed by the ASG and its affiliates with the goal of kidnapping seafarers for ransom in order to obtain funds needed to support ongoing operations. Aside from the incidents that involved yachts, these kidnap for ransom attacks involved nineteen fishing trawlers, seven tugs, one heavy lift vessel and two small bulk carriers, all taking place from 2016 to 2020, and all in the waters of the Sulu and Celebes Seas.
Here the ASG and its affiliates drew the world’s attention to the maritime security threats that their armed militants posed, in an area where hostages were kidnapped and, if ransom demands were not met, beheaded. The last ASG kidnapping at sea took place in January 2020 involving the crew of a fishing trawler. In November 2020 the ASG made its last known attempt to conduct operations at sea, a mission that was brought to an abrupt end when Philippine armed forces intercepted the ASG speedboat, resulting with the craft destroyed and all on board killed. Subsequently many ASG militants have been captured or killed, while dozens have chosen to surrender. Those that remain at large have been limited to conducting attacks on land, including attacks targeting military and police posts and suicide bombings targeting markets and places of worship.
The low frequency of terrorist attacks targeting commercial vessels in Asia and elsewhere does not translate to a non-existent threat. Such groups rely largely on the element of surprise and have the capability to use diverse tactics. Over the years different groups have been active far from Asia as illustrated by events that have taken place in the Mediterranean, the waters off Yemen, the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Indian Ocean.
As radicalisation and extremism continue to plague societies across the globe, the terrorist threat, even if not assessed at high levels for the commercial maritime sector, remains one that requires continued attention both in Asia and elsewhere.
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