PIRACY: Somalia - Tuesday, March 17, 2009
In the last three years Al Qaeda's operations North- and East Africa have expanded, according to General William Ward, U.S. Africa Command.

Before the Senate's Armed Services Committee, General Ward cited extremist groups on the rise, including East Africa Al Qaeda, al Shabaab, and Al Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). He said that countries such as Somalia and Sudan, provide sanctuary for insurgents, and thereby encourage extremism, piracy, and smuggling.

General Ward also stated that foreign fighter recruitment and support networks are present across North and East Africa, "assisting extremists fighting coalition and government forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan."

The General described piracy as another "flash point" and that Pirates have attacked ships off the coast of Somalia and held them for ransom. He further stated that large-scale oil theft by armed militants is a "significant problem" in the Niger Delta. He pointed to studies that estimate that Nigeria's oil exports have been reduced by 20 percent "due to such groups.

Source: US Senate