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On 06 June 2023, near an Amazon tributary in the Loreto region of northwest Peru, a group of indigenous protesters sailing onboard five canoes attacked two oil tankers heading to Brazil.
The perpetrators attacked the two tankers with Molotov cocktails and kidnapped around 12 crew members from both vessels, one of which contained 40,000 barrels of crude oil. The tanker loaded with crude oil was then forced to sail to a town known as ‘7 de Julio’ where it is currently being held.
According to Canadian-based PetroTal company, which operates the tankers in question, the protesters are affiliated with The Indigenous Association for Development and Conservation of Bajo Puinahua (AIDECOBAP). PetroTal further claims that since 03 June 2023, AIDECOBAP has been carrying out an illegal blockade in the Puinahua Canal against all ships providing services to the Company, including barges that transport oil and vessels carrying critical supplies. The oil company states that AIDECOBAP's use of aggressive actions are endangering the lives of vessel crews and local residents, in addition to the blockade violating the recently signed agreements which adopt a transparent, fair, and participatory approach to allocating social fund resources.
|  | Indigenous Peruvians hijack tourist boat and take hostages in November 2022 | |
At 43,000 barrels of crude oil production daily, Peru remains as one of Latin America's smaller oil producers. Therefore, the indigenous people demand more benefits from oil extraction in addition to the 2.5% of the local production profits given by PetroTal to nearby communities.
It should be noted that this is the not the first time that PetroTal has experienced attacks from indigenous groups. On 04 November 2022, indigenous Peruvians, allegedly of the Kukumas ethnicity, took control of a tourist boat, kidnapping 150 foreign passengers, whom they held in captivity for approximately 28 hours. The motive for that attack was because the indigenous Peruvians wanted the government to clean up a recent oil spill and fix the Perroperú-controlled Norperuano Pipeline (ONP). Although the indigenous Peruvians frequently cite oil spills contaminating the area as their motive for actions against PetroTal, TRAC does not rule out that members of the said indigenous communities may be responsible for acts of sabotage against the oil pipeline.
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TRAC Insight:
The Potential Jihad in Sudan
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TRAC has been following closely Islamic State chatter about the burgeoning conflict in Sudan. The militants' eyes are on the situation as a potential opportunity to expand their Jihad into the area, exploiting the instability just as they have done many times in the past, most notably in Syria.
Islamic State is not the only faction interested in expansion in the region. With al-Shabaab seeking expansion into Ethiopia on Sudan’s southern border, they too could launch strikes into the area.
All of this poses increased security problems for an already fractious country.
The conflict in Sudan is ultimately one of egos. It began with the break of two Sudanese generals, Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and the nominal leader of Sudan, Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) military chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The two military forces jointly seized control of the Sudanese government in a coup d'etat in October 2021. The coup turned into a Military Junta with al-Burhan taking control and stifling the path toward democracy.
Despite any de-escalation attempts between RSF and al-Burhan, on 15 April 2023, tensions sparked into conflict again when the RSF attacked several military installations across the country, and moved into Khartoum. The RSF quickly claimed to have seized control of Khartoum International Airport, Merowe Airport, El Obeid Airport, as well as military bases. It was obvious that they were attempting to choke transportation and supply points. Battles raged throughout the country, including at the Presidential palace, al-Burhan's personal residence, and in northern Darfur, the White Nile, Gedaref, Kassala, Nyala, Port Sudan, Kadugli, Damazin, and Kosti.
The conflict has devolved into tit-for-tat strikes, negotiated (and broken) ceasefires, and resumption of hostilities with thousands of casualties so far. The fighting in Khartoum is block by bloody block, and the battles for outlying territories is just as intense.
On 17 April 2023, Islamic State insiders re-purposed a Telegram channel created in December 2022 to document and comment on the events transpiring in Sudan. In this channel, they posted videos of attacks and the aftermath, some of which were from inside combat units. It seems that Islamic State would not have access to this varied array of material unless they have jihadists stationed in Sudan who were privy to this media. The Islamic State insiders' watchful eyes on the conflict has given TRAC pause and thus, TRAC deduces that Islamic State will attempt to use the conflict in Sudan as a means of expanding their mission in the country.
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TRAC Incident Report:
Al-Shabaab Seizes Control of Pearl Beach Hotel & Restaurant
with IED and Gunfire in Lido Beach, Abdiaziz District,
Mogadishu, Somalia
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Pool area at the Pearl Beach Hotel in Lido Beach | |
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On 09 June 2023 at 8:00 pm local time, al-Shabaab attacked Pearl Beach hotel in Lido, Mogadishu, Somalia. The attack started with an explosion at the gate, followed by gunfire.
Al-Shabaab seized control over the hotel, held an unknown number of hostages and was firing from inside the building. By 2:00 am local time, special police forces finally gained access to the upper floors of the hotel.
Al-Shabaab militants were reportedly dressed in military uniform when they attacked the restaurant of the hotel and the group held the hotel for at least 7 hours with only 5-7 fighters, killing at least three soldiers and six civilians. Some casualty counts have at least 12 dead and dozens more injured. Based on video footage, it is clear that the police did not have a clear line of command nor a plan in place if the hotel had been breached.
The Pearl Beach hotel was formerly known as Ocean / Beach View and was previously been targeted by al-Shabaab in 2016. Lido Beach is a popular leisure spot which is known for its thriving businesses and vibrant nightlife. The hotel is frequently visited by government officials which makes it a high-profile target. No other terrorist group in the world, no matter what ideology, attacks hotels more than al-Shabaab. In fact, al-Shabaab frequently targets Lido beach hotels and restaurants, usually aiming to target government officials.
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TRAC Claim Report:
Spanish Anarchists Planted an Incendiary Device on an
Amazon Van in the Pubilla Cases Area, Barcelona, Spain
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Map of area where the Amazon Van was targeted | |
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On 10 June 2023, Spanish anarchists claimed an arson attack on an Amazon van that took place a little more than three weeks prior, on 18 May 2023. The attack took place in the area of La Pubilla Cases in Barcelona, Spain. It should be noted that it is not uncommon for anarchists to wait weeks or even months to claim responsibility for an attack.
According to the anarchist group's statement, the attack was a show of solidarity for seven anarchists currently imprisoned and two other 'comrades' awaiting trial. Their claim further advocated for more violent attacks stating, "Arm yourself and be violent, beautifully violent.
Until everything explodes, because, remember, every violent action against the promoters of inequality is fully justified by the centuries of infinite violence of those who have submitted to us…arm yourself and fight terrorism, burn, conspire, sabotage, and be violent, beautifully violent, naturally violent, freely violent."
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TRAC Incident Report: Police Arrest a Lone Wolf in Connection with a Knife and Vehicle-Ramming Attack, Resulting in the Death of Three, Nottingham, Midlands, United Kingdom | |
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TRAC Video Report:
Indian Authorities Arrested Five Persons, Including a Woman, who were Allegedly Trying to Join Islamic State Khurasan (ISK), India
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TRAC Claim Report: Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) Rocket Attack Targeted an
Army Camp in Sahaki, Balgatar, Panjgur, Balochistan, Pakistan
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