Security News

Suicide blast by offices of Somalia president and PM

février 3, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Two security guards have been killed in a suicide attack near the offices of Somalia’s president and prime minister.

Three other guards were also wounded when the assailant blew himself up at a checkpoint near the compound housing the offices in the capital, Mogadishu. The bomber was an ex-Islamist militant recently sacked from his job in the intelligence services, officials said. Militants aligned to al-Qaeda have lost control of major towns in the last 18 months but still carry out attacks.

The president and prime minister took office following elections last September which were considered the first fair polls in Somalia for 42 years. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, an academic and civic activist, beat the incumbent in a run-off vote by MPs to become president. He then appointed his close associate, former businessman Abdi Farah Shirdon, as prime minister.

British embassy in Tripoli aware of potential threat

février 3, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The British embassy in Libyan capital, Tripoli, has said it was aware of « a potential threat » against it.

It comes days after Britons were urged to leave the Libyan city of Benghazi because of a threat to Westerners.

The UK Foreign Office said: « We are aware of reports of a potential threat against the British embassy in Tripoli and we are liaising closely with the Libyan government. »

It already recommends against all but essential travel to Tripoli.

« There is no change to our travel advice, » the FCO said.

It gave no further details about the potential threat.

Al-Qaeda in North Africa

janvier 24, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), to give its full name in English, has its roots in the bitter Algerian civil war of the early 1990s, but has since evolved to take on a more international Islamist agenda.

Its reach has also expanded across the Sahel region south of the Sahara Desert, attracting members from Mauritania, Morocco, Niger and Senegal as well as from within Mali where, in alliance with other Islamists, it is fighting French troops on the ground.

During the Mali crisis, its fighters have dramatically increased their profile, allowing them to further their aim of spreading Islamic law and jihad across West Africa.

AQIM’s influence over other nascent Islamist cells comes from its wealth: it is one of the region’s best-armed groups thanks to the money it makes from kidnapping Westerners and drug and cigarette trafficking across the Sahara.

It emerged in early 2007, after a feared militant group, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), aligned itself with Osama Bin Laden’s international network.
Back in the 1990s, against a background of Islamist political groups testing their strength across North Africa, the military-backed authorities in Algeria at first permitted the Islamists to play a full part in the nation’s political life.

Prince Harry longs for family time on Afghanistan return

janvier 24, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Prince Harry says he is « longing » to spend some time with his family after arriving back in Britain following his 20-week deployment in Afghanistan.

He said he had enjoyed « blue sky » and « a bit of comedy » during a period of « decompression » at a base in Cyprus.

Speaking at RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, he said he was hoping to « take on more royal stuff » in 2013.

Earlier this week he said he had shot at Taliban insurgents while an Apache helicopter co-pilot gunner.

Asked about the pregnancy of his sister-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge, he told journalists: « I’m longing to see my brother and sister-in-law, as with any of the soldiers who’ve just come off the plane after four-and-half months away.

« I really am longing to catch up with people behind closed doors – you guys aren’t invited. »

David Cameron promises in/out referendum on EU

janvier 24, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

David Cameron has said the British people must « have their say » on Europe as he pledged an in/out referendum if the Conservatives win the election.

The prime minister said he wanted to renegotiate the UK’s relationship with the EU and then give people the « simple choice » between staying in under those new terms, or leaving the EU.

The news was welcomed by Eurosceptics who have long campaigned for a vote.

France and Germany both warned the UK could not « cherry pick » EU membership.

During noisy Prime Minister’s Questions exchanges in Parliament, Labour leader Ed Miliband said Mr Cameron was « running scared » of the UK Independence Party, whose poll ratings have been rising.

Mr Miliband, who said he opposed holding an in/out referendum, said Mr Cameron was « going to put Britain through years of uncertainty, and take a huge gamble with our economy. »