U.S. Government Confirms that Al Qaeda Linked Group Attacked Tanker in July

 A group linked to al Qaeda has been determined to have been responsible for that tanker attack that took place near the Strait of Hormuz back in July, Reuters reports, based on a U.S. Maritme Administration advisory issued November 19. Earlier posts on this attack here, here, here, here and here and here.

The key portion of the MARAD advisory:

ADVISORY # 2010 -10

DATE ISSUED NOV 19 2010

TO: MARINERS

SUBJECT: VESSELS TRANSITING IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, SOUTHERN ARABIAN GULF, AND WESTERN GULF OF OMAN.

1. THIS MARAD ADVISORY PROVIDES GUIDANCE TO VESSELS TRANSITING SUBJECT WATERS.
2. GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY SOURCES CAN CONFIRM THAT THE CLAIM BY THE Abdullah Azzam Brigades (AAB) THAT THE GROUP HAD ATTACKED THE TANKER M.STAR IS VALID. THE GROUP REMAINS ACTIVE AND CAN CONDUCT FURTHER ATTACKS ON VESSELS IN AREAS IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, SOUTHERN ARABIAN GULF, AND WESTERN GULF OF OMAN.
3. RECOMMEND ALL SHIPS TRANSITING THE SUBJECT WATERS EXERCISE INCREASED VIGILANCE AND CAUTION, PARTICULARY DURING NIGHT TRANSITS WITH INCREASED MONITORING OF SMALL VESSEL/BOAT ACTIVITY.

More information on AAB at this site