John Steed MBE

Proud Cornishman. Former Army Col. Passionate about #Somalia, #Maritime Security, Forgotten Hostages @hsp_hoa

[John Steed MBE @jsteed773]

@bt @3mobileuk @WeAreOpenreach @CornwallCouncil @BBCCornwall imagine how frustrated people in Cornwall are after the storm with tens of thousands with no power, no phone, no internet, no mobile or data, Yet utilities still telling people to report faults on the App and web.

[U.S. Central Command @CENTCOM]

Today, there were four attacks against three separate commercial vessels operating in international waters in the southern Red Sea. These three vessels are connected to 14 separate nations. The Arleigh-Burke Class destroyer USS CARNEY responded to the distress calls from the ships and provided assistance.

At approximately 9:15 a.m. Sanaa time, the CARNEY detected an anti-ship ballistic missile attack fired from Houthi controlled areas of Yemen toward the M/V UNITY EXPLORER, impacting in the vicinity of the vessel. UNITY EXPLORER is a Bahamas flagged, U.K. owned and operated, bulk cargo ship crewed by sailors from two nations. The CARNEY was conducting a patrol in the Red Sea and detected the attack on the UNITY EXPLORER.

At approximately 12 p.m., and while in international waters, CARNEY engaged and shot down a UAV launched from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen. The drone was headed toward CARNEY although its specific target is not clear. We cannot assess at this time whether the Carney was a target of the UAVs. There was no damage to the U.S. vessel or injuries to personnel.

In a separate attack at approximately 12:35 p.m., UNITY EXPLORER reported they were struck by a missile fired from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen. CARNEY responded to the distress call. While assisting with the damage assessment, CARNEY detected another inbound UAV, destroying the drone with no damage or injuries on the CARNEY or UNITY EXPLORER. UNITY EXPLORER reports minor damage from the missile strike.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. the M/V NUMBER 9 was struck by a missile fired from Houthi controlled areas in Yemen while operating international shipping lanes in the Red Sea. The Panamanian flagged, Bermuda and U.K. owned and operated, bulk carrier reported damage and no casualties.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., the M/V SOPHIE II, sent a distress call stating they were struck by a missile. CARNEY again responded to the distress call and reported no significant damage. While en route to render support, CARNEY shot down a UAV headed in its direction. SOPHIE II is a Panamanian flagged bulk carrier, crewed by sailors from eight countries.

These attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security. They have jeopardized the lives of international crews representing multiple countries around the world. We also have every reason to believe that these attacks, while launched by the Houthis in Yemen, are fully enabled by Iran. The United States will consider all appropriate responses in full coordination with its international allies and partners.

[Harun Maruf @HarunMaruf]

US warship and multiple commercial ships have come under attack in the Red Sea - Pentagon https://t.co/dY7QlXZM6n

[John Steed MBE @jsteed773]

@mohammedhersi @flyethiopian What a lovely story

[John Steed MBE @jsteed773]

A great OEF Secure Fisheries documentary film on Somali Fisheries https://t.co/MRc6WfhjU1 via @OEForg

[John Steed MBE @jsteed773]

@MikeNith1 @colinfreeman99 @AndrewWJHarding Thank you Ambasdador. The real heroes are the crew who endured after being abandoned for years on end. There are still long term hostages in Somalia even now. I hope you have Warriors in your book library?

[John Steed MBE @jsteed773]

@NeilWalsh_UN Something as simple as shining shoes is “stillness in motion”. You’re in such perfect memory mode that your body moves while your mind remains at rest. And that is what opens flashes of insight, because your filters and biases are also at rest.

[Hostage Support Partnership @hsp_hoa]

We are happy to announce the release of 20 seafarers held by Al Shabaab since 2014 and 2018. The crews of the FVs Sudes and FV Meheran are now on their way home after a terrible ordeal. To those who helped with this a big thankyou your bravery and perseverance paid off.

[John Steed MBE @jsteed773]

@gregbeardsell @RoyalAlbertHall @rpoonline @royalchoral @nycgb Fantastic night puts you right in the Xmas mood. Thank everyone including our Cornish compatriot Richard.

[UNODC Border Management Branch @UNODC_BMB]

GMCP successfully completed a first of a kind 5 day training patrol at sea for #Somali Fisheries protection team deployed on a protection vessel in Seychelles @EUNAVFOR @RCOC_Center supported a joint boarding Ex, demonstrating the Somali capabilities to protect its own waters

[Jay Bahadur @PuntlandPirates]

A recent development in the saga of the Marwan 1, an IUU fishing vessel that once was part of the "Somali 7" slave-fishing operation detailed by @ian_urbina.

A few days ago, it was caught smuggling weapons and ammunition. (thread)

https://t.co/E2LHvucEAf

[UNODC Border Management Branch @UNODC_BMB]

Happening now! GMCP conducting a 5 day fisheries enforcement patrol training at sea in Seychelles 🇸🇨 with 6 boarding officers and 2 inspectors from @MFMRSomaliya . #UNSCR2662/22 #maritimesecurity
@MiwaKatoEmpower

[John Steed MBE @jsteed773]

@Hostage_Intl I remember this well as I and a small group from the British Army were in the Sahara and trying to arrange our return after 6 months in the desert, by HF Radio phone patch and heard the PM welcome Terry as he flew out of Beirut. Seemed a bit churlish to complain about our delay!

[John Steed MBE @jsteed773]

@Andreas_Persbo @OpenNuclear @laura_rockwood @vertic_org Congratulations looking forward to working with you at ONN

[John Steed MBE @jsteed773]

@Axmedumaxamud I wonder what nationality

[John Steed MBE @jsteed773]

@NBOExpresswayKE We had two OBUs installed neither work when we used them.

[John Steed MBE @jsteed773]

@Zoe_Flood At 66 I’m allowed to be !

[John Steed MBE @jsteed773]

@martins4xf @kerrywashington @tonygoldwyn How did I miss this? We haven’t had this episode in kenya.

[John Steed MBE @jsteed773]

@scottiebateman Omg

[John Steed MBE @jsteed773]

@DF_COS @IrishAirCorps Congratulations on the anniversary much to be proud of.