The Nov. 19 advisory provided the first U.S. confirmation that Al Qaida
fired a missile that struck the Japanese vessel M.Star. The attack
injured a sailor, damaged the tanker but did not cause an oil spill.
The Al Qaida-aligned Abdullah Azzam Brigades claimed responsibility for
the attack on M.Star, Middle East Newsline reported. The group was said to consist of Arabs who fought
with Al Qaida under Iraq leader Abu Mussab Al Zarqawi, killed in a U.S. air
strike in 2006.
"Government and industry sources can confirm that the claim by the
Abdullah Azzam Brigades that the group had attacked the tanker M.Star is
valid," the advisory said.
At first, most industry analysts dismissed the Abdullah Azzam claim,
saying the Al Qaida cell was incapable of such an attack. The Japanese
government was the first to assert that the M.Star was struck by a rocket or
missile, probably from another boat.
"Recommend all ships transiting the subject waters exercise increased
vigilance and caution, particularly during night transits with increased
monitoring of small vessel/boat activity," the advisory said.
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