'Smuggling' aid from Malta to Misrata

I have known about this aid-running operation from the start because it is organised by a Maltese friend and his associates. It’s been going on for around three weeks. They gather supplies using their extensive network of contacts – they are not an NGO; they are in business – and then have them ‘smuggled’ (not quite the right word) into Misrata. The vessels leave Malta in the middle of the night.

I was asked not to say anything about it and I agreed because revealing the details ran the risk of disrupting the operation and exposing the aid-runners to danger. But now one of the runners has – unwisely, I think – decided to speak to Australia’s ABC News.

ABC News – today

LIBYAN REBEL TELLS OF DESPERATE SMUGGLING OPERATION

A Malta-based smuggler has told how he runs the gauntlet of Libyan navy patrol boats to run desperately needed food and medicine into the besieged rebel port city of Misrata.

Forces loyal to Libyan strongman Moamar Gaddafi have intensified their month-long attack on the beleaguered town, bombarding it from the land and the sea as snipers and tanks prowl the city’s streets.

One resident told ABC Radio’s The World Today last week that water and electricity supplies were erratic and there was only enough food left for five to seven days.

Tarek Tarhouny says the only way to get basic supplies into the city is by sea, and though the Misrata port itself is controlled by the rebels, the seas are patrolled by the regime.

“We managed to charter a small vessel,” he said.

“Getting in and out, it’s very, very difficult. In fact we failed in several attempts but we managed to sneak through.

“We’re just dodging the patrol boats. You have to be very patient and just make a dash for it.”

Mr Tarhouny says the patrol boats would fire if they could and his team makes sure they stay out of their way.

“Our guys can hear them on the radio, but obviously their intention is clear by blocking the port,” he said.

“We didn’t even get the chance to prevent their intentions, but obviously their intention there is just to make sure that nothing goes in or out.

“We make sure that we stay within their fighting distance. Some of these patrol boats can be quite fast.”

Mr Tarhouny says his team has made three attempts to smuggle supplies – mainly medical – but has been successful in two.

“We’re going again. We just have to keep trying,” he said.

“The only supply line to Misrata is by sea because the city being under siege now for approximately 40 days.

“You can imagine the humanitarian supplies – we’re talking food, medicine. Misurata suffers now from no water, no electricity and no communication with the outside world.

“The conditions there are very, very desperate.”

War zone

Mr Tarhouny says he is not sure how long the town will be able to hold out, with the medical needs of people with chronic diseases currently secondary to the injured.

“We are extremely worried about the situation,” he said.

“The supply vessel we’re using is very small because you cannot risk a large vessel.

“It’s a war zone. Nobody will be able to enter into that area. It’s like a smuggling operation what we’re running.

“We concentrated on medicine because obviously they are short of… doctors as well.”

There have been reports pro-Gaddafi forces have launched an attack on Misrata from the sea, but Mr Tarhouny says he does not know any details.

However he says he fears a massacre in the town if the forces enter.

“We understand the coalition forces are almost there and are monitoring very closely the situation there,” he said.

“We [understand] they can neutralise anything that moves in that zone.

“If they do enter, the Gaddafi brigade, it’s going to be… a massacre.

“It’s crazy. Nobody is even willing to attempt even to think about the consequences because it’s a nightmare.”