U.S.-CAPTURED SOMALIS REPATRIATED TO SOMALIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001883 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/01/2026 TAGS: PHSA MOPS ASEC PTER PREL ICRC SO KE SUBJECT: U.S.-CAPTURED SOMALIS REPATRIATED TO SOMALIA REF: A. NAIROBI 1661 ¶B. NAIROBI 1381 Classified By: Political Counselor Michael J. Fitzpatrick for reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Ten Somali nationals under U.S. control since an encounter on the high seas in mid-March were successfully repatriated April 29 to Somalia via Kenya with the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The remains of the deceased Somali are expected to be transferred from Kuwait to Djibouti May 8 for ICRC assistance in repatriation. The two wounded Somalis currently under U.S. control are expected to require ICRC assistance in their repatriation to Somalia (via Kenya) sometime in June. The ICRC currently seeks detention certificates for those released and access to the two injured PUCs still being detained. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) HEADED HOME: The ten Somali nationals taken into U.S. control by the U.S. Navy on March 18, following an encounter with a U.S. navel vessel, were successfully repatriated to Somalia (via Kenya) on April 29 with the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The U.S. naval vessel carrying the ten Somalis arrived at the Port of Mombasa shortly after 0900 local time and the Somalis were off-loaded at the pier around 1000. The Kenyan authorities arranged for the secure transfer of the Somalis from the seaside pier to the U.S. warehouse at Mombasa's airport, where the Somalis were then transferred to the control of the ICRC. At about 1140 the ICRC aircraft carrying all ten Somalis departed Mombasa for Mogadishu. Pedram Yazdi, Communication Delegate to the Somalia Delegation of the ICRC and among the ICRC staff to accompany the Somalis during their repatriation, reported to poloff May 2 that the repatriation and reunion of the Somalis with their relatives in Mogadishu went smoothly, despite ICRC concerns over security. However the ICRC is still awaiting a response to its request for the USG to issue detention certificates for the ten released Somalis. The ICRC argues that these certificates are necessary to assist the released individuals in documenting that they were released without charge. ¶3. (SBU) REMAINS OF THE DAY: The remains of the Somali who died of injuries sustained during the March 18 encounter are currently under the control of ARCENT in Kuwait. ARCENT intends to transfer the remains to Djibouti on May 8, at which point the ICRC will then facilitate the repatriation to Somalia. The ICRC has requested that the remains be prepared according to Muslim custom. However, ARCENT's Mortuary Affairs Officer informed Poloff that they are not able to comply with the request given the state of decay of the body. ICRC also has asked whether the USG will issue a Death Certificate for the deceased (which has already been prepared) and also sign a hand-over certificate documenting the transfer of the remains to ICRC control. ¶4. (C) AND THEN THERE WERE TWO: Post anticipates that the two wounded Somalis currently receiving medical attention aboard a U.S. Navy vessel in the region will be ready for repatriation via Kenya in early June. One of the wounded still requires a complicated medical procedure. The ICRC has renewed its request for access to the two detained Somalis prior to any attempt to repatriate them. Post will request ICRC assistance in facilitating the repatriation of the two remaining Somalis once a date for such a transfer (also via Kenya) is known. BELLAMY