Pirates
All eyes have been turned, through news items, on the war between the Hamas and Israel, for the Gaza strip. However, there is another battle raging that gets a lot less international television time. The 'Terrorist War of the Pirates' which has escalated in the Gulf of Aden, now known as 'Pirate's Alley'.
Gathering in the vast expanse of pirate-infested waters off Somalia, under the leadership of the United States, is an international naval force. With around a dozen warships, it includes vessels from the U.S., Britain, Russia and emerging powers such as India, China and Iran. It is anticipated that over twenty countries will join in the mission. However, it would appear to be little more than another joint exercise. This is in spite of the UN Security Council having passed a resolution allowing an international force to fight the pirates on Somali land.
The naval task force only has the power to assist ships under attack, or combat the pirates on the open seas. It does not not have the mandage to go to the aid of any of the ships already held under pirate control, or attack the pirates in Somali waters. This flys in the face of the UN Security Council having passed a resolution, that allows an international force to fight the pirates on Somali land.
One hundred and sixty five ships were have been under pirate attack during 2008 and 42 commandeered. A jump of 58 attacks over 2007 figures. Over 300 crew members and 17 ships are still under pirate control. Huge sums of money are demanded for the return of the crew and ships. The pirates however, are finding there is a lack of volunteers to carry the ransom to them.
M.V.Sirius Star Update:
It has been reported that the owners of the Sirius Star, the world’s largest oil tanker, with its $100 million of crude oil, dropped a ransom of $3 million from a light aircraft to the pirates. A big drop from the reportedly $25 million originally asked for.
Racing to bypass intervention from the international naval task force, the pirate boat overturned, while the pirates were reportedly arguing over the splitting up of the $3 million ransom. Five of the eight pirates were drowned and the $3 million sank to the bottom of the ocean.
Will salvage rights now add an extra dimension to the already volatile situation?
No Immediate End In Sight:
In spite of the presence of the international task force the general opinion is: "Right now there is no major deterrent to the continued attacks", says head of the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center, Noel Choong. "The military maybe chases away the pirates, but under the leadership of Abdul Hassan, based in the run down and decrepit fishing village of Eyl, the pirate capital of the world, they quickly regroup and come back for another attack on another ship. Piracy will continue until their networks and land bases are demolished".
Aided by a huge international network of Somalia expats around the world, the pirates are fed information. Those who assist the pirates receive a portion of the profits, just as in any other business venture. It is believed the pirate raids will continue unabated, unless the feuding politicians in Somalia, each with their own militia, are brought under control.
Any unarmed vessel crossing the pirate-infested waters, are forced to fight off the pirates any way they can. On Christmas day, a German military helicopter saved an Egyptian cargo vessel from being hijacked. A Malaysian military helicopter frightened pirates away from an Indian tanker on New Year's day. A French warship prevented an attack on a Panamanian cargo ship, while managing to capture several pirates. Because of the vast distances involved, very few pirates are actually taken captive.
"We are eco-warriors. Marines defending Somali waters from foreign exploitation"
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