U.S. destroyer pursues pirates

[waltky]

UN declares open season on pirates...

Navies to tackle Somali pirates
Monday, 2 June 2008 - The vote means nations will be able to send warships to tackle pirates

The UN Security Council has unanimously voted to allow countries to send warships into Somalia's territorial waters to tackle pirates. The resolution permits countries that have the agreement of Somalia's interim government to use any means to repress acts of piracy for the next six months.

Twenty-six ships have been attacked by pirates in the waters in the past year.

The vote came as the UN launched peace talks with factions involved in Somalia's conflict. The Islamist opposition said face-to-face talks would not happen at the meeting in neighbouring Djibouti until the government set a timetable for the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops.

Rife piracy

[waltky]

Pirates muckin' up relief aid to Somalia...

Pirates threaten aid to Somalia
June 26, 2008 - SOMALIA faces a serious food crisis if no nation steps forward with naval ships to escort relief shipments through pirate-infested waters, the UN World Food Program (WFP) has said.

A Dutch frigate now is in its last weeks shepherding two WFP-chartered vessels which shuttle between the Kenyan port of Mombasa to Somalia. where the United Nations warns 3.5 million will need food relief by year's end. "We need a foreign navy to take over the escort system before mid-July when we hope to send a ship from Durban, South Africa loaded with WFP food to Mogadishu," WFP spokesman Peter Smerdon said.

"WFP has still not recieved any confirmed offer from any foreign navy, but we have been in contact with many governments and pray that someone will step foward." Somalia's waters are among the most pirate-infested in the world - leading the UN Security Council earlier this month to authorise foreign warships to enter Somali waters to combat piracy and armed robbery at sea.

The WFP's appeal comes as it seeks to double the amount of food it ships to Somalia with a view to feeding 2.3 million people a month, Mr Smerdon said. Since November last year, French and Danish frigates have escorted WFP shipments to Somalia, which has been gripped by lawlessness since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

Aid groups have scaled down operations in the face of growing insecurity, largely blamed on Islamist militants who have waged a guerrilla war since their ouster by Somali and Ethiopian forces in early 2007. Mr Smerdon said: "If humanitarian assistance cannot reach Somalia because of piracy, we fear that we could see scenes similar to the 1992-1993 famine in Somalia that cost hundreds of thousands of lives."

Pirates threaten aid to Somalia | NEWS.com.au

[waltky]

Pirates in the Gulf of Aden...

Pirates Seize Malaysian Tanker Off Somalia's Coast
August 20, 2008 - Pirates Seize Malaysian Tanker With 39 Crew Off Somalia Coast; Warship in Hot Pursuit

Armed pirates seized a Malaysian palm oil tanker with 39 crew off the coast of Somalia — the fourth hijacking in a month, a global maritime watchdog said Wednesday. Noel Choong, head of the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center in Kuala Lumpur, said the center received a distress signal late Tuesday about the raid on the MT Bunga Melati Dua and immediately notified Western naval ships patrolling the area. An international terrorism task force dispatched a warship to intercept the tanker, which was heading toward Somalia territorial waters, he said. "We have had no communication with the vessel so far. The distress call was relayed through another ship but the tanker has been confirmed seized by pirates," Choong said.

Once the ship enters Somali waters, Choong said pirates were likely to demand ransom for the release of the vessel and the crew, he said. "This is the fourth hijacking in a month ... We call upon the U.N. and the international community to take immediate steps to stop the worsening situation," he said. He declined to give further details, citing concern for the crew's security. The warship was from a multinational naval task force set up to stop terrorism at sea. The naval force includes the United States, France, Germany, Pakistan, Britain and Canada, which currently holds the rotating command. It was unclear what country was involved in Wednesday's chase.

The Gulf of Aden, where many of the attacks take place, connects the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, forming one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Choong said pirates seized a Japanese-owned cargo ship with 20 Filipino sailors on July 20 in the Gulf. A Nigerian vessel was later hijacked, followed by a Thai cargo ship with 28 crew members earlier this month. Negotiations were ongoing in all cases after pirates demanded ransom for the release of the crew, he said.

More ABC News: Pirates Hijack Tanker on Somali Coast

[waltky]

Better than buried treasure...

Piracy ransoms funding Somalia insurgency
Sun Aug 24, 2008 - An explosion of piracy this month off the coast of Somalia is funding a growing insurgency onshore as the hijackers funnel hefty ransom payments to Islamist rebels, a maritime official said on Sunday.

A record four ships were seized in 48 hours last week off the anarchic Horn of Africa nation, meaning Somali pirates are currently holding hostage four cargo vessels, two tankers and a tug boat, along with about 130 crew members. The spike in attacks at sea has coincided with a rise in assaults on land by radical al-Shabaab insurgents, including the capture on Friday of Somalia's strategic southern port Kismayu.

The United States say al-Shabaab is a terrorist group with close ties to al Qaeda. Experts say some of the businessmen and warlords who command the pirates are also funding the rebels. "The entire Somali coastline is now under control of the Islamists," Andrew Mwangura, head of the East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme, told Reuters in an interview.

"According to our information, the money they make from piracy and ransoms goes to support al-Shabaab activities onshore." Piracy has been rife off Somalia since warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. Experts say at least 30 ships have been hijacked off the coast so far this year -- and the attacks have hit unprecedented levels this month.

More Piracy ransoms funding Somalia insurgency | Special Coverage | Reuters

[waltky]

Argh - alright, who was the idiot that hijacked a Russian ship?

Pirates Seize Another Ship Off Somalia
Sep. 27, 2008 - Pirates Seize Greek Tanker Off Somalia After Taking Ukrainian Ship Laden With Tanks

Pirates have seized a Greek chemical tanker with a crew of 19 off Somalia's coast, days after hijacking a Ukrainian cargo ship loaded with tanks, an international anti-piracy group said Saturday. A man claiming to be spokesman of the pirates holding the Ukrainian ship said the hijackers want $35 million to release the vessel. But there was no way to immediately verify his claim that he represented the pirates. The Greek tanker, carrying refined petroleum from Europe to the Middle East, was ambushed Friday in the Gulf of Aden, said Noel Choong, who heads the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center based in Malaysia. He said pirates chased and fired at the ship before boarding it.

The incident was the latest in a string of audacious ship hijackings in waters off the war-torn African country. On Thursday, pirates seized the Ukrainian ship Faina en route to Kenya with 33 Russian-built T-72 tanks and a substantial quantity of ammunition and spare parts. Russia's navy said Friday it had dispatched a warship to the area, and the United States said U.S naval ships were monitoring the situation. A man who spoke to the Associated Press in Somalia by telephone and claimed to be a spokesman for the pirates said they were seeking a ransom.

"We want the Kenyan government to negotiate with us about a $35 million ransom we want for the release of the ship and the cargo without any other intervention," said the man, who identified himself as Ali Yare Abdulkadir. "If not, we will do what we can and off load the small arms and take them away." Abdulkadir, who local residents in the northeastern Somali region of Puntland said represented the pirates, declined to reveal his whereabouts. He said the ship is somewhere along Somalia's northeastern coast and warned against any military action to liberate it. "Any one who tries it will be responsible for the consequences," Abdulkadir said. A Russian Web site posted on Saturday what it said was an audio recording of a telephone conversation the Ukrainian ship's first mate. He said the hijackers are seeking a ransom and have anchored close to the Somali shore.

More http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/...n4482501.shtml

See also:

Russian Warships Head To Intercept Pirates
Sept. 26, 2008 - Ukranian Vessel Carrying 33 Battle Tank Hijacked Off Horn Of Africa

A Russian warship on Friday rushed to intercept a Ukrainian vessel carrying 33 battle tanks and a hoard of ammunition that was seized by pirates off the Horn of Africa - a bold hijacking that again heightened fears about surging piracy and high-seas terrorism. A U.S. warship is tracking the vessel but there has been no decision about intercepting it, U.S. Defense Department officials said. "I think we're looking at the full range of options here," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.

It was unclear whether the pirates who seized the 530-foot-long cargo ship Faina on Thursday knew what it carried. Still, analysts said it would be extremely difficult to sell such high-profile weaponry like Russian tanks. The hijacking, with worldwide pirate attacks surging this year, could help rally stronger international support behind France, which has pushed aggressively for decisive action against Somali pirates.

Russian navy spokesman Capt. Igor Dygalo told The Associated Press that the missile frigate Neustrashimy left the Baltic Sea port of Baltiisk a day before the hijacking to cooperate with other unspecified countries in anti-piracy efforts. But he said the ship was then ordered directly to the Somalia coast after Thursday's attack. According to the British-based Jane's Information Group, the Neustrashimy is armed with surface-to-air missiles, 100 mm guns and anti-submarine torpedoes.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Yury Yekhanurov, meanwhile, said the hijacked vessel Faina was carrying 33 Russian-built T-72 tanks and a substantial quantity of ammunition and spare parts. He said the tanks were sold to Kenya in accordance with international law. Ukrainian officials and an anti-piracy watchdog said 21 crew members were aboard the seized ship, including three Russians. Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko ordered unspecified measures to free the crew, but it was unclear whether any of the former Soviet republic's naval vessels had been dispatched.

More Russian Warships Head To Intercept Pirates, Ukranian Vessel Carrying 33 Battle Tank Hijacked Off Horn Of Africa - CBS News

[waltky]

Somalis desperate for help against pirates...

Pirates face down U.S. warships, 'copters
October 1, 2008 -- Somali pirates who hijacked ship carrying weapons stare down U.S. warships; Ship seized in Indian Ocean is carrying tanks and other heavy weapons; Spokesman for pirates denies report of shootout, says celebrating Eid al-Fitr; Pirates are demanding $20 million ransom; negotiations are continuing

Somali pirates who hijacked a ship laden with tanks and heavy weapons stared down U.S. warships and helicopters again Wednesday, making no move to withdraw their $20 million ransom demand or give up after a seven-day standoff in the Indian Ocean. The hijacking of the Ukrainian cargo ship MV Faina -- carrying 33 Soviet-made T-72 tanks, rifles, and heavy weapons that U.S. defense officials have said included rocket launchers -- was the highest-profile act of piracy in the dangerous waters off Somalia this year.

The U.S. Navy says it wants to keep the arms out of the hands of militants linked to al Qaeda in impoverished Somalia, a key battleground in the war on terrorism. To that end, it has surrounded the Faina, anchored off the central Somali town of Hobyo, with half a dozen ships, including USS guided missile destroyer USS Howard. An official in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity, said disagreements among the pirates led to a shootout Monday night that U.S. officials believe killed three pirates. He would not elaborate how U.S. officials knew this information, but the USS Howard, which is within 10 miles of the hijacked ship, has sophisticated weapons and monitoring equipment.

A spokesman for the pirates denied the shootout report, saying the pirates were celebrating the Islamic holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. "We are happy on the ship and we are celebrating (Eid al-Fitr)," spokesman Sugule Ali told The Associated Press by satellite telephone Tuesday. "Nothing has changed." "We didn't dispute over a single thing, let alone have a shootout," Ali said.

More Pirates face down U.S. warships, 'copters - CNN.com

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Somalia asks Russia for help with pirates
October 1, 2008 -- Somalia wants Russian warships to intervene; Russia rules out using force; Pirates captured Ukrainian MV Faina, loaded with weapons, off Somalia's coast; Officials fear weapons will get into terrorists' hands; Ships from 10 countries, including U.S., in region; Somalia fed up with inaction

The Somali government has asked Russia to intervene against pirates who have seized a Ukrainian cargo ship, the Somali ambassador to Russia said Wednesday. But the Russian navy issued a statement later in the day saying it had no intention of using force against the pirates, the Russian news agency Interfax reported. "The questions of freeing the ships and crew are being dealt with in line with the corresponding international practices," Interfax quoted Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo as saying. "For understandable reasons, the use of force would be an extreme measure because it could threaten the life of the international crew of the ship."

The pirates took over the MV Faina last week off the coast of Somalia and are demanding a $20 million ransom for the ship's cargo of 33 Soviet-made T-72 tanks, tank artillery shells, grenade launchers and small arms. The ship is anchored within Somalia's 12-mile territorial limit. "The government and the president of Somalia are allowing the Russian naval ships to enter our waters, and fight against pirates both in the sea and on the land, that is, if they would have to chase them," Amb. Mohamed Handule said at a news conference in Moscow.

"We think that this issue of piracy has exceeded all limits. It is very dangerous that pirates are now laying their hands on arms -- not just for Somalia, not only for the navigating, but for the entire region in general," he added. "Right now, pirates are controlling the sea in this area, but just imagine if they get control of the land too." The announcement raised concern among some officials monitoring the situation.

More Somalia asks Russia for help with pirates - CNN.com

[waltky]

Habib forgets to bring the long ladder...

Somalia: Four pirate attacks in 24 hours
4 Oct.`08 - There have been four failed pirate attacks in the last 24 hours off Somalia; Attacks come despite presence of six American warships; Eight European countries have offered to help form an anti-piracy force

There have been four failed pirate attacks in the last 24 hours off the lawless Somali coast despite the presence of six American warships guarding a hijacked ship full of weapons, a U.S. Navy spokeswoman said Saturday. Navy Cmdr. Jane Campbell, from the 5th Fleet in Bahrain, says three attacks were averted because crew members escaped at high speed. Another attack was foiled because the pirates were badly prepared: The ladder they had brought to climb on to the ship was too short.

The Navy says three of the attacks were in the heavily patrolled corridor within the Gulf of Aden. The location of another was not precisely known but was somewhere off the Somali coast. Last week's attack on a Ukrainian ship laden with 33 Soviet-designed tanks and weapons has focused international attention on piracy in Somalia. American officials have expressed fears the weapons onboard the MV Faina could fall into the hands of Somalia's al Qaeda-linked Islamic insurgency.

Eight European countries have offered to help form an anti-piracy force. On Friday, Russia called for greater efforts to protect the Gulf of Aden waters, one of the world's most important shipping lanes. There have been nearly 70 pirate attacks this year and some 26 ships successfully hijacked.

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