While all eyes have been focused on the battle between the Hamas and Israel, for the Gaza strip, there is another battle that gets a lot less international television time. The ‘Terrorist War of the Pirates’ in the Gulf of Aden, now known as ‘Pirate’s Alley’ and the Somali coastline, one one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
A naval force is currently gathering in the vast expanse of pirate-infested waters off Somalia, under the leadership of the United States. The more than a dozen warships include vessels from US, Britain and Russia, as well as the emerging powers such as China, India and Iran. It is believed that over 20 countries will take part in the mission. However this appears to be little more than another joint international exercise.
The task force has the authority to come to the aid of any attacked ship, or battle the pirates on the open seas. However, they do not have the power to go to the aid of ships already under pirate control, or attack the pirates in Somalia waters, even though the UN Security Council passed a resolution last month, that allowed an international force to fight the pirates on Somali land.
Update on MV Sirius Star:
After languishing for two months in the Gulf of Aden, the world’s largest oil tanker, the Sirius Star, with its $100 million worth of crude oil, has been released. The $3 million ransom, reportedly paid, was dropped to the pirates from a light aircraft. It was originally rumoured the pirates asked $25 million for the return of the tanker.
The pirate’s boat carrying the ransom, overturned and sank during a storm on Friday, drowning five of the pirates, who it was reported had been arguing over how to spend the money. The $3 million ransom is now little more than an added swimming obstacle for the fish, on the bottom of the ocean. Will the salvage rights to the $3 million add a new dimension to the already volatile and dangerous situation?
“The boat was running at full speed because of the fear of being attacked from the patrolling warships,” said Abukar Haji, uncle of one of the deceased pirates.
35% Increase In Piracy Incidents:
165 ships were assaulted during 2008 and 42 commandeered by the Somali pirates. This is an increase of 58, on the 2007 figures. More than 300 merchant marines and 17 ships are still under the control of the pirates, who ask huge ransoms for the return of the crew and ships. The pirates however, have a lack of volunteers willing to carry the ransom to them.
In a report by the think tank, Chatham House, it is estimated $30 million was been paid in ransom during 2008.
“Right now there is no major deterrent to the continued attacks,” said Noel Choong, head of the International Maritime Bureau’s piracy reporting center. “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 new pirate capital of the world, they quickly regroup and come back to attack another ship. Piracy will continue until their networks and land bases are decimated.”
International Network:
The pirates have a massive international network from Somalis expats around the world, feeding them information. Those who assist the pirates, receive a percentage of the booty, just like any other business. Many people feel that until the feuding politicians in Somalia, each with their own militia, are brought under control, the pirate raids will continue unabated.
Ships traversing the troubled waters are forced to fend off the pirates as best they can. On Christmas day, a German military helicopter managed to save an Egyptian cargo vessel which was under attack. New Years day a Malaysian military helicopter frightened pirates away from an Indian tanker. A French warship stopped an attack on a Panamanian cargo ship, while managing to capture several pirates. Because of the vast stretch of water involved, very few pirates are actually captured.
One pirate claims: “We are eco-warriors. Marines defending Somali waters from foreign exploitation.” One has to ask, just who are the true exploiters, as the pirate attacks continue to escalate? It’s time Somalia was treated like any other war zone and the pirates treated as the international criminals and terrorists they are.
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Tags: five Somali pirates dead, international task force in the Gulf of Aden, latest Somali pirate attacks, MV Sirius Star, pirates alley, pirates ransom lost in the ocean, somali pirates
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