GETTY IMAGES/U.S. NAVY The MV Faina, carrying 33 T-72 tanks, is being held captive in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Hoybyo, Somalia. Pirates are holding 15 vessels and 300 crew members in Somali waters.
African Pirates Threaten Global Commerce
-- Washington Times
-- Washington Times
Piracy off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden threatens a vital artery of international trade. Sources at Lloyds of London warn that if they are not stopped, the Somali pirates will threaten Suez Canal traffic.
Piracy also is contributing to instability and warfare on the African continent and is enabling radical Islamist and secessionist forces in Somalia and Sudan. For now, it seems, some pirates may have al Qaeda Somali affiliates, such as the Islamic Courts committees, as supporters but are lacking a prominent state sponsor. This, too, may change.
GETTY IMAGES/U.S. NAVY The MV Faina, carrying 33 T-72 tanks, is being held captive in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Hoybyo, Somalia. Pirates are holding 15 vessels and 300 crew members in Somali waters.
Pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia have risen significantly since 2004. Pirates use assault rifles, submachine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, grenades and machine guns. There are indications that some may have man-portable air defense systems, or MANPADS.
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My Comment: While piracy is a fact of life for a large number of areas around the world, it is still a minimum.If more Somali-like situations start to develop, this will become a very serious problem.
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