US Navy Checks on Crew of Ship Held by Pirates off Coast of Somalia -- Pictures

Somali Pirates In Stare Down With Global Powers -- Navy Times

NAIROBI, Kenya — With a Russian frigate closing in and a half-dozen U.S. warships within shouting distance, the pirates holding a tanker off Somalia’s coast might appear to have no other choice than to wave the white flag.

But that’s not how it works in Somalia, a failed state where a quarter of children die before they turn 5, where anybody with a gun controls the streets and where every public institution has crumbled.

The 11-day standoff aboard the Ukrainian MV Faina begs the question: How can a bunch of criminals from one of the poorest and most wretched countries on Earth face off with some of the world’s richest and well-armed superpowers?

“They have enough guns to fight for another 20 years,” Ted Dagne, a Somalia analyst in Washington, told The Associated Press. “And there is no way to win a battle when the other side is in a suicidal mind set.”

In Somalia, pirates are better-funded, better-organized and better-armed than one might imagine in a country that has been in tatters for nearly two decades. They have the support of their communities and rogue members of the government — some pirates even promise to put ransom money toward building roads and schools.

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US Navy Checks on Crew of Ship Held by Pirates off Coast of Somalia (Hat Tip To The Tension for the last two pictures)

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080930-N-0743B-128 HOYBYO, Somalia (Sept. 30, 2008) Pirates holding the merchant vessel MV Faina receive supplies Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008 while under observation by a U.S. Navy ship. The Belize-flagged cargo ship is owned and operated by Kaalybe Shipping, Ukraine and is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian T-72 tanks and related equipment. The ship was attacked Sept. 28 and forced to proceed to an anchorage off the Somali Coast. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Eric L. Beauregard)

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OFF THE COAST OF SOMALIA (Oct. 03, 2008) - The ship's crew aboard MV Faina stands on the deck following a U.S. Navy request to check on their health and welfare. The Belize-flagged cargo ship is owned and operated by "Kaalybe Shipping Ukraine" and is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian T-72 tanks and related equipment. The ship was attacked on Sept. 25 and forced to proceed to anchorage off the Somali Coast. U.S. 5th Fleet conducts maritime security operations to promote stability and regional economic prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky.)

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OFF THE COAST OF SOMALIA (Oct. 3, 2008) - The ship's crew aboard MV Faina stands on the deck following a U.S. Navy request to check on their health and welfare. The Belize-flagged cargo ship is owned and operated by "Kaalybe Shipping Ukraine" and is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian T-72 tanks and related equipment. The ship was attacked on Sept. 25 and forced to proceed to anchorage off the Somali Coast. U.S. 5th Fleet conducts maritime security operations to promote stability and regional economic prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky.)