Somali Pirates really asking for it...

Following a rash of successful hijackings of commercial ships off the coast of Somalia recently, plus the recent rescue by the French Navy of a French sailing couple, I suspect these guys might regret taking this latest one, a ship containing at least 30 tanks and assorted military hardware from the Ukraine, bound for Kenya.

They are asking for $35 mln. I suspect instead they are now going to get a lot more attention from the great powers. France is already on the case along with help from the Italians and Spanish, the Americans got involved a couple of months ago in passing, but now the Russians are sending a ship too.

It reminds me of one of those movies where the hero mistakenly steals a suitcase full of money from the Mafia, and finds out the Mafia are less concerned about getting it back than blowing away whoever took it. I don't think those ship-nappers will find the Russians are into paying for what's theirs already...

And I still think Oman should be tagging along to assist with the international effort. They are the only sensible country nearby with a half decent set of warships, and its an ideal opportunity for Oman to flex a tiny bit of regional muscle, gain some live fire practice for the Navy, all while doing the world a favour.

Just a suggestion...

BBC online

Pirates 'want $35m for tank ship'

Experts say piracy has become big business in the area. Pirates who seized a Ukrainian ship off the coast of Somalia have reportedly demanded a ransom of $35m (£19m) to release the vessel and its crew. The pirates earlier warned against any attempt to rescue the crew or cargo of the MV Faina, which is carrying 33 battle tanks destined for Kenya.

Pirates have seized dozens of ships near Somalia's coast in recent months. A Russian Navy vessel is heading to the region and the US says it is monitoring developments in the area.

A spokesman for the pirates, who gave his name as Jalal Jama Ali, told a Somali website that the group were prepared to negotiate with the Kenyan government, but would not release the vessel unless the ransom was paid.
...

Ooops. Somali pirates have an 'Oh no' moment

The infamous Somali pirates had a close call near Yemen a couple of days ago when they tried to attack a big merchant ship while an American Navy strike group was close by, lead by a Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship the USS Peleliu.

No wonder they ran away. (here they are, in a photo supplied by the US Navy)

The lead US ship alone – essentially a light aircraft carrier - carries the following:
Armament: 2 x RAM launchers, 4 x 25 mm Mk 38 Bushmaster gun mounts, 2 x Phalanx CIWS, 5 x 0.50 cal (12.7 mm) mounts
Aircraft carried: 6 x AV-8B Harrier attack planes, 4 x AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters, 12 x CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters, 9 x CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters, 4 x UH-1N Huey helicopters.

Nice. And more than enough to take on a few rag tags with AK47s and a grenade launcher. Here’s the US Ship.


Those must have been some nervous pirates. Ever since they made the mistake of kidnapping a French luxury boat last year, prompting the French Navy to assult the pirates and kill most of them, they are finding out what happens when you become enough of a menace to get noticed by the great powers. Franch went to the Security Council and got an official declaration of 'open season' on Somali pirates. Ha.

More please. These parasites need a lot more close and uncomfortable encounters with real navy boats.
Report

The Associated Press
Fri, Aug 8, 2008 (5:57 a.m.)
The U.S. Navy says it has stopped a pirate attack on a merchant vessel north of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden.
The Navy says the USS Peleliu responded to a call for help from the Gem of Kilakari on Friday morning. The ship said it was under attack from armed pirates as it was traveling to the Suez Canal.
The Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said in a statement that the USS Peleliu was about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Gem of Kilakari when it received the distress call.
The Navy says the suspected pirate ships fled the scene after the USS Peleliu launched three helicopters. The Navy says one grenade landed on the Gem of Kilakari's bridge wing but didn't explode, and no injuries were reported.