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Bullajami
Uber Squid
Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 8838
Location: Mrs. Bull's Doghouse
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 Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject: Somali Pirates and the Russians |
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Interesting that the Russians are responding when it was a Ukrainian ship that was taken - but it did have 3 Russians working on it, I guess. I rather hope the Russians load their ship with spetsnaz and hand out a serious ass-whooping on those pirates. They have been allowed to carry on unhindered just a bit too long.
Plus, as I am heading to that part of the world in a few months, it'd be nice if the neighborhood were a bit friendlier when I get there. 
| Quote: | The Russian navy says it is sending a warship to Somalia's coast after pirates there seized a Ukrainian cargo ship carrying tanks and other military hardware, as well as crew.
In a statement Friday, Russian Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo says Russia will periodically send its ships to areas prone to maritime piracy in an effort to protect Russian citizens.
Ukraine's foreign ministry says three Russians are among the 21 member crew seized aboard the captured cargo ship.
The Russian news agency, Interfax, reports the ship was carrying military hardware, including 30 T-72 tanks and spare parts for armored vehicles.
Dygalo says the warship left a base in the Baltic Sea Wednesday, a day before the Ukrainian ship was seized.
On Thursday, the World Food Program reported Canada has decided to extend its naval mission protecting ships carrying humanitarian aid to Somalia for another month.
Canada was scheduled to end its naval escorts Saturday, but it extended its mission after no other country volunteered to do the job.
There have been more than 60 attacks on shipping vessels this year in the Gulf of Aden and along Somalia's east coast. None of the attacks have been against WFP vessels because they have naval escorts. |
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Piscivorous
Bamboozler
Joined: 06 May 2004
Posts: 4940
Location: Just being lovable
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 7:55 pm Post subject: Re: Somali Pirates and the Russians |
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| Bullajami wrote: | | Plus, as I am heading to that part of the world in a few months, it'd be nice if the neighborhood were a bit friendlier when I get there. |
And now you know why you are really going to Djibouti. |
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toronexti
53o
Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 4171
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 8:32 pm Post subject: |
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| It sounds like that military hardware is probably Russia's, and the pirates probably asked for some ridiculous ransom amount. I'm sure you know how Russians take to being bullied. |
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Bullajami
Uber Squid
Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 8838
Location: Mrs. Bull's Doghouse
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 8:40 pm Post subject: Re: Somali Pirates and the Russians |
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| Piscivorous wrote: | | Bullajami wrote: | | Plus, as I am heading to that part of the world in a few months, it'd be nice if the neighborhood were a bit friendlier when I get there. |
And now you know why you are really going to Djibouti. |
I've no disillusionment about my job. I am going to help the good guys and kill the bad guys. God grant us the wisdom to know the difference. Its a damn crazy world.  |
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Bullajami
Uber Squid
Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 8838
Location: Mrs. Bull's Doghouse
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 4:15 am Post subject: |
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Great googly moogly! 
| Quote: | A hijack drama is playing out off the coast of Somalia, where pirates have seized a cargo ship reportedly carrying Russian T-72 tanks destined for Kenya.
A United States Navy report issued on Sunday said the USS Howard, a destroyer from the U.S. 5th Fleet, was patrolling within sight of the Motor Vessel Faina, a Belize-flagged cargo ship which was captured by pirates on September 25.
The Howard's commanding officer, Commander Curtis Goodnight, said: "My crew is actively monitoring the situation, keeping constant watch on the vessel and the waters in the immediate vicinity."
Agence France-Presse reports that the pirates, despite being surrounded by the Howard and two other foreign warships, have demanded a ransom of U.S. $20 million.
Speaking by satellite phone to AFP, Sugule Ali said the pirates were not afraid of the warships: "That will not make us to abandon the ship or to refrain from asking (for) the money. There is no shortage of food supply and all the crew members are healthy and well including ours."
The Faina is anchored near the Somali harbour city of Hobyo.
In Nairobi, The Nation newspaper reported Sunday that the Ukrainian-operated ship was carrying 33 battle tanks and "huge quantities of ammunition and grenade launchers" for the Kenyan armed forces.
It reported that the Kenyan Navy was headed for the Faina, where it would take part in a joint operation, including a Russian warship, to recover the hijacked ship.
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nsidestrate
Suited's Love Monkey
Joined: 26 May 2004
Posts: 22457
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 5:01 am Post subject: |
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Apparently, they were asking for $35 million earlier, so this is an offer of compromise.  |
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toronexti
53o
Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 4171
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 6:45 am Post subject: |
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| Do they not realize they are screwed? |
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nsidestrate
Suited's Love Monkey
Joined: 26 May 2004
Posts: 22457
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 7:55 am Post subject: |
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I would assume that the next step is for commandos from one country or another to board the boat and take them out. I'm pretty sure that the story doesn't end with anyone giving them millions of dollars.
From what I can determine, other pirates have been loading more weapons on board in an attempt to shore up the ship's defenses. I assume that no one wants to sink the ship and boarding and taking it over in hand to hand combat is not the easiest task in the world. |
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Bullajami
Uber Squid
Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 8838
Location: Mrs. Bull's Doghouse
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:05 am Post subject: |
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The pirates need to set explosive charges to scuttle her, and then let it be known that's what they'll do if a forced boarding is attempted. Then they need to suggest a more reasonable amount for the extortion.
The Russians need to pay it to recover their equipment and then beat the pee-waddling hell out of these guys anyways. The French did something similar back in April. Earlier this month the French did a hostage rescue at sea without paying th ransom. They French seem to limit their actions to the immediate problem at hand. A more general purpose beating is probably in order at this point.
Kenyan Navy? Without further looking into it, I am suspecting unarmored boats of 15 meters or less, and personal weapons. Maybe, MAYBE, a crew-served weapon or two. I'd bet on the pirates in an even match up. They're probably similarly equipped, more motivated and better trained. |
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nsidestrate
Suited's Love Monkey
Joined: 26 May 2004
Posts: 22457
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 9:40 am Post subject: |
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| I have read conflicting accounts about the Islamist folk in Somalia and their ties to pirates. Some sources are claiming that we are concerned about the weapons from the boat findings it was to them. Other sources say that the Islamists have no apparent ties to the pirates and that, in fact, when the Islamists ruled Somalia, the pirates were stopped. I've read that before we "helped" Ethiopia they pretty much stomped on the pirates and that it is one lawless cluster over there now. Can you clarify? |
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Bullajami
Uber Squid
Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 8838
Location: Mrs. Bull's Doghouse
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:00 am Post subject: |
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The pirates are not ideologically aligned to the Islamists, but the weapons may go to the highest bidder - which could be the Islamists. The pirates are just in it for profit.
The pirates can operate freely when there is not a strong government to stop them. If the Islamist government was strong enough when it was in power it would not surprise me to learn that piracy was much less common. I do not know for sure if that was the case.
The Islamists, unfortunately, come with a different problem set. One that we generally find less savory than piracy.
Starting Wednesday I will begin looking at the problem in much more detail, and with access to better information. It is a JTF-HOA issue. By February there will not be many people on the planet who know more about it than me. Ask me about it then. |
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SpaceLord
Joined: 03 Mar 2008
Posts: 193
Location: CO
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:39 am Post subject: |
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Approached for comment, the pirates had only one word to say:
"Yar!" |
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PauliF
Shoes in Safe
Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 2787
Location: London
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Bullajami
Uber Squid
Joined: 03 Sep 2004
Posts: 8838
Location: Mrs. Bull's Doghouse
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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| PauliF wrote: |
please be safe out there brother |
Ironically, I think I am probably in more danger with you in Vegas than surrounded by Somali pirates. |
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PauliF
Shoes in Safe
Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 2787
Location: London
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 4:38 pm Post subject: |
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LOL
I am a pirate
ooooo arrrrrr
that actually gives me an idea
if you survive your next tour... then next get together in vegas should have a pirate theme... |
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