pirates
You don’t need me for the big pirate news- it’s all over the headlines. Here’s a quick review:
- US navy officer says just three shots ended stand-off with pirates
- Somali Pirates Seize 4 Ships in 24 Hours
The rescue and promised anti-piracy crusade are getting predictable reactions from the Somali government (such as it is) and the pirates. The support from Islamic militants is new, and a reversal of their prior relationship. But the stated cause is interesting, and something to look deeper into.
- New Somali Government Hails Obama’s Promised Piracy Fight
- Somalia: Lawmaker Describes ‘Aggression the Killing of Pirates By U.S. Navy’
- Somali Militants Express New Support for Pirates
Militant Islamists in Somalia who once vowed to stop acts of piracy are now portraying pirates as national heroes. The change follows the recent signing of an agreement between Kenya and Somalia regarding maritime boundaries. Somalis have become increasingly suspicious of the agreement amid claims that the government of Sharif Sheik Ahmed has signed away Somali territorial waters to Kenya.
Your best source is jailed. You track high-sea hijacks by text and email. You get through to captors on a satellite phone but are then roundly abused.
Reporting on Somali piracy can be surreal.
And without comment, this from China’s state news agency:
The Chinese merchant ships escorted by a China’s fleet sailed on the Gulf of Aden when they met some suspected pirate ships. Thousands of dolphins suddenly leaped out of water between pirates and merchants when the pirate ships headed for the China’s.
The suspected pirates ships stopped and then turned away. The pirates could only lament their littleness befor the vast number of dolphins.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Somalia:
It’s worth noting that this new Somali government actually operates from Mogadishu.
