Highlights
-Six US warships standoff with Somali pirates over hijacked Ukrainian ship with cargo of Russian tanks, anti-aircraft missiles and grenade launchers
-International fears escalate surrounding potential for weapons to get into hands of jihadists
-Undeterred by nearby naval forces, pirates attempt four additional failed attacks in 24 hours
-Determined to fight against any anti-piracy efforts, Somali pirates will continue to conduct hijackings until coordinated opposition forces emerge
Somali pirates have attracted much international attention in recent months, attacking over 60 ships so far this year, 16 of them within the last two months, and raking in between $20 and $30 million paid through ransoms. However, it was not until the most recent seizure on September 26, 2008, when Somali pirates hijacked the Ukrainian cargo ship MV Faina that international concern peaked (Maritime Attack). The hijacking of the MV Faina, carrying 33 T-72 Russian military tanks, anti-aircraft missiles, and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), was the highest profile act of piracy off the coast of Somalia this year.
Concern has grown in regards to the potential for the ship’s cargo to be provided to and utilized by Somalia’s al-Qaeda linked Islamic insurgency. As a result, the hijacking incident attracted six United States (US) naval warships to the scene, with a Russian frigate currently also on its way.
Eight European Union (EU) countries, along with Russia are cooperating on an anti-piracy operation mandated to launch in November 2008. However, the pirates have vowed to fight against any rescue attempt or anti-piracy efforts conducted. As such, Somali pirates will continue to hijack passing ships in the Gulf of Aden, at least until a larger and better-coordinated opposition force is assembled.
Year of Profitable Attacks
Out of 62 ships attacked this year, a total of 26 were successfully hijacked, and 12 remain seized and controlled by pirates along with more than 200 crewmembers. Though the pirates are demanding $20million for the release of the MV Faina and its 20-person crew, they have already successfully raised at least that much in ransom this year. By comparison, the United Nations Development Program’s annual budget for Somalia is $14million. According to official reports, the average ransom per ship ($1.5million) has tripled since 2007, as has the number of ships taken.
Pirates have become increasingly sophisticated in their attacks over the last year, and although they are raising record-breaking amounts of cash, they still manage to be “bankrolled” by Somalis in Dubai and elsewhere. In collaboration with gangs in Yemen and co-conspirators in the Mombassa port of Kenya, Somali pirates have been provided information on vessels heading into or out of the Red Sea or passing through the Gulf of Aden, which accounts for about 10 percent of the world’s shipping.
Fears Increase At Possible Insurgent Gains
Although pirates have not been directly linked to Islamist insurgents in Somalia, they may be paying cash to whoever controls their coastal havens in return for “uninterrupted business,” thus assisting the purchase of weapons and fuelling the violence. Moreover, on October 6, 2008, the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group Al Shabaab demanded to be given some of the weapons aboard the MV Faina, but pirates have so far refused. Several months ago, however, the group reportedly received a five percent portion of the $1.5million ransom paid for the release of a hijacked Spanish ship.
As such, international forces fear that some of the MV Faina’s dangerous cargo may be exchanged with Islamist insurgents as payment for allowing continued uninterrupted piracy in the area. Currently, six US naval warships surround the hijacked MV Faina, however, pirates onboard remain committed to their operations, attempting to attack four ships within the past 24 hours.
Concerted Anti-Piracy Efforts, More Attacks To Come
Efforts to combat piracy in the Gulf of Aden have been exerted by a number of foreign governments. Last month, Yemen announced its willingness to host an “anti-piracy center” with the help of the US and 20 other foreign countries (Previous Report). Additionally, the EU and Russia are planning to launch an anti-piracy force in the month of November. A host of international maritime agencies and governments have already embarked on costal monitoring operations in Somalia.
Foreign navies can intercept vessels captured by pirates, but the desolation and length of Somalia’s coastline give them little chance of completely eradicating piracy without much larger and better-coordinated forces. Until then however, pirates will continue to conduct attacks off Somalia’s dangerous coast with sustained frequency.
