Somali pirates 'seize 30 tanks'

Originally posted by johnsky

There are US warships in the area too... but they are merely "watching" the situation.

Not quite just "watching".

Somali Pirates Surrounded

three warships are tracking the pirates and two of them are very close to the hijacked ship [...]

the Ukrainian ship [is] surrounded by at least two ships [...]

They asked individuals in charge of the hijacking of the Ukranian ship to come aboard the navy ship for talks [...]

the navy ships were using loudspeakers warning the pirates not to make any attempt to unload any of the cargo on board the ship

[edit on 9/28/08 by makeitso]

Originally posted by johnsky

Yes, the ship intended for interception set sail before the hijacking... but, it's a warship, and the Russians aren't known for just sitting idle by until something happens. Their ships are sent out on routine patrols, hence, the obvious choice of ship to intercept the hijacked cargo vessel, was one that had already left harbor.
So you've likely got nothing there.

Routine Patrols?

Observing the Story of the MV Iran Deyanat

Of all the naval deployments Russia has made this year, including the Pyotr Veliky deployment to Venezuela and the Admiral Kuznetsov to the Mediterranean Sea, we see this naval deployment by Russia the most noteworthy to date, because it is a true logistics mission.

In the case of the other two naval deployments, Russia was able to make a number of friendly ports to supply vessels, and the ships never spent long periods of time at sea. Not in this case, this will be a major logistical undertaking by the Russian Navy, with the only port option available perhaps, maybe, being Eritrea.

Just nuke em I think America does not care that much about the situation which is why we are not doing anything about it... We have engaged the Somali pirates before... They fired on a Navy warship a few years ago and were blown out of the water... I think it's one of those as long as they leave me alone I will leave you alone kind of things...

Islamist plunder weapons from hijacked ship in Somalia

Islamist extremists prepared last night to unload rocket-propelled grenades and anti-aircraft guns from a Ukrainian freighter seized by Somali pirates even as foreign warships surrounded the vessel.

A US destroyer and submarine from an international taskforce set up to patrol the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and two European-flagged ships were reported to be tracking the freighter that had anchored off the southern Somali coast.

Times Online Uk

Oh dear, as one of my fears was,

This I believe will be the main hot spot, or even the “Trigger” for any escalation with Russia, Iran etc.

And further to these “Pirates” and my earlier humour seems somewhat misplaced now.

This Thread is probably more important than the incident above however:

Pirates Die Strangely After Taking Iranian Ship

Watching Closely

Kind regards,

Elf.

Edit for link and General Typo Mess up :-0

[edit on 28-9-2008 by MischeviousElf]

The Pirates say they have proof the cargo was bound for Southern Sudan, which is under an arms embargo emposed by the U.N.

Confusion looms over ownership of seized Ukrainian military cargo

Somali pirates claim to be in possession of confidential documents showing that the arms were actually destined for southern Sudan and not Kenya. [...]

if they are not going to be paid the ransom, they will spill the beans.

The "pirates" who commandered the ship full of Ukranian tanks have just revealed paperwork showing the tanks were headed for southern Sudan, not Kenya.

Southern Sudan is a breakaway region organized and armed by the CIA for the past couple decades. Ukraine is currently governed by the CIAs man, Yuschenko.


THe US destroyer that hustled over there isn't "monitoring" the situation, they're trying to figure out how to get their tanks back!

Pirates, eh...

This is what happens when entertainment franchises like Pirates of the Caribbean glorify and romanticize pirates.

Thanks for making pirates cool, Mr. Depp...

Originally posted by sweatmonicaIdo
Pirates, eh...

This is what happens when entertainment franchises like Pirates of the Caribbean glorify and romanticize pirates.

Thanks for making pirates cool, Mr. Depp...

What do you mean?

Another report that the tanks and arms were heading to Sudan.

US says hijacked arms headed to Sudan, not Kenya

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) —

A U.S. Navy spokesman says a weapons shipment on a Ukrainian ship hijacked by Somali pirates was headed to Sudan, not Kenya.

Lt. Nathan Christensen, a deputy spokesman for the U.S. 5th Fleet in Bahrain, says the buyers in Sudan are unknown.

A 5th Fleet statement Monday says the ship was headed for the Kenyan port of Mombassa, but that "additional reports state the cargo was intended for Sudan."

Warships Surround Somali Pirates

Somali pirates aboard a ship carrying tanks and weapons that they have seized say they are surrounded by at least three foreign warships.

Andrew Mwangura, of the Kenya-based Seafarers' Programme, also told Reuters news agency that a military helicopter had flown over pirate speedboats heading to reinforce the Ukrainian-operated ship, the Faina, moored near the town of Hobyo.

BBC


It amazes me they can take such large ships with little speedboats, but there are the Pirates in action.

I cant see the Ukrainian ship being unloaded without the US or someone else intervening.


Kind regards,

Elf.


[edit on 29-9-2008 by MischeviousElf]

Pirates.... PIRATES!!!! :O Where is the flying dutchman when you need it? I dont think this will escalate anything with Russia... From the looks were trying to help... AVAST YE MATEY!

I'd imagine they will delay them until they start to run out of supplies, loose interest and slip away in the night to find greener pastures.

I wonder what they will do with the cargo? If headed for the Sudan it is contraband and I'd guess Interpol would take it? Or would it be returned to the Ukrainian Government?

reply to post by Blaine91555


Blaine it appears that as well as the current US ships watching this tanker, and with further Russian ones en route the Pirates will not be able to unload the Cargo.

They seem to be fighting amongst each other now, probably due to the situation escalating and power jockying,

Somali pirates on board a hijacked ship are reported to have been involved in a shoot-out over what to do with the vessel's cargo of tanks and weapons.

However the Pirates deny this;

"This is propaganda being spread by some people who are not aware of our situation. We are united in punishing those who abuse Somali waters," said Sugule Ali.

BBC

I wonder if the Russian forces will storm the ship, quite likely IMHO.

Kind Regards,

Elf

Russian news networks are stating that the circumstances of ship's voyage were very odd. The ship's crew and captain were experienced navigating the waters near Somalia and have done so for many years. On all previous routes, they alsways had armed guards or soldiers on the ship for protection - even when the cargo wasn't very expensive. This time for an unknown reason there were absolutely no guards or even self-defense weapons for the crew on the ship (other than the cargo of course). This is very odd - given the important cargo.

Minor update

Seized arms ship owner in talks with pirates

Talks between the owner of the MV Faina vessel and the pirates are effectively going on, and there are reasons to believe that they will be completed within a few days, says a press release of the ship owner, published by the Morskoy Bulletin-Sovfracht journal.

Bumping this old thread because it appears that the tanks made it to Sudan afterall.

Smuggling Tanks Through Kenya

July 31, 2009: Last September, a Ukrainian ship carrying a cargo of over 2,000 tons of weapons (including 33 T-72 tanks) to Kenya, was seized by Somali pirates, who promptly demanded $35 million for the ship.

When the tanks finally arrived in Kenya, they were taken to an army base. But satellite photos showed that those tanks were moved several times, until they crossed the border into South Sudan. Two other ships carried more tanks to Kenya, and eventually about a hundred T-72s ended up in South Sudan.

More Reference
Satellite Imagery Shows South Sudan Undergoing Arms Buildup July 29, 2009
War is Boring: Kenya Allegedly Funneling Arms to Volatile South Sudan July 15, 2009
Janes.comJuly 7, 2009

First off, shouldn't a ship carrying such a valuable cargo be defended with soldiers and high powered weapons and escorts? All ships these days traveling in pirate waters should be guarded and ready to fend off and destroy any pirates! These incidences can be stopped right now with the intervention of international/UN support and escorts for ships

War is big business.
But the important part of the upcoming Holy War is that in phase 5 we respond to WMD.