Somali pirate admits attacking US warship

bbc ^ | 27 August 2010

[traumer]

A Somali man has admitted attacking a US warship in April after mistaking it for a merchant vessel.

Jama Idle Ibrahim and five others chased the USS Ashland and opened fire on it before being captured, court papers said.

He pleaded guilty to piracy-related charges in Norfolk, Virginia, and faces 30 years in jail. Five other Somalis also face charges over the attack.

Prosecutors said it was Norfolk's first piracy-related conviction in 150 years.

"Modern-day pirates must be held accountable," said Neil MacBride, prosecuting.

After making a deal with the authorities, Ibrahim pleaded guilty to attacking to plunder a vessel, engaging in an act of violence against people on a vessel, and using a firearm during a crime of violence.

Both Ibrahim and the authorities had agreed to a 30-year jail term, and he faces a sentencing hearing on 29 November.

Earlier this month a judge had dismissed a piracy charge - which carries a mandatory life sentence - against Ibrahim and his five alleged accomplices.

The gang had chased the USS Ashland in a skiff in the Gulf of Aden on 10 April, opening fire on it.

US Navy personnel returned fire, killing one Somali and wrecking the men's skiff, prosecutors said.

But the judge dismissed the more serious piracy charge because the group had not robbed, boarded or taken control of the US Navy ship.

[screaminsunshine]

Oh Goody now the media can explore what Bush did to make him do it.

[traumer]

the judge dismissed the more serious piracy charge because the group had not robbed, boarded or taken control of the US Navy ship...

[sono]

Whatever happened to "Hang From the Highest Yardarm?

[happinesswithoutpeace]

bkmark for sentencing

And long term bkmark for actual time served :)

[screaminsunshine]

That guy looks like he is going Hippie Hunting on opening day.

[DariusBane]

Any Navy guys know what weapons the USS Ashland would carry? Small arms and 50 caliber MG?

[mazda77]

Severe lack of yardarms these days. I say find out what village they hail from, strap them on a cruise missle and send the back home with a one way ticket.

[reg45]

We need to build some Q ships. When the pirates attack the Q ships, we sink their little boats and leave the survivors for the sharks.

[An Old Man]

Mission Statement

To conduct Amphibious operations through transporting, launching and supporting assault landing craft, Marines and their combat cargo to designated areas throughout the world. Ashland can accommodate 400 Marines and support personnel. The 440 ft well deck can hold four Landing Craft Air Cushion vehicles (LCAC), Three Landing Craft Utilities (LCU) or up to thirty-six Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV).

[traumer]

USS Ashland (LSD-48)
Displacement: 11,149 tons (light) 16,883 tons (full)

Length: 610 ft (190 m)
Beam: 84 ft (26 m)
Draft: 21 ft (6.4 m)
Propulsion: 4 Colt Industries, 16-cylinder diesel engines, 2 shafts, 33,000 shp (25 MW)
Speed: 20+ knots (37+ km/h)
Boats and landing
craft carried: 4 LCACs or 21 LCM-6 or up to 36 Amphibious Assault Vehicles AAV
Capacity: on deck: one LCM-6, two LCPL and one LCVP
Troops: Marine detachment: 402 + 102 surge
Complement: 22 officers, 391 enlisted
Armament: 2 × 25 mm Mk 38 cannons
2 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS mounts
2 × Rolling Airframe Missile
6 × .50 caliber M2HB machine guns

[DariusBane]

The MK 38’s should make a mess of a skiff!

[MarineMom613]

My son was on the Ashland for a brief time during their recent deployment. When he returned to the USS Nassau, the joke was that while they were at sea for 7 months, The somalis attack, get caught and get back to USA (for trial) before they do. Proof that crime does pay!

[dljordan]

” I say find out what village they hail from, strap them on a cruise missle and send the back home with a one way ticket.”

I don’t think you could launch that way. Better to just launch the missile then throw the turd over the fantail and let him swim home.

[unixfox]

The gang had chased the USS Ashland in a skiff in the Gulf of Aden on 10 April, opening fire on it.

This is almost akin to flipping off the Hells Angels and trying to get away on your mini bike.

[skimbell]

What bothers me is that in having "attacked an American warship", he is able to admit anything.

Azzhole should be overseeing his seventy-two virgins.

[The Great RJ]

Poor baby..he is just misunderstood and had to act out his aggression against US ship because the brutal Bush cabal had caused such misery in the Islamic paradise of Somalia. He should be forgiven by Obama himself and given a new suit, money and a free trip back to Somalia to a heroes welcome.(Sarcasm)

Actually I hope he rots in a brutal federal prison and spends 30 years as a bitch for Bubba.

[Chode]

thought that was a Merch??? too stooopid to live...

[PugetSoundSoldier]

Heh, a Ma Deuce would turn the typical Somali skiff into kindling, let along the 38s!

[truthguy]

These Somalis are very lucky just to be alive. In a sane world there would be no piracy of this type.

I cannot believe that the combined Navies of the World couldn't stop this in 15-20 minutes if they were unshackled from the political correctness that's out there.

As soon as the Somali Pirates were to understand that trying to attack any ship was a death sentence and the chances were in the upper 90% that they would be caught and killed, this idiocy would stop. As long as the Somalis thing they can get away with it, this will continue.