Arrrggghhh.
L
Posted on 03/19/2006 10:06:28 PM PST by Enchante
Thirteen suspected pirates involved in clashes with the US Navy off the Somali coast on Saturday have been captured, a spokesman for the men says. Saleban Aadan Barqad told the BBC that his men were protecting fishing stocks from foreign vessels when they were attacked by the Americans.
The group has demanded that the United States release the men.
On Saturday, the US Navy reported an exchange of fire between two of its ships and the suspected pirates.
One person was killed and five wounded in the incident, which happened early on Saturday as the ships were conducting maritime security operations, reports say.
No US sailors were injured in the incident.
According to the US navy, it is holding 12 suspects, but unconfirmed reports quote the men's spokesman as saying 13 men are in custody.
It is not clear whether the 13 men include the person killed in the gun battle on Saturday.
There are contradictory reports on how the gunbattle began.
Saleban Aadan Barqad said his men returned fire after being attacked by the American warships. But the US navy says the warships were targeted by the suspected pirates.
The ships - the USS Cape St George, a guided missile cruiser, and the USS Gonzalez, a guided missile destroyer - spotted a suspect vessel, which opened fire on them, according to a Navy statement.
They were patrolling the area as part of a Dutch-led coalition task force.
Dangerous waters
Hijackings and piracy have recently surged off the Somali coastline.
The US navy seized rocket propelled grenades and other weapons
The area has become one of the most dangerous in the world for piracy since warlords ousted Somalia's former ruler in 1991 and divided the country amongst themselves.
The International Maritime Bureau has warned ships to stay away from the coast because of the attacks. It has recorded 37 attacks since mid-March last year.
Earlier this month, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said pirate attacks were hampering efforts to bring food aid to Somalia.
Arrrggghhh.
L
Sounds like a case for Amnesty International or someone like that!
Hi, my name is Obuki Buuti and my father was a pirate who was killed by the Americans. Besides being a pirate my father was the director of the ministry for our governor who was in charge of our oil reserves.
My father had $18 million US in the bank before the Americans killed him very badly. I forseek to be needing your assistance in removing the money.......
This battle on the high seas has been brought to you by the letters, "ARRR" and "AYE!" and by the number, "Pieces of Eight"!
It needs to look more like hockey stick.
If there is a prize for funny, you won. Great job
Kudos on your creative, funny post....
BTW the USN has a pretty good record against Islamic Pirates, starting with the Barbary Pirates in the 1820s?
Off the coasts of Libya, Morocco and Tunisia I believe it was and Tripoli.
These Muslim pirates will never learn, just blow them out of the water, flip the bird to the leftest wing nut moonbat politicos at home, and chalk one up for the freedom of the seas.
Sigh, I suppose we have to get intelligence from them and they are worth more alive than dead?
WANGITTY TONG!!!!
Not to bright really... Taking shots at a US war ship...
They're lucky anyone lived.
They should be called "knaves" or something. The word "pirate" evokes images of black flag waiving bad asses with eyepatches, peg legs, and filthy beards. These aren't bad asses. They're suicidal imbeciles and they owe their lives to the decency and generosity of the US Navy.
Looks like the pirates evaporated.
So Right! I mean the Missle frigates have very impressive guns, that would take them out in 10 seconds:
The ships - the USS Cape St George, a guided missile cruiser, and the USS Gonzalez, a guided missile destroyer - spotted a suspect vessel, which opened fire on them...
Darwin takes a holiday as 13 live through this encounter.
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