Posted on 04/09/2009 10:59:58 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The latest crisis off the coast of Africa where Somali pirates hijacked a US flag ship is not something that suddenly materialized out of thin air. I wrote about it in 2005, in a column for NewswithViews.com. Below is the column:
In spite of the news media distancing the recent attack on a cruise ship off the coast of Somalia from global terrorism, intelligence experts believe this is just the latest operation initiated against the United States and the West by Al-Qaeda.
Recently a failed assassination attempt on the prime minister of Somalia, as well as the attempt to hijack a luxury American cruise ship, has intensified apprehension and fear that the shaky Somalian government is losing to Al-Qaeda and Wahhabi terror groups.
Three people were mortally wounded in a terrorist attack on the Prime Minister, Ali Mohamed Gedi,while he was visiting the war-torn capital of Mogadishu. He survived the deadly encounter which entailed an explosion set off near his convoy, according to security experts. Mr Gedi was merely visiting since his government is in quasi-exile in Jowhar. The danger in the Somali capital is so great that the transitional government must avoid setting up their headquarters there.
Since 2003, Somalia has witnessed the growth of a brutal network of Jihad with strong ties to Al-Qaeda. In fact, when the US forces faced a bloody battle in 1995 during what became known as the Black Hawk Down incident, it was Al-Qaeda joining with a local warlord who killed and wounded US special operations soldiers.
Somalia has been without a functioning national government for 14 years, when they received their independence from Italy. The transitional parliament created in 2004, has failed to end the devastating anarchy. The impoverish people who live in the ruined capital of Mogadishu have witnessed Al-Qaeda operatives, jihadi extremists, Ethiopian security services and Western-backed counter-terrorism agents engaged in a bloody war that few support and even fewer understand.
In an incident that gained American press attention, Somali-based terrorists armed with rocket-propelled grenades launched an unsuccessful attack on Seaborn Spirit as it rounded the Horn of Africa with American, British and Australian tourists on board. For unexplained reasons, the attack is being treated as an isolated incident and the terrorism link is being all but ignored by journalists. The term "pirates" is routinely used with only a few reporters calling the attackers "terrorists."
The ship came under attack during the early morning hours when the heavily armed terrorists in two speedboats began firing upon the ship with grenade launchers and machine guns. They assailents were repelled by the ships crew who implemented their security measures which included setting off electronic simulators which created the illusion the ship was firing back at the terrorists..
According to passenger accounts of the attack, there were at least three rocket-propelled grenades or RPGs that hit the ship, one hit a passenger stateroom without inflicting injuries.
There are now some counterterrorism officials who wish to deploy a naval task force to try to prevent attacks, and kill or apprehend these modern-day pirates in Somali waters. Most travel advisories issued by nations throughout the world recognize this area as being among the most dangerous in the world.
There are some who oppose this combative approach fearing the opening of a new front in the war on terrorism. But these opponents of using force have no suggestions for dealing with these dangerous terrorists and thugs who prey on people on land or at sea.
During the 1990s, a group of Saudi-educated, Wahhabi militants arrived in Somalia with the aim of creating an Islamic state in this dismal African country. Also, the renowned Al-Qaeda established an operations base and training camp. They would routinely attack and ambush UN peacekeepers. In addition, they used Somalia to export their brand of terrorism into neighboring Kenya.
Leading members of Al-Qaeda continue to operate, mostly in secrecy, in Somalia and have built up cooperation with some of the warlords who control food, water and medicine. And the people of Somalia starve, mourn and die.
Hey Nick, Obama will not appreciate you saying that.
What, is he going to raise my taxes more?
Jeez, we kicked the krap out of the pirates when we had wooden ships with sails and muzzle loading cannons. Now it’s a mystery how to cool these fools down? Since no one in Somalia has ever seen toilet paper or toothbrushes, what the hell are they doing with 60 mph Cigarette boats?
Hints to the Hopey-changeys in Washington: GPS. Satellite surveillance. Smart bombs. Mined harbors. “You come within a mile of any American ship and we’ll flay your hairy butt and ship it back to your family for use as a rug.”
Like it was before the Barbary wars began, the damn liberals are trying to appease instead of fight back.
They haven’t learned a freakin’ thing from history.
What are they doing with 60 mph cigarette boats? Could it be drug dealing on the side?
Hey I’ve got an idea - how about if the Navy just shoots the pirates and sinks their ships?
I think they pirate on the side. Drugs and guns are their main business. Human smuggling also!
Appeasement Weasels are responsible for this.
thanks nick for both:
Officials: Pirates, Terrorists Not Linked Directly
AP [All Partisan] | 4/10/09 | LOLITA C. BALDOR
Posted on 04/10/2009 4:05:59 PM PDT by nickcarraway
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2226672/posts
-additional stuff-
Al Shabaab shut down radio station in southwest Somalia
GAROWE ONLINE.com | April 9, 2009, 11:35 am | n/a
Posted on 04/09/2009 4:46:44 PM PDT by Cindy
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2225963/posts
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.