News
Arms ship: UN okays commando attack
Military experts have proposed a commando style raid to overpower the pirates on board, rather than a direct attack on the hijacked MV Faina ship.
Posted Wednesday, October 8 2008 at 22:01
The United Nations has authorised force to free the hijacked Ukrainian ship.
The UN Security Council resolved that states with warships and planes in the area should attack the ship “on the high seas and airspace off the coast of Somalia”.
Military experts believed the most likely option was a commando style raid to overpower the pirates on board, rather than a direct attack on the ship.
Shelling the vessel could cause a catastrophic explosion and kill the hostages as well as losing the entire cargo, they said.
The Security Council resolution was described by the UN as necessary to repress piracy, consistent with the 1982 UN Convention on the law of the Sea.
The vote to attack the pirates holding the ship that has been moored off Somalia since September 26 came as the Kenya Government through Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula backed the use of force to repossess the ship.
The Government has insisted the controversial 33 T-72 tanks, rocket propelled grenades and spare parts on the MV Faina belong to Kenya's Defence ministry although other reports maintain the cargo was destined for South Sudan.
Approval for force came as a Reuters report quoted an associate of the pirates holding the ship as saying an $8 million (Sh576m) ransom deal was in the offing, which may enable the boat to be freed within days.
“A boat will carry the money from Djibouti and pirates are expected to release the ship in the coming two nights,” a business partner of the pirates, who identified himself only as Farah, told Reuters.
“I think the Americans are aware of the deal because there is no other alternative to release the ship,” added Farah, who has given reliable information in the past about piracy.
“If the warships threatened, pirates would die in a last-ditch fight and risk the hostages.”
Tuesday’s UN resolution poses a challenge to Kenya’s ability to secure the tanks to which it has laid claim.
Restore order
The 15-country UN Security council has on more than one occasion called for the deployment of military vessels and aircraft to restore order in the lawless Gulf of Aden.
On Wednesday, Mr Wetang’ula said: “We will fight the pirates anywhere and everywhere to keep the high seas safe.”
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Submitted by SJ502Posted October 10, 2008 05:11 PM
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Submitted by Hillaryio
I totally agree with Wanmt that extreme precaution should be observed to save the lives of the hostages. Someone's life is more precious than any kind of tanks or whatever bombs, for God's sake. The pirates won't hesitate to kill these hostages if something stupid is done. Have a precautious day!
Posted October 10, 2008 04:58 AM -
Submitted by mtotompole
SJ502: Good, that at least someone read my comment, I do not write in vain. My friend, we are not in war and these have been our neighbours and will always be. Kenya has been in war with itself. The only external aggression that I can recall was with Idd Amin. We were told the ship and not entered Kenyan waters and the equipments are destined for Southern Sudan. Thank you.
Posted October 10, 2008 03:34 AM -
Submitted by alim0
The pirates should sink the ship.
Posted October 10, 2008 01:38 AM -
Submitted by SJ502
Motompole: Thank you for serving in the military. Now in real combat situation do you ask your enemy who supplied him the weapons or you kill him first? ... and then ask the questions about the logistics and shipping later, if at all necessary? Also if you are surrounded by war-like lawless states like Kenya what would be your first priority– growing more Sukuma Wiki or defending your land ?
Posted October 09, 2008 08:59 PM
RSS
Hillaryio:If those tanks and bazookas land in the hands of warlords in the mainland they will be directed at us...not Ukrain or Russia. Any casualties other than the pirates will be catergorized '... Under Friendly Fire'. The ship and cargo are obviously insured. Kenya first!