Somali pirates strike again
posted at 12:04 pm on April 11, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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This time, they aimed a little lower. Instead of hijacking a container ship full of relief-aid food destined for their own country, Somali pirates reportedly took a tugboat in the Gulf of Aden:
U.S. warships are trying to stop Somali pirates from sending reinforcements to a lifeboat where an American captain is being held hostage as the high-seas standoff off Africa’s eastern coast entered a fourth day Saturday.
A Nairobi-based diplomat, who spoke on condition on anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to reporters, said the pirates have summoned assistance but at least two American ships and U.S. Navy surveillance aircraft are deterring pirate ships and skiffs from contact with the lifeboat.
Underscoring the high stakes involved, France’s navy on Friday freed a sailboat seized off Somalia last week by other pirates, but one of the hostages was killed.
Somali pirates have hijacked an American-owned tugboat with 16 crew in the Gulf of Aden, the head of the East African Seafarers’ Assistance Program said Saturday.
The tugboat was towing two barges when pirates attacked it, according to the EASAP spokesman. Neither American nor Italian sources would confirm the capture, but that and the call for reinforcements from the pirates underscores their increasingly bold nature. If we thought a show of force from the US Navy would send the pirates scurrying for cover, we may have underestimated their determination to hold their ground.
This emphasizes the need to react swiftly, using the full might of our power, when piracy arises. In a real sense, this is asymmetrical warfare, only with a profit motive rather than theological extremism pushing it. If we scale down our response to the same level as theirs, or incrementally rather than overwhelmingly higher, then we play on their ground and not ours. If we expect to have a realistic deterrent in our navy, then we have to allow them to unleash their full fury on the pirates — all of the pirates — when they dare to attack American shipping, and Western shipping in general.
The pirates have not heeded our power because thus far we have shown an unwillingness to wield it. Just as with religious-extremist terrorists, they will feast on American targets as long as they sense that reluctance to seriously deal with the problem.
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Just broke on Fox news. Three pirates dead, one captured and the Captain is safe.
Looks like we finally slipped the leash on the seals
conservnut on April 12, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Just saw this on the AP and Reuters wire. Attributed to an unidentified US intel official. No details.
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 1:40 PM
SnarkVader on April 12, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Go Navy! Go Marines!
Captain Phillips freed on Easter Sunday!
Latest on Drudge and elsewhere.
One pirate captured, three killed.
Now bargain for the release of the hostages with the prisoner.
Good show U.S. military!
profitsbeard on April 12, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Excellent!!!
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Fox is reporting that the captain jumped overboard, again, to allow the attack on the pirates. Not many details, but that’s what Fox said. Captain Phillips is the man.
progressoverpeace on April 12, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Now…to assemble a flotilla off the Somali coast and one by one take down the pirate safe harbors.
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Very few details, but everybody is now reporting it. So, it looks real.
YES!
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 1:45 PM
That makes my Easter a much happier one!
conservnut on April 12, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Better than cutting a deal.
jdkchem on April 12, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Yep. Because losing a few of their pirates won’t stop these folks from engaging in more piracy. THey really haven’t experienced any pain from the act. The French have already attacked 3 boats taken by the pirates and they still take French-flagged ships. If we don’t take out their bases, then this is all just good for today, but worthless for tomorrow.
progressoverpeace on April 12, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Going on 9 p.m. in Somalia…might have been a factor, less visibility from sea level at approaching dusk.
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Gee Trolls-
How did they do that without killing the hostage??
Tom and Monkei ..eat crap
Jamson64 on April 12, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Whew. Excellent, excellent news. Thank God the captain’s initiative was rewarded this time. What would’ve happened if he hadn’t…
Next challenge: Someone had reported 6 U.S. crew members on the 2nd ship. Haven’t been following the story – am going to check it out.
RD on April 12, 2009 at 1:58 PM
As I stated in the other pirate thread. Take a reinforced BLT and do what Marines do. Level the nearest operational port.
jdkchem on April 12, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Yep, they got in close. Probably used the small craft that took fire and moved off as a distraction or to drop off Seals.
jdkchem on April 12, 2009 at 2:08 PM
That report appears to be bogus. OK… back to the topic.
RD on April 12, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Captain William Bainbridge, US Navy, 7 May 1774 – 27 July 1833, is probably very happy today. Revenge is best served cold.
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 2:13 PM
I’m thinking that the first time he went overboard it was a “dry run” to let the rescuers know he would try again in the same way.
dms on April 12, 2009 at 2:16 PM
You are so good. Here’s an update for you:
A senior U.S. intelligence official said hostage Richard Phillips was not hurt in what appeared to be a swift firefight off the Somali coast on Sunday. Phillips was safely transported to a Navy warship nearby.
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 2:25 PM
YES!
Bout time!
Now lets start Operation “Feed the Sharks”
Cuz Sharks need food too!
DSchoen on April 12, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Reuters reports on the “exploits” of the “buccaneers”
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 3:10 PM
The breaking news on Fox at this time is that the rescue of Capt. Phillips appears to have been a planned operation by the Navy and approved by President Obama. If this is true, then I must give praise to the President and our military for doing the right thing. I am not an Obama fan. But I am an American. I will give him credit for the right decisions when he makes them even if I dislike the big majority of what Obama does.
Hawthorne on April 12, 2009 at 3:49 PM
BTW, we will find out more from the 4:00 PM ET press briefing by the Pentagon.
Hawthorne on April 12, 2009 at 3:50 PM
I prayed that God would bring this to a conclusion today with the captain’s safe return, went to take a nap, and woke up to this news.
FNC reporting three simultaneous clear sniper shots from 30 meters (I think – does that sound right?).
Thank you Lord, the SEALS, and the Commander of the U.S.S. Bainbridge! WHAT A GREAT DAY.
capitalist piglet on April 12, 2009 at 5:00 PM
OK, the briefing with an American Vice Admiral was a little more revealing. The Captain of the USS Bainbridge had a standing order from President Obama that he should intervene if at any moment they felt that the life of Captain Phillips was in immediate danger.
Apparently the Bainbridge had secured a metal cable to the lifeboat and was towing it some 25 to 30 meters behind the destroyer. One of the four pirates had come aboard the Bainbridge in an effort to negotiate the release of Phillips in return for their release. Three pirates remained on the lifeboat to guard Phillips.
During the negotiations on the Bainbridge something went wrong on the lifeboat and one of the pirates on the lifeboat aimed an AK-47 at Phillips and displayed body language that indicated he might be about to shoot him. This triggered the standing order by Obama to intervene if at any time the life of Phillips was in immediate danger. Snipers aboard the Bainbridge opened fire simultaneously on the three pirates aboard the lifeboat killing all three immediately.
At that time the remaining pirate aboard the Bainbridge was taken into custody. A rigid inflatable boat was dispatched to the lifeboat to recover Captain Phillips and secure the remains of the pirates. Phillips was then transferred to the Bainbridge, but has since been moved to the USS Boxer, as has the remaining pirate. The Boxer has better detention and medical facilities since it is an amphibious assault platform.
Hawthorne on April 12, 2009 at 5:00 PM
I have not seen any confirmation that this second hijacking every actually took place. Does anybody have any information?
Hawthorne on April 12, 2009 at 7:52 PM
I agree with Ed here…the best way to deal with piracy is to use overwhelming force. If you commit an act of piracy be prepared to pay the ultimate price. Simple, clean and it sends a clear message to anyone considering piracy
JKotthoff on April 12, 2009 at 10:36 PM
…to the shores of Tripoli
Thanks to Fred Thompson
Just look how far we have come in 200 years.
Winners WIN, Losers Negotiate!
Pole-Cat on April 13, 2009 at 12:41 AM
I wonder if the people of Africa are aware they are stuck in a time loop. Two hundred years have passed and they are still trying the same stupid stuff. The most important thing to note is that the answer remains the same.
Hawthorne on April 13, 2009 at 1:30 AM
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