US Firm to Fight Somali Pirates

In an announcement today, the Somali Government has signed a contract with US based company Topcat Marine Security to tackle the pirate threat off it's coast. The company is also expected to provide equipment and trainign to Somalia's Coast Guard and Special Forces. There is also specualtion they will help the Government set up five Navl Bases along the coast.



An interesting development indeed. It is interesting to note that the contract involves training the local Coast Guard and Special Forces. I find this odd, as I thought Somalia barely had a functioning central Government, let alone any sort of structured military.

The company also stated that they believe the pirates to be operating from a "Mothership", which is situated off the coast at about 75-100 miles. They're goal is to capture this mothership which should dramtically reduce piracy.

That is the plan anyway.

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[edit on 26/11/05 by stumason]

[edit on 11/26/05 by FredT]

Well, I guess anything is a start. Someone has to do something and I guess it couldn't hurt to have Somalia involved. Somehow, I'm not particularly optimistic about this. I think dealing with this problem through the private sector is the best way to avoid all the problems that would result from military involvement from the countries concerned. Personally, I think that if the "mothership" is operating on the high seas, anybody's navy would be justified to blow it out of the water.


[edit on 2005/11/26 by GradyPhilpott]