previous attempts to train Somali military recruits have seen them swap sides and join the pirates or Islamic insurgents| Submit your comments on this article | |
| Africa Horn | |
| British mercenaries hired to take on the Somali pirates | |
| 2010-11-21 | |
| The Government is in secret talks to send taxpayer-funded British mercenaries to war torn Somalia to confront the pirates attacking commercial shipping and behind the kidnapping of Paul and Rachel Chandler. A Sunday Telegraph investigation can reveal that senior Foreign Office officials have held detailed discussions with a British security firm employing former members of the Special Boat Service (SBS) about setting up and running the operation.
Acting as "mentors" the ex-SBS men will be allowed to accompany the new crews on patrols going into action in armed encounters with the gangs. The plan is particularly sensitive because previous attempts to train Somali military recruits have seen them swap sides and join the pirates or Islamic insurgents, taking their weapons and equipment with them. Operating in fast boats capable of outrunning the pirates' converted fishing vessels, the plan is to retake the coastline and prevent the pirates from putting to sea or returning to shore with kidnap victims. | |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #4 I cannot comprehend the resistence to modest levels of shipboard armaments and training for merchant vessels. Merely arming the crew with small arms and some specific resources to repel boarders and destroy small boats that come along side wpould seem to be more than enough. A few crewmen with those added skill sets, arms lockers locked in territorial waters of any nation and available for inspection, what is the beef? Instead, piracy is flourishing and will only continue to grow, and unless we see a national will to burn these people out at the source, this will worsen. Piracy is an ancient problem and as I recall, Caesar had a pretty good answer. |
| Posted by: NoMoreBS 2010-11-21 14:34 |
| #3 previous attempts to train Somali military recruits have seen them swap sides and join the pirates or Islamic insurgents |
| Posted by: gorb 2010-11-21 12:05 |
| #2 The plan is particularly sensitive because previous attempts to train Somali military recruits have seen them swap sides and join the pirates or Islamic insurgents, taking their weapons and equipment with them. Same thing or worse will be the result once again. 'Partnering' with these vermin is not the answer. Training the wrong bloody people. Train, arm, and legally protect the SHIP CREWS! |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2010-11-21 06:31 |
| #1 Bye, bye pirates. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2010-11-21 01:28 |