We need Thomas Jefferson. He beat back those Islamic pirates on the Barbary Coast! Same war, different century.
ISLAMIC JIHAD: AL QAEDA PIRATES TARGET UK SHIPS The Sun
BRITAIN’S 18,000 merchant sailors face a growing danger from pirates with links to al-Qaeda.
Attacks worldwide are up 20 per cent this year – and tourists on passenger liners are now feared to be at risk.
One of the most dangerous areas is the 1,800-mile coastline of east African country
Somalia – where extremist militias with ties to Osama Bin Laden’s terror network operate unhindered.
A British skipper was seized in the area earlier this year and held hostage for 47 days by pirates demanding a £350,000 ransom.
And only this week the Japanese oil tanker Takayama came under fire from rocket-propelled grenades.
Around the world in the past year, 36 vessels have been boarded, with six crew kidnapped, three killed and one missing, presumed dead.
The modern-day pirates use high-powered motor-boats, grenade launchers and machine-guns.
British seamen’s union Nautilus wants the Government to review its policy on piracy.
Nautilus spokesman Andrew Linington said: “We are talking about sophisticated, organised, violent gangs, who jeopardise the lives of seafarers.
“The number of attacks and the level of violence are increasing.
“Sooner or later, there will be a major incident in the region.”
One notorious gang with terror links calls itself the “Somalia Coastguard”.
Mr Linington said: “Intelligence indicates gangs like the Somalia Coastguard have links to al-Qaeda.
“Unless there is action against these thugs, it amounts to a green light for a terrorist outrage.”
Skipper Colin Darch, 70, from Appledore, Devon, told The Sun in April about his 47-day hostage ordeal at the hands of pirates off the coast of Somalia.
“But our captors told us there were much worse pirate gangs around the Somali capital Mogadishu.
“They hinted that these gangs were linked to terrorists.
“One dreads to think what would happen if a cruise ship fell into their hands.”
How are the Brits handling this act of war? The foreign office has ordered skippers of warships off the Somalian coast to stop, yes, STOP detaining pirates and handing them over to the local authorities because the punishments they may receive will breach their human rights!. You couldn't make it up. So, pirates can now officially rob and kill passengers and crew of any vessel they fancy with the blessing of our government (more here.)
Can you say surrender?
