Russian Special Forces v Somali Pirates

[Mollers]

One- Nil.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8667640.stm

[Sonar]

Asked why Russia released the pirates, Col Kuznetsov told the Associated Press news agency: "Why should we feed some pirates?"

Derrr Well the Cargo was 33 million ???

The European Union's anti-piracy force said it had come across 50 groups of suspected pirates in the past couple of months. The young men, in small boats with weapons and ladders, were clearly not out on innocent fishing trips but in all cases their boats and equipments were destroyed and the men released after being disarmed, our correspondent reports.

So I guess engines are urgently needed.
I wonder if any stolen engines from the U.K. end up there.?????

[Mollers]

It would appear the a strong room on all merchant vessels is the way to go. With no hostages in the way, the SBS can wade on in.

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Mollers

It would appear the a strong room on all merchant vessels is the way to go. With no hostages in the way, the SBS can wade on in.

Yep.


I'm unsure why it wouldn't be a good idea to just put a .50 cal round through the pirate boat with them onboard though. Why let them go to do it again?

[Bern Hanreck]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8675978.stm

[Mollers]

Wow!

[chewy]

Good enough for them.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Wow!

"Catch and Return" schemes are all the rage nowadays

Frankly, I think it's a fair way of dealing with them. Certainly better treatment than they would dish out if things went wrong on a raid.

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by willk

Frankly, I think it's a fair way of dealing with them. Certainly better treatment than they would dish out if things went wrong on a raid.

Is that not what is supposed to make us "better" than them? We stick to the law and act with compassion and humanity. I'm certainly not condoning piracy - but effectively, if the news stories are accurate, the Russians murdered them. We wouldn't treat prisoners of war like that.

There are probably now many families without husbands, fathers and a source of income (albeit a very illegal one) in an impoverished part of the world where 'innocent' mothers and children will suffer. I know that is the risk they take but its easy for us to sit here in affluent Europe saying that. I doubt it does anything to disrupt the overall pirate operations, or hurt those profiting the most, and possibly means next time their is an "assault" the pirates will fight back hard as they are fighting for their lives with nothing to lose - increasing the risk to hostages and those trying to rescue them.

[willk]

I'm flattered that you single my post out. I can only assume that you feel the others are beyond redemption

Originally Posted by Polwart

Is that not what is supposed to make us "better" than them? We stick to the law and act with compassion and humanity. I'm certainly not condoning piracy - but effectively, if the news stories are accurate, the Russians murdered them. We wouldn't treat prisoners of war like that.

"Cdr John Harbour, spokesman for the EU naval force in Somalia, Navfor, said the Russian navy had been within its rights to release the suspects."
I concur with the Commander.

Originally Posted by Polwart

There are probably now many families without husbands, fathers and a source of income (albeit a very illegal one) in an impoverished part of the world where 'innocent' mothers and children will suffer. I know that is the risk they take but its easy for us to sit here in affluent Europe saying that.

I take a very dim view of armed robbery. If it doesn't go according to the robber's plans - tough.

Originally Posted by Polwart

I doubt it does anything to disrupt the overall pirate operations,

Those ten won't do it again. I'm not sure the pirates are holding much back. They seem to be in business because of the soft tactics being used by the various Authorities. These guys are not Jihadis, they're in it for the money, and you have to live to spend it.

My position on this is that when someone enters a premises/boards a ship, with the intention of overcoming the occupants/crew and robbing/kidnapping them, then they are fair game. End of. No amount of crying widows/kids/mothers will sway me.

(Tip to Pikeys & Skangers - don't wake me while breaking into my gaff)

As you'll have guessed, there's not much point in arguing with me on this one. However, I fully respect your right to be wrong, and I won't get into a big debate about it