Salem-News.com Somalia articles Page 3

Government and Media: Pirating the Truth about Seafarers in Somalia?

Status of Seized Vessels and Crews in Somalia and the Indian Ocean

(NAIROBI, Kenya ECOTERRA) - As of today, 05. July 2010, 12h00 UTC, at least 23 foreign vessels plus one barge still remain in the hands of Somali pirates, against the will of their owners, while at least 424 seafarers - including an elderly British yachting couple - plus the lorry drivers from Somaliland, have not been released.

The real truth is that you, the public, are being persistently lied to with impunity by government and their media stewards; the problem is far worse than they are letting on.

Unions Back Use of Guards with Weapons Aboard Vessels

Pressure is increasing on those who advocate a softer defensive approach of vessels against aggression by pirates.

(SANA, Yemen) - In a recent article in Lloyd’s List, seafarer unions backed the use of guards carrying weapons on board vessels transiting high risk waters.

Like many in the industry, the seafarer unions appear resigned to the idea that a broader and more robust defence of vessels and their crews is required.

Remarkable Release of Turkish Vessel in Somali Pirate Case

The pirates could not find the crew, and abandoned the ship 17-18 hours later.

(NAIROBI, Kenya ) - Somali pirates have abandoned a hijacked Turkish vessel, a Turkish news agency reported.

An official of Bergen Shipping in Istanbul, says the pirates left the MV Yasin C which was captured Wednesday.

Pirate Update: Ariana Crew Abandoned Again

A female sailor is beaten by her ship's engineer so severely that she loses her unborn child; it is the MV ARIANA's tragic story of poverty, piracy, unexpected heroes, and a captive crew turning on themselves.

(NAIROBI, Kenya) - One of the most inhumane and cruel Somali piracy stories of 2009 involve the tragic happenings on MV ARIANA, the Greek/British-owned, Malta-flagged and Ukrainian-crewed cargo vessel held in Somalia for six months until a ransom between USD 2.8 million and USD 3.5 million was paid for the release of the 37,955 gross tonnage bulk carrier.

Tackling Piracy at Sea Conference Set for Early December

The Tackling Piracy at Sea Conference happens at the Westbury Hotel, London, UK, 2nd and 3rd December 2009.

(LONDON) - Following on the successful event that took place in March 2009, organizers will again host the conference, Tackling Piracy at Sea, in London.

The group Ecoterra says that since international naval forces have been patrolling the Gulf of Aden, it has been hoped that piracy in the region will be curbed or cease altogether. "However, the problem has not gone away and indeed there is evidence that piracy attacks are increasing in other global regions," Ecoterra said in a statement.

Efforts Underway to Free Two Pirate-Held Planes in Somalia

"Puntland 'seizes Kenya-bound planes that transported pirate suspects'" - garoweonline

(PUNTLAND, Somalia) - Authorities in Somalia's Puntland State government have seized two Kenya-bound airplanes that allegedly transported pirate suspects to Puntland without the local government's knowledge, government sources tell Garowe Online.

The two airplanes were seized by Puntland security forces on Sunday after landing at the airport in Galkayo, the provincial capital of Mudug region.

German-Owned Ship Seajacked by Pirates Near Muqalla

Pirates seized the cargo ship early Saturday in the Gulf of Aden about 150 nautical miles southeast of the coastal Yemeni city of Muqalla.

(MUQALLA, Yemen) - Pirates sea-jacked a cargo ship believed to be German owned and/or flagged and captured its 17-strong crew overnight in the Gulf of Aden, a Kenyan official said Saturday.

"A 31,000-tonne cereal carrier has been seized overnight (Friday to Saturday) in the eastern part of the Gulf of Aden," said Andrew Mwangura, of the Kenya-based East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme.

Foreign Policy Announces 2008 Failed States Index

Somalia Ranked Most Unstable Country in the World; Israel Is Now Among the 60 Most Vulnerable States

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - For the first time, Somalia has become the most unstable country in the world, according to the 2008 Failed States Index, and Israel has fallen into the ranks of the 60 weakest states. The fourth annual report, produced by FOREIGN POLICY magazine and the Fund for Peace, ranks the world’s most vulnerable states and is published in FOREIGN POLICY’s July/August 2008 issue.

For a complete ranking of all 177 countries, methodology, data sets, frequently asked questions, and a listing of experts available to comment, visit ForeignPolicy.com and FundforPeace.org.