World

Nato sends ships to keep watch in Somalia's waters

by jessica.lam | October 9, 2008 at 01:24 pm | 52 views | 1 comment | 2 recommendations

Somalia's pirates have gained center stage as they nabbed a Ukranian ship carrying 33 tanks 2 weeks ago. The violence and hijacking of vessels began long before when fisherman in the area began their territorial patrol of the waters. Anyone who was caught fishing in the area were asked to forfeit what they had caught as it was considered "their fish." This idea was perpetuated and grew to include more violent acts, coming to the most recent debacle with the seized Ukranian ship.

Nato has now said they will now send warships to the waters off the coast of Somalia to help combat the piracy. They will use force as necessary in full accordance to international law.

Nato defence ministers meeting in Hungary agreed to despatch a joint task force by the end of the year.

The force will also escort UN ships delivering aid to Somalia, where more than 3m people - almost half of the population - are in need of food aid.

Pressure for action against the pirates has intensified since a ship carrying 33 tanks was seized last month.

Warships from several countries are already patrolling the waters because of the rise in piracy attacks.

Meanwhile, a Japanese chemical tanker seized in August in the Gulf of Aden has been freed.

There are reports that a $1.6m (£931,000) ransom was paid.

The UN this week passed a second resolution authorising the use of force against pirates.

Somalia has been without a functioning central government for 17 years and has suffered continual civil strife, with rival armed clans and groups fighting for control.