Anti-piracy Attacks Move Closer to Somali Coast

The website "Somalia Report" published on 20 April 2012 a lengthy analysis of recent efforts by both the Puntland Marine Police Force (PMPF) and foreign naval vessels to stop Somali piracy. Titled Terrorists, Pirates or Fishermen? and written by Robert Young Pelton, the piece leads with an account of a recent helicopter attack against apparent Somali fishermen operating at night 5 kilometers from the coastal village of Gumbah. The analysis acknowledges that Gumbah is a pirate launching center with pirated ships offshore. But it is also a fishing village and pirates are known to force fishermen to join their cause. While the helicopter attack was apparently a case of mistaken identity, the incident underscores the difficulty of distinguishing between Somali pirates and legitimate fishermen. The article does make clear, however, that foreign anti-piracy efforts have moved closer to the Somali coast. Click here to read the entire article.

"Somalia Report" is a privately funded, non-partisan website that hires western editors to work with Somali journalists inside Somalia to cover key issues such as piracy, conflict, terrorism, government, local news and culture. Robert Young Pelton, author of The World's Most Dangerous Places, created "Somalia Report." It is funded entirely by Pelton and can be accessed free of charge. Click here to access the home page.