As an international standoff with pirates off the coast of Somalia enters its second month, French forces have begun an offensive ahead of a broader United Nations effort.
Offensive Precedes UN Flotilla
In waters that have seen a 70 percent spike in pirate activity in the last year, French forces seized nine suspects this week, handing them over to Somali officials according to a recent agreement between the United Nations and the national government.
Responding to appeals from France and the United States, the UN passed a resolution in June allowing foreign powers to enter local waters in pursuit of pirate activity as long as they work alongside the Somali government.
"We wanted to send a very clear message to the pirates that the days of their flourishing and unpunished business is over," Gen. Christian Baptiste, a French Defense Ministry spokesman told the International Herald Tribune.
The offensive precedes a UN flotilla currently entering Somali waters to combat pirate activity.
The fleet, made up of vessels drawn from Italy, the United States, Germany, Greece, Turkey and Britain, are currently working out the rules of engagement before they begin patrolling the waters around the Horn of Africa.
Meanwhile, pirates still control a Ukranian supply ship that transporting 30 Soviet-designed T-72 battle tanks to Kenya; the pirates are holding its 21 crew members hostage.
Leave Your Comments