Suspected pirates arrested in Somalia

KISMAYO, Somalia - Police in Jubaland state have arrested four suspected pirates along Somalia’s coastline, following an intensive search mounted in the region, as cases of piracy continue to skyrocket in the Horn of Africa nation, which is struggling with instability.

The pirates, officials said, were planning to attack ships in Somalia waters within Kismayo, the regional administrative capital of Jubaland state. Jubaland has recently shown signs of stabilization, after military operations executed by multinational operations within the country.

The operation was carried out approximately 70 km south of the coastal town of Kismayo, the interim capital of Jubbaland State. Two suspects managed to escape during the operation, and a search mission has been mounted.

Major Sadiq Mohamud, the commander of Jubaland police, said the region has obtained the list of people suspected to be funding piracy in the country. Those found culpable could be subjected to hangman, or the firing squad in the country.

He added that the arrested men planned to hijack ships and boats carrying goods in Jubbaland areas. The Jubaland state is one of the newest federal states which has also been handling the Al-Shabaab menace, a group that is dominant in the country.

Recently, the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) seized illegal weapons and dismantled a network of suspected pirates operating from the coastal district of Eyl, known as a strategic base for launching attacks on international shipping, officials said.

The pirates have been spending much time along Somalia’s coastline in Puntland and have since managed to hijack many vessels, including the MV Abdullah a Bangladeshi-flagged cargo ship released by Somali pirates last month following weeks of negotiations and a $5 million ransom payment.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has intensified calls for the stabilization of the country, but cases of piracy have caused concerns among several stakeholders, who are directly involved in helping the country to stabilize. Somalia has been trying to find space for development for the last three decades.

GAROWE ONLINE