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As random and destructive as Islamists may appear, they are often, one way or another, "supporting" the greater jihad -- which is precisely why they can get away (from an Islamic perspective) with being destructive and violent. These Somali pirates, for instance, are engaged in jihad al-mal (monetary jihad). Update on this story. "Piracy ransoms funding Somalia insurgency," by Daniel Wallis for Reuters, August 24:
NAIROBI (Reuters) - An explosion of piracy this month off the coast of Somalia is funding a growing insurgency onshore as the hijackers funnel hefty ransom payments to Islamist rebels, a maritime official said on Sunday.A record four ships were seized in 48 hours last week off the anarchic Horn of Africa nation, meaning Somali pirates are currently holding hostage four cargo vessels, two tankers and a tug boat, along with about 130 crew members.
The spike in attacks at sea has coincided with a rise in assaults on land by radical al-Shabaab [the "youth"] insurgents, including the capture on Friday of Somalia's strategic southern port Kismayu.
The United States say al-Shabaab is a terrorist group with close ties to al Qaeda. Experts say some of the businessmen and warlords who command the pirates are also funding the rebels.
"The entire Somali coastline is now under control of the Islamists," Andrew Mwangura, head of the East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme, told Reuters in an interview.
"According to our information, the money they make from piracy and ransoms goes to support al-Shabaab activities onshore."
Piracy has been rife off Somalia since warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. Experts say at least 30 ships have been hijacked off the coast so far this year -- and the attacks have hit unprecedented levels this month.
"It's crazy. We have never seen anything like it in our years of tracking them," Mwangura said. "They've broken all records for piracy in this region and indeed the whole world."
RICH REWARDS
The main lure is money. Most of the hijacked ships have brought ransoms of at least $10,000, and sometimes much more.
Many pirates, particularly in the northern Puntland region, have quickly become local celebrities, flaunting their newfound cash by building palatial beachside villas, marrying extra wives or roaring around its dusty towns in flashy cars.[...]
Thursday -- a day before al-Shabaab fighters seized Kismayu following battles that killed at least 70 people -- was the worst day on record for piracy in Somali waters.
In the space of one day, gunmen hijacked a German cargo ship, an Iranian bulk carrier and a Japanese-operated tanker. That came after a Malaysian tanker laden with palm oil was seized in the same area on Wednesday.
The pirates are also holding a Thai cargo ship, a Nigerian tug boat and a Japanese-managed bulk carrier.
Mwangura said the captors of the Nigerian vessel had demanded a $1 million ransom to free it and its 10 crew.
He said there were also reports some Malaysian and Filipino hostages on board two of the other hijacked vessels might have been badly hurt by gunfire. But he said that was not confirmed.
His organization advises all shipping using the area to maintain a strict lookout for pirates around the clock, and to be especially wary of any small boats that approach them.
Posted by Raymond at August 26, 2008 8:10 AM
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If ever there is a time to bring to an end the bone-headed political correctness we have sunk to, it is now. These pirate cockboats should be turned to splinters and their crews to a red pulp - shredded by fire from 40mm Bofors, 20mm Oerlikons, Gatlings, 50 cals etc. The only way to end piracy is the politically incorrect option of destroying the pirates wherever they are. It is time the hammer came down on these seafaring bandits, and say "Enough is Enough" as regards the wishy washy human rights gunk that holds us back. Its time to go forwards and let them know that their piracy will lead only to certain death for them.
Posted by: Spirit Of 1683![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at August 26, 2008 8:41 AM
Pirates are A-OK in allah's book, after all Muhammad was a land pirate.
The quran is replete with descriptions of how to divide "booty" and slave girls.
A "holy god" that justifies theft?
Who comes to steal, kill and destroy?
at August 26, 2008 9:58 AM
My solution is that we should just pull into the nearest port in that hell hole of a country with one of those WW ll battleships with 16" guns and fire off all the remaining ammo we have at those savages to teach them the only lesson they understand. We need to unleash a good old fashioned naval gunfire barrage at those pirate nests, just like the good old days. It's the only language they understand.
Also, we must stop ALL aid to that miserable Muslim latrine pit and quarantine it. Let Al Qaeda come there so they can be trapped and die off like the rest of those Islamic savages. Somalia should be held up as the pinnnacle of Islamic civilization, which it is.
Posted by: MorrisMinor at August 26, 2008 10:49 AM
This Al-Shabaab website contains such jewels as this message to "moderate Muslims": "Know that a war is being waged against our religion, al-Islam! A vicious war against the true ‘Aqeedah, the true daw’ah and creed sent by ar-Rahman to all the Messengers (peace be upon them). And know that this is the same war waged by Abu Jahl, Fir’awn, and the Fir’awn of our era, Bush (laa’anat Allah Alaayh). They all, carried the same goal, the destruction of Islam! My brothers and sisters, the enmity is clear and they have bared their fangs; so, awake from your deep slumber of ignorance and pay heed to the lands now soaked in blood and the once pure hearts, now infested with shirk and kufr!"
It is linked to something coyly called "Islam Base" http://www.islambase.co.uk/
which features an article 'How to remain loyal to Allah' "Loyalty cannot for the sake of your tribe, race, family, Madhab,? or group.? Loyalty is only for Allah (swt)There can be no allegiance to other than Allah (swt), such as to the Queen or manmade law." Pretty clear isn't it.
As is "we have muwaadaat and hatred for the disbelievers for the sake of Allah (swt). Hate the disbelievers but treat them fairly." or "Do not be like those so called moderate Muslims who say Jews and Christians are not disbelievers." or "Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who reject Faith Fight in the cause of Evil: So fight ye against the friends of Satan: feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan." [Surah Muhammad 4:76] or "If you work for a Kafir and he insults Islam, you may hit him and walk away."
Another article is called "Virtues of a Martyr"
(self explanatory) and under "What is known by necessity" is this "Obligations--Be devoted to Allah. Denounce disbelief. Worship Allah as if you see him. Seek the necessary knowledge. Practice your deen. Be sincere for Allah's sake. Depend and keep trust in Allah. Love Allah. Love the messenger. Respect the Qur’an. Invite people to Islam. Islam must be dominant over the whole world. Establish the Khilafah. Give allegiance to the Khalifah. Fight in the way of Allah."
There is a link to the Islamic Thinkers Society
(New York) www.islamicthinkers.com
which warns Muslims : "Spying on Muslims is haraam
Using intelligence services against Muslims or working for or co-operating with any organization
is Prohibited (Haraam) according to the Shari’ah...Islam forbids a Muslim to spy on another Muslim or on the people of Dhimmah whether to benefit himself or others because the text in the Quran is general, Allah (SWT) says: “O you who Believe avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicion is a sin. And spy not on one an other neither backbite one another.” [EMQ 49:12] In this Ayah Allah (SWT) forbids Muslims from spying on or even doubting other Muslims. And this prohibition is general and includes all kinds of spying on Muslims whether to benefit the one spying or any other person.
It is reported by Abu Daoud and Imam Ahmad upon the authority of Al-Misswar Bin Makhrama that the Messenger Muhammad (saw) said: “Whoever earns and eats from exposing any secret of a Muslim, Allah will put fire in his mouth in Jahannam and whoever earns and clothes himself from exposing any secret of a Muslim Allah will cloth him with clothes of fire in Jahannam”.
at August 26, 2008 11:37 AM
My solution is that we should just pull into the nearest port in that hell hole of a country with one of those WW ll battleships with 16" guns and fire off all the remaining ammo
morris there all in inactive reserve and do you really expect the government to pay out billions to activate on in the pc climeit we have in dc?
a few 66 MM LAWS AND A FEW 50 CALIBER M2 BROWNINGS AND ARMMING THE CREWS WITH SOM 7.62 FN FALS INSTEAD OF FIRE HOSES might work far better but the anti gun idiots in the eu would never go for it they tend to see the pirates as desperate men who just want to feed there famillys not as the scum they are a few armed ships would take care of the problem if the pirates dont know whitch are armed while the might want to die for allha they are in pieracy for the money
at August 26, 2008 2:46 PM
Broadsides not brigs.
Posted by: Felton at August 26, 2008 5:40 PM
Why does this song keep running through my head?
(Humming) "...from the Halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli..."
Posted by: special_guest at August 26, 2008 5:49 PM
Time to translate C S Forester's "The Barbary Pirates" into Japanese...or even simply present the English original to the Japanese government and the head of whichever Japanese consortium owns the Japanese ship that was captured by Somali Muslim pirates.
Where's "The Phantom: The Ghost Who Walks" when we need him?
Posted by: dumbledoresarmy at August 26, 2008 11:48 PM
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