
America needs you, Mr. Jefferson
Early in the history of the United States, the nation had to take on and defeat jihadist pirates. It is time to do it again.
“Al-Qaeda pirates target UK ships,” from The Sun (thanks to Pamela):
BRITAIN”S 18,000 merchant sailors face a growing danger from pirates with links to al-Qaeda.
Attacks worldwide are up 20 per cent this year — and tourists on passenger liners are now feared to be at risk.
One of the most dangerous areas is the 1,800-mile coastline of east African country Somalia — where extremist militias with ties to Osama Bin Laden’s terror network operate unhindered.
A British skipper was seized in the area earlier this year and held hostage for 47 days by pirates demanding a £350,000 ransom.
And only this week the Japanese oil tanker Takayama came under fire from rocket-propelled grenades.
Around the world in the past year, 36 vessels have been boarded, with six crew kidnapped, three killed and one missing, presumed dead.
The modern-day pirates use high-powered motor-boats, grenade launchers and machine-guns.
British seamen’s union Nautilus wants the Government to review its policy on piracy.
Nautilus spokesman Andrew Linington said: “We are talking about sophisticated, organised, violent gangs, who jeopardise the lives of seafarers.
“The number of attacks and the level of violence are increasing.
“Sooner or later, there will be a major incident in the region.”
One notorious gang with terror links calls itself the “Somalia Coastguard”.
Mr Linington said: “Intelligence indicates gangs like the Somalia Coastguard have links to al-Qaeda.
“Unless there is action against these thugs, it amounts to a green light for a terrorist outrage.”
Yes.