Another flexing of Al-Shaba'ab's muscle, and one which is brought about by their success in the taking of foreign ships and the payment of the ransom jizya. By paying them off we do nothing but further embolden then, making it easier for the attacks to continue and escalate, and getting us deeper into the blind quagmire of believing that money will solve a multitude of sins. The only sin here is the sin we commit every time we turn away from the realities of the dangers of paying off your kidnappers. I do not specifically mean the US, as we have not paid off the jihadists, but numerous other countries have, and the result is what we see in this example of attempted martial warfare.
From the Times of Oman May 29
Somali Islamists fire on foreign warships
Somalia: Somalia's Al-Qaeda linked Shebab insurgents said Tuesday they had fired on two foreign warships that came in close to the key rebel port of Kismayo, in the first such reported incident.
"The mujahedeen fighters opened fire and repulsed two military ships that approached the coast of Kismayo, they were coming close to the coast when they were attacked," said Sheikh Hassan Yaqub, a top Shebab official in Kismayo.
"They have sped away from the coastal areas after the shooting and they are not there anymore," Yaqub added.
The nationality of the reported warships is not known, but several foreign navies operate anti-piracy patrols off the coast of the Horn of Africa nation.
Nine warships in a European Union naval force are currently deployed off Somalia by France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy and The Netherlands.
Several other nations, including Russia and China, also provide protection for their vessels as they pass through the busy shipping route through the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
"There was heavy fire aimed at military ships that came close to Kismayo port, the Shebab fired artillery and anti-aircraft guns at them, but we don't know if there were casualties," said eyewitness Mohamed Isak.
From the Times of Oman May 29
Somali Islamists fire on foreign warships
Somalia: Somalia's Al-Qaeda linked Shebab insurgents said Tuesday they had fired on two foreign warships that came in close to the key rebel port of Kismayo, in the first such reported incident.
"The mujahedeen fighters opened fire and repulsed two military ships that approached the coast of Kismayo, they were coming close to the coast when they were attacked," said Sheikh Hassan Yaqub, a top Shebab official in Kismayo.
"They have sped away from the coastal areas after the shooting and they are not there anymore," Yaqub added.
The nationality of the reported warships is not known, but several foreign navies operate anti-piracy patrols off the coast of the Horn of Africa nation.
Nine warships in a European Union naval force are currently deployed off Somalia by France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy and The Netherlands.
Several other nations, including Russia and China, also provide protection for their vessels as they pass through the busy shipping route through the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
"There was heavy fire aimed at military ships that came close to Kismayo port, the Shebab fired artillery and anti-aircraft guns at them, but we don't know if there were casualties," said eyewitness Mohamed Isak.
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