Somali Militants Order Pirates to Free Somalia-bound Ships
Apr 3, 2010
Somalia's Al-Shabaab militant group has warned the pirates holding nine Somalia-bound ships they hijacked. It is the first admonishment from the rebels to the pirates.
Speaking to reporters in Mogadishu, Al-Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage ordered pirates holding the ships chartered for Somali traders to free them, saying the pirates had violated their claims of only hijacking foreign ships dump waste off the coast and those that overfish.
"We are warning them to free those ships carrying food for the people," Rage said. "If they pay no heed our demands people will know that they have changed and will face consequences."
It's the first time the militants have scolded pirates for hijacking ships after traders reported that nine Somalia-bound ships had been hijacked.
Somali pirates have recently been facing frequent arrests, shootings, and internal fighting.
No comments could be reached from Al-Shabaab for this report.
The horn of Africa nation has been without central government since 1991 after clan militias and warlords overthrew the dictatorial regime of Siad Barre and plunged the country into violence for 20 years.
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Tags:
Africa, Al-Shabaab, Mogadishu, Piracy, Piracy in Somalia, Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, Somalia
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