Pirate and Mineral Conflicts
Pirates in Somalia
Admiral Giovanni Gumiero of the Italian Navy is on a pirate hunt in the Indian Ocean off the Somalian Coast. He has all the modern tools-radar, sonar, infrared cameras, helicopters, and a cannon that can sink a ship 10 miles away! Somalian pirates have attacked 30 vessels in the last few months.The pirates are usually armed with only assault rifles. They use fast moving boats to pull alongside their prey, and scamper on board with ladders. Once on deck they usually hold the crew at gunpoint until a ransom is paid, usually 1-2 million. It is estimated that Somali pirates netted as much as $120 million in ransom payments. Somalia has been without a real government since 1991 and is dominated by armed gangs. Piracy is getting out of control! Stopping the pirates won’t be easy because they are sea savvy and fearless. Piracy is a problem because not only are they stealing money but are threatening to choke off one of the busiest shipping arteries in the world. Italian naval officers say the piracy patrols are helping and have already saved several merchant vessels by scaring off the surrounding pirates.