Secular Café: EU forces raid Somali pirate bases.

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EU forces raid Somali pirate bases. May 15th 2012, 09:59 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18069685 Quote: EU naval forces have conducted their first raid on pirate bases on the Somali mainland, saying they have destroyed several boats. The EU forces were transported by helicopter to the pirate bases near the port of Haradhere. Anti-piracy forces have been reluctant to attack mainland bases, fearing for the crew of captured ships. Somalia-based pirates have seized vessels across the Indian Ocean and demand huge ransoms for their release. They are believed to be holding about 17 ships and 300 crew... ...The EU recently agreed to expand Operation Atalanta to allow forces to attack land targets as well as those at sea, and this is the first time its forces have used the new rules to attack a base on the mainland. The attack was carried out overnight and, according to the European forces, no Somalis were hurt during the action. The multinational forces used helicopters in conjunction with two warships to leave five of the pirates' fast attack craft "inoperable"... ...A spokesman added that the operation was carried out with the full support of the Somali government after extensive surveillance, and the aim was to deny the pirates a save haven onshore. Military vessels from Nato countries, the US, China, Russia, Japan and India are also involved in patrolling an area of ocean which is about the same size as western Europe. IMO they will have to do a great deal more to put down piracy.

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