The piracy epidemic now plaguing the Gulf of Aden and waters off the Horn of Africa is fascinating stuff. Brazen Somalia pirates have attacked 95 vessels year to date.The corsairs still hold 16 ships and 250 sailors. Among them, a Ukrainian freighter loaded with T-72 tanks whose ultimate destination remains a mystery, and now a Saudi supertanker laden with two million barrels of oil valued at $110 million U.S. The pirates demand a $25-million ransom for the vessel and Filipino crew.
Western powers, including Canada, have increased naval patrols off the Horn of Africa. But the piracy epidemic underlines the urgent need to bring stability to anarchic Somalia, where millions face famine. Somalia's last government, a moderate Islamist movement, was overthrown in 2006 by the U.S. and ally Ethiopia.
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