Somali pirates: executing hostages = response to anti-piracy

[Mikey]

The story. Apparently, the Somalis thought that executing hostages would somehow alleviate the U.S. response to piracy. Personally, I'd always thought that shooting a civilian third party would help defend against military action.

Yes, that was sarcastic.

[Tsukiyumi]

"The killing of those four Americans and our comrades is a fair game that has started. Everybody will react if his life is in danger. We should not agree to be killed and let the hostages be freed," a pirate called Hussein told Reuters from Hobyo, another Somali coastal pirate haven.

Again with this sh*t. "Hey, no fair shooting at us when we take people hostage and threaten their lives! That's not how to play the game!"

Now that they've escalated this, I can't wait to see the feeble response from the UN and the US.

"Please stop doing this."

"No!"

"Well, we've done all we can."

[Mikey]

What I don't get is why they executed their only possible asset.

"Hey, Hussein! Those American soldiers are going to kill us! Should we shoot back?"
"No! Kill the people who are tied up in the hold and who currently pose no threat to us whatsoever! That'll save us!"

[stitch626]

So, in effect, they have removed the only thing preventing them from being bombed (other than hesitation on the part of the other militarys for no reason).

[Mikey]

Exactly what I meant when I said that they executed their only asset.

[Tsukiyumi]

No one ever said these asshats have any common sense.

[Lighthawk]

Seeing as they seem to believe they have a right to kidnap people and demand money for them, and whine about getting killed when they do so, I'd say common sense has never been part of their thinking.

[Mikey]

One would think that knowing how to use hostages would be a prerequisite for someone in the hostage-taking business. I guess not.

[Tyyr]

I'm completely at a loss. They were being followed, but the US forces were negotiating with them. Then they just out of the blue kill all four hostages. So US Spec Ops storms the boat, kills two of them, and captures the other 17. What possible reason could there be for killing all your leverage? The only thing I can figure is that someone tried to make a break for it and one of the pirates over-reacted.

[Mikey]

Make a break for it? They were on a friggin' boat. Even the Somali equivalent of Homer and Jethro would have had the jolly boats and lifeboats covered.

[Captain Seafort]

I'm completely at a loss. They were being followed, but the US forces were negotiating with them. Then they just out of the blue kill all four hostages. So US Spec Ops storms the boat, kills two of them, and captures the other 17. What possible reason could there be for killing all your leverage? The only thing I can figure is that someone tried to make a break for it and one of the pirates over-reacted.

It's especially unusual given that up till now hostages have generally been treated reasonably well. Not surprising, given that your average Somali pirate is a sensible businessman - they're out for ransoms, not any ideological bullshit.

[Mikey]

That's my question - by executing the hostages, they eliminated both any advantage they might have had when dealing with U.S. forces and their hope of a payday.

[Deepcrush]

Well, when things get crazy then its time for a crazy response. Have a few destroyers skirt the coast and level every boat/boat house or warehouse within shore view.

After that, ask them if they plan on killing anymore people. If they say yes, repeat process by half mile inland each time.

[Captain Seafort]

Well, when things get crazy then its time for a crazy response. Have a few destroyers skirt the coast and level every boat/boat house or warehouse within shore view.

You mean the ones where they're holding their hostages? Very clever Deep.

[Deepcrush]

As a matter of fact... YES.