Mediterranean under threat from Somali-style piracy from fighters loyal to Islamic State
The Mediterranean could see a return of Somalia-style piracy from fighters loyal to ISIS, experts warned last night.
A report by the Italian
Ministry of Defence warned that ISIS had already taken control of Libyan
ports and boats and, “could repeat the scenario that has dominated the
maritime region between Somalia and Aden for the last ten years”.
It
added: “Speed boats could attack fishing boats, cruise ships, small
merchant ships, as well as coast guards in this case more to capture
prisoners to exhibit in orange jumpsuits.”
Chris Parry,
Rear Admiral, has warned ISIS pirates would pose a greater danger to
shipping and yachting than the Somalis because they are more
sufficiently armed.
He said: “You are going to get
them turning up with surface-to-air missiles. Helicopters are going to
come down if you are not careful.”
He added that Isis would hold an “endless supply” of fighters and weapons from Syria and Libya.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the Mediterranean constitutes about 15 per cent of global shipping activity.
Piracy
could end leisure sailing, damage the cruise industry and increase
living costs for Europeans, with cargo forced to travel by road and
rail. In 2014, over 17,000 ships passed through the channel.
Gerard
Batten UKIP MEP has spoken out about the latest threat, voicing concern
about Britain’s defences. “In the past, the royal navy eradicated
piracy,” he said.
“Now, our defences have been so run down that it’s doubtful we could ever mount a serious, independent action against them.”
“Even
when the royal navy combated piracy off Somalia, the captured pirates
were treated with kid gloves and protected by the Court of Human
Rights.”
“They should be destroyed at sea,” Mr Batten added.
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