The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution for the first time authorizing international land operations against audacious, armed pirates sheltering in Somalia. Resolution 1851 authorizes the states to take all necessary measures that are appropriate in Somalia to suppress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea.

 

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hailed the adoption of the US resolution. The text, co-sponsored by Belgium, France, Greece, Liberia and South Korea, gives those nations already involved in battling pirates off Somalia a one-year mandate to act against the brigands inside the country.

 

Pirates on Wednesday (17^th December) hijacked a Turkish cargo ship and a Malaysian tug boat and attacked three other vessels in the Gulf of Aden in the past week. Increasingly emboldened, pirates have carried out more than 100 attacks in the key shipping lanes of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean since the start of this year.

 

Last month, they captured the world's attention when they hijacked the Saudi-owned super-tanker Sirius Star, carrying two million barrels of crude oil, and demanded a 25-million dollar ransom for the boat and its crew. It is one of about 17 ships, including an arms-laden Ukrainian cargo vessel, currently in pirate hands.

 

Tuesday's (16^th December) resolution was the fourth-one approved by the Council since June to combat the rampant piracy off Somalia's coast. UN chief Ban Ki-moon welcomed the Council's actions to combat Somali piracy. Ban added that the Security Council could explore the possibility of setting up a maritime task force or adding to the current anti-piracy operations as a quick reaction component.