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On 12th November 2008, another Turkish ship was hijacked, 50 miles south of Aden. The India bound chemical tanker Karagöl was attacked and boarded by Somali pirates. According to the captain, the pirates forced the ship to stop by firing machine guns to the bridge. The crew of 14, is unharmed.
This is the second Turkish ship hijacked. The first one Ya-Sa Neslihan is Turkish owned, but uses the flag of Marshal Islands. Karagol is Turkish flagged. In the meantime NATO shipping center shows that Ya-Sa Neslihan is now off the coast of Eyi. Turkish media reports that the negotiations for the ransom are continuing.
One of the big news in the local news portals was an interview with General Hashi Ganni allegedly the security chef of Puntland region. General Ganni, opposes any kind ransom payment to the pirates. He maintains the view that the ransoms paid by the shipping companies only encourages the pirates to get more aggressive. He also proposed a joint operation of Turkish special forces and his forces against the pirates, giving the French commando raid on Le Ponant as an example.
It is too early to say whether the words of General Ganni will create any reaction among the Turkish politicians who must approve such a military raid or military forces who will conduct the raid.
The only military hardware available at the region is the frigate TCG Gökova. Her whereabouts are still unclear just like the credibility and trustworthiness of the General Ganni.
devrimyaylali.com 