Breaking news: Denmark might invade Somalia
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 6:08 am
Hunt for pirates could head ashore
Limited land strikes an effective weapon in battle against pirates, captain says
Danish special forces troops could soon be going ashore in Somalia in order to combat piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
Since 2008, Danish warships have been part of the international fleet in the Gulf of Aden assigned to protect cargo ships. Those efforts, according to Navy captain Steen Engelbrecht Pedersen, a former commander of the HMS Esbern Snare, would be more effective if special forces teams were allowed to make surgical strikes on land.
A 2008 UN resolution authorises limited land operations such as attacks on weapons and fuel depots. The mandate issued by parliament, however, does not permit the use land forces.
Lene Espersen, the foreign minister, said parliament was open to discussing authorising land attacks, but pointed out that the military had not asked to be granted such permission.
Limited land strikes an effective weapon in battle against pirates, captain says
Danish special forces troops could soon be going ashore in Somalia in order to combat piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
Since 2008, Danish warships have been part of the international fleet in the Gulf of Aden assigned to protect cargo ships. Those efforts, according to Navy captain Steen Engelbrecht Pedersen, a former commander of the HMS Esbern Snare, would be more effective if special forces teams were allowed to make surgical strikes on land.
A 2008 UN resolution authorises limited land operations such as attacks on weapons and fuel depots. The mandate issued by parliament, however, does not permit the use land forces.
Lene Espersen, the foreign minister, said parliament was open to discussing authorising land attacks, but pointed out that the military had not asked to be granted such permission.
