Somalia: Piracy ransoms funding Somalia insurgency- maritime official

(SomaliNet) A maritime official said on Sunday that an explosion of piracy this month off the coast of Somalia is funding a growing insurgency onshore as the hijackers funnel hefty ransom payments to Islamist rebels.

In 48 hours last week, a record four ships were seized off the anarchic Somalia, meaning Somali pirates are currently holding hostage four cargo vessels, two tankers and a tug boat, along with about 130 crew members.

The prickle in attacks at sea has coincided with a rise in assaults on land by radical al-Shabaab insurgents, including the capture on Friday of Somalia\'s strategic southern port Kismayu.

The United States say al-Shabaab is a terrorist group with close ties to al Qaeda. Experts say some of the businessmen and warlords who command the pirates are also funding the rebels.

\"The entire Somali coastline is now under control of the Islamists,\" Andrew Mwangura, head of the East African Seafarers\' Assistance Programme, told Reuters in an interview.
\"According to our information, the money they make from piracy and ransoms goes to support al-Shabaab activities onshore.\"

Piracy has been rife off Somalia since warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. Experts say at least 30 ships have been hijacked off the coast so far this year -- and the attacks have hit unprecedented levels this month.-Reuters