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Somali government coast guards patrol the coast of Mogadishu to watch for pirates (File photo) AP photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh, File

EU carries out air strikes on Somali pirates

Attack helicopters took part in the attacks early this morning along the coastline of Somalia.

THE EUROPEAN UNION says its naval force off the Somali coastline has carried out its first air strikes against pirate targets on shore.

A spokesman said maritime aircraft and attack helicopters took part in the attacks early this morning along the coastline. No casualties were reported in the raid, which occurred along Somalia’s central coastline in the region of Galmudag.

Michael Mann, spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, says the action was part of a comprehensive approach to combating piracy.

The EU is the main donor to the Somali transitional government. It also trains Somali army troops, and is reinforcing the navies of five neighbouring countries to enable them to counter piracy themselves.

Last month, the EU allowed its ships to attack pirate targets on the shore.

Previously: Al-Qaeda releases video of American hostage >

Use of drones ‘ethical’ and ‘wise’ says White House adviser >

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24 Comments
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    Mute Dec Rowe
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    May 15th 2012, 10:56 AM

    Team EU Fcuk Yeah!

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    Mute Debi-Nikita Rathbone-Rentzke
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    May 15th 2012, 10:44 AM

    It’s time to fight fire with fire.

    79
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    Mute Mark Gaynor
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    May 15th 2012, 10:50 AM

    Thier livelihoods have not been destroyed. I read a good few books in them and about 90% of them are chancers. Just because they haven’t had a government since 1991 doesn’t give them the right to self pity and to terrorise one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. EU should blow away any of those little boats that attempt to capture a vessel and do what the Russians did.

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    Mute Dec Rowe
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    May 15th 2012, 11:00 AM

    Can we get our trocaire money back first? :)

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    Mute Dexter Gordon
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    May 15th 2012, 10:43 AM

    Go get ‘em!

    59
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    Mute random
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    May 15th 2012, 11:14 AM

    The Somali coastguard looks about the same as the pirates.

    57
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    Mute Kevin O'Sullivan
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    May 15th 2012, 10:39 AM

    Another reason to vote No. Those poor pirates livelihoods and sovereignty has been destroyed thanks to these unelected gombines in Europe. And to think that our useless government is letting it happen. Well I never. FUMING. Time for a protest outside the Dail. Anybody with me?!

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    Mute Vinnie Mulvihill
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    May 15th 2012, 10:50 AM

    ah they do right nuke’em all

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    Mute Jonathan Hayes
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    May 15th 2012, 11:00 AM

    Lol

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    Mute Andy Murphy
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    May 15th 2012, 11:43 AM

    Join you in protest? Definitely not your obviously not up to speed in what these pirates do to innocent civilians!

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    Mute Aarum
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    May 15th 2012, 1:58 PM

    Poor pirates?!

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    Mute Mìchèal de Staic
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    May 15th 2012, 7:56 PM

    why does everybody think a Union controlled by the heads of member states is undemocratic?

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    Mute Conor Rock
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    May 15th 2012, 12:15 PM

    Well done to the EU. We need more of this.

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    Mute Barry Aston
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    May 15th 2012, 12:44 PM

    Ah jaysus! These pirate lads need to sign up to SIPTU! Jack O’Connor would never stand for this “fellow workers” being air striked, let alone asked to show for work. Actually, that could work! Public sector the pirates and they’ll pull sicky’s!

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    Mute Ruairi
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    May 15th 2012, 1:09 PM

    Yawn.

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    Mute Earl Fitzgerald
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    May 15th 2012, 11:20 AM

    Nuke em from orbit!

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    Mute Pat Shannon
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    May 15th 2012, 12:06 PM

    Somali pirates. Smoke em if you got em.

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    Mute Mark osullivan
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    May 15th 2012, 1:46 PM

    If the Somalian coast guard comes up against a wave any bigger than 2 feet they’re well and truly shagged

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    Mute paudy o brien
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    May 15th 2012, 12:14 PM

    Arrrrrrrrrr

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    Mute Choooon
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    May 15th 2012, 11:28 AM

    Lets call a spade, a spade here;

    They didn’t need to go all the way to Somalia to act against piracy, considering it is happening on their door step!

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    Mute Dec Rowe
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    May 15th 2012, 12:07 PM

    Who’s door step?

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    Mute Mark Larson
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    May 15th 2012, 1:29 PM

    GOOD

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    Mute Graham Carrick
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    May 15th 2012, 5:21 PM

    The Somali coastguard look like a bunch of Kerry fishermen with ak 47s instead of fishing rods. Should kill them too while they’re at it

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    Mute Turbotoaster
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    May 16th 2012, 6:57 AM

    If only they could get the internet pirates aswell

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