Chapter 122 Somalia Pirates

"Danxing" set sail again.d

The nearly two thousand kilometers long Red Sea was delayed for a day, and at this time, it was only two or three hundred kilometers away, and there was still a distance of 1,600 kilometers.

The Danxing sailed on the quiet Red Sea, while Zeng Lingfeng was having fun on the yacht with Sophie and the others. Of course, he couldn't help doing something he loved with Sophie and Rosa. After all, the long journey was too boring.

The Danxing ship was very fast, and the cruise was as high as 32 knots, which was about 60 kilometers per hour. At noon the next day after setting sail again, they left the Red Sea, entered the Gulf of Aden, and arrived at Djibouti City.

Djibouti is one of the largest seaports in East Africa. Located on the west coast of the Gulf of Aden in northeastern Africa, facing the Mande Strait in the south of the Red Sea. It is located at the key rush of the three continents of Europe, Asia and Africa, and it strangles the Red Sea into the throat of the Indian Ocean. Any ship that travels north through the Suez Canal to Europe or goes south to the Indian Ocean to detour the Cape of Good Hope must refuel on the water at the Djibouti Port. Its strategic position is very important and is called "the sentinel on the oil channel" by the West.

Djibouti has implemented the free port policy since 1949, and has retained its status as a free port after its independence. It is an important transshipment port in Ethiopia, a gas station and a supply station. The port-based service industry income ranks in the national economy. The industrial output value accounts for a very low proportion of GDP. The industrial foundation is weak, with only small enterprises such as mineral water, machinery repair, leather making and electricity. The coastal fishery is relatively high, including pearl shells, etc. The port is about 7 meters away from the international airport, and can take off and land large passenger aircraft and cargo aircraft. It is an important air station for landlocked countries in Europe and Africa.

The "Danxing" stayed for a short time in Djibouti Port for replenishment.

In fact, the supply was very simple, it was to replenish some fresh water, and then buy some fresh vegetables and fruits. These things were completed quickly, and the "Danxing" also left the port again and drove eastward into the Gulf of Aden.

The Gulf of Aden is named after the harbor of Ye. The Arabian Peninsula is to the north, the Horn of Africa is the south, and the west is narrower, forming Tajula Bay. The meridian at Cape Guadavui is the eastern longitude as the boundary. It is 1,480 kilometers from east to west, with an average width of 482 kilometers and an area of ​​530,000 square kilometers. The Sibe Ridge runs across the seabed and is the remnant of the Indian Ocean Ridge. There are many faults that are roughly northeast-southwest. The largest is called the Allulathai Trench, with a depth of 5,360 meters, and is the deepest part of the entire bay. The depth of the mouth of the Sibe Ridge is 3,900 meters, creating a shallow east-west valley to the west, namely Tajula Bay.

There are two world-famous seaports on the west side of the Gulf of Aden, namely the Port of Aden on the north shore and the Port of Djibouti on the south shore. They are an important fuel port for the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes and trade transfer ports. They guard the southeastern Mediterranean exports and the entire Middle East. They have an important strategic position and are the throat of the Suez Canal. According to statistics, there are nearly 50,000 ships from various countries passing through the waters near Somalia every year, and about 10,000 ships passing through the Suez Canal, most of which pass through the Gulf of Aden.

However, in recent years, this golden waterway has faced a huge threat, and the source of the threat is pirates. They have a well-known name called Somali Pirates.d

There are four main gangs of Somali pirates, namely the Puntland Guard, the National Coast Volunteer Guard, Merka, and the Somali Sailor. The Puntland Guard is the earliest gang to engage in organized pirate activities in the Somali waters; the National Coast Volunteer Guard is a small scale and mainly plunders small ships sailing along the coast; Merka, they use small fishing boats with strong firepower as their main tools for crimes, and are characterized by a flexible way of committing crimes; the most powerful pirate gang is called the Somali Sailors, whose range of activities is as far as 200 nautical miles away from the coastline.

In fact, the composition of Somali pirates is very complex, and most of their members are local refugees, which is mainly related to the local environment.

Somalia is one of the least developed countries in the world. Its economy is dominated by animal husbandry and its industrial foundation is weak. In the early 1970s, due to excessive nationalization policies and natural disasters, the economy was severely difficult. Years of war brought endless disasters to the Somalian people.

In October 2006, the US government supported Ethiopia's troops to invade Somalia and overthrew the Somali regime at that time. With the help of the Ethiopian army, the Somali transitional government supported by the United States was formed in Somalia. However, due to the limited ability of the government, it could not effectively control the national situation and could only control Mogadishu. Most parts of the country fell into a state of unruly power, forming armed separatism, and dozens of armed forces emerged. Some pirate organizations even received the support of warlords who were closely related to the interim government, allowing them to become world heroes." Somalia's 2,880-kilometer coastline became a good place for pirates to hijack and make money.

There are currently 1.1 million refugees in Somalia, and Du Mogadishu has about 20,000 new refugees every month. Due to the increasing number of refugees, refugees have not settled, food prices have soared, and natural disasters such as excessive inflation and drought have exacerbated the domestic crisis.

Frequent domestic violence has made it impossible for humanitarian efforts by the United Nations and other institutions to carry out food and daily necessities to Somalia. Even if it is transported in, it cannot be reasonably distributed and will be robbed. Recently, the security situation in Somalia has further deteriorated, and attacks against UN staff and aid agencies have occurred frequently. Most international aid agencies have evacuated from Somalia.

Refugees lack clothing and spend their days like years. They are hungry and cold, which increases violent activities. Therefore, pirates are just a form of violent activities at sea. These actions have been supported by refugees and residents, and have given pirate activities a wide mass base. Due to the support of the people, pirate activities have become more frequent and brutal.

The power of Somali pirates has continued to grow, with the number of people ranging from less than 100 in the past five or six years to 1,100 to 1,200 now. Passing through the Gulf of Aden, ships in the Somali waters are frequently attacked or hijacked by pirates. Somali pirates have become a major international public nuisance and pose a serious threat to international shipping and maritime security.

According to statistics from the United Nations International Maritime Organization, since 2008, more than 120 maritime robberies have been born in the waters near Somalia. Thirty ships have been robbed and more than 600 crew members have been kidnapped. On September 25, 2008, Somali pirates hijacked the Ukrainian arms ship carrying 33 main battle tanks. On November 15, 2008, Somali pirates hijacked the 330-meter-long Saudi Arabian giant tanker Sirius. On December 17, 2008, the Chinese freighter Zhenhua 4 was attacked by pirates in the waters of the Gulf of Aden along Somalia. In the end, with the joint efforts of all parties, the pirates boarded the ship were forced to retreat, and 30 Chinese crew members successfully escaped.

In addition to the increase in the number of pirates, the pirate's equipment has also been updated. Traditional means such as ropes, big swords and spears, speedboats, heavy weapons A47 assault rifles and rocket launchers, modern global positioning systems, satellite communications and other high-tech means have been fully used in hijacking activities, expanding the attack range from the coast of Somalia to the high seas hundreds of kilometers away, making the hijacking activities more convenient.

However, Zeng Lingfeng didn't care much about the Somali pirates. This is because the Danxing itself has very powerful firepower, and the sixteen advanced torpedoes and the sixteen Tenglong ship missiles are not vegetarians. In addition, the 420 mm caliber machine gun is also powerful.

Moreover, at this time, China's third escort fleet was carrying out a mission in the Gulf of Aden. Zeng Lingfeng believed that even if the Somali pirates attacked in full swing and with the powerful firepower of the "Danxing", even if the Somali pirates cannot be wiped out completely, there is still no problem to support the escort fleet to help.

Zeng Lingfeng was even thinking that it would be fine if the Somali pirates didn't come. If they really dared to come, he wouldn't kill them all in trouble. This would be a great achievement. The reason why Zeng Lingfeng thought so was because the cargo ship of the Hanyu Group had been hijacked here.

Therefore, after Zeng Lingfeng asked the "Danxing" to provide simple supplies at the Djibouti Port, he left the port in a swagger.

However, as soon as the Danxing ship left the port, the news was sent out by radio waves. In fact, yesterday, many people were waiting for the arrival of the Danxing ship in Djibouti Port, because, according to previous news, the Danxing ship should have arrived at the Djibouti Port yesterday.

However, they didn't know that Zeng Lingfeng stayed in the Red Sea for one night for the wish of a few beauties, and then he seemed a little late.

Shortly after the "Danxing" left the port, the sky darkened.

"Lingfeng should have supper," Zheng Yumeng suddenly patted Zeng Lingfeng on the shoulder and said.

Zeng Lingfeng was stunned. He looked at the sky and thought it was almost too late after just a while.

"Sorry, sorry, I was so fascinated just now." Zeng Lingfeng was trashed.

"Charlotte, sorry, I'm bored with you." Zeng Lingfeng looked at Charlotte with a tired look beside him and said sorry.

Charlotte shook his head.

"Ling Feng, although it was really boring just now, but you are really charming when I get serious now," Charlotte said obsessively with his eyes.

"Okay, four beauties, why don't we come together to celebrate this leisure holiday together with candlelight seafood dinner on the blue sea of ​​the Indian Ocean and under the starry sky?" Zeng Lingfeng said loudly.

"Okay" the four women nodded.

Although all four of them had seafood meals and candlelight dinners, it was unprecedentedly wonderful to enjoy a candlelight dinner in such a beautiful night sky and the silent Indian Ocean.

Soon, the service staff set up the dinner on the deck.

"Cheers" Zeng Lingfeng raised his glass.

"Cheers" Charlotte, Zheng Yumeng, Rosa, and Sophie were also infected by Zeng Lingfeng's high emotions and raised their glasses to celebrate.

"Brother Yan, you are here too. They are all your own people and there will be no foreign invasion. You don't have to be too nervous. Come and celebrate our long holiday together." Zeng Lingfeng shouted loudly to Yan Zhenjun and others who had been keeping alert in the distance.

"Boss, let's forget it. This is the Gulf of Aden. The name of Somali pirates is not for nothing, so we must be vigilant. Moreover, as the boss's bodyguard, we have no rest." Yan Zhenjun said in a deep voice.

Zeng Lingfeng was speechless, Yan Zhenjun and others were like this, too serious. In Zeng Lingfeng's opinion, although they felt their loyalty, it was a bit too cautious, and life was a bit too boring. Moreover, Yan Zhenjun and others followed him around. When Zeng Lingfeng was working, they were responsible for the guards and helped Zeng Lingfeng prepare for some temporary operations. When Zeng Lingfeng was relaxing and entertaining, everyone was even more vigilant to prevent all accidents Zeng Lingfeng might encounter; when Zeng Lingfeng was sleeping, everyone did not dare to neglect them.

Therefore, Zeng Lingfeng felt a little sorry for everyone. This time he specially took the Danxing to return home. In addition to giving himself a big vacation, he also wanted to give Yan Zhenjun and others a vacation. After all, the crew members on the Danxing were all members of the "Fox Hunting", and retired personnel from the Navy and Air Force, whose loyalty and strength are trustworthy. As for those general service personnel, their identities have been strictly reviewed and there is no danger. Yan Zhenjun and others can take the opportunity to relax.

"Brother Yan, come, Ma Mingliang and Gong Hanyi, you all come here, today everyone relax. Today you have to eat big gulps. You are not allowed to eat, you are not allowed to drink, otherwise you will not give me face." Zeng Lingfeng said a little arrogantly through the alcohol.

Ma Mingliang and others looked at Yan Zhenjun one after another. Zeng Lingfeng's request was a bit beyond their professional regulations. During the mission, they firmly eliminated all foods such as alcohol that could affect their work. But now Zeng Lingfeng is unable to refuse his affection, and they don't know what to do.

Yan Zhenjun thought about it and saw Zeng Lingfeng's attitude. If they were not satisfied with Zeng Lingfeng's wishes today, they would definitely be endless. After thinking about it, Yan Zhenjun nodded helplessly to agree. After all, Zeng Lingfeng was also kind-hearted. He also knew Zeng Lingfeng's thoughts and believed that there would not be too much danger. Because the personnel on the ship were even supervised by him personally.

The waiter set up a table next to him again, and more than a dozen bodyguards sat some on Zeng Lingfeng and the others, while the rest sat on the newly arranged table.

"Long live the long holiday" and other bodyguards sat down and the wine was poured, Zeng Lingfeng raised his glass and shouted.

"Long live" everyone cheered immediately.

This night is destined to be a sea of ​​joy, and everyone is immersed in the anesthesia of alcohol and in this rare carnival night.

However, it seems that there are always people who don’t give face. When everyone is about to be on the verge of joy, Captain Lin of the "Danxing" came in seriously.

"Long, we may meet pirates," Captain Lin said in a deep voice.F
Chapter completed!