Somali Pirates Hold Bangladeshi Ship, EU-India Rescue Offer Rejected

DHAKA, BANGLADESH – Efforts to free the MV Abdullah, a Bangladeshi cargo vessel seized by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, have hit a stalemate as both the Bangladeshi government and the ship's owner have declined an offer of assistance from the European Union and Indian Navy.

This decision leaves ransom negotiations with the pirates as the primary means of attempting to secure the safe release of the 23 crew members.

The ship's owner remains in regular communication with the pirates, with ransom negotiations currently underway. Specific details on the ransom amount have not been disclosed.

Despite the uncertain situation, a sliver of hope exists. Captain Sakhawat Hossain, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers Association, confirmed that the crew members are all in good health.

On Thursday, several sailors were able to contact their families, and the lines of communication with the ship's owner remain open.

The rejection of military assistance from the EU and India signals a delicate balancing act for Bangladeshi authorities. Direct intervention carries the risk of escalating an already volatile situation, potentially endangering the lives of the hostages.

However, reliance on negotiations can be a lengthy and unpredictable process. The Bangladeshi government and all affected parties now face the agonizing task of determining the best strategy to bring the MV Abdullah and its crew back safely.

 

[RG]

Appears to be a shady operation to get insurance money, perhaps the vessel operator may be hand in glove with Somali pirates.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Appears to be a shady operation to get insurance money, perhaps the vessel operator may be hand in glove with Somali pirates.

Well, negotiations with pirates is the norm if the crew is hostage in somalia. Even developed countries do the same. Special operations for rescue are very rare

 

[Amit Ray]

Both the operator as well as the Bangladesh govt seems to be complicit in these operation. They're giving boost to piracy by paying them ransom.

 

[RG]

Well, negotiations with pirates is the norm if the crew is hostage in somalia. Even developed countries do the same. Special operations for rescue are very rare

Essentially providing motivation for more such crimes.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Essentially providing motivation for more such crimes.

well, if you were one of the hostages, or your family member was a hostage, I think you would also feel that paying ransom is a good idea. Pirates make sure that they dont kill any crew. If that happens then, commandos will come knocking.

 

[kumar]

Seems like Bangladesh is sitting on loads of money.

 

[Naressh]

Bangladesh is Islamic country and it might be error by Somali pirates.

 

[Aniket Diwase]

They should also reject the billions of dollars aid granted from India as well as return billions we lended them in the past

 

[amit suri]

Seems some one don't want others to know what actually is onboard. IS nation never refuse free things otherwise.

 

[nakul1307]

The ship is quite close to Somali coastline and thats why Bangladesh feels it will be risky to launch any rescue effort.

 

[Puneet]

To each his own. The Indian Navy should charge the cost involved in the rescue operations.

 

[Sandeep]

If Bangladesh don't want any help to rescue their own ships and cargo then we should just leave them to the pirates. It's better to just sink that ship as the pirates won't be able to steal the valuable cargo or get to own a large cargo ship which is valuable. That option should only be used if no progress is being made or will ever make and it's clear they have no intention of leaving that ship.

In the meantime let's leave them and use our navy against another pirate attack or who need aid for a variety of reasons such as issue with their ships equipment, danger, sinking etc.

 

[SuvarPakisareHomos]

They will pay the ransome...looks like. Truly stupid people encouraging pirates.

 

[Brian Fernandez]

These pirate lairs need to be bombed out of existence and all their boats smashed to smithereens!

 

[Mohammad Bin Hossain]

Being able to be a part of a NATO member nation's military, we have seen that negotiation with the terrorists is
never a good idea. They may save the lives of this crew, but endangering the lives of other Bangladesh owned and/or operated vessels.

In the modern day, ship owners and operators are not difficult to find. With more and more pirates being rejected by even more and more number of countries-who declines to communicate with them. The pirates would inevitably target those who blinks first. That's what they always do.