The Islamist militia in Somalia shebab Sunday called pirates who captured a supertanker Saudi Nov. 15 to release the ship or face military action.
"If the pirates want peace, they would be better to release the tanker, told AFP Sheikh Ahmed, a spokesman for the militia shebab region Harardhere which was hijacked the vessel.
The pirates have demanded Thursday the payment of a ransom of $ 25 million to release the Star Sirius is carrying a cargo of oil estimated at 100 million dollars.
The shebab, who control much of Somalia, have concentrated in recent days around Harardhere forces and have generally condemned piracy, described as insulting to Islam.
A member of pirates argued they were not afraid of these threats.
"We are the shebab from the sea and we are not afraid of shebab of the earth," said Mohamed Said joked. "If anyone tries to attack us, it would be suicide," he told AFP.
"I am not on the ship for now, because I coordinate what happens on land," he explained. "There is a small vanguard of shebab on the ground, but we also have a strong presence," said the pirate.
"Every Somali has a great respect for the holy kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We have nothing against them, but unfortunately what happened is that business for us and I hope the Saudis will understand , "Said Mohamed Said who had demanded payment of the ransom before the end of November.
Some residents of the area, the shebab are divided on what course to take and some Islamist militia would be especially interested in sharing any ransom.
"If the pirates want peace, they would be better to release the tanker, told AFP Sheikh Ahmed, a spokesman for the militia shebab region Harardhere which was hijacked the vessel.
The pirates have demanded Thursday the payment of a ransom of $ 25 million to release the Star Sirius is carrying a cargo of oil estimated at 100 million dollars.
The shebab, who control much of Somalia, have concentrated in recent days around Harardhere forces and have generally condemned piracy, described as insulting to Islam.
A member of pirates argued they were not afraid of these threats.
"We are the shebab from the sea and we are not afraid of shebab of the earth," said Mohamed Said joked. "If anyone tries to attack us, it would be suicide," he told AFP.
"I am not on the ship for now, because I coordinate what happens on land," he explained. "There is a small vanguard of shebab on the ground, but we also have a strong presence," said the pirate.
"Every Somali has a great respect for the holy kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We have nothing against them, but unfortunately what happened is that business for us and I hope the Saudis will understand , "Said Mohamed Said who had demanded payment of the ransom before the end of November.
Some residents of the area, the shebab are divided on what course to take and some Islamist militia would be especially interested in sharing any ransom.
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