The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
December 17, 2008

Aid Groups: Civilians at Risk from UN-Backed Military Raids on Somali Pirates
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------



Meanwhile, the Security Council also voted unanimously to authorize
international military raids on pirates off the Somali coast. The
US-drafted measure backs “all necessary measures” so long as the interim
Somali government approves. More than sixty ships have been attacked
near Somalia this year. Aid groups have warned UN-backed military
attacks could worsen Somalia’s internal strife. Last week, a top US Navy
commander warned ground attacks on suspected pirates would put civilians
at risk.



.