![The European Union has agreed to expand its mission against Somali pirates by allowing military forces to attack land targets as well as those at sea. In a two-year extension of its mission, EU defence ministers agreed warships could target boats and fuel dumps. The BBC’s security correspondent Frank Gardner says the move is a significant step-up in operations, but one that also risks escalation. Up to 10 EU naval ships are currently on patrol off the Horn of Africa. “If you look at last year, 30 ships and up to 700 hostages were held - today that is eight [ships] and around 200 [hostages],” [Rear Admiral Duncan Potts, the operation commander for the EU Naval Force in Somalia] told the BBC’s 5Live. The statement also said “a budget of 14.9m euros (£12.4m; $19.7m) is provided for the common costs of the prolonged mandate”. (via BBC News - Somalia pirates: EU approves attacks on land bases)
I have difficulties determining how true this is. Is EU declaring war on a fledgling anarchist state or is it simply protecting its interests in a more “proactive” manner?](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1e3uxzvgQ1qzh8lfo1_500.gif)
The European Union has agreed to expand its mission against Somali pirates by allowing military forces to attack land targets as well as those at sea. In a two-year extension of its mission, EU defence ministers agreed warships could target boats and fuel dumps. The BBC’s security correspondent Frank Gardner says the move is a significant step-up in operations, but one that also risks escalation. Up to 10 EU naval ships are currently on patrol off the Horn of Africa. “If you look at last year, 30 ships and up to 700 hostages were held - today that is eight [ships] and around 200 [hostages],” [Rear Admiral Duncan Potts, the operation commander for the EU Naval Force in Somalia] told the BBC’s 5Live. The statement also said “a budget of 14.9m euros (£12.4m; $19.7m) is provided for the common costs of the prolonged mandate”. (via BBC News - Somalia pirates: EU approves attacks on land bases)
I have difficulties determining how true this is. Is EU declaring war on a fledgling anarchist state or is it simply protecting its interests in a more “proactive” manner?
