Bodies of migrants wash ashore in Yemen

Show of force
Pirates have seized more than two dozen ships this year off the Horn of Africa, but the hijacking of the Faina has drawn the most concern because of its cargo.

Six U.S. warships are surrounding the Faina to prevent pirates from unloading the cargo, and a Russian warship is headed to the region. On Friday, a spokesman for the pirates threatened to blow up the Faina in three days if no ransom is paid.

A diplomat at the NATO meeting that decided on the deployment to the Gulf of Aden said deterring human trafficking was not discussed as part of its mission. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to talk about the deliberations.

Lt. Nate Christensen, a spokesman for the 5th Fleet, said the U.S. Navy is focused on combating smuggling as well as piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and he expected the increase in the force will help.

"We look for weapons smuggling, drug smuggling, and human smuggling," he said. "That's part of the lawful maritime order that we try to create there." He would not provide details on how U.S. ships deal with migrant boats, citing operational secrecy.

"The more ships, the more coalition assets, the more people, the more navies we have involved in this problem, that's the way this is going to end," Christensen said. "It's not something the U.S. or six ships can solve on their own down there. It requires even regional governments to get involved."

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