Somalia: Hizbul Islam Seeks To End Piracy?

One day after fighters from Somali Islamist militia Hizbul Islam occupied the pirate town of Harardhere, a spokesman for the group said Hizbul Islam intends to end piracy off the Somali coast and free any hostages and ships left behind by fleeing pirates. Although Somali pirates have been facing pressure from increased patrols in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, along with increased activity by land-based militants targeting pirate strongholds, the goal of wiping out piracy along the Somali coast is too great for any one group to accomplish.