Abdul Hassan carries a rocket-propelled grenade near a small boat with some of his crew. This pirate group, called the Central Regional Coast Guard, was formed three years ago, has 350 men in its ranks and about 100 speedboats
In 2008, the group attacked 29 ships, earning $10m (£6m). Abdul Hassan, who pocketed $350,000, arrived with a small crew on a beach near Hobyo, on the border between Galmudug and Puntland states, before going on an attack to another ship
Abdul Hassan, 39, is nicknamed "the one who never sleeps"
On Wednesday October 29 2008, the Somalian president gave the greenlight for foreign troops to attack pirates within Somalian territory. In response, pirates are getting ready for the fight. A convoy of five trucks, each carrying five boats, goes through Galcayo on its way to Hobyo to supply the pirates
This Hobyo Branch store in Galkayo is supplying the pirates with food, drink and cigarettes. They call the owner to order what they need; then a truck goes from Galkayo to Hobyo with the items and sells them to the pirates for twice the normal price, partly contributing the country's inflation
From Hobyo's beach, three different ships captured by the pirates can be seen. The one pictured is Japanese, and was attacked in September. The ship and its crew will remain there until the end of the negotiations between the pirates and the ship's insurance company. The Ukrainian ship MV Faina is also nearby, but is too far out to sea to be seen from the beachCourtesy : Photographer Veronique de Viguerie.
