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| Freighter hijacked near Somalia | Freighter hijacked near Somalia |
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| Pirates have hijacked a tanker off the coast of Somalia, maritime officials say, days after several pirates were killed by US and French forces. | Pirates have hijacked a tanker off the coast of Somalia, maritime officials say, days after several pirates were killed by US and French forces. |
| In the latest in a string of attacks by pirates seeking ransom payments, a freighter named as the MV Irene was taken in the Gulf of Aden. | In the latest in a string of attacks by pirates seeking ransom payments, a freighter named as the MV Irene was taken in the Gulf of Aden. |
| Officials were unable to confirm any details of the crew on board. | Officials were unable to confirm any details of the crew on board. |
| It comes after US and French troops managed to free several hostages by opening fire on two groups of pirates. | It comes after US and French troops managed to free several hostages by opening fire on two groups of pirates. |
| After a lull earlier this year, pirates have stepped up their attacks off Somalia's coast in recent weeks. | |
| Their most high-profile hijack came last week, when a group of attackers attempted to seize a US-flagged ship - believed to be the first time a US vessel has been hijacked in two centuries. | |
| The pirates eventually fled the ship, taking its American captain hostage. But after a stand-off with a US warship, three pirates were killed by US snipers and the captain was freed. | |
| That operation came shortly after French forces killed two pirates and captured three more while freeing a yacht with five crew. | |
| The yacht's owner was also killed in the gunfight. | |
| Somalia has been without an effective government since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed the pirates to thrive. | |
| Pirates typically hold the ships and crews until large ransoms are paid by the shipping companies. Last year the firms handed over about $80m (£54m). | |
| Efforts to stop the pirates have so far had only limited success, with international naval patrols struggling to cover the vast areas of ocean where pirates operate. |