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| Freighter hijacked near Somalia | Freighter hijacked near Somalia |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| 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 the nationalities of the crew on board. | Officials were unable to confirm the nationalities 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. | After a lull earlier this year, pirates have stepped up their attacks off Somalia's coast in recent weeks. |
| Officials from the EU Maritime Security Centre said the Irene, a 35,000-tonne Greek-owned vessel, was seized overnight. | Officials from the EU Maritime Security Centre said the Irene, a 35,000-tonne Greek-owned vessel, was seized overnight. |
| The centre said the 22-man crew is believed to be unhurt and shipping has been warned to stay clear of the area for fear of further attacks. | The centre said the 22-man crew is believed to be unhurt and shipping has been warned to stay clear of the area for fear of further attacks. |
| Reuters reported that a Nato helicopter had been dispatched from a Canadian warship to investigate what was happening to the ship. | |
| Nato Lieutenant Commander Alexandre Fernandes told the agency: "There are hostages so now we will shadow and monitor the situation." | |
| Power vacuum | Power vacuum |
| In a high profile hijack in the Indian Ocean off Somalia last week, 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. | In a high profile hijack in the Indian Ocean off Somalia last week, 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. |
| We are resolved to halt the rise of piracy in that region Barack ObamaUS president | We are resolved to halt the rise of piracy in that region Barack ObamaUS president |
| 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. | 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. |
| US President Barack Obama has now promised to "halt the rise of piracy" in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. | US President Barack Obama has now promised to "halt the rise of piracy" in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. |
| "I want to be very clear that we are resolved to halt the rise of piracy in that region," he said following the operation to free Richard Phillips, captain of the Maersk Alabama. | "I want to be very clear that we are resolved to halt the rise of piracy in that region," he said following the operation to free Richard Phillips, captain of the Maersk Alabama. |
| "To achieve that goal we're going to have to continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks." | "To achieve that goal we're going to have to continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks." |
| The US operation came shortly after French forces killed two pirates and captured three more while freeing a yacht with five crew. | The US 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. | The yacht's owner was also killed in the gunfight. |
| Somali pirate leaders were quoted as saying that they would take revenge by killing any US or French sailors they seized in future. | |
| Somalia has been without an effective government since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed the pirates to thrive. | 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). | 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 the gangs operate. | 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 the gangs operate. |