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Somali pirates hijack more ships Somali pirates hijack more ships
(10 minutes later)
Somali pirates have hijacked a second cargo ship in 24 hours, seizing a Togo-flagged vessel. Somali pirates have hijacked a fourth vessel in 48 hours, seizing a Togo-flagged vessel.
The 5,000-tonne MV Sea Horse was taken by gunmen in up to four skiffs, Nato officials told Reuters news agency. The 5,000-tonne MV Sea Horse was taken by gunmen in up to four skiffs, Nato officials said.
Earlier, pirates hijacked a Greek-owned bulk carrier, the MV Irene, with 22 Filipino crew in the Gulf of Aden during a rare night attack. Earlier, pirates hijacked a Greek-owned bulk carrier, the MV Irene. On Monday, Somali raiders captured two Egyptian fishing boats in the Gulf of Aden.
Analysts say the gangs are clearly not put off by recent US and French hostage rescues that left several bandits dead.Analysts say the gangs are clearly not put off by recent US and French hostage rescues that left several bandits dead.
After a lull earlier this year, pirates have stepped up their attacks off Somalia's coast in recent weeks. Somali pirate leaders - who have generally treated captives well in the hope of winning big ransom payouts - vowed on Monday to avenge the deaths.
The crew of the MV Irene, which was sailing from the Middle East to South Asia, is believed to be unhurt. After a lull earlier this year, the gangs have stepped up their attacks off Somalia's coast in recent weeks.
The 22 Filipino crew of the MV Irene, which was sailing from the Middle East to South Asia, are believed to be unhurt. The vessel was captured in a rare night-time attack.
A Nato helicopter has reportedly been dispatched from a Canadian warship to investigate what is happening to the ship.A Nato helicopter has reportedly been dispatched from a Canadian warship to investigate what is happening to the ship.
Hours later, Nato officials on a Portuguese warship told Reuters news agency the MV Sea Horse had also been seized by about 77 nautical miles (143km) off Somalia.
On Monday, Somali pirates also seized two Egyptian fishing boats in the Gulf of Aden.
Power vacuumPower vacuum
Hours later, Nato officials on a Portuguese warship told Reuters news agency the MV Sea Horse had also been seized by about 77 nautical miles (143km) off Somalia.
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 US crew's pirate 'hide-and-seek' We are resolved to halt the rise of piracy in that region Barack ObamaUS president US crew's pirate 'hide-and-seek'
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 skipper 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, 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. Last Friday French forces killed two pirates and captured three more while freeing a yacht with five crew but the yacht's owner also died in the gunfight.
The US operation came shortly after French forces killed two pirates and captured three more while freeing a yacht with five crew. Shipping companies last year the firms handed over about $80m (£54m) in ransom payments to Somali pirates.
The yacht's owner was also killed in the gunfight.
Somali pirate leaders - who have generally treated captives well in the hope of winning big ransom payouts - have vowed to take revenge on American and French citizens.
The Horn of Africa nation has been without an effective government since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed the pirates to thrive.The Horn of Africa nation has been without an effective government since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed the pirates to thrive.
The shipping companies last year the firms handed over about $80m (£54m) in ransom payments.
Efforts to stop the raiders 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 raiders have so far had only limited success, with international naval patrols struggling to cover the vast areas of ocean where the gangs operate.