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Yemen tanker seized from pirates Yemen tanker seized from pirates
(30 minutes later)
Yemeni special forces have freed an oil tanker captured by Somali pirates, Yemeni officials say.Yemeni special forces have freed an oil tanker captured by Somali pirates, Yemeni officials say.
The Qana was one of four Yemeni tankers attacked by pirates on Sunday off the coast of Yemen, they said. At least nine pirates were arrested in the operation, they said. The Qana was seized by pirates on Sunday.
Yemeni coast guards drove the pirates from three of the vessels, but the Qana - which was not carrying a cargo at the time - was seized. It was one of four Yemeni tankers attacked off the coast of Yemen. Yemeni coastguards repelled the pirates from the other vessels.
There have been a number of pirate attacks off Yemen, which lies on the Gulf of Aden. On Saturday an Italian cruise ship with 1,500 passengers fended off an attack from pirates off the coast of Somalia.
The Qana - which was empty of any cargo - is now being escorted back to Yemen.
Last year, pirates attacked more than 100 ships in the region, demanding huge ransoms for their release. Their attacks have intensified recently.
International warships have been patrolling the waters off Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden in recent months as part of an effort to counter piracy.
They have freed a number of ships, but attacks have continued.
Somalia has been without an effective administration since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed piracy to thrive.