Somali troops surround the Dubai-flagged ship Al-Khaleej in northern port town of Bosasso, April 22, 2008. Somali troops stormed the Dubai-flagged ship on Tuesday that had been hijacked off the Horn of Africa nation, releasing its crew and arresting seven pirates, authorities said.
Photo: Reuters
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RF Navy: Combat Action against Pirates Is Last Resort
Using military force to free the Russians from Amiya Scan dry-cargo ship that was hijacked by pirates near Somali is the last resort, Interfax reported with reference to Captain Igor Dygalo, who is the aid to the RF Navy commander.
The fleet is ready to execute any order, Dygalo specified, but any actions related to releasing hostages shouldn’t threaten their health and lives. The Russians still hope that the situation could be sorted out by negotiations.
The Somali pirates captured Amiya Scan May 27, claiming the ransom for nine sailors, of whom four are the Russians.
Authorities of semi-autonomous Puntland region of Somali declared they are going to storm the ship to release hostages. Russia’s Foreign Ministry urged not to attack the ship as it will threaten the sailors.
In its turn, Puntland’s authorities urged the Netherlands’ Rieder Shipping that owns Amiya Scan not to pay ransom to the pirates as it encourages them to continue hijacking the ships.
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