Yemen special forces defeat pirates, take back four ships in Arabian Sea battle
CAIRO — Yemen's special forces have reported a major success an anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden.
Officials said Yemeni special forces have succeeded in capturing four
ships seized by Somali pirates. The forces, trained by the United States,
were said to have killed three pirates and captured another 11 in the attack
on a Yemeni oil tanker seized in the Gulf of Aden, Middle East Newsline reported.
"A team of the special commandos stormed the vessel at 5 a.m. [April 27]
and fought the pirates, shooting three of them dead," the Defense Ministry
said.
The special forces also captured three other Yemeni vessels seized by
Somali pirates on April 26. The battle took place in the Arabian Sea about
16 kilometers off the coast of Yemen.
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Officials said Yemeni special forces fought the pirates for two days for
control of the oil tanker, Qana. They said at least five pirates were
killed, and the tanker, with a crew of 23, was then taken to Aden.
This marked the first biggest success by the Yemen Coast Guard in
rescuing vessels seized by Somali pirates. In February 2009, Sanaa joined a
U.S.-led naval task force to battle piracy in the Gulf, Arabian Sea and Red
Sea.
The United States has financed the Yemen Coast Guard. Since 2003, Sanaa
has sought to build a 40-vessel fleet.
The Defense Ministry said Yemeni Marines and special forces were
transported by helicopter in the attack on the pirates. The ministry said
two of the Yemeni troops were injured.