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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

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.



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