Pirates attack U.S., North Korean, Syrian ships near Iraq on the same day
BAGHDAD — The U.S. Navy has reported pirate attacks near the southern Iraqi port
of Basra. The Navy said four merchant ships were intercepted and robbed in
the northern Gulf on Aug. 8.
One of the ships was identified as the U.S.-flagged Sagamore. The Navy
said two men with AK-47 assault rifles intercepted and boarded Sagamore and
stole money and computers during their 40-minute operation.
The other targeted ships were identified as the Antigua-flagged Armenia,
the North Korean Crystal Wave and the Syrian Sana Star. The Navy said the
pirates attacked those ships on the same day.
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Iraq has confirmed the attacks, Middle East Newsline reported. Officials said two Iraqi suspects were
arrested aboard a boat with goods allegedly stolen.
Officials said this marked the first piracy off the Basra coast in 2010.
They said Basra has been controlled by organized crime.
Over the last two years, Iraq and the United States have been patrolling
the northern Gulf. The Iraq Navy was expected to take over full
responsibility for patrols in 2011.