Sunday, October 12, 2008
The foreign minister of the semi-autonomous northern Puntland region says regional troops tried to retake a ship hijacked by pirates on Thursday.
Ali Abdi Aware says two pirates were killed in Sunday's attack and that government forces were still chasing the ship.
The vessel, which is carrying cement, is believed to have Syrian and Somali crew on board.
News of the raid comes as the tense standoff continues over the two-week-old hijacking of a Ukrainian arms ship.
Pirates holding the MV Faina have threatened to sink the ship, killing both themselves and the crew if no ransom is paid by Monday.
Sugule Ali, a spokesman for the pirates, said by satellite telephone that negotiations with the shipping company were continuing. Regarding the ransom, he said: "It is before Tuesday or never."
Pirates have seized more than two dozen ships this year off the Horn of Africa, but the Faina has drawn the most international attention because of its dangerous cargo that includes Russia-designed tanks and other heavy weapons.
Many fear the weapons on board could end up in the hands of Somalia's Islamic insurgents.
Source: AP, Oct 12, 2008