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Somali Pirates take Another Ship as Tamil Tigers Attack Two Ships

Published Jan 14, 2011 10:30 AM by The Maritime Executive

Indian vessel hijacked as explosive laden boats ram two ships near Jaffna Peninsula. The International Maritime Bureau confirms Somali pirates have capture an Indian ship with 13 crew members aboard. The ship was heading to Somali from Asia when it was hijacked off Somalia’s north coast.

Ransomed Ships

Somalia pirates are currently holding 11 commercial vessels and 250 crewmembers, including the Ukrainian cargo ship that was transporting Russian arms. The Russian warship, NEUSTRASHIMY, is transiting the Suez Canal on its way to protect the shipping lanes. NATO and the U.S. already have warships in the area.

Pirates are demanding a ransom of $8 million for release of the Ukrainian ship, MV FANIA. U.S. warships have been keeping a close watch on the vessel for several weeks. Pirate attacks off Somalia have increased by 75 percent since the beginning of the year. While there have been approximately 200 pirate attacks worldwide, more than 69 attacks have taken place in the Gulf of Aden off Somalia. The pirates have hijacked 26 ships thus far in 2008.

Tamil Tigers

SRI Lanka's Tamil Tigers have struck back against a major government offensive with suicide attacks on merchant ships off the island's northern coast. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rammed explosives-laden boats against the MV RUHUNA and MV NIMALAWA, which were supplying the besieged Jaffna peninsula.

The Tigers also fought with naval units defending the port of Kankesanthurai on the peninsula. It has been reporter that at least six members of Tiger’s suicide squad were killed.

The MV NIMALAWA was crippled and the MV RUHUNA was severely damaged. There were no reported causalities of naval personnel or merchant marines. The Tigers used three suicide boats, but the navy captured one after it capsized. Its occupants were killed during the gun battle.

The Tigers have previously attacked international and regional shipping, and they took credit for the 2003 killing 24 Chinese crewmembers on two fishing boats.