Current:Home > Contact-usSomali maritime police intensify patrols as fears grow of resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden-InfoLens
Somali maritime police intensify patrols as fears grow of resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden
View Date:2024-12-23 10:52:36
BOSASO, Puntland (AP) — Somalia’s maritime police force on Thursday intensified patrols in the Gulf of Aden following a failed pirate hijacking of a ship earlier this week.
The commander of the maritime force in the semiautonomous region of Puntland, Abdullahi Mohamed Ahmed, told The Associated Press that patrols in the waters had doubled and were on a 24-hour rotation to deter pirates.
“Here now we have many challenges. We had initially dealt with the pirates and stopped their activities, but recently on top of al-Shabab and IS we have had to look out for them again,” he said.
On Sunday, the U.S. military said it had captured five men who had attempted to hijack an Israeli-linked tanker off the coast of Yemen.
U.S. and British militaries said the armed attackers seized the Liberian-flagged Central Park, managed by Zodiac Maritime, in the Gulf of Aden. The pirates had attempted to escape using speedboats but surrendered after being pursued by American destroyer the USS Mason, a statement from the U.S. Military’s central command said.
Yemeni Houthi rebels have conducted recent attacks on commercial vessels on the Gulf of Eden, seen as part of a rise in violence in the region due to the Israel-Hamas war. But the Pentagon said this latest attempt was carried out by Somali nationals.
That is the first in many years and has led the Somali government to appeal for International support to deter a resurgence of piracy in the Horn of Africa.
“Puntland State is all alone in this security effort. No assistance from the African Union Mission in Somalia, the European Union or any international assistance. But we are doing our best,” Mohamed said.
Somalia had for years been blighted by piracy, with the peak being 2011, when the U.N. says more than 160 attacks were recorded off the Somali coast.
The incidents have declined drastically since then, however, largely due to the presence of American and allied navies in international waters.
___
Igunza reported from Nairobi, Kenya.
veryGood! (33753)
Related
- Father, 5 children hurt in propane tank explosion while getting toys: 'Devastating accident'
- Greg Norman is haunting Augusta National. What patrons thought of him at the Masters
- Jill Biden calls Trump a ‘bully’ who is ‘dangerous’ to LGBTQ people
- Messi scores goal, has assist. Game tied 2-2: Sporting KC vs. Inter Miami live updates
- Burt Bacharach, composer of classic songs, will have papers donated to Library of Congress
- Tiger Woods shoots career-worst round at Masters to fall out of contention
- Boston University's Macklin Celebrini wins Hobey Baker Award
- Saddle Up to See Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Date at Polo Match in Florida
- Judge weighs the merits of a lawsuit alleging ‘Real Housewives’ creators abused a cast member
- Eleanor Coppola, Emmy-winning filmmaker and Francis Ford Coppola's wife, dies at 87
Ranking
- World leaders aim to shape Earth's future at COP29 climate change summit
- Group seeking to recall Florida city’s mayor says it has enough signatures to advance
- French athlete attempts climbing record after scaling Eiffel Tower
- 3 people found shot to death in central Indiana apartment complex
- Should Georgia bench Carson Beck with CFP at stake against Tennessee? That's not happening
- 1 dead, 13 injured after man crashes truck into Texas Department of Public Safety building
- Judge rejects defense efforts to dismiss Hunter Biden’s federal gun case
- Get Gym Ready With Athleta’s Warehouse Sale, Where You Can Get up to 70% off Cute Activewear
Recommendation
-
Hurricane forecasters on alert: November storm could head for Florida
-
How O.J. Simpson burned the Ford Bronco into America’s collective memory
-
Kansas governor vetoes ban on gender-affirming care for minors and 2 anti-abortion bills
-
Jill Biden calls Trump a ‘bully’ who is ‘dangerous’ to LGBTQ people
-
Louisiana asks court to block part of ruling against Ten Commandments in classrooms
-
Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes meets soccer legend Lionel Messi before MLS game in Kansas City
-
FDA chairman wants Congress to mandate testing for lead, other harmful chemicals in food
-
Big E gives update on WWE status two years after neck injury: 'I may never be cleared'