Pirates Attack Ship Close to Somalia Capital Mogadishu

Somalia has been without a functioning central government since 1991, allowing pirates to operate in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Photo by BGNES

Somali pirates have boarded a ship heading for Mogadishu harbour and shot dead its Syrian captain, officials say.

The captain had refused the pirates' demand to turn the ship away from the port, officials added, the BBC reported.

This is believed to be the first such attack so close to the Somali capital. Pirates normally launch their raids further north, especially around Eyl.

African Union peacekeepers and Somali security forces intervened and rescued the Panama-flagged ship.

The AU mission is in charge of security at the Mogadishu port. Three crew members were reportedly also injured in the violence

 

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