Troops raid hijacked ship

2008-10-12 18:09

Mogadishu - Somali forces raided one of the many ships hijacked off the country's coast on Sunday as a deadline loomed in a standoff aboard another, arms-laden vessel, officials said.

Troops in northern Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region unsuccessfully tried to take back a ship that was hijacked by pirates on Thursday, said Ali Abdi Aware, Puntland's foreign minister. He said two pirates were killed.

The vessel, carrying cement, is believed to have Syrian and Somali crew on board.

"Our forces are chasing the ship and we hope to rescue it," Aware said in a telephone interview from Puntland, a hotbed of piracy.

'Before Tuesday or never'

Meanwhile, pirates on the Ukrainian MV Faina, which is carrying 33 tanks and other heavy weapons, continued to demand ransom money before releasing the ship and its 20 crew.

The pirates have threatened to destroy the vessel on Monday night or early on Tuesday unless the ship owners paid a ransom of up to $2m. They have held the ship for more than two weeks.

Sugule Ali, a spokesperson for the pirates, said 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.

Many fear the weapons on board could end up in the hands of Islamic militants in Somalia.

The ship's operator has not commented on negotiations.

The threat by the pirates on the Faina was unusual. Pirates operating off Somalia rarely harm their hostages, instead holding out for a ransom that often exceeds $1 million.

But international pressure on the pirates is growing. Nato said on Thursday it would send seven ships to the treacherous waters where pirates are negotiating the release of the Faina.

US warships are surrounding the ship and a Russian vessel is on the way as well.

- AP