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Somali pirates

gb/ncy, ap/reuters/afpApril 14, 2009

Somali pirates have seized another merchant ship off the Horn of Africa, showing no signs of halting attacks despite losing five of their men in robust rescue operations by the US and French navies.

https://p.dw.com/p/HWaU
Greek-operated merchant vessel Irene
The tanker is now in pirates' handsImage: AP

The pirates snatched the MV Irene, a Greek-operated vessel, in at least the ninth hijacking in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean since the beginning of April.

Egypt has reported that two of its fishing vessels were also hijacked on Tuesday.

The latest hijackings come as the pirates have threatened retribution after US naval forces killed several of them while rescuing the captain of the US cargo ship, Maersk Alabama on Monday.

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Maersk-Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips, right, and Cmdr. Frank Castellano of the USS Bainbridge

US Navy forces rescue kidnapped captain

US Navy forces rescue kidnapped captain

US Navy forces conducted a dramatic rescue operation on high seas to free a US ship captain being held hostage by pirates off the Somali coast. (12.04.2009)
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This undated photo provided Friday, April 10, 2009 by the French navy shows negotiators and members of the French navy on boats near the French sailboat Tanit, off the coast of Somalia.

French commandos storm hijacked yacht, one hostage dies

French commandos storm hijacked yacht, one hostage dies

One French hostage died, but the other four have been freed as French forces launched a rescue mission on a yacht being held by pirates off the coast of Somalia. Two pirates were killed and three more captured. (11.04.2009)
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Mrs Andrea Phillips holds a photo of her husband Captain Richard Phillips

US captain recaptured after leaping in the ocean

US captain recaptured after leaping in the ocean

A ship's captain held captive by four pirates off the Somali coast has made a dramatic but unsuccessful escape attempt. Captain Richard Phillips is the first American ever to be captured by Somali pirates. (10.04.2009)
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