Somali Pirates' Latest Catch: Iranian, Japanese Vessels

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (AHN) - Pirates have seized four vessels off the coast of Somalia since Wednesday with a Japanese tanker and an Iranian bulk vessel being the latest catches on Thursday.

The hijackings occurred within an hour of each other, according to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in Kuala Lumpur. Some 19 crew members were aboard the Japanese ship. The number of crew on the Iranian ship was unknown.

On Tuesday, a Malaysian ship carrying palm oil was seized in the Gulf of Aden, Noel Choong, head of the IMB's piracy center, said. The pirates held hostage its 39 Malaysian and Filipino crew members.

"We have already informed the U.S.-led coalition naval forces who have dispatched a warship to intercept the tanker believed to be heading towards Somalian waters," Choong told Al Jazeera.

On Wednesday, pirates hijacked a Japanese cargo ship with 20 Filipino crew. A Nigerian boat and Thai cargo ship with 20 crew members were also hijacked last week.