French Navy Intercepts Two Suspected Somali Pirate Boats In Gulf Of Aden

January 2, 2009 11:47 a.m. EST

Aden, Yemen (AHN) - The French Navy intercepted on Thursday two suspected pirate boats in the Gulf of Aden with eight Somalis on board, whom they arrested. Because of international naval patrols, incidents of piracy had gone down with only two vessels captured in December.

On the same day, a cargo vessel with 28 Egyptian crew members was hijacked by Somali pirates. About 15 ships with over 200 crew members are in the hands of Somali pirates.

French Armed Forces spokesman Christophe Prazuck said the suspected pirates were held while they tried to take over a Panama-registered cargo vessel. The eight had weapons and munitions. Prazuck said they will be handed over to Somalia for trial.

On Christmas Day, the German Navy Frigate Karlsruhe foiled an attempt by Somali pirates to hijack an Egyptian cargo ship, the Wabi Al Arab. An emergency call from the Egyptian vessel's crew reached the German frigate, which promptly sent helicopters to battle the pirates.

The German sailors held the pirates, destroyed their firearms, but eventually set them free because they were not harassing German interests.