Move to release hijacked cargo ship

MAGADISHO, Nov. 26 (Saba) - Informed sources have said that Yemen's
ambassador to Somalia will head to the Bont Land region in the
country to push efforts to release a Yemeni ship that was seized by
somali pirates off Socotra island almost two days ago.

Somali pirates captured a Yemeni cargo ship carrying 517 tons of
steel destined for the island.

The ship was taken to Somalia's coast where many hijacked ships
along with their crews are being held because pirates are demanding
ransoms for their release.

The hijacking poses fears that the incident may affect the
Yemeni-Somali relationship, the matter with which Somali refugees in
Yemen may be most affected.

Piracy has been active off Somalia's coast and in the Gulf of Aden
in recent months with almost 39 vessels hijacked by pirates this
year.

Region states along with world countries particularly those whose
cargo ships pass the waterways in this area expressed concerns over
the soaring phenomenon, as there are fears pirates may serve
terrorist interests. Pirates usually ask for and sometimes receive
ransoms for the release of ships they seize.

There were some serious actions by some countries such as the
European Union states and Russia as they sent naval forces to
conduct anti-piracy patrols in the area.

FR