[06/July/2009]

TAIZ, July 06 (Saba) – Yemeni marine forces have thwarted an attempted pirate attack on a national oil tanker in the Red Sea, days after the forces foiled an attack against two oil tankers in the Bab el-Mandab strait in the Red Sea.

Pirates tried to take over the tanker and marines intervened on time, clashing with the pirates who escaped out of Yemen's territorial waters, according to Coast Defense.

The tanker continued its voyage to Hodeida safely, a source at the Coast Defense added.

On Saturday, two pirate boats intercepted two Yemeni oil tankers trying to hijack them and Yemeni marine troops intervened and battled the pirates who run away.

Last month, a Yemeni oil tanker escaped a pirate attack off the
Makha port in the Red Sea.

Somali pirates intercepted the tanker and the crew managed to flee them.

Informed sources said that the pirates pursued the tanker, but it sent a distress call to the Coast Guards in the area who immediately offered help.

The tanker arrived in the port safely.

In April, three Somali pirates were killed and 12 others were seized after Yemeni marine forces rescued oil tankers which were attacked off the pirate-plagued Gulf of Aden.

Yemen has received a number of pirates who were arrested by international forces patrolling the Indian Ocean on anti-piracy mission.

Some pirates have gone on trials.

Last week, 22 African people appeared in an Aden court, with prosecutors accusing some of the group carrying pirate attacks and others of attempting piracy in the region.

Many world countries have recently expressed their concern about soaring piracy off Somali, prompting action by the countries which sent anti-piracy taskforces to the region.

FR
Saba