Partner Article

Somali pirates make worst possible error

Pirates who attacked a ship off the coast of Somalia got more than they bargained for when it turned out to be a naval vessel from an international force against piracy.

The pirates apparently mistook the German vessel FGS Spessart for a commercial merchant ship when they targeted it in the Gulf of Aden, between Somalia and Yemen. The ship pursued the pirate boat, joined by two other ships, a frigate, a helicopter and a plane.

A Nato spokesman told the Guardian: “Poor judgment by the pirates turned out to be a real opportunity for seven nations representing three taskforces to work together and strike a momentous blow for maritime safety and security.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .