Pirate attacks resurface in Somali waters.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Office reported on the 25th that it had received reports of a ship hijacking in the waters off Somalia. The report indicated that on the 21st, military personnel informed the UK Maritime Trade Operations Office that unauthorized individuals had taken control of an oil tanker and were navigating it southward in Somali territorial waters for about 77 nautical miles. The last known position of the ship was at 8 degrees 56 minutes North, 50 degrees 32 minutes East, which is in the southeastern waters of Somalia. In addition, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Office reported on the 23rd that it had received a report of a suspicious incident occurring 83 nautical miles southeast of Eyl, Somalia. The captain of a cargo ship reported that two small boats with armed individuals approached the ship. When one of the boats came within 600 meters, the cargo ship fired warning shots, and the other boat returned fire. The suspicious boats then left the area.