VOANews.com

 

Today from VOA:

News in 45 Languages
Somali Pirates Hijack Yemeni Ship in Gulf of Aden

25 November 2008

A maritime official says Somali pirates have hijacked a Yemeni cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden.

Andrew Mwangura, of the East African Seafarers Assistance Program, identified the vessel Tuesday as the MV Amani.

It was not immediately clear when the ship was hijacked.

Somali pirates have hijacked nearly 40 ships this year.

In Malaysia Monday, an international association of tanker owners called for a military blockade along the coast of Somalia. NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the alliance is not considering such a move.

NATO is among the world powers that have sent ships to patrol the waters off Somalia. Somali pirates are wreaking havoc in shipping lanes near the country.

The Somali government, which is threatened by an Islamist insurgency, lacks the power to stop the attacks.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


E-mail This Article E-mail This Article
Print This Article Print Version
  Top Story
Bomb Explodes Near US Iraq Ambassador's Convoy

  More Stories
Two US Marines Killed in Southern Afghanistan
S. Korean TV Says Kim Jong Il Has Pancreatic Cancer
Netanyahu Calls for Peace Summit With Palestinian Leaders 
China's Xinijiang Calm as Relatives of Riot Victims Mourn
US Legislators Decry Secret Bush-Era Program
Launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour Scrubbed Again
Five Iranians Detained by US in Iraq for 2 Years Return Home
Mexican Police Kill One Gunman in Michoacan Violence
Officials: Maoists Kill 26 Police in Central India
Obama Returns Home From European, African Trip
Alleged Coup Plot Puts Guinean Army on High Alert 
Lithuania Swears In First Woman President
Curfew Lifted in Honduras
Al-Qaida in North Africa Frees Swiss Hostage
Park in the Sky Opens in New York  Audio Clip Available
China Rushing Supplies to Quake-Hit Zone  Audio Clip Available
Thousands Remember Europe's Worst Massacre Since World War II