US Navy exchanges fire with Somali pirates, takes twelve into custody

US Navy exchanges fire with Somali pirates, takes twelve into custody
MOGADISHU, Somalia - The US Navy has clashed with suspected pirates off the Somali coast on Saturday, killing one pirate and wounding several others. Seven pirates were taken into custody, but there were no injuries among sailors, the Navy said.

USS Cape St. George and USS Gonzalez were about 50 nautical miles off the Somali coast and were patrolling in international waters when the incident occurred. The pirates were reportedly preparing to fire from rocket-propelled grenade launchers before the exchange of fire. The US Navy became suspicious when they espied a small utility boat taking away a pair of skiffs. "All three were wooden boats," Commander Jeff Breslau, a spokesman for the U.S. Navy at Bahrain.

"They were about 25 miles off the coast and heading west, toward shore." He added that the incident occurred at around 5:40 a.m. local time. The waters off the Somali coast are full of pirates who are looking to make a quick getaway after robbing ships and their crew at gunpoint.

"A lot of it is targets of opportunity," Breslau said. "They'll take over fishing or merchant vessels, then head back to territorial waters where they demand a ransom." The International Maritime Organization has issued warnings for ships to stay away from these waters unless absolutely necessary. Pirate attacks escalated last year jumping to 35 from the two reported in 2004.

In fact pirate attacks have interfered with ships of the United Nations that carry much-needed relief material for the war raved country. The UN has encouraged ships to prevent and thwart piracy and towards this end Task Force 150 has been formed of which Cape St. George and Gonzalez are a part. "The main focus," Breslau said, "is to prevent terrorists from using the sea."