Turkish commandos seize 9 pirates in Gulf of Aden
Reuters: Apr 1, 2010 2:56pm EDT

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish commandos have captured nine pirates aboard a boat in the Gulf of Aden, the Turkish Armed Forces said in a statement on Thursday.

The frigate Gelibolu, serving as part of a NATO anti-piracy mission, intercepted the pirate skiff while monitoring the security corridor for merchant shipping 80 miles from the coast on Wednesday, the statement said. "Commandos performed maneuvers to intercept the boat and captured nine pirates on board," it added.

The Turkish Armed Forces' website published photos of the pirates at sea in their skiff and later, after their capture, holding their hands above their heads.

Seaborne gangs have increased their attacks in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden in recent months, making tens of millions of dollars in ransoms from seizing ships, including tankers and dry bulkers. Several vessels have been hijacked this week alone.
(Reporting by Alexandra Hudson)