Somali maritime forces exchanged gunfire with the hijackers of an oil tanker in the semiautonomous region of Puntland, the head of the maritime force said on Thursday (March 16).
This is the first time Somali pirates have taken over a commercial ship since 2012 and locals blame the attack on foreign fishermen flooding into their waters.
The vessel was hijacked on Monday (March 13). Residents living near where it was being held said four civilians were injured by stray bullets during Thursday’s gun battle.
(REUTERS)
