Dutch navy frees Iranian fishery vessels from Somali pirates
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Berlin, Apr 4, IRNA -- Dutch marines shot dead two Somali pirates and wounded several in a confrontation during an operation to free an Iranian fishing vessel in the Gulf of Aden over the weekend, according to Dutch news reports.
On Saturday morning, the Dutch frigate Tromp took action to liberate an Iranian fishing vessel which had been hijacked by pirates.
Dutch marines on board of inflatable boats came under fire by pirates when they approached the Iranian vessel and subsequently returned fire.
Ten of the pirates tried to flee in a speed boat when the marines attempted a second approach but gave up when the marines fired a number of warning shots.
Another six pirates were apprehended aboard the fishing vessel, while two pirates were killed in the exchange of fire with the marines.
The 16 Somalian pirates, some of whom were injured, were being held aboard the frigate.
Dutch prosecutors have yet to decide whether to press criminal charges against the captured pirates.
The Dutch defense ministry reports that shortly after the liberation of the Iranian ship, a hijacked merchant vessel approached the HNMLS Tromp, apparently with the intention of hijacking the Iranian fishing vessel, but it turned around after the frigate fired several warning shots.
The Tromp has been on patrol in the pirate-invested Gulf of Aden as part of the European Union anti-piracy mission Atalanta.
OT**1412
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30322002
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