Yemeni Coastal Guard Forces have been trying to free the Gana, a small oil tanker, owned by Aden Refinery Company, held on Sunday by Somali pirates off the coast of Shafrah of Abyan governorate some 10 miles off the port of Belhaf of Shabwa governorate, security sources told Saba, adding that Yemeni forces were using helicopters on anti-pirate operations.
The anti-pirate operations resulted in three Somali pirates killed, two injured and other five arrested, the sources said, adding that two Yemeni coast guards were also wounded in the exchange of fire. However, the vassal's captain who holds Indian nationality still being unknown so far.
The tanker, Gana, can carry 3,000 tones but was not carrying a cargo when it was seized off the coast of Shafrah of Abyan governorate, the official told Saba, adding that the vessel has a 23- crew members, of which three are Indian and the rest Yemenis.
On related context, Saba cited an official in the Yemeni Coast Guard Forces as saying the pirates had seized three other vessels briefly before Yemeni forces freed them earlier on Sunday.
Pirates have increased raids on ships passing through the Gulf of Aden, a key shipping lane for oil and cargo, since February. Better weather has allowed them to hijack more vessels and take more hostages despite foreign navies patrolling off the coast of Somalia.
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