SOMALIA: Security guards clash with pirates in Bosasso causing injuries and leading to arrests

Record ID: 375432

  • Title: SOMALIA: Security guards clash with pirates in Bosasso causing injuries and leading to arrests
  • Date: 19th September 2008
  • Summary: (BN13) BOSASSO, SOMALIA (SEPTEMBER 18, 2008) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF AFTERMATH IN AREA WHERE CLASHES TOOK PLACE 2 VARIOUS OF BULLETS AND A BURNT VEHICLE VARIOUS OF POLICE PATROLLING THE AREA (SOUNDBITE) (Somali) JAMA OMAR, BOSASSO RESIDENT, SAYING: "As I was passing this checkpoint the fighting suddenly erupted. I saw five gunmen wounded. There were armed gangs of pirates fi
  • Embargoed: 4th October 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Somalia
  • Country: Somalia
  • Reuters ID: LVA62WUQ0Z56XK94H0GB9SN4II2Y
  • Story Text: Somali security forces reportedly clashed with pirates on Thursday (September 18) in northern Somalia's Puntland region.
    Local media said several pirates were injured and others arrested during the gunfight on the outskirts of Bosasso port.
    Most of the pirates are based in Puntland. Reports said they tried to forcefully enter the Bosasso port area when police stopped them at a checkpoint and a gunfight ensued.

    "As I was passing this checkpoint the fighting suddenly erupted. I saw five gunmen wounded. There were armed gangs of pirates fighting the police and the police captured some of them and also their cars," said Jama Omar, who witnessed some of the fighting.
    Somali pirates are holding 13 vessels captive at the moment, along with more than 200 sailors including a Greek ship captured on Wednesday (September 17) and another from Hong Kong, captured on Thursday, each carrying 25 crew, according to a Kenyan maritime official.
    Heavily-armed Somali pirates have hijacked more that 30 vessels off the Horn of Africa country this year, making its waters the most dangerous in the world.
    Spain said on Wednesday that a military aircraft would patrol the waters off Somalia to guard against the gunmen. The plane will observe the pirates' movements and relay information to a European Union task force formed to tackle piracy.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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