Manama: The US Navy has destroyed a skiff and seized six pirates in the Gulf of Aden, around 330 nautical miles off the coast of Djibouti. The Navy has now 21 pirates in its custody.
The US action on Saturday was in retaliation for an attack by the skiff on the Ashland, an amphibious dock landing ship, at around 5 am, the Bahrain-headquartered Navy said in a statement.
“During the attack, the Ashland received small arms fire on the port side from the six man crew of suspected pirates aboard the skiff. The Ashland, in accordance with her rules of engagement, returned fire,” the Navy said. “Ashland fired two rounds from her MK-38 Mod 2, 25mm gun and the skiff caught fire.”
The suspected pirates were brought on board the Ashland where they received medical care. There is no apparent damage to the Ashland and there were no injuries to any members of her crew, the statement said.
“Three events over the past ten days have allowed the US Navy to capture a total of 21 suspected pirates. Two of these events were precipitated by attacks on the U.S. vessels, while the third was in response to a fellow mariner's call for help. USS Nicholas (FFG 47) was attacked late in the evening by pirates on March 31, resulting in the capture of five, while the attack on the Ashland netted an additional six,” the Navy said.
“In the third event, McFaul responded to the distress call from M/V Rising Sun on April 5 and helped thwart the attack and capture an additional ten suspected pirates. The US Navy is now reviewing multiple options regarding these suspected pirates' legal dispositions.”
