Somali pirates release Yemeni cargo ship without ransom

Garowe: A Yemeni ship seized by Somali pirates has been freed after successful negotiations, a local official said.

The MV Amani which was seized on November 25 in the Gulf of Aden was headed home to Yemen after gunmen released it without ransom following negotiations with regional authorities and local clan elders.

"The Yemeni ship was released last night after long discussions between the Puntland authorities, elders and the pirates," Ali Abdi Aware, state minister of Somalia's northern province of Puntland said.

"The ship left Eyl and it is heading to Yemen. The crew are safe and no ransom was paid."