Somali pirate hijacking? Or did Eritrean military board vessel?

Monday, Janaury 20, 2014

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There are conflicting reports as to Somali pirates have successfully hijacked their first merchant vessel since 2012, or that it was boarded by Eritrean armed forces.

The general cargoship Marzooqah was boarded on Saturday off the coast of Eritrea.

Initial reports from international naval forces operating in the area said the vessel had been hijacked after it was boarded by armed personnel who forced the vessel to anchor off the coast of Eritrea.

However, Reuters later quoted EU Navfor as saying that the vessel had been boarded by the Eritrean navy and not hijacked by pirates.

"We assess this is an operation by the Eritrean forces, who went on board the vessel," Lieutenant Commander Jacqueline Sherriff, spokeswoman for EU Navfor was quoted as saying. "We believe the vessel is now in the hands of the Eritrean forces.”

The fact the vessel was taken to the Eritrean coast rather than moved to Somalia is not consistent with an attack by Somali pirates.

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