Brussels: French and US warships on patrol off the Somali coast combined to detain 12 suspected pirates after a merchant vessel reported coming under attack at the weekend, a statement said on Tuesday.
NATO and the EU's Atalanta anti-piracy taskforce said the vessel issued a distress call after it was attacked by a boat carrying six suspected pirates armed with rocket-propelled grenades.
NATO said the crew on the unnamed Panama-flagged vessel gathered in a secure room while an on-board Armed Security Team exchanged fire with the suspected pirates.
The 12 are now being held on the Surcouf, pending legal proceedings, a statement said.
NATO and the EU's Atalanta anti-piracy taskforce said the vessel issued a distress call after it was attacked by a boat carrying six suspected pirates armed with rocket-propelled grenades.
NATO said the crew on the unnamed Panama-flagged vessel gathered in a secure room while an on-board Armed Security Team exchanged fire with the suspected pirates.
The 12 are now being held on the Surcouf, pending legal proceedings, a statement said.
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