A Syrian ship, the Mv Syria Star, captured by pirates

(BRUSSELS2) Definitely, security in the international corridor of the Gulf of Aden is no longer what it used to be. A new merchant ship was attacked and captured by pirates on Thursday August 5, confirms the HQ of 'Atalanta, the European anti-piracy operation (1). It was in the afternoon that pirates set foot on the MV SYRIA STAR, not without shooting at the crew. Helicopters immediately rushed to the scene. They found, on the spot, the Syria Star, motionless on the waters, as well as a skiff nearby, abandoned, with barrels of gasoline and ammunition.

At the sight of the warships, the ship in the hands of the pirates reversed course and headed southeast towards the Horn of Africa. Flying the flag of St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Syria Star (not to be confused with the Sirius Star) is an 18.838 ton freighter, manned by a mostly Syrian crew (22 sailors) as well as 2 Egyptians.

(1) The MV Bow Sara was attacked on Tuesday: 7 pirates arrested in flagrante delicto by a Spanish frigate (update) - and the MV Suez captured on Monday - The MV Suez captured by pirates in the Gulf of Aden

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)