Somalia: Somali pirates have released the M/V Sward and its 17-member crew after holding the vessel since April, according to security sources in Puntland.
The pirates had used the vessel as a mothership to hijack other boats off the Somali coast, the sources told AFP.
What happened to the hijacked vessel?
The M/V Sward was seized on April 26 by armed men off the Somali coast. Its crew included 15 Syrian nationals and two Indian nationals.
Puntland security sources said the vessel was released near Garacad, a port in northeastern Somalia. The crew remained on board while the pirates left the vessel and travelled to shore in several vehicles.
The sources said the pirates received money in exchange for releasing the vessel, although the exact amount was not disclosed.
The pirates had used the Sward to capture at least two Iranian fishing vessels and the Cameroon-flagged cargo ship M/V Lutuf.
How many vessels are still held by pirates?
Puntland security sources previously told AFP that a $2.5 million ransom was paid to secure the release of the M/V Lutuf, while $40,000 was paid for the release of two Iranian fishing vessels.
Somalia’s federal government said the Lutuf was released following military pressure from Turkish naval forces and Somali forces. It said four boats used by the pirates were destroyed and 14 pirates were killed.
Four commercial vessels are currently being held by Somali pirates off Somalia, according to the report. They are the tankers Honour 25, Eureka, Asana and Seamull.
The International Maritime Organization has reported a resurgence in piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the Somali coast, with at least 15 attacks recorded this year.