New information has reached us through the Tunis Afrique Press agency (TAP). Around 3:30 am local time, this Thursday, November 11, the Tunisian ship taken hostage was off Yemen during its attack by a group of 10 to 15 armed pirates. The latter are still unknown. The destination of the ship was diverted after a brief stop at the Golf of Eden.
The shipowner had, according to TAP, asked for the protection of the ship long before he reached the place of the attack.
This area is known for a strong maritime traffic and has experienced many similar hostages in the past. Groups of Somali pirates were responsible for it. Since then, the area has been under close surveillance by an international coalition, in particular after the 1816 decision of the UN Security Council which authorizes the hunt for Somali pirates, even in Somali waters.
