Somali pirates try to ransom hijacked ship carrying military hardware

The World

It sounds like a fantastic tale — pirates, ransoms and hijacked tanks — but today, a Ukrainian ship with 33 tanks and other military hardware on board was hijacked by Somali pirates. A U.S. destroyer and at least two other foreign warships have surrounded the hijacked vessel, currently moored off the coast of central Somalia. The pirates have demanded a ransom for the ship’s release. They’ve told the BBC they are not afraid and have enough food to withstand a siege. Guest: James Read, BBC World Service Africa desk

Will you support The World?

The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World. Can we count on you?