South Korea rescues 21 sailors abducted by Somali pirates
January 22nd, 2011 - 5:07 am ICT by BNO NewsINDIAN OCEAN (BNO NEWS) — South Korean Special Forces on Friday rescued 21 sailors of a freighter seized by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean last Saturday, the Korea Herald newspaper reported.
The rescue operation lasted five hours and was codenamed “Operation Dawn in the Gulf of Aden.” The rescue began at about 10:00 a.m. local time approximately 1,314 kilometers from Somalia.
South Korean troops successfully rescued all 21 crewmembers and captured five Somali pirates. In addition, eight suspects were shot dead. Only the 58-year-old captain of the Samho Jewelry suffered abdominal gunshot wounds, but was reported in stable condition.
No casualties were reported by the South Korean Special Forces. The 11,500-ton freighter, Samho Jewelry, was carrying eight South Koreans, two Indonesians and 11 Myanmarese.
The vessel was sailing in the Arabian Sea between Oman and India. It was heading to Sri Lanka from the United Arab Emirates when Somali pirates armed with machine guns and rifles seized the freighter.
This was the first military rescue operation against Somali pirates executed by South Korea. The Samho Jewelry and the destroyer Choi Young, which carried out the operation, are heading to a port in Salalah, Oman, and will return to South Korea next week.
“The military operation showed our strong resolve not to tolerate any illegal activities by pirates targeting South Korean vessels,” said Lieut. Gen. Lee Sung-ho, director of the military operation support team.
The successful operation was also praised by South Korea’s President Lee Myung-bak who also commended the Special Forces troops for their efforts. South Korea vowed not to negotiate with pirates or pay them any ransom.
“Our military conducted a perfect operation under difficult circumstances. I praise and encourage them. What is the most important for us is the life and safety of our citizens. We will not tolerate any action that threatens our citizens,” said the Korean leader.
This was the eight South Korean vessel seized by Somali pirates. In 2006, a South Korean fishing vessel was captured by pirates. Since then, the Asian country has joined international efforts to disrupt piracy off the Somali coast.
- Lee's praise for navy's strike against Somali pirates 'veiled threat to Pyongyang': Expert - Jan 22, 2011
- Two daring naval raids may change tactics to fight Somali pirates - Jan 24, 2011
- Crew of hijacked Chinese cargo ship rescued - Apr 07, 2012
- Somali pirates release Vietnamese ship - Sep 18, 2011
- Somali pirate jailed for life in South Korea - May 27, 2011
- British Navy nabs 13 Somali pirates - Jan 14, 2012
- Pirates hijack boat with four Americans on board - Feb 19, 2011
- Hostage crisis: Navy rushes warship to Somali coast - Apr 18, 2011
- Freed merchant vessel crew safely proceeding to Oman: Government - Jun 15, 2011
- Somali pirates hijack German-owned ship off Oman - Dec 28, 2010
- Larger deployment of forces will prevent pirate attacks: Navy Chief - Jan 31, 2011
- Pirates Abduct 43 Sailors; Holding Them for Ransom - Oct 18, 2010
- Ship unresponsive, Indian Navy calls off escort (Second Lead) - Jun 16, 2011
- Indian Navy abandons escort of freed vessel (Lead) - Jun 16, 2011
- India rules out military intervention in sailors hostage crisis - Apr 19, 2011
Tags: arabian sea, bno, forces troops, gulf of aden, gunshot wounds, korea herald, korean special forces, lee myung bak, lee sung, lieut, machine guns, military operation, old captain, president lee, salalah oman, somali pirates, south korean troops, south koreans, strong resolve, united arab emirates