Six Somali pirates killed in group fight over ransom
By IANSTuesday, January 19, 2010
MOGADISHU - Six pirates from rival groups in Somalia were killed in fighting over the sharing of $7 million ransom gained from the release of a Greek tanker off central Somalia.
Somali pirates Sunday received almost $7 million for freeing a Greek oil tanker carrying two million barrels of oil and with 28 crew on board, Xinhua reported.
“As far as we know six men died in the fighting that has been going on between the groups since Monday and almost seven others got wounded,” Rashiid Yasir, a pirate, told Xinhua from Harardhere, a port town where the fighting broke out.
The fighting between the rival pirates erupted after disagreement over allocation for various gangs from central Somalia and Puntland in northeast Somalia.
The Greek ship which has been moored in the central Somali town of Harardhere, was freed Monday after being held since last November by Somali pirates.
Some members of the pirate gangs from Harardhere have reportedly objected to a share for another gang group from Puntland who have taken part in the seizure of the vessel.
The town is reported to be tense as heavily armed rival groups took up positions for a possible attack on opponents.
The latest ransom payout was the largest ever for a single vessel hijacked in the pirate infested Somalia waters, a main waterway for international shipping.
