US captures suspected pirates after attack

WASHINGTON - The US Navy captured six suspected pirates in the Gulf of Aden Saturday off the coast of Djibouti, the military said.

The men fired on the USS Ashland, which was on a routine patrol in the Gulf of Aden, the Navy said. The ship returned fire on the skiff, which then caught on fire, prompting the alleged pirates to abandon ship. The men were then taken on board the Ashland, where they received medical treatment.

It was the third confrontation between the US Navy and pirates within 10 days and the second in which US ships came under fire. A total of 21 suspected pirates have been taken into custody.