Somali pirates hijack Panama-flagged ship
ABDIQANI HASSAN SOMALI pirates have hijacked a Panama-flagged ship, a regional official told Reuters on Thursday, the first successful hijack since 2017. The ship was travelling from the United Arab Emirates to Mogadishu port when it appeared to develop mechanical problems said Musse Salah, the governor of Gardafu region in the semi-autonomous northern region of Puntland. It was attacked by six pirates on Wednesday night, he said. The number and nationality of the crew was unclear but discussions were underway to free them, he said. At the height of their power in 2011, Somali pirates launched 237 attacks off the…