French Attack Somalian Pirates - Hostages Free

Somalia – Hours ago, a 30-man French assault team from the Hubert Commando, an elite frogman commando unit, air dropped a distance away from the Carre D'as IV, and swam to the yacht. The Commandos then stormed the Amel Super Maramu sailboat. One pirate opened fire, and was killed.

Within about ten minutes, six pirates were captured, and the hostages freed. Said French President Sarkozy about this morning's successful raid: "This operation is a warning to all those engaged in this criminal activity. France will not accept that crime pays."

No commandos were injured in the raid, Jean-Yves and Bernardette Delanne (the hostages) are safe, and the Carre D'as IV will not be used as a pirate decoy any time soon. The Horn of Africa is a little bit safer this morning thanks to France's willingness to act. Vive la France!

The six prisoners are going to be brought to France for trial, and they will join six others who were brought from Somalia last April after the release of the 30 crew of the Le Ponant.  These are the same prisoners that the pirates insisted be released as part of the Carré d'As ransom.

- B. Hampton exclusively for YachtPals.com

Read more about:

• Piracy (all articles about piracy)
• Piracy Somalia (all articles about piracy in Somalia)
• Le Ponant Yacht - French Hostages
  
• Playa de Bakio -  Pirates Attack Boat in Somalia
• German Hostages kept by Pirates in Somalia
• Somalia Piracy Out of Control
• Pirates Kidnap French Yacht Crew (original article about the pirate attack on the yacht Carré d'As IV) 
• Somalia Pirates - French Hostages Phone Home
• Captured Yacht Carre D'as IV Decoy for Somalian Pirates?