French warship foils attacks by Somali pirates

A French warship on Sunday foiled attacks by Somali pirates on two commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden, the French president's office said.

A French warship on Sunday foiled attacks by Somali pirates on two commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden, the French president's office said.

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Patrolling off the Somali coast, the French warship "Jean de Vienne" captured 19 Somali pirates when they tried to seize a Croatian freighter and a Panamanian cargo ship. They will be transferred to Somali authorities, said the French president's office in a statement.

The waters off Somalia have become a hotspot for piracy in recent years. More than 100 attacks by pirates in the area were recorded in 2008 alone.

The European Union has set up an anti-piracy naval operation to protect commercial vessels passing through the Gulf of Aden. Other countries, such as India, Iran, the US and China have also sent forces to the area.