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Somali forces rescue 9 crew kidnapped by pirates from Indian ship -mayor

Storyline:National News, Security
A maritime policeman on a tag-boat guards oil tanker Aris-13, which was released by pirates, as it sails to dock on the shores of the Gulf of Aden in the city of Bosasso, northern Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland, March 19, 2017. REUTERS/Abdiqani Hassan
A maritime policeman on a tag-boat guards oil tanker Aris-13, which was released by pirates, as it sails to dock on the shores of the Gulf of Aden in the city of Bosasso, northern Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland, March 19, 2017. REUTERS/Abdiqani Hassan

Somali security forces have rescued nine seamen who were kidnapped from their Indian cargo dhow and taken ashore by pirates, said Hirsi Yusuf Barre, the mayor of Galkayo town in the state of Galmudug.

Pirates told Reuters Tuesday they would keep the crew to use as bargaining chips for the freedom of pirates jailed in India.

“We encouraged our friends to run away with the crew if they are attacked so that they exchange for the release of 117 pirates jailed in India,” pirate Saiid said.

“We are ready to reinforce our friends so that Galmudug forces do not rescue the nine crew of the Indian ship.”