Syrian ship high-jacked to Somalia

The Saudi daily al-Watan said on Thursday that a Syrian ship named " Jaafar" was high-jacked while sailing in the Red Sea in the international waters adjoining the sea borders of Saudi Arabia and that it was taken to Somalia.

The Saudi paper added that contacts are being made between Syrian, Somali and Saudi officials to ensure the return back of the ship to the Saudi port of Jazan during the two coming days.

The paper added quoting the director of sea transport in Syria Ameen Berizghal that the directorate of the Syrian ports received a cable on April 8 saying that "Jaafar" was exposed to a high- jacking in the Red Sea and was taken to southern Somalia by means of force and that the high-jackers asked the captain of the ship for a ransom of $ 300,000.

Berizghal explained that the Syrian ship have been continuously and since four years exposed to high-jacking and blackmailing operations by the Somali and Eritrean militias which fight to rule in their respective countries.

Reports said that the ship which was loaded by herbs and woods was working between Saudi Arabia and Somalia. It is staffed by seven sailors, all of them are Syrians.