The United Nations has authorised foreign warships to enter Somalian waters to fight pirates. The resolution was passed after the Somali government asked for help.
The Russian Navy says it's ready to send ships to the area to take on pirates who hijacked a Dutch freighter with a Russian and Filipino crew. “We are ready to fulfill any task, but the use of force would be an extreme measure and whatever is done – the security of the people is the top priority,” said Igor Dygalo, Russian Navy spokesman. He added that there is still hope that negotiations will be successful. The coast off the East African country is considered to be among the most dangerous in the world. More than a dozen pirate attacks have taken place in the area this year alone. Among the latest hostages are four Russian seamen who're in the hands of pirates reportedly demanding a million dollar ransom. The cargo vessel the Amiya Scan, sailing under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda, was captured by Somali pirates on May 26.