US Marines Free Ship From Somali Pirates

US Marines stormed a pirate-held freighter off the coast off Somalia yesterday and freed its crew without firing a shot. Nine heavily armed Somali pirates—who had threatened to open fire, but surrendered or fled to hiding places on the ship when the Marines boarded—were busted. It's the first time in modern history the US military has stormed a ship held by pirates, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Marines, part of an international anti-piracy task force in the region, communicated with the pirates for several hours before taking over the German-owned vessel. "They kept telling us, 'Just give us money and we'll go away,' " Marine Lt. Col. Joseph Clearfield said. "They said if we came aboard, 'We're going to burn you.' " The Marines decided to storm the ship after speaking with crew members who had barricaded themselves in a safe room.
(More Somalia stories.)