Nine suspected pirates arrested

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The French military has captured nine suspected pirates in the Gulf of Aden, officials said.

The alleged pirates were handed over to officials in northern Somalia, BBC reported Thursday.

French marines captured the men after intercepting two boats Wednesday, the British network reported.

Pirates operate in the region with impunity, officials say. NATO ships are expected in the region in the coming days to escort aid ships through the dangerous waters off the cost of Somalia.

Pirates in the region, demanding a $20 million ransom, are still holding a Ukrainian ship laden with tanks and military hardware that they took over last month.

The International Maritime Bureau said Thursday that 63 of 199 incidents of piracy worldwide recorded in the first nine months of this year had taken place off Somalia and the Gulf of Aden.

"Piracy attacks off the coast of Somalia are unprecedented," said IMB Director Pottengal Mukundan. "It is clear that pirates in the Gulf of Aden believe that they can operate with impunity in attacking vessels."