Armed militants eyeing response to piracy

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- A spokesman for an Islamist militant group says the group is preparing to attack pirates in Somalia in response to the hijacking of a Saudi-owned ship.

The unidentified spokesman, along with a local tribal elder, confirmed that the militants may attack pirates in the port of Haradheere for the recent hijacking of the Sirius Star off the Somali coast, Britain's The Telegraph said Friday.

"The Islamists say they will attack the pirates for hijacking a Muslim ship," the elder, whose identity was also not revealed, said.

The hijacked supertanker has a crew of 25 people, whose lives may be put in danger by such a assault.

Meanwhile in Mogadishu, more than 100 miles from the suspected pirate haven, a militant attack on a local official's home has resulted in the death of at least 17 people.

The attack comes as other militant forces are advancing on the Somali capital in an attempt to force out the ruling transitional government, the Telegraph said.