The 'Rwabee' was allegedly attacked by Yemeni Houthi rebels en route to the port of Jizan, just north of Yemen on Jan 2, 2022, just before midnight. The ship was said to be carrying medical equipment. The Houthi promptly responded by accusing the Saudis in hostile acts, and stated it was an Emirati military cargo ship, carrying military equipment, and illegally entering Yemeni waters. On Jan 3 the ship was berthed at Hamriya Port north of Dubai.
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ESBERN SNARE
The wounded pirate who has been under medical treatment on board the 'Esbern Snare' since Nov 24, after he was wounded in a firefight with Danish special forces in the Gulf of Guinea, was taken to a hospital in Ghana on Dec 19. The transfer to a hospital ashore was based on a medical assessment that it was no longer medically safe to have him on the frigate. He was taken to the hospital by a doctor and the military police so that a medical handover could take place at the hospital. At the hospital, he is now being guarded by Ghanaian police. What will happen to the man when his state of health no longer necessitates a hospital stay was not clear. The man was wounded by gunfire in one leg during the firefight, and it was subsequently necessary for the doctors on board the 'Esbern Snare' to amputate the leg. The transfer took place in connection with a port call in Ghana.
ESBERN SNARE
The four pirates who were captured by Danish special forces after a firefight in the Gulf of Guinea, had their custody extended by four weeks on Dec 22 . Three of the pirates remained detained on the 'Esbern Snare', while a fourth is hospitalized in Ghana. In a constitutional hearing in Copenhagen at the City Court on Dec 22, they all pleaded not guilty to attempted murder against the Danish soldiers. The judge, however, chose to extend the remand of them all. The defender of one of the men appealed the ruling to the High Court, believing that the extension of four weeks was too long. The High Court must now rule on the case. Denmark is still working on concluding an agreement which means that the four pirates can be transferred to an African country that will prosecute them.
TONSBERG
On Dec 13, 2021, the Danish fregate 'Esbern Snare' received information suggesting that there may be an active pirate group around the island of Bioko. The frigate set off in the direction of the possible pirate group, and sent the helicopter in advance to observe. As the helicopter approached, it received a Mayday signal from the 'Tonsberg', which was boarded by pirates in pos. 03 11 N 007 49 E, while en route from Kribi to Cotonou in the Gulf of Guinea. The helicopter crew saw a skiff on the side of the ship, and a number of suspected pirates and six hostages aboard the skiff. The people on the skiff threw objects overboard, apparently to be able to sail faster, and then set course for the north and the Niger Delta with the hostages on board. The Seahawk helicopter followed the skiff for a while at a safe distance so as not to endanger the hostages. The helicopter then returned to the 'Esbern Snare' which is not allowed to pursue pirates in national waters. During this phase, the 'Esbern Snare' received a message that there were several crew members on board the container ship, and that one crew member was injured by gunshot wounds to the lower leg. No pirates were reported on the container ship, so a boarding team was dropped off on board the ship to provide first aid. The wounded man was later taken aboard the 'Esbern Snare' to receive medical attention. The person's condition was stable. The boarding team continued to work aboard the container ship, providing support and searching for two crew members who were missing after the incident. The crew consisted of Polish, Ukrainian and Filipino nationalities.
ESBERN SNARE
The four pirates who were captured by Danish special forces after a firefight in the Gulf of Guinea, will appear again on Dec 22 in a constitutional interrogation in Copenhagen City Court in absentia. Three pirates were still being held captive on the 'Esbern Snare', while a fourth has been hospitalized in Ghana. Despite extensive negotiations with a number of West African countries, Denmark has not yet succeeded in concluding an agreement which means that the four pirates can be transferred to an African country that will prosecute them.