CAIRO: The US Navy says a security team aboard one of its oilers off the coast of Somalia fired warning shots at two small approaching boats, driving them off.
The navy statement notes that while it was not certain the boats had hostile intent, it was clear they were not following the international rules of the road.
The 41,000 ton ship is one of 14 oilers servicing US ships patrolling the area, added Wednesday s statement.
The incident took place Tuesday.
In the past year, 57 ships have been attacked by gunmen in speedboats off the coast of Somalia. The surge prompted the US Naval Central Command last month to establish a security corridor patrolled by an international coalition of warships. -AP
