U.S. Navy captures six more pirate suspects

In an effort to protect the seas around Cape Horn and the Somali coast off of the African contenant the United States military has come under fire from pirates in an attempt to run military vessels off.

The United States Navy came under fire for the third time in two weeks Saturday from pirates off of the Somalia coast and for the third time the Navy ended up in a position of taking prisoners. Saturday the USS Ashland came under fire from suspected pirates and, according to a Naval statement, returned fire just before dawn about 380 miles off the coast of Djibouti. The skiff of the pirates was destroyed and six pirates were rescued by the Ashland. Just 11 days ago the USS Nicholas exchanged fire with pirates, destroying another skiff, and confiscating a mother ship. They also captured five more suspected pirates. That was followed by this past Monday the USS McFaul responding to a distress call and capturing ten more pirates. After today's attack that brings the U.S. total to 21 pirates in about 11 days. Currently the United States is considering its options as to what to do with the pirates. Ones of the pirates who attacked the Maersk Alabama is awaiting trial in the United States. African countries have been reluctant to host trials in fear of being the center for the trials. Nevertheless Russia has drafted a United Nations resolution making sure that the pirates are not able to escape prosecution. There are believed to be over a dozen ships held by pirates along the lawless coast of Somalia.