Puntland forces kill three pirates in hostage rescue attempt

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Pity the poor crew of the Iceberg I, taken hostage by Somali pirates almost three years ago and seemingly abandoned by the vessel’s shameful owner. Unfortunately this rescue attempt by the fledgling Puntland Maritime Police Force was unsuccessful, and the likely upshot is only more misery for the 24-strong crew, one of which committed suicide by throwing himself overboard. While pirate attacks in the region may be sharply decreasing, there are still hundreds of seafarers whose nightmare has yet to end.