UN identifies two Somali piracy networks..Somali villagers seize Iran boat

UNITED NATIONS (AFP) – Two main piracy networks are operating in lawless Somalia and are rooted in coastal fishing communities, UN chief Ban Ki-moon said in a report released Wednesday. The report noted that one network operated in the breakaway Puntland region and the other was based in the southern Mudug region. "It is reported that the most prominent pirate militias today have their roots in the fishing communities of the Somali coast, especially in northeastern and central Somalia and that their organization reflects Somali clan-based social structures," Ban said. In Puntland, the leading pirate group was located in the Eyl district, with other smaller groups operating from Bossaso, Quandala, Caluula, Bargaal and Garacad, he pointed out. He added that by the end of last year, the "Eyl Group" was holding hostage six vessels and their crews and was expected to have earned roughly 30 million dollars in ransom money. Ban cited increasing "reports of complicity by members of the Puntland administration in piracy activities." But he said it was "encouraging to note that both the former and current leadership of (the breakaway region) appear to be taking a more robust approach in the fight against piracy and armed robbery at sea" off Somalia.

The Mudug network was meanwhile said to have its base in Xarardheere and to have held the Ukrainian MV Faina vessel, and three other ships, for about five months from September 2008 to last month..more http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090318/wl_africa_afp/somaliapiracyun_20090318232145
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Somali villagers have detained an Iranian vessel in the northern semi autonomous Puntland region though the circumstances are unclear, a regional maritime official said on Wednesday.
Andrew Mwangura of the East African Seafarers Assistance Program said the ship was reported as seized on Monday. A local vigilante group was holding it either for illegal fishing or for destroying fishermen's gear...morehttp://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE52H0O320090318?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews