ERBIL () - Iraqi naval forces thwarted an attempted pirate attack on an oil tanker in the country's territorial waters on Saturday and arrested 11 people allegedly involved in the operation, according to local security reporting from Basra.
A security source in the southern Iraqi province said the tanker, identified as the MAYSAL-RAYM, was targeted by a group of armed men while operating in a ship-to-ship loading and unloading area opposite the Basra Oil Terminal.
According to the local report, the assailants approached the tanker using two boats and attempted to attack the vessel.
The source said Iraqi naval forces were alerted to the incident and moved immediately to the area. The force brought the situation under control and detained all those believed to have been involved.
A total of 11 suspects were arrested aboard the two boats used during the attempted attack, according to the security source.
The supplied reporting did not identify the suspects, provide details about their weapons or explain their suspected motive. It also did not say whether anyone aboard the tanker or among the naval forces was injured during the incident.
No information was provided on whether the tanker or its cargo sustained damage.
The incident occurred in waters near one of Iraq's most important oil-export facilities. The Basra Oil Terminal area is used for maritime oil operations, including ship-to-ship activity involving tankers.
The rapid naval response prevented the incident from developing further, according to the local security account, and all of the alleged attackers were taken into custody.
The report did not provide details about possible charges against the suspects or whether an investigation had been opened to determine how the armed group reached the tanker and what it intended to do.
Further information from Iraqi security authorities had not been included in the supplied reporting.
