Press Release 20100816-03
Aug. 16, 2010

BAGHDAD – Responding to reports on August 8 of armed robberies on four commercial vessels in Iraqi territorial waters including one American-flagged vessel (The Sagamore), Iraqi Navy and Coastal Border Guard units chased two vessels, resulting in the capture of one of the getaway boats, a portion of the stolen goods, and the arrest of two suspects.   
The armed robberies occurred 20 miles (32 kilometers) off the port of Umm Qasr.  After receiving a distress call, Iraqi maritime authorities gave chase along the Shatt Al-Arab waterway.

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Scott Jones, director of the Coalition Naval Advisory and Training Team in Umm Qasr said the swift response to the incident is a significant achievement for both the Iraqi Navy and Coastal Border Guard.  Furthermore, it highlights the progress of the maritime forces in reasserting their role in enforcing maritime security in the Al-Faw region.

Iraqi officials are making arrangements to return the recovered property to its rightful owners.

The coalition training mission in Umm Qasr is located in the same Iraqi province where the incident occurred, and is charged with advising and assisting the Iraqi Navy in the comprehensive development of its maritime forces.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE USF-I J9 PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE FWD BY E-MAIL AT This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it OR BY PHONE AT DSN: (318) 239-5886 OR IRAQNA: 0780-997-5055.