Pirate spokesman cannot be reached for comment

A bunch of pirates off the coast of Somalia have seized a ship apparently loaded with 30 T-72 tanks bound for the Kenyan military. Jeffrey Gettleman of the Times has a nice take here:

The attacks sometimes take place as far out as 300 miles from shore. This year is one of the worst on record for pirate attacks in the region, with more than 50 ships attacked, 25 hijacked and 14 still currently being held by pirates.

Somali officials say the pirates are growing in numbers, with more than 1,000 gunmen at their disposal, and they have evolved into a sophisticated organized crime ring with their headquarters along the rocky shores of northern Somalia. There is even a pirate spokesman (who could not be reached on Friday).