Pirates Seize Vessel Bound for Mombasa Port, Force It Toward Somali Coast

A major cargo ship, the _Sward_, was hijacked by suspected pirates on April 27 while sailing in the Indian Ocean near the Somali coast. The vessel, carrying a crew of 15, including two Indian nationals and 13 Syrians, was en route to Mombasa from Suez. The incident has raised concerns over a resurgence of piracy in the region, despite previous efforts to curb it.