The Dutch have – finally - joined the battle against Somali pirates. Earlier today, the Dutch navy announced it captured seven priates and freed 20 of their captives:

The Dutch navy captured seven suspected Somali pirates and freed 20 captives in the strategic Gulf of Aden shipping lane on Saturday, Dutch and NATO authorities said.

“This morning we intercepted a request for assistance from a Greek-owned ship from the Marshall Islands, the Handytankers Magic, that had fallen victim to a pirate attack,” Liuetenant Commander Alexandre Fernandes told AFP from aboard the Portuguese frigate Corte Real, which is under the NATO flag.

“We immediately dispatched a Dutch NATO ship,” which found a fishing vessel at the scene with seven suspected pirates and 20 hostages on board.

“The suspected pirates were identified and disarmed. The 20 captives were released.”

More:

Dutch defence ministry spokesman Otto Beeksma said Dutch marines had boarded a fishing vessel suspected of having been taken over by Somali pirates in an operation that started shortly after noon, Dutch time.

He could not confirm that arrests had been carried out or captives freed, saying “the ship is still being investigated.”

Fernandes told Sky News television the 20 fishermen were Yemeni.

I obviously do not have much to add to the above except for this: well done, boys! The entire world thanks you for your service.

Let’s hope NATO will continue cracking down on piracy.