Dutch warship disarms 12 more pirates near Somalia under catch-and-release policy

Dutch disarm 12 pirates off coast of Somalia

AMSTERDAM — The Dutch navy says it has disarmed 12 more pirates off the coast of Somalia after luring them into a foolhardy attack on a warship.

The Netherlands’ Defense Ministry says a German patrol plane detected the pirates’ position and HNLMS Tromp was dispatched to the spot as part of an EU mission.

Two pirate skiffs sped toward it, apparently thinking the Tromp was a commercial vessel. When they realized it was well-armed they tried to flee, dumping their weapons and boarding ladders.

The warship stopped them by firing warning shots.

Sailors destroyed the two fast skiffs and released the pirates with enough food, water and gas to reach shore.

The Tromp has caught 32 pirates in the past week, according to the statement Sunday.