Gulf Of Aden PHOTO: Somali Pirates Terrorize Shipping Lanes

The Gulf of Aden has emerged as the favorite place for pirates to terrorize shipping lanes. Indeed, since the famous incident in which pirates hijacked an American vessel (and were subsequently killed in a rescue operation), pirates have hijacked four more ships and took over 60 crew members hostage..

Somalia, a country with one coast on the Gulf of Aden, hosts numerous pirate lairs which the pirates can retreat to and plan attacks from. Below is a map showing the Gulf of Aden and the countries which border it.