Somali pirates who hijacked a UAE-controlled product tanker on Monday have released it without getting a ransom for the eight Sri Lankan crewmembers hijacked.
The news comes hours after gunfire was exchanged between naval forces and parties linked to the pirates.
The hijacking created headlines across the world as the first pirate attack by Somalis since 2012.
The IMO has warned ship operators to be on high alert and obey maritime security rules when transiting the area.
