Somali pirate demands release of US-captured comrades

MOGADISHU, Jan 27 (Reuters) - A Somali pirate has demanded the release of "comrades" captured by the U.S. Navy last week, threatening to kill hostages in the future if the call was not heeded, according to media reports on Friday.

Acting on a report of an attempted attack, U.S. Navy sailors pursued and caught a ship near Mogadishu with 10 Somali pirates on board and 16 Indians believed to be hostages.

"The Americans should release the 10 men they are holding," said Garaad Mohamud Mohamed, who told Shabeelle radio he was speaking on behalf of the captured pirates.

"If they don't we will kill any hostages we capture and attack any ships unlawfully plying our waters."

Two Somali ministers dismissed Mohamed's threat saying the latest arrests were part of a government plan to fight piracy along Somalia's long coastline.

"We don't recognise him. He cannot do anything," Information Minister Hayr told Reuters in Nairobi.

"The government is aware of the arrests and is coordinating with the Americans on this matter."

Piracy has become endemic in the unpatrolled waters off the coast of lawless Somalia, where dozens of hijackings and attempted seizures have been reported since mid-March.

The wave of attacks has badly shaken merchant shipping which relies heavily on key international trade routes that snake down Somalia's coastline -- Africa's longest. The attacks have also hampered efforts to get aid to Somalia.

In November, the Somali government signed a two-year deal worth $50 million with a U.S. marine security firm in a bid to end piracy.

Somalia collapsed into anarchy in 1991 when rival warlords overthrew military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. Many militias controlled by powerful warlords smuggle drugs, weapons and people by road, sea and air around the region, experts say.

Piracy is a lucrative and increasingly popular offshoot of this illicit trade. (Additional reporting by Guled Mohamed in Nairobi)