British marines free hijacked Italian ship off coast of Somalia
Keeping the seas free of pirates was the mission of the Royal Navy and the US Navy during the 19th and 20th centuries, and it is the reason that there was so little piracy. That, and the fact that captured pirates were usually immediately hanged.
According to the Telegraph report, "Pirates operating from 'mother ships’, as well as remote ports along the Somali coast, currently hold at least 10 ships and around 250 hostages."
You won't be surprised to learn that "Although many ships already carry security personnel, disputes over the legality of them using lethal force against pirates has hampered their effectiveness". Who would have guessed that?
Having been captured by British commandos, doubtless the pirates are already readying their asylum pleas and reviewing council housing in Britain.
A note: The pirates are coming from Somalia, not Somaliland.