Pentagon expresses concerns over piracy off Somalian coast

WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military said on Friday that it is very much concerned about the report that pirates off the coast of Somalia captured a Ukrainian cargo ship carrying 33 T-72 combat tanks.

"The United States is monitoring this situation as it develops and looking at possible options," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.

"We very much care about piracy, we are also concerned about that type of a cargo and what it might be able to be used for and the origin of the hijackers," he said.

The spokesman declined to specify what options the Pentagon is going to take.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said earlier in the day that a Ukrainian ship seized off Somalia by pirates had 33 T-72 tanks and "a substantial quantity of ammunition" on board.