Attackers firing machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades have boarded a ship off the coast of Somalia, British officials say, likely the latest attack by resurgent Somali pirates operating in the area.

The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre issued an alert over the attack on Thursday, warning ships in the area.

The private security firm Ambrey also reported that an attack was under way, saying it targeted a Malta-flagged tanker heading from Sikka, India, to Durban, South Africa.

Ambrey said it appeared to be an assault by Somali pirates, who have been reported as operating in the area in recent days and who reportedly seized an Iranian fishing boat to use as a base of operations.

Iran has not acknowledged the fishing boat's seizure.

Piracy off the So

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