Instead, the four pirates -- who had scuttled their boat when they boarded the ship armed with AK-47s -- took Phillips with them aboard the ship's 28-foot lifeboat, Quinn said.

CNN: U.S. crew member says one pirate 'taken down'

The commandos boarded the ship armed with paintball guns expecting to be greeted by hostile, but non-violent humanitarian activists.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Israel's daunting task

Yesterday, matters escalated as armed law enforcement agents boarded the ship, leaving after several hours with the captain in custody.

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Yet after four hours in port, the ship was boarded and searched by armed security personel, and the captain was detained on suspicion of trafficking in arms or drugs.

FORBES: Venezuela Holds U.S. Vessel And Crew On Suspicion Of Arms Trafficking

Yemen's president has called on Iran to stop backing armed groups in his country after coastguards seized a ship carrying missiles and rockets.

BBC: Yemen blames Iran after weapons haul