Somali pirates in brazen challenge to Obama and allies as they hijack FOUR more ships... and open fire on a fifth

Pirates have thrown down a challenge to President Obama by hijacking another four ships and taking 60 hostages in perilous waterways off the coast of Africa.

Gunmen on three small skiffs also opened fire with automatic rifles and rocket-propelled grenades at a fifth freighter yesterday.

The attacks have sharply increased in the wake of Sunday's dramatic rescue of American hostage Captain Richard Phillips. And they come in defiance of Mr Obama's call for more action to tackle piracy in the region.

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Under attack: Somali pirates have opened fire on the Safmarine Asia

Somali pirate leaders vowed to retaliate after three teenage hijackers were shot dead by U.S. Navy sharpshooters to free cargo ship Captain Phillips, who was held captive on a lifeboat for four days.....