Rival Somali pirate gangs fired shots at each other on Sunday in a dispute over how to split any ransom for a hijacked Greek-flagged oil tanker holding two million barrels of crude oil.
The ABC reports pirates from the semi-autonomous northern region of Puntland, who seized the Maran Centaurus in November, say they do not want to share the spoils with other gangs in Haradheere, where the vessel is moored.
But the tanker and 28 hostages are now under the control of gunmen from Haradheere.
The pirates from Puntland are threatening to set fire to the tanker if they miss out on any payment.
