Turkish warship F-491 TCG Giresun docked at Port Rashid in Dubai
A senior Nato commander on a Turkish warship that has docked at a Dubai port says there would be more intense anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden during the coming months.
Rear Admiral (LH) Sinan Azmi Tosun of the Turkish Navy and Commander of the Standing Nato Maritime Group 2 (SNMG-2) said on Monday that following the success of Nato's involvement in reducing piracy-related incidents it has been decided to extend the operation period in the Gulf of Aden until the end-2014.
"The decision was made last month (March 19) and it shows the determination of Nato in anti-piracy activities," he said.
He was speaking aboard the Turkish warship F-491 TCG Giresun that had docked at the terminal at Port Rashid in Dubai.
There has been a significant reduction in pirate attacks since Nato's deployment in the Horn of Africa. The overall pirate attack success rate has been reduced from 44 per cent in 2004 to 16 per cent in 2011.
According to Nato in January 2012 there were four pirate attacks all of which were unsuccessful. In addition, 80 suspected pirates were captured by counter piracy forces of which 59 were captured by Nato ships. Twenty-nine of them have already been transferred for prosecution with the position of the others under consideration by nations. In comparison, in January 2011 there were 29 attacks and six ships were pirated.
Nato warships and aircraft have been patrolling the troubled waters since August 2009, as part of Operation Ocean Shield.
When asked about UAE's co-operation in anti-piracy operations he said: "We would welcome co-operation by all countries in acting against the pirates. But so far there has been no incident in waters close to the UAE. However their co-operation is always welcome."
Nato naval forces operate off the Horn of Africa, including the Gulf of Aden and the Western Indian Ocean up to the Strait of Hormuz. Lieutenant Commander Mehmet Elyurek, Public Affairs Officer at SNMG-2 said piracy has cost the global economy almost $8bn-12billion so far.
"A total of $146million was paid as ransom for 30 pirated vessels in 2011 alone. Nine pirated vessels are along the Somali coast waitingfor ransom. A total of 1026 sailors were kept hostage during 2011.Current there are about 236 hostages," he said.
© Emirates 24|7 2012
