And 19 more pirates arrested by the French navy

(B2) This time, it is the Elysée which has reserved the scoop for the announcement. In quick succession, on Sunday, the Jean de Vienne frigate - on patrol southwest of the Yemeni port of Al Mukalllah - intercepted 19 pirates. This frigate does not take part - as such in the Eunavfor operation - (it is not placed under the authority of the command) but acts in close coordination and can, if necessary, be called in reinforcement if the French command in so decide.

It was first a Croatian freighter, the Donat, which launched a distress call. Jean de Vienne's helicopter is dispatched. But, according to the General Staff, the pirates are breaking contact. The two pirate boats are then tracked by the helicopter which directs the French frigate towards them. They are intercepted by the marine commandos who discover on board the skiffs 6 assault rifles, 1 rocket launcher and 2 rockets, an assault ladder... and ten people.

Another call, this time from a Panamanian freighter Vulturnus. Here again, it is the rapid arrival of the helicopter that wards off the pirates. The relay is then taken by a Spanish maritime patrol aircraft (under the responsibility of the EuNavor operation) which guides the Jean de Vienne towards the boat. French sailors arrest 9 Somalis equipped with 5 assault rifles and 1 rocket launcher.

The 19 pirates are retained on board the Jean de Vienne and will be handed over to the Somali authorities as soon as possible, announces the General Staff. which, added to 8 pirates apprehended by Chief Petty Officer l'Her on New Year's Eve, almost thirty suspects were handed over to the Somali authorities. The procedure followed is, in fact, similar for the French frigates, whether they are placed under European command or national command. On the other hand, we can emphasize the fundamental difference in method with the German frigate which chose to release the pirates it had arrested at Christmas (see the previous post).

(NGV)