The Nivose attacked. He responds to shots from the coast (maj)
(BRUSSELS2) The French frigate, Nivose, which is taking part in the European anti-piracy operation, was targeted on leaving Mogadishu, we learn from the army headquarters in Paris and the Atalanta HQ in Northwood. This happened Thursday May 20 morning, very close to Mogasdishu, 1 mile.
The Nivôse was on approach to escort two merchant ships, theAlpha Kirawira and Peter 1, who had just unloaded equipment for the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia (AMISOM) (1). He then suffered gunshots
light waves that seemed to come from the shore. Small arms impacts could be observed in the water just 10 meters to starboard. The commander then ordered, in response, a warning shot of 12.7 mm in the water towards the position. The firing has ceased, at least in the direction of the Nivôse.
A detailed investigation of the ship confirmed that the building had not been hit. As for the two merchant ships,
their escort was not compromised. They are heading towards Mombasa.
NB: the Al Shabaab Islamist militias took control of northern Mogadishu on May 21, which allows them to maintain the port of
Mogadishu under pressure. And the shots could have come from there rather than from pirates.
(1) WFP ships according to the Armed Forces General Staff.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
