Suspicious dhows escorted back to Somali coast

(BRUSSELS2) Several mother ships were spotted by the multinational forces deployed off the coast of Somalia and have since been tracked. One of the Jelbut type operates off central Somalia, about 100 miles away. Another with an orange-brown colored hull and light blue stripes operates off Oman. And a third, of the Yemeni dhow type, in the Arabian Sea. To be sure that they cannot operate, the coalition ships have resolved to opt for a resolutely preventive approach, and to take action even before any attack attempt, as soon as they spot a suspicious vessel. .

Under escort to the coasts

The USS De Wert, an American ship of the NATO operation, Ocean Shield, thus intervened on Saturday (December 10) on a suspicious dhow, forcing it to return to Somalia. The American ship is on a supply mission when it receives information of the presence in the sector of a suspicious dhow which seems to be preparing for an attack. Scheduled for the early hours of the morning, the boarding fails however. The rough sea preventing the realization of this operation "safely". For lack of anything better, the USS de Wert continues to follow the ship very closely " forcing him to turn back towards the Somali coast, where he can be contained and prevented from going to patrol again at sea” NATO Anti-Piracy HQ is told. "This disruption is wasting valuable pirate time and depriving them of successful deployment of an action group. » « Although the suspected hackers were not arrested at this time, this result can nevertheless be called a success. commented Rear Admiral Sinan Azmi TOSUN, NATO Force Commander