Somalia

Denmark deters pirates off Gulf of Aden

Article published on the 2008-09-08 Latest update 2008-09-08 13:01 TU

(Credit: Wikimedia)

Pirates struck four times in and around the waters of the Gulf of Aden in three days, but were deterred after the Danish Royal Navy, which began patrolling the Somali coast at the beginning of September, went into action. Attacks have escalated in the area recently, including the capture of two French yachtmen who were abducted last week.

The Absalon, a Danish Royal Navy warship currently patrolling the waters, was involved in deterring the pirates. The latest military action involved the warship's helicopter.

"We decided to use our helicopter to prevent the pirates from coming on board the civilian ship," Danish Royal Navy spokesman Jesper Lynge told RFI.

"When we arrived the pirates took off, and then an American warship arrived around the same time and gave the civilian ship protection," he added.

Lynge said that during that attack the Absalon recieved another SOS call some 20 nautical miles away. The Navy steered in the direction of the ship in distress, and advised them to change course to head full speed towards the Absalon.

"Then the pirates took off," he added.

Lynge indicated that an escalation in the attacks could be due to the good weather in the area.

The Absalon will patrol the waters for the next six months as part of an effort by Nato to deter pirates, smugglers and human traffickers from the sea.

Amnesty International reports that pirates are holding more than 130 crew members from various ships captured in the Gulf of Aden.