Ministry of Maritime Transport, Ports and Counter-Piracy Puntland State of Somalia
Anti-Piracy Operations Continue in Puntland State of Somalia
PRESS RELEASE
14 August 2012
Puntland government forces are continuing robust anti-piracy security operations in coastal areas, as well as Galkayo city located at the jurisdiction line with troubled regions in south-central Somalia.
On 12 August 2012, suspected pirates attacked the central jail in Galkayo. Puntland government forces repelled the attack, which was organized in an area outside of Puntland jurisdiction. One pirate attacker was wounded and captured by Puntland security forces, while three other wounded pirates escaped.
As retaliation and diverting attention from Galkayo operation, a group of six suspected pirates seized a trading dhow transporting livestock from Puntland port city of Bossaso to the Gulf States. This group of pirates then transferred over to an oncoming trading dhow, transporting goods from Dubai to Bossaso.
As the Government’s maritime transport capacity is limited, Puntland officials appealed for assistance to international naval forces operating off the coast of Somalia, particularly Commodore Ben Bekkering on board HNLMS Rotterdam. The Commodore later reported that the Counter-Piracy Forces had located the trading dhow, arrested all the six pirates on board, and safely rescued all crewpersons on board.
In this regard, we would like to thank the Counter-Piracy Forces operating off the coast of Somalia (NATO, EUNAVOR and CMF).
Puntland Government calls on international partners to provide tangible security and judiciary sector support in ongoing efforts to fight piracy.
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