The government of Somalia’s Puntland state has deployed heavily armed Puntland land force to the coast town of Bargal, some 400km from Bossasso, the commercial capital of Puntland.
 
According to reliable sources, who requested anonymity, the forces which left Bossasso last night are reportedly in a mission to bar reinforcement for pirates and subsequently arrest a gang that is holding an Italian vessel in the area.
 
However, the soldiers were unable to capture any suspect due to what the residents said was prior information received by the pirates. Residents told Garowe Online that the town was cut off from any telecommunication provided by Golis company shortly after the troops left Bossasso.
 
On the other hand, reports that reached GO say NATO, which operates anti-piracy mission off Somali coast, had information about the Puntland land force mission in Bargal town.
 
NATO has a working relationship with Puntland authorities in a bid to enhance its fight against piracy scourge along the lawless waters of Horn of Africa. Puntland has offered its help in terms of dealing with the gangs in the mainland.
 
Naval forces under the command of US-led CTF 151, the European Union, NATO and a number of other international nations continue to coordinate their naval activities along the pirate-infested waters of Gulf of Aden in an international effort to deter piracy.
 
The piracy menace along the international waters of Horn of Africa has been of concern to international community since Somalia-based pirates launched attacks and subsequent seizure of merchant vessels thus unsettling the international maritime activities.

GAROWE ONLINE