Turkish Navy extends anti-piracy task off Somalia

Turkish Marines capturing a boat used by Somalian pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

Turkish Parliament has approved an extension mandate for Turkish naval ships to participate in international anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea for one more year.

In 2009, Turkish Parliament gave the government the power to send units from the Turkish Navy to the Gulf of Aden and adjacent waters to contribute to the multinational efforts of anti-piracy. The duration of this permission has already been extended twice, once in 2010 and once in 2011. The Turkish Navy continues to protect the Turkish merchant ships sailing in the Gulf of Aden according to a U.N. Security Council decision taken in 2008 and with permission given by the Turkish Parliament in February 2009, according to the Official Gazette. On Feb. 10, 2012, Turkish Parliament’s permission was due to expire. The Turkish Navy’s tasks include performing reconnaissance and patrol duties.

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