Puntland welcomes S. Korea-Malaysia actions against Somali pirates

Bosaso, Puntland, Somalia (AHN) – The semi-autonomous state of Puntland has welcomed anti-piracy missions conducted by the naval forces of South Korea and Malaysia in which eight Somali pirates were killed and others captured, an official said Monday.

Sa’id Mohammed Rage, seaports minister for the Puntland government, said in a statement the anti-piracy mission may help curb the activities and risk of Somali pirates, who redoubled their seizures of commercial vessels with the start of the New Year, hijacking more than three ships in one month.

Rage described these new tactics against pirates as something needed earlier. He indicated that Somali pirates are dangerous criminals who plague the international shipping vessels that use the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.

“Puntland authorities see a military action against Somali pirates as good solution for maritime problems,” said the statement. The semi-autonomous state said it is prepared to launch a large anti-piracy operation off Somalia’s coast near Puntland, calling on the international community to assist Puntland to bring piracy to an end.

The statement of the Puntland administration comes four days after South Korean Special Forces raided a seized vessel in the Arabian Sea, rescuing the 21-member crew and killing eight Somali pirates. Following the incident, the Malaysian navy said it has apprehended seven Somali pirates who were attempting to hijack a chemical tanker in the Gulf of Aden.

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