PRESS RELEASE14 August 2012
Puntland government forces are continuing robust anti-piracy security operationsin coastal areas, as well as Galkayo city located at the jurisdiction line withtroubled 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 areaoutside of Puntland jurisdiction. One pirate attacker was wounded and capturedby Puntland security forces, while three other wounded pirates escaped.
As retaliation and diverting attention from Galkayo operation, a group of sixsuspected pirates seized a trading dhow transporting livestock from Puntlandport city of Bossaso to the Gulf States. This group of pirates then transferred overto an oncoming trading dhow, transporting goods from Dubai to Bossaso.
As the Government’s maritime transport capacity is limited, Puntland officialsappealed for assistance to international naval forces operating off the coast ofSomalia, particularly Commodore Ben Bekkering on board HNLMS Rotterdam.The Commodore later reported that the Counter-Piracy Forces had located thetrading dhow, arrested all the six pirates on board, and safely rescued allcrewpersons on board.
In this regard, we would like to thank the Counter-Piracy Forces operating off thecoast of Somalia (NATO, EUNAVOR and CMF).
Puntland Government calls on international partners to provide tangible securityand judiciary sector support in ongoing efforts to fight piracy.
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