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Iran, China will begin counter-piracy patrols

DUBAI: Iran and China are sending their warships to counter piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

“After travelling more than 4,000 maritime miles an Iranian warship entered the Gulf of Aden to protect Iranian ships against pirates,” an Iranian radio report said.

Iran’s state-run Press TV said the decision to send the ship came after Somali pirates hijacked the Iranian ship, Delight, off the coast of Yemen in November. On August 21, around 40 pirates armed with AK-47s and rocket-propelled grenades targeted Diyanat, shortly after the ship had crossed the Horn of Africa. China also said late on Saturday that it was sending to two navy destroyers and a support vessel in the area to counter piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

“Their major task is to protect the safety of Chinese ships and crew on board as well as ships carrying humanitarian relief material for the international organisations, such as the United Nations’ World Food Programme,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao was quoted as saying. He had earlier said seven ships, which were either owned by China or carrying Chinese cargo and crew, had been hijacked. The pirates continued to hold one fishing boat and its 18-member crew.

The Iranian and Chinese ships will join foreign vessels from the EU, U.S., Russia, India, Malaysia and others that have been deployed to keep vital shipping lanes free for commerce. The dispatch of new warships follows a decision on December 16 by the U.N. Security Council that allows countries to attack pirate bases on land as part of the anti-piracy drive. The Gulf of Aden is vital for international trade as it leads into the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. It is estimated that 330-500 pirates are active in Somalia waters, and piracy is led by three main clans. Defence analysts say that six to eight mother ships are steering piracy in area.

Xinhua reports from Beijing:

China has announced that its naval deployment to the seas off Somalia to fight pirates will be of three vessels. Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao confirmed on Saturday that the taskforce would consist of three vessels, and would patrol the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia.

The Ministry of Defence said the taskforce would consist of two destroyers and a supply ship, and will leave Sanya of southern Hainan Province on December 26. “Chinese naval vessels will strictly follow U.N. Security Council resolutions and international laws. They are willing to work with other countries and to take part in humanitarian relief tasks,” said Mr. Liu.

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