Turkey extends mission of naval forces in Gulf of Aden

Turkish parliament yesterday approved a motion to extend the mission of its naval forces in the Gulf of Aden for one more year with immediate effect, the Anadolu Agency reported.

While discussing the motion before parliament, Minister of National Defence Ismet Yılmaz said that piracy in the Gulf of Aden does not only threaten the safety of people and goods, but also negatively affects shipping and international trade.

He noted that his country contributed to the fight against piracy with five frigates, a warship and a supply ship between 2011 and 2014 and only three frigates in 2015.

“Piracy harms the Turkish trade ships,” Yılmaz said, noting that piracy increases in March, May, September and October as seasonal rains decrease.