Swedish soldiers ready to fight Somali pirates

Sweden is sending soldiers to Somalia to fight piracy, The Local reported.

Thirty-four soldiers will be stationed off the coast of Somalia as part of an international effort to prevent hijacks on commercial ships in the Western Indian Ocean.

Soldiers will primarily assist the delivery of the World Food Programme’s aid package to Somalia. “But we also have the mandate to intervene and stop pirate attacks and armed robberies at sea,” said Major Thomas Olsson, head of Swedish troops.

Read: Somalia pirates hijack Iranian fishing vessel

This is the fifth mission Sweden has taken part in to reduce the threat of piracy emanating from Somalia.

Pirates hijack ships, loot commercial vessels and kidnap western-nationals for ransom deals.