Rear Admiral Phillip Jones, the British commander in charge of the EU anti-piracy mission off Somalia, said Tuesday that his main aim is to protect ships carrying aid shipments from possible pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden and added that he intends to deploy armed EU soldiers on board the vulnerable cargo ships in the region.
Speaking to reporters at a news conference in Brussels, Rear Adm. Jones admitted that the task of fighting piracy off Somali waters was enormous, but added that the EU mission can "still make a significant contribution to combating piracy."
"We would seek to place vessel protect detachments on board World Food Program ships transiting to Somalia," he said. "They are the most vulnerable ships of all, and the best deterrence is achieved by having such a detachment on board."
The EU anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia consists of six ships and three aircraft, and is expected to take over anti-piracy duties from NATO ships next Monday.
The Gulf of Aden has been affected by piracy in the recent months and more than thirty pirate attacks have been reported in the waters off Somalia since the beginning of 2008. Generally, the crew and the vessels are returned unharmed on receiving the demanded ransom.
The recent escalation in the number of pirate attacks off the Somali coast has forced various countries, including EU member states, NATO members, India and Russia, to deploy their naval vessels in the region to protect cargo and cruise ships against piracy.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.