MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – South Korean troops will be sent to Somalia’s water fight against piracy.
According to Korean authorities, the 30th batch of the Cheonghae Unit will set their journey to the Gulf of Aden to take the efforts to minimize the threat of pirates in Horn of Africa and Gulf of Aden waters.
The troops will be leaving from the southern port city of Busan for anti-piracy Mission which will be running for six months, starting in September.
The new contingent is composed of special forces, including an Underwater Demolition Team, a Navy SEAL team and Marines and Navy pilots.
The forces who will use the 4,400-ton destroyer and Kang Gam Chan will provide support to ships of other nations in nearby waters.
Speaking to the media, South Korean Defence Minister, Jeong Kyeong said South Korea is well aware of the significance of safeguarding the waters and it has been reviewing various options to protect its people and oil tankers in the region.
The Cheonghae unit has been deployed in the Gulf of Aden since early 2009 as part of global efforts to tackle piracy in the region.
Over the past decade, the unit had provided support for the safety of around 22,400 vessels and countered 21 pirate attacks as of end-July in treacherous waters, according to the Navy.
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