Somali pirates raided by EU naval forces as joint force of EU naval units have conducted their first attack on pirate bases on the Somali mainland, stating they have destroyed several pirate boats.

Mogadishu / NationalTurk – The EU stated that its joint naval force off the Somali coastline has carried out its first air raid on targets of Somali pirates on shores of Somali.

An EU spokesman informed maritime aircraft and attack helicopters hace participated in the air raids early Tuesday along the Somalian coastline. No casualties were reported in the air strikes, which occurred along Somalia’s central coastline in the region of Galmudug. Many pirate boats are reported to have been destroyed.

The raid on Somali pirates was part of a comprehensive approach to combating piracy. The EU forces were transported by helicopter to the pirate bases near the port of Haradheere. Anti-piracy forces have been reluctant to attack mainland bases, fearing for the crew of captured ships.

Somalia-based pirates have seized vessels across the Indian Ocean and demand huge ransoms for their release. They are believed to be holding about 17 ships and 300 crew.

The latest pirate attack involves the Greek-owned oil tanker Smyrni which was hijacked in the Arabian Sea last week. The Liberian-flagged tanker carrying 135,000 tonnes of oil is reported to be heading for Somalia.

Somali pirates raided by EU naval forces for the first time

The EU attack on the Somali pirate base took place overnight and, according to the European forces, no Somalis were hurt during the action. The EU is the main donor to the Somali transitional government. It is also trains Somali army troops, and is reinforcing the navies of five neighboring countries to enable them to counter piracy themselves.

The multinational forces used assault helicopters in conjunction with two warships to leave five of the pirates’ fast attack craft ‘inoperable’.

The EU naval mission issued a statement : ‘ The focused, precise and proportionate action against piracy was conducted from the air and all forces returned safely to EU warships on completion ‘.

A spokesman added that the operation was carried out with the full support of the Somali government after extensive surveillance, and the aim was to deny the Somali pirates a save haven onshore.

EU allowed its warships to attack pirate targets on the shore since last month, yet the first attack on Somali pirates occured early tuesday on 15th May.

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