Region | Iran
Iran and China send warships to Somalia waters
Iranian warships headed to the Gulf of Aden to protect ships and crews from increasing number of pirate attacks, state-run Fars news agency reported.
- Agencies
- Published: 09:10 December 21, 2008
- In this October 19, 2008 file photo, Somali pirates holding the merchant vessel MV Faina stand on the deck of the ship after a US Navy request to check on the health and welfare of the ship's crew in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia.
- Image Credit: AP/US Navy
Tehran: Iranian warships headed to the Gulf of Aden to protect ships and crews from increasing number of pirate attacks, state-run Fars news agency reported.
Video: Ship crew members talk about Somali piracy
The report came as China said it was sending two destroyers and a supply ship to patrol the Gulf of Aden and areas off the Somali coast.
The two countries join an expanding list of navies sent to protect shipping routes from Somali pirates after pirate attacks dramatically increased in recent months.
The Iranian and Chinese fleet would join ships from the US, Denmark, Italy, Russia and other countries in patrolling the Gulf of Aden.
This year, pirates have attacked almost 100 vessels off Somalia's coast and hijacked nearly 40, taking the crew and passengers hostage and demanding a ransom.
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