The TCG Gediz prevented an attack by a RPG-7 rocket launcher and machine guns on the Greek M/V Theoforos 70 miles off the Somali coast in the Gulf of Aden, the General Staff’s Web site announced. The TCG Gediz prevented the pirates from hijacking the ship by firing warning shots and calling for helicopter backup.
“The TCG Gediz navy frigate found one RPG-7 rocket launcher, three AK-47 Kalashnikovs, one musket, four RPG-7 bullets, three AK-47 clips and 21 cans of benzene during the operation launched against the pirate skiff after responding immediately to a call for help,” the Web site said.
Turkey sent two warships to the Gulf of Aden under an international mission deployed off Somalia since the start of the year to try to prevent attacks to commercial ships by Somali pirates.
Piracy has surged off the Somali coast in recent years despite the presence of foreign navies patrolling the area due to a weak central government in Somalia. Turkey recently saved the Horizon-1 with its 23-member crew captured by Somali pirates in early July by paying a hefty ransom. Somali pirates currently hold 146 ships hostage.
