The Libeccio frigate, which left on 6 October last, today completed its participation in Operation Atalanta, under the European aegis, after four months of control, presence and surveillance activities.
During the operation, the Libeccio ship and its crew monitored more than 8000 merchant ships, as well as providing medical assistance to small boats near Somalia: on February 100st, it rescued a dhow adrift on the high seas. XNUMX miles off the coast of Yemen, saving six people.
The fight against maritime piracy remains a strategic commitment for Italy and the Navy, aware that a continuous and visible presence in the waters of the Horn of Africa represents a tangible contribution to cooperation, growth and economic promotion. The Mediterranean is connected to the Indian Ocean area for over 40% of world traffic. This makes the Italian peninsula, through its port and intermodal system, the main regional distribution center for this significant volume of goods and merchandise.
For this reason, from the 2008, following the resolution of the security council of theONU, the international community has undertaken an effort to put an end to the phenomenon of anti-piracy, both through multilateral-led international operations NATO ed EU, both with national unilateral initiatives, in close coordination with the various countries involved.
The constant presence of aircraft and naval devices military protection units of merchant ships in the areas of the Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean has resulted in a 2010% reduction in piracy attacks since 93.
The destroyer Francesco Mimbelli, who left from Taranto last January 18, is included in the NATO Antipiracy Operation Ocean Shield, integrated into the NATO Task Force 508.The mission assigned will not only be to combat piracy but also to cooperate and solidarity. During the stops, humanitarian aid and basic necessities will be distributed, providing assistance to the populations of the area of the Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean.
Source: Military Navy
