Spanish Warship Repeals Pirate Attack

Spanish Warship Repeals Pirate Attack

A Spanish warship has repelled a pirate attack off the coast of Somalia , in the first such assault on a European Union naval force since its mission to protect shipping began.

The EU force said on Monday that the mission, which began in December 2008, had provided effective security to ships in the Gulf of Aden .

The warship escorting a supply ship hired by the African Union mission to Somalia was attacked on Saturday night by a vessel that had been hijacked by pirates, with hostages aboard.

The EU force said in a statement that The warship, “Infanta Christina” had to defend herself and her escort with only minimal force in order not to endanger the lives of the hostages.

The EU force, which is trying to stem rampant piracy in East African waters, says it has no mandate to rescue ships or hostages already captured by pirates.

Somalia has lacked an effective central government for almost two decades and is awash with weapons.

The mayhem on land has allowed piracy to boom in the strategic waterways off its shores linking Europe to Asia and Africa .

REUTERS/Evelyn/Yinka