Policing the Seas: Turkish ships exercise to fight pirates

KARACHI: A flotilla of four Turkish naval ships arrived for a three-day exercise as part of an ongoing counter-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea on Saturday. “Piracy is a security threat. We plan to participate in the ongoing counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin and adjoining areas and look forward to cooperation from neighbours,” said Turkish Maritime Task Group spokesman Lt. Savas Guleroglu. “Our aim is to provide naval escorts to Turkish and non-Turkish flagged vessels in the area. We will help provide protection for merchant navy vessels in the Gulf.” Aboard the four ships, which include TCG Barbaros, TCG Gemlik, TCG Gelibolualong and a logistic vessel TCG Gungor, the crew will conduct training exercises to enhance inter-operability and improve bilateral relations. “The ships will also conduct anti-submarine exercises, advanced maneuvering and air defence with the Pakistan Navy,” he said.



Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2011.