Germany has decided to continue its campaign against piracy in the Horn of Africa, the Federal Government said in a statement.
Specifically, Federal Armed Forces has extended the participation of the German Navy in the EU-led Operation Atalanta by May 31, 2019.
As informed, Germany’s involvement will remain unchanged with a maximum of 600 officers.
The country has been participating in the counter-piracy operation off the coast off Somalia since 2008 by deploying ships and reconnaissance aircraft.
The European Union Naval Force (Op Atalanta) Somalia – Operation Atalanta, was launched in December 2008. Its objectives are protecting vessels of the World Food Programme (WFP) and other vulnerable shipping, determent and disruption of piracy and armed robbery at sea and monitoring fishing activities off Somalia.