(03-07-24) BOSASO (Halqabsi News) – The EU naval warship ESPS Numancia F-83 arrived in Bosaso, the commercial hub of Puntland State of Somalia, on Wednesday to bolster counter-piracy operations off the Somali coast.
The ESPS Numancia, operating as part of the EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta, joins other warships patrolling Somali waters to deter and disrupt pirate activity. Upon arrival, the ship’s officers met with the deputy director general of the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), Mohamud Silal Omar, and other senior PMPF officials aboard the warship to discuss operational matters and cooperation.
The meeting emphasized strengthening collaboration between the two forces, intensifying efforts to combat piracy, illegal fishing, arms smuggling, drug trafficking, and terrorism. Both sides reviewed intelligence sharing on pirate activity and the successes of joint operations, which have led to the disruption of several planned attacks.
Later, the ship’s commander, Admiral Manuel Alvargonzalez, hosted a delegation from the Puntland Police Force (PPF), led by Lt. Col. Zakaria Abdirahman, representing Puntland Police Commissioner Brigadier General Mumin Abdi Shire.
Discussions focused on further enhancing information sharing and coordinated operations to tackle piracy, illegal fishing, and other maritime threats in Puntland’s coastal waters. Lt. Col. Abdirahman expressed gratitude for EU NAVFOR’s cooperation, emphasizing the meeting’s significance in strengthening the PPF’s maritime security capabilities.
The Spanish Navy frigate then escorted the PPF delegation back to Bosaso port.
The arrival of the ESPS Numancia and the subsequent engagement with the PPF underscores the commitment of both entities to ensuring the safety and security of Somali waters amid a recent resurgence of pirate activity.
Halqabsi News
