The Turkish Parliament has approved an extension mandate for Turkish Naval ships to participate in international anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea for one more year.
Turkish Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul said about 380 Turkish cargo ships passed from the Gulf of Aden each year and the frigates provided escort to Turkish vessels for safe passage from piracy.
About ten Turkish frigates have served in the region and successfully fought back two pirate boats, capturing 94 pirates in 15 operations to date.
The Turkish naval ships serve under the CTF-151, an international naval task force established in January 2009 under a UN Security Council resolution.
CTF-151 conducts counter-piracy operations to deter, disrupt and suppress piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the eastern coast of Somalia covering an area of 1.1 million square miles.
TCG Giresun (F-491) is the Turkish frigate that is currently serving in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian sea, according to World Bulletin.
