YemenOnline-Sep 28,2008- The Yemeni Coast Guard has set up an anti-piracy unit to address increasing pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, naval authorities said.

The Yemen Observer, quoting Coast Guard officials, said the unit would deploy 1,600 specially-trained soldiers to fight the scourge.

It is also equipped with 16 high-speed patrol boats purchased from Australia.

“The aim of the deployment is to enhance the protection of ships and stop Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden and Bab Al Mandab Strait,” a Coast Guard official was quoted by the newspaper as saying.

Two Malaysian ships belonging to the Malaysian International Shipping Corporation (MISC) Berhad were hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden on Aug 19 and 29.

Efforts are being made to secure the release of their crew members comprising Malaysians and Filipinos.

Malaysia has sent three warships — KD Lekiu, KD Inderapura and KD Mahawangsa — to the Gulf of Aden, following the hijacking of the MISC vessels.

Source: NST