Iranian Navy Saves Yemeni Fishing Boats
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The Iranian Navy's 27th fleet of warships rescued two Yemeni fishing boats in the Red Sea, a senior navy commander said.
Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Navy for Operations Admiral Siavash Jareh, said Friday that Iranian naval forces have rescued 8 Yemeni fishermen on two separate boats near the Yemeni port city of al-Mokha in the Red Sea.
According to the commander, servicemen on board Iran’s 27th fleet saved the wandering boats and supplied the fishermen with foods after pirates had stolen the two vessels’ cargos, deactivated the engines and left the Yemeni fishermen alone in the sea.
The Iranian Navy's 27th fleet of warships docked in Port Sudan on September 18 as part of its mission to convey Iran's message of peace and friendship to the regional countries.
The fleet of warships is comprised of Khark warship and Sabalan destroyer. Khark has 250 crewmembers and can carry three helicopters.
The Navy's public relations office had announced earlier that the fleet docked in Port Sudan after conducting a month of naval mission in the regional waters and the Red Sea.
The statement also added that the flotilla provided safe passage for 14 trade ships and oil tankers during its anti-piracy mission.
Since November 2008, the Iranian navy has conducted anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mendeb strait to protect the country's cargo ships and oil tankers against pirates.
Under the terms of several UN Security Council resolutions, nations can deploy warships to the Gulf of Aden and coastal waters of Somalia to protect their merchantmen against the pirates and, after giving notice to Somali government, enter Somali territorial in pursuit of pirates.