NATO has launched Operation Ocean Shield to fight piracy off the Horn of Africa.

Pirates, most of them Somali gangs, attacked more than 130 merchant ships last year – a rise of more than 200 percent over two years. At least 14 vessels and their 200 crew are still being held. Until now, NATO had only two short-term missions to tackle the growing threat. NATO says British, Greek, Italian, Turkish and US warships are involved in the new expanded operation. Journalists were shown the new crews in training as they practice searching suspected pirate boats. Whilst the shipping community has welcomed the new NATO mission, observers say piracy will only be eradicated when measures are taken to end two decades of war and lawlessness inside Somalia.More about: NATO, Somali pirates

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