Maltese troops protecting World Food Programme ship off N. Somalia

An Armed Forces of Malta Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) has embarked on the World Food Programme (WFP) ship Mustafa H to provide protection during its transit from Boosaaso to Berbera in northern Somalia.

The 12-man VPD team is normally embarked on board EU NAVFOR Dutch warship Johan de Witt.

"This task shows the flexibility of the team and the invaluable contribution that Malta is providing to the EU NAVFOR anti-piracy operation," NAVFOR said.

This is Malta`s first military deployment into the operational theatre under the EU Common Security Defence Policy (CSDP). The Maltese detachment was sourced from C Special Duties Company of the Armed Forces of Malta.

The unit is operating as part of Operation Atlanta to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the World Food Programme (WFP) and vessels of African Union Mission in Somalia and to protect vulnerable vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.