"The warship Al Riyad, which is in the Gulf of Aden and is part of a
multi-national force to fight piracy, provided protection to the Turkish
merchant ship," the official Saudi Press Agency said.
In 2008, more than 150 suspected pirates, most of them from nearby
Somalia, were captured by Western-led naval patrols in the Gulf of Aden. The
task force has included warships from Denmark, India, Russia and the United
States.
"Such a rescue mission on the part of the Royal Saudi Navy deserves all
appreciation," Turkish ambassador to Riyad, Naci Koru, said.
For its part, Turkey has sent a navy frigate to join the anti-piracy
mission. Turkey's semi-official Anatolia news agency said the Turkish Navy's
TCG Giresun, a
guided-missile frigate that contains two helicopters and an underwater
assault team, was expected to begin operations on Feb. 25.
