NATO-Japan cooperation thwarts pirate attack in Gulf of Aden

On 16 August, a NATO warship and a Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force helicopter together thwarted an attack by a pirate skiff on the Greek ship, MV ANANGAL INNOVATION. The latter had reported the approaching skiff while traveling in the Gulf of Aden. As the Japanese helicopter approached, the pirates threw their weapons and other paraphernalia overboard. The NATO ship, HNLMS DE ZEVEN PROVINCIEN, pursued and eventually stopped and boarded the skiff.