Bahrain, 09 Jan-(ANA)-A new international force to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia is being formed and will be headed by an American admiral, the US navy says.
More than 20 nations are expected to contribute to the force, due to be fully operational later in January.
After more than 100 attacks last year, the International Maritime Bureau said increased naval patrols had reduced attacks in December last year.
The EU formed an anti-piracy task force in December.
Ships from other navies, including Canada, Iran, India and China, are also patrolling one of the world's busiest sea lanes - the waters of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean leading to and from the Suez Canal.
US Navy Rear Admiral Terence McKnight has been named the commander of the new force, called Combined Task Force 151, the US Fifth Fleet said in a statement from its headquarters in Bahrain.
The statement did not say which nations would make up the force.
Despite only two successful hijackings in December, Somali pirates still hold about 15 ships carrying more than 200 crew members. (ANA)
UK/Coffee