Türkiye takes command of anti-piracy mission for 7th time

Türkiye has assumed command of the Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) for the 7th time, continuing its role in preventing piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

The Ministry of National Defense announced that Türkiye officially took over the command on July 24, 2024. The handover ceremony was held at the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, with representatives from both Türkiye and Brazil present.

The Turkish Navy assumed command of Combined Maritime Forces’ (CMF) counter-piracy focused task force during a change of command ceremony aboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, July 24.

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— Combined Maritime Forces (@CMF_Bahrain) July 24, 2024

The Ministry statement noted, “The command of Combined Task Force 151 (CTF-151) was handed over on July 24, 2024, at the CMF Headquarters in Manama, Bahrain. Türkiye has previously led CTF-151 on six occasions, with the current command period extending from July 24, 2024, to January 22, 2025.”

Fight against piracy

Established in 2009 in response to rising piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the eastern coast of Somalia, CTF-151 operates alongside the EU’s Operation Atalanta and NATO’s Operation Ocean Shield, focusing on combating piracy and armed robbery at sea, and ensuring the safety of international maritime trade and free navigation.