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EU appoints new commander for naval operation in Somali coast

Xinhua, May 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

The European Union on Wednesday announced it appointed Brigadier Robert Magowan CBE, an officer from the British Royal Marines, as operation commander for the EU Naval Force Somali, EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta.

Magowan is expected to take up his duties on June 3, replacing Major General Martin Smith MBE.

Operation Atalanta was launched in December 2008 to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast.

The operation also protects vessels of the World Food Program, monitors fishing activities off the coast of Somalia and supports other EU and international missions in the region such as the African Union Mission in Somalia, according to an official EU press release. Endit