Amid a series of attacks on ships by the Houthi rebel group in the Middle East Yemen, a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force escort ship that is in charge of countering piracy in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen departed for the area on the 1st.
The destroyer ``Sazanami'', which belongs to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kure Base in Hiroshima Prefecture, is responsible for anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen.
On the 1st, a ceremony was held before departure, and Shinichi Kawamura, Chief of Staff of the Self-Defense Fleet Headquarters, said, ``We cannot deny the possibility that unforeseen situations may occur in waters where rippling waves occur, but I believe that we will respond appropriately and carry out our mission.'' "
In response, Captain Masayuki Ban of the ``Sazanami'' reported its departure and set sail for the Gulf of Aden, being seen off by his family and colleagues.
A total of 206 people, including members and coast guard officers, will be on board the Sazanami, and will begin a four-month mission around mid-March, replacing the currently dispatched destroyer Akebono.
In the Red Sea, which is connected to the Gulf of Aden through the Strait, there have been a number of attacks on ships by Yemen's Houthi rebels, and in November last year, they attacked ships in the area surrounding the Akebono, which was operating in the Gulf of Aden. A ballistic missile was launched.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force said, ``We will continue to closely monitor developments in the regional situation, gather information, and do everything possible to ensure the safety of our troops.''
Measures taken to deal with Houthi attacks on civilian ships
In the Gulf of Aden, multinational forces led by the United States are working to combat piracy, and Japan has also been dispatching destroyers and other ships since 2009.
According to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, ``Sazanami'' is carrying out necessary training and other measures in preparation for this mission, with the Houthis in mind, as well as the possibility that a civilian ship might be attacked.
It is said that it is also adding equipment on board to deal with attacks on civilian ships, but the details have not been disclosed as the capabilities are speculated.
Additionally, according to Ministry of Defense officials, the currently dispatched Akebono is trying to avoid entering the western waters of the Gulf of Aden, which are closer to the Red Sea, where the Houthis have been repeatedly attacked. is.
A Ministry of Defense official said, ``If each country ceases its anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, there is a risk that deterrence will become ineffective and damage caused by piracy will increase, so the mission has no choice but to continue in the current situation.'' I'm talking.
The family who came to see me off
Many families visited the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kure Air Base to see off Sazanami's departure.
A 38-year-old woman who came to see off her husband, a volunteer, with her child said, ``I felt lonely because my child wouldn't be able to see his father for six months.There were some concerns due to the international situation, but I hope he came home safely.'' I will do my best to protect my children here so that they can be protected."
The father of a 19-year-old volunteer said, ``It's my son's first time on a long voyage, so I'm worried about whether he'll be able to handle it properly.There are some concerns due to the international situation, but I want him to return home having grown up both physically and mentally.'' I did.