The European Union says it is boosting its anti-piracy flotilla off the Somali coast to 11 ships, according to AP. The EU task force was deployed to waters off the Horn of Africa in December in the bloc's first naval operation. Its main task is to escort cargo ships chartered by the World Food Program to deliver food aid to Somalia for at least the next year. Currently the squadron consists of five frigates and three fleet supply ships from Spain, Germany, Italy and France. It also has long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft. The EU said three Swedish frigates will join the flotilla next month. Nearly a dozen countries, including the United States, have anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, off the Somali coast, one of the world's most important shipping areas.
