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Today 6 August, EU NAVFOR’s capacities have been reinforced with the arrival of the French frigate FASM DUPLEIX in the area of operations.

During the afternoon of 5 Aug 2010, the MV SYRIA STAR reported that she was under attack from pirates who had climbed onboard and fired shots at the crew.  Helicopters were immediately dispatched to the vessel and tried to establish communications with the SYRIA STAR, which had stopped in the water.

Yesterday 3 August, EU NAVFOR ship SPS VICTORIA stopped a pirate attack on the MV BOW SAGA. The seven individuals apprehended have been returned to Somalia.

Early this morning Tuesday 3 August, the MV BOW SAGA sent a distress call that she was under attack from pirates in the middle of the Gulf of Aden. An EU NAVFOR unit close by sent her helicopter to assist and stopped the attack.

After an emergency call on the radio, from the merchant ship Cantabrian, EU NAVFOR warship SPS Victoria launched her helicopter to rescue a seaman in acute need of medical care.

The French Navy anti-submarine destroyer  de Grasse  left Toulon in southern France late 31 July, having embarked the future Atalanta force commander and his multinational staff.

EU NAVFOR / Task Force 465 is reinforced with the Italian frigate Libeccio. She will now serve as a EU NAVFOR warship and solve all kind of tasks in the anti piracy Operation Atalanta until the 30 November.

In the early hours of 2 August, the MV SUEZ reported being under small arms fire from a pirate attack and minutes later she reported pirates on board. After notification of the attack, attempts were made to make contact with the MV SUEZ but to no avail.

The French frigate Jean Bart has now made her last day in service for EU NAVFOR, for this period. During her short but intense period in Task Force 465 she has mainly solved tasks in the Gulf of Aden, patrolling the IRTC.

Early this morning, 29 July, the Maltese flagged merchant vessel MV FRIGIA was released.

On 26 July, the Russian destroyer ADMIRAL LEVCHENKO began escorting a World Food Programme (WFP) shipment, in support of EU NAVFOR. Force Commander Jan Thörnqvist said:  “This is a clear demonstration of the excellent co-operation between our European Task Force 465 and the Russian Navy”.

As part of EU NAVFOR's more offensive tactics some units are now and then tasked to operate close to the Somali shore. Recently the Flag ship HSwHMS CARLSKRONA was given this task.