NATO deploys naval unit to counter pirates

BRUSSELS, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- A NATO naval operation deployed to the Horn of Africa Wednesday as part of an effort to counter the growing threat from pirates off the coast of Somalia.

NATO officials say seven ships have been deployed in response to a United Nations request to address an escalating security situation in Somalia's coastal waters, NATO reported.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently said the surge in piracy in the Gulf of Aden is threatening the lives of more than 3 million people as a result of ships with humanitarian aid struggling to reach Somalia safely.

Additionally, pirates off the coast of Somalia are increasingly threatening international shipping routes. Several major cargo ships have been captured and held for millions of dollars in ransom.

"The threat of piracy is real and growing in many parts of the world today, and this response is a good illustration of NATO's ability to adapt quickly to new security challenges," Gen. John Craddock, supreme allied commander Europe, said in a statement.