Monrovia- July 25, 2023: The Armed Forces of Liberia through the Liberian Coast Guard says it conducted a special
Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIO) from July 23rd to 24th 2023, following a piracy alert reported by the Sierra Leone Navy. According to the Defense Ministry, the operation was carefully coordinated by Headquarters.

The exercise which was carried out by Liberian Coast Guard lasted for
about twenty-eight hours on the water and subsequently continued after the seized
the vessel was brought to the harbor at the Liberian Coast Guard Base on Bushrod Island.

Here is the full press statement below:

Republic of Liberia
Ministry of National Defense
UN Drive, BTC
1000 Monrovia, 10, Liberia, West Africa

Armed Forces of Liberia Operation against Pirates Attack on a Chinese Fishing Vessel SHENGHAI-2PRESS KIT 25 July 2023 Ministry of National Defense-Armed Forces of Liberia.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, on behalf of the Honorable Minister of National Defense and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, we are very much pleased to welcome you to this press conference.

Security within the sub-region of West Africa has been challenged over the years with a rise in terrorism, insurrection, human and drug trafficking, and maritime crimes. These crimes affect our social and economic wellbeing and undermines national
security.

The Armed Forces of Liberia through the Liberian Coast Guard conducted a special
Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIO) fromJuly 23rd to 24th 2023, following a piracy alert reported by the Sierra Leone Navy. The operation was carefully coordinated by Headquarters

Armed Forces of Liberia executed by the Liberian Coast Guard lasted for
about twenty-eight hours on the water and subsequently continued after the seized
vessel was brought to harbor at the Liberian Coast Guard Base on Bushrod Island.

The seized vessel had twenty three crew members on board when it was taken over by approximately eight pirates. Among the crew members, there are six Chinese and
seventeen Sierra Leoneans.

Headquarters Armed Forces of Liberiawas alerted on 23 July 2023,at about 0800hrs
through a signal message from the Sierra Leone Navy Joint Maritime Operation Center about an incident of piracy in the Sierra Leonean Water. The message indicated that “2 fishing vessels F/V Aliman and F/V Shenghai-2 were attacked by pirates/robbers at a specified position 08o 22’ N, 013o 32’ W off the shore of Sierra Leone on 22 July 23.

The pirates had hijacked and taken away one of the fishing vessels F/V Shenghai2.

On receipt of the information, the Liberia Coast Guard Maritime Operation Center
immediately commence continuous monitoring and coordination with Sierra Leone and 1 Cote d’Ivoire Navies to facilitate possible response. After hours of monitoring and surveillance,the Liberian Coast GuardMaritime Operation Centerspotted the alleged pirates,vessel crossed over to Liberia from Sierra Leone.

By 1300hrs 23 Jul 23, the LCG launched the special Maritime Interdiction Operation
(MIO). The Liberia Coast Guard Maritime Operation Center under the direction of Headquarters Armed Forces of Liberia detailed two boats for the operation and eleven sailors. After about twelfth hour of an intense search for the seized vessel, the special operation team of the Liberian Coast Guard spotted the suspected vessel ata distance close to the Liberia-Sierra Leone International maritime borders. The vessel was pursued from the border until it got to the general area of Monrovia about nine nautical miles offshore King Gray Community, RobertsField Highway. The Liberia Coast Guard physical contact with the vessel for tactical reasonsby 0000hrs on 23rd July 2023 while keeping surveillance on the vessel at position 06o 07’ N, 010o 47’ W. Subsequently, Liberia Coast Guard Station Buchanan Response Team was activated to patrol to deter and apprehend pirates escaping to the Southeast.

The Liberian Coast Guard upon order, initiated actions to secure the vessel by 1200hrs by conducting force boarding and securingthe lower deck of the vesselwhichled the piratesto begin suppressive firing on the Liberian Coast Guard SpecialOperation team.
whose response overwhelmed the pirates that led three pirates to launcha life raft to escape the vesselleaving one pirate to be captured and two crew members rescued.

After a few hours of negotiationsfor the remaining pirates to surrender failed, they held the breach for hours with the remaining crew members under hostage the special operation team broke into the breach apprehended the second pirate,and rescued the remaining 21 crew members. 3 armed pirates ran into hiding compartments. The vessel was secured, brought to port,and the clearing continue up to this morning.

Preliminarly, the following are accounted for; Rescued Crew Members-23 (6 Chinese and 17 Sierra Leonean Nationals).

b. Pirates Apprehended during the operationas last night: 2

c.Weapons Captured.4 pieces(one Winchester, reportedly 3 assault weapons).

d. Hijacked Vessel.F/V Shenghai 2.

THANK YOU LADIES AND GENTLEMEN FOR YOUR KEEN ATTENTION. THE
ARMED FORCES OF LIBERIA REMAIN COMMITTED TO SERVING THE PEOPLE
OF LIBERIA AS MANDATED BY THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF
LIBERIA AND THE NATIONAL DEFENSE.