EU carries out first airstrikes against Somali pirate targets

BRUSSELS – The European Union says its naval force off the Somali coastline has carried out its first air strikes against pirate targets on shore.

A spokesman said maritime aircraft and attack helicopters took part in the attacks early Tuesday along the coastline. No casualties were reported in the raid, which occurred along Somalia's central coastline in the region of Galmudug.

Michael Mann, spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, says the action was part of a comprehensive approach to combating piracy.

The EU is the main donor to the Somali transitional government. It is also trains Somali army troops, and is reinforcing the navies of five neighboring countries to enable them to counter piracy themselves.

Last month, the EU allowed its ships to attack pirate targets on the shore.