Germany Makes Little Progress Against Sea Terror

The German Navy has been controlling a huge area off the African coast, including a 3,000 kilometre strip off the shore of Somalia, for nine months now. For six months the Germans held supreme command over both European and American Navy soldiers and, for the first time ever, a German admiral had the last say on American war ships.

What at first sounds like a milestone for the German military, loses its glamour when examined in the context of the Germans' actual logistical capacities: It was under the Germans' command that the scope of the mission was reduced. Three ships left the area for Germany, which left the German forces asked to control the coasts of Sudan, Eritrea, Somalia and Yemen with just two battle ships.

Enduring Freedom

The German parliament pledged some 3,900 soldiers to the US-led war against terror, Operation Enduring Freedom. German troops were scattered across the world, including Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa, where forces were sent to hunt down al Qaeda terrorists suspected of hiding here.

The deployment to the African coast started off as one of the largest. But six months later, the mission was reduced considerably.

Limited resources

According to Admiral Gottfried Hoch, who commanded the German sailors deployed off the Horn of Africa, this reduction have limited the capacity of the operation. "We don't have the funds to do this, it is far too large for the limited resources that we now have", he says.

Hoch will step down from his post both as commander of the German forces, and supreme commander of the international troops, on Wednesday. Spain will then take over, and Hoch will be replaced by Admiral Wolfgang Kalähne in Africa on Wednesday. Kalähne is more optimistic: "Our aim here is to stop all activities in connection with terrorism" -- even with only two ships if necessary.

The limitations have already been demonstrated. It would have taken at least a day's journey for German battle ships to reach the site where a French oil tanker was attacked by terrorists in Yemen's waters in early October.

No permission

Another major obstacle to operating in the area is that the troops are not allowed to enter national waters without permission.

In order to check ships traversing national seas, German troops have to fly in with helicopters, and let themselves down on rope ladders to gain access to the ships.

However, this procedure is the exception, according to Kalähne. "If we have strong suspicions, then we board the ships," he said. "But it is seldom that this happens," since troops are only allowed to search ships with special permission.

And whoever invites the German forces to search their decks, has little to hide.

Logistical limitations, it seems, have limited the Germany Navy's ability to deliver the success stories in the war against terror that most are craving.