A majority in the Dutch Lower House has voted in favour of deploying Dutch marines on a United Nations ship in order to combat piracy.

Only Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party opposed the move during a debate on Thursday evening.

The marines will be stationed for six months on the ship, which will carry food supplies and other aid from the Kenyan city of Mombasa to Somali ports. Due to famine in Somalia, the need for emergency food aid has tripled in recent months.

Up to now the ships have had navy escorts. This will no longer be necessary with marines on board.

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