Turkish naval vessels continue to escort and protect a drilling fleet operating off Somalia, the National Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.

TCG Goksu, TCG Gelibolu and TCG Bartin, deployed as part of the Somalia Naval Task Group, are providing security for the Cagri Bey drilling ship, the ministry said on Turkish social media company NSosyal.

The vessels are also escorting the Korkut, Altan and Sancar support ships.

The ministry said the escort and protection mission remains underway.