EU forces in anti-piracy raid on Somali mainland A spokesman for the EU foreign policy chief said it was part of a comprehensive approach to combating piracy. Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty 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 on Tuesday. No casualties were reported in the raid, which occurred along Somalia's central coastline in the region of Galmudug. Michael Mann, spokesman for the EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, said the action was part of a comprehensive approach to combating piracy. British forces were not involved in the operation, according the Ministry of Defence. The EU is the main donor to the Somali transitional government. It also trains the Somali army, and is reinforcing the navies of five neighbouring countries to enable them to counter piracy themselves. Last month, the EU allowed its ships to attack pirate targets on the shore.