Dozens of countries have committed warships to the US-led war on terrorism, initially with the aim of stopping vessels suspected of carrying al-Qaeda terrorists trying to escape Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, the rules of engagement vary depending on the geography. Nato has its own operation, codenamed Active Endeavour, which began on October 26 last year and covers the Eastern Mediterranean.

For this operation, Nato’s mandate allows warship commanders to try to stop a suspect vessel, including firing warning shots over the bows. But if a decision is made to board the vessel, Nato is obliged to call in the US 6th Fleet. Only the Americans carry out boardings in the Eastern Mediterranean. In Operation Enduring Freedom, however, which mainly covers the Arabian Gulf region, the rules appear to be different. The Spanish boarded the North Korean vessel and only then called in the Americans.

Britain has one warship operating under Operation Enduring Freedom, although the Royal Navy codename for the mission is Operation Oracle.The ship is HMS Cumberland, a type 22 frigate, which is now in the Gulf region. Although the Spanish had the right to board the Scud ship under their national rules of engagement, it is more likely that the British warship would ask the Americans to act if it found itself in a similar situation.

Operation Active Endeavour in the Eastern Mediterranean involves ships from eight countries: Britain, the US, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Greece and the Netherlands.

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