The UN security council authorized countries to use “all necessary measures that are appropriate in Somalia” to stop anyone using Somalian territory to plan or carry out piracy in the nearby waters traversed each year by thousands of cargo ships sailing between Asia and the Suez Canal. That includes the use of Somalia’s airspace, even though the United States appeased Indonesia, a council member, by removing direct mention of it, U.S. officials said.

Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ali Ahmed Jama, whose government asked for the help, said he was “heartened” by the council action. “These acts of piracy are categorically unacceptable and should be put to an end,” he said.

Under the resolution, countries must first get a request for an attack from Somalia’s weak UN-backed government, which itself would be required to notify UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon before any attack. “Piracy is a symptom of the state of anarchy which has persisted in that country for over 17 years,” Ban told the council. “This lawlessness constitutes a serious threat to regional stability and to international peace and security.”

Somali pirates have seized over 40 vessels off Somalia’s 1,880-mile (3,000-kilometer) coastline this year. Before the latest seizures, maritime officials say 14 remained in pirate hands — including a Saudi oil tanker carrying $100 million in crude and a Ukrainian ship loaded with tanks and heavy weapons. Also held are a total of more than 250 crew members.