Australia, New Zealand Naval Ships Exempted From Solomon Islands Ban

Armadale Class Patrol Boat, HMAS Armidale, sails into the Port of Honiara, Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands, on Dec. 1, 2021. CPL Brodie Cross/Australian Department of Defence via Getty Images

The Solomon Islands’ prime minister said Monday that navy vessels from Australia and New Zealand are exempt from a temporary ban that resulted in U.S. and British vessels being turned away in August.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told Parliament that foreign military vessels deployed under the Solomon Islands International Assistance Force—which it signed with Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji—will be exempt.