Yemeni fishing vessel hijacked off Somalia

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Monday March 17, 2025

EUNAVFOR ATALANTA forces pictured near the “AL NAJMA”, the Yemeni fishing boat hijacked off Eyl, Northern coast of Puntland (Somalia) on February 8, 2025. Photo courtesy EUNAVFOR

Mogadishu (HOL) – A Yemeni-flagged fishing vessel has been hijacked off the Somali coast near Durdura, close to Eyl, in the latest sign of resurgent piracy in the region. Seven armed men seized control of the vessel on Sunday, taking eight Somali crew members hostage, according to European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA.

EUNAVFOR, which leads counter-piracy efforts in the region, confirmed the hijacking and is coordinating a response alongside the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and the Yemeni Coast Guard. The attack underscores growing concerns over maritime security along Somalia’s lawless coastline.

The hijacking follows a string of recent incidents, including the capture of the Yemeni dhow Saytuun-2, which was released on February 24. Earlier, another vessel, the Al Najma, was freed by EUNAVFOR forces on February 14 after being held captive for six days.

Maritime security analysts warn that pirates frequently convert hijacked dhows into “mother ships,” allowing them to extend their reach deep into the Indian Ocean and threaten international shipping lanes.

Since November 2023, piracy incidents off Somalia have surged, with Operation ATALANTA documenting multiple attacks in 2024, including four merchant vessel boardings and two significant hijackings. The resurgence has revived concerns about ransom payments, which security experts say embolden criminal networks and fuel further attacks on commercial vessels.

EUNAVFOR has urged all vessels transiting the region to register with the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean’s Voluntary Registration Scheme to enhance monitoring and response efforts against piracy threats.

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