Alleged Somali Pirates Hijack Vessel Near African Horn
In a disquieting resurrection of maritime insecurity, the vessel Al-Meraj 1 was apprehended in November 2023, marking a fresh surge of piracy in the perilous waters off Somalia. The European Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Atalanta, a vigilant maritime initiative operating in the Middle East, confirmed the hijacking late on Monday. But what lies beneath these waters? A tale fraught with peril and the unending struggle for control.
An anecdote comes to mind. Years ago, a seasoned mariner recounted encountering a dhow—its billowing…