Pirates

Mogadishu (AX) — In a disquieting development that harkens back to challenging times, a fishing vessel bearing the Yemeni flag has fallen into the hands of pirates off the Somali coast, near Durdura, proximal to Eyl. It's a stark reminder of a peril that many hoped had been consigned to the annals of history. Seven men, armed and presumably desperate, commandeered the vessel this past Sunday, taking with them eight Somali crew members. The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), which spearheads anti-piracy…

Piracy Resurfacing in Troubled Waters: A Renewed Maritime Challenge By February 22, the enigmatic departure of the assailants from the vessel left many questions unanswered. It was rather peculiar, wasn't it? This unplanned exit set the stage for Operation Atalanta forces to execute what they called a “friendly approach” the following day. They gathered valuable intelligence from the crew, teasing out details that only those who actually mar the murky waters would know. European forces have been diligently…

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- In a scene reminiscent of tales from a bygone era, suspected Somali pirates unceremoniously abandoned a Yemeni fishing vessel they had commandeered for several tense days. The Saytuun-2 dhow, which plies the timeless waters of the Middle East, was thrust into the spotlight when it was seized off Somalia’s precarious coastline, only to be released five days later. Some might ask, what compels modern-day buccaneers to such bold acts? A European naval group, EUNAVFOR Atalanta, chronicled…

Mogadishu (AX) — On a seemingly tranquil February day off Somalia's economically ragged coast, under the shadow of the region's turbulent maritime history, another chapter unfolded. The circumstances forebode a familiar narrative, one that's as unsettling as the early-morning chill on Garmaal's coastline: a Yemeni-flagged fishing boat suspected of romantic yet perilous piracy. The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) under Operation ATALANTA, engaged tirelessly in the complex chess game of maritime security, recorded this…

Mogadishu (AX) — Imagine a tranquil fishing voyage on the azure waves near Northeastern State's rugged coast, suddenly turned into a harrowing tale of piracy. The European Union's naval forces, vigilant as ever, have recently orchestrated a commendable rescue of a Yemeni fishing vessel named Al Najma, which fell prey to piracy off Somalia's restless coastline. What does this mean for a world striving for safer seas? This latest chapter unfolded on February 8, 2025, when the Al Najma, proudly flying Yemen's flag, found…

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…

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Imagine the unforgiving depths of the ocean, where shadows of ships have danced for centuries. On a tranquil Monday, a slice of maritime turmoil reared its head off the Horn of Africa. Somali pirates, long-silent ghosts of the sea, have reportedly captured a Yemeni fishing vessel. As the sun dipped below the horizon, authorities confirmed the maritime upheaval with a shiver of uncertainty. EUNAVFOR Atalanta, representing a European naval initiative in these turbulent waters, assured that…

Certainly! Here's a rewritten version of the content: --- Mogadishu, Somalia – In a twist of fate that reads more like a movie script than a real-life incident, fishing off the northeast coast of Somalia became a nerve-wracking tale for Liban Hassan* when he exchanged his net for a rifle. Having spent most of his 32 years amidst the waves near Eyl in Northeastern State, he turned hijacker last year, commandeering a Chinese fishing vessel and holding its crew captive. After an intense seven-week standoff, the drama finally…

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Picture this: a hijacked fishing vessel, reminiscent of a high-seas drama, finds its rightful freedom after two harrowing months held hostage off the Somali coast. The Chinese embassy confirmed the rescue, celebrating the safe return of 18 resilient crew members. Their release marks the end of a maritime nightmare that could have been lifted straight from a pirate saga. Unfolding like chapters in a tense novel, news of their liberation appeared on X—what some still fondly recall as Twitter. The embassy…

NAIROBI, Kenya - Word on the street is that infamous pirates have staged a comeback in Somalia's treacherous waters. This follows a calm period of five months during which security forces actively tried to put a lid on pirate activities. This week, EUNAVFOR — those naval protectors under Operation ATALANTA — have sounded the alarm. They've spotted a sketchy bunch known as a pirate action group (PAG) sneaking away from Somalia’s north-central shoreline. The alert hints that pirates might be sweeping back into Somali…