EU Investigates Reported Hijacking of Iranian Fishing Vessel Off Somalia

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA is investigating reports that Somali pirates hijacked an Iranian fishing vessel off the northeastern coast of Somalia, raising fresh concerns over maritime security in the region.

The vessel, identified as Azini, was reportedly hijacked on October 29 at around 0900 UTC, according to an alert issued by the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO).

In a warning released on October 31, the maritime security centre said the vessel was moving towards a shipping route used by commercial vessels, raising concerns that it could potentially be used as a mother ship to support further pirate attacks.

The use of fishing vessels as mother ships has been a recurring tactic in Somali piracy, allowing armed groups to operate farther from the coastline and target commercial shipping across wider areas of the Indian Ocean.

However, MSCIO has not confirmed whether the Azini has been involved in any subsequent piracy attacks. The circumstances surrounding the reported hijacking, the identity of those responsible and the condition of the crew also remain unclear.

Somali media outlet Puntland Post reported that the incident occurred off the coast of Bandarbayla district in Bari region and that two Somali nationals were aboard the vessel as security guards.

MSCIO has urged commercial shipping operators navigating waters off Somalia to maintain heightened vigilance, follow maritime security guidance and report suspicious activity.

Operation ATALANTA is continuing to assess the incident, with no confirmed reports of additional attacks linked to the vessel.

The reported hijacking comes amid renewed concerns over the return of Somali piracy, which had declined significantly following years of international naval patrols and strengthened security measures aboard commercial vessels.

Somali piracy emerged as a major threat to international shipping in the mid-2000s, with armed groups hijacking merchant ships and demanding millions of dollars in ransom. International naval deployments and cooperation with regional maritime authorities helped reduce attacks, although the threat has not been completely eliminated.

The waters off Somalia remain strategically important for international trade, connecting major shipping routes between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

The latest incident is likely to draw renewed attention from international maritime security forces monitoring suspicious movements and potential pirate activity along the Somali coastline.