Suspected Somali pirates abandon Yemeni fishing boat they seized off Horn of Africa
Suspected Somali pirates have fled a Yemeni fishing boat they seized off the Horn of Africa and operated for five days, authorites said Monday.
In a statement, a European naval force known as EUNAVFOR Atalanta said the pirates' initial Feb. 17 attack targeted a dhow, a traditional ship that plies the waters of the Mideast, off the town of Eyl in Somalia.
The vessel, called the Saytuun-2, was under their control until Saturday, EUNAVFOR said. The pirates had ladders and weapons, suggesting they possibly sought to hijack other vessels while using the fishing boat as a so-called mothership.
'The fishing vessel was vacated by the alleged pirates after they stole some of the crew's belongings,' the naval force said. It added that the Saytuun-2's crew now were safe and free.
The Feb. 17 attack came just days after another pirate attack on another Yemeni fishing boat which ultimately ended with the pirates fleeing and the mariners on board being recovered unhurt.
Piracy off the Somali coast peaked in 2011 when 237 attacks were reported. Somali piracy in the region at the time cost the world's economy some $7 billion — with $160 million paid out in ransoms, according to the Oceans Beyond Piracy monitoring group.
The threat was diminished by increased international naval patrols, a strengthening central government in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, and other efforts.
However, Somali pirate attacks have resumed at a greater pace over the last year, in part due to the insecurity caused by Yemen's Houthi rebels launching their attacks in the Red Sea corridor over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
In 2024, there were seven reported incidents off Somalia, according to the International Maritime Bureau.1
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Sahwa
a day ago
- Al Sahwa
Prominent Yemeni Sheikh Dies After Two Months in Detention by Security Belt militia
A well-known Yemeni cleric, Sheikh Anis Saeed Al-Jardami, has died in a hospital in Aden, Yemen, after his health deteriorated while in detention. Al-Jardemi had been taken into custody by the Security Belt Forces, a paramilitary security unit affiliated with the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC), in early April. According to human rights sources, Al-Jardami's arrest was reportedly linked to audio recordings he shared on social media, in which he criticized the STC and its leader. He was held without a court order for two months before being transferred to the hospital due to his failing health. The circumstances surrounding Al-Jardemi's detention and death have sparked concerns about human rights abuses in Yemen.
Yemen Online
2 days ago
- Yemen Online
Yemen's Houthis Reinforce Communication Network Following Halt of U.S. Airstrikes
Sana'a - Security and technical sources have confirmed that the Houthi group has begun enhancing and expanding its telecommunications network in areas under its control, following the cessation of U.S. airstrikes that previously targeted military positions and infrastructure in Yemen. Reports indicate that the group has redeployed communication stations and installed new antennas, while also establishing a closed wired network linking field command centers in anticipation of potential jamming or hacking attempts. The Houthis have also restored the operation of jamming and surveillance systems that were partially damaged during the latest attacks. No official statements have yet been issued by the U.S. government or Yemen's internationally recognized administration regarding these developments.
Yemen Online
2 days ago
- Yemen Online
Yemen : Houthis Launch Arrest Campaign in Sana'a over Use of "Starlink" Internet
Sana'a – June 11, 2025 The Houthi group has carried out a wave of arrests targeting dozens of civilians in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, over the use of "Starlink" satellite internet devices, according to local human rights sources. Reports indicate that at least 54 people, including electronics shop owners, university students, and academics, were detained during raids across several districts such as Al-Sabeen, Ma'een, and Azal. The campaign also involved extensive searches and seizures of electronic equipment and the imposition of hefty fines on citizens. A human rights activist in Sana'a—speaking on condition of anonymity—stated that 'the Houthis aim to fully monopolize the communications sector and suppress any means of accessing the internet beyond their control.' In a controversial move, students and professors at the Faculty of Computer Science at Sana'a University were forced to attend events warning against the 'dangers of satellite internet,' a step that observers say violates academic freedom and amounts to a form of censorship. International and local human rights organizations have called for the immediate release of the detainees and the end of what they've described as a 'repressive campaign,' labeling the measures a blatant violation of human rights and freedom of expression. It's worth noting that satellite internet services like "Starlink" have gained popularity in regions suffering from poor connectivity or monopolized internet access, offering a vital lifeline for residents to stay connected with the outside world.
