Puntland forces have freed the Palau-flagged MT Honour 25 tanker after Somali pirates held the vessel and its 17 crew members for months.
BANDERBEYLA, Somalia (Somali Report) — Puntland regional forces have retaken control of a fuel-carrying vessel seized by Somali pirates earlier this year, in an operation along the region’s coastline, authorities said.
The Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) said its forces launched a planned operation near Dharin-baar, in Banderbeyla district, targeting pirates who had been holding the vessel MT Honour 25.
The operation ended with the vessel being recovered and members of the pirate group captured, according to a statement issued by the force. It did not give details on the number of suspects detained or whether there were casualties during the operation.
The vessel, which sails under the flag of Palau, is a tanker used to transport petroleum products. It was reportedly carrying cargo belonging to Somali businessmen when it was seized on April 21 while sailing off the Somali coast.
The ship and its crew had remained under the control of the pirates for months. According to the PMPF, the group had demanded a ransom of around $2 million for the vessel’s release.
The tanker had 17 crew members aboard, most of them Pakistani nationals, according to earlier international reports on the hijacking.
The recovery of the vessel comes amid a resurgence of piracy along Somalia’s long coastline after several years in which attacks had fallen sharply.
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Somali pirates have seized a number of commercial vessels this year, raising concerns among maritime authorities and shipping operators over the return of a threat that had previously prompted extensive international naval patrols in the waters around Somalia.
Puntland authorities have responded by increasing operations against pirate groups operating from coastal areas. Officials have also warned against paying ransoms, saying such payments could encourage further attacks and hostage-taking.
The latest operation follows the recovery of the MT Sibu 1, another commercial vessel seized by pirates in August. Puntland forces said they carried out an operation that resulted in the vessel being freed and suspected pirates being taken into custody.
The authorities have not provided a full account of the latest operation, including how the assault was carried out or the condition of the crew after the vessel was recovered.
The return of Honour 25 is nevertheless a significant development for the crew and their families, who had faced months of uncertainty while the vessel remained in pirate hands.
Somalia’s coastline stretches for thousands of kilometres along some of the world's busiest maritime routes, making the country’s waters a longstanding concern for international shipping.
The recent hijackings have renewed attention on the ability of pirate networks to regroup after years of reduced activity, as Somali and international authorities seek to prevent further attacks and secure the release of crews and vessels still being held.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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