Armed pirates have seized an Iranian fishing vessel, the Azini, off Puntland's coast near Bandar Beyla, taking control of the boat with 21 crew members aboard and raising fresh concerns over renewed piracy in Somali waters.Somali Pirates Hijack Iranian Fishing Vessel Off Puntland Coast
The vessel, identified as the Azini, was seized on October 29 at around noon local time while operating between the coastal towns of Bandar Beyla and Hafun in Bari region, according to the European Union's Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO).
The attack was carried out by eight armed men near Bandar Beyla, according to a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP), which cited Puntland security officials.
The officials said two Somali security guards were aboard the fishing vessel when the attackers approached and overpowered them, taking control of the ship.
Security sources said the vessel was carrying 21 crew members, in addition to the two Somali guards. Four more armed men later joined the initial attackers, bringing the number of pirates aboard the vessel to 12.
After seizing the boat, the pirates steered it further out to sea, Puntland security officials said.
The condition and safety of the crew members remained unclear, with the EU maritime security centre saying it had not received confirmation of their current status.
The hijacking is the third reported attack targeting Iranian fishing vessels off the Somali coast since July, highlighting growing concerns about the return of organised piracy in the region.
Somalia experienced a prolonged period of piracy in the early 2000s and 2010s, when armed groups operating from coastal communities frequently attacked commercial shipping, fishing vessels and other maritime traffic passing through the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.
Although international naval patrols and improved security measures significantly reduced attacks after 2013, piracy incidents have increased again in recent years.
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At least 15 piracy-related attacks have been recorded since April, according to maritime security reporting, representing the highest number of incidents since 2013.
The renewed activity has raised concerns among international maritime organisations and regional authorities about the ability of pirate groups to exploit security gaps along Somalia's extensive coastline.
The EU Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean has warned that the hijacked Azini could be used as a so-called mothership to launch further attacks against commercial vessels and fishing boats operating in Somali waters and across the wider Indian Ocean.
Motherships allow pirate groups to travel farther from the coastline, carry additional supplies and approach potential targets beyond the reach of smaller boats.
The use of hijacked fishing vessels in this way has been a recurring concern for international maritime security forces seeking to prevent piracy from spreading across major shipping routes.
Somalia's coastline, which stretches for more than 3,300 kilometres, provides access to strategically important maritime corridors connecting the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa.
The latest hijacking comes amid renewed scrutiny of maritime security in the region, where fishing vessels have also faced allegations of operating illegally in Somali waters.
The seizure of the Azini adds to mounting concerns that pirate networks are rebuilding their operational capabilities after years of relative inactivity.
Authorities had not announced any rescue operation or confirmed whether negotiations for the release of the vessel and its crew had begun.
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.
