World · Africa · 3 hrs ago
Pirates seize Iranian fishing vessel off northeastern Somalia
Somali pirates seized the Iranian fishing vessel Azini off northeastern Somalia on Thursday.
The ship was carrying 21 Iranian crew members and two Somali security guards, and their safety is unknown.
A maritime security centre warned that the vessel was approaching a commercial shipping lane and could be used as a “mother ship” for attacks on cargo ships.
The seizure comes amid a resurgence of Somali piracy: pirates had hijacked six commercial vessels since April by August.
Recent attacks add to risks for shipping in a region already disrupted by threats and conflict affecting routes used to move oil.
The European Union's naval Operation Atalanta is investigating, and ships nearby have been urged to stay alert and report suspicious activity.
Somali pirates seized the Iranian fishing vessel Azini off northeastern Somalia, with 23 people aboard.
Twelve pirates took the vessel on Thursday, October 29, between Bandar Bayla and Hafun, a Puntland maritime security officer said.
The crew’s safety was unknown, and the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean warned the ship could be used to support attacks on commercial vessels.
The European Union naval mission Operation Atalanta was investigating.
The seizure comes amid a resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean.
- Who
- Twelve Somali pirates seized the Azini, which carried 21 Iranian crew members and two Somali security guards.
- What
- The Iranian fishing vessel was hijacked.
- When
- Thursday, October 29, 2026.
- Where
- Between Bandar Bayla and Hafun in northeastern Somalia.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Pirates hijacked the Azini between Bandar Bayla and Hafun.
The Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean issued an alert saying the crew’s safety was unknown.
A Puntland maritime security officer described the seizure and said 12 pirates had taken the vessel.
- Vessel
- Azini
- People aboard
- 23: 21 Iranian crew members and two Somali security guards
- Pirates
- 12
- Seizure location
- Between Bandar Bayla and Hafun, northeastern Somalia
- Hijacking date
- October 29, 2026
- Investigation
- EU naval Operation Atalanta was investigating