Armed pirates have hijacked an Iranian fishing vessel, named Azini, off Somalia's northeastern coast. The incident occurred at around 0900 UTC near coordinates 09°42’N, 053°55’E, approximately 185 nautical miles east of Bandarbayla, Somalia. The European Union Naval Force's Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) reported the hijacking, which has raised concerns that the vessel could be used as a mothership to launch attacks on larger commercial ships.
According to an officer with Puntland's maritime police, 12 pirates seized the vessel and its 23 crew members, including 21 Iranian fishermen and two Somali security guards. The safety of the crew remains unknown. MSCIO noted that the Azini matches the profile of vessels Somali pirates have previously used as motherships, providing pirates with mobile bases to launch attacks on larger merchant ships farther offshore.
By Saturday, the vessel had moved approximately 110 nautical miles farther east to coordinates 09°47’N, 055°45’E, bringing it closer to a major commercial shipping route. MSCIO reiterated its warning that the fishing vessel could be used as a pirate mothership. This development has raised concerns about the potential for increased piracy activity in the region.
The hijacking comes amid renewed concerns over piracy off Somalia, following several years of relative calm. In August 2026, Turkish naval forces and the Somali National Armed Forces rescued the cargo vessel MV LATUF after it was hijacked off the Somali coast. The joint operation resulted in the destruction of four pirate boats and the killing of 14 pirates.
The operation was conducted under a defence cooperation agreement between Somalia and Türkiye, which provides a framework for cooperation in protecting Somalia's coastline and combating maritime piracy. The agreement has helped to enhance security in the region and reduce piracy activity. However, the recent hijacking of the Azini suggests that pirates remain active in the area.
Somalia experienced a major wave of piracy between 2008 and 2018, with armed groups targeting commercial vessels and demanding ransoms. Attacks declined significantly for several years before re-emerging in late 2023 amid heightened security tensions in the region. The resurgence of piracy has raised concerns about the potential for further incidents.
The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region and the need for continued cooperation between international partners to combat piracy. Somali authorities and international naval forces are working together to enhance security and prevent further hijackings. The safety of the crew and the potential consequences of the hijacking remain a concern for regional authorities.
Key points
- The hijacking of the Azini has raised concerns about the potential for increased piracy activity in the region.
- The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region and the need for continued cooperation to combat piracy.
- The resurgence of piracy in Somalia has raised concerns about the potential for further incidents.
