The Yemeni-flagged fishing dhow Al-Hidaya has been released by Somali pirates after being held for a week.
The European Union Naval Force’s Operation Atalanta said the vessel was hijacked on 16 March off Durdura, in the vicinity of Eyl, on the northern coast of Puntland (Somalia).
On 20 March, the alleged hijackers abandoned the dhow in the vicinity of Dhinowda, south of the position where the incident initially started. The following morning, the Italian Navy frigate Luigi Rizzo (F595) conducted a friendly approach to assist the crew and gathered information from the fishing vessel. On board, the eight Somali crew members were found safe, and evidence of the hijacking were gathered.
This incident is the third piracy-related case involving a Yemeni fishing vessel. Together with a Chinese fishing vessel captured in December 2024, there have been four vessels captured and released in Somali waters in the last three months. Most recently, the Yemeni-flagged dhow Saytuun-2 was released on 24 February after being briefly held by pirates.
“The commitment and effectiveness of EU Navfor Atalanta forces and their regional and international maritime security partners are essential in resolving these incidents hampering maritime safety and freedom of navigation in the region,” Atalanta said in a statement.
