A European naval force has successfully intervened to free a Yemeni fishing boat that was seized by suspected Somali pirates off the Horn of Africa. The operation, led by the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR Atalanta), ensured the safe release of the 12 crew members on board, who were reported to be unharmed.
The incident took place last week when the dhow, a traditional boat commonly used in the Middle East, was attacked near the town of Eyl in Somalia. Though the situation remains under investigation, the intervention of the EUNAVFOR highlights ongoing piracy risks in the region, despite years of international efforts to curb such activities.
Piracy off the Somali coast reached a peak in 2011, with 237 attacks recorded that year. A combination of increased naval patrols, a strengthening Somali government, and other measures reduced the frequency of pirate incidents. However, recent months have seen a resurgence in attacks, fueled by growing instability in the region, including tensions linked to the ongoing Yemen conflict and the broader geopolitical ramifications of the Israel-Hamas war.
While Somali piracy remains a significant threat, the success of the European naval force’s intervention underscores the continued importance of international cooperation to safeguard maritime security in one of the world’s most strategically important shipping corridors.
Credit ESPS Navarra by EU Naval Force on Flikr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
