EUNAVFOR ATALANTA Forces Pirates To Abandon Hijacked Iranian Dhow Off Somalia Coast

European Union naval forces under Operation ATALANTA have freed the Iranian-flagged fishing dhow Alwaseemi, which was hijacked by pirates in the Western Indian Ocean on 24 March.

The vessel was released on 5 April after days of close monitoring and pressure from ATALANTA naval and air units, working together with Somali maritime police forces. The pirates left the dhow along the north-western coast of Somalia.

Operation ATALANTA said the focus remained on keeping the crew safe while limiting the movement of the vessel.

Naval ships stayed close, while aircraft gathered information about the situation on board. This steady presence, along with coordination with Somali forces onshore, led the pirates to abandon the vessel.

After the dhow was released, ATALANTA personnel boarded it to check the condition of the crew. They provided food, water and medical support.

Teams also collected evidence and information that may be used for legal action against those involved. The mission is working with the Federal Government of Somalia and the Puntland authorities to take the case forward.

The hijacking was first reported on 24 March, about 400 nautical miles east of Mogadishu. Authorities believed the dhow could be used as a mothership to carry out attacks on larger vessels in the region.

The Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean advised ships in the area to stay at least 200 nautical miles away and remain alert. Operators were asked to follow standard maritime security measures and report any unusual activity.

An ATALANTA asset moved towards the area on 25 March. On 27 March, the dhow was located around 480 nautical miles southeast of Mogadishu and its identity was confirmed. Naval forces then kept tracking the vessel, while aircraft continued to monitor activity on board.

By 30 March, ATALANTA confirmed the hijack and ensured the vessel remained isolated, reducing the risk of any further attacks. A second ATALANTA unit also arrived to support the operation.

Several regional and international forces supported the effort, including Somali maritime police, the Somali Navy, Puntland Maritime Police Forces, the Combined Maritime Forces, the Spanish Joint Operations Command, the Seychelles Armed Forces and INTERPOL.

Operation ATALANTA, active since 2008, continues to carry out counter-piracy operations in the Western Indian Ocean.

Reference: EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA