Somali Pirates Hijack Yemeni Fishing Boat in 3rd Attack This Year
Suspected Somali pirates hijacked a Yemeni fishing boat off the coast of Somalia on Sunday, marking the third such attack in recent weeks, the European Union confirmed Monday. The Yemeni-flagged vessel was seized near the northern coastal town of Eyl, Somalia. Seven armed hijackers remain on board along with a crew of eight Somali nationals.
“The incident is under investigation and has been classified as a hijacking,” the EU antipiracy force said in a statement. The force stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Combined Maritime Forces naval partnership group as well as the Yemeni coast guard.
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This attack follows the February 17 hijacking of another Yemeni ship, the Saytuun-2, which was released on February 24. Earlier that month, on February 9, pirates seized another Yemeni fishing vessel but abandoned it four days later after stealing personal belongings and two skiffs.
Somali piracy peaked in 2011, when 237 attacks were recorded, costing the global economy an estimated $7 billion, including $160 million in ransom payments, according to the Oceans Beyond Piracy monitoring group. Additionally, the EU antipiracy force reports that more than 2,500 individuals have been taken hostage by Somali pirates since 2009.
A combination of international naval patrols and improved governance in Somalia had largely curbed the threat, but attacks have escalated over the past year.
