Barran Press
Suspected Somali pirates have hijacked a Yemeni fishing boat, marking the second such attack in just ten days, the European Union’s naval mission in the Red Sea, Operation Atalanta (EUNAVFOR), reported on Wednesday.
According to a statement cited by ABC News, the attack took place off the coast of Eyl, Somalia, on Monday and remains under investigation.The pirates targeted a traditional Yemeni sailing vessel, though details about the crew’s fate are still unclear.
This latest incident follows a similar attack ten days earlier, in which Somali pirates attempted to seize another Yemeni fishing boat. In that case, the attackers eventually fled, and the sailors were safely rescued.
Piracy off the Somali coast peaked in 2011, with 237 reported attacks costing the global economy an estimated $7 billion, including $160 million in ransom payments, according to Oceans Beyond Piracy. The threat had since declined due to international naval patrols and strengthened governance in Somalia.
However, pirate activity has surged over the past year, with analysts partially attributing the rise to growing instability in the region. Iran-backed Houthi attacks in the Red Sea corridor have disrupted maritime security, creating opportunities for piracy. In 2024, the International Maritime Bureau recorded seven pirate incidents off the Somali coast—a number that appears to be climbing once again.