EU naval forces pressure leads Somali pirates to abandon the Iranian dhow ALWASEEMI, ensuring crew safety and thwarting piracy efforts.
Suspected Somali pirates have abandoned the Iranian-flagged dhow ALWASEEMI after sustained pressure from EU naval forces, reported Saint Petersburg's PortNews.
Operation Atalanta stated that the vessel was hijacked on March 24, approximately 400 nautical miles east of Mogadishu. By March 27, it had been located and identified, prompting naval assets to be redirected from the Gulf of Aden.
Starting March 30, the dhow was isolated, preventing it from being used to target larger vessels. The pirates ultimately withdrew following pressure from air and surface units, in coordination with Somali maritime police.
Boarding teams accessed the vessel on April 5, verified the crew's condition, and supplied food, water, and medical assistance. Earlier, the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean had warned that the dhow was likely to be used as a mothership.
Operation Atalanta, the EU's naval mission in the western Indian Ocean and Red Sea, was established in 2008 to counter piracy and protect vulnerable shipping. Its mandate has been extended until February 28, 2027.
