EU Naval Force Takes Control of Dhow Used in Somali Pirate Attack

Bosaso (Sahan Post):- The European Union’s naval mission, Operation Atalanta, has seized control of an Iranian-flagged dhow used by pirates in a recent attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Somalia. The dhow, which had been abandoned by the pirates, was tracked and secured after the attack on the Maltese-flagged Hellas Aphrodite, which was carrying gasoline from India to South Africa.

The pirates had initially hijacked the dhow earlier this month and later used it to board the tanker. The crew of the dhow is reported to be safe, with Operation Atalanta working closely with Somali authorities to locate the pirates responsible.

This attack is part of a concerning rise in piracy off the Horn of Africa, marking the first such incident in over a year. The EU naval force and its partners, including an Indian Navy warship, are actively monitoring the region to ensure the security of critical shipping lanes.

Operation Atalanta confirmed that the pirate group operating in the area has been “definitely disrupted,” with efforts continuing to safeguard global maritime trade.