Somali Pirates Hijack Iranian Dhow, Marking Fourth Off Somalia in 2026
On October 29, 2026, a Somali Pirate Action Group of 12 armed pirates hijacked the Iranian fishing dhow AZINI approximately 185 nautical miles east of Bandarbeyla, Puntland. The vessel’s crew reportedly included 21 Iranian…
Fishing vessels targeted by Somali pirates in 2026, as of November 2. Positions are approximate except AZINI’s reported hijack position. The LIAO DONG YU 578 capture has not been officially confirmed, and the unnamed dhow (05) is a possible hijack with no reported position, plotted off its destination. Source: Windward Maritime AI Platform.
On October 29, 2026, a Somali Pirate Action Group of 12 armed pirates hijacked the Iranian fishing dhow AZINI approximately 185 nautical miles east of Bandarbeyla, Puntland. The vessel’s crew reportedly included 21 Iranian fishermen and two Somali security guards.
On November 2, the Indian Navy freed the vessel following a 48-hour operation in the Arabian Sea, and all crew are reportedly safe.
The hijacking of AZINI is the first confirmed hijacking of the fourth quarter and the fourth confirmed hijacking of a dhow or fishing vessel off Somalia this year. It follows a string of seizures that peaked in the spring.
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