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 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.

On January 1, the China-flagged LIAO DONG YU 578 (MMSI 412549025) was reportedly captured by pirates off Bandarbeyla while fishing, although official sources have not confirmed the hijacking. The Chinese Embassy in Somalia reported that a Chinese fishing vessel was released from pirate custody on March 2, but did not name the vessel.

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