EUNAVFOR Secures Release of Hijacked Yemeni Fishing Vessel Off Somalia’s Coast

European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA has secured the release of the Yemeni fishing vessel AL NAJMA following its hijacking off the northern coast of Puntland, Somalia.

The incident, which occurred on February 8th and was classified as an armed robbery at sea due to its location within territorial waters, marks another chapter in the ongoing resurgence of Somali piracy that began in November 2023.

EUNAVFOR ATALANTA deployed naval and air assets to conduct an intensive search operation, with helicopter support playing a crucial role in the vessel’s release. Upon locating the dhow near the Somali coast, forces bo…