Somalia: Iranian sailors overpower pirates on fishing vessel

Image

EL HUR, Somalia, August 29, 2015(Garowe Online)-One of two Iranian fishing vessels hijacked by Somali pirates sneaked off in the waters off the coast of El Hur in central Somalia according to residents, Garowe Online reports.

Abdullahi Hamud, a resident of Hobyo confirmed on VOA Somali Service that the vessel with sixteen Iranian and four Somali crew members on board escaped on Thursday.

Somali government officials couldn’t be reached for comments on the matter, though large swathes in central Somalia remain under the control of hostile clan militias and moderate Islamists.

In late March, Somali pirates seized the Iranian vessel which was allegedly fishing illegally in territorial waters, making it the first hijacking since 2012 when pirates held Liberian-flagged MT Smyrni.

Credible sources reported that the sailors who had since been held captive subdued four pirates on the boat. 

GAROWE ONLINE 

Related Articles

‘Grave Mistake’: U.S. Strike Kills Esteemed Elder in Somalia

Omar’s brother, Ali Abdullahi Abdi, described him as a lifelong peacemaker. “He preached peace, not war. Now his blood stains our soil,” he said.

  • Somalia

    11-10-2025

  • 11:51AM

Ethiopia’s Nile dam is a project that won't hurt anyone, says Somali President

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reiterated his commitment to working towards an agreement with Egypt over the dam.

  • Somalia

    11-10-2025

  • 11:33AM