Somali pirates hijacked an Iranian fishing vessel off the east coast of Somalia. India’s naval forces came to the rescue. The Tuesday operation was the third such rescue this week. It came one day after two nations’ forces separately liberated two fishing vessels in the same waters.
Monday’s rescues involved India and the small African country of Seychelles.
Pirates hijacked an Iranian fishing vessel in the Indian Ocean. India’s navy announced its forces freed all 17 crew members along with the vessel, named Iman. The fishing boat was later “released for onward transit.”
Meanwhile, Seychelles defense forces and coast guard rescued six Sri Lankan fishermen.
Pirates had arrived in an area where about 30 Sri Lankan vessels were fishing. Two or three armed men who arrived in a 75-foot vessel boarded the fishing trawler. They fired shots, apparently to warn away the other fishing boats. They took the trawler and the fishermen, says Sri Lankan official Susantha Kahawatta.
“When the hijackers entered their waters, the Seychelles coast guard arrested the hijackers, took control of the boat, and released the fishermen and the vessel,” Kahawatta says.
On Tuesday, the Indian navy intercepted the Iranian vessel Al Naeemi. Naval personnel forced the 11 pirates aboard to release the crew and the boat.
The navy did not immediately say what happened to the pirates responsible for the hijacking. But images posted by the Indian Navy show pirates with their hands tied behind them and armed Indian naval troops standing guard.
Yemen-based Houthi pirates have disrupted global shipping in the Red Sea since November. The timing of the recent Somali attacks generated speculation that Houthis and Somali pirates are working together.
Monday’s and Tuesday’s naval hijackings came two weeks after Sri Lanka agreed to help protect merchant vessels sailing in the Red Sea.
The Indian navy has sent three guided missile destroyers and scouting aircraft to the vast Indian Ocean to deal with piracy. So far, the navy has carried out several anti-piracy missions. It helped at least four merchant vessels attacked in the high waters.
Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. — Psalm 50:15
