Somali pirates hijack Iranian fishing dhow "Azini" off Puntland

Armed pirates hijacked the Iranian fishing dhow "Azini" at about 12:30 Tehran time on Thursday 29 October 2026 off north-eastern Somalia, between the coastal towns of Bandarbeyla and Hafun in the Puntland region. The EU's maritime security centre for the Indian Ocean (MSCIO) confirmed the hijacking on Saturday 31 October and described the crew's condition as "unknown".

According to Puntland security sources, eight armed men attacked the dhow from a remote point on the coast near Bandarbeyla and were then joined by four more. One of the sources said 21 crew members and two Somali guards were on board; the guards were taken by surprise and disarmed because the dhow was fishing close to shore. The crew's nationality has not yet been announced. After seizing the dhow, the pirates took it into deeper water.

Warning that the dhow could be used for new attacks

The EU maritime security centre has warned that "Azini" could become a "mother ship" for attacks on other vessels, a method Somali pirates have repeatedly used with hijacked dhows.

This is the third Iranian fishing dhow hijacked off Somalia since July. In September, Puntland security sources said a ransom of 40,000 dollars had been paid to free two Iranian fishing dhows that the pirates of the ship "Sward" had seized. At least 15 pirate attacks have been recorded in Somali waters since late March, the highest number since 2013.

Widespread insecurity at sea

The hijacking of "Azini" comes as the region's sea lanes, from the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, have become more dangerous; October, with 35 attacks, was the worst month for ships in the Persian Gulf and Hormuz. Fishermen from southern Iran have for years travelled to the distant waters of the Indian Ocean and the Somali coast to fish, and they are more exposed to these attacks than anyone.

"Azini" is the third Iranian fishing dhow to fall into pirates' hands off Somalia since July.