By The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has warned the fishing community in Sri Lanka not to venture into the Arabian Sea for poaching activities during these days.
This announcement comes as a result of reports of an incident of an armed Somali group hijacking an Iranian fishing boat in the Arabian Sea on Saturday (16).
Joining a press conference held at the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on Monday (18), its Director General Susantha Kahawatta said that information has been received that a group of Somali pirates remain in the relevant sea area with an Iranian vessel.
Indian Navy
Mean while the Indian Navy thwarted plans by Somali pirates to hijack commercial vessels by rescuing MV Ruen in a 40-hour-long anti-piracy mission, with video showing the pirates shooting at the commandos.
“#INSKolkata, in the last 40 hours, through concerted actions successfully cornered and coerced all 35 Pirates to surrender & ensured safe evacuation of 17 crew members in the evening today #16Mar 24 from the pirate vessel without any injury,” the Indian Navy said on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday.
MV Ruen, a Bulgarian-owned but Maltese-flagged bulk cargo ship, was hijacked by Somali pirates in December and may have been used to hijack Bangladesh-flagged MV Abdullah, Financial Times reported on Sunday. After the hijacking, MV Ruen was stationed off the coast of Eyl in Somalia for months.
The Indian Navy’s mission to rescue MV Ruen involved the marine commandos, also known as Marcos, who have been active in the anti-piracy missions in the region.
The hijacking of vessels by Somali pirates comes against the backdrop of increased maritime threats in the area, including from the Iran-backed Houthis.
