EUNAVFOR ATALANTA has confirmed the release of the Yemeni-flagged fishing boat “AL NAJMA,” which was hijacked near Eyl, on the northern coast of Puntland, Somalia.
On February 8, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA was informed of a suspected pirate attack on a Yemeni-flagged dhow off Eyl. The incident was classified as an armed robbery at sea.
ATALANTA’s naval and air assets were deployed in the area, conducting an intensive search that successfully located the dhow. The vessel was released while sailing very close to the Somali coast. The immediate presence of ATALANTA forces, especially their helicopter, played a key role in the rescue operation. The forces boarded the dhow to ensure security and check on the crew’s condition. All 12 crew members were found safe, with no injuries reported.
The ATALANTA boarding team collected evidence as part of an ongoing investigation. Additionally, the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA unit assisted the fishing boat after a mechanical failure in its engine. The crew reported that the suspected hijackers fled the vessel after stealing personal belongings and two small skiffs.
Throughout the operation, coordination was maintained with maritime security partners, including Somali forces, the Yemeni Coast Guard, and the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), particularly with Japan’s Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft.
