DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – A recent operation by a European naval force in the Middle East, known as EUNAVFOR Atalanta, resulted in the successful rescue of a Yemeni fishing boat that had been captured by suspected Somali pirates off the Horn of Africa. Authorities reported that the operation concluded with all 12 mariners on board safe and unharmed.

The incident, which remains under investigation, was initiated when the attack targeted a dhow—a traditional type of vessel common in the Mideast—near the town of Eyl in Somalia. EUNAVFOR Atalanta indicated that their immediate presence in the region, particularly the deployment of a helicopter, played a crucial role in the liberation of the fishing vessel. According to the crew, the alleged pirates abandoned the dhow after looting personal belongings and seizing two skiffs that belonged to the fishing boat.

Piracy has been a significant issue off the coast of Somalia, peaking in 2011 when a staggering 237 attacks were reported. This wave of Somali piracy inflicted deep economic repercussions, costing the global economy approximately $7 billion at the time, with ransoms alone amounting to around $160 million, as documented by the Oceans Beyond Piracy monitoring group. However, the threat of piracy decreased over the years due to increased international naval patrols, a more robust central government emerging in Mogadishu, and other mitigating measures.

Despite these efforts, there has been a notable resurgence in Somali pirate attacks in the past year. Analysts suggest that the uptick in piracy is partly attributed to the instability created by Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have intensified their attacks in the Red Sea corridor amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. In 2024, the International Maritime Bureau reported seven incidents of piracy off the coast of Somalia, indicating that the threat remains pertinent.