MOGADISHU (SD) – European Union naval forces have blockaded a vessel hijacked by Somali pirates, according to a statement from Operation Atalanta, the EU’s anti-piracy mission in the region.

The operation reported that the Iranian-flagged ship Alwaseemi 786 was seized on March 24, approximately 400 nautical miles east of Mogadishu. Authorities warned that the vessel could be used as a platform to launch attacks on larger commercial ships, urging maritime traffic to remain at least 200 nautical miles away and to heighten security precautions.

EU naval forces reorganized their deployment and located the vessel on March 27, about 480 nautical miles southeast of Mogadishu. A second warship and surveillance aircraft were deployed to monitor the situation and gather intelligence on the condition of the vessel and its crew.

By March 30, the ship had been surrounded, although it continued moving eastward toward the Somali coast. Operation Atalanta confirmed it was coordinating closely with Somali authorities to strengthen joint response efforts.

Responsibility for securing the release of the vessel and its crew is expected to fall to Somali authorities, as the incident occurred within Somali waters. The EU mission stated it will continue monitoring the situation and assist in identifying those responsible.

This incident highlights ongoing piracy risks in the waters off Somalia despite years of international naval patrols. The rapid response by Operation Atalanta shows improved coordination and surveillance capacity, but the reliance on Somali authorities for resolution underscores the importance of local enforcement. Continued incidents suggest that underlying drivers of piracy, such as economic hardship and weak coastal security, remain unresolved.