Published on January 29, 2024, 04:01 PM

In a significant operation, the Indian Navy announced on Monday that it had successfully liberated an Iranian fishing vessel, the Iman, which had fallen prey to pirates off the coast of Somalia. The incident raised concerns about a resurgence of piracy in the Indian Ocean, compounded by a separate surge in attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

The Iranian-flagged Iman was boarded by pirates, who took the crew hostage. Responding to a distress call, India deployed its warship INS Sumitra, part of an anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Aden. Commander Vivek Madhwal, Indian Navy spokesman, stated that the warship intercepted the vessel and worked to coerce the hijackers into releasing the crew and the boat.

“All 17 crew members, along with the boat, were successfully released, and the fishing boat was sanitized before being allowed to continue its journey,” Madhwal added. The Navy released photographs documenting the operation, including the Iranian fishing boat, the crew, and Indian sailors towing a skiff.

The Indian Navy has been actively engaged in anti-piracy efforts off the Somali coast since 2008. However, in December, it strengthened its presence with a larger force, including guided-missile destroyers and P-8I reconnaissance aircraft, in response to a series of shipping attacks.

The recent surge in attacks, including the hijacking of the Sri Lankan fishing trawler Lorenzo Putha-4 and the bulk carrier MV Ruen, has raised concerns about a potential return of piracy in the region. International naval forces have shifted focus to the Red Sea, leaving a potential security gap in the Gulf of Aden.

Eric Jaslin, head of the Maritime Information Cooperation and Awareness (MICA) Centre, noted that it was still too early to determine if the attacks were a result of “piracy of opportunity” or due to military resources being concentrated in the Red Sea.

Pirate attacks off the Somali coast reached a peak in 2011 but significantly declined after international navies deployed warships, and commercial shipping began employing armed guards. The recent incidents highlight the persistent threat of piracy and the need for continued vigilance in the Indian Ocean region.

In a separate incident on January 5, Indian navy commandos thwarted a hijack attempt on the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier MV Lila Norfolk in the Arabian Sea. The Navy remains actively involved in ensuring the safety of international shipping in these vital maritime routes.

The situation underscores the challenges posed by maritime security in the region, with piracy threats evolving and resurfacing periodically. As nations collaborate to address these challenges, the safety of seafarers and the security of maritime trade remain paramount concerns.