Iranian fishing vessel hijacked off Puntland
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Puntland Post
Armed men hijacked the Iranian fishing vessel Azini off Banderbayla, in Somalia's Puntland region, on 29 October 2026. Twenty-three crew members were on board, including 21 Iranians and two Somali guards, Puntland Post reports.
An armed group of 12 men reportedly hijacked the Iranian fishing vessel Azini off Banderbayla, on Somalia's Puntland coast, on 29 October 2026, Puntland Post reports.
The vessel was carrying 23 crew members, including 21 Iranian nationals and two Somalis responsible for its security. According to several reports, the Azini held a fishing licence issued by the Puntland administration and represented a businessman from the region, Puntland Post reports.
The hijacking comes as Puntland authorities had recently claimed to have ended the pirate groups operating off its coast. The region had already been the scene of threats and attacks against Pakistani sailors in September and October 2026, notably during the assault on pirates in Somalia, Puntland Post reports.
