‘What comes next?’: Fear grips Pakistani families of Somali piracy victims

AL JAZEERA

As piracy resurges off Somalia, families of hijacked tanker crew in Pakistan search for answers and help. Some accuse the Pakistani government of not doing more to secure the release of their loved ones.

Somalia maritime police from PMPF patrol the Gulf of Aden off the coast of semi-autonomous Puntland state in Somalia, Sunday, November 26, 2023 [Jackson Njehia/AP Photo]

Islamabad, Pakistan – When Ayesha Ameen was leaving her house last week for a chore, her three-year-old daughter Zimal tugged at her sleeve and asked if she was finally going to the airport to pick up her father.

“How do you tell a three-year-old that her father is held captive and cannot come home?” Ayesha, 26, told

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Suspected pirates steer cargo vessel towards Somalia

 Hijacking reported as maritime routes already face severe disruptions and diversions due to Strait of Hormuz blockage.

By Al Jazeera Staff, Reuters and The Associated Press

Published On 27 Apr 202627 Apr 2026

Pirates are suspected of having hijacked a cargo vessel off the coast of Somalia,⁠ officials and maritime security groups report.

The reported hijacking on Monday was the second off Somalia in less than a week. The attack was on the Sward, which was carrying cement from Suez, Egypt, to the Kenyan port city of Mombasa and was flying the flag of St Kitts and Nevis.

The attacks come as maritime routes already face severe disruptions due to the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz during the United States-Israeli war on Iran.

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the

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The 20th Governing Council of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP)

 

 

 

  1. The 20th Governing Council Meeting and the Open Session of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP), a regional cooperation framework for combating piracy and armed robbery at sea in Asia, were held in Singapore from March 10 to 13, 2026. In addition, the 20th Aniversary Symposium was held on March 13.
  2. At the meeting, the ReCAAP-ISC reported on the status of piracy and armed robbery against ships at sea in Asia in 2025. The Governing Council reviewed the activities of the ReCAAP ISC in 2025 and its future plans. In addition, the Council concurred on promoting cooperation with non-Parties, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
  3. 19 members out of 21 contracting parties

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Possible Piracy Incident with Product Tanker off Somalia Being Investigated

 

 

 

euNAVFOR Atalanta confirmed it is investigating reports of a possible piracy boarding of a product tanker (Atalanta)

Published Apr 21, 2026 2:34 PM by The Maritime Executive

 
The EU’s security operation EUNVAFOR Atalanta confirmed that it is investigating a possible armed boarding linked to local piracy off Somalia. It comes shortly after another Iranian dhow was held for several days, and the authorities have warned of a moderate risk of activity in the region.

Few details have been released, and Atalanta has not yet posted an official notice or dismissed the reports. Atalanta told The Maritime Executive that “An incident off Somalia is currently under investigation …. Any incident that is ultimately deemed relevant and confirmed will be published on the Atalanta Maritime Security

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Singapur en el centro de la nueva ola de piratería marítima

https://www.trasportoeuropa.it/

   
 
Ilustración: TransportEurope AI

En 2025, los incidentes de piratería marítima y robo a mano armada contra buques ascendieron a 137, frente a los 116 de 2024 y los 120 de 2023. Las cifras provienen del informe oficial de la Oficina Marítima Internacional de la CCI, que registra un aumento interanual del 18 %. La zona más afectada es el Estrecho de Singapur, con 80 incidentes, lo que representa el 58 % del total mundial. Al mismo tiempo, se ha producido una escalada de la violencia armada y un cambio en los métodos operativos de los grupos criminales.

Según la CPI, la mayoría de los incidentes aún se clasifican como ataques oportunistas de bajo nivel, pero

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