The Indian Navy successfully prevented Somali pirates from utilizing the ex-MV Ruen vessel for acts of piracy on the high seas.
Notably, the vessel had been hijacked by Somali pirates on December 14, 2023. The Maltese-flagged bulk cargo vessel Ruen was intercepted by a navy warship on March 15. The action was taken in accordance with international law.
During the interception, the Ruen reportedly opened fire on the Indian Navy warship, prompting a response from naval officials. The Navy is currently undertaking actions in accordance with international law to neutralize the threat posed by the hijacked vessel.
The Navy said in a post on X –
“#IndianNavy thwarts designs of Somali pirates to hijack ships plying through the region by intercepting ex-MV Ruen.
The ex-MV Ruen, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates on #14Dec 23, was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship towards conducting acts of #piracy on high seas.
The vessel was intercepted by the #IndianNavy warship on #15Mar. The vessel opened fire on the warship, which is taking actions iaw international law, in self-defence & to counter piracy, with minimal force necessary to neutralise the pirates’ threat to shipping and seafarers.
The pirates onboard the vessel have been called upon to surrender & release the vessel & any civilians they may be holding against their will.
The #IndianNavy remains committed to #maritimesecurity & safety of seafarers in the region”.
#IndianNavy thwarts designs of Somali pirates to hijack ships plying through the region by intercepting ex-MV Ruen.
The ex-MV Ruen, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates on #14Dec 23, was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship towards conducting acts of #piracy on high… pic.twitter.com/gOtQJvNpZb
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 16, 2024
Attacks in the Arabian Sea
The Indian Navy, in the last few months, has been on alert due to the constant hijacking by pirates happening in the Arabian Sea. According to data published by the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation Atalanta, the region accounted for almost 700 pirate attacks during 2008-13, but the figure dropped rapidly to just 16 during 2014-19, according to data published by the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation Atalanta – the EU maritime security operation in the western Indian Ocean.
The first piracy attempt in the region in the last three years was reported in December 2023. One of the reasons is increasing tensions in and around the Red Sea following attacks on merchant vessels by Iran-backed Houthi rebels and trouble has reached the Arabian Sea, too. Several ships targeted in the area had Indian crews on board or were headed to the country’s shores.
The Houthi rebels have been targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea with missiles and drones after the Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7. Several shipping companies have suspended their operations in the Red Sea following the Houthi attacks, which has forced mariners to change course and take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.
The growing threats to commercial shipping in the region were also discussed during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, who was in India for the Republic Day celebrations.
