Desk Report: In a collaborative effort between Somali police and international naval forces, preparations are underway to rescue the MV Abdullah, a Bangladeshi vessel held by Somali pirates.
The initiative began on Monday in the Puntland region of the country, as reported by local authorities.
According to a report from Reuters on Monday, preparations for the rescue of MV Abdullah were communicated to Abdulah’s rescue in Somalia.
The vessel route from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates with coal, fell victim to piracy in the Indian Ocean on March 12th. At the time, the ship was crewed by 23 Bangladeshi sailors.
For almost a decade, Somali pirates have been wreaking havoc along the sea routes of the region. Since last November, they have targeted over 20 vessels. The MV Abdullah, a Bangladeshi ship, became the latest victim of piracy by Somali sea bandits.
Earlier on Saturday, after a 40-hour operation, the Indian Navy rescued the MV Rujeen, a cargo ship flying the Maltese flag, from Somali pirates.
In support of anti-piracy missions in the Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy deployed the INS Kolkata, a warship, to rescue MV Ruyeen. This ship had been previously used for piracy-related operations in the Indian Ocean by Somali pirates last December.
A statement from the Indian Navy revealed that MV Ruyeen, carrying approximately 37,800 tons of cargo valued at around one million US dollars, was safely freed from the clutches of the pirates, and 35 Somali pirates surrendered themselves. A thorough search of the vessel was conducted to ascertain the presence of illegal weapons, firearms, and narcotics.
With MV Ruyeen liberated from pirate captivity, it will now be escorted to India. The coastal waters of Puntland, a semi-autonomous region of Somalia, have witnessed numerous incidents of piracy. The local police force has declared a state of high alert, prepared to participate in the campaign against pirates alongside the MV Abdullah.
A police statement revealed, “Upon receiving news of plans for the international naval mission to rescue MV Abdullah, the Puntland police force has made its own preparations.”
However, the Indian Navy has refrained from immediate comments regarding the extent of their preparedness for the rescue operation surrounding MV Abdullah, despite several piracy attempts in the Indian Ocean.
On Sunday, the Puntland police confiscated a vehicle from a drug den to supply the captured sailors aboard MV Abdullah.
Such incidents of piracy by Somali sea bandits reached their peak in 2011, causing nearly $7 billion in global economic losses. Some millions of dollars were paid to them as ransom during that time.