BREAKING: Somali pirates hijack unidentified vessel off-coast Somali waters

Suspected Somali pirates have seized a fishing vessel in the first successful hijacking in the region in months, Puntland administration said Monday.

Director of Puntland counter-piracy, Abdirisack Mohamed Dirir said that three armed men seized the vessel off the coast of Somalia and directed it towards Mudug region. “Three armed men seized the vessel and directd to Mudug coastal villages,” said Dirir.

Somali of Government is yet to confirm on the hijacking of the unidentified ship, which might be a sign of return of piracy in the nation’s sea and leaves concern on the maritime bodies.

The number of attacks by Somali pirates dropped sharply since 2012, largely because of an international naval effort.

Somali fishermen have continuously complained of illegal fishing trawlers, leading them to lose their economic opportunities and opted to quit their jobs for safety reasons.