An EU Navfor warship has seized five Somali pirates after tracking down a mothership.
The raid took place on 23 April after its flagship ESPS Navarra had responded to a piracy incident that unfolded over the previous four days.
It began on 19 April, when five suspected pirates captured a Yemeni dhow off the coast of Somalia.
They navigated along the coast, visiting a pirate base camp to reinforce their crew with additional members.
Two days later they attacked two fishing vessels.
ESPS Navarra then successfully intercepted and boarded the captured dhow.
EU Navor "apprehended" five suspected pirates, it said, while 23 hostages from one fishing vessel were released unharmed.
"This incident is the first notable piracy event since October of last year," the organisation said.
“This incident clearly demonstrates that piracy and armed robbery at sea, off the coast of Somalia, has not been eradicated,” added its operation commander Rear Admiral Antonio Martorell.
“The need for a strong maritime security presence in the High-Risk Area remains critical for the deterrence and prevention of future incidents and attacks.”
