The operation of the INS 'Kolkata' to re-capture the 'Ruen' lasted 40 hours. Through concerted actions the crew successfully cornered and coerced all 35 Pirates to surrender and ensured the safe evacuation of the 17 crew members in the evening of March 16 without any injury almost 1400 nautrical miles from the Indian Coast, and forced the pirate ship to stop through calibrated actions which were augmented by the INS'Subhadra', RPA 'Hale', the maritime patrol aircraft 'P 81' and Marcos Prahars air-dropped by a C-17 aircraft. The 'Ruen' has also been sanitised for the presence of illegal arms, ammunition and contraband. Reports with photos: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/thats-what-friends-are-for-india-bulgarias-sweet-exchange-after-rescue-of-hijacked-ship-article-108567452
News
RUEN
The Indian Navy has successfully recaptured the 'Ruen' and rescued all 17 crew members who have been held captive by pirates off the coast of Somalia for three months. All 35 pirates on board have been apprehended. There have been no reported injuries among the crew. The operation took place after the Indian Navy’s destroyer, INS 'Kolkata' intercepted the vessel on March 15 in the Indian Ocean. The 'Ruen' had set sail from Somalia’s central coast, allegedly to carry out more attacks. Once on scene, pirates opened fire on an Indian Navy helicopter and a standoff ensued. With the INS 'Subhadra' providing assistance, a specialized Navy unit was able to corner the pirates, leading to their surrender. The ship had been hijacked by pirates nearly 800 miles from Somalia on Dec 14, 2023, marking the first successful hijacking of a commercial ship by Somali pirates since 2017. Pirates sailed the ship back to Somali waters where it was being held. Report with photos and video: https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/world/indian-navy-seizes-ship-from-somali-pirates-and-rescues-17-crew/ar-BB1k13hu
ABDULLAH
Despite six days passing, the pirates who hijacked the 'Abdullah' have made no contact with the ship's owner and have not issued any demands. The owner has reached out to various media outlets seeking assistance in securing the safe return of the ship and its crew. The Kabir Group stated on March 16: "All sailors aboard the hijacked ship are in good health. A sailor contacted the owners on Saturday night to update them on their condition. However, food supplies on board are depleting rapidly as the pirates are sharing meals with the sailors. We are actively working to ensure the safe return of the crew. We have initiated contact with several media outlets for assistance, but have yet to receive a favourable response." Meanwhile, for the past six days, family members of the 23 sailors held hostage have been enduring extreme anxiety. Some relatives have fallen ill due to the stress.
GALAXY LEADER
The 'Galaxy Leader' and its crew are in the hands of the brothers in the Hamas resistance movement and the Al-Qassam Brigades. We have no claims of our own regarding this vessel,” Houthi spokesman Nasr Al-Din Amer said on March 14, and hope was fading for the imminent return of the international crew of the ship. A senior Filipino diplomat saying he did not expect a release until the war in Gaza is over, while the Houthis said, the fate of the sailors was now in Hamas’ hands.On Board were 17 Filipinos, two Bulgarians, three Ukrainians, two Mexicans and a Romanian hostage. 116 days since the hijacking, there was no indication that the Houthis were open to releasing them until the hostilities have ended. The word from the Houthiswas that they will keep holding the ship, and all the crew, until we see an end to the hostilities in Gaza, said Eduardo de Vega, the Filipino foreign affairs official. “It will be difficult for any government to recognize a government which attacks ships on the sea,” said de Vega. So, he said, “there is no point to negotiate, except to ensure humane conditions for the hostages."
PACIFIC 01
The Houthis announced on March 15, 2024, that they attacked the 'Pacific 01' while it was traveling in the Red Sea. The ship reported an explosion while traveling in the Red Sea about 65 nautical miles west of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. The Houthis then claimed responsibility for the attack on the ship and referred to the vessel as an "Israeli ship". The ship's crew was reportedly safe. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations initially reported that the ship had been hit by a missile. However, the UKMTO reversed its statement after a daylight inspection of the vessel revealed that no damage was found to the vessel. The ship and crew were described as safe and continued their voyage.