In a successful operation off the coast of Somalia, an Indian navy warship has put an end to a three-month hijacking of the Maltese-flagged bulk carrier MV Ruen by Somali pirates. The navy announced on X (formerly Twitter) that all 35 pirates had surrendered and the 17 crew members were safely evacuated.

The MV Ruen was hijacked by Somali pirates in December near the Yemeni island of Socotra, around 240 kilometers (150 miles) off Somalia. It had been held captive by the pirates until the Indian navy's intervention.

In the past, Somali piracy had significantly reduced since 2017, with no cargo vessel successfully boarded. However, since December, there have been at least 17 incidents of hijackings, attempted hijackings, or suspicious approaches recorded by the Indian navy.

The capture of the MV Ruen marks a significant victory against piracy in the region. The Indian navy, through concerted actions, effectively cornered and coerced all 35 pirates to surrender within the last 40 hours, without any injuries sustained by the crew members.

Prior to the capture, the pirates had opened fire on the Indian navy ship in international waters, urging a swift response from the navy to secure the release of the vessel and any civilians on board. The successful outcome highlights the Indian navy's determination and capability to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia.

Since January, India has deployed at least a dozen warships east of the Red Sea to provide security against pirates and has investigated over 250 vessels. The European Union Naval Force had previously warned that the MV Ruen could potentially be used as a "mothership" for further pirate attacks.

The resurgence of Somali piracy coincides with the Houthi rebels from Yemen, backed by Iran, targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea. These attacks have disrupted traffic destined for the Suez Canal, posing additional challenges to maritime security in the region.

With this successful operation, the Indian navy has sent a strong message to pirates in the region that their criminal activities will not be tolerated. However, it also highlights the need for continued vigilance and collaboration among international naval forces to ensure the safety and security of vessels navigating through the waters off the coast of Somalia.