Somali Pirates Seize Iranian Fishing Vessel, Raising Maritime Security Concerns

• Somali pirates seized the Iranian fishing vessel Azini on October 29.
• The Azini was hijacked between the coastal towns of Bandar Bayla and Hafun in northeastern Somalia.
• The vessel was carrying 23 crew members at the time of the hijacking.
• The European Union’s Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) warns the ship could become a floating base for further attacks.
• The hijacking raises fears of attacks on cargo ships in the region.