On March 11, 2024, the MV Abdullah, a cargo vessel flying the Bangladeshi flag, was seized by Somali pirates while it was transporting coal from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates. The vessel had a crew of 23 Bangladeshi sailors on board.
This is reported to be the first ransom payment made to Somali pirates since they became active again in the region after a years-long lull in attacks. Puntland security forces are now pursuing the pirates in an effort to apprehend them. The pirates may have divided the $5 million ransom money and moved to different locations in the Puntland and Galmudug regions of Somalia.
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