Somali pirates killed five crew members of the MT Honour 25 before security forces rescued the vessel on September 30, 2026. The Puntland Maritime Police Force conducted the rescue operation in the Dharin-Bar area of Bandar Beyla district.

The five deceased crew members included three nationals from Pakistan, one from Myanmar, and one from India. Four crew members were injured in the incident, including three from Pakistan and one from India.

Bile Qabowsade, Puntland Deputy Information Minister, rejected suggestions that Puntland forces helped pirates escape. The Puntland forces did not help pirates escape, Qabowsade said in an interview.

The deaths aboard the MT Honour 25 appear to be the first at the hands of Somali pirates in over a decade. At least 15 piracy attacks have been reported off Somalia since April 2026.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has noted a rise in the use of fishing vessels and dhows as 'mother ships' by Somali pirates to extend their operational range far from the Somali coast. Analysis attributes the resurgence of Somali piracy in part to the impacts of the Iran war, including elevated oil prices.

Puntland authorities rescued a second vessel, the MT Eureka, which had been hijacked in May 2026. Pirates fled towards the shore and moved inland when Puntland Maritime Police Force approached the MT Eureka.

The Turkish Navy eliminated four pirate boats and killed 14 pirates in a 10-day operation off Somalia in August 2026. The Al-Shaghanba tribal clan from southern Iraq sent members to fight Somali pirates to recover a hijacked ship.

Why It Matters

The deaths aboard the MT Honour 25 mark an escalation in Somali piracy, representing the first fatalities at the hands of pirates in over a decade. This incident occurs with a sharp increase in pirate activity, with at least 15 attacks reported since April 2026 compared to only five in all of 2025. The resurgence is attributed in part to elevated oil prices resulting from the Iran war, which analysis indicates has incentivized pirate operations.

The operational effectiveness of regional security is under examination following the escape of pirates during a previous operation involving the Sibu 1 tanker. While the Puntland Maritime Police Force continues to pursue suspects who fled the MT Honour 25 rescue, accusations of local police complicity in prior escapes highlight ongoing challenges in securing the region's waters. The use of mother ships by pirates further extends their reach, complicating interdiction efforts far from the Somali coast.

Timeline

On April 21, 2026, the MT Honour 25 was seized by pirates. The MT Honour 25 had 17 crew members on board at the time of hijacking. The crew of the MT Honour 25 included 10 Pakistanis, four Indonesians, one Indian, one Sri Lankan, and one Myanmar national. The MT Honour 25 was carrying 18,500 barrels of oil when it was seized by pirates on April 21, 2026, according to the European Union’s Operation Atalanta.

What's New

During the rescue operation of the MT Honour 25, 16 suspected pirates were captured, while others fled ashore and are currently being pursued by Puntland security forces. The Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) stated that it was continuing operations to locate the remaining members of the pirates involved in the hijacking of the MT Honour 25.

The Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) had previously failed to prevent the escape of pirates arrested during the rescue of the Sibu 1 tanker in August 2026. The Puntland Ministry of National Defense has not publicly commented on the specific actions taken during the MT Honour 25 rescue operation, but it has been involved in broader anti-piracy efforts in the region.

How Sources Differ

Reports differ regarding the number of suspects detained. The Puntland Information Ministry statement says security forces captured 16 suspected pirates during the rescue operation. The Puntland Maritime Police Force statement says some pirates escaped during the operation and are being pursued by security forces.