Egypt has announced the successful release of eight Egyptian sailors who were held in Somalia after being kidnapped aboard a vessel off the coast of Yemen several months ago. The incident highlighted the persistent dangers of piracy and security threats to maritime navigation in the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the sailors have arrived in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, in preparation for their return to Cairo. They were received at Mogadishu Airport by the Egyptian Ambassador to Somalia, Mohamed Salah.
According to the ministry, the sailors were transferred to the Egyptian embassy premises under strict security measures and provided with accommodation pending the completion of their travel arrangements. The ministry's spokesperson, Ambassador Nader Zaki, confirmed that the Egyptian embassy in Mogadishu maintained continuous communication with the sailors and their families throughout their detention. The embassy also engaged in efforts and consultations with relevant Somali authorities to follow up on the case.
These communications included officials from the Somali Federal Government and the Puntland regional administration, as well as the owners of the ship and its cargo. Concurrently, the Egyptian embassy in Yemen liaised with Yemeni authorities to monitor developments. The spokesperson emphasized that ensuring the safety and security of the sailors was a priority during their captivity, alongside efforts to secure their swift release, and extended congratulations to their families on their safe return.
The release of the eight Egyptian sailors follows their detention by Somali pirates after the abduction of the oil tanker M/T Eureka. The vessel was seized off the coast of Yemen in early May and subsequently taken to waters off the northeastern Somali region of Puntland. The M/T Eureka, sailing under the Togolese flag, had a crew of 12, including 8 Egyptians and 4 Indians.
