MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – The head of Egypt’s Ship Officers Association has said efforts to secure the release of eight Egyptian sailors kidnapped off the Somali coast have reached a difficult stage, citing the absence of a recognized negotiating counterpart as a major obstacle.
Captain Al-Sayed Al-Shazly, who heads the association and serves as a liaison with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), said the Egyptian government is pursuing diplomatic efforts through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant agencies, which have been engaging with international partners and organizations to help resolve the crisis.
Speaking in an interview with Al-Shams TV, Al-Shazly said the biggest challenge stems from the nature of the groups accused of carrying out the hijacking.
“The situation is extremely complicated because we are dealing with pirate groups that do not have a formal structure or recognized leadership, making it difficult to reach agreements through traditional diplomatic channels,” he said.
Al-Shazly also placed responsibility on the shipowner for the safety of the crew, accusing the company of failing to play an active role in efforts to secure the sailors’ release.
He noted that the hijacked vessel was a small fuel-service ship and that its insurance value was estimated at nearly $1 million.
The Egyptian maritime official cautioned against any military operation to rescue the hostages, warning that such an approach could put the lives of the detained sailors at serious risk.
“A military solution could pose a direct threat to the hostages. Any operation of that nature must be approached with extreme caution,” he said.
The case highlights the continued threat posed by piracy off the Somali coast, despite years of international naval patrols and security measures that had significantly reduced attacks in the region.
So far, there has been no official response from the Somali government or Somali security agencies regarding the remarks made by the Egyptian official or the ongoing efforts to secure the sailors’ release.