No action that'll endanger hostage life: MV Abdullah owners against EU rescue operation | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
July 11, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2025
No action that'll endanger hostage life: MV Abdullah owners against EU rescue operation

Bangladesh

Jobaer Chowdhury
22 March, 2024, 12:40 pm
Last modified: 23 March, 2024, 01:15 am

Related News

  • Palm oil-laden truck hijacked after driver, helper stabbed in Dhamrai
  • Pakistan train siege ends, 346 hostages freed; 33 militants, 21 passengers dead
  • Freed Israeli hostages urge Netanyahu to implement Gaza deal 'in full'
  • Netanyahu says Hamas will pay for not returning Shiri Bibas
  • Hamas frees four Israeli hostages in second swap of Gaza deal

No action that'll endanger hostage life: MV Abdullah owners against EU rescue operation

Jobaer Chowdhury
22 March, 2024, 12:40 pm
Last modified: 23 March, 2024, 01:15 am
File photo
File photo

The owners of the hijacked cargo vessel MV Abdullah have said they are against any rescue operation by the European Union using a naval ship, which has been deployed in nearby waters, to ensure that no hostage sailors' lives will be put in danger.

"Our primary focus is the safe return of the sailors. We oppose any operation or violence that jeopardises their lives," Mizanul Islam, media advisor for Kabir Group, owners of the MV Abdullah, told The Business Standard today.

"We have told the media about our disapproval of any operation, and the Bangladesh government upholds the same policy," he said.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Since November 2023, multiple incidents related to piracy have taken place in the Area of Operations. 3️⃣ merchant vessels have been assaulted, one still under pirate control: MV ABDULLAH.

Latest ℹ️ on cases: https://t.co/KLv0PDO4fD

? ATALANTA warships engaged in the Area. pic.twitter.com/uV8da3yRDi— EUNAVFOR ATALANTA (@EUNAVFOR) March 21, 2024

The European Union Naval Force deployed a warship near the Bangladeshi-flagged cargo ship MV Abdullah, which was hijacked by Somali pirates on 12 March. This information was announced via the EU Naval Force's official social media account on Thursday.

Sources indicate the hostage crew is experiencing increased pressure from the pirates following the warship's arrival.

EU Naval Force's Operation Atalanta released a video and photographs showcasing the warship's proximity to the hijacked vessel.

A helicopter from the warship was seen flying over the hijacked Bangladeshi ship. A picture has also been released showing two forces members looking towards the MV Abdullah ship from the warship.

Speaking about the EU naval ship deployment, Mizanul said, "We have no opinion on the deployment of EU warships. It is their internal matter."

Meanwhile, the pirates initiated contact through a third party on Wednesday and the owners are negotiating for the ship's release and the crew's safe return.

Regarding negotiations with the pirates, Mizanul said, "Discussions are ongoing to ensure the crew's safe return. These talks are still in their preliminary stages. Based on past experiences, retrieving sailors can take around 100 days. We hope a peaceful resolution can be achieved through talks much sooner."

Bangladeshi sailors feel the heat

The Operation Atalanta warship is currently stationed near the hijacked cargo ship MV Abdullah. The warship's regular patrols in close proximity to the vessel have reportedly increased pressure on the captive crew.

Industry insiders believe that since Bangladesh prioritises the safe return of its sailors through peaceful negotiations, the warship's presence near the hijacked ship is potentially disruptive to this process.

Shakhawat Hossain, secretary general of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers' Association, told TBS, "The flag carrier of Bangladesh is like the land of the country. If you want to carry out any kind of operation here, you will need the permission of Bangladesh. Bangladesh authorities have not allowed any kind of operation aimed at a peaceful solution"

"However, EU warships patrolling or approaching hostage ships is negative for Bangladesh. Earlier, Bangladeshi sailors had been given the opportunity to stay in their cabins. They were relaxed.

"But since the warship started patrolling, everyone has been gathered together for the past two days. It is creating stress for the sailors," he claimed without providing details. 

Shakhawat suggested the EU's focus might be broader than the immediate situation.

"The EU has numerous vessels operating in the region. Perhaps their objective is to establish regional dominance through operations or a raid on the hijacked ship," he added.

Operation Atalanta, however, published a report detailing 24 maritime incidents of piracy, hijacking, and attempted hijacking in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin between 24 November 2023 and 21 March.

Among them were ships flagged by Bangladesh, Iran, Malta, Libya, Yemen and Sri Lanka.

After MV Abdullah was hijacked on 12 March, two more ships were attacked. The Libyan-flagged MV New Leonidas faced a suspicious approach on 20 March, and YAMILAH III, another Libyan vessel, was the victim of an attempted attack on 21 March.

Somali pirates seized the MV Abdullah and its 23 crew members. The ship is currently anchored 1.5 nautical miles off the coast of Godobjiraan, Somalia.

Top News

MV Abdullah / Hijack / hostage

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • No need to worry as US tariff talks ongoing: Fouzul tells biz leaders
    No need to worry as US tariff talks ongoing: Fouzul tells biz leaders
  • Economist Abul Barkat; Photo: Courtesy
    Economist Abul Barkat arrested in graft case
  • Representational image. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    Explainer: Why SSC pass rate hit a 17-year low

MOST VIEWED

  • Graphics: TBS
    BB raises startup fund limit, drops upper age barrier
  • Workers pack undergarments at the packing section of a garment factory in Ashulia, on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 19, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Fatima Tuj Johora
    After US tariffs, jobs hang by a thread in Bangladesh's garments sector
  • Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS
    SSC, equivalent results: Pass rate drops to 68.45%, GPA-5 also declines
  • File photo of containers at Chattogram port/TBS
    US buyers push Bangladeshi exporters to share extra tariff costs
  • Govt vehicle purchase, foreign trip, new building construction banned: Finance ministry
    Govt vehicle purchase, foreign trip, new building construction banned: Finance ministry
  • Students sit for SSC exam at Motijheel Girls' High School on 10 April 2025. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS
    SSC exam results out: Here's how you can check online and via SMS

Related News

  • Palm oil-laden truck hijacked after driver, helper stabbed in Dhamrai
  • Pakistan train siege ends, 346 hostages freed; 33 militants, 21 passengers dead
  • Freed Israeli hostages urge Netanyahu to implement Gaza deal 'in full'
  • Netanyahu says Hamas will pay for not returning Shiri Bibas
  • Hamas frees four Israeli hostages in second swap of Gaza deal

Features

Photo: Collected/BBC

What Hitler’s tariff policy misfire can teach the modern world

3h | The Big Picture
Illustration: TBS

Behind closed doors: Why women in Bangladesh stay in abusive marriages

6h | Panorama
Purbachl’s 144-acre Sal forest is an essential part of the area’s biodiversity. Within it, 128 species of plants and 74 species of animals — many of them endangered — have been identified. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS

A forest saved: Inside the restoration of Purbachal's last Sal grove

6h | Panorama
Women are forced to fish in saline waters every day, risking their health to provide for their families. Photo: TBS

How Mongla’s women are bearing the brunt of rising salinity

1d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

'Hypocrisy' will not continue, Iran tells IAEA

'Hypocrisy' will not continue, Iran tells IAEA

2h | TBS World
OpenAI to release web browser in challenge to Google Chrome

OpenAI to release web browser in challenge to Google Chrome

2h | TBS World
Will the title 'Honorable and Excellency' be abolished?

Will the title 'Honorable and Excellency' be abolished?

3h | TBS Today
July Declaration must be constitutionally recognized: Akhtar Hossain

July Declaration must be constitutionally recognized: Akhtar Hossain

2h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net