Footage captures terrifying moment 'Somali pirates' attempt to hijack a massive cargo ship

A speedboat, who were thought to be carrying Somali pirates, was shot at by US mercenaries after they attempted to hijack the ship.

Viral footage of a pretty intense hijack attempt has gone viral, after those who are thought to be Somali pirates can be seen powering towards a ship of American guards.

Despite the incident occurring in 2012, it has gained a lot of attention on social media, after a similar event happened in December 2023.

In the clip, a guard can be seen firing several warning shots to the small speed boat, which is also firing rounds from sub-machine guns.

The attack allegedly took place in the Indian Ocean, but concerns are rising again after another blaze took place against a Maltese-flagged vessel recently.

Travelling off the coast of Somalia, the boat was hijacked by ‘unknown raiders’, and Spain’s defence ministry is concerned.

They are currently fuelled with fears that pirates are returning to the seas in a planned surge of attacks on ships.

A Spanish warship was ordered to check on the vessel, and in a statement from the ministry, they said: “The MV Ruen [vessel] has indeed been hijacked.

“With regard to the questions on who the hijackers are, the planned boarding of the vessel ... we do not have that information.”

Despite them not being able to confirm, maritime security sources have claimed that the incident was the first hijack since 2017 by Somali pirates.

Gerry Northwood, a former captain who commanded warships in the region with Britain's Royal Navy, told Reuters: “They clearly think they have a permissive environment ashore and success begets success.”

Ali Mohamed Omar, Somalia's State Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, also added: “The current incidents are being scrutinised as standalone occurrences.

“One of the potential reasons being explored is the crisis in the Red Sea, which we call for a diplomatic resolution (as the) best course of action.”

However, Corey Ranslem, chief executive of British maritime risk advisory, has said: “Right now we don't see this as a resurgence of piracy.

“The Ruen is an isolated incident at this point and was most likely targeted by who we don't know as yet.”

Despite this, it has actually been reported that the number of attacks has significantly dropped leading up to 2022, with 19 recorded.