MSV FAZLERABBI vessel on fire off the coast of Kismayo, October 29, 2025. /KDF
Kenya Defence Forces troops serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) rescued 16 sailors after a cargo vessel caught fire off the coast of Kismayo on Thursday.
The soldiers, drawn from the Special Boat Unit (SBU) and stationed at Kismayo Seaport, responded swiftly to a distress call from MSV FAZLERABBI, a dhow that had departed the port bound for Dubai.
The incident occurred about nine kilometres northeast of Kismayo.
According to a KDF statement, the vessel was engulfed in flames shortly after departure, prompting a joint rescue effort between the SBU and nearby local boats.
All 16 crew members on board were safely rescued and later handed over to the Kismayo Port Authority for medical attention and logistical support.
“The quick and coordinated response by our Special Boat Unit underscores our readiness to respond to maritime emergencies and our commitment to safeguarding lives at sea,” the KDF statement read in part.
The rescued crew members of MSV FAZLERABBI. /KDF
KDF said the cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities in Kismayo and AUSSOM officials expected to conduct a joint assessment.
The rescue highlights the continued role of Kenyan forces in stabilisation and humanitarian operations along the Somali coastline.
KDF’s naval presence under AUSSOM has been instrumental in curbing piracy, providing maritime security and supporting local authorities in emergency response operations.
Maritime incidents remain a concern in Somali waters, where commercial dhows and small cargo vessels routinely ply routes between ports in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Stretching over 3,300 kilometres, the Somali coastline is the longest in mainland Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden to the north and the Indian Ocean to the east.
Its vast waters form a critical maritime artery for East Africa and international trade but have long been prone to piracy, smuggling and illegal fishing, especially in areas with limited state control.
The AUSSOM, which succeeded AMISOM, maintains a significant presence along this coastline to bolster security and support the Somali National Army and Maritime Police.
Through joint patrols and surveillance operations, the unit supported by Kenyan, Djiboutian and other African contingents, works to deter maritime threats, protect shipping routes and reinforce Somalia’s territorial integrity.
The mission’s collaboration with local authorities and international partners has been key to restoring order in coastal zones once dominated by insurgent groups and criminal networks.
The latest operation adds to a series of successful search-and-rescue missions conducted by AUSSOM troops since Kenya’s deployment to southern Somalia.
