The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has launched an operation following reports of foreign fishing vessels operating in the waters between GDh. Atoll and Fuvahmulah City.

According to the MNDF, two foreign fishing boats were spotted traveling from east to west within the Equatorial Channel, approximately nine nautical miles west of GDh. Fiyoari. The exact nationality of these fishing vessels has not yet been confirmed.

The military further stated that the MNDF Southern Area Command has already been deployed to the area and is actively responding to the situation.

Foreign fishing vessels occasionally encroach upon Maldivian territorial waters, with authorities having intercepted several such boats in the past, some of which were also found to be transporting illicit drugs.