FACT CHECK: Video Claims To Show Somalian Pirate Boat Being Destroyed

A video shared on X claims to show a Somalian pirate boat being destroyed.

Somali pirate boat is no more. pic.twitter.com/2qth4kKG4h

— David Atherton (@DaveAtherton20) December 5, 2024

Verdict: False

The video shows training from the United States Navy and is not a Somalian vessel.

Fact Check:

A Chinese fishing vessel came under the control of alleged Somalian pirates in Somali waters, according to Reuters. Up to 18 crew members were onboard when the vessel was taken by the alleged pirates, per the outlet.

Social media users are claiming to show a Somali pirate boat being destroyed by gunfire. One user wrote, “Somali pirate boat is no more.” (RELATED: Did British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Claim To Make Pork For His Jewish Wife?)

This claim is false. Through a reverse image search, Check Your Fact found that the video is from March 2017 and was posted to YouTube. The video’s title reads, “CIWS Gatling Gun & Mk-38 Chain Gun Open Fire On Target Boats.”

“US Navy Sailors aboard the Amphibious Assault Ship USS America (LHA 6) load ammunition into the Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) and Mk-38 25mm chain gun for Operational Testing,” reads the video description.

We rate this claim false.