MNDF Drone Operates Over Male’ for Seven Hours During Fishermen’s Protest

An MNDF Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was deployed over Male’ yesterday as fishermen staged a protest near the capital’s harbor. The drone remained airborne for nearly seven hours before returning to its base in Maafaru.

The protest, organized by the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU), began yesterday and is continuing today, with fishing vessels gathered off Male’s No. 1 Jetty. Fishermen are demanding the government deliver on pledges related to the purchase and marketing of yellowfin tuna, including setting a floor price of MVR 80–100 per kilo, supplying fuel at base rates, and improving access to ice.

Authorities maintained a visible presence throughout the protest. The MNDF’s TB2 drone surveillance complemented Coast Guard and police patrols in the area, underscoring heightened security measures around the capital. Police boarded several fishing boats yesterday, focusing on expatriates participating in the strike, with videos shared by the union showing officers detaining at least three migrant workers.