The European Union’s counter-piracy force, Operation ATALANTA, has deployed a warship to the coast off Somalia following a recent series of incidents, including the first suspected Somali piracy attack of its kind since 2024. These events have raised concerns about the critical shipping lane in the region.
Details of Recent Incidents
- Commercial Tanker Attack: On Monday, armed assailants attacked a commercial tanker off the coast of Mogadishu. The attackers fired at the vessel after attempting to board the ship.
- Fishing Vessel Incidents: A Seychelles-flagged fishing vessel was approached by a speedboat this week. Additionally, a separate Iranian fishing boat was reportedly seized by unknown assailants.
- Mother Ship Assessment: Maritime risk management sources assess that it is highly likely the seized fishing vessel is being used as a mothership to launch further attacks far offshore.
The Return of Piracy
Maritime security sources believe that a Somali Pirate Action Group (PAG) is now active and operating more than 300 nautical miles offshore Somalia. The vessels targeted match the known profiles and capabilities of these groups.
- Deployment: Operation ATALANTA confirmed it is deploying a naval asset to the area in response to the situation.
- Historical Context: Somali pirate gangs, who historically operated in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, have been largely inactive for several years. This resurgence is separate from, but comes amidst, the ongoing security challenges posed by the Yemen-based Houthi militia in the Red Sea. The Houthis began targeting commercial shipping in November 2023.
This renewed activity by Somali pirate groups adds another layer of security risk to a crucial global transport route already impacted by geopolitical tension.
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Source: Reuters
