Why is piracy rising off Somalia again — and is the Iran war responsible?
Summary
Several ships have been hijacked off the coast of Somalia this year, raising concerns about a return of piracy in the area. The attacks have caught the attention of international security groups, who warn ships to be careful near Somalia.Key Facts
- At least three merchant ships have been seized near Somalia since April 20, 2024.
- One ship, Honour 25, carrying about 18,000 barrels of oil, was hijacked by pirates off Puntland, Somalia.
- The Puntland Maritime Police Force is involved in monitoring and responding to the hijackings.
- Another ship, Sward, was hijacked near the town of Garacad with 15 crew members onboard.
- The recent rise in piracy has led UK Maritime Trade Operations to raise the security threat level around Somalia to "substantial."
- Pirates in the past included local fishermen and armed groups linked to ISIL and al-Qaeda.
- Anti-piracy naval patrols have been diverted since 2023 to address conflicts in the Red Sea, reducing coverage near Somalia.
- The area was once a major piracy hotspot in the 2000s, causing massive economic losses globally before international naval forces reduced the threat.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.