Somali pirates hijack two ships in four days, raising alarm over resurgence

Somali piracy is resurging with alarming frequency, with two ships hijacked in the past week alone. This marks the most intense period of piracy in roughly 15 years, raising concerns among maritime security experts.

One of the hijacked vessels, an oil tanker identified as 'Sibu 1,' was flying the flag of Eritrea but is strongly suspected to be part of Iran's 'shadow fleet.' This fleet is known for transporting Iranian oil, often to destinations linked to Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The tanker was reportedly en route to a petroleum terminal in Yemen's Lasisa port, a region under Houthi control.

The other ship, a Cameroon-flagged cargo vessel carrying Turkish-made weapons, was seized off the coast of Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region on July 17. According to officials, Somali pirates currently hold six vessels, with over 100 sailors taken hostage.

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Piracy attacks are succeeding with the most frequency in almost 15 years, but they are virtually unnoticed because the maritime security situation in the broader region is so dire.

Experts attribute this resurgence to a confluence of factors, including regional rivalries, the ongoing conflict involving Iran, and the economic struggles of local fishermen. The International Maritime Organization notes that at least 17 piracy-related incidents have been recorded in Somali waters and the Gulf of Aden in the first five months of this year, involving three merchant ships and five traditional wooden boats.

Piracy off the Somali coast was rampant between 2005 and 2010. International naval operations, including those by NATO and the EU, along with improved ship security measures and armaments, led to a significant decline after 2012. However, the current escalation, occurring amidst broader maritime security crises in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, has gone largely unnoticed, according to Ian Ralby, chair of the non-profit Oceana Worldwide.

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Piracy attacks are succeeding with the most frequency in almost 15 years, but they are virtually unnoticed because the maritime security situation in the broader region is so dire.