Iran war brings Somali pirates back to the sea to target commercial ships - report
The preoccupation of Western fleets with defending against Iranian attacks has opened the way for Somali pirates to target commercial ships once again, amid concerns over a resurgence in piracy
Somali pirates have begun to exploit the security unrest in the region while US warships are preoccupied with securing navigation in the Gulf and dealing with the repercussions of the war between the United States and Iran. According to a report published by the American newspaper Politico, pirates seized a cargo ship earlier this week off the coast of Somalia, in what is at least the fifth such attack since last April, according to data from the maritime intelligence company Windward.
Pirates have seized at least three tankers carrying oil and fertilizers in recent times, while a ship carrying chemicals was hijacked near Yemen last July. The ships are currently being held off the Somali coast, amid reports that dozens of sailors are being held hostage.
The escalation of attacks comes at a time when maritime navigation is experiencing widespread disruptions, especially with rising oil and fertilizer prices due to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, making cargo and energy tankers a more attractive target for pirates.
Over the past few months, the waters off the coast of Somalia have become an alternative route for ships seeking to avoid areas of tension in the Gulf and the Red Sea. However, the escalation of piracy threatens to turn this relatively safe route into a high-risk area.
The preoccupation of Western fleets opens the door for pirates
The resurgence of piracy, according to estimates, is linked to the redistribution of Western military resources. Currently, American and Western warships are occupied with navigation protection operations and securing oil tankers in the areas surrounding Iran, which may reduce the level of maritime deterrence off the Somali coast.
This presents an additional challenge for global shipping companies that are already facing increasing risks in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The expansion of attacks could lead to higher transportation and insurance costs, increased reliance on armed protection services, and drive more vessels to avoid the region.
For its part, the Trump Administration rejects a direct link between the war with Iran and the resurgence of Somali piracy, stressing that the United States still possesses naval forces capable of protecting ships and dealing with various threats.
Fears of a return to the era of piracy
The current developments raise concerns about a return of Somali piracy to its previous levels, after it had significantly declined in recent years.
Between 2005 and 2011, Somali pirates carried out hundreds of attacks on commercial ships. Their activities caused global economic losses amounting to billions of dollars annually before the phenomenon declined as a result of international naval operations and the strengthening of onboard security measures.
As the major naval powers are preoccupied with Middle East crises, the international shipping sector is closely monitoring the resurgence of attacks off the coast of Somalia, amid fears that the current security vacuum could become a new opportunity for pirates to regain their influence in one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.