Somalia Grapples with Resurgence of Piracy Along Northeastern Coast

Somalia’s Coast Guard has confirmed a series of piracy incidents along the country’s northeastern coastline, including recent vessel hijackings near key global shipping routes.

Officials said they are coordinating with international partners to secure one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors and prevent further attacks at sea. The latest incidents include the hijacking of a merchant vessel on April 26, a day after another vessel was seized. On April 21, the motor tanker Hona 25, carrying 18,000 barrels of oil, was also hijacked, according to the Maritime Security Center Indian Ocean, the tracking arm of the EU naval force.

The agency has urged vessels operating near Somalia’s coast, particularly between Mogadishu and Hafun, to maintain heightened vigilance.

Security analysts attribute the growing threat to the diversion of international naval attention toward escalating tensions in the Red Sea region, alongside Somalia’s limited maritime capacity.

A security analyst told reporters: “I believe two factors are contributing to this matter. Number one is the reduction of international naval operations against the pirates in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Number two is the lack of Somali naval forces. I think also we cannot have stability in the region. So these are factors that contribute to growing fears of piracy in Somalia.”

Roughly 20% of global trade passes through the Gulf of Aden, with vessels transiting near Somali territorial waters en route to the Red Sea. Security experts emphasize that protecting this route should remain a top priority for regional governments and international partners, especially amid mounting disruptions to global shipping. Analysts are also calling on Somalia to accelerate efforts to modernize and strengthen its naval forces.

Another analyst said: “I believe Somali government has an agenda to tackle this piracy problem and I think it can be achieved by building operational capabilities by restoring its maritime sovereignty along its coastline. As far as I know, Somalia is now taking bold steps toward achieving that goal, thinking strategically with global support from countries like Turkey, China and EU. Already infrastructure development is going on.”

In February 2024, Somalia and Turkey signed a 10-year defense and economic cooperation agreement that includes training and equipping Somali naval forces to safeguard the country’s coastline against maritime crimes, including illegal fishing and piracy. Last week, Somalia’s Defense Ministry released images showing joint naval exercises involving Somali and Turkish forces.

Many Somalis expressed hope that the partnership will help bring a lasting end to piracy and improve security along the coastline.