Egypt Daily News – After nearly a decade of decline, Somali piracy has resurfaced, driven by the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea and the war in Gaza. “Houthi militia attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea have forced international naval forces to redirect their resources to that area, creating security gaps that Somali pirates have exploited.”
“The hijacking of a Bangladeshi ship in March 2024, 550 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia, highlighted this threat, as the pirates held its 23-member crew hostage for 32 days before releasing them after a ransom was paid.”
From Fishermen to Pirates
The roots of Somali piracy trace back to the 1990s when local fishermen took up arms against foreign fishing vessels that were depleting their marine resources, according to the report. However, over time, piracy evolved into an organized criminal activity driven more by financial motives than by retaliation for the exploitation of fisheries.
The international community has made efforts to combat piracy through naval patrols and security measures on ships. However, fundamental causes such as poverty, lack of good governance, and illegal fishing have been largely ignored.
Why Has Piracy Returned?
Several factors contributed to the resurgence of piracy, including the 2023 decision to remove the High-Risk Area (HRA) designation in the Indian Ocean, which led to a decline in security measures on commercial ships. Furthermore, the failure of the UN Security Council to renew a resolution permitting international naval intervention in Somali waters in 2022 weakened maritime defenses.
Additionally, pirates have forged alliances with regional entities such as the terrorist group Al-Shabaab and the Houthi militia, providing them with greater resources and capabilities. According to intelligence sources, the Houthis are utilizing pirates for smuggling operations and sharing information on shipping routes, making the threat even more complex.
Significant Damage
The report emphasizes that piracy is not limited to hijackings but affects global trade as a whole. The rising costs of shipping due to vessels avoiding the Red Sea and taking longer routes around the Cape of Good Hope have led to increased fuel, insurance, and operational expenses.
Moreover, trade movement through the Suez Canal has declined by 50%, causing disruptions in global supply chains.
