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NAIROBI, Kenya – Word on the street is that infamous pirates have staged a comeback in Somalia’s treacherous waters. This follows a calm period of five months during which security forces actively tried to put a lid on pirate activities.
This week, EUNAVFOR — those naval protectors under Operation ATALANTA — have sounded the alarm. They’ve spotted a sketchy bunch known as a pirate action group (PAG) sneaking away from Somalia’s north-central shoreline.
The alert hints that pirates might be sweeping back into Somali waters, especially in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. With a glaring gap in expert coast guards and well-trained maritime police, pirates find smooth sailing here.
The Maritime Security Centre–Horn of Africa (MSCHoA) spills it: a troupe of 13 armed pirates made their way from Ceel Huur near Hobyo, setting their compass for the Indian Ocean. In Somalia, security officers are hardly a dime a dozen.
“All mariners, keep your eyes peeled and report any shady happenings,” the agency cautioned, stirring whispers of yet another spree of hijackings and attacks.
The last major pirate shenanigan in Somalia happened back on June 7, 2024. That was when a mysterious craft took an interest in the Pacific Honor, a vessel flying the Marshall Islands flag. No one got hurt back then, but the pirates were likely sending signals, marking their territory.
Martin Kelly, who heads advisory at EOS Risk Group, breaks down the timing: “Now that monsoon season’s packed up, the weather’s playing nicer. This lets pirates get back to their antics. We’ve been waving red flags to our clients about this rising threat.”
Though worldwide piracy claims fewer headlines these days, the bad guys stick around in Somalia’s waters as they have for the past thirty-odd years. Today’s pirates have leveled up their playbook, relying on commandeered dhows and fishing vessels rather than pint-sized boats.
It’s thought that piracy drains billions from Somalia’s coffers every year. Despite this, the global community is stepping up, throwing resources into training and gearing up maritime security forces tasked with protecting their stretch of the sea — that’s one solid 3,333-KM coastline.
AXADLETM
