Piracy: multiplication of incidents off the coast of Somalia, in the midst of a crisis in the Gulf of Aden
A hijacked vessel was rescued by Indian navy forces off the coast of Somalia. Credit: Indian Navy
Louis Borer, Senior Analyst of Risk Intelligence, delved into the unfolding developments in the Western Indian Ocean and the current situation in the Red Sea in an interview with RFI. Louis Borer expressed concerns regarding the recent increase in pirate activities off the coast of Somalia.
02 February 2024
The original release date of the article was on 30 January 2024, as published by RFI.
The Indian navy recently rescued an Iranian fishing boat from Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, highlighting a growing trend of piracy incidents in the region. Concurrently, Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, intensify attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, disrupting global maritime trade. The surge in Houthi activities has diverted international forces' attention towards the Red Sea, potentially creating an opportune moment for Somali pirate groups. Recent incidents include the rescue of a Pakistani fishing boat with 19 sailors and an Iranian crew taken hostage by pirates in the Gulf of Aden.
Senior analyst, Louis Borer raised concerns over a potential resurgence of piracy off the coast of Somalia, attributing the recent incidents to a seizing of opportunity by Somali pirate groups amidst heightened international attention focused on the Red Sea due to increased attacks by Houthi rebels. The concentration of efforts in the Red Sea has led to a decrease in surveillance further south in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, raising fears of an uptick in piracy activities.
Read RFI’s article in full here.
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