Somali piracy surges as US-Iran war impact ripples

A surge in piracy near Somalia has increased threats to shipping already under pressure from maritime blockades and conflict due to the US war with Iran. Two cargo vessels were seized in the Gulf of Aden within four days last week, raising to at least 13 the number of ships attacked since the start of the year and triggering unprecedented drone strikes against the pirates. It is the biggest escalation in hijackings in more than a decade, renewing concern about security in this region vital to international trade. The opportunity for pirates comes from the impact of the war on regional waterways further north: Iran and the US continue to battle over control of the Strait of Hormuz, and Tehran's Houthi allies in Yemen have imposed a targeted blockade in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Pirates believe international forces will be dedicated to those crises instead of looking for pirates. Among the latest vessels hijacked was the Cameroon-flagged MV Lutuf, attacked off Puntland on 17 August, and the Eritrean-flagged MT Sibu 1, boarded near Yemen. The capture of the Lutuf has triggered unexpected consequences: 13 men allegedly belonging to a network that supplies the pirates have been killed in two drone strikes since 18 August. Local officials blamed Turkey, saying the vessel was carrying Turkish weapons. The Lutuf is now among six vessels being held for ransom. This is nowhere near the peak levels of hijackings 15 years ago, but experts stress that pirate networks remained intact. The resurgence is fuelled locally by anger over foreign trawlers overfishing in Somali waters. Regional maritime insecurity has driven some ships closer to the Somali coast, and with high oil prices, hijacking a tanker is more lucrative. There is a combined effect of less naval patrolling but more commercial shipping. Researchers suspect collaboration between Somali pirates and Yemenis, but likely criminal elements rather than Iran's Houthi allies. Turkey reportedly has a stake in the latest hijackings: the Lutuf was carrying weapons bound for a Turkish military training facility in Mogadishu. Puntland security sources say six international warships are now near the Lutuf, but this is not independently verified. Turkey's defence ministry has stated it is providing 'necessary support' to Somali authorities but stopped short of addressing accusations of drone strikes. Puntland authorities have been more outspoken, with Deputy Minister of Security Abdirahman Yusuf saying his administration had evidence Turkey was responsible. The security ministry issued a statement opposing 'bombings by international warships targeting civilians' and demanded an explanation. Analysts say the incidents risk complicating a long-standing political dispute between Puntland and Mogadishu. There is not yet a full-blown resurgence, but without an end to the US-Iran war or increased international deterrence, Somali piracy stands to continue raising the threat level.