Somali piracy surges as the impact of the US-Iran war ripples outwards

A surge in piracy off the coast of Somalia has intensified, exacerbated by the ongoing US-Iran conflict and the impact on shipping routes. In a four-day span last week, two cargo vessels were seized in the Gulf of Aden, bringing the total number of pirate attacks since the beginning of the year to at least 13. This marks the highest level of hijackings in over a decade, raising concerns about maritime security in this crucial trade region.

Omar Mahmood, a senior Somalia analyst for the International Crisis Group, attributes the increase in piracy to the pirates capitalizing on the situation. The war between Iran and the US has created uncertainty in regional waters, and the Houthi rebels in Yemen have imposed a blockade in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which controls access to the Red Sea. These factors have made international forces focus on other crises, leaving pirates with fewer threats to their operations.

One recent target was the Cameroon-flagged MV Lutuf, which was attacked off the coast of Puntland, Somalia, on August 17th. A few days later, an Eritrean-flagged oil tanker, MT Sibu 1, was boarded by pirates in waters near Yemen. The capture of the Lutuf has led to unexpected consequences, with 13 men allegedly linked to a network supplying the pirates reportedly killed in two drone strikes since August 18th.

While no group has claimed responsibility, Puntland authorities accuse Turkey of carrying out the attacks, alleging that the vessel was carrying Turkish weapons.

As of now, six vessels are being held for ransom demands totaling millions of dollars, with four of them anchored near the fishing town of Bander Beyla, a notorious piracy hotspot. While this is far from the peak levels of hijackings in 2011, experts note that while pirate networks have been suppressed, they remain active due to ongoing economic and security issues in Somalia.

The resurgence of piracy is fueled locally by foreign trawlers overfishing in Somali waters, negatively impacting the fishing industry and the communities that rely on it. Additionally, the increased regional maritime insecurity has driven some ships to divert south to avoid conflict in the north, creating more opportunities for pirates.

Increased profitability due to high oil prices and the possibility of collaboration between Somali pirates and Yemenis are also contributing factors. However, Mahmood stresses that while there may be criminal elements involved, it is less likely that Iran's Houthi allies are directly responsible, especially considering the seizure of an alleged Iranian "shadow fleet" tanker.

Turkey, on the other hand, reportedly has a stake in the latest hijackings, allegedly providing support to the pirates by delivering weapons for a military training facility in Mogadishu. The Turkish government denies these allegations, stating that they are providing necessary support to Somali authorities.