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The European Union’s counter-piracy force has deployed a warship to the coast of Somalia after a suspected group of pirates tried to attack commercial ships in the region. According to maritime sources, the incident marks the first suspected act of Somali piracy since 2024, raising renewed concerns about security along one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
On Monday, armed attackers targeted a commercial tanker near Mogadishu, firing at the vessel after attempting to board it. The crew managed to evade the attack, but the incident has alarmed regional and international security agencies who fear a possible resurgence of Somali piracy. The waters off Somalia are a vital passage for ships carrying energy supplies and goods to global markets, and any threat to this route could have serious global trade implications.
In the same week, a Seychelles-flagged fishing vessel reported being approached by a fast-moving speedboat, while an Iranian fishing boat was seized by unknown assailants. Maritime risk management group Vanguard said it was highly likely that the Iranian vessel had been taken over to serve as a “mothership” — a larger boat used by pirates to launch smaller, faster craft during attacks.
The European Union’s naval mission, Operation ATALANTA, confirmed that it was monitoring the situation and had sent a warship to the area but declined to share further details, citing security reasons. The operation, which was established in 2008, has played a key role in deterring piracy in the region and protecting international shipping lanes through the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean.
British maritime security company Ambrey said there were strong indications that a Somali Pirate Action Group was active again, operating more than 300 nautical miles off Somalia’s coast. The company noted that the recent targets fit the profile of vessels typically attacked by Somali pirates during previous waves of piracy.
Piracy off the coast of Somalia was once a major global concern, especially between 2008 and 2012, when armed groups frequently hijacked commercial ships and held crews for ransom. However, a combination of international naval patrols, better security practices by ship operators, and improved local governance largely ended the attacks in recent years. The new incidents, though still isolated, have sparked fears that instability on land and limited economic opportunities could be fueling a return to the dangerous trade.
Meanwhile, the broader region has seen continued threats to maritime security. In the nearby Red Sea, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have launched multiple attacks on international shipping since November 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza. Although the group recently agreed to stop targeting US-linked vessels, many global shipping companies remain cautious about sending their ships through those waters, instead diverting them around southern Africa—a longer and more expensive route.
Security experts say that while Houthi attacks have drawn much of the world’s attention in the past two years, the latest developments off Somalia show that piracy remains a persistent risk. They warn that any lapse in naval patrols or maritime vigilance could quickly reopen opportunities for pirate networks that have been dormant but not dismantled.
International forces, including those from the EU and other naval coalitions, continue to monitor the region closely. Maritime authorities have urged vessels transiting the area to stay alert, maintain communication with regional monitoring centers, and report any suspicious activity immediately.
As global shipping faces growing risks—from geopolitical tensions to piracy—maintaining secure sea lanes through the Horn of Africa remains essential for international trade and stability. The renewed threat serves as a reminder that the fragile peace achieved over the past decade in Somali waters can easily unravel without constant vigilance and cooperation between global and regional forces.