In recent weeks, there has been a concerning resurgence of piracy off the coast of Somalia, with three Yemeni fishing vessels seized by suspected Somali pirates. Suspected pirates seized yet another Yemeni fishing boat over the weekend.
Recent Incidents
February 10, 2025
A Yemeni-flagged dhow was hijacked off the coast of Eyl, Somalia. The vessel and its 12 crew members were rescued on February 13 with assistance from EUNAVFOR Atalanta.
February 17, 2025
Another Yemeni dhow, the Saytuun-2, was seized near Garmaal, close to Eyl. The pirates abandoned the vessel on February 22, leaving the crew unharmed.
March 16, 2025
The most recent attack occurred off the town of Eyl on Sunday, where pirates hijacked a Yemeni-flagged dhow with a crew of eight Somalis. Seven hijackers remained on board at the time of reporting.
Background
Piracy off the Somali coast peaked in 2011, with 237 reported attacks. A combination of international naval patrols and strengthened governance in Somalia led to a significant decline in such incidents. However, recent instability in the region, including conflicts involving Yemen’s Houthi rebels and tensions in the Red Sea corridor, has contributed to a resurgence of pirate activities. In 2024, there were seven reported incidents off Somalia, indicating a troubling upward trend.
These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges in ensuring maritime security in the region and underscore the need for continued international cooperation to address the root causes of piracy.