Warning of an alliance between the Houthi group in Yemen and Somali pirates

Sanca (Caasimada Online) – According to a warning issued on May 12 by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), Somali pirates have increased hijacking and disruption of ships, currently holding at least three vessels, two of which are carrying fuel, while another is carrying a cargo of cement.

These vessels, which were hijacked between April 21 and May 2, include a ship that was seized off the coast of Yemen and then transferred to Somalia. This has raised serious concerns about the possibility of an alliance between Somali pirate groups and the Houthis in Yemen, who have ties to Iran.

MP Mohamed Diini, a member of the Somali Parliament, described the resurgence of piracy as stemming from changes in external conflicts, internal vulnerabilities, and opportunity-seeking. He stated that changes in global shipping routes have caused geographic tensions, as he told CNN.

He added that the current situation in the Middle East provides pirates with a pretext to reorganize. He also warned that pirate networks could form an alliance with Houthi forces in Yemen, which have targeted vessels in the Red Sea to support Hamas in its conflict with Israel.

MP Diini emphasized that the long-standing instability within Somalia has made the country's coast vulnerable to security threats. He stated that this has weakened local agencies that were foundational to security and reduced the risks faced by pirate networks.

Although the individuals behind the recent attacks on vessels have not yet been identified, previous hijackings have often involved young Somalis from impoverished communities and armed groups linked to international terrorist networks.

The European Union Naval Force told CNN on Friday that they believe three pirate groups are operating in northern Somalia. They stated that these groups have land-based members providing support and other groups operating at sea.

Manu Lekunze, a senior lecturer in international relations at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, stated that the Iran conflict has created a security vacuum, leading to a resurgence of piracy. He noted that naval forces that previously focused on controlling pirate attacks have shifted to protecting cargo vessels passing through Bab al-Mandab.

“The Iran conflict has forced several governments, which would otherwise focus on protecting the western Indian Ocean, to prioritize international forces opening the Bab al-Mandab route,” said Lekunze.

However, the European Union Naval Force stated that the conflict in the Middle East does not hinder their operations against Somali piracy.

Somalia and Yemen share a maritime border. Therefore, the agency warned that “the level of piracy risk remains very high along the coasts and waters of Somalia.” These waters gained a notorious reputation globally at the end of the 2000s, during which they were among the most significant areas for ship hijackings.

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