Suspected Somali pirates recently captured the Yemeni fishing boat Saytuun-2 off the Horn of Africa. After five days in control of the boat, the pirates abandoned it, stealing some of the crew’s belongings but not harming the crew. The incident shows that piracy attacks in the region still continue, although it has decreased in the past.
Suspected Somali Pirates Target Fishing Vessels in the Gulf of Aden
Over the past ten years, suspected Somali pirates have attacked more than 200 merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden, one of the world’s most important shipping lanes. Although piracy incidents have decreased significantly since 2012, piracy attempts still persist, with 15-20% of attacks being carried out on fishing boats. In 2024 alone, five incidents involving suspected pirates were reported, including the recent seizure of the Yemeni fishing vessel Saytuun-2.
Impact of Suspected Somali Pirates on Regional Maritime Security
Suspected Somali piracy affects more than $7 billion worth of maritime trade in the region annually. Thanks to international maritime patrols, the rate of attacks on ships has decreased by 70 percent in the last decade. However, attacks on smaller and less protected boats have increased by 12 percent in the past year. These pirate groups still continue to operate in the region with around 100 to 150 active members.
Global Efforts to Combat Suspected Somali Pirates in the Horn of Africa
The international community has spent more than $2 billion on naval operations since 2010 against suspected Somali pirates. Countries like the US, China and European countries have conducted more than 1,000 naval patrols in the Gulf of Aden to protect global trade routes.
Despite all these efforts, piracy activities in the Horn of Africa still remain a serious challenge, and these activities have increased by 10-15% in the last two years, mainly targeting small vessels.
