There is a noticeable resurgence of piracy activities in the critical maritime trade route between Somalia and Yemen. Recently, numerous reports have emerged regarding approaches and armed attacks targeting commercial vessels, prompting the Indian Ocean Maritime Security Centre (MSCIO), operating under the European Union Naval Forces (EUNAVFOR) Atalanta Operation, to issue a high alert call for vessels navigating in the region.

The MSCIO announced on Monday that two new incidents had occurred, emphasizing that the security risk in the area had increased alongside another attack attempt that took place on Sunday. In its warning to the maritime sector, the Centre stated that 'maintaining a high level of vigilance is strongly advised.'

Today, a container ship sailing approximately 14 nautical miles off the coast between Aden and Ahar reported that an armed small boat was approaching it. It was noted that the assailants opened fire on the ship and attempted to board.

According to maritime security company Vanguard Tech, the targeted vessel was the Egyptian-linked container ship Greta Star, flying the Panama flag, with a capacity of 1,730 TEU and a deadweight tonnage of 22,968. AIS data indicated that the ship was operating between Oman and Djibouti, and it was reported that the vessel increased its speed to prevent the pirates from boarding. The company stated that the assailants were armed with heavy weapons.

A second incident occurred on the same day. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received a report from the captain of a tanker located 111 nautical miles southeast of Aden, Yemen. It was alleged that a small boat with four individuals approached the ship and opened fire with a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).

The day before, on Sunday, June 14, an unidentified cargo ship reported being followed by two small boats, each carrying six people. The ship, sailing off Xaafuun in the southern Horn of Africa, received a radio call to stop, after which the assailants opened fire. The armed security team on board responded for approximately 30 minutes. Following the exchange of fire, the attacking boats retreated from the area.

These recent developments follow a similar incident that occurred on June 10 in the Gulf of Aden. A small boat with six armed individuals approached a cargo ship sailing 88 nautical miles southwest of Balhaf, Yemen, and after an armed confrontation between the parties, the attackers retreated when the security team responded.

Atalanta Operation officials have noted a significant increase in piracy incidents in the region since April. Reports indicate that three vessels, including two small loaded tankers, were seized and taken to the Yemeni coast, while the EU-led initiative continues to investigate the causes and perpetrators of the rising attacks in cooperation with local authorities.

Experts point out that with the ongoing security crisis around the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, there is a tendency for piracy activities, which have long been under pressure off the coast of Somalia, to resurge.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye