EU Naval Operation Warns of New Somali Piracy Threat as Armed Gang Set Sail Towards Indian Ocean

The EU Naval Force’s counter-piracy mission Operation ATALANTA has issued a stark warning about the resurgence of Somali piracy after a pirate action group was observed this week departing from a known pirate location towards the Indian Ocean.

The development marks the potential end of a period of relative calm in the region caused by unfavorable monsoon weather.

According to ATALANTA’s latest intelligence, Somali authorities confirmed on October 24, 2024, that a group of 13 heavily armed pirates, equipped with AK-47s and RPGs, set sail from the Ceel Huur Area, south of Hobyo Port, heading towards the Somali Basin.

In another incident taking place on October 23, a Chinese bulk carrier identified as the Huan Hang 99 reported a suspicious approach by five skiffs in the Gulf of Aden approximately 48 nautical miles south of Aden.

This recent activity is part of a broader piracy resurgence that began in November 2023 that happens to coincide with Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. The resurgence has primarily been characterized by a series of dhow and fishing vessel hijackings, along with two notable commercial ship hijackings. The MV Ruen, seized in mid-December 2023, was held by pirates for three-months before being rescued by the Indian Navy. In a separate incident, the MV Abdullah was hijacked in March and released a month later, allegedly after a large ransom payment.

According to ATALANTA, the pirates’ modus operandi typically involves hijacking a dhow to use as a mother ship. From there, they can launch attacks on vessels up to 600 nautical miles off the East Somali coast. The Gulf of Aden, especially its eastern side, remains a high-risk area.

ATALANTA had previously identified several potential pirate logistics locations along the Somali coast, particularly between Xaafuun and Garacad, with a notable hotspot north of Eyl where the pirate Ruen and Abdullah had been held at anchorage for several weeks.

ATALANTA’s threat assessment remains at MODERATE, indicating that an attack is a “Realistic Possibility” off the Somali coasts, taking into account the current favorable weather conditions and the pattern of significant attacks on merchant vessels occurring within 12 days of reported dhow hijackings.

As the situation develops, shipping companies are advised to exercise increased vigilance and adhere strictly to best management practices for maritime security in the region.

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