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Pirate Attacks Rise in Gulf of Aden and Red Sea
Multiple sources report a recent increase in pirate incidents targeting commercial vessels. Officials from naval task forces and the U.N. maritime body have issued new warnings and called for the release of captured crews.
Jul 7, 2:59 PM·1m read2 sources
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Proxy campaignLocal resurgence
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Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Pirate attacks on commercial shipping have increased in the Gulf of Aden and southern Red Sea, according to the U.N. International Maritime Organization and a naval task force. A Palau-flagged bulk carrier was attacked on Sunday, the IMO Secretary-General told a meeting on Monday. The vessel is continuing toward its next destination with the crew reported safe.
An attempted attack occurred on July 2 against a St.
Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged bulk carrier approximately 300 nautical miles east-northeast of Djibouti, the Indian Navy stated. The Joint Maritime Information Center raised the regional threat level to substantial after seven piracy-related events since June 11.
The IMO called for the safe release of 44 seafarers held aboard three vessels hijacked between April and May. Crews on those vessels are running critically low on food and water, the Secretary-General said. A think tank report suggested Iranian-backed Houthi rebels may be providing support to Somali pirate groups, including arms transfers and GPS devices.
A spokesperson for Maersk said one service will return to the Suez/Red Sea route after months of routing vessels around Africa. A spokesperson for Operation Aspides stated the task force is prepared to respond if Houthi attacks on shipping resume.
