From Premium Times Nigeria · Willis Okumu, Abdullahi Said · · 2m
Fighting Somali piracy needs local leadership, foreign naval backing
Local Somali security forces and foreign navies must collaborate to combat rising piracy off Somalia's coast.
In brief
Local Somali security forces and foreign navies must collaborate to combat rising piracy off Somalia's coast. Puntland's security challenges and foreign naval shifts have increased Somali piracy risks, requiring coordinated anti-piracy efforts. Originally reported by Premium Times Nigeria.
Piracy resurgence
Nine hijackings attributed to local raiders occurred this year, including an Iranian fishing vessel attack on 29 October.
“Piracy off Somalia’s coast has resurfaced, with nine hijackings so far this year attributed to local raiders”
Puntland’s piracy epicentre
Puntland, Somalia’s state with the longest coastline in mainland Africa, has been central to piracy since the early 2000s.
“Much of Somalia’s coastline, the longest in mainland Africa, lies in Puntland”
Security challenges in Puntland
Puntland’s security forces are concentrated along the Bosaso-Galkayo corridor, leaving rugged coastlines vulnerable to pirate operations.
“Puntland State’s security and governance presence is concentrated along the inland Bosaso-Galkayo corridor”
Foreign naval presence
The EU Naval Force Operation Atalanta and deployments from China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Russia protect vessels off Somalia.
“Both joint and independent foreign naval forces are also present. The European Union Naval Force Operation Atalanta and deployments from China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Russia are mandated to protect their vessels off Somalia”
Puntland security strain
Puntland’s security forces have been strained by fighting Islamic State and al-Shabaab, leading to reduced capacity against piracy.
“Puntland’s capacity to counter piracy has been increasingly constrained by overlapping security and political factors”
PSF rebellion
The Puntland Security Force (PSF) pledged allegiance to Somalia’s federal government in 2024, causing internal conflict with state leadership.
“In 2024, the PSF pledged allegiance to Somalia’s federal government, placing it at the centre of the Puntland-Mogadishu rift”
Piracy escalation
Piracy incidents have increased due to Iran war, Houthi attacks in Red Sea, and reduced naval patrols off Somalia’s coast.
“Externally, the Iran war and Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea have created opportunities for pirates”
MV Lutuf incident
Türkiye’s navy freed the MV Lutuf cargo ship on 29 August, resulting in 14 pirate deaths and four small boats destroyed.
“On 29 August, the federal government announced that Türkiye’s navy freed the MV Lutuf cargo ship, leading to 14 pirates’ deaths and four small boats being destroyed”
Puntland’s response
Puntland launched its own anti-piracy military operation after defeating the PSF, freeing three vessels but causing five crew deaths.
“After defeating the PSF, Puntland launched its own anti-piracy military operation. Although three captive vessels were freed and dozens of pirates captured, five crew members died”
Piracy expansion
Pirates moved the captured vessel Asana from Puntland’s coast to Galmudug, extending piracy threats to a second federal state.
“And the piracy threat has been extended to a second federal state after pirates moved the captured vessel Asana from Puntland’s coast to Galmudug”
Foreign naval tactics
Foreign navies target vessels with military hardware, risking perceptions of impunity and deeper piracy grievances.
“In the MV Lutuf case, Türkiye intervened because the vessel was carrying military hardware, communication systems and satellite equipment for Turkish military training in Mogadishu”
Local leadership needed
Puntland and Galmudug must lead kinetic anti-piracy operations and ensure permanent police presence along coastlines.
“Influential countries such as the US, Türkiye, and the UAE should strengthen Somalia’s maritime security capacity and help mend ties between federal authorities and Puntland”
Piracy risks
Pirates’ access to drones, satellite internet, and GPS enhances their ability to monitor maritime activity and identify targets.
“Pirates’ growing access to drones, satellite internet and GPS enhances their ability to monitor maritime activity and identify potential targets”
Public perception
Somalis view foreign naval forces as complicit in illegal fishing and waste dumping, undermining anti-piracy efforts.
“For years, many Somalis have viewed foreign naval forces in Somali waters as complicit in illegal fishing and waste dumping, a view local leaders share”
Recommendations
Strengthening local maritime security and improving coordination between federal and state authorities is critical to reducing piracy.
“Influential countries such as the US, Türkiye, and the UAE should strengthen Somalia’s maritime security capacity and help mend ties between federal authorities and Puntland”
The key point
Puntland's security challenges and foreign naval shifts have increased Somali piracy risks, requiring coordinated anti-piracy efforts.
