World · Africa · 5 hrs ago
Regional conflicts raise fears of renewed piracy in the Gulf of Aden
EU naval forces are watching for a piracy resurgence in the Gulf of Aden, amid instability linked to conflicts in Yemen, Iran and the wider Middle East.
More than 200 sailors aboard the Spanish frigate Santa Maria are patrolling the area as part of the EU’s Operation Atalanta mission.
More than 70 piracy incidents have been reported since November 2023, with about half occurring in 2026, according to the mission commander.
Commanders say pirates could target ships in the Gulf of Aden or wait for targets farther offshore in the Somali basin.
The route matters because about 12% of global trade passes through the nearby Bab el-Mandeb Strait, including a quarter of the world’s container traffic.
Threats to shipping could disrupt supply chains and raise shipping costs and consumer prices.
European naval forces are continuing patrols to protect international shipping as regional tensions remain high.
Regional conflicts are raising fears that piracy could return to the Gulf of Aden, a major route for global shipping.
More than 70 piracy incidents have been reported since November 2023, with roughly half occurring in 2026, according to the EU naval mission commander.
EU naval forces are monitoring maritime threats in the region as part of Operation Atalanta.
About 12% of global trade and a quarter of the world’s container traffic pass through the nearby Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Commanders say instability could put commercial vessels and supply chains at risk.
- Who
- EU naval forces and commanders are monitoring the threat. Pirates could target commercial vessels.
- What
- Regional conflicts are raising fears of renewed piracy in the Gulf of Aden.
- When
- Concerns have grown amid regional tensions, including since November 2023.
- Where
- The Gulf of Aden, off Yemen, Somaliland and Somalia, near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- Why
- Commanders warn that regional instability could create opportunities for piracy and disrupt shipping.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
One reported peak in piracy incidents began with Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
More than 70 incidents were reported, with roughly half occurring in 2026.
Africanews reported that regional conflicts were raising fears of renewed piracy and that EU naval forces were patrolling the Gulf of Aden.
- Reported incidents
- More than 70 since November 2023
- Incidents in 2026
- Roughly half of those reported since November 2023
- Global trade
- Around 12% passes through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait
- Container traffic
- A quarter of the world’s container traffic passes through the strait
- Naval mission
- EU Operation Atalanta
- Patrolling vessel
- Spanish frigate Santa Maria
What people are saying
I am not saying that there is a direct link with this crisis. But what I can say is that crisis creates crisis.
They (pirates) will take two lines of actions. The first one is to come to the Gulf of Aden where the most part of the traffic, merchant traffic, transits from Asia to the West or they can come to what we call the Somali basin and wait for a possible target.
If it is in danger, if it is threatened, you are not going to have what you need,
The prices are going to rise, and our life is going to be much worse.