A Somali maritime official has warned that pirate networks and extremist groups could strengthen financial ties, posing a growing threat to Somalia’s coastal security and international shipping.
Abdirahim Warsame, deputy chairman of the Somali Maritime Research Agency, made the remarks during a discussion on coordinating counterterrorism efforts and reducing disaster risks for communities living along Somalia's coastline.
He said piracy and terrorism represented serious criminal threats and warned that attacks on commercial vessels, the kidnapping of seafarers and actions that endanger human lives could overlap with broader extremist activities.
"There are ongoing links between pirates and terrorist groups, and those links could become stronger because piracy is driven by financial interests," Warsame said. "If they see economic opportunities, they can form partnerships."
His warning comes amid renewed concerns over piracy off Somalia's coast after years of relative calm, as the country's long and poorly monitored coastline remains vulnerable to criminal networks.
Warsame said Somali pirate groups had acquired vessels capable of travelling long distances, allowing them to expand their operations into parts of the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden and waters near Yemen.
Between 2008 and 2026, nearly 900 piracy-related incidents — including successful attacks and attempted hijackings — were recorded in the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea, according to figures cited by the official.
Somali piracy reached its peak in 2011, when 237 incidents were recorded, he said, with hundreds of people kidnapped or otherwise affected by attacks during the height of the crisis.
The piracy phenomenon prompted an unprecedented international naval response, with foreign warships patrolling one of the world's busiest shipping corridors and helping dramatically reduce attacks over the following decade.
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But concerns have resurfaced in recent years as armed groups and pirate networks continue to exploit insecurity along Somalia's coastline and the vast distances separating coastal communities from government security forces.
Warsame said pirate groups currently held up to five vessels off the Somali coast, with between 70 and 90 seafarers believed to be aboard.
The figures, however, could not be independently verified, and it remains unclear whether all the vessels cited by the official remain under pirate control.
He urged Somali government institutions to increase vigilance and strengthen cooperation on maritime security, particularly in coastal areas home to fishing communities.
Warsame also called for greater awareness campaigns targeting young Somalis, warning them of the dangers of joining pirate networks or extremist groups.
Somalia has struggled for decades to establish effective control over its extensive coastline, which stretches for more than 3,000 kilometres along the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
The possibility of greater cooperation between financially motivated pirate groups and extremist organisations could further complicate security efforts, Warsame warned.
He said piracy and terrorism both posed serious threats to human life, national security and freedom of navigation in Somali waters and across the wider region, calling for a coordinated response from Somali authorities and international partners.
"The consequences of allowing these networks to grow and cooperate could extend far beyond Somalia's shores," he said.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
