Somalia has condemned a resurgence of piracy off Puntland, warning that attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden have increased since August and pose a growing threat to ships and their crews.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — Somalia's federal government has strongly condemned a resurgence of piracy off the coast of Puntland, saying attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden have increased since August.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government said the renewed attacks posed a serious threat to ships and their crews, and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all seafarers held by pirate groups.
Somali authorities said their forces were continuing operations against piracy networks operating both at sea and on land.
The latest operation came on August 29, when Somali forces, working in coordination, secured the release of the cargo vessel MV Lutuf, according to the ministry.
The government did not provide further details about the operation or the number of people freed.
The resurgence of piracy comes after years of declining attacks along Somalia's coastline, following the deployment of international naval patrols, improved security measures aboard commercial vessels and operations against pirate networks.
Somalia's government said it would continue cooperating with international partners on maritime security and sought stronger coordination among Somali security agencies, alongside increased international support to tackle piracy.
The ministry welcomed assistance from friendly countries in strengthening maritime security, while calling for "effective measures" to uphold Somali law and address illegal fishing and other activities that it said undermine the country's maritime security and sovereign rights.
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The government also urged greater international cooperation in the fight against piracy, saying all parties should work together to dismantle pirate networks and ensure that Somalia's coastline remains safe for commercial shipping and maritime traffic.
Somalia's coastline, one of Africa's longest, has historically been vulnerable to piracy, with attacks reaching a peak more than a decade ago before international naval deployments and private security measures brought incidents sharply down.
But maritime security concerns have resurfaced in recent years amid instability in the wider Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region.
The government said the renewed threat required sustained cooperation between Somalia and international partners to prevent pirate groups from rebuilding their networks and to protect seafarers navigating waters off the Somali coast.
It also stressed the importance of addressing illegal fishing and other maritime activities alongside piracy, linking the protection of Somalia's territorial waters to the country's broader security and sovereignty.
The ministry said Somalia remained committed to international efforts to combat piracy and called for a coordinated response to prevent further attacks and safeguard the safety of commercial vessels and their crews.
The statement comes as Somalia seeks to strengthen its own maritime security capabilities while working with foreign partners to protect vital shipping routes connecting the Indian Ocean with the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
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.
