Piracy off Somalia has risen sharply, adding to risks for international shipping already affected by the US-Iran war and Houthi disruption in nearby sea lanes. The resurgence matters because the Gulf of Aden and surrounding routes are vital to global trade, while stretched naval forces may leave commercial vessels more exposed.

Two cargo ships were seized within four days last week, bringing attacks this year to at least 13; six vessels are reportedly being held for multimillion-dollar ransoms. The Cameroon-flagged MV Lutuf was hijacked on 17 August and the Eritrean-flagged MT Sibu 1 was later boarded near Yemen, while 13 alleged pirate suppliers were killed in two unexplained drone strikes. Experts link the increase to reduced patrols, ships diverting closer to Somalia, high oil prices and local anger over foreign overfishing; in 2011, Somali pirates carried out more than 200 attacks.