The European Council has extended its counter-piracy mission, Operation ATALANTA, for two additional years, reinforcing maritime security efforts in response to a sharp rise in Somali piracy.
The renewed mandate, now effective until February 2027, underscores the operation’s pivotal role in safeguarding the Somalia coast, Gulf of Aden, West Indian Ocean, and parts of the Red Sea.
ATALANTA will continue its primary focus on combating piracy while expanding its efforts to curb illicit trafficking at sea.
The extension comes as intelligence reports and recent incidents highlight escalating threats in the region.
In October 2024, Somali authorities confirmed that 13 heavily armed pirates, equipped with AK-47s and RPGs, departed from the Ceel Huur area toward the Somali Basin. Earlier this month, a Chinese fishing vessel was reportedly hijacked off the northeastern Puntland coast.
Pirates often hijack dhows to use as mother ships, enabling attacks up to 600 nautical miles off Somalia’s eastern coast. The Gulf of Aden’s eastern region remains a hotspot for such activities.
This year has already witnessed significant piracy incidents, including the hijacking of two merchant vessels. The MV Abdullah was released following a reported $4 million ransom payment, while the MV Ruen required intervention by the Indian Navy after three months in captivity.
Experts suggest the resurgence of piracy has been exacerbated by the maritime industry’s reduced security measures, following the removal of the Indian Ocean High Risk Area designation in January 2023.
Established in 2008, Operation ATALANTA has been critical in protecting World Food Programme shipments and other vulnerable vessels in the region. The mission’s extension aligns with renewed mandates for EUCAP Somalia and EUTM Somalia, forming part of a comprehensive EU strategy to bolster regional security capabilities.
With the Indian Ocean monsoon season concluding, maritime security experts warn of heightened piracy risks in the months ahead. The situation is further complicated by ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, creating a multifaceted security challenge for international shipping.
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