In the first half of 2026, at least nine Somali piracy attacks were reported around the Horn of Africa, marking a significant increase compared to recent years. Tamsin Hunt examines the conditions that have facilitated the recent surge in attacks.
Since November 2023, there has been a spate of pirate attacks off the Somali coast. Richard Gardiner discusses the factors behind these recent incidents and argues that while these developments are concerning, we are unlikely to see a return to the levels of Somali piracy experienced over a decade ago.
Following yet another kidnap for ransom targeting humanitarian workers in Somalia, Gabrielle Reid examines this persistent threat to the efforts of aid workers assisting the most vulnerable in the country.