Somali Piracy Resurgence and Red Sea Spillover

Somali piracy has reportedly generated at least 13 attacks and six vessel seizures in 2026, including the hijacking of the Iran-linked tanker Seamull off Yemen. Houthi drone activity, including a claimed compilation of 24 attacks and a Yemeni report of a destroyed drone boat near Mocha, adds to the maritime threat, though claims lack full independent verification. Reduced naval coverage during the Hormuz and Red Sea crises could widen commercial-shipping risks across the Gulf of Aden and Bab al-Mandab.