Pirate attacks on shipping in the Gulf of Aden region are on the rise, according to the U.N. and a naval task force. The spike comes amid ongoing tensions in the Persian Gulf between the U.S. and Iran. A think tank suggests that the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen are aiding these pirates in a form of gray zone conflict.
The most recent pirate attack took place on Sunday, with a Palau-flagged vessel being attacked in the Red Sea. The crew is safe, but the incident highlights the increased security risks to the commercial shipping industry.
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran largely closed off after being attacked, is creating indirect influences that have led to increased pirate attacks. A European-led naval task force is prepared to take action should the Houthis strike again, and shipping companies are resuming Red Sea transits that were paused during the Houthi attacks.
